FROM CONCEPT TO CONTRACT: THE PATH OF AN ITVS PROPOSAL

Do you have an urgent story that needs to be told? How will you use your talent and passion to stimulate new ways of looking at the world? Twice a year, ITVS invites independent producers to share their vision and propose television programs through its Open Call initiative. Once proposals are received, they are either advanced or rejected in a three phase process, which takes up to five months.

The Open Call staff, comprised of Claire Aguilar, Director of Programming, Richard Saiz, Programming Manager, and Erin, Programming Coordinator, ensures that ITVS serves its mission by connecting with and funding films that take creative risks, advance issues and represent points of view not usually seen on public television. To that end, Claire Aguilar oversees all aspects of the department including strategy, funding calls, panels and feedback. Richard Saiz serves as a liaison with producers, giving feedback from panelists and readers and helping them understand the intricate workings of the review process. Erin fields questions about the application and selection process and provides feedback to producers during Open Call, as well as coordinating and processing applications and evaluations.

All applications for the first phase of Open Call are received by Erin. She inspects each submission to make sure all materials are in order, creates a record for each application in the database and files one copy that is kept confidential and is archived.

The programming department then reviews all proposals and advances approximately the top 30 percent of projects to phase two. Producers whose proposals do not make the first cut will receive a notification letter and an opportunity to schedule a brief, focused 10-minute telephone feedback session with either Richard or Erin.

Proposals that qualify for phase two of the application process are then batched out to external readers. External readers are geographically and ethnically diverse members of the independent media and public television communities. Each proposal will be read by three external readers. Readers also screen all works-in-progress tapes if they relate to the proposal. In addition to the feedback of these experienced readers, at least one ITVS staff member (either someone from programming or some other department) - will submit an evaluation.

The criteria that serve as the basis for evaluation are:

• The quality of the project idea as demonstrated by a well-conceived and appropriate approach to the material, making it accessible and compelling programming.
  
  
• Does the treatment clearly describe the visuals, structure and style?
  
  
• Does it bring new ideas, an innovative style or creative formats to public television?
  
  
• Does the proposal address a target audience? Will the program serve the needs and interests of an underrepresented audience? Will the program appeal to the national broadcast audience?
  
  
• The producer's ability to successfully complete the program on budget and on schedule, given the experience of the producer and proposed production team.
  
  
• The extent to which the producer has demonstrated credible access/rapport with the proposed subjects and stories.
  
  
• How does this project fulfill ITVS's mission and programming goals?
  

Filmmakers who are selected to participate in phase three of the evaluation process are sent a new application. They will have two weeks to submit a new proposal based on the feedback they receive about their phase two proposal. During the third phase, filmmakers may submit an updated work-in-progress tape and one additional completed work sample.

The phase three application also provides an opportunity for the filmmaker to describe his or her vision in further detail, as applicants now have up to seven pages in which to describe their project. They also are required to submit an itemized budget, and have the opportunity to address the concerns of the programming department from the phase two feedback they receive.

After producers complete their phase three proposals, their work is assigned to seven external panelists who evaluate and score each proposal. The panel is given one month to complete written evaluations to bring to a panel discussion at the ITVS office in San Francisco. [A more complete description of the panel process can be found in Frances Negrón-Muntaner's thorough article Inside the ITVS Jury Room."] There, panel members debate the merits of each project and modify scores that they had assigned to applications prior to deliberations with other panel members. Once they assess each proposal and screen the sample tape, panel members recommend the projects that they think ITVS should fund.

In consultation with the President/CEO, the programming and production departments reviews the finalists, and offers contracts to a select group of filmmakers whose vision meets ITVS's goals and standards. Producers chosen to participate in phase three but who are not ultimately funded are invited to schedule a 25-minute feedback session by phone with the ITVS programming staff. Evaluations are read to producers over the phone, and suggestions are made on how to improve their application for the next round. ITVS does not provide written evaluations.

For more information and tips on the application process, filmmakers are encouraged to browse the For Producers section or check out the latest features on Beyond the Box online.