STOP WHAT YOU"RE DOING AND APPLY FOR --->PBS Diversity & Innovation Fund

Didn't I tell you to stop what you are doing? I meant it. Stop what you're doing and sit down and get to writing. In fact, we might just shut down this blog from August 15th through September so that each and every one of my readers or group of readers will have time to submit their proposals to the PBS Diversity & Innovation Fund. They are handing out $375,000 an episode to develop a new prime time series for PBS and I want Black women all up under and THROUGH these proposals. Every time they open a new proposal I want a Black woman's name attached. Moe under the jump

So quit yer yapping about how crappy Debra Lee's content is over there at Black Exploitation Television and get ta drafting you application. I'll be submitting at least a half dozen ideas. Did I mention they are going to hand out over a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS PER EPISODE? So no more bootstrapping. No more being camera operator, lighting crew audio crew, editor, craft services et al. I could actually HIRE PEOPLE! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!

So y'all had better get on this. If you need a partner to work with put your SOS in the comments and see if someone responds or use the WAOD social network.

Every Black woman blogger out there should be typing her hands bloody submitting proposals. Did I mention $375,000 PER EPISODE so 10 episodes equals over 3 MILLION DOLLARS! Sheesh. That's a gamble I'm willing to take. Shut down your blogs immediately people and get to typing and researching. Heck I shut this place down for National Writing Month and Script Frenzy so y'all already know that some mid August this place will be a ghost town. Did I mention almost 4 MILLION DOLLARS???

Objective

This RFP, the first from the Diversity and Innovation Fund, is designed to solicit proposals to provide the NPS with a new, weekly, primetime series – content that will expand viewership and usage, reaching an adult audience on-air and online that reflects the diversity of the 40-64 year old US population. Specifically, the DI Fund seeks to:

Diversify the NPS by attracting more racially and ethnically diverse viewers and Web visitors within the target demographic;
Expand the current NPS audience through the increased use of content created by a diverse group of producers and through the effective use of new and emerging technologies;
Leverage the talent and creativity of executive producers and producers from minority and underserved communities;
Build capacity for the public media system from within those communities; and
Encourage innovation in the planning, production and distribution of public media content.
The content should be conceived and budgeted with multiple-platform use (broadcast, VOD, Internet, mobile, DVD, etc.) in mind from the outset. As producers develop their proposals and ultimately their pilot programs, they should consider not only the traditional broadcast components but also the digital strategy which may include web presence, mobile applications, social media, inclusion in the Digital Learning Library and/or PBS Teachers, etc.

The RFP encourages proposals for a variety of popular genres, including science, history, travel, natural history and exploration. This RFP is *not* seeking children's, drama or news and public affairs content, as these subject areas are being addressed via other initiatives and/or existing properties. The RFP encourages proposals to include characteristics embodied by "The Explorer" archetype – a psychographic audience target aligned with core NPS values and validated by CPB audience research. (See detail on The Explorer archetype following the RFP.)

Sustainable costs are key to the success of any new or continuing series. We are asking applicants to submit proposals for a series of 10 episodes that can be produced for $375,000 per hour (or less) with attendant rights that allow for the efficient use of the content on all distribution platforms. The intent is to "pilot" several projects. One or more will then be selected for series production.

To better reach the target audience, each television-centered, multi-platform project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for marketing across all platforms. Similarly, to maximize impact, each project budget should include an appropriate level of funding for meaningful and measurable engagement plans. Partnerships are encouraged. Producers should consider working closely with the National Center for Media Engagement (NCME) and public radio to develop and implement engagement plans.

The cost of promotion, outreach, station relations, new media deployment (exclusive of rights) and publicity do not have to be included in the $375,000/hour target, but should be factored into the overall project budget.

Planned Outcomes:

An expanded pool of new and diverse content creators and editorial leaders;
Content that reaches an audience that is measurably more diverse, while reaching a broad general audience target at or above PBS's primetime average.
Distribution of content through existing and emerging public media infrastructure;
Innovative use of technology to support content identification and selection;
Increased use of low-cost production models; and
Innovative use of digital media techniques and services that enhance the ability for content to be found via search, syndication and social networks.

Timeline

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 – this request for proposals issued
Monday, July 26, 2010 – PBS begins accepting proposals
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 – all proposals are to be received by PBS by 5:00 p.m. ET
Friday, October 15, 2010 – by this date, PBS in collaboration with CPB, will compile a short list of projects identified for further consideration (Proposals will be evaluated by PBS staff in consultation with CPB, and all producers will be notified as to the status of their submissions.)
Monday, October 18, 2010– Short list of projects identified for further consideration (the written proposals) will be made available online for comment from the public.
Monday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 24, 2010 – CPB and PBS will meet with short-list producers, give notes, request additional information, etc.
Monday, December 6, 2010 – PBS will alert finalists. Contracting for selected pilots begins. Pre-production/production to begin in winter 2010/2011
Pilots will be reviewed by PBS and CPB staff and online by the public, as well as through more formalized testing. Following these reviews, PBS will determine which, if any, of the pilots will be broadcast and/or move forward for full production funding.

And one of us had BETTER win!

Comments

[redcatbicycliste]

Thank you for telling us about this.

[Reader]

Yes, thank you.

[lormarie]

What have I got to lose? I've been thinking and searching for ways to enter the media for a while now. I've got so many ideas. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[Goldenah]

Pardon my ignorance, since I know nothing about media production, and I swore I read the fine print above three times.

Is the proposal just a written thingy? And in said proposal who supplies the staffing? Is this supposed to be an independent production where you bring all of your "tools", or will PBS do the heavy lifting?

It's one thing to write up a series idea (and I'm down with that), but I'm curious about the technicalities. 'Cause I suspect they want higher quality than a homemade show filmed in the bathroom YouTube style (no offense to the auteurs out there).

Anyone who can give me half-a-clue - it would be greatly appreciated.

[Truth p]

Go for it Gem/ladies you've got my support!

[Mari-Djata]

THANK YOU!!!

[miriam]

Goldenah,

But judging from this line:

" Producers should consider working closely with theNational Center for Media Engagement (NCME) and public radio to develop and implement engagement plans...."

It seems like its for independent, work w/your own tools with some monetary help (help = their Innovation fund that we qualify for ). Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Nia]

I am not eligible to apply, but I wish all you ladies nothing but the best of luck and you have my support 100%. I really look forward to seeing one of your creations on PBS one day.

[Goldenah]

Thank you for responding Miriam, I suspected as much. This is for people well versed in these areas, which means all those college students and graduates from film schools should be able to handle easily. Or anyone who has the background and experience.

I could fire off a dozen TV show ideas, but I know nothing about the production aspects, and my interest in this stuff isn't deep.

However, good luck to all of those pursuing this.