This applies to a slightly different group of creatives, but I’ve been thinking for a while that the BBC should have a Storyville strand on YouTube specifically for short documentaries. There are a huge number of extraordinary short films - made relatively cheaply, in broadcast TV terms - by small and agile independent teams, that rack up awards at festivals and then simply have nowhere to live.
An acquisition-first model would offer potentially exceptional value for money, while also helping to stimulate a market around short docs that currently lacks the infrastructure it deserves. In my view, it’s the part of the industry with the highest growth potential and the greatest capacity for giving new directors and new production companies their first real shot.
The upside for that those in the short doc space isn’t necessarily a YouTube channel of their own; it’s developing a directorial voice and building a body of work. A BBC home for that work, would be a genuine step forward, and done well, something that benefits the whole ecosystem.
This is probably the best argument I’ve read in a long time for the idea of a Public Service Media Fund. I’ve advocated for that idea as what should replace “The Licence Fee” - same amount of money but organisations/producers/creators can bid for a slice of it. Maybe the big beasts (BBC, ITV, Sky) initially take the majority, but if it were allocated by say broadcast (tv/radio) and digital (visual/audio) then the same amount of money might do a better job of serving the increasingly diverse needs and providers better.
This applies to a slightly different group of creatives, but I’ve been thinking for a while that the BBC should have a Storyville strand on YouTube specifically for short documentaries. There are a huge number of extraordinary short films - made relatively cheaply, in broadcast TV terms - by small and agile independent teams, that rack up awards at festivals and then simply have nowhere to live.
An acquisition-first model would offer potentially exceptional value for money, while also helping to stimulate a market around short docs that currently lacks the infrastructure it deserves. In my view, it’s the part of the industry with the highest growth potential and the greatest capacity for giving new directors and new production companies their first real shot.
The upside for that those in the short doc space isn’t necessarily a YouTube channel of their own; it’s developing a directorial voice and building a body of work. A BBC home for that work, would be a genuine step forward, and done well, something that benefits the whole ecosystem.
This is probably the best argument I’ve read in a long time for the idea of a Public Service Media Fund. I’ve advocated for that idea as what should replace “The Licence Fee” - same amount of money but organisations/producers/creators can bid for a slice of it. Maybe the big beasts (BBC, ITV, Sky) initially take the majority, but if it were allocated by say broadcast (tv/radio) and digital (visual/audio) then the same amount of money might do a better job of serving the increasingly diverse needs and providers better.
totally agree!