Guerrilla commissioning: getting unscripted ideas greenlit in challenging times

This session is part of the Connect & Inspire strand which offers a variety of sessions, from in-person networking and online roundtables to in-depth case studies, designed to promote the sharing of knowledge and the building of relationships across unscripted TV. 

In a difficult time for the unscripted TV industry, with budgets frozen and spending on new shows down, this session provides an insight in getting ideas greenlit as low cost, self-sufficient shows that can be executed without unnecessary overheads.

Who it's for

This sesssion is for freelance producer/directors in unscripted TV; we would also welcome applications from video journalists and senior development staff from small indie production companies.

The majority of the USF online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. This course is designed to be as interactive as possible. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help, be that clarifying the form such interaction is likely to take or discussing reasonable adjustments.

What it covers

• Pitching ideas
• Working in digital / digital first commissioning
• Alternative methods to the traditional TV model
• Data driven decision making
• YouTube commissioning

Trainer:

Adam Jacobs is Creative Director at Quintus Studios where he oversees the commissioning of Quintus Originals, predominantly working with freelancers and video journalists to create compelling non-fiction content for the digital Quintus channel network. 

Working closely with filmmakers on their projects, he is executive producer on all Quintus Original productions, shaping the direction, narrative and storylines of each project.

Previously, Adam was a documentary buyer, executive producer, development consultant and commissioner, with 20 years’ experience of unscripted content at broadcasters and production companies, including a decade long stint at Discovery Channel where he held several senior positions, including executive producer and Director of Programming. 

With a background in specialist factual and factual entertainment, he has a passion for arts, culture, fashion and music-based films, developing his own slate of ideas in this space. 

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.