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Commissioning Passion: ITVS Expands R&D Funding 
Commissioning work is not a new practice for ITVS. The commissioned three-part series DECLARATIONS: ESSAYS ON AMERICAN IDEALS, broadcast in 1994, was a provocative discussion of America's societal values with segments produced by 15 independent producers. This kind of "big footprint" series is not eligible for open Call funding, but may be supported through the commissioning process. Other occasions for commissioning may arise to fast track projects where the subject matter has an urgency which will be lost in the longer panel review process, or to work with an experienced and capable maker on a timely project. For example, Jon Else's OPEN OUTCRY was commissioned by ITVS in cooperation with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as a pilot experiment with new digital camera technologies. ITVS will co-present the program with Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Liu will concentrate on a more systematic approach to commissioning and developing new programming, and will be out in the field looking for work that might not necessarily come in the regular application process. "It can also allow ITVS to take a more calculated gamble with promising projects from emerging makers and not commit last money in prematurely," said Liu. Instead, ITVS can develop a relationship with makers, and provide hands-on assistance in the development of the project. Liu's role is not exactly the same as a commissioning editor, as is common in Europe at the BBC, ZDF and ARTE, since ITVS-funded producers will retain the final editorial control that is standard for all ITVS projects. While Liu is open to receiving inquiries from interested producers, he cautions that he does not want to receive pitch calls where a maker tries out a half-dozen ideas to find one that ITVS might be interested in developing. "The emphasis of our R&D support is more on 'D' than on 'R.' The maker should live with the project for some time, so that it is informed with the maker's passion," he explains. Because of the in-depth individual attention producers will receive from Liu, the number of projects supported will necessarily be limited. In addition, the total funding available is much lower than the pool for the annual application rounds. Generally, funding for R&D projects will be in the range of $5,000 to $50,000, with further production funding possible at a later stage. Liu may take an active role in securing co-financing for commissioned projects, as he did with MAMA AFRICA, a six-part dramatic series that ITVS funded and will bring to public television in the fall of 2002. Liu found the series at the Rotterdam CineMart and spent two years helping complete an international financing package. At press time, ITVS has committed support to two projects: Eagle Pennell, a well-known Texas-based maker, is developing an original drama much in the vein of his earlier works, THE WHOLE SHOOTING MATCH and LAST NIGHT AT THE ALAMO. ITVS is providing both financial support and guidance in developing the project, titled MY DOG BIT ELVIS. Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar are Ohio-based documentary producers of UNION MAIDS and PERSONAL BELONGINGS, respectively. For the past three years they have been following five families at a Cincinnati hospital whose children are fighting cancer. To date, the producers have amassed more than 400 hours of footage. R&D funding from ITVS will allow them to shape the immense amount of material they have shot and to see how best to move forward with an intended multipart series with the working title A LION IN THE HOUSE. If you have a project you believe might be eligible for R&D funding from ITVS, contact David_Liu@itvs.org. |
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ITVS: NEWS | NOW SHOWING | FUNDING FOR PRODUCERS | RECENTLY FUNDED PROGRAMS Contact us at itvs@itvs.org |
