Making Programs for VisionTV

VisionTV works with independent producers from Canada and around the world on a broad range of programming including, lifestyle series, dramas, one-off documentaries, documentary mini series, and music specials. We have very specific requirements. Please read this guide carefully.

Proposals submitted now will be considered for 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. VisionTV's broadcast year is September 1 to August 31.

We receive more than 1,000 proposals per year and it may take us up to eight weeks or more to review your project.

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Sections
Who We Are | Who Watches VisionTV | Types of Programs | What We are Looking For| International Co-Production| What We are Not Looking For | Canadian Content Requirements | Testing and Idea | Meeting with Us| Sending Your Proposal | What We Pay | Windows & Exclusivity | Requirements | Important Notes | Legal Waiver

Required Forms
Release Form (PDF) |Release Form (WORD)

Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications (Abbreviated Tech Specs)| Program Delivery Specs | Break Structure Specs: 30 min, 1 hour, 90 min, 2 hours.

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Who we are

VisionTV, an S-VOX company, is Canada's and the world's, only multi-faith, multicultural broadcaster. VisionTV has a mandate to provide: “balanced programming focused upon the varied religious practices and beliefs of Canadians … programming related to, inspired by or arising from spirituality including related moral or ethical issues.” (Decision CRTC 1994-655, pg. 1 & 3) We are a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization.

About 50% of the schedule is comprised of dramas, comedies, documentaries, music, information and current affairs programs - presented, produced, co-produced and acquired by VisionTV.

The other half of the schedule is produced and presented by approximately 75 faith groups. This programming ranges from the Daily Mass and Reflections on Islam, to Voice of Hinduism and the United Church of Canada's Spirit Connection.

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Types of programs we are looking for

>>Documentaries<<

All documentary programming to be commissioned by VisionTV must fit the following areas. If your idea does not fit, please do not send us a proposal.

VisionTV has two, half-hour (22:00) documentary strands, I Prophesy: The Future Revealed and a new strand to be launched soon. Please see details below.

	I Prophesy: The Future Revealed New VisionTV Strand Proposals are now being accepted for one-off, half-hour (22:00) episodes. Please read the style guide thoroughly before making your submission.

I Prophesy: The Future Revealed is a new VisionTV strand that carries its audience on exciting and absorbing journeys into the many challenging futures that may await them. Each one-off, half-hour (22:00) episode features an earth shattering prophecy foretold by one of the world's most influential prophets or visionaries. But I Prophesy doesn't simply recreate the prophetic scenarios of famous oracles- it challenges these visionaries to validate their predictions in a world skeptical of their insights and cynical about their methodologies.

>>>> See Style Guide/Format (PDF) for details.<<<<

	Supernatural Investigator New VisionTV Strand Proposals are now being accepted for one-off, half-hour (22:00) episodes. Please read the style guide thoroughly before making your submission.

Supernatural Investigator is a compelling new one off, half hour (22:00) strand that investigates many convincing accounts of the strange and the supernatural. It is a unique merging of the paranormal and the investigative - focusing on X-files phenomena but subjecting them to real life scrutiny - leaving the audience to say for certain which stories stand up to rigorous investigation and which do not.

>>>> See Style Guide/Format (PDF) for details.<<<<

Enigma

Please note proposals for the Enigma strand are no longer being accepted. The new strand encompasses similar subject matter.

>>Documentary Mini Series and Specials<<

VisionTV is interested in presenting two to four major documentary series specials per year. We are looking for 2 X 45:00 to 4 X 45:00 with mass audience appeal and strong media potential. Subject matter will be historical with a prominent religious aspect and a clear iteration of how that history affects us today. Production values will be exceptionally high and these projects will have a long shelf-life. Most will be international co-productions, qualifying however as Canadian content.

Documentaries Currently Airing:
	Enigma Episodes Enigma Season 1 Jet Propelled Antichrist: Jack Parsons Conjuring Philip: Psychokenisis A Magical Life: Jeff McBride Spiritualism: The Fox Sisters The Oracle Apocalypse Masonic Legends Masonic Leaders Masonic Conspiracies Max Maven: A Fabulous Monster Tarot Alien Reincarnation Hypnotized! The Trance State Enigma Season 2 Blavatsky / The First New Age: Madame Blavatsky Crowley / The Wickedest Man on Earth: Aleister Crowley Silo: The Sage of the Andes The Houdini Code: Did He Return from the Grave? Zombies: When the Dead Walk Exorcism Nightmare
	Secret Files of the Inquisition Shot in high definition in Spain, France and Italy the four-part series examines the history of the Catholic Church's battle against heresy from the 12th century to the 1960s. Produced by Fleetwood films, it is a co-production between with VisionTV, France 5, RTVE Spain and Téléquebec Historia.
	The Lost Tomb of Jesus A new and controversial special on a New Testament subject involving new science and archaeology. It is two-parts, high definition, produced by Associated Producers and is a co-production between Vision TV, Discovery US and Channel 4. Visit the Lost Tomb of Jesus Web Site
	The Journey of the Blue Buddha and The Blue Buddha in Russia Shot in high definition in India, Russia, Tibet, Vancouver the two-part series looks at the incredible history of a lost 17th century Tibetan medical atlas and the secrets it holds for eastern and western medicine today. Produced by Producers on Davie, it is a co-production between VisionTV, CBC, ARTE, NHK Japan, and the Buddhist Channel in the Netherlands.
	Protestant Revolution Every aspect of life in the western world, from cradle to grave, has been shaped by Protestantism. This four part-series shot in high definition in Germany, England, the United States, Canada and Bermuda tells the story of how Protestantism unleashed a revolution that changed our notions of marriage and family, led to the development of democracy and capitalism and still continues to affect our daily lives. Produced by IWC and Cream Productions, it is a co-production with VisionTV and BBC 4 with presales to History US and NDR Germany

>>Lifestyle<<

VisionTV is now accepting proposals for half-hour series (22:00) in contemporary formats (e.g. lifestyle, reality).

In keeping with our mandate as a multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster, VisionTV lifestyle series should be entertaining, should deal in some way with aspects of spirituality, morality or ethics and, should feature diverse participants. The program format should offer participants an unusual and challenging experience that sparks a real transformation in their lives. Humour, as well, is always a welcome element. Ultimately, the series should prove as positive and uplifting for viewers as it does for participants.

We are open to every type of original program concept. The sky is the limit. For example,

Currently Airing:
	Medicine Woman A 13-part series about a young Aboriginal doctor whose quest for knowledge leads her through six continents to learn health and wellness secrets of the world's indigenous cultures.
	Convictions This six-part documentary series offers a privileged glimpse into the extraordinary everyday lives of six committed religious professionals who take the difficult and sometimes dangerous path of working with people in adversity and need.
	Recreating Eden, Series 5 A 26-part international gardening-biography series about how gardens change peoples' lives. The series shows the role that gardens play in the lives of people and communities. It is about the people who create gardens, live in them, and are sometimes healed by them. They are trained botanists, landscape architects, horticultural therapists, and passionate self-taught hobbyists.
	Letters to God In this 13-part series children between the ages of six and twelve ponder lifes big and small questions in their letters to God. From the letters the children read to camera emerge deep thoughts about their lives, their joys, hopes and sorrows.

Divine Restoration	Gospel Challenge	Prenup Challenge
Recreating Eden	Shrines and Homemade Holy Places	5 Seekers

>>Drama<<

VisionTV is currently accepting proposals for culturally diverse dramas (half-hour and one-hour, and MOWs). We are looking for engaging, commercial, family-friendly programming that feature diversity in front of and behind the camera. We are not looking for programs that feature race relations or multiculturalism as the subject matter. The programs do not have to be spiritually focused but spirituality is welcome.

An example of a series that captures the tone that works for our audience is Doc Martin (Wed. 9 pm on VisionTV). An example of diversity is Grey's Anatomy. In 2006, VisionTV and the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) joined forces to create DiverseTV a program that gives writers from diverse backgrounds the chance to create a dramatic television series or MOW for national broadcast. Writers worked with veteran writer, story editor, Peter Lauterman, to take their ideas from concepts through to treatments, beat-sheets, outlines, and first draft scripts. Two of the The DiverseTV projects currently in production are:

• Mahalia by Andy Marshall and Abi Marshall: A series about a gifted young gospel singer facing a difficult choice: to stay within her community, or pursue her dream of becoming the next Beyoncé.
  
• Rising Sun: The Asahi Baseball Story by Jari Osborne: A MOW based on the true story of a legendary baseball team from Vancouver's Little Tokyo – a club whose championship dynasty was cut short tragically by the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War.
  
  

VisionTV began its foray into drama in 2003 with three pilots produced for the Cultural Diversity Drama Competition: The Kink in My Hair, Hotel Babylon and St. Jamestown.

The Kink in My Hair	Hotel Babylon	St. Jamestown

>>VisionTV International (VTVI)<<

VisionTV International is a joint venture between VisionTV and Ellis Entertainment, It is both a production and distribution company.

Currently Airing:

	The Lost Gods A six-part series on what became of the gods of the Inca, Maya, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Celts . It is shot in high definition in locations around the world. Produced by Tile Films and VTVI it is a co-production with VisionTV, S4C and TG4. (www.tilefilms.ie/recent.htm)
	Divine Restoration Twenty-six parts, with an additional 13 parts now in production, this series travels with two hosts to churches across north America. Each week they meet a new congregation and over the course of 48 hours, work with a group of volunteers to accomplish a much need renovation . Produced by VTVI, it is a co-production with VisionTV and TV1.

In Production: Decoding Christianity
For two thousand years the finest artists in the world have been inspired by the core beliefs of Christianity. Adopting a thematic, investigative and quirky approach we bring the audience on a journey of discovery unlocking the mysteries of the church and its symbolism. A six-part series. For our distribution catalogue: www.vtvi.ca/vtvicatalog.pdf.

>>Music Specials<<

VisionTV is interested in a limited number of one-off, one-hour seasonal music specials. Here are some examples:

The Barra MacNeils' Celtic Christmas
This one-hour special taped before a live audience features Celtic music by the Barra MacNeils.

Haydn's " The Seven Last Words of Christ"
The recent recording of Haydn's masterpiece is performed in an Easter concert by some of Canada's foremost musicians, including violinist Andrew Dawes, widely regarded as Canada's most distinguished violinist.

Quartet Plus Four At Christmas
A one-hour Christmas music special, taped at St. George's Anglican Church in Halifax, featuring an array of holiday selections performed by the Blue Engine String Quartet, along with singers Jeri Brown, Mary Jane Lamond, Cindy Church and Lina Boudreau.

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International co-production and a note to non-Canadian producers

Because of VisionTV's licence requirement to broadcast 65% Canadian content, all of our commissioned programming must carry Canadian content certification. This means that Can a dian producers must be involved in a production for it to qualify as a true co-production meeting CAVCO and/or CRTC co-production guidelines. (www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ac-ca/progs/bcpac-cavco/index_e.cfm)

If you have a project that fits our guidelines but no existing relationship with a Canadian co-producer, we encourage you to contact our partners at VTVI (www.vtvi.ca).

What we are not looking for

Second windows
Short films in any genre (less than 22 minutes)
Dramatic feature films
Half hour, one-off programs in any genre (except for specific strands)

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Canadian content requirements

Virtually all of the documentary programming VisionTV broadcasts must qualify as Canadian content. This means that foreign producers must work with Canadian co-producers to achieve a qualifying rating on the CAVCO scale. (www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ac-ca/progs/bcpac-cavco/index_e.cfm).

If you are a foreign producer with a Canadian partner, have a project you feel is appropriate to VisionTV and which qualifies for CAVCO, please feel free to send it. (Continue to read down for details.)

If you are a foreign producer with a project you feel is appropriate for VisionTV, if you have not yet gone into production and are willing to work with a Canadian co-producer, please feel free to contact us. (Continue to read down for details.) VisionTV International (VTVI), our joint venture company with Ellis Entertainment, one of Canada's longest established production and distribution companies, may be the partner you're looking for.

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What proposals must include

• Submission date
• Program title
• Length - e.g. 22 (1/2 hr. slot), 45 (1 hr. slot), feature (specify length)
• Number of episodes
• Genre - e.g. documentary one off, mini-series or feature; docu-drama; docu-soap; lifestyle; reality; music; drama series; MOW
• Region in which your company is located - e.g. Western (BC to Manitoba); Central (Ontario); Eastern (Quebec and Atlantic Provinces); North (northern territories);
• Co-Production (if applicable) - co-producing countries
• Strand (if applicable) e.g. I Prophesy
• Logline - a one-line description of the program/series
• Synopsis - a concise description of the program/series that fully conveys the creative treatment. Maximum 150 words.
• Treatment - includes the background, key issues, key characters and the access you have to them, host or investigator's role (if applicable), the way the story will be told, the style and tone, the devices that will be used (e.g. narration, interviews, verite footage, archival stills or footage, CGI, re-enactments, graphics, etc.). Maximum four pages.
• For series - titles and short paragraph description of each episode
• Story arc or structure broken into acts (see break structure above)
• Low res photographs are welcome.
• CV's of the creative team - we are looking for clear proof that you and your team have the knowledge, qualifications and track record to make the project not only succeed but shine.
• Full contact information
  
  If your proposal is of interest, you will be asked to submit a budget, finance plans and sample DVD's (if applicable)

Release Form

Proposals MUST be submitted with a release form - print by clicking here:
Release Form (PDF) | Release Form (WORD).  Sign, scan and send as PDF with your proposal or send by fax to 416-368-9774.

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Meeting with us

We frequently meet producers, most often after we have discussed an idea by phone or after they have sent an outline or complete written proposal. Given the volume of proposals we receive for consideration from across Canada, it can be difficult for us to find time to meet on spec. We are often at festivals, events and industry gatherings across the country where we participate in panels and pitch sessions.
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Where to send your proposal

Proposals MUST be sent by email to: proposals@s-vox.com

or

Hard copies are NOT required but if you wish, they may be mailed to:

Director, Independent Production
S-VOX
Liberty Market Building
171 East Liberty Street, Suite 230
Toronto, Ontario
M6K 3P6

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What we pay for programming

Should your proposal be accepted, VisionTV would enter into a pre-sale licence fee agreement for the project. Every project is different and there is no hard and fast rule. Pre-sale agreements, meaning agreements to licence a project based on a written proposal submitted by an independent producer, can range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 per hour, depending on the project. For a complete list of all funding agencies click here: http://www.docorg.ca/resourcecentre.html

Windows and exclusivity

These depend on the project. A one-year period of exclusivity in Canada is standard.
We are not interested in second windows.
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Requirements should your project be accepted and produced

Canadian content certification with a CAVCO or CRTC numberErrors and omissions insuranceClosed Captioning

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Important notes VisionTV has been acknowledged as Canada's most exemplary broadcaster in terms of diversity. All of our programming conforms to the VisionTV Code of Ethics, Standards and Practices, and is consistent with fostering respect and tolerance of all faiths and cultures. We also actively seek to ensure that our programming reflects the full spectrum of faiths and cultures in Canada and provides a voice for those infrequently heard in the media.

VisionTV is a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and all programs must adhere to the standards established by that organization. In addition, VisionTV is required to comply with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children. VisionTV also expects all programs to comply with CAB's Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming and CAB's Voluntary Code Regarding Violence in Television Programming.

VisionTV is an English language service and only accepts proposals and projects that originate in English.

Normally we respond to proposals in six to eight weeks or more. Please be patient as the number of proposals to be read and tapes to be screened can be overwhelming for our limited staff. Please do not expect “rush treatment.” Exceptions cannot be made to meet other funding deadlines. If you know of a deadline coming up, you can best ensure that it is met by submitting your proposal a minimum of eight weeks in advance.

Unsolicited proposals and tapes are not returned, so never send us your only copies.

Legal waiver

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