DISCUSSION: Concept development and writing with SBS Caterina De Nave

Maria Tran, Saber Baluch and Caterina De Nave

Thursday all day and working on my concept in development with academic and comedian Farid Farid, working title "The Lunchbreak". It was great to meet Caterina again, after coming to her with "Quest for  Jackie Chan!" a few years ago Like she said, film industry is a hard one to get into and if you are like me, who just doesn't stop at a simple no, and uses time to slowly creep into the system.
The whole buzz word is "online", online this and online that, and content that is all about "quick fixes" rather long drawn out projects that might take a lifetime to finish. TV is on the way to being dead, so it would be wise to think lateral and get in online and make your journey as a content producer a shared learning experience.


Anyhow, this is what Caterina at SBS is looking for:
SBS commissions cutting edge, entertaining and exciting drama, comedy, documentary, factual and factual entertainment programming from Australian production companies for broadcast on SBS TV and Online. Due to our funding arrangements with the Australian Government an Australian Producer must be attached to the project.

ComedySBS Comedy will showcase bold and distinctive breakout ideas, new and edgy talent, using interesting and innovative comedy vehicles. We’ve been accused of a lot of things over the years, but never of being dull or predictable. From scripted comedy to improvisation to satire, it will find a home on SBS.

Drama
SBS Drama commissioned shows that you won’t see anywhere else. We’re fired by breakout ideas that are bold and distinctive. We’re committed to projects that reflect the cultural diversity of contemporary Australia in unique and provocative ways. We're looking for longer running series - ideally 13 parts. Currently we are screening the thrid series of East West 101 and we’re in development for exciting new drama series. SBS is currently not looking for teenage or young people’s drama. 

Entertainment/Factual Entertainment
The current SBS Entertainment/Factual Entertainment commissioned slate includes Letters and Numbers,RocKwiz, Eurovision and Global Village.  In addition there is the forthcoming Behind the Front Door, a factual entertainment series where people discover remarkable stories about their neighbours and Sex: An Unnatural History marking 50 years of the sexual revolution in Australia.  It’s an exciting mix of programs across the schedule.

We are committed to a number of on-going shows, so there are very limited opportunities for new commissions at present. Consequently ideas and formats need to be extremely strong to be considered. 

We want programs to have a distinctive SBS flavour, which means they should feel contemporary and be reflective of modern, multicultural Australia. If they are focused on talent we want to know who that talent is and to be sure you have them onboard. They should be smart and content rich. We prefer the possibility of returning series and runs between 6 and 12 episodes.

We are not looking for:

• Copycat programs
• Car shows
• Series featuring people on a’ journey of discovery’.
• Mates travelling the world to have amazing experiences
• Youth programs