ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 1 month ago - James Dann

Thank you all so much for your continued answers! All really helpful!

11 years, 1 month ago - Inovi Arts

Hi James,
Although this seems like a plug for a course that I am running at Inovi (www.inovi.org.uk) in September called Producing Documentaries 2.0, which will take you through the whole process of how to get your doc ideas made, it is not as simple as submitting to their websites. Unfortunately most of these sites are a way of deflecting ideas and the reality which most people who have got their ideas made know, is that you need to do more than just submit a good idea. My last three films have been commissioned not only because they were good ideas but because I spent time coming up with a strategy of how to get the idea in front of commissioners and make it attractive for them. The truth is in my experience most commissioners are not very interested as they have far too much content and ideas, and most of their slots are taken by companies/people they usually work with- so that means you need to think differently about your idea and your approach. Good luck
David

11 years, 1 month ago - David Graham Scott

Hi James

just one word of warning. Be very careful if you send unsolicited material to a commissioning editor. I sent an idea to someone I thought I could trust after having a broadcast through that same team. My idea was blatantly stolen. The day after my email was sent they sent a team to get the character I was going to film to sign an exclusivity agreement. I was written out the picture. Nobody from any broadcast channel had been in touch with the guy till that fateful morning the agreement was signed. I know coincidences happen but I don't believe that happened in this case.
All the best and good luck with pitching.
Cheers

DGS

11 years, 1 month ago - sheila hayman

Hello James

I saw this and your previous query about getting into schools. For something like this, all they will care about is access, characters and what they will say on camera. There is absolutely no point in you approaching a channel until you have guaranteed access and a taster tape with amazing characters being frank and saying fascinating things (I assume you're not planning to make a porn movie. How you would get past the problem of showing what it is they're watching, or not showing it, I have no idea.)
You only get one chance at a commissioning editor. Don't blow it by going in too soon. At the point where you have this access and material, I can try to help you into a channel, or more likely a production company with good relations with a channel. I hope this helps.

11 years, 1 month ago - Tony Oldham

Hi James,

I would agree with the comments of Sheila, especially with regards access and a pitch tape. Once you have that, you can pitch to the commissioner responsible at channels such as CH4, CH5 and Sky direct via info on their website (check their Commissing pages). For the BBC, you need to be accepted via their online pitching system. If an idea is strong, there is always the chance they will like the idea but not the individual's credentials. My understanding is that if an idea is strong, it sometimes increases your chances of success to approach a production company that has a good CV of making similar programmes. A good web source regarding TV commissioning practices is TVMOLE.com. Good luck, Tony

11 years, 1 month ago - Eleonora Mignoli

BBC Fresh has a submission policy for short documentaries. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5sv9Xkwjht82QyCGZtS3w3g/submission-information

You can do a short documentary - more like a teaser - send it and then if it gets screen this will give you more leverage to pitch the long one.