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NEW OPPORTUNITY - OUR LIVES

We are looking to commission 3 more 30’ films for the Our Lives strand, for Â鶹Éç Scotland and Â鶹Éç One. Subject to the ideas received we would like to have a conversation about potentially matching a participant in the Â鶹Éç Scotland / Screen Scotland emerging directors scheme to the project. Details of how to apply for that scheme will follow in due course but for now we are looking for ideas from production companies.

Our Lives celebrates bold and captivating stories about people doing extraordinary things, set against iconic backdrops across the UK. Each of our films should have the ability to drive broad appeal across the UK, whilst celebrating Scottish life, landscape or culture. These observational documentaries are character led, usually based around a main protagonist, often with a small cast of supporting characters. We want stories that explore timeless and timely universal human challenges and reflect the diversity of modern Scotland. Uplifting and inspirational, they should have a keen sense of place with stunning visuals throughout.

Our Lives appeals to a heartland Â鶹Éç1 audience. We are looking for stories that are awe inspiring – offering hope, escapism, or fascination. They may provide an intimate view of a lesser-known part of Scotland, or showcase an iconic landmark. Audiences will want to talk about these films to their friends and family.

Submissions via Picos to David Harron by 5 January 2025.

GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES

As well as content that is specifically tailored to audiences in Scotland we are also co commissioning an increasing amount of hours with the network Â鶹Éç channels and welcome ideas for these. These need to be series that work for both a Scottish and UK audience and have authentic portrayal of Scotland at their heart.

We are keen to receive ideas that work as box sets and drive traffic to iPlayer.

Post-watershed Landmark Documentaries

We commission post-watershed landmark singles and short series. The films may originate on the Â鶹Éç Scotland channel or on Â鶹Éç One Scotland.  They need to demonstrate ambition and high production values to meet the expectation of audiences in slots such as 21.00 or 22.35 on Â鶹Éç One Scotland.  They therefore attract a tariff of £95k - £125k.

Exceptional Access Documentaries

Singles and series with hard to get access and revelation in every sequence. Our best recent examples of this are Murder Case & Murder Trial. Where are the places that cameras haven’t yet ventured? In particular we are interested in new ideas for true crime series such as The Hunt for Bible John.

Â鶹Éç Three box set

Think High / Tagged, good production values, young present tense story telling and modern unmissable stories that generate talkability. Ideally not crime. Young protagonist/s, sense of place/voice, window in to a world that will have an incredibly strong iPlayer image and title.  A good recent example was Body on the Beach: What Happened to Annie?

Insider Accounts

Powerful, impactful narratives that tell the inside story of big events or stories and reveal something important about how Scotland or the world works. These films get under the skin of big stories, told through the eyes of the key players.   Yes / No: Inside The Indyref is an example of this – what is the next story we can tell with that level of access and ambition?

History & Social History

We are looking for ambitious Scottish history ideas of scale that tell the nation’s story in a way that hasn’t been done previously.

State of the Nation

Across our output, we want to encourage discussion and debate and document a rapidly changing world, and we are interested in documentary treatments which get under the skin of some of the big touchstone issues of the day. #MeToo and the gender pay gap are just two signs of a shifting relationship between the sexes. Buying a house or having a steady job are becoming unrealistic ambitions for young Scots as older generations continue to accumulate wealth.

We are also interested in ambitious & distinctive ideas which examine Scotland’s place in the UK and the world.

• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Channel: Â鶹Éç One Scotland
• Commissioner: David Harron

Modern Lives Documentary Strand & other Single Documentaries

While there are fewer opportunities for single films we are still looking for compelling stories which shine a light on aspects of contemporary Scottish life. We’re looking for strong personal stories that others can relate to, told in direct and engaging style. These films can be thought-provoking and emotional or about tribes, lifestyles, faith or communities, as long as they’re contemporary.

Good recent examples would be 

• Loch Ness: They Created a Monster
• Aberdeen '83: Once in a Lifetime

• Singles grouped in a strand
• 60 mins
• £60k-£105k per hour
• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Channel: Â鶹Éç Scotland Channel
• Commissioner: David Harron

Observational Documentary Series

Precincts with strong stories at the heart of them, and enough happening to generate longer-run series.  Our most successful recent example has been Paramedics on Scene.

• 8-10 eps x 30mins
• £60k-£65k per hour
• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Channel: Â鶹Éç Scotland Channel
• Commissioner: David Harron

Authored Films

These films can take on any aspect of life today – from sport to politics, arts, culture and the media – and beyond. Challenging conventional wisdom and lazy assumptions, done with authority and potentially wit. Darren McGarvey’s The State We're In is a good recent example.

• Singles grouped in a strand or short series
• 30 mins or 60 mins
• £60k-£80k per hour
• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Channel: Â鶹Éç Scotland Channel
• Commissioner: David Harron

Arts & Culture

For the Â鶹Éç Scotland channel pitches which shine a light on areas of the Scottish arts scene which haven’t been covered before are particularly welcome. Two great recent examples are Scotland The Rave and Meet You At The Hippos.

• Singles or series
• 30/60 mins
• £60k-£90k per hour
• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Channel: Â鶹Éç Scotland Channel
• Commissioner: David Harron