We continue our updated coverage of POV, the flagship PBS documentary strand with a peak audience of 1.9Mn viewers.
In this post: What is POV’s selection process, from Open Call to Offer?
- The Filters.
- Timeline?
- Who decides?
- What are your odds?
- Read POV Revealed, Part 1.
- Also: POV‘s 2015 and 2014 selections.
SELECTION PROCESS
Filters:
- Great non-fiction storytelling.
- Address social issues and issues neglected elsewhere.
- Have a strong point of view from the filmmaker and/or the characters.
- Character-driven:
- “Our strand is called ‘POV’ for a reason” says EP Chris White. “Our films are often a subjective take on a controversial issue.”
- “POV films involve viewers in an issue through the eyes of an active participant or observer.”
- Aesthetically bold: “The filmmaker has a unique editorial style that pushes the boundaries of the craft of filmmaking.”
- Emotional resonance
Curatorial Discretion
- POV’s filters are combined with a “curatorial eye”
- The POV team ensures that themes and styles are not redundant.
- And that needed topics are explored.
- “Themes frequently emerge organically” says Chris White. “Examples are human rights and immigration.”
Domestic? Or Global?
- U.S. topics: 10+/-
- International topics: 6+/-
- “About half of these come from international filmmakers – but the mix varies from year to year. This year, we are at about 50/50.”
Marketing and Promotional Clout
We asked if it makes a difference if a project arrives with powerful marketing relationships in place:
- “We’re interested in hooks and ties that will expand a film’s audience. But it’s the quality of the film that leads our decision.”
- POV develops national public awareness campaigns which can include presenting films to critics at the Television Critics, Satellite TV and Radio media tours.
Technical Format
- HD
- Film
ACQUISITIONS PROCESS & TIMELINE
1. Open Call
- End of June
- POV receives 1,000+ entries for 16+/- slots
- The entries fall into three categories, based principally on their level of completion:
- Early Introduction
Treatment and some scenes are complete
Few projects are funded that are in these early stages
But many are watched or mentored for the next year’s Open Call - Standard
Films need post: 50% of projects.
Completed Films.
Rough cuts. - Shorts
30 minutes and under
- Early Introduction
2. Scouting
POV staff also attends many markets and festivals scouting for projects in production
- These include Sundance, IDFA (Amsterdam), Hot Docs (Toronto), Sheffield Doc/Fest, Full Frame, IFP Independent Film Week and others
3. Screening for Short List
- June-September
- 20 pre-screeners + 5 POV staff members sift through the 1,000+/- Open Call applicants
- They develop a shortlist of 25-30 films
4. Editorial Advisory Committee
- Selection panel is comprised of:
- 6 public TV station representatives
- 6 independents, including filmmakers and festival programmers
- Panel is sequestered for a long weekend in early October:
- Each film is screened by 4 of 12 panelists in its entirety
- Each film is presented to the full panel, with extended clips
- Final 15-16 films recommended by end of weekend
- The POV team exercises a final ‘curatorial filter’ in case a topic or style of filmmaking is over-represented.
- The final decision made by POV’s executive team.
5. Contract
- Broadcast offers are rolled out after the editorial committee and POV staff editorial meeting
POST / COMPLETION
- Filmmakers who accept the offer complete their work and cut their film to the POV clock
- Chris White says “POV provides editorial feedback and support, but we don’t make the final cut. The filmmaker’s vision is the key.”
- The work is completed by the filmmaker or sometimes in-house at POV.
- New season is announced in early February
BROADCAST
Schedule
- The POV slot is scheduled weekly on Monday nights at 10PM, June-October
Audience
- The PBS footprint covers 115 million TV households, and POV reaches 96%+/- of them
- Audience for premieres:
- High: 1,900,000
- Low: 500,000
Outreach
- POV has a mission to foster dialogue in communities and classrooms around issues that are raised in its films
- The POV team works in partnership with local public television stations, national non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, community groups, educators and more to facilitate free screenings, discussions, panels, roundtables, conference sessions and workshops.
- Every year, POV facilitates 600+ screening events across the U.S.
- POV develops resource materials for every film to help foster dialogue, education and action. These materials include standards-aligned lesson plans, discussion guides and reading lists, all available to download for free.
- Examples of outreach resources are: Here, here, here and here
OTHER POV INITIATIVES
American Documentary Inc is the non-profit organization that is the parent of POV.
- A new series AMERICA REFRAMED was launched in 2012 in collaboration with PBS WORLD.
- AMERICA REFRAMED licenses completed films focused on contemporary American stories.
- Films that are in a second window are eligible for AMERICA REFRAMED
- The license fee for AMERICA REFRAMED has been $4,o00 for a two-year license, which POV is hoping to increase.
- POV HACKATHONS:
Held 4 times per year, the HACKATHONS are a place to experiment with new digital storytelling tools, matching filmmakers with coders and programmers to develop prototypes. - Digital Co-productions:
With funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2014-15, POV increased its digital co-productions,hired a technology fellow to create VR tools for film and media makers; and POV continues to host successful Hackathons throughout the year. - Filmmaker Resources:
POV launched a new online resource for filmmakers with opportunities for funding, distribution and festivals.
Partnerships
POV partners with The New York Times to co-produce a series of digital documentaries to premiere on both organizations’ websites, with accompanying articles and interviews.
Thanks
Many thanks to Nicole Tsien for her contribution to our coverage of POV.
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2015 SCHEDULE
All regular programs aired Mondays at 10p. Here is the press release.
- June 22 – Out in the Night by Blare Dorosh-Walther
- June 29 – The Overnighters by Jesse Moss
- July 6 – Tough Love by Stephanie Wang-Breal
- July 13 – Web Junkie by Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia
- July 20 – Return to Homs by Talal Derki
- July 27 – Tea Time by Maite Alberdi
- August 3 – Beasts of the Antonov by Hajooj Kuka
- August 17– Neuland by Anna Thommen
- August 24 – Point and Shoot by Marshall Curry
- August 31– The Storm Makers by Guillaume Suon
- September 18 – Cutie and the Boxer by Zachary Heinzerling
- September 21 – Don’t Tell Anyone by Mikaela Shwer
- September 25 – Art and Craft by Sam Cullman Jennifer Grausman
- October 2 – Ai Weiwe: The Fake Case by Andreas Johnsen
POV promotion at Photoville 2015, Brooklyn Bridge Park
POV 2014 SCHEDULE
All regular programs air Mondays at 10 p.m.
- June 23 — When I Walk by Jason DaSilva
- June 30 — American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs by Grace Lee
- July 7 — My Way to Olympia by Niko von Glasow
- July 14 — Getting Back to Abnormal by Louis Alvarez, Andrew Kolker, Peter Odabashian, and Paul Stekler
- July 21 — Dance For Me by Katrine Philip
- July 28 —Fallen Cityby Qi Zhao
- Aug. 4 — 15 to Life: Kenneth’s Story by Nadine Pequeneza
- August 11 – Neurotypical by Adam Larsen
- August 18 – A World Not Ours byMahdi Fleifel
- August 25 – Big Men by Rachel Boynton
- September 1 – After Tiller by Martha Shane and Lana Wilson
- September 8 – The Genius of Marian by Banker White and Anna Fitch
- September 2 – Koch by Neil Barsky
Fall/Winter Special Broadcast:
- October 6 – The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer
Spring Special Broadcast:
- Cutie and the Boxer by Zachary Heinzerling (date TBA)
From Ellen Barnard, Executive Producer, Tomorrow Pictures
Hello Peter, I just want to say thank you for the amazing information you share. I am so delighted to have discovered documtarytelevison.com at RealScreen in Jan. The generous detail provided shows such a commitment to filmmakers and docs. So again, thank you for the work you do on our behalf. I have really been enjoying and learning from the POV series. Cheers, e