Thankx Rex! I wrk at the Pentagon, so there isn't nearly as much service as there is sitting :) Given that I'm in DC, I can pop into the Discovery Networks building some time and most likely get a package from them... I looked on the big market websites hoping for a link similar to the one at PBS with no luck... I'll dig deeper.
I certainly appreciate the offer for help- doubt I'll be in NY anytime soon though- plan to move back to southern Michigan, hang out my shinlge, and begin the feast or famine life of a one man show :)

Army, I'm with Rex -- you venture into Central NY, don't hesitate to give a call.

Armyvideo,
E-mail me at stewartr002@hawaii.rr.com. I'd like to query about a military connection having to do with video training. Might turn into something.
Aloha,
Randy
(HQ PACAF)

It's my understanding that any program that can meets the requirements for PBS's redbook will exceed anything the other networks require.

Jay

Thanks Jay. I agree in part that the PBS standard should meet any network standard. While I'm sure the production quality section does, once you move into commercial breaks, specific acceptable submission formats, contact information, etc, that portion will vary by venue, and that is the information I'm looking for.

Army, it sticks in my mind that breaks come every 12 minutes and 30 seconds. That amounts to 50 minutes for every "one hour" program. Then they have time for commercials, station IDs, etc.

I'll see if I can't find that here somewhere.

Jay

Army, after checking with Jennifer Levy at the Discovery Channel, I see I wasn't too far off. Each program is approximately 50 minutes in length. During each "60-minute" broadcast there is a total of 8 minutes for national advertising and 2 minute for local advertising. There are "usually 4 to 5 commercial breaks" depending on how the program is cut.

Hope this helps.

Jay

Army,

I think you are putting the cart before the horse.

If you are serious about Producing Content for PBS and the Broadcast/Cable Market - You, will need to better arm yourself with more specific knowledge and tactics.

Here are just a few abbreviated suggestions and pointers to guide you, better.

1. It is Mission Critical that you Do Not Start at the Top - and Expose your Weaknesses, as a First Impression. Weaknesses means - Not Understanding How Business is Done in the Documentary Realm. And, just How and Who gets to Produce Content.

2. Start at your Local PBS Affiliate. It would be especially helpful if they were an active content contributer to the network. Ask for a list of their Local Producers. Make Contact > Gain Rapport > Request a Face to Face Visit > Ask Questions > Learn as Much as Possible about how Business is Done at the PBS Level. > Do Not give away your concepts that can be stolen, or borrowed.

3. Discovery Ch, History Channel, A&E, Etc... Produce very little content - themselves. Almost all of the content is Produced by Independent Production Companies and Licensed to the Cable Networks. Deals are struck well in advance of production. And, financial arrangements including any advancing of production costs are pre-arranged.

4. How Much a Production Company will Charge and How Much a Network is willing to Pay for Rights - depends alot upon many factors. Too many to list here. But, Stars are paid alot more than new actors. And, Well known and Respected Production Companies are paid alot more than Untested Newcomers.

5. There is a Major Catch-22, here. it is very Difficult for a newcomer to be fronted any monies for production costs. And, if you DO NOT Need Monies for production costs - then, your content is considered of being of less value.

Example (A): Let's say that you Online Your Own Production - including time for commercial breaks, etc. - as you described. And, now you go to shop around your finished, or nearly finished production. Your finished production will be worth so much less to the Network - Then, an unstarted production. What? Why? How could that be?

Example (B): You, as a Newcomer - contact a network and pitch your idea. You show them some "Treatment Samples". And, if the network likes what you are offering - They may:

a) Negotiate with You - to produce the content. A cost of Production can be established. As well as Licensing fees.

b) They will contact or ask you to contact ____X____ Production Company - to pitch your idea to. X Production Company will enter into an Associate Producer Relationship with you - And, they will be the Main Producer of the Content. The benefits to you are a AP Credit and a portion of the profits.

The Value in Example B is that X Production Company is trusted by the Network to Produce the Content to the Specifications, Costs and Contractual Arrangement of the Network. Newcomers, are usually unprepared for all of the aspects, involved. Therefore, this method - has been used by many to get your foot in the door and build valuable credits and trust.

Summary: In Today's Market - with the coming of 500 Cable Channels and many outlets for content production. It is important that you do not give away the farm to sell some milk. Networks, will always look to wrap up content on an exclusive basis, worldwide, in perpetuity - and so on. Arming yourself with the INs and Outs will serve you better.

There are books on the subject that will help you and everyone else - who is interested in Documentary Production. One Book that I would recommend is "Writing Treatments that Sell" by Kenneth Atchity. Also, do an online search for Doumentary Film Making and you will see many valuable resources.

I have 17 years of extensive experience in this area - having been directly involved with the Stock Footage Content Provisions of many Broadcast and Cable Network Productions, as well as the Motion Picture Industry.

Best of luck to you. And, I am former Army 1973-1976.

Jay Mitchell

Hey Army, Did you recieve your vid training via the military? or were you already in it when you got there?

I hear they have a "wicked sick" training facility for Video. Just curious if you have had any experience with the training facilities?

Dave

I have to agree with Jay: Cart before the horse.

Unless you have something that is "one of a kind" it is very difficult to get anywhere as a new comer.

I co-produced a 50min documentry with funding,(key). Most PBS programs require the funding to be all sown up prior to them even looking at your piece. Ours was shot on mini DV,(GL1). Edit and completed on Vegas 4. Dup to digibeta. It actually airs tomorrow, Thursday on our Connecticut PBS channel @ 9pm leading into NOVA!.

Phil

Here is the link for the "wicked sick" military video training school: http://www.dinfos.osd.mil/. Army sent that to me. They go through 9 months of intensive training which includes how to shoot combat footage. Way cool!
Randy