Latest Post

DFG Training: How to Write and Pitch a Commission Winning Proposal, 8th-9th April, 2010

"Getting your proposal right first time is crucial, as for most filmmakers it represents the first chance to get your foot in the door with broadcasters. On this intensive workshop you'll explore the processes involved in writing and pitching your proposal for factual programming. During the course, you will cover the standard writing techniques and formats for television proposals, vital information on the commissioning process and the particular types of proposals required by different commissioning bodies. You will also get help with visualizing your story and learn how to make your proposal eye-catching. Prior to the workshop, participants will submit a one - page proposal for a documentary or a factual project that will be developed and pitched during the workshop." The course tutor is Nicola Lees. Click through for more information.

Latest Post

Entertainment Master Class Call for Applications – Deadline 29th March, 2010

Entertainment Master Class is a year-long programme for TV professionals, divided into four modules (which can be taken individually): Games and Game Shows; Reality, Documentary and Factual Entertainment; Sitcom and Comedy and Entertainment Management. Each module runs for five days and is held in a different place (Berlin, Banff, Lucernne and South Africa respectively). Participants receive lectures, workshops and mentoring from industry leaders, including content creators, producers, distributors and lawyers. Subjects covered include creative development, pitching, broadcast scheduling, talent representation, legal compliance, rights management and format distribution. This year's programme begins in May. The deadline for applications is 29th March, 2010. Applicants are assessed by a panel and successful applicants notified. Cost: Four modules, including online support material, hotel accommodation and full board, cost €13,500. The fee for one module is € 4,000. Please note that the fee does not cover travel costs. Application is by CV and completed application form (click through for links). Alternatively you can apply for a free scholarship at MIPTV. (Photo by korom CC BY-SA 2.0)

Latest Post

Greenlit: David Hasselhoff, A&E

David Hasselhoff (untitled) (10×30′) – Docuseries following David Hasselhoff as he juggles parenting with managing his entertainment career. Channel: A&E Producer: Fremantle Media TX: Late 2010 Source:  Cynopsis

Featured Post

What Makes an Oscar-Winning Documentary?

Nothing looks better on your CV than a Oscar or BAFTA-winning credit, but that's an impossible dream, right? Not necessarily if you do a bit of canny trend-watching and forward planning to make sure you make a documentary with a subject that is guaranteed to catch the Academy's eye. As the annual Oscars ceremony is here, now seems like a good time to explore previous winners to see what the trends are before you set out with your camera. Click through to see this year's nominations and the Oscar winners of the last twenty years. (Photo by steepways CC BY-SA 2.0)

be inspired

• If are bored of reading the same old magazines every week maybe you should try mixing it up a bit.  The 45th National Magazine Awards has just announced its finalists - a quick scan down the list might inspire you to read Garden & Gun, Travel + Leisure or Martha Stewart Living. But if you judge your friends by their popularity you should head right over to New York and The New Yorker, as both magazines have secured ten award nominations. Read the full list at Media Life Magazine. #
• French company Ultime Réalité offers to kidnap you without warning (after payment of EUR900). You'll be dragged off the street, tied up  and gagged for up to ten hours. Other options include a manhunt or waking up in a morgue. Customers include high-level executives who want an extreme immersive experience. Read more on Springwise #
• Whilst waiting to collect their Oscar, it seems that Louie Psihoyos,  director of feature-length dolphin slasher documentary The Cove couldn't help but indulge in a little more activisim, this time in a Santa Monica sushi bar call the Hump, which  was suspected of serving illegal whale meat. Louie and his team turned up for dinner armed with hidden video cameras and small microphones to gather evidence. Law enforcement officials are expected to bring charges against the restaurant. Read the full story in the New York Times. #
• Blu Dot's Real Good Experiment aims to track what happens to unwanted furniture when it is left in the street. They left 25 GPS tagged chairs on the sidewalk in NYC and sat back and waited to see what would happen. Watch the video to see what did happen. #
• Love Letters to the Future is an interactive website that encourages people to send a love letter to the future, asking the question "what would you say to your great grandchild?" Once you've read other people's letters you can can vote for favourites or upload your own. Inevitably there are a lot of letters that imagine a world that is environmentally worse than ours. Unfortunately there seem to be few real insights or valuable messages to a future generation. Nice site though. #