Written by Colin Donald
Posted Thursday, 21 August, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Another sign that Web show production is maturing as a business – Bebo has appointed its first commissioner.
Kelly Brett has joined as Head of Original Productions. Based in Bebo’s London office, she will vet potential projects and build relationships with production partners and advertisers.
Brett has moved over to commissioning from freelance production. She was previously the production manager on Bebo’s teen drama KateModern, created by the Lonelygirl15 producers EQAL, and before that worked on 20 shows for the BBC, ITV and BSkyB, including Tony Blair: My Part in His Downfall. (Picture from her bio at the fan-edited LGPedia.)
For writers and producers looking to pitch original Web shows, Brett joins a small group of commissioners who are particularly active in the field. (We’ve included photos so you can stalk find them at Edinburgh this weekend!)
Danny Cohen (Controller, BBC Three) has commissioned Avalon Television to make Mouth To Mouth, a comedy-drama about a fictional girl band, Cat’s Eyes.
It will available first through web 2.0 communities, mobile phones, and its own BBC website before transmitting on BBC Three.
Geoff Goodwin at BBC Switch is commissioning a wide range of online shows for his target audience of 12 – 17s.
The line-up for this autumn includes:
The 5:19 Show – chat and sketch comedy
Fresh! – a sit-com following new students through Freshers Week
Myths – modern interpretations of Greek myths
To Be Continued... – an interactive drama that invites viewers to contribute their own scenes
See full production details and credits.
Martin Trickey (Multiplatform Commissioning Executive for entertainment and scripted comedy, BBC Vision) recently ordered a making-of doc from Hat Trick for BBC3 about YouTube star Paperlillies, aka Bryony Matthewman, making a collaborative zombie movie.
Full details are in his blog post and the press release. See the doc at BBC Zombies. Trickey was also involved in the Endemol online and television talent show Upstaged.
For pitching to BBC Multiplatform, check out their guide to commissioning across all genres.
Tanya Carus Blacher (Virgin Media TV head of digital) explains the company's plans for commissioning multi-platform content in this podcast.
Kate Bradshaw is head of online commissioning at ITV.com
She is speaking at Screen Yorkshire's Meet The Commissioner lunch on Thursday 2 Oct 08 in Leeds
And Fiona Robertson is ITV's head of commissioning for interactive
Despite the difficulties involved in 360 degree commissioning, as discussed at the 360 degree panel in July, the new online commissioners are themselves becoming increasingly visible for writers and producers developing ideas for original Web series.
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