Commissioning: Overview

For this post i will look at the commissioning of film documentaries in general rather than look at how they are commissioned on TV networks such as BBC and ITV which i will look at in their own posts.

What is Commissioning?

Commissioning in short is what it says on the tin, a production company or director come to a TV network or film company give an idea or basic premise and if the idea is liked they get picked up.

How Can you/I get commissioned

While i'm a far cry from being commissioned their are ways for small time companies to commissioned here are just a few

• MEDIMED: Medimed is a Euro-Mediterranean documentary market and pitching forum which hold regular festivals in October to allow  new documentary filmmakers a chance to present to networks around Europe Union granted opportunities, however their are stipulations. Firstly while you can pitch a single and/or series  of documentaries must be in at least  in advanced development and have 25% of funding already in place. Secondly subjects that are allowed are History, Human Rights, Art and Culture,  Current Affairs Geopolitics and Society.

But what if you aren't in a position to fun 25% or are advanced stages well websites like BRITDOC will help you get in touch with organisations to help fund your documentary or give you advice on pitching. If you want to chance it then most networks will have a commissioning area on their websites.