RTÉ and the Irish Film Board have formed an initiative to support new Irish Scripted Comedy projects, with export potential.
Following the success of shows likeCan’t Cope Won’t CopeandBridget and Eamon, which have been sold to the BBC and UK TV respectively, and the upcoming series based on the hugely successful film,The Young Offenders,RTÉ is calling for proposals for half-hour scripted comedies, which have the potential to be picked up by international distributors and/or international broadcasters. To that end, participation in this initiative requires producers to source additional financial investment from international distributors/broadcasters, which, at a minimum, matches RTÉ’s investment at pilot and series stage.
Selection Process:
- Up to 10 of these proposals will be selected for initial development, and receive €4,000 development funding, to bring to ‘pitch’ stage. This pitch should flesh out the editorial, production and business affairs/finance proposition – including formal letters of commitment from international funders, outlining their support for pilot and subsequent series. After the pitch, four proposals will be chosen to go to pilot, for transmission on RTÉ in Autumn 2018. Each of these 4 pilots will receive €130,000 production funding (€65,000 from RTÉ, €65,000 development funding from the IFB), and producers will be asked to source a further €65,000 from international sources, and where appropriate, s481 support.
- After broadcast of the pilots, RTÉ shall pick one pilot which will be brought to series for transmission on RTÉ in 2019. This series will receive €400,000 from RTÉ towards the production of 5 additional episodes to complete the series, and producers will be asked to source a further €400,000 from international sources, and, where appropriate, s481 support.
- RTÉ will require premiere transmission (both linear and digital) on pilots and subsequent series.
- If successful, it is intended that the scheme would be run again in 2018.
Application Process
Submit ideas into the eCommissioning system under the programme category 'Comedy Music & Talent – RTÉ&IFB', before the closing date of 12 noon on 29thNovember 2017 (Strict Deadline).