News

Request for Proposals for TVOne Historical Documentaries

4 x 90 minute programmes

TVNZ and NZ On Air seek proposals for four long-form dramatised documentaries. These programmes must be distinctive, challenging and have broad appeal.

Successful applications will primarily be funded from NZ On Air's new Platinum Fund. This fund was created as a response to the Government's wish to provide for free to air quality television programmes appealing to a variety of discerning audiences.

These 90 minute docu-dramas are intended to be a "must watch" for a primetime audience. They are intended for screening in the Sunday evening drama slot on TV ONE.

Each programme will explore a particularly engaging story from our past, both recent and distant, and successfully bring it to life. The stories must have strong characters and a rich dramatic narrative so as to capture and hold the viewers attention. This is an opportunity to mine the rich vein of New Zealand's history and discover and illuminate themes that help define us and connect with our modern world.

These stories will be documentaries with dramatised elements. You will need to articulate how each will be treated to maximise the story's potential. When submitting ideas give a thought to the x-factor that will make for exceptional programming.

Well developed story-telling skill is a pre-requisite for key personnel and we expect applicants will be able to point to their previous experience in making high impact documentaries. Proposals should also indicate key historical or cultural advisers attached to the project.

We are seeking proposals comprising the concept, a clear outline of the story and a potential treatment. An initial selection will be made. We will provide development funding for research and scripting for shortlisted proposals. Fully developed applications from this process will be considered and the final selection made early in the New Year.

A minimum of one documentary will be a Maori Project as defined by NZ On Air's Rautaki Maori.

The budget range is up to $750,000 depending on subject and treatment.

It is expected the programme will be delivered on or before September 2010.

The deadline for proposals is October 16 2009.

The projects will be assessed by a working group comprising an NZ On Air Board member, the NZ On Air Television Manager and TVNZ Commissioners for Documentary and Drama. We would ideally hope to notify applicants of the outcome within a month of this date.

Please send 2 copies of your initial proposal clearly marked Historical Docu-Drama Strand each to TVNZ and NZ On Air. Completed NZ On Air Cover Sheet forms and TVNZ Commissioned Proposal & Assessment Submission forms should be included. Addresses are as follows:

Jude Callen
Commissioned Programmes
TVNZ
PO Box 3819
AUCKLAND

Glenn Usmar
Television Manager
NZ On Air
P.O. Box 9744
WELLINGTON