Channel 4 has released details for its Nations & Regions Digital Factual Brief. Aimed at up-and-coming producers from outside London, C4 said it is “on the hunt for the next wave of spiky, surprising and access-led mini docs at circa 20 minutes in length”.
Expanding on its brief, the publicly-funded media company said: “We want you to rip up the rule book of documentary and take us into youth issues differently – with films that are built specifically for YouTube. We’re keen to hear ideas that can explore youth issues or surprising worlds with a creative twist, whether it’s a journalistic stunt, an immersive journey or a completely fresh approach that we haven’t seen before. The journalistic rigour and fast-paced storytelling should grab the audience and pull them deep into a topic, but you don’t need to film in dangerous or risky environments.”
As a creative benchmark, C4 referenced its In Too Deep (pictured) documentary strand (including Virginity for Sale, Paid to Party, Bugchasers: The Men Who Want HIV), but stressed that it is looking for something tonally different: “While remaining true to In Too Deep’s core mission of interrogating, exposing or exploring topical, youth skewing subjects from an immersive, first-person perspective – this year we’re keen to explore what a more light-hearted tonality could look like. Whether it’s the style of Zac Alsopp Pickpocketing A Pickpocket or Josh and Archie Just Stopping Oil, YouTube is full of bold, creative content that can unpack serious issues through an entertaining lens.”
In terms of stylistic guidance, C4 said: “We love jaw dropping access and stories that engage the audience instantly, from the outset, with a surprising hook or entry point. We want you to reflect young issues across the UK but don’t be afraid to go niche in terms of location or theme. Think ‘Immersive Documentary’ with ‘YouTuber energy’.”
As part of the brief, C4 said it is looking for ideas led by creator or journalist talent. “Maybe you have access to a future regional YouTube stunt star who could give us a unique twist on youth issues – imagine them infiltrating an illegal gambling ring, or having them spending 24 hours with the UK’s youngest and richest dominatrix. Or maybe a brand-new journalist exposes someone or something unexpectedly. Take us in deep, take us on a journey and take us by surprise.”
Still on talent, the company said “we are excited by new unheard voices and up and coming journalists who have access, tenacity to dig into a story themselves, and/or who might be able to self-shoot. We are always happy to help pair talent to production companies – we don’t always need big names. We love the humorous way Oobah Butler exposed Amazon, or the way Ben Zand spent time with a celebrity psychic, but we’d love you to think of surprising people and worlds as much as the subject.”
Channel 4 is hosting a virtual briefing session on Friday, March 14, where it will discuss further what it is looking for. Ballpark budget is circa £40-50K. Ideas need to be submitted to digitalcommissioning@channel4.co.uk by Friday, April 4.
