PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION

Proposals are requested for programs in many genres including documentary, performance, cultural/public affairs and animation. Projects submitted to this solicitation must be intended for national public television broadcast. Assignment of exclusive broadcast rights for four years, off-air recording rights, educational, home video, foreign distribution and Internet broadcasting rights are included in NAPT's Production License Agreement

THIS FUNDING CYCLE

This application is for projects that are in any phase or production - from research and development to completion. Awards range from $10,000 to $25,000 for Research and Development, and up to $100,000 for production or completion.

REVIEW PROCESS

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

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 work samples submitted with the application.

• Projects that are commercial in nature.
• 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 is looking for:

• Native American participation in significant creative, technical and advisory roles.
• Power of the finished program to illuminate the Native American experience through public television.
• Originality of concept and style.
• Strength of the production team to complete the project within budget, schedule and the highest quality standards.
• Sound production and fundraising plans.
• Reasonable budget estimates and considerations.
• Potential interest to a national audience.
• Strength of sample work.
• NAPT funds are not intended to cover all expenses. Successful projects should leverage NAPT's investment to raise additional funds.

1. Application form -- typed, signed, and dated.
2. Synopsis of the program in 50 words or less.
3. Project description not to exceed two pages. Will be evaluated on its ability to convey content, television structure, style and accuracy of the work.
4. Treatment that communicates your vision and passion for the story, describing story structure, theme, style, format, voice.
5. Detailed completion timeline.
6. Fundraising: Demonstrated financing/fundraising plan to complete project.
7. Key Personnel Summary: List the names, positions and biographies (no resumes) of proposed key personnel listed on application cover. Include a letter of commitment from each person.
8. Opportunities for mentoring or training emerging Native producers or technical personnel.
9. Explanation of its appropriateness for public television distribution.
10. Summary of rights committed to previous funders.
11. Chain of title (if project is based upon preexisting work).
12. Work Sample and description: Send 6 VHS or DVD copies of a 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 funds, send 6 VHS or DVD copies of a rough cut or sample footage/interviews
13. Project Budget:
• Research and Development (R&D): Budgets must include both income and expense lines
  
  OR
  
  
• Production or Completion Budget: If your project is funded, all financial reports should correlate back to the original budget amounts and categories.

BUDGET

Budgets Must Include:

INCOME SECTION

• All sources and amounts of cash funding, including the year secured or received
• All revenues pending and present status
• In-kind and Producer out-of-pocket support with indication of year secured
• Subtotal for cash income

• Producing Staff salaries
• Production and post-production personnel
• Talent
• Tape Stock/ Supplies
• Travel, Lodging, and Meals
• Rights - visual, music and literary
• Production expenses (including liability insurance, publicity materials)
• Administrative expenses (printing, copying, postage)
• Broadcast expenses including: title availability search and opinion; error & omissions insurance covering broadcast and home and educational video distribution; closed captioning.
• Equipment and services
• Subtotal for cash expenses

The subtotal of each of the above should be equal to the total budget.

Producers must provide verification of one production account for all production funds, with two authorized signatories. Proof of production liability insurance is required. Funding offers may require Producers to secure a fiscal sponsor.

PBS TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• PBS requires that finished programs submitted for broadcast be of standard lengths of 26:46, 56:46, 86:46.
• The preferred video format for finished programs is HD HDCAM (1080i), SD 4:3 Digital BETACAM, or SD 16:9 Digital BETACAM.
• All projects submitted to PBS must be in compliance with the PBS Redbook, PBS Technical Operating Specification (TOS), and the PBS production guide-lines, on the web at www.pbs.org/producers.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completely fill out the application form (Word Doc, PDF). A summary description of your project must fit within the space provided on the form. Type the application. Do not use reduced type. All information must be submitted on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, using one side only.
• Include (8) COLLATED copies of the items listed in the Proposal Requirements section. Use paper or binder clips. The use of folders or other special packaging is strongly discouraged. Proposals submitted without collated copies will not be considered.
• Include (6) copies of a work sample on VHS or DVD (samples cannot be returned).
• Keep a copy of the completed application for your records.

• Fax or email applications
• Include publicity or promotional materials

Applications must be postmarked by July 16, 2008.

For more information, contact: Shirley Sneve at 402-472-0208 or email ssneve2@unl.edu

Support for the NAPT Public Television Program Fund is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.