[Aaj-ke-naam] Guidelines for Commissioning of Programmes in Doordarshan

[broadcaster at syhlleti.org]

PRASAR BHARATI
(BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF INDIA)
DIRECTORATE GENERAL : DOORDARSHAN

Guidelines for Commissioning of Programmes in Doordarshan

Doordarshan will assess its requirements of commissioned programmes for the
ensuing year, in the last quarter of the financial year, and prepare a list
of the same. The list will be drawn upon the basis of specific slots and
the requirements of programmes of different genres and formats, on the
different Channels and Regional Kendras. The Central Commissioning Unit
(CCU) at the Headquarters will consolidate these annual budget requirements
and forward the same to the Finance wing, who will earmark the available
budget to different Channels/Kendras.


Programmes will be considered for commissioning to supplement and
compliment In-House production efforts and to bring variety in programming.
Certain genres may be excluded for commissioning as they would be available
in the Sponsored Category. These genres would include: Daily Soaps, Sit-
coms, Mythologicals, Mega-Serials etc.


Proposals from eminent film directors of proven credentials, will be
considered on themes,which are required for telecast on DD channels. These
will be from :
a) Film makers who have won national or international awards.
b) Film makers with proven credentials and considerable experience as
Directors, Technicians, Writers, Researchers, etc.


The budget allocated for commissioning will be utilized by inviting eminent
Producer/ Directors including award winning Producers/ Directors listed in
(iii) above with proven credentials and track records on a variety of
subjects.


Part of the commissioning budget will be identified and allocated for the
promotion of new talent, for assigning programmes to young graduates from
various film/ TV institutes recognised by UGC and those who have otherwise
produced good quality programmes for Doordarshan or other satellite
channels.


The proposals received will be initially examined by an Evaluation
Committee and the proposals should essentially include the following :
a) Subject, title, language and theme/category (e.g. Fiction, Documentary,
Chat-Show, Quiz etc.).
b) Detailed Story line in case of serials. Break-up of the story/ topic and
broad outline of treatment for single episode programmes.
c) Synopsis of each episode, in cases of serials.
d) Detailed scenario/ script of at least one episode of concept and
treatment, in case of serials.
e) Details of creative team including names, bio-data and addresses of the
Director, Researcher, Script Writer, Director of Photography and Music
Director, along with a written confirmation from each one, agreeing to be
engaged for the production of the programme. The producer shall also
furnish full bio-data and show-reel, in respect of himself/ herself while
making the application. No change in the production team, once intimated,
shall be made without the prior consent of Doordarshan.
f) The proposal received shall be accompanied by a Crossed Bank Draft of
the value of Rs. 10,000/- payable in favour of "PBBCI" Directorate General,
Doordarshan, New Delhi", in case of eminent film makers and Rs.5000/- in
case of young and upcoming film makers as detailed in (v). This amount
shall be the processing fee and shall not be refunded irrespective of the
fact whether the proposal is finally accepted or rejected or returned.
g) For production of quickies, spots, etc. the same details would be
furnished, along with a complete story board and details of post production.
h) Format- Beta SP/ Digi Beta/ Film(16/35 mm).


The Evaluation Committee at the Headquarters will comprise.
a) Addl. Director General/ Deputy Director General of Concerned Channel-
Convener.
b) Deputy Director General (Sales & Marketing).
c) Addl. Director General/Dy. Director General of other channels.
d) Controller of Programme CCU.
e) Controller of Programme of concerned Channel.
f) Outside expert(s) of repute from the fields of production, performing
arts, broadcasting, journalism and literature.

At the Regional Kendras the proposals will be evaluated by the following :
a) Chief Producer.
b) Dy. Director (Programmes)/ Executive Producer.
c) Station Engineer.
d) Programme Officer in charge of commissioning.
e) Programme Officer in-charge of the subject.
f) Outside expert(s) of repute and unquestionable credentials from the
fields of production, performing arts, broadcasting, journalism and
literature.


viii) The Evaluation Committee will :
a) Assess and evaluate the merits of the proposal in relation to the
channel specific as well as general requirements of Doordarshan.
b) If necessary, request the producer to present his/ her concept before
the Committee.
c) Decide the number of episodes to be commissioned.
d) Evaluate the proposal on the basis of a marking scheme and a minimum
bench mark.
e) Will ensure that at a given point of time, the Producer/ Director does
not get more than two programmes, or more than 26 episodes.
f) Prescribe the time-frame for the completion of the programme.


The proposals short listed in this manner by the Evaluation Committee shall
be put up to a Costing Committee which will consist of :
a) Additional Director General/ Deputy Director General of Concerned
Channel - Convener.
b) Deputy Director General (Sales & Marketing).
c) Deputy Director General (Finance).
d) Controller of Programme (CCU).
e) Controller of Programme of concerned channel/ section.
f) CP (Marketing).

The Costing Committee at the Kendra(s) will be as follows :
a) Director.
b) Chief Producer.
c) Superintending Engineer.
d) Executive Producer/ Deputy Director Programmes in charge of
commissioning.
e) DDA (Finance & Administration).


The Costing Committee will critically evaluate the budget requirements of
the proposal. All the terms and conditions with regard to rights will also
be decided by the Costing Committee.


The decision taken by the Costing Committee shall be final and its sanction
or otherwise will be communicated to the Producer within five working days
of the meeting, by the Controller of Programmes of concerned channel/
section.


The Producer would be given a time frame to complete the production. Any
deviation from the time frame to complete the production within the
stipulated time will attract penalty @ 18% penal interest on the money
advanced to them. Any delay beyond three months of the agreed time frame,
will result in the encashment of the Bank Guarantee, by Doordarshan.


The payment schedule by Doordarshan will be as follows :
a) Signing of agreement & Script approval    20%
b) Approval of rough cuts    30%
c) On approval of final product
(Including the Chartered Accountant's certificate)    50%



All payments will be released by Doordarshan only against submission of
100% irrevocable Bank Guarantee for covering the entire period of
production.


The rough cuts will be previewed by the Evaluation Committee of the
concerned Channel.


For monitoring and coordinating the progress and quality of production, an
Executive Producer of Doordarshan may be assigned to the Producer by the
channel, if the Costing Committee deems it fit.


The final approval of the programme will be given, after preview by a
committee approved by the Head of the concerned section/ channel and
Director of the Kendra for Regional Kendras. If the Preview Committee
suggests amendments in the programme on the basis of the approved script,
the Producer will carry out the same within the shortest possible time,
however, not exceeding one month.


All rights including new media and any rights that may be available in
future will rest with DD.


Any awards won by the programme will be shared equally by Doordarshan and
the Producer/ Director.


All programmes will follow the broadcasting code.


The above guidelines will be applicable mutatis mutantis to all channels.



(K. KUNHIKRISHNAN )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL
23-04-2001