CHANNEL 4 LAUNCH PRODUCER’S RESOURCE

CHANNEL 4 have announced the launch of 4Producers.co.uk, a new online independent commissioning guide for Channel 4.
This is the latest in a series of sites related to Channel 4 which also includes Filmfour.com, Channel4.com, E4.com, 4Car.com and a number of others.
The new site is targeted at independent producers and aims to provide all the background that they require on the channel in one accessible place.
Channel 4 say that the site at www.4producers.co.uk is a definitive information resource for independent production companies, and any aspiring programme maker, looking to work with the channel.
Built by London based Mook, the project is a bold departure from the printed format of previous years, and reflects Channel 4's commitment to use the Web as a communications channel.
Despite being new, the site already has a good range of information which will help producers as they prepare material for Channel 4. There is comprehensive information on Channel 4/E4/FilmFour editorial ambitions and an outline of the Channel 4 and E4 schedules.
An animated guide to the production process uses Flash to take producers through each of the steps in the process from submission of an idea through to the finished film, giving commitments on response times and helpful details for each stage.
The site also contains lots of useful administrative features; contact information for commissioning, business affairs and programme finance; a range of documents useful to producers - editorial specification form, end credits information and an outline of the C4 approach to diversity, disability, co-pros and other issues.
Commenting on the new site, Gillian Taylor, Channel 4's Corporate Communications Manager (Nations & Regions), said: "The site, launched last week, is already proving extremely popular. Producers can find out everything they need to know to ensure their proposal reaches the desk of the most appropriate commissioning editor, as well as accessing guides to best practice and content across all genres."
As part of a commitment to usability, the site includes downloadable best practise guides, extra commissioning content - not to mention constant evolution as editorial needs shift over the budgetary year.
Channel 4 also plan to test out the use of streaming video clips in specific areas of the site.
(GB)