RTÉ: OUTPUT for CHILDREN - Call for Ideas

Thu 31st May 2018



RTÉ: OUTPUT for CHILDREN - Call for Ideas

TYPES OF PROJECTS RTÉ ARE LOOKING FOR:

RTÉ looks for content which reflects the world in which young people in Ireland are growing up, and which has the capacity to engage fully with its target audience. Diverse styles and approaches are welcome and it is likely that projects will have applications or potential across more than one platform. Essential for all proposals is a clear understanding of the proposed target audience and their needs, and the potential to bring something original, innovative and exciting to RTÉ's audience.

Of particular interest to RTÉ at this time are co-productions with broadcasters or content producers in other countries. These should deliver material reflective of, and relevant to youngsters living in Ireland in a way that is cost-effective to RTÉ.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE RTÉ INTERESTED IN?

Original commissions provide highlights in RTÉ's schedules for young people. They are interested in innovative production models, original onscreen/online style and diverse approaches to storytelling in concepts which explore or reflect the lives of youngsters growing up in Ireland today. Co-productions on proposals which will contain a strong Irish component and provide RTÉ's audience with good value-for-money content are particularly welcome. Given the profile of our audience every proposal should have an original complementary cross-platform component or dimension. As they are unlikely to commission a subject area is already in their schedule, they highly recommend producers familiarise themselves with their output before finalising your idea or proposal.

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL & LINKS

STUDIO OR LOCATION BASED EVENT RTÉjr

Number : 1 x 26' Special + 20 x 1' Links in the lead Up to Christmas Special

Duration : 26' special + 20 x 1' links

Budget €165,000

This Christmas 2018 RTÉjr wants to give all their viewers a magical present. That's right it's....."He's behind you time!" RTÉjr is looking to create an unmissable one off Christmas show. The performance can take whatever theme or form you like. A more traditional tale with a contemporary spin, or perhaps a show based around a well loved Christmas story or poem. All that RTÉ ask is that it has broad appeal, is inclusive, heartwarming, interactive, full of great songs and dancing and above all makes our live audience laugh out loud and leaves them rolling in the aisles!

It is recommended that your proposal for the show should include a number of RTÉjr's most popular characters/presenters, human & puppet, plus introduce a few new faces.

As part of this commission they are also looking for 20 x 1' links to begin playing out the beginning of December and building to the main event towards the end of December. The aim is that these links will play out Cross Platform.

Whether watching at home on TV or seated in the audience watching live, the aim is to create an appointment to view special that gives the RTÉjr audience a show to remember!

They ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into theeCommissioning systemunder the programme category "Young Peoples - Christmas Special & Links"

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SCRIPTED SHORT FORM:

Number: 10, 15 or 20 episodes

Duration: 5 - 7 Minutes per episode

Budget: €52,000 per hour

RTÉjr is interested in original character-centred, script-based programmes for its young audience. Stories based in both fantasy worlds and the real world are of interest and themes should be of interest to young children. The programmes may or may not feature children in them. They are interested in long-running series (minimum 10 episodes) and episodes should be short in duration.

RTÉ ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into theeCommissioning systemunder the programme category "Scripted Short Form"

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STUDIO OR LOCATION-BASED SHORT FORM:

Number: 10, 15 or 20 episodes

Duration: 5 - 7 Minutes per episode

Budget: €52,000 per hour

To complement the compelling observational documentary and wildlife programming in the schedule, RTÉjr is looking for ideas for short-form quiz-style shows, for comedy proposals, for cooking ideas catering specifically for under 7s.

They are seeking proposals which explore inter-generational relationships in studio or location based challenge formats which empower young children and encourage engagement between the youngest and the oldest in the community. (e.g., 7 v 77 year-olds),

In addition they are seeking scientific and philosophical programming for the under-7s - How does the world work? How do we relate to the people around us? Life in the Sky: Clouds, stars, planets, birds . Proposals exploring these areas in a treatment designed for young children are of interest.

Other ideas which you are passionate about may also be of interest. High volume, short form formats are key elements for any submission and we are interested in proposals with new writers and a variety of on-screen talent including new and existing talent, live and puppets and all age groups.

They ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into theeCommissioning systemunder the programme category "Studio or location based Short Form "

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ANIMATION FOR RTÉjr

Number: Multiples of 5 or one-off specials

Duration: 2mins, 5mins, 7mins and 11mins episodes

Budget: RTÉ Finance available to a max. of €60,000 per hour*

RTÉ YPP is interested in receiving proposals for animated series suitable for the RTÉjr audience. The RTÉjr audience is made up of two distinctive groups - under 4's and 4-6 year olds. For the Under 4s the world is a safe and magical place, and their lives are very defined by the range of their daily interactions. Series which continue to be successful with this audience include NELLY AND NORA, PUFFIN ROCK, JOE & JACK, FLUFFY GARDENS. For 4-6 year olds the world is opening up as they deal with everything going to school offers. For this audience PUNKY, WILDERNUTS, PLANET COSMO and GARTH AND BEV work particularly well.

When submitting an animation proposal for consideration it is helpful to have as much detail as possible. Ideally this should include Producers CV and Production Company information and similar for proposed co-producers, production bible (Including character description, project synopsis and episode outlines;) any completed scripts or pilot; rough indication of budget and finance plan including additional sources of finance.

Proposals may be considered for general broadcaster support, support for BAI Sound and Vision Funding or other funding support. While it is appreciated that funding models necessitate proposals for animated series looking towards the international market, proposals that have an Irish resonance are of particular interest to us. This may be reflected in a number of ways including visual design; specific character qualities; soundtrack; editorial content amongst others.

We are also interested in proposals that offer versions in both Irish and English languages, as well as potentially other languages which are part of Ireland's cultural diversity. Proposals which bring an original or unique point of view, understanding or dimension to the RTÉjr schedule will be particularly welcomed.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into theeCommissioning systemunder the programme category "Animation for RTÉjr"

*Please note budget ranges are indicative only, and proposals that can achieve lower costs per hour will be particularly attractive'.

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Please note budget ranges are indicative only, and proposals that can achieve lower costs per hour will be particularly attractive'

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Please note:

The discussion of, or initial interest in, a proposal does not represent a commitment to commission by RTÉ and should not be understood as such. Commissioning decisions will reflect the quality of proposals received and the scheduling priorities operating at the time. RTÉ's financial position will also be a factor.

Any proposals previously submitted to RTÉ in categories listed here, and which were rejected on a first reading in a previous Round, should not be re-submitted and will not be reconsidered.