See below Commissioning brief which came through from RTÉ today | Thursday 1st October.
RTÉare currently looking for strong Observational series that can play in PrimetimeWeekdays at 8.30
Budget: Up to a maximum of €220 - €250k
Transmission: RTÉ One Duration: 6 x 25 min
RTÉ are open to range of ideas in this area, particularly observational series.
Current Observational series are Garda Down Under and Stetsons and Stilettos set in the Country music scene; bring us into a world we have not looked at before. What are the next subject areas? While I am open to a range of ideas, the priority is new territories or organisations either urban or rural and unfettered access is key. Producers should indicate the types of storylines they see unfolding over six months.
(Hotel Observationals are not on the list for now as two have been done recently) New production models and cost effective approaches are particularly attractive to securing commissions in this area.
Series that have worked well in the past such as From Here To Maternity, Traffic Blues. Skippers, Customs, and Vets On Call.
RTÉask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system under the programme category Regional Observational Series 8.30pm
Closing date for Receipt of Regional Observational ideas is Friday 23rd October at 12noon
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Rolling Commissioning Round
Transmission: RTÉ One/RTÉ2
Duration: Various, both hour and half hours,
RTÉare open to new talent and formats designed to cast light on contemporary life and relationships and that are capable of attracting wide audiences for either RTÉ One or RTE2. Promising formats can be put into development and piloted.
RTÉcurrently have Farmer in Charge in development but are open to developing new formats.
RTÉask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system under the programme category Regional New Format
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Reality Bites
Budget: €55 – 60k
This department takes on challenging and provocative subjects in the Reality Bites strand with documentaries like Born Addicted (mothers on methadone), Pitbull, looking at Irelands restricted dog breeds and their owners, Nightclub Medicine focussing on the fallout from drugs bought online, Irelands Sulky Racers, set in West Dublin and South Armagh and Rapid Response following emergency first responders around the narrow roads of West Cork.
This commissioning team is often the first point of contact for new production companies from across the country looking to produce for RTÉ2.
RTÉask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system
under the programme category Regional Reality Bites
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RTÉare also open to series ideas, with two currently commissioned ‘Young Dumb and Deadly is a 3 by 52 min focussing on the often unplanned criminal experiences of young people and we also have a two part observational focussing Gardai on the beat in the city centre.
RTÉare open to a range of ideas and talent that could be developed into short RTÉ2 series.
RTÉask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system
under the programme category Regional RTÉ 2 Series
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COMMISSIONING BRIEF | Commissioning priorities:
The primary aim of this commissioning team is to enhance the RTÉ schedules on RTÉ One and RTÉ2, with innovative and thought- provoking programming, with a particular emphasis on producers from beyond the greater Dublin area.
This is achieved through a combination of full commissions of Observational series: Cops Down Under, Stetsons & Stilettos (inside the world of country & Irish), and Inside Shannon Airport.
Returning series like Ear to the Ground and Living the Wildlife are mainstays on RTÉ one that deliver real public service content in an entertaining manner.
If the subject and access is right, I will, on occasion, commission one-off documentaries that can play post watershed on RTÉ One.
Support is available for suitable B.A.I. projects that are ambitious in terms of subject matter and means of production. A good example was the multiple award Secrets Of The Shannon from Crossing The Line Films, who spent a year on the Shannon using the latest recording equipment. Irelands Oceans is another example of a blue chip, ambitious BAI project.
The Development of New Formats is also a priority of this department. The last Format Farm saw a new format, Farmer in Charge, focussing on business makeovers, being put into development. I am open to new format ideas throughout the year that could potentially go into development for either RTÉ One or RTÉ2.
Co Productions are also welcome. As well as the country music observational series being co-produced with BBNI, we also have a one off archaeology documentrary: Irelands Treasures being co-produced with the BBC.
Key to the team's strategy is the identification of new ideas, the working-up of proposals with producers and, often, the funding of development. If proposals to us are more suited to the other areas, they'll be directed there.
Our programmes are scheduled in a range of evening slots and we encourage programme makers to consider from the off about where their ideas might play in the RTÉ schedule.
Please note:
The discussion of, or initial interest in, a proposal does not represent a commitment to commission by RTÉ and should not be understood as such. Commissioning decisions will reflect the quality of proposals received and the scheduling priorities operating at the time. RTÉ's financial position will also be a factor.
Any proposals previously submitted to RTÉ in categories listed here, and which were rejected on a first reading in a previous Round, should not be re-submitted and will not be reconsidered.
The above content is a commissioning brief from RTÉ