2010 PUBLIC MEDIA CONTENT FUND GUIDELINES

DEADLINE: June 7, 2010 5 PM
*this is not a postmark date - Packages must be received in house by June 7, 2010.

 
   
  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 (no longer than 20 minutes) on any subject that relates to or is representative of Latino Americans that is appropriate for public television and/or one of its platforms.



  Producing for Public Media
 

Programs should bring new audiences to public media and have a recognizable impact on a broad range of viewers, presenting a range of subjects, viewpoints and forms from a variety of Latino producers across the country that complement and challenge existing public television offerings.

An LPB-funded program must be the only version of the program. (A re-edited version of the LPB funded program cannot be re-packaged for another network).

All funding requests must be submitted in accordance with LPB's Guidelines.

You may submit only one application, for one project or series, per review period. If your proposal is among those advanced to the panel, you may be asked to submit additional supporting materials.




  Applicant Eligibility
 

An independent producer or production entity (a partnership or organization of the individual producer or producers), which is/are creating programs on the Latino experience is/are eligible. These programs must be independent of the support of a film studio, commercial broadcast or cable entity, whether on a for hire, commission or employment basis. The producer or production entity must retain the copyright and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control over the proposed project.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be citizens or legal residents of the United States or its territories, and have previous film or television experience demonstrated by detailed personnel bios or resumes, and by sample tapes upon request.

If this is your first full-length media project, you will be required to submit a video sample upon request only of a shorter finished work that demonstrates your ability to tell a story using a visual medium. If applying for new media, producers must have been producing other short format productions for at least three years.




  Not Eligible
 
  • Thesis projects or student films
  • Producers or production entities that are foreign based, owned or controlled
  • Industrial or promotional projects
  • Projects for which the exclusive domestic (U.S.) television broadcast rights are not available
  • Projects with a primarily commercial interest
  • Projects whose content or ideas are identical to previously LPB funded programs in production
  • Current signatories of LPB contracts who have not completed delivery
  • Current signatories re-applying for the same type of funding originally awarded
  • Employees of CPB, PBS, APT and NETA

We are especially interested in projects that provide thoughtful dialogue and impact -full stories giving voice to those not normally heard or seen. While proposals can take creative risks, selected projects must ultimately appeal to a wide variety of television and public media audiences. Projects that reflect personal or individual experience should have universal appeal.



  Funding Categories and Requests
 

LPB funding will average between $5,000 and $100,000 for programs of most genres, including drama, comedy, animation, documentary, mixed genre or new media. LPB will consider funding projects at any production stage. You may submit only one application, for one project or series, per review period. LPB Funding for each stage ranges as follows:

Research and Development $5,000 - $20,000
Research and Development requests should provide funding for producers to fully develop their storylines, identify engaging characters and talent, and complete a production proposal and budget. Eligible activities include: (i) research; (ii) clearance of life story rights or other rights necessary to initiate production; (iii) development of a script or treatment, including the hiring of writers; (iv) preliminary filming, if necessary prior to the commencement of principle photography; (v) completion of a production proposal and budget.

Production $25,000 - $100,000
Production request should provide funding for producers to film, record and produce their programs, and may/may not include full completion of the program. Eligible activities include: (i) principle photography (including all production activities, hiring of crew, talent, clearance of rights for public media use; (ii) development of a website for the program and (iii) post-production (including editing and completion).

Post-Production $25,000 - $100,000
Post-Production grants should provide funding for producers to complete programs already-in-progress. Eligible activities include: (i) post-production (including editing and completion); (ii) clearance of rights required for public media use; (iii) development of a website for the program; and (iv) if approved by LPB, promotion and outreach expenses for the initial release of the program.

Outreach $10,000-$25,000
Outreach requests should provide funding for producers to promote their 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.

New Media $5,000 - $20,000
New Media requests should provide funding for producers to research, produce and complete “short form” (no more than 20 minute) programs for primary distribution over the Internet or another public television platform, and include vignettes, webisodes and other new media content. Eligible activities include: (i) research; (ii) clearance of rights necessary to produce, complete and distribute the program; (iii) all standard production and post-production activities; and (iv) creation of outreach materials (including promotion and marketing materials).



  Funding Contract Terms
 

LPB funding is subject to terms and conditions mandated both by LPB as well as underlying requirements and conditions required of LPB by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If your project is selected, the funding you receive shall be pursuant to a licensing agreement in which you grant LPB certain exclusive domestic public television distribution rights for a proscribed period and territory, the exclusive right to package and promote the program through LPB and/or public broadcasting outlets, and, for new media programming, the exclusive distribution rights over LPB and/or public broadcasting websites and social media sites. This includes among others, the exclusive right to premiere the program via public television broadcast stations in the U.S. and its territories, the right to cablecast on a noncommercial, sustaining basis on cable channels programmed by PBS, and certain distribution rights in connection with use of the programming in the educational and public television marketplace (including, school use of an off-air recording for one year from the date of each broadcast). Additionally, there can be no broadcast or cablecast of any LPB-funded program in Canada until ninety (90) days after the initial release by U.S. public television, nor shall there be any other distribution of any LPB-funded program in the U.S. and its territories prior to the initial release by U.S. public television. Any program for public television broadcast must be cleared for a minimum of six (6) releases during the four (4) year period commencing on the initial release of the program by LPB.

The independent producer agrees to complete the program according to the proposed schedule, project description, and budget, and agrees to certain oversight rights and accountability obligations to LPB. The producer also agrees to royalty participation by LPB in a percentage of net revenues from ancillary distribution based on LPB’s total financial contribution to the program.

Lastly, there are additional stipulations that accord LPB certain approval rights and reporting obligations, which are detailed in the contract once grant negotiations begin.



  Submission Deadline
 

Monday, June 7, 2010 5PM
*This is not a postmark date

Applications must be received in the LPB office by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 7, 2010. Packages received after the closing date will not be accepted. LPB will not be responsible for postal service delays or late deliveries.

Please mail all materials in one package to:

Latino Public Broadcasting
Attn: Luis Ortiz/2010 Public Media Content Fund
2550 N. Hollywood Way, Suite 420
Burbank, CA 91505



  Review Process
 

LPB will convene a panel of professionals to evaluate each application using the following criteria:

  • The extent to which the treatment clearly describes the story, structure, visuals and style
  • Ability to shed light on the Latino American experience
  • Quality of the project idea as demonstrated by a well-conceived and appropriate approach to the material (making it accessible and compelling)
  • The extent to which the proposal takes into account the television medium, and the needs and interests of the program’s target audience, as well as the national broadcast audience
  • The producer’s ability to successfully complete the program on budget and on schedule, given the experience of the producer and proposed production team
  • Soundness of the production and fund-raising plans
  • Overall, the extent to which the project fulfills the LPB mission and programming goals



  Sample Work
 

Sample tapes are not included in the first phase of review. Please do not submit with initial application. If your project moves forward to the second phase, applicants will be required to submit a sample tape of his/her previous or current work. We recommend submitting a sample that is no longer than 5-minutes. Current work may be submitted as a work in progress, including a full length rough cut, trailer, clips, or scene selects. Sample tape must be in DVD (NTSC) form and you may recommend a strong 5-minute segment you wish reviewed. Label the DVD case with the applicant's name and program title. Attach a brief description (one-half page or less) of his/her role in the work provided and its content. Submit 1 copy. Make sure sample tape is a dub, not the original or master. Applicants requesting post-production funds MUST be prepared to submit a rough-cut if requested. LPB does not return sample tape to applicants.



  Additional Do's and Dont's
 
  • Do not send bound copies of scripts
  • Applicants submitting DRAMATIC PROJECTS must also submit (12) twelve copies of the final script, double-sided copies only.
  • Proposals submitted without copies will not be considered.
  • Do not attach cover sheets to any application materials.
  • Submit only the materials requested.
  • Do not include folders, promotional materials, etc.



  Additional Budget Items
 

Regardless of LPB's contribution to the overall budget, or your determination of how LPB's monies would be allocated to any given line items within the budget, all applicants must include a comprehensive budget which covers the costs of complete broadcast deliverables, including:

Closed captioning

General liability and errors and omissions insurance

One broadcast master and one protection master. HDCam Digital Beta or Beta SP are acceptable formats

10 DVD copies

Purchase or clearance of all necessary rights for domestic public television and educational rights including but not limited to music performances, archival and news footage

Photography services for promotional black and white stills and color transparencies

Fiscal sponsorship fees (not to exceed 10% of total budget)



  Production Applications
 

If applying for Research and Development, Production or Post-Production funds, please click HERE for Application Instructions.



  Outreach Applications
 

If applying for Outreach, the producer is required to follow separate instructions pertaining specifically to the Project Outreach Plan.

Please click HERE for Additional Outreach Application Instructions.






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