RTÉ & BBC Northern Ireland call for new drama series proposals

RTÉ and BBC Northern Ireland are calling for screenwriters to write an original idea for a contemporary and renewable series so that both broadcasters examine the possibilities and practicalities of such a co-production venture.
The drama series should focus on a primary audience range of 18-35 and appeal to audiences across the island of Ireland. The series should be able to sustain a minimum of six episodes in a post-watershed slot and is planned for transmission on BBC One Northern Ireland and RTÉ One/Two.
Both 30’ and 60’ episodes will be considered, and the pitch should reflect the proposed episode duration. In the event of production, budgets per episode will fall within the usual parameters for the schedule slot and duration of the series. To maximise the available budget in any future production, it is expected that if commissioned to production that best endeavours will be made on the part of those attached to the project to secure third party finance.
The proposal should be “fresh, life affirming and offer a chance to look forward.” The series should be set in Northern Ireland and/or the border counties. Stories should concentrate on the present, at “that junction where the everyday meets the extraordinary and where the unfamiliar can challenge the conventional.”
Proposals should be no longer than four pages of A4 and, while the focus of the proposal will be the narrative and characterisation of the piece, it should include: An overview of the series including the principal characters, episode structure and setting; If appropriate, a description of the production model or style if this is pertinent to the distinctive quality of the proposal; Brief details of company and key personnel; A brief biography of the writer(s) attached to the project; And a brief paragraph on the choice of writer in relation to the material
Ideas are welcome from independent companies and who are based in the island of Ireland. Projects which have previously been submitted in any form to either RTÉ or BBC Northern Ireland will not be considered.
The final day for receipt of submissions is Monday January 10 2005.
Proposals should be sent in hard copy to:
Jo Calam, Drama Development Manager, RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Or:
Stephen Wright, Head of Development, NI Drama, BBC Blackstaff House,
Belfast.
(GB)