DOCUMENTARY CHECK LIST
Content Check List
Documentaries on Newstalk have always been an important part of our output providing different voices, different stories and unique sounds for engaging and provocative stories reflecting the modern Ireland. Newstalk has been able to provide a platform for compelling tales of Ireland and abroad with a cast of intriguing characters and strong emotions getting behind the stories, peeling back the layers and shining a light on the hidden and the everyday.
This is the essence of what documentaries on Newstalk is all about and producers should be telling these type of stories in a strong and forceful way, being bold and ambitious in the scale of their story telling and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved through the medium of audio.
The importance of character and personality cannot be overstated bringing colour and insight to a documentary and this along with a multi layered story arc that is non linear in approach will make the production stand out and should be the aim of every documentary maker who is contributing to the Newstalk documentaries strand.
Previous highlights have included:
- Children of the Nation: the story of the St Patricks Day parade in New York as seen through the eyes of a gay Irishman seeking to be included in the parade.
- Rag Pickers: following the work of local charities working with street children in Calcutta who spend the hours before and after school scouring rubbish dumps for food and items to sell.
- Twin Peaks: the story of Irishman Charles Barrington who set out to become the first ever person to reach the summit of the ferocious Swiss mountain, the Eiger. Barrington – a risk-taker and gambler – set off on a death-defying mission to conquer the Eiger, equipped with nothing more than 20 yards of rope, a pair of hob-nailed boots and a brass neck.
- Tell me a Story: The art of storytelling is celebrated as storytellers from the world over congregated on Cape Clear Island with storytelling sessions, workshops, musical events and discussions.
- Field of Dreams, Club Heroes: On the day of the All Ireland Club Hurling final as Portumna go in search of an historic three in a row inspired by the legendary Canning family, Club Heroes gets the story of the club from the horse’s mouth.
Funding
Through the BAI Sound & Vision scheme, and in conjunction with imaginative and engaging radio producers, Newstalk has been able to provide a platform for compelling tales of Ireland and abroad.
If you are a radio producer with a proven track record and think you have an idea that is engaging, relevant and unique, we want to hear from you.
Send a three paragraph pitch – no more – outlining the idea, the story development and the characters involved to docs@newstalk.ie. Don’t forget to also include your CV, examples of previously broadcast documentaries and contact details. If we like the idea we will be in touch with a view to developing the idea further for consideration in the BAI Sound & Vision scheme. For more information, visit the BAI website
Technical Check List
Documentary to be between 45 – 50 minutes in length.
Audio delivered 2 weeks ahead of transmission date in order to check quality.
10-15 second audio clips delivered 2 weeks ahead of transmission date for on-air promotion.
Description/synopsis and list of credits for station voice over artist to record top and tail for the documentary and BAI (Broadcasting Association of Ireland).
Marketing Check List
- Description/synopsis of documentary for press release and highlighting to newspapers and radio guides including a good quotation from the documentary if possible.
- Photos taken on location during recording (1-2 minimum).
- Documentary producers contact details for further information requests.
- All of the above needed 3 ½ weeks minimum before transmission date.
*Samples of information needed for marketing purposes below
A. Synopsis of documentary for newspaper radio listings
Sample: More Than They Can Chew: Can the Coca Leaf Solve Bolivia’s Food Crisis?
Saturday 17th July 2010 – 18.00-19.00
Is coca the answer to food poverty in Bolivia? Producer Susan Cahill travels to the tropical Yungas of Bolivia and investigates if it’s possible that the coca plant, the most maligned little leaf in the world can solve Bolivia’s food crisis? This unique and vibrant South American documentary travels through coca strongholds in the North and South Yungas of Bolivia meeting with local ‘cocaleros’, community leaders, politicians and alternative food producers.
‘More Than They Can Chew’ is sponsored by the Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund
(photos are available on request)
B. More detailed Press Release for radio reviewers needed 1 week before airing
Sample: More Than They Can Chew: Can the Coca Leaf Solve Bolivia’s Food Crisis?
Saturday 17th July 2010 – 18.00-19.00
Is coca the answer to food poverty in Bolivia? In ‘More Than They Can Chew’ Susan Cahill, producer, Newstalk 106-108 travels to the tropical Yungas of Bolivia and investigates if it’s possible that the coca plant, the most maligned little leaf in the world can solve Bolivia’s food crisis?
This unique and vibrant South American documentary travels through coca strongholds in the North and South Yungas of Bolivia meeting with local ‘cocaleros’, community leaders, politicians and alternative food producers.
For further information and photographs, please contact:
Susan Cahill
Producer – Newstalk 106-108 fm
Mobile:
Email:
Please Note: ‘More Than They Can Chew’ is sponsored by the Simon Cumbers Media Challenge Fund
Documentary Contributors:
• Ramiro Villalpando, Deputy Minister for Rural Development, La Paz, Bolivia
• Rafael Quispe Flores, Andean Community Leader & Secretary of CONAMAQ, La Paz, Bolivia
• Marcos Nordgren, Project Manager,CIPCA- Centro de Investigacion y Promocion del Campesinado, La Paz, Bolivia
• Christian Kolar, Director of ARCo Project , Sponsored by Chemonics Rural Competiveness Project, USAID, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• Kyle Piispanen, Andean Farming Expert, College (the Unidad Académica Campesina- Carmen Pampa, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• David Tuchschneider, Agricultural Development Expert, World Bank, La Paz, Bolivia
• Eugenico Calle, Regional Secretary of ADPECOCA / Departmental Association of Coca Producers, Villa Fatima Coca Market, La Paz, Bolivia
• Cristobal Aguilar, Deputy Team Leader, Integrated Community Development Fund ACDI/VOCA, La Paz, Bolivia Sister Jean Morrissey, Director of Religious Education at the College (the Unidad Académica Campesina-Carmen Pampa, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• Sdenka Silva, Director Coca Museum & Andean Specialist, La Paz, Bolivia
• Amaranth Farmers, North Yungas, Bolivia
• David Montevilla, Coca Farmer, Chulumani, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• Vermilla Montevilla Coca Farmer, Chulumani, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• Julian Mamani, CENCOOP, Coffee Cooperative, Coroico, Los Yungas, Bolivia
• Raul Chico, Afro Bolivian Pig Farmer, Coripata, Los Yungas, Bolivia