The British example: BBC
Theresa Plummer-Andrews is head of children programme at BBC. The children programmes transit on 4 channels: BBC 1, BBC 2, dedicated pre-school channel, CBB, older channel digital channel for child from 4 to 11 years old. The programming is specifically targeted to various audiences.
Is BBC receiving many applications from independent producers?
“BBC receives thousand of proposals every day. BBC is obliged to read and reply to every single one. Separate letter, commenting on the content of the project!
When BBC take the decision to buy a product, the contract between the channel and the producer specifies that the channel is involved in story line, scripts, story boards, model sheets, voice recording, music. BBC has its own editorial line, and it is important that the final product is in line with the editorial line of the channel.
BBC buys also a huge amount of programmes overseas”.
How BBC chooses the projects?
“BBC is looking for all kind of programmes from 1 year old up to 11. Normally BBC looses the audience at 12”.
How is structured the relationship with the creative team?
“The main change in these last 10 years is team working: producers, writers, director, and musicians.
Like every channel, BBC works with known and trustworthy writers. It is the writing job to do the writing. BBC can comment on the writing process, but is not interfering on the job of the writer. As far as the director is concerned the policy is quite the same: the channel must trust these professionals, although BBC frequently works with new people. With the new talent there is always a period of adaptation: the new comers can find some times hard to work with BBC, because the policy of the house is very strict: we cant go so far with children.
Is BBC working with others broadcasters?
“Yes, BBC worked in very big co-production involving 18 countries and many languages. In such cases it is important to work in small working groups. It is impossible to work with huge committees, and ask comments to every single partner”.
Does Japanese series have a different vision of limits?
“Limits are the same. The difference between a programme produced by BBC and a Japanese channel is editing. In BBC there are teams working on editing. Some scenes can have very violent images, but they will not be transmitted”.
Cartoon Master Halle, Germany, April 2002
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.
