As you can see it can take up to 20 weeks for a decision to be made.
Sometimes the person who came up with the idea isn’t an experienced writer and at the BBC this may occur many times because anyone can commission their idea. If this is the case the BBC would allocate them to work with an in house writer.
Task 3
In order for a writer to get there programme on a TV channel they need to make sure they know exactly what the institution are looking for. On BBC 1 the type of documentary they are looking to air is a 60 minute show to be played at 2100 or 2235, this is therefore after the watershed hour. There looking for a show on fresh stories which bring people closer together and is hosted by a well known talent who has good charisma with the public, this presenter also has to be a presenter of the BBC already.
On the BBC the type of entertainment show they are looking at is for a Saturday night evening or factual entertainment mid – week. For a Saturday night evening show the BBC are looking for a series idea which can be a hit just like ‘strictly come dancing’ and ‘I’d do anything’ but have to make their mark in a distinctive and different way. They would need an idea which would compete well with other entertainment shows such as the X Factor on a Saturday night. The show would be aimed to be aired on the 20/10/11. For a factual entertainment mid week TV show the BBC are looking for a show which will get people talking and create a splash on TV just like ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Masterchef’ have achieved. They would like a show that could sit along these established brands but in a new format. They want a strong narrative so that it can bring back audience every week. They would like familiar topics to ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Masterchef’ so that it can be formatted in a way to appeal to a broad audience.
For comedy there are four different types of shows at the BBC. For a pre – watershed they are looking for a 30 minute show which would broadcast audience. They would like a show written by the best writers and features BBC’s best performers to be seen by the widest possible audience. For a post watershed comedy show there looking for a show which also has to be 30 minutes long. They would like two different shows like ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘Gavin and Stacey.’ They would like to deliver it after the watershed. They would like the comedy to appeal to the whole nation to enjoy. The cast also have to be well known names. The familiarity is extremely important but they welcome ideas that are delivered to the audience in a modern refreshing way. The comedy sketch show is to be 30 minutes long a returnable pre and post watershed show. They would like a sketch show similar to ‘Armstrong and Miller.’ The sketch show would have to develop a more audience – facing comedy and will fast track shows and talent. For a comedy drama the BBC are looking for it to be 60 minutes which demonstrates longevity. There looking for ideas that show a comic twist on the familiar or a twist on the way they are delivered to the audience, or both.
The BBC is looking for dramas to be a returnable series. They would like the series to range from 6 – 13 episodes across 3 time slots. Weekdays 2100, Saturdays 1900 and Sundays 2000. They would like a show to deliver big just like programmes ‘Spookes’, ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Dr Who.’ For a serial the BBC are looking for a show in common intelligence to capture the audience who are looking to lose themselves in a powerful drama. For a single film the BBC are looking for a number of single films to be played across the year. They are looking for similar films such as ’39 steps’ and ‘Jonathon Creek.’
Channels 4 are a well known channel and are also semi self regulated. As channel 4 criteria for a different age group they must require different needs for there television shows during the commissioning process.
For a documentary channel 4 are looking for an exciting and wide range of films, series and projects. For a documentary series they are looking for ideas that are similar to the TV show ‘Cutting Edge’ which explores topics such as the pregnant man etc. They are also looking for major bold experiments such as ‘the family’ and highly provocative films such as ‘the doctor who hears voices.’
For a comedy show on channel 4 they are looking for an original, bold, distinctive comedy with a real sense of authorship. They are also not afraid of unknown talent and are always keen to consider new faces. They would also like the show to be aired from 9pm onwards.
In dramas channel 4 are looking for a stand – out drama that is fresh, surprising, high profile, debate – provoking, audacious and entertaining in all singles, serials and series. The length of a single drama would range from 90 – 100 minutes in two parts and in serials and series there looking for 8 x 60 minutes.
Task 4
For my FMP I am creating a documentary about paparazzi and what it is all about. Do they have a normal job like others? Are they really as bad as they seem in the press? Do they make a celebrity status go higher? Well in my documentary I will be answering all those questions and will be doing that by following paparazzi around in there normal day to day life and interviewing people who are in the media industry and what they think of paparazzi.
My target audience for this TV show is for both male and female and are aimed at mainstreamers and aspires because they are always up to date with the celebrity gossip and aspires aspire to be like them. The target audience ages will be for 16 - 24 year old. I would like to commission my show to channel 4 as most of the people watching there documentaries are from the ages of 16 – 34 and that goes into my target audience. As channel 4 has T4 on a Saturday and Sunday I think my show would fit well. As channel 4 are also looking for a exciting and wide range project I think my idea would tick all those boxes as it will always keep the audience entertained as they would want to know which celebrity they would photograph next.
If I wanted to commission my idea to channel 4 I would have to sign up online () and submit my proposal and if successful they would arrange a meeting with me where I would pitch my idea.
