Pitch Readiness Program for Multi-Episode Productions
$10,000.00
Loan
Description:
The Pitch Readiness Program for Multi-Episode Productions program assists producers of multi-episode productions that have not yet obtained broadcaster or distributor financial support to prepare the strongest pitch presentations possible. The assistance will take the form of recoupable loans.
Broadcasters have an expectation of an increasingly sophisticated level of pitch proposal. The Pitch Readiness Program (PRP) will provide financial support to producers to enhance a fully-developed pitch, maximizing the project’s marketability to targeted broadcasters and distributors.
Comments on Funding:
Eligible Production Companies may receive up to the following per project caps:
1. Up to $10,000 per project for scripted, fictional programming (including drama, comedy, and scripted children’s programming); and
2. Up to $5,000 per project for non-fiction programming (documentary, variety, children’s non-fiction programming).
In addition, per project funding will not exceed up to 50% of the pre-market
development budget.
Continuous Intake
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
1. be a resident Manitoba producer, defined as a producer who operates a production company in Manitoba that is majority owned and controlled by Manitoba residents.
2. have a minimum of two years of production experience as a producer and have previously produced at least one project (minimum 30 minutes in broadcast length), which has been either screened by a major network (such as CBC, CTV, Shaw, etc.) or distributed by a recognized distributor (such as eOne, Mongrel, Lionsgate, etc.);
3. have proof of ownership in the underlying property and the necessary, corresponding current rights or options to develop, produce and exploit the production throughout the world (may be shared in the case of codevelopment applications).
4. Producers who do not meet this requirement but who are judged to have equivalent experience (including experience in interactive digital media) may be deemed eligible at MFM’s sole discretion. The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate this.
To be eligible for financial support, the project must:
a) be a series or mini-series (a minimum of two thematically connected episodes);
b) be a scripted and fictional (drama or comedy), documentary, variety, or children’s production;
c) be live-action or animation;
d) be in early concept/development stages without the financial participation of a broadcaster or distributor;
e) be primarily intended for broadcast, be it television or web-based;
f) stronger television applications will contain convergent elements (elements on different media, derived from the required television component).
Application Steps:
To apply for this program, eligible applicants must submit through Manitoba Film & Music’s new online application portal: https://www.mbfilmmusic.ca/apply
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. Detailed story outline and pre-market project description;
2. Detailed budget (locked, signed and dated);
3. Signed commitment letter(s) for the balance of the pre-market development funding;
4. Pre-market development schedule;
5. Detailed cast & crew list (if applicable – for example if a proof of concept is identified as a deliverable);
6. Resumes for key creative positions;
7. Pitch plan (an outline of the strategy and scope of the pitch to national and international broadcasters
and distributors – identify those that will be targeted);
8. Funding plan (an outline of the strategy for securing financing for the eventual development and production phases of the project. Include any relevant information pertaining to the plan for attracting distributor investment and/or, in the case of web series, sponsorships);
9. Marketplace readiness plan indicating target audience and market potential;
10. Complete chain of title documentation;
11. Co-development agreement between co-producers (if co-developing);
12. Additional documents may be required. Check the Program Contact for the full list of required documentation.
Other Things to Note:
Funding will be offered in the form of a recoupable advance that must be repaid on the first day of principal photography of the production. Any sale or transfer of ownership (either copyright or share) by the Manitoba producer must be at fair market value, and “first-dollar-in” proceeds must be used to repay MFM’s development loan immediately.
About the author
Maurice
