Formats Daphne Dijkerman (DDI02) [email_address]

Format Can be used several times (for example, the event Sensation of the TV show Big Brother) It is non-linear and multiple, it can use of different media. There is interaction with the audience because the concept may grow.

Can be used several times (for example, the event Sensation of the TV show Big Brother)

It is non-linear and multiple, it can use of different media.

There is interaction with the audience because the concept may grow.

Definitie Format “… Format is the name of a crossmedia expression where characteristic elements are fixed , so that a distinctive and result-oriented contact with the target group is built. On the basis of which a balanced mix of content, entertainment and interaction can be produced …” (Daphne Dijkerman)

“… Format is the name of a crossmedia expression where characteristic elements are fixed , so that a distinctive and result-oriented contact with the target group is built. On the basis of which a balanced mix of content, entertainment and interaction can be produced …”

(Daphne Dijkerman)

Formats Big Brother Idols Serious Request Radio 538 Volkskrant NRC.Next Sensation Dance Valley Unox nieuwjaarsduik DE Burendag Television Radio Print Music Campaign

Big Brother

Idols

Serious Request

Radio 538

Volkskrant

NRC.Next

Sensation

Dance Valley

Unox nieuwjaarsduik

DE Burendag

Advantages Development costs are spread over many productions. Optimal use of accumulated knowledge and experience. Productions repeating nationally and internationally.

Development costs are spread over many productions.

Optimal use of accumulated knowledge and experience.

Productions repeating nationally and internationally.

Format = formula

Characteristics format Program Title Audience Proposed time slot Length in minutes Example games / questions Decor, set design Marketing opportunities Scenario Theme

Program Title

Audience

Proposed time slot

Length in minutes

Example games / questions

Decor, set design

Marketing opportunities

Scenario

Theme

Requirements Simplicity Revenu Repeatable Viral multi platform c.q. crossmedia Selfsustaining Cultural fit

Simplicity

Revenu

Repeatable

Viral

multi platform c.q. crossmedia

Selfsustaining Cultural fit

A good format can be explained in one minute!

Legal protection

Legal protection Ideas that underlie television programs are completely free and have no copyright  'free flow of ideas‘ Copyright requirement: sensory observed Idea sufficiently worked out: copyright claim might be possible.

Ideas that underlie television programs are completely free and have no copyright  'free flow of ideas‘

Copyright requirement: sensory observed

Idea sufficiently worked out: copyright claim might be possible.

Legal protection Copyright protection of formats is achieved if the original format is sufficiently worked out. So, program proposal in combination with a pilot.

Copyright protection of formats is achieved if the original format is sufficiently worked out.

So, program proposal in combination with a pilot.

Legal protection Fully developed format = copyright. However, when there are new elements, which is sufficiently original, to be added/changed by another, there is a new format, which was also protected by copyright. (By the person who adapts it)

Fully developed format = copyright.

However, when there are new elements, which is sufficiently original, to be added/changed by another, there is a new format, which was also protected by copyright. (By the person who adapts it)

Registration Tax / Post Office www.file-reg.com FRAPA (International Television Paper Format Registry) Make sure you can show the court, that on a certain date the format already have / have developed.

Tax / Post Office

www.file-reg.com

FRAPA (International Television Paper Format Registry)

Protected Concept itself Titles and logos Slogan Format components (eg Games) Merchandising

Concept itself

Titles and logos

Slogan

Format components (eg Games)

Merchandising

Protected : Concept Get the Picture Lingo Wheel of Fortune Expedition Robinson

Get the Picture

Lingo

Wheel of Fortune

Expedition Robinson

Tips Copyright is no guarantee Think of a catchy name (a brand) for your format. A good name for a format very important and valuable. Send only a global description and not the whole programme or format

Copyright is no guarantee

Think of a catchy name (a brand) for your format. A good name for a format very important and valuable.

Send only a global description and not the whole programme or format

Tips Try to sign in advanced, before a pitch a Secrethoudings contract Try in advance to register as much as possible components.

Try to sign in advanced, before a pitch a Secrethoudings contract

Try in advance to register as much as possible components.

Stages

Stages Idea Concept Programm proposal Pilot Format

Idea

Concept

Programm proposal

Pilot

Format

Idea Idea = programm proposal described in a detailed form and content in short

Idea = programm proposal

described in a detailed form and content in short

Stages Idea Brainstorm brainstorm to developing a concept Research Audience Resources

Idea

Brainstorm

brainstorm to developing a concept

Research

Audience

Resources

Stages Concept to elaborate programm Scenario; Who What Where … Rules Participants … Pitch

Concept to elaborate programm

Scenario;

Who

What

Where

…

Rules

Participants

…

Pitch

Stages Program proposal to format Pilot Production format / Format bible Distribution & Sales

Program proposal to format

Pilot

Production format / Format bible

Distribution & Sales

Stages The programme, + The production plan, + The findings of the broadcast Programm format

The programme, + The production plan, + The findings of the broadcast

Programm format

Stages Research into parts: Type format? Used resources / media Target group research Viewers group (who looks there?) Commercial audience (who is buying products?) Feasibility study Competition analysis Budget and finance Genre Timeslot

Research into parts:

Type format?

Used resources / media

Target group research

Viewers group (who looks there?)

Commercial audience (who is buying products?)

Feasibility study

Competition analysis

Budget and finance

Genre

Timeslot

Genres Websites, Printed media, 3D, Games, DVD, Events, Mobiles

Websites,

Printed media,

3D,

Games,

DVD,

Events,

Mobiles

Genres Documentary, Drama, Reality TV, Talk shows, Infomercial (a contraction of the word information and commercial) Soapserie

Documentary,

Drama,

Reality TV,

Talk shows,

Infomercial (a contraction of the word information and commercial)

Soapserie

program proposal

program proposal What is the baseline (logline) of the program? What is the story? Why does the viewer see it? A good baseline / logline can be told in a sentence. Good test: if you can tell the baseline in one SMS message.

What is the baseline (logline) of the program?

What is the story?

Why does the viewer see it?

A good baseline / logline can be told in a sentence.

Good test: if you can tell the baseline in one SMS message.

program proposal How do you tell this story? What is the format? What steps take the viewer through to the program?

How do you tell this story?

What is the format?

What steps take the viewer through to the program?

program proposal What is the USP (unique selling point) of this proposal? What makes this proposal so unique? Why should I buy this? Is it an original idea?

What is the USP (unique selling point) of this proposal?

What makes this proposal so unique?

Why should I buy this?

Is it an original idea?

program proposal What is the finale? What remains hanging in the spotlight after the end of the program? What will it? What did it taught?

What is the finale?

What remains hanging in the spotlight after the end of the program?

What will it?

What did it taught?

program proposal Who imagine as presenter / presenter? What is the profile of the presenter presenter?

Who imagine as presenter / presenter?

What is the profile of the presenter presenter?

program proposal What should it cost (to produce)? Which team do you want to make this? Keep yourself involved in the project? Do you see possibilities for this proposal to work it out in crossmedia? What can be done with the same idea in radio, in print, online, mobile,…. ?

What should it cost (to produce)?

Which team do you want to make this?

Keep yourself involved in the project?

Do you see possibilities for this proposal to work it out in crossmedia?

What can be done with the same idea in radio, in print, online, mobile,…. ?

anABC & BAVO The BBC traced them until 4 criteria : - audience need? - Approach? - Benefit? - Competition? translated into Dutch, it is BAVO : - Behoefte? - Aanpak? - Voordeel? - Onderscheid?

The BBC traced them until 4 criteria :

- audience need? - Approach? - Benefit? - Competition?

translated into Dutch, it is BAVO : - Behoefte? - Aanpak? - Voordeel? - Onderscheid?

Pitch

Format pitch Synopsis Extended summary of major elements Atmosphere, look & feel Intended target group Intended Buget Intended participants / contracts Potential sponsors / collaborations Merchandising / Sales opportunities

Synopsis

Extended summary of major elements

Atmosphere, look & feel

Intended target group

Intended Buget

Intended participants / contracts

Potential sponsors / collaborations

Merchandising / Sales opportunities

OnePager

Format Requirements

Format Requirements Sense & Simplicity Emotions Mood, Moment & Media

Sense & Simplicity

Emotions

Mood, Moment & Media

Commercial format Brand Presence, Brand Performance, Brand Personality Brand Delivery

Brand Presence,

Brand Performance,

Brand Personality

Brand Delivery

Cases Which formats are there?

The Phone

Issues …….format questions….. © Indira Reynaert, Existenz

Format questions What makes this unique format? What are the USPs for viewers? Who is the target audience? Is it a niche group?

What makes this unique format?

What are the USPs for viewers?

Who is the target audience?

Is it a niche group?

Format questions Is it fast or slow presentation? What type of presenter do you see before you? Where and how is the program distributed? Is there cooperation with events organizers possible? If so, how?

Is it fast or slow presentation?

What type of presenter do you see before you?

Where and how is the program distributed?

Is there cooperation with events organizers possible? If so, how?

Format questions How is the brand / concept forward? What would the cost per episode (indication) / event?

How is the brand / concept forward?

What would the cost per episode (indication) / event?

Format questions Can the format used for all ‘brand events'? What is the design / style? What is the title of the concept?

Can the format used for all ‘brand events'?

What is the design / style?

What is the title of the concept?

Read more? Televisiemaken: van idee tot programmaformat (only in dutch) Televisiemaken: van programmaformat tot uitzending (only in dutch) The Pitch, the essential guide to selling stories. Eileen Quinn & Judy Counihan Format Fortunes – Is There Now a Copyright for the Television Format ?

Televisiemaken: van idee tot programmaformat (only in dutch)

Televisiemaken: van programmaformat tot uitzending (only in dutch)

The Pitch, the essential guide to selling stories. Eileen Quinn & Judy Counihan

Format Fortunes – Is There Now a Copyright for the Television Format ?