RTÉ is cooperating with BBC Network Comedy and BBC Northern Ireland on a ‘Comedy Showcase’ Event, which will take place on 22nd September 2014 in Belfast. As part of this RTÉ will be nominating one scripted project which is a classic sitcom setup, to be performed in front of a live audience.
This is intended to be primarily an enhanced development opportunity, taking an accessible RTÉ ONE-friendly script to the point where it can be performed in front of an audience. BBC Network Comedy and BBC NI will also be nominating one script each, chosen through their own commissioning procedures.
Projects already submitted to RTÉ Comedy can also be considered in this process, and additional scripts will also be accepted up until the deadline of 24th July 2014.
The aim of the shared initiative is to find new scripted comedy projects that can bring the wealth of Irish writing, producing and performing talent to a broader audience. The Showcase event will be attended by a variety of potential co-funding partners, and while there are no guarantees that projects will progress beyond this point, it is a practical way of identifying co-funding scripted comedy opportunities.
For this initiative, the projects being sought are high rating family entertainment and high quality statements in scripted comedy. These will be targeting a mainstream BBC One/RTÉ ONE audience. They should be studio based, with multi-camera precincts and minimal locations.
The script that is selected by RTÉ will enter a development phase which will generate:
- A ‘Theatre’ production of a 28' script. This will be performed in a studio location with a live audience. 3 shows will be staged on 1 night, so there will need to be quick resets. Actors will be off script, basic set and props are required, with general lighting and limited fx. Each production selected will be provided with the same level of development funds comprising a £15k budget (€19k). Scripts option for 6 months and re-writes. Studio and technical support will be provided.
Producers should submit ideas into the eCommissioning system at the link
https://e-commissioning.rte.ie/SWIFT.Web/skins/rte/login.aspx
under the programme category Comedy Music & Talent "Comedy Showcase".
The strict deadline is 5pm on Thursday 24th July 2014.