The must-have guide to traditional, emerging and creative TV funding
models that are being developed and exploited by social media-savvy
documentary filmmakers.
Each chapter covers a different form of funding and combines advice from
industry insiders - producers, buyers, specialist media agencies and
corporate funding bodies - and entertaining case studies that illustrate
the benefits and pitfalls of each method. With practical tips, case
studies and advice it reveals what grantors, brands and NGOs are looking
for in a pitch (they all have different needs and expectations), and the
cultural differences that can trip up the unwary producer.
Funding examples range from blue-chip TV documentaries, such as Planet
Earth, which was co-funded by the BBC, Discovery NHK and CBC to The TV
Book Club (More 4), which is funded by Specsavers opticians; to Lemonade
Movie, which harnessed the power of Twitter to source free equipment and
post-production resources.
Readers will discover: the difference between co-productions, pre-sales
and acquisitions; how to develop and pitch advertiser funded
programming; the new rules on product placement; where to hunt for
foundation and grant funding and how to fill in those fiendish
application forms; the power of crowd-funding and how to harness the
internet; how to sniff out grants and funds held in non-film focused
organisations such as the Wellcome Trust; why corporations are keen to
fund your documentary and how to get them to part with their money
without giving up your editorial control.
