As part of Playback sister publication realscreen’s annual Global Pitch Guide, released each fall, Playback over the next several days will feature a series of profiles with leading Canadian factual commissioners; they will include intel on what they’re looking for now, how to pitch, and what they pay.

CBC FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

Jennifer Dettman, head of factual entertainment

CONTACT INFO: Jessica Schmiedchen, manager of development, via factualpitch@cbc.ca.

TREATMENT OR TAPE? One- to two-pagers are fine; tape is good for character-driven projects.

WHAT NOT TO DO: Don’t pitch something that’s “too niche – that belongs on a specialty network.”

WHAT SHE’S LOOKING FOR: “We plan to build on the success of our primetime programming strategy and continue to look for large-scale reality and live event programming such as music performance, talent, game, constructed reality and social experiment television shows,” says Dettman, of the factual entertainment department at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “In short – big, broad-based family entertainment with multi-platform possibilities.”

As examples, she points to Over the Rainbow, a competition series that seeks to find the perfect Dorothy for the upcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Wizard of Oz. Business reality series click with Canadian audiences, as seen with the Ceeb’s version of the hit format Dragon’s Den, and the pubcaster is adding another one to the sked, with The Big Decision, in which business icons Jim Treliving and Arlene Dickinson assess two struggling companies and decide which one, if either, to help.

“We’re also focused on reinventing performing arts programming, striving to broaden its appeal,” she adds. “And we continue to look for low-cost additions to our daytime schedule.”

As for volume, “We’re looking for continuing and repeatable series. Eight to 10 episodes for hours; 10 to 13 episodes for half-hours.” Producers should also take note of the network’s multiplatform ambitions.

“As a modern public broadcaster, the need to engage with our audiences beyond the television show is so important,” she says. “We look for programming that not only entertains audiences but also can unite them in a national conversation or collective experience. We don’t just produce stand-alone shows anymore, we’re creating entire experiences. For that reason we place a lot of emphasis on the second screen experience.”

Dettman points to last spring’s Canada’s Smartest Person and currently airing Over the Rainbow as examples of how the net aims to extend properties to multiple screens.

HOW TO PITCH: A signed submission release has to accompany each pitch and can be found at the department’s independent producers’ website, cbc.ca/independentproducers/genres/factual_entertainment

SIZZLE TIPS: “Short and snappy” wins for Dettman. “Don’t feel like you have to tell us the entire story – that’s what the one-pager is for. Make it entertaining and emotionally engaging.”

Photo: Dustin Rabin Photography