An open invitation to independent producers to submit proposals for a public television program or series on any subject that relates to or is representative of Latino Americans.

Programs should bring new audiences to public television 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 television 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 program or series, per review period. If your proposal is among those advanced to the panel, you may be asked to submit additional supporting materials.

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 or commercial broadcast 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 must provide a video sample of a shorter finished work that demonstrates your ability to tell a story using a visual medium upon request.

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 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 impactful 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 audiences. Projects that reflect personal or individual experience should have universal appeal.

LPB funding will average between $5,000 and $100,000 for programs of most genres, including drama, comedy, animation, documentary, or mixed genre. LPB will consider funding projects at any production stage. LPB Funding for each stage ranges as follows:

• Research and Development $5,000 - $20,000
• Production $25,000 - $100,000
• Post-Production $25,000 - $100,000
• Outreach $10,000-$25,000

LPB funding is subject to terms and conditions mandated both by LPB as well as underlying requirements and conditions imposed 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, as well as the exclusive right to package and promote the program through public broadcasting outlets. 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.

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.

Monday, June 2, 2008 5PM
*This is not a postmark date

Applications must be received in the LPB office by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2008. 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/2008 Open Call
2550 N. Hollywood Way, Suite 420
Burbank, CA 91505

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

• 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 treatment clearly describes the visuals, structure, and style
• 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.

Application forms are available by clicking HERE

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT (12) TWELVE COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING IN ENGLISH (INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL):

SECTION 1 – APPLICATION FORM
Please use the LPB application form as the cover page. Please type. Do not handwrite. You are required to fill out this form in the space allotted unless otherwise noted.

SECTION 2 – BUDGET SUMMARY FORM
Please fill out the LPB Summary form provided. For an explanation on categories please see 2008 Budget Summary Form Instructions by clicking here.

SECTION 3 – APPLICATION SUMMARY
Not to exceed (3) pages. Please address or answer the following:

Give a brief project summary by including: 1) a one sentence synopsis and 2) a four to five sentence synopsis.

Have you chosen to target specific funding sources? Please describe fund-raising strategies to acquire additional funding for the project’s budget.

Please give a detailed production status and timeline. Indicate at what stage the LPB Funds would be used.

Who is your target audience? (Defined by geography, classification or generation). Please detail any distribution plans.

How does this project address the needs and interests of Latino Americans?

Why is this program appropriate for public television?

SECTION 4 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Not to exceed (6) six pages. Describe your project by providing a thorough treatment including the dramatic story structure, your stylistic approach and visual elements.

SECTION 5 – DETAILED PROJECT BUDGET
Not to exceed (6) six pages. Indicate items to which LPB funding would be applied. Also include “In-Kind” (volunteered) services, but calculate their value in a separate column. Budget should include total cost of the project including R&D, Production and Post-Production costs. Budget should also include public television broadcast requirements such as Closed Captioning, E&O Insurance, etc.

SECTION 6 – KEY PERSONNEL
Include a brief biography of key personnel (e.g., executive producer, producer, director, writer, director of photography, editor, talent if appropriate and consultants) not to exceed 4 to 5 sentences. Please indicate who on your team is Latino/Latina and outline their specific roles on your project.

If applying for OUTREACH, the Producer is required to include additional information pertaining specifically to the Project Outreach Plan.

Please click HERE for Additional Outreach Application Instructions.

ONLY IF SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED by LPB:
Only Upon Request applicants will be required to submit a sample tape of his/her previous or current work. Submit a work in its entirety. Sample tape must be in DVD/VHS (NTSC) form and cued to a strong 10-minute segment you wish reviewed. Label the tape spine and case with the applicant's name and program title. 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. The sample can be full length rough cut, trailer, clips, selects, etc. Applicants requesting post-production funds MUST be prepared to submit a rough-cut if requested.

DO NOT SEND SAMPLE TAPES WITH INITIAL APPLICATIONS
LPB DOES NOT RETURN TAPES TO APPLICANTS.
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.

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. D-2, Digital Beta, 1" or Beta SP are acceptable formats. 10 VHS 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).

For further assistance please review our Open Call Frequently Asked Questions