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| What is the Public Media Content Fund (formerly Open Call)? | |
The Public Media Content Fund is an open invitation to independent producers to submit proposals for a program, series or short digital video on any subject that relates to or is representative of Latino Americans that is appropriate for public television and/or one of its platforms. |
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| Do you only have one submission period per year? | |
Yes, LPB only has one submission period per year. It is usually held the first Monday of every June. |
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| What is the selection process? | |
After submissions are received, the process consists of two rounds. In the first round each submission is sent to readers for the initial evaluation. Through this round, the number of proposals is narrowed down and recommended for further review. In the second round, the remaining proposals are reviewed by a panel comprised of professionals including programmers, independent producers, academics and other funding organizations. |
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| When will I be notified of being selected for funding and when would I receive the first installment of funding? | |
Recipients are usually announced by the first week of November. Do not expect to see first monies until January/February. |
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| What kind of programs is LPB looking for? | |
LPB is looking for stories that have not been told before. LPB is continually interested in biographies, music specials, social issue documentaries and any other films that showcase the Latino experience. |
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| Do all of the projects have to be Latino themed or relate to Latinos? | |
LPB's mission is to support programs that are representative of Latino people or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. Non-Latino producers who apply are required to submit projects that are Latino themed or relate to Latino Americans and have Latinos on the production team. However, Latino producers are allowed to submit projects that are NOT Latino themed but may be of interest to Latino Americans. |
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| Does LPB fund all types of genres? | |
Yes, including drama, comedy, animation, experimental, documentary and new media. |
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| Do I need to submit a sample tape with the proposal? | |
No, sample tapes are not to be submitted with the initial submission of the proposal. Only submit a sample tape upon request. |
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| How many projects does LPB fund a year? | |
The number of proposals funded varies every year. On the average LPB funds between 10 to 15 projects, about 10 percent per year. |
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| Can a producer submit more than one project at a time? | |
No, a producer can only submit one project per year. |
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| What if a producer is involved in more than one project? | |
A producer can submit only one application per review period. That same producer can serve on the production team of another project, but cannot be an applicant. |
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| Does LPB fund at any stage in production? | |
We fund at any stage of production including research and development, production, post-production and also fund for outreach. |
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| What is outreach? | |
Outreach is the marketing and promotion of your program through specific activities or tools to help build an audience. A plan should promote programs to the public media community at large or to specific local or regional audiences. Eligible activities include: (i) creation of a website for the program; (ii) creation and distribution of educational print or electronic materials (including social media) related to the program; (iii) development and distribution of promotional materials for the program; (iv) activities related to community screenings of the program; and (v) other marketing and promotion related to the program and its distribution over public media. |
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| What is New Media? | |
New Media is a new genre within public media that allows for the distribution of shorter format productions on the various platforms within public media. If applying to LPB, New Media projects should be "short form"(no longer than 20 minutes) programs for primary distribution over the internet or another public television platform, which can include vignettes, webisodes and other new media content. |
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| What experience is required if I apply for new media with a short digital video project? | |
Three years of experience on other short format productions is required. |
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| Is a New Media plan required if I am applying for funding of a film/program? | |
No, a new media plan is not required. However, a plan would be beneficial to your project in the new multi-platform landscape of public media. |
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| Can LPB review and give feedback on the proposal prior to deadline? | |
LPB cannot review or comment on proposals prior to deadline. We suggest that applicants have another filmmaker or mentor review the proposal for feedback prior to submitting it to LPB. LPB does give feedback to applicants on proposals that were submitted to the Public Media Content Fund after the process has been completed. The producer must submit a written request for feedback within six months of receiving their notification letter from LPB. |
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| Where can I find out about E&O insurance and closed captioning? | |
For information about closed captioning visit the National Captioning Institute at www.ncicap.org. There are several insurance companies that offer E & O insurance but there is no specific company that is recommended. The following is a brief list of companies that offer E&O insurance: D. R. Reiff & Associates, Inc. Global Entertainment Insurance Walterry Insurance Brokers Roeder & Moon, Inc. Entertainment Insurance |
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| How much money can I apply for? | |
Funds range from $5,000 -$100,000, depending on the project. LPB Funding for each stage ranges as follows:
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| Must I raise a certain amount of money before I submit for funds with LPB? | |
No, your project doesn’t need a certain amount of money, but if you are applying for production, LPB does like to see at least fifty percent of the total funding in place, but it is not a requirement. |
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| Am I required to have a fiscal sponsor? | |
A fiscal sponsor is not mandatory. It is up to the producer whether or not they feel a fiscal sponsor is necessary. |
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| How long do I have to complete my funded project? | |
Normally, the average time producers have to produce and complete a project is one to two years. |
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| On the "Budget Summary Form," what is the difference between "Amount to Raise" and "Expected Income"? | |
"Amount to Raise" is the total amount of funding that still needs to be raised. The "Amount to Raise" can be calculated by subtracting the "Income to Date" from the "Total Project Cost." "Expected Income" is the total amount of funding anticipated from other grants, but have not been awarded. |
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| On the "Budget Summary Form," do I add the totals for "Actual" and "In-Kind" for Total Project Cost? | |
No, do not add "Actual" and "In-Kind", Total Project Costs are actual amounts. |
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| Who has editorial control of the project? | |
The producer has editorial, creative and financial control. The producer owns the copyright. LPB contracts a license agreement for exclusive domestic television rights, which are usually six releases in four years. LPB does serve as a presenter of the program to PBS and other public television entities. |
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| Does LPB help secure a broadcast on public television? | |
LPB makes every effort to get its projects onto public television. LPB offers a project to PBS or other public television entities and works with public television programmers in securing a broadcast. |
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| When producing for PBS are there any standards or requirements that one must follow? | |
Yes, there are standards and requirements that are set by PBS. For the latest information, please review the PBS Redbook. A version of the book is available online at www.pbs.org/producers/redbook/. |
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| Can my program be distributed in other areas beside public television? | |
An LPB project can only be broadcast on public television within the U.S. The program is not eligible for broadcast on any other network, television station or cable channel or any other platform. Additionally, the program cannot have a broadcast until 90 days after the initial release by U.S. public television. |
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| If I am applying for research and development, do I need to include a budget that includes production and post–production costs? | |
Yes, LPB requires a detailed budget covering the costs for the total project to complete the film. If you do not have the actual amounts at this time, you must estimate those costs and include them in your budget and proposal. |
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| If I am applying for Research and Development for drama, do I need to submit a script? | |
We strongly recommend that you try to at least submit the first few pages of a script so evaluators can have a sample of the writing that will be part of film, but it is not required. |
