Commissioning The Future Lab – 21st-25th March 2012 Manchester, UK

The first Commissioning The Future Lab is to be held in Manchester, UK from 21st-25thMarch. Open to 24 European and UK broadcasters and funders from TV, film and online departments, Commissioning The Future is a unique, five-day intensive training event specifically designed to provide fund managers, commissioners and broadcasters with the confidence and skills to commission and executive produce across multiple platforms.

The lab, to be run by Heather Croall (Director Sheffield Doc/Fest), Mark Akin (Producer Crossover Labs) and Donata von Perfall (Director Documentary Campus) will provide clarity in an over-complicated media environment by using simple building blocks, methods and tools to provide a profound understanding of what works online, and how to maximise audiences by understanding how they behave.

Follow-up labs are planned for April and May. Details to be announced. (Photo by PhillipC CC BY 2.0)

Commissioning Etiquette Workshop, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Monday 8th November, 2010

Northern Film + Media are holding a master class in commissioning to help guide you through the process and manage your relationships with key decision makers. The session is led by Adam Perry (The Community Channel) and Barbara McKissack (Heaton Pictures), who will also answer questions 1-2-1.

When: Monday 8 November, 2.00pm- 5.00pm
Where: Northern Film & Media, Studio 2, The Kiln, Hoults Yard, Walker Road, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE6 1AB (click here for travel info)

How much? Free

Click through for a link to the website and details of how to register. (Photo by Alex_Mayer, CC BY SA 2.0)

How to Pitch Seminar at BECTU Freelancers’ Fair 11th June, 2010

It’s that time of year again. The BECTU Freelancers’ Fair is being held on Friday 11th June in central London. The event is free for members and just £10 for non-members. There are five seminars to help you progress your career and make your programme ideas reality:

1. File-based acquisition and post-production (morning session repeated in the afternoon), presented by the Televisual Roadshow;
2. 50 Ways to Get Funding Before You Die! Chaired by Steve Hewlett from Radio 4′s The Media Show with Christo Hird (End of the Line) and Chris Atkins (Starsuckers);
3. How to Pitch with author of Greenlit: Developing Factual/Reality TV Ideas from Concept to Pitch (and tvmole) Nicola Lees;
4. Ethical Film-making Explored: a session linked to the BECTU/DV Talent Short Film Competition. Watch the screenings and join the debate.

Click through for more details.

Funding Your Documentary – Friday 5th March, 2010

Having an idea for your dream documentary is fine thing, but if you can’t find the money to turn it into reality it’s going to remain a dream. Luckily, the Documentary Filmmakers Group have come up with the perfect course for you. The one day Funding Your Documentary workshop will help you navigate the complicated world of commissioning, co-production and distribution with lots of practical tips for tracking down, pitching for and securing production funding. Whether your ambition is to secure domestic or international TV broadcast, theatrical or festival release, you’ll come away with an overview of the opportunities and be aware of potential pitfalls.

When: Friday 5th March, 2010

Where: DFG, Dalston, London E8 2EZ

How Much:
Freelance DFG members £150 + VAT = £176.25
Freelance non members £175 + VAT = £205.63
Corporate rate: £350 + VAT = £402.50

To book your place, call DFG on +44 (0)20 7249 6600 or email training@dfgdocs.com

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)

Pitch, Shoot and Kill: An Introduction to Factual TV Development, Manchester, 5th December 2009

Freerun TV presents Pitch, Shoot and Kill. This intensive one-day seminar is a crash course in development that will give you an overview of the factual TV development process from initial idea to commission.

Illustrated with real-life stories of how internationally successful and award-winning
programmes were commissioned, the course reveals the ten steps to development
success, including how to:

• Develop the right mindset
• Understand the commissioning landscape
• Generate ideas from scratch
• Turn an idea from a concept into a TV programme idea
• Find talent
• Write a proposal
• Pitch
• Manage a slate of ideas

This course is for anyone who wants to start pitching their own ideas but doesn’t know where to start.

Click through for more details – places are limited!

(Photo by Photo by DavidQuick CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

DFG Training: Developing Your Factual Idea – Friday 6th August, 2010

“You’ve written a proposal, or maybe gained some interest in your idea, but most broadcasters, funders, directors and producers will want to see something more before they back your project. There are many ideas around but it takes a lot of work to make the idea into a programme or film – so where do you start? This practical development workshop focuses on moving your idea into actuality, adding depth, possibility and originality to your factual programme or documentary.” Led by Nicola Lees (aka TV Mole). Click through for more details.