About us
ABC Factual and Documentary commissions programming for ABC TV, ABC2 and ABC Multiplatform across the following genres:
- History
- Contemporary
- Science
- Natural History
- Religion and Ethics
Our aim is to engage large numbers of Australians in content that enriches their lives, and to ensure that ABC Television is the place to find the best Australian stories told by the best Australian story-tellers.
We commission a broad range of styles: observational documentaries, drama-documentaries, presenter-led documentaries, first person narratives and formatted series, and we’re always interested in new forms and hybrids.
The ABC is an advertising free taxpayer-funded public service broadcaster.
Who's Who
Head of Factual
Matt Scully
Commissioning Editor, Science and Natural
History
Sandra Graham
Unit Co-ordinator, Factual
Andrea Ulbrick
Commissioning Editor,
Contemporary and Religion
& Ethics
Anita Brown
Commissioning Editor, Factual and Documentary
Nicky Ruscoe
Development Producer, Factual and Documentary
Projects
ABC Factual and Documentary commissions programming for ABC TV, ABC2 and ABC Multiplatform across the following genres:
Contemporary
Contemporary factual content on ABC 1 seeks to explore the ever-changing experience, diversity and complexity of modern Australian life. We’re interested in the people and places that make Australia what it is today, as well as interrogating the issues that affect and concern us all right now.
We are looking for intelligent, entertaining content and a range of approaches including observational documentary and presenters who take us on a journey of significance. Proposals should stand out in their ambition, editorially and creatively. Context is important, but the present tense experience is critical.
We’re also looking for formatted documentaries, social experiments and campaigning series.
Commissioning Opportunities
Relevant and engaging
documentary series or one-offs
Revelatory and thought provoking
presenter led opinion films
Occasional feature documentary
slots
Recent Programming:
- Changing Minds
- Kids On Speed
- Dead Drunk: Lights Out in the Cross
- Flying Miners
- The Dreamhouse
- Head First Series 2
- Children of the Sex Trade
- Ten Bucks a Litre
- On Trial
- Then The Wind Changed
- Family Confidential
- Croc College
Supplying a proposal to us
ABC Television can only commission ideas from independent production companies. If you're an individual with an idea and need to find a production company, please click here."In order to find a production company, we suggest that people do some research about the companies who produce the type of programmes that you have an idea for. A great way of doing this is to watch similar programmes on TV and note down the company names at the end of the programme.
Most of these independent companies are listed either in the Yellow/White Pages, or in a business directory called “Encore” (published through Reed Business Information)."
All proposals
should be
emailed to the
Development
Producer -
details below.
We do not accept
hard copies of
proposals.
In the first
instance a fully
fleshed out
treatment is not
necessary, but
initial
submissions
should aim to
articulate a
clear and
well-substantiated
rationale for
the project, as
well as a short
outline of the
story and/ or
thesis. We
receive many
proposals on
interesting
subjects without
any explanation
as to how they
would work as a
television
program.
If you are a new
filmmaker
without a lot of
broadcast
experience, we'd
still love to
hear from you.
However, we
might suggest
you work with a
team who can
support you
through the
production and
delivery
process.
What to submit:
A 2-4 page
document is the
most effective
way to send us
ideas as that
way we can
respond quickly
as to whether we
have an interest
in the idea,
and/or if it's a
priority for the
current slate.
Your submission should provide answers to the following questions:
- Please submit a one line, one paragraph and a short 1-2 page synopsis. (A good reference guide for what is a synopsis/outline can be found on the Screen Australia website ).
- How will it work as a television program? An outline of the concept in terms of how you conceive it working on screen.
- How could your idea work on other ABC platforms?
- Are you looking for development or presale funding?
- Which channel are you submitting an idea for?
- Which documentary slot you are submitting an idea for?
- Who are the key creative talents on board the project? (include CVs)
If we require further information or documentation to support your idea we will follow this up with you.
We will acknowledge receipt and registration of proposals by email. Your proposal will be subsequently assessed by a Commissioning Editor and the department's Manager of Development within a timeframe of four to six weeks from acknowledgement.
Due to the volume of proposals received we cannot return any materials sent in to us.
All proposals and general queries should go to the Unit Coordinator.
Nicky Ruscoe
Development
Producer
ABC Factual
GPO Box 9994
Sydney NSW 2001
Email:
ruscoe.nicky@abc.net.au
Receipt of your proposal will be acknowledged; we aim to respond in 4-6 weeks. We look forward to hearing from you.
For further information about ABC documentaries please visit: www.abc.net.au/tv/documentaries/programmakers
For Acquisition enquiries please visit: www.abc.net.au/tv/independent/completed