During todays lesson I researched into Channel 4’s commissioning process. Commissioning applies to all services and is the process of specifying, securing and monitoring services to meet people’s needs. I looked into Channel 4’s documentaries and what specifications they were looking for.
Series:
The examples they used for their popular on-going series were, One born every minute, 24 hours in A&E, and Educating Essex. The main element that Channel 4 are looking for is new ideas which are daring and controversial, and humor to be used in unexpected areas or topics to bring new audiences to areas they wouldn’t usually be interested in. The content should be thought provoking, modern and intelligently provocative.
Single:
There are three documentary strands that single documentary films are broadcast into.
Cutting edge- This is the primetime home for Britain’s most talented directors. Cutting edge is returning with a more focussed ambition to commission compelling and arresting films about contemporary British stories. Films in this strand are likely to be multi-narrative and newsworthy.
True Stories- (Feature length documentary series). Channel 4 are looking to build on true stories with more stand-out “stranger than fiction” stories and unique takes on communities everywhere. True stories is the home for a small number of theatrical release documentaries.
First cut- This is available to anyone who has not directed a 60 minute film for broadcast before. This slot offers new directors the opportunity to manage bigger stories with more challenging subjects.
Presentation – The Commissioning Process
Kerry Hatfield 