Ask Programming: Questions from Filmmakers

ITVS programming staff answer questions from filmmakers about the funding process:

Q. Does it help my application if I include letters of support from funders or letters of interest from broadcasters?

A. No, do not waste your efforts in padding your application with letters of interest and support––these do not improve the quality of your application under ITVS review.

From our point of view, the development of your idea and the overall quality of your project is apparent in the articulation of your program treatment and the execution of your work-in-progress.

For the application, letters of interest and support are extraneous. If you like, you can provide a brief summary (one to two sentences) of your supporters in a paragraph describing the project’s status.

Q. I am a studio assistant for a public access station. Am I eligible to apply to ITVS for funding as an independent producer?

A. Yes, you are eligible. We have refined our definition of ‘independent producer’ in response to the recession environment and how it affects producers working in the industry.

Previously, applicants “regularly employed by a public or commercial broadcast entity or film studio, including public access stations” were not eligible to apply.

ITVS has changed this policy to exempt only producers/directors who work at a broadcast station or film studio. In other words, any other staff person who is not a producer/director (e.g. tech staff, editors, clerical, receptionists) can apply to ITVS as an independent producer.

Learn more about funding opportunities at ITVS.

Tags: application, documentary, funding, independent, PBS