2012 Public Media Content Fund

Postmark Deadline: March 16, 2012
Notification: July 15, 2012

2012 Public Media Content Fund Guidelines | Download the Application
In order to keep the information that you enter into the fields, please save the Public Media Content Fund application to your local drive.

Programs should be accessible to a broad audience, have the potential for a national broadcast, and can be used for effective outreach and engagement activities to reach audiences beyond the Public Television broadcast. Assignment of exclusive broadcast rights for four years and off-air recording rights are included in NAPT's Production License Agreement. Completed programs must meet the PBS technical standards as outlined in the PBS Red Book, online at www.pbs.org/producing/red-book/.

Projects will be offered additional distribution opportunities through NAPT, including educational and home DVD distribution through www.ShopVisionMaker.org. Theatrical, non-theatrical, television (free, pay syndicated and video-on-demand), multimedia and Internet broadcasting (including podcasting and streaming) rights are included in this distribution opportunity.

NATIVE WORD: STORIES PAST & PRESENT

NAPT wishes to extend the impact of the documentaries broadcast on PBS. Priority will be given to projects that can be part of an overarching series presented to PBS about Native American peoples, history, culture and contemporary issues. NAPT is particularly interested in projects that profile Native American leaders, activists and artists—those whose work has great impact on Native culture today. Native Word: Stories Past & Present is the working title for this documentary series.

FUNDING TYPES & AWARDS

NAPT will consider funding projects at any production stage. You may submit only one NAPT Public Media Content Fund application per review period. NAPT Funding for each production stage ranges as follows:

Research and Development $5,000 - $20,000
Requests should provide funding for producers to fully develop their storylines, identify engaging characters, talent and complete a production proposal and budget. Eligible activities include: (i) research; (ii) clearance of life story rights or other rights necessary to initiate production; (iii) development of a script or treatment, including the hiring of writers; (iv) preliminary filming, if necessary prior to the commencement of principle photography; and (v) completion of a production proposal and budget.

Production $25,000 - $100,000
Requests should provide funding for producers to film, record and produce their programs, and may/may not include full completion of the program. Eligible activities include: (i) principle photography (including all production activities, hiring of crew, talent, clearance of rights for public media use); (ii) development of a website for the program and (iii) post-production (including editing and completion).

Post-Production $25,000 - $100,000
Contracts provide funding for producers to complete programs already-in-progress. Eligible activities include: (i) post-production (including editing and completion); (ii) clearance of rights required for public media use; (iii) development of a website for the program; and (iv) if approved by NAPT, promotion and community engagement expenses for the initial release of the program.

New Media $5,000 - $20,000
Requests provide funding for producers to research, produce and complete “short form” (no more than 20-minute) programs for primary distribution over the Internet or another Public Television platform, and include vignettes, webisodes and other New Media content. Eligible activities include: (i) research; (ii) clearance of rights necessary to produce, complete and distribute the program; (iii) all standard production and post-production activities; and (iv) creation of community engagement materials (including promotion and marketing materials).

ELIGIBILITY

Independent and Public Television producers, film and video makers. Applicants must hold artistic, budgetary and editorial control and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
Applicants must be 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the United States or its territories.
Applicants must have previous television or filmmaking experience as demonstrated by video work samples submitted with the application.

NOT ELIGIBLE

Commercial projects.
Industrial or promotional films and videos.
Student productions such as thesis films.
Projects for which four-year exclusive Public Television broadcast rights are not available.
Projects intended solely for theatrical release.
Producers or production entities that are foreign-based, owned or controlled.
Projects funded in part by a government entity or group featured in the content of the program.

NAPT CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS

NAPT convenes a panel of Public Television professionals, independent producers and Native resource experts to evaluate proposals and work samples based on the review criteria. Following in-depth evaluation and discussion, the panel recommends the highest quality proposals to NAPT. Recommendations are subject to final approval of the NAPT Board of Directors and successful contract negotiations with NAPT.

The panel considers these factors for delivering a successful NAPT Public Media Content Fund proposal:

Strength of Storytelling. Is the story compelling, engaging, original and well-conceived? Does the content and style show originality?
Power of the Program. How is the subject matter important to the national Native community? Does it show accuracy of Native content and portrayal? Does it shed new light on and spur dialogue about the Native experience?
Audience Potential. Will the project appeal not only to Native American viewers, but to a broader Public Television audience?
Program Reach. Is there evidence that new media will be used to enhance the project and broaden its impact? Is there a plan for educational materials, outreach and/or community engagement to support the broadcast? Will it have a life beyond the broadcast?
Demonstrated ability to complete the project. Can the proposed team complete the project within budget, on schedule and with high quality production standards? If an emerging maker, is he/she supported by an experienced crew?
Budget. Does the proposed budget match the needs of the project? Is it appropriate?
Funding for production or completion. Are funds already committed? Has the producer identified potential funders or outlined plans for fundraising? Are the proposed funders appropriate for the project? Does the fundraising plan complement the timeline for completing the work?
Native American participation. Are Native people in key positions behind the screen (producer, director, director of photography, writer, editor)? Are there opportunities for training or internships?
Appropriateness of Sample Work and/or Work-in-Progress. Does it support the proposal and demonstrate the abilities of key personnel?
Quality of Sample Work. Does the DVD show the skills and/or potential of the applicant to produce a high quality program for Public Television?

CONTRACT TERMS

Projects that are funded will be required to show proof of general liability insurance. Producers who have not previously received funding from NAPT will be required to have a fiscal sponsor. All finished broadcast projects must be in compliance with PBS Redbook and Technical Operating Specifications (TOS), and production guidelines.These standards and guidelines are on the Internet at www.pbs.org/producers.

The preferred video format for programs is HD on HDCAM (1080i).

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Submit 9 copies of each of the following, in this order:

Public Media Content Fund Application Form (include at least one original)—Typed, signed, and dated. Please Note: In order to keep the information that you enter into the fields, please save the application to your local drive.
Project Description and Treatment—Using the NAPT Criteria describe the project (in 5 pages or less):
1. The story, its importance to Native communities, accuracy of content and relevancy.
2. How the story will be told: structure, theme, style, format and voice.
3. Target audiences and appropriateness for Public Broadcasting.
4. New Media and outreach plans.
5. Fundraising and completion plans including a list of secured and/or potential funding
6. Native American participation in significant creative roles
Detailed Completion Timeline
Key Personnel Summary—List their names, addresses and positions. Include a half-page biography for each, and a signed letter of commitment. If there are mentorship or internship opportunities for emerging Native American talent, please describe.
Fundraising—Include a list of Potential Funding (the total of funding sources that could be requested; do not include your NAPT request) and Secured Funding (committed grants and funds). Include a summary of rights committed to funders.
Chain of Title—if the project is based on a pre-existing work.
Work Sample Description—Submit 6 DVD copies of work representative of the proposal's production style. Sample must demonstrate your technical skill and creative style. List date of production, program length, the role of production team members in the work, and its relationship to the project. If funding is for completion, send 6 DVD copies of work-in-progress. Samples will not be returned.
Project Budget—A sample budget format is available on the web at www.nativetelecom.org/handbook/budget_template_sample. Budgets must include both income and expense lines. If your project is funded, all financial reports must coorelated back to the original budget amounts and categories.