DRAMA Development

drama staff David Crean – Development Executive Eilish Kent - Development Executive Vicky McDonald – PA to Commissioning Editors

development for RTÉ ONE Expanding development slate Looking for variety in tone and attitude across a range of drama 2011 to 2016 transmission Currently developing for RTÉ ONE only

Priorities

state-of-the-nation drama Either 2 x 1 or 4 x 1 hours Challenging and inquisitive Unique views on familiar stories Prescient – how simmering events will impact in two or three years Events / anniversaries– think ahead Satire – are there stories better told using satire as a device? Contemporary relevance

renewable series High-end entertainment series Light-hearted – more humour required Rooted in a truth so stories chime with the audience Potential for co-production or pre-sales Distinctively Irish in all its diversity Universality of themes Small stories with big impact

BCI Sound and Vision Fund Distinctive authored series and events Specific cultural purpose that will appeal to RTÉ’s audience while meeting Sound and Vision criteria. Multi-part events (minimum 2 x 1 hours) Stories that are told for a television audience Next round opens in January 2010

Co-production Irish relevance to story is important but open to interpretation Degrees of involvement from RTÉ Think globally – there are opportunities Be pro-active It’s a long game Entertainment driven drama First class talent in writer, director and casting Think of forming strategic alliances with sales agents and productions companies

MEDIA MEDIA funding is available for development and production Does this offer an opportunity for joint funding?

What we look for in proposals Clarity, originality and authenticity in the voice of the writer A unique and informed perspective A clear idea of the motivation to tell the story The underlying ethos Does it connect with the target audience? Urban and rural perspectives Ideas with point and purpose that simply sparkle

Other Priorities Talent new to RTÉ audiences – where there is inexperience mitigate with experience Potential for pre-sales, co-production or co- finance Value for money

demographics Urban Suburban Rural Core audience but drama needs to make an impact across the full range of demographics.

The decision making process Submit a brief pitch by to The most important elements we look for are the motivation behind the pitch, a premise, whether there’s the making of a good story for RTÉ ONE and whether the team to develop has the necessary expertise. Projects get through on their merit. Producers get feedback within two weeks explaining why the project is being passed on or inviting you to meet with us. If the meeting is successful we ask you to submit the project on e- commissioning. It is then considered by the three members of the drama team who recommend or otherwise. If the project is recommended for development it then goes forward for formal approval and to contract. When a project goes into development it is aimed at a particular slot that might be two or three years away.

Most common reasons for rejection failure in the submission to convey a clear television drama idea with the distinctive voice of the writer. the team of writer, producer don’t have enough expertise the proposal doesn’t offer something that’s big enough for RTÉ ONE failure to convey the writer’s and producer’s ambition for the piece an Irish version of something we've seen elsewhere standard genre pieces that lack singularity express a world view that is quirky and remote to the audience sitcoms and therefore more appropriate to Entertainment. Don’t be put off by failure. We just want to find good and courageous work and rejection of any project will only be based on its unsuitability.

How to submit