News

Historial Docudramas RFP

17 October 2011 

Request for Proposals for TV One Historical Docudramas    

2 x 90 minute programmes

TVNZ and NZ On Air seek well developed proposals for two long-form docudramas. These programmes must be distinctive, challenging and have broad appeal.

Successful applications will primarily be funded from NZ On Air's Platinum Fund.

These 90 minute docudramas 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 docudrama will explore a particularly engaging story from our past and successfully bring it to life. The stories must have strong characters and a rich dramatic narrative to capture and hold viewers attention. This is an opportunity to mine the rich vein of New Zealand's history and discover and illuminate themes from our past 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 advisors attached to the project.

We are seeking proposals comprising the concept, a clear outline of the story and a potential treatment. Two projects will be selected and we will provide development funding for research and scripting of these. Fully developed applications from this process will then be considered for full funding.

The budget range is $900,000 - $980,000.

The deadline for proposals is November 25^th 2011. 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 Drama and Documentaries. 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 Docudrama Proposal each to TVNZ and NZ On Air. Completed NZ On Air Cover Sheet forms and TVNZ Commissioned Proposal and Assessment Submission forms should be included.

Addresses are as follows:

Jude Callen                                                   Glenn Usmar

Commissioner of Documentaries           Television Manager

TVNZ                                                               NZ On Air

PO Box 3819                                                 PO Box 9744

AUCKLAND 1140                                         WELLINGTON 6141

NZ On Air can also accept proposals by email to tv@nzonair.govt.nz