ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Blimey, I doubt you'll find anything TBH. Independent TV productions for commercial companies are rather assumed to be profit-making rather than requiring grant support. I think product placement/sponsorship might be your best bet.

11 years, 7 months ago - Marlom Tander

Dear Grant Body,

I've done a deal where a channel that charges it's viewers to watch it is so impressed with our ideas that they have offered to pay us nothing for them. In order that we can take advantage of this fantastic opportunity please give us some money so we can get paid.

Seriously...


Your business model is really very simple - you take your agreement in principle to every company you can think of (their agencies etc) for whom there is a commercial logic in their sponsoring you, product placing, advertising or whatever, and if that produces enough contractual money, you make the series. If not, walk away from the deal, or go back to the channel and say "we've got 50K, we need 75, find the 25 or it's off". Remember - they need content, and even if they can't afford 75, if the alternative is "buy something else" for 30, then your 25 looks good.

I'd personally be of the view that if the channel really values you but can't afford you, they should offer to assign one of their people to do this for you. They know the people, the metrics and the language.

Good luck

11 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Find out who you need to approach and if they're sponsoring anything at the moment. No point sending a deal to The wrong person. Sometimes they will love the show but not have budget, other times they will have money but want to change the show to something the network won't play.

11 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Ian, subscription network sounds like it's still very much a commercial proposition, not being paid for it just sounds like a crappy deal with a commercial organisation who aim to profit from your work. There aren't too my knowledge any grant giving bodies willing to underwrite free content for commercial networks - that's the job of the free market!

Honestly, I think you're hosed unless you come up with a decent sponsor. Try asking the broadcaster if they can suggest and potential sponsors maybe?

11 years, 7 months ago - Ian Endfield

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your message. We do have the agreement in principle from them already and are compiling a list of suitable sponsors, after which we will email absolutely everyone. Do you suggest we go straight in with the agreement on first contact and let them know?

Thanks,

Ian

11 years, 7 months ago - Richard Eades

Hi Ian,

I have some knowledge of the Sports TV world where it is common for subscription channels to take 'fee-free' programming with the Production Company covering all costs.

The deal is very straight forward, the Producers raise their budget through sponsorship using the offer of guaranteed airtime as an incentive. The Broadcaster is happy as they get part of their vast schedule filled and the sponsor gets its media coverage.

The trick is to ensure that you charge the sponsor enough to cover everything including your Production fee. If they won't pay the full amount walk away, it really isn't worth your time and effort to work for free while others profiteer from your format.

Next step, I'd suggest, is to get the Channel to put in writing that they agree to air your show (even in principle), this will be crucial to attracting your investment.

Congratulations on getting the Broadcaster interested, now go get that funding.

Richard

11 years, 7 months ago - Ian Endfield

@Paddy - what if we aren't being paid? Would that be considered in the same bracket?

Thanks for your response!

Ian