Producers' Tool Kit by Peter Hamilton, Documentary Television

Meet the Experts at MIPCOM: Conversations about managing rights with Wendy Bernfeld (Rights Stuff) & Peter Worsley (Altitude Rights)

2023 September 4 / Conferences & Markets, Documentary Production, MIPCOM Case Study, Producers' Tool Kit

I’m excited to moderate two MIPCOM Meet The Executive conversations. Sharing their expertise are WENDY BERNFELD (Rights Stuff, NL) and PETER WORSLEY (Altitude Rights, UK). Wendy’s topic: “How to Navigate SVOD, AVOD & FAST Options & Rights for Your Documentary“.) Peter’s topic: “The Music Documentary Challenge: Keeping the Peace Between Producers, Estate Stakeholders & Commissioners.) …

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True Crime Booms: What Producers Need to Know Before They Pitch. My Pact UK Webinar with StoryCentric’s Ed Hersh

2022 December 7 / discovery+, Disney +, PACT, Pitching, Producers' Tool Kit, True Crime, Uncategorized, Webinars

Ed Hersh is a leading authority on True Crime programming. For Pact UK, we unpack the latest industry trends in the seemingly unlimited appetite for true crime programming on every platform. We discuss how the definition of True Crime programming is expanding; what producers need to know, and much more. Watch Now (22′) About Ed …

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TRUE ROYALTY: The Netflix for “super-engaged Royals fans”. A Podcast with CEO Gregor Angus (Republished)

2022 September 9 / Commissioning Process, Distribution, Documentary Production, Funding a Documentary, Netflix, Network Profile, OTT, Podcast, Producers' Tool Kit, Streaming Video, UK, VOD

Queen Elizabeth‘s passing reminded me of our 2019 coverage of TRUE ROYALTY, the ‘mega-niche’ streamer for “the 150M people worldwide who are Royal super-fans.” TRUE ROYALTY now carries a library of “450+ constantly-refreshed quality titles about Royalty today, around the world and throughout history.” First published, October 2019 TRUE ROYALTY is a London-based subscription video …

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True Crime All the Time: Bulk Gives Way to Bespoke

2022 May 2 / Amazon, Commissioning Process, discovery+, Disney +, Distribution, Documentary TV, Internet Economy, Netflix, Pitching, Producers' Tool Kit, True Crime

by Ed Hersh If there’s anyone out there who doesn’t yet believe that the media ecosystem is shifting under our feet, the tumultuous events of the last few weeks at Netflix, Warner/Discovery and CNN certainly should convince you. And nowhere can you see these shifts more clearly than in the still-burgeoning field of True Crime …

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U.S. Cable Channels: Legacy networks retain significant if declining footprints

2022 March 23 / Amazon, Apple, discovery+, Disney +, Distribution, Netflix, Producers' Tool Kit

We often listen in to discussions about the rise of Netflix and the streamers as if cable / satellite channels have gone the way of VHS tapes. Not so fast! Byron Media‘s John Morse generously shared a 4Q 2021 snapshot of the distribution footprints of U.S. cable channels, filtered here for documentary/unscripted buyers and news …

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At Risk in Russia: Soviet-Era Nuclear Icebreaker Smashes Arctic Floes… and the Budget! (Case Study)

2022 March 18 / Case Study, Commissioning Process, In Memory, Producers' Tool Kit

The Siberian Nuclear Icebreaker Case Study (April, 2011) reveals how producer Vinnie Kraylevich risked his life and finances when he hitched a ride on a Soviet-Era icebreaker. It is my all-time favorite post about the risk that producers take on when they pursue the jeopardy-filled stories sought by platforms, channels and viewers. His Nuclear …

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The Sundance Documentary Economy: $848 Million Spent by Producers Who Miss Out

2022 February 14 / Conferences & Markets, Distribution, Documentary Budget, Documentary Production, Foundation Funding, Funding a Documentary, Netflix, Producers' Tool Kit, Theatrical Documentary

A Sundance Film Festival award lags only behind an Oscar nomination as a measure of success for documentarians. But what are the odds that a U.S. or international documentary will earn a slot on the Sundance program? Is $848 million really the total spent on all those submissions that missed out? Read on for my …

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News Roundup: Climate Change Documentaries Breaking Through?

2021 October 29 / Archive, Commissioning Process, Conferences & Markets, Coronavirus, Digital Video, discovery+, Disney +, Distribution, Documentary Budget, Documentary TV, Facebook, Foundation Funding, Funding a Documentary, Inclusivity, Internet Economy, Monthly News Roundup, Netflix, Off The Fence, Osprey, Pitching, Privacy, Producers' Tool Kit, Public Television, Ratings, Reality Television, Streaming Video, Sunny Side of the Doc, Theatrical Documentary, UK, VOD, Webinars, Women and Film, ZDF-E

The COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference opens in Glasgow on October 31, bringing urgency to the race to save our planet. Documentary commissioners, producers and distributors have responded with lots of new orders. Does global warming have the urgent audience appeal of programs that address hot button issues like true crime, gender, and social …

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Producers’ Tool Kit