How to pitch an idea to RTE?

duuuaaaane

RTE are currently looking for ideas for late night weekday programmes and I'm considering applying with a friend.

Can anybody give any first hand advice on what they expect in a pitch, how we approach them, etc

Thanks

Dymo

Be related to someone in there.

trashcan

Best way to get a programme on RTE is to get it made by BBC/ITV first.

(Sorry for being flippant, but it's a semi-serious point when it comes to RTE)

mikom

uwwedoogie wrote: »

Can anybody give any first hand advice on what they expect in a pitch,

As long as it is level, lush, and free from divots or flooding then I'm happy.

Magic Beans

If it's a really good idea why waste it on RTE? Take it to a station that will make the best of it.

maudgonner

It's really, really tough to get a commission from RTÉ, and unless you have a background / experience in the industry it's unbelievably tough. (Outside of schemes specially targeted at new talent, like Storyland. I'm not sure what they're looking for specifially in this case, if they are asking for ideas from people outside the industry?)

If you and your friend don't have that experience, then my advice would be to consider approaching independent TV production companies who have a track record of programme making. (It's one thing to have a good idea for a programme, but being able to bring that idea to screen, on time and on budget is a whole other ball game. There are millions of tiny details that have to be taken care of that you never even consider until they bite you in the bum. It really isn't as easy as it looks!). Maybe look at existing programmes that are in a similar vein to yours and contact the people who make them.

If you decide to go it alone, then you should think about who is going to actually make the programme - who's going to produce, direct, do camera etc. If it involves presenters, then who do you have in mind. Where are you going to get your equipment? Who would the target audience be, what slot would it ideally air in? And (maybe most importantly!) what would the likely budget be? All of these are questions that you may be asked about in your pitch.

I should say that I have no direct experience of pitching to RTÉ, but this would be my general experience. Good luck with it!

ETA: This site should be useful to you: http://www.rte.ie/commissioning/index.html

papahobo

Maudgonner's advice is pretty spot-on.

If you have no track-record, it's best to approach an independent production company. Check out RTE programmes that are similar in style or content to your idea, and check the credits to see who made it.

All TV depends on good ideas, and RTE are very open to good ideas from all sources. If you were to pitch an idea to RTE directly (which is actually possible via their e-commissioning website), they would probably suggest you develop it with an independent Production company.

It's not a get-rich-quick process. If a company pick up on your idea, and if RTE eventually commission it, the most you would expect is a percentage "Finder's Fee", and perhaps some producer/researcher credit.
Best of Luck
Gerry

civis_liberalis

uwwedoogie wrote: »

How to pitch an idea to RTE?

Make sure your idea isn't very good, that seems to be the trick.

Gekko

I've got the beginnings of an idea, but I don't think RTE are going to be my first port of call.

I'm going to try and put together some storylines and am thinking about taking a scriptwriting course.

After that I'd probably look at approaching an independent production company.

Hal Emmerich

Go to a solicitor and protect any idea first, ask over in the Legal Issues Forum about it.

Looney wins Celebrity Bainisteoir ownership battle


17/05/2011 11:08 am

Journalist and media personality Fiona Looney has won her high court battle over the ownership rights for RTE reality TV favourite Celebrity Bainisteoir.


Despite not really being the kind of show anyone would want to parade their involvement with, Ms Looney has won her claims to have orginated the idea behind the reality TV show, after a failed legal challenge was mounted by businessman Patrick Kinsella.


Mr Kinsella had claimed that he presented an original idea for a show entitled Top Coach or Top Team in August 2007 and later discovered Celebrity Bainisteoir was broadcast in November of that year.


He then brought a high court case against RTÉ, the broadcaster’s commissioning editor Gráinne McAleer, producer Alice O’Sullivan and Fiona Looney, a writer and columnist with Associated Newspapers.


During the case, however, RTE supplied Mr Kinsella with an affidavit that conclusively proved that the idea was submitted by Ms Looney in 2004, a full three years before the plaintiff's Top Coach/Top Team proposal.


Mr Kinsella, who was not legally represented and conducted his own case, faces a legal bill of up to €200,000 after Mr Justice George Birmingham ruled he pay the defendant's costs.


Mr Justice further stated that the plaintiff's case was "deeply unfortunate" and was a case of "blind obsession" overwhelming "judgement and sense". Mr Kinsella is thought to be considering a Supreme Court challenge to the ruling.

here