TTFC calls for TV pilots

The T&T Film Company (TTFC) is inviting audiovisual professionals to apply for grants of up to $100,000 for production and post-production assistance for television show pilots.

A release from the TTFC said the grants are part of the Production Assistance and Script Development (PASD) programme administered by the TTFC.

Scripted TV pilot episodes of standard broadcast length (TV half-hour or TV hour), for traditional TV or for Internet TV, can apply for grants between now and June 27 when applications close.

Content may be dramatic or comedic. Animated shows, magazine-style shows, talk shows, documentaries, and shows not developed for TV and VOD distribution will not be considered eligible for funding. 

A complete list of eligibility requirements is available from the TTFC’s Web site.

The call for TV submissions comes on the heels of PASD calls for documentaries, feature films and children’s content issued last year. 

“The call for television series pilots seeks to support high quality scripted series that demonstrate innovative and original creative elements, by awarding production funding,” the film company said. 

It said all awarded productions must be completed within 18 months of the award being confirmed. 

“Each episode must adhere to global broadcast standards must have the capacity to be screened on any major terrestrial, cable, satellite, cable VOD platform, or Internet VOD platform.”

VOD—Video on Demand—is a fast growing market for film and TV. The recent success of US TV shows such as Netflix’s House of Cards and Orange is the New Black has drawn industry attention to the VOD platform. 

Last year, regional VOD got a boost when CaribbeanTales, a distributor of Caribbean film and TV content, launched its own VOD platform, CaribbeanTales-TV.

Grants from the TTFC’s PASD programme will only partly-fund productions.

“The TTFC will support a percentage of the pilot’s production budget, up to a maximum amount of $100,000, for production costs spent in T&T. The amount of each award given to any production will depend on the experience of the producers, the creative and production personnel as well as the nature of the submission,” the PASD call document says.

The film company will hold a How to Apply workshop to support the call. Interested parties should contact the film company at [email protected] by the end of today.

n For complete submissions guidelines and forms, go to: www.trinidadandtobagofilm.com.

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