Hi Guys,
I'm filming a charity event later this year with a view to creating a 30 minute documentary about it. I believe it will make an interesting documentary and will cover various aspects of the event including people behind the event, participants, location / countryside ect.
I'm hoping to try and sell it to TV. I was thinking mainly cable / satellite channels but also thought of approaching Yorkshire TV too as the event is in Yorkshire. I've seen similar documentaries shown on Yorkshire TV in the past.
What I would like to know is what sort of things I should be considering. For instance what is the best way to approach TV companies? Should I contact them now before I have the finished product?
Regarding the technical side of things I'm thinking of shooting it all on HDV using Sony Z1 cameras. The reason for this is that they're not too expensive to hire and I am relatively familiar with them. I was thinking about filming it all on my PD150 but it isn't widescreen.
Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.
I dont't know much about how to put you idea to the TV companies (not my area) other than you should be carefull not to give away to much info on first contact i.e letter or phone call, if it's a good idea they may try doing it themselves.For me, I would contact them after shooting has started or before you edit it (they maybe interested but want to do the edit themselves).
I think the most important bit is you need to know the proprtion of DV/HDV content that is allowable in it.The words "Broadcast Quality" are banded around alot. I know that alot of the TV channels, C4 etc will allow x% dv/hdv and the rest must be DigiBeta or somthing of similar quality. As i understand it they will only allow full DV/HDV use were ther is a real reason for it's use (other than price) like filming in a war zone with men with guns running after you.
It would be a nightmare if you produced a lovely doc and were then told they would have taken it if it had been on the right format.
Regards and good Luck
Dominic
The first rule of marketing is 'make what will sell', and don't 'sell what you make'. I haven't made a single doc' in my life, but if I couldn't generate a bit of interest beforehand I wouldn't even touch it.
However, even if I did find some interested parties, I would also look at other avenues to increase revenue. Consider selling it on the internet, or even sell it to the charity to cover costs. They could use it to promote their concern, and it would limit any financial losses on your behalf.
I know this doesn't really answer your question of how to sell a doc' to tv, but hopefully it will make your venture a bit easier.
James - TVC.
The first rule of marketing is 'make what will sell', and don't 'sell what you make'. James - TVC.
I like that and don't recal hearing it before.
This of course assumes you are in it just for profit. I endeavour to get pleasurable projects and am willing to trade off some profit in return.
I have looked at various productions.
The subjects haven't included 'Trekkies', but lets use that as an example without giving plans away.
Unless you know someone who can bring your product to market and shift hundreds, if not thousands, then you may well make a big loss.
Video making is time hungry. The more time the better the product (usually) meaning a higher possible return, but also a higher risk.
I believe I am expert at Video, but I am not good at selling.
You could argue a good product will sell itself. This may be true on occasions, but it's not guaranteed.
So message is - work out how much time/money you are investing, calculate potential loss and the potential return. Hopefully you can then make an informed decision, if not a 'right' decision.
Dave.
Before you start trying to sell to any organisation, first you should find out their rules for aquisition (not procurement, that's different). You should be able to get that easily, most of them are posted on the web, called "Production Guidelines" or something like that. That will tell you whether your existing methods are ok. When you've done that, just phone someone and see if there's interest, that's when you get involved in procurement (i.e. the purchase of finshed programmes).
It would be a nightmare if you produced a lovely doc and were then told they would have taken it if it had been on the right format.
Hi
Deliver it on DigiBeta 16:9, having made the luma/chroma/audio/graphics broadcast-legal and they won't know any different (if you don't tell them). ;)
Being realistic though:
a) Do you know any current channels that are showing one-off documentaries about local subjects?
b) Assuming there might be one, why should they show your programme rather than make one themselves with their preferred programme production companies?
That last question is crucial. Come up with a good riposte before you knock on any doors ;)
Hi Mark - if you don't get a TV deal try Steve at the APV. http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=36572 Real Player are looking for stuff with local content.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not embarking on this project to make money. It's something I've been wanting to film for a while and I'm in a position to do it now. I would like to get it on any TV or cable channel, but that, along with any payment I might get is all a bonus. The Real Player stuff sounds interesting.
Normally, the "favoured few" production companies gain all the spoils. Also, as paul says, they tend to prefer a series rather than a one-off - there is very little demand for those.
If you wish to proceed, you need to speak to the station`s Commissioning Editor - good luck, it is a tough route, and only a very very small percentage of proposals get taken up. Some production companies have people working full-time on submitting proposals, and even though established, they have a high rejection rate.
Sorry to sound so negative - but am being realistic.
Chris
It's really really unusual for a Channel to buy a ready made documentary from anyone. It's down to the way the commissioning procedure is structured.
A commissioner likes to have input into the content and the style of the doc - they are the ones paying the money and they know exactly what their viewers are looking for (hence getting the biggest share of viewers for that particular time and making more money from advertisers).
The usual way these things are approached is to sell the idea on paper (one side of A4, no more). I have to say that there are generally people who well trained in selling programme ideas and make a living from it, and there's a certain style to it BUT I've also know programme ideas to be commissioned by writing it down on the back of a beer mat with one sentence - but the idea has been absolutely brilliant. If you get the IDEA commissioned you should get around five to ten percent of the total budget of the doc or maybe get to work on it (regionals don't pay much!).
Having said all of this, it's worth a try to sell the doc. Maybe go regional. Find out who the executive producers are for regional docs (look at programme credits or phone the TV station direct). THat could be the best route, but be prepared to sell the idea rather than the documentary. In particular, if it's hard-to-access, but you have the inroads you may be onto a winner.
I don't mean to sound harsh, it's just that I've worked in TV for a number of years and I kinda know the harsh reality of it. You are a better person than I - I do not have a single original idea in my head!!! Hope this is helpful. Best of luck
PS. Find out if they accept stuff shot on a Z1. Some have guidelines that say it has to be Digi etc.
Hi guys,
Thanks for all your advice. In the end we went for a Z1 as main camera and the PD150 with anamorphoc adapter as second camera. The shoot went really well. I have enough footage to make something entertaining out of it. Whether it is technically good enough or shot well enough for TV remains to be seen. The main reason we went for these cameras is budget above everything else. I think the conent is of a fairly high quality. This is more a "labour of love" than anything else and selling it would be a bonus.
I'll keep you all updated as I get it edited and then try to sell it.
Regards
Mark
In the US it works very differently but some of the concepts might make sense. Local cable channels on occasion do buy programs of general interest to their audiences but generally what is done is that you get funding from sponsors of the program, then they get not really an ad but sort of a pitch along the lines of this program was produced with a grant from, or funding provided by etc, and then you can look at the various options for airing. We have a series called INDEPENDANT LENS for instance.
It might seem like an odd way to do it but we do get quite a few independant productions and films aired that way.
Sharyn
Television only look for the formula what sells. They have no interest what a individual video-maker got or makes.
This is a sad fact. One day they will open the doors and see what talent is there.
Most people dont have the gift of selling their video product. But from reading these post. Help is at hand.
My documentary The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride will be shown on the Community Channel as part of the Charge TV show. It will be shown daily from the 21st of May at 10am, 1pm, 6pm and 10pm.
The Community Channel can be found on:
Sky channel 539
Virgin channel 233
So, I finally managed to get it on TV. I haven't received anything for it being broadcast but I'm not bothered about that, I'm just pleased it's getting an airing. If anyone gets the chance to see it I'd be keen to hear any feedback.
Hi Brother Mark,
It's great to see a tentative enquiry turned into reality.
As a keen cyclist..I have added reason to watch.
I suggest you put a reminder here on the day.
Dave
Bump.
It's on all this week.
Hi guys,
The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride can now been seen on my website. I would appreciate any feedback you guys could give me. http://marks-media.co.uk/gybr.htm
A well documented account of the event. This subject seems to have limited appeal. Unless you are into that format of sport.
Your style of presentation held my interest. A very good archive material for future generation.
Thanks for the comments Maxwell.