Commissioning, content (and cool stuff I just really wanted to mention)
Any of you who have rigorously researched Channel 4 will know that C4 is an organisation that commissions all of its programmes (yes this does include the news and T4!) What Channel 4 does is commission production companies to produce content, either after a company pitches an idea to one of the various departments or because C4 needs a program made (such as an evening news programme.)
This means that if you are set on becoming a programme maker, a placement at Channel 4 may not be the right place for you just yet, however there are multiple production companies that work with Channel 4 that produce that signature C4 content we all know and love.
For example, T4 is made by Princess Productions, Skins by Company Pictures and the Channel 4 News is made by ITN. Possibly one of the most famous external production contracts is with Endemol, creators of Big Brother. Channel 4 was the second television network to take on the programme and after it has spread worldwide, Endemol has grown with it creating new divisions such as Zeppotron (producers of the hilarious Charlie Brooker/C4 vehicle You have been watching) and Brighter Pictures who produce the UK version of Big Brother and its associated programmes.
Online content, my area, is slightly different. I began my Generation Next work placement as an assistant producer of the Big Brother website, assisting online editor, Kate Quilton (BBLB fans may have seen her talking to George Lamb in her fortnightly webwatch slot, ) with overseeing the website. Although the website looks very much like a Channel 4 product (it was designed here before the series began) the content is created by Endemol. Channel 4 works with Endemol to create cross platform content and to ensure that viewers are making use of the ‘360 experience’ (i.e print, online, visual all surrounding one programme.)
Another company that Channel 4 commissions to create show related new media is Birmingham based production company Maverick. Maverick’s partnership with the channel has been hugely successful and their website for Embarrassing Bodies won a BAFTA at a lavish ceremony earlier this year.
Some Channel 4 websites have slightly different contracts with their associated programmes and production companies. For example, highly regarded drama Skins features video and written content from its production company, Company Productions, but is produced in house at Channel 4’s Horseferry Road offices. The website has enabled Skins to become an interactive phenomenon with at least 40% of fans engaging with the website as well as the programme itself. It allows co creator Bryan Elsley (who really does read all the comments you submit) and his team to see what fans hate and what they rate and ensures that the show is going in a direction that will both thrill and expand its already strong fanbase.
Skins is also incredibly important for people such as me who want to get involved as contributors with a series three competition that gave people to get involved wit production design, directing and writing. The result of this competition was an intriguing short film called Brink, which you can find on the Skins website. Talented Brink writer Dan Lovett will now be joining the Skins writing team for the foreseeable future.
The strong communication between Skins’ programme makers and fans was proved at this year’s BAFTAs when the programme, the only nominee to be originally aired on a digital channel, won the Phillips Audience Award after competing against ratings giants X Factor and The Apprentice. As this is the only BAFTA television award that is publically voted for it would have been the dedicated fans of Skins that made this win possible.
And so, to my little list of bullet points for this post:
• Channel 4 commissions all television content so if you want to create, rather than commission then check out production companies.
• Channel 4 controls some, but not all of the programme associated content that it hosts.
• Programme enhancing websites are becoming vital to shows with a youthful demographic whilst also providing an extra source of funding through advertising and sponsorship.
• Websites such as Skins and 4Talent may offer opportunities throughout the year so check sites regularly to see if anything pops up