Pitching
Channel Profile: Current TV
What is Current TV?
It is the place to pitch your short documentary (up to 8 minutes duration).
Where is it?
In the UK Current can be found online, on Sky and Virgin (which are subscription and ad funded channels, like the US cable model). They produce 60% of their programming internally, and commission 40% from outside. Filmmakers are invited to upload their films to the website – those that generate a buzz get picked up by the commissioners for Current TV.
What kind of films do they want?
- Subjects that are relevant to an 18-34 audience.
- Authored films
- Stories about niche groups or subcultures come with an inbuilt fanbase
- Attention grabbing titles – for example: Ketamine is for Horses, and Daily Mail Diet
What else do I need to think about?
- Show, don’t tell the story – interviews intercut with archive don’t cut it. Your presenter/characters need to be immersed in the subject, doing something active and take the audience with them. (When Jane Root was at Discovery Channel, she once said that audiences didn’t want to watch people going on a safari, they wanted to feel like they were ‘in the truck’ and on the safari themselves.)
- Formatted approaches can work for the channel
- Choose music that enhances the story – Current will give you access to their huge free music library.
- Use an editing style that adds to the story – see Living with Narcolepsy
Current brief:
Current schedule monthly themed seasons – they commission 15 films per season.
Upcoming 2009 seasons:
- Desperately Seeking Fame – Pitch deadline: 15th February 09
- Gay Gay Gay!!! - Pitch deadline: 15th April
- Wasted - Pitch deadline: 15th May
- Internet Generation – Pitch deadline: 15th June
- Future Sex - Pitch deadline: 15th July
- 30 Under 30 - Pitch deadline: 15th August
I have a great idea, but it doesn’t fit into any of these seasons.
Pitch it anyway – they won’t turn down a great story or amazing access. If it’s good enough they might schedule a season around your film. (This is advice worth following for the major channels too – they will always find the money or the space in the schedule for a killer proposal).
What else do I need to know?
Current will help you during the production process – giving you help with understanding compliance (link to site) and their legal team.
They welcome ideas from people with a range of experience – if you have a great idea but have never picked up a camera, Current will partner you with an experienced filmmaker.
Now what?
Go make a film.
I’ve made a film already.
Upload it to current.com. If people like it the channel wants to show it on Current TV they’ll get in touch with you.
I can’t afford to make a film on spec.
Fill in a short application form (link) and send it to Emily Renshaw-Smith@current.com or Lina Prestwood on liprestwood@currrent.com.
What do I get?
- Current pay up to £1000 – half on commission and the rest on delivery (if you’ve already made your film they will buy the rights to show your film on Current TV.
- A a broadcast credit and material for your showreel.
- More opportunities – Current retain the rights to your film but are willing to negotiate a deal whereby you use your film to pitch a bigger idea another channel. For example, if you made a five minute film on a greyhound racing in its first race you might then want to pitch an hour long documentary on the fight to safe a greyhound stadium from closure, using the short film as a taster tape.
Resources
I have a full-time job or am tied to pitching to certain channels – this is irrelevant to me.
Wrong. Keep an eye on current to:
- See what topics/subjects are engaging the current community (a young and desirable demographic)
- Talent spot – find new presenters for your programmes, or keep an eye on up-and-coming directors.
And in the current climate you never know when you might have a few spare weeks on your hands…use them wisely.
Still have questions/comments/feedback on Current?
Add them to the comments box below.
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