Finally, a new pub for the doc biz

I recently bumped into a documentary producer with a copy of Variety under his arm and a slightly disgruntled air about him. I blurted out the just-board-approved news, ‘We’re launching a new doc mag!’ Cosmically on cue, he replied that he had just been ruing a dearth of doc news in the trades and was wondering what was happening with the ‘non-fiction’ mag idea the Playback contingent floated at mip-tv.

Serendipity. There’s been a lot of that surrounding the genesis of our new publication dedicated to covering the gamut of docs, infomags and lifestyle programming news.

The first signs of the planets aligning in favor of the new book was the proliferation of promising doc news at mip-tv last April: increased distribution competition; doc-casters’, such as National Geographic’s, aggressive global agenda; and the fact that next mip-tv Reed Midem is launching a mipdoc initiative, similar to Mipcom Junior.

More serendipity. All of it reflecting the lust for factual programming spawned by niche channels and discerning viewers.

So the big idea was, there has to be a corresponding need for more dedicated information on the business side. Two months of research spearheaded by Brunico vp and group publisher Kathy Hamill and some lively debate over the contents (not to mention the title) culminated in RealScreen, an international monthly magazine that looks at both the production and programming strategies driving the non-fiction domain. It’s set to launch at mipcom this September.

RealScreen will cover significant new companies and channel startups, mega-productions and funding, acquisition coups, strategic alliances, top-line people and slot shifts. In addition to the core production, broadcasting and distribution news, the magazine will include topical snapshots on promotion, new media, corporate sponsorship, video market news, demographics and ratings, and issues and trends.

Most importantly, the new magazine will go behind the news to focus on its impact.

Since the breadth of what we’re undertaking is so great, it’s no wonder getting consensus on the name was a little reminiscent of the dark side of coproduction. (In case you’re wondering, the title wannabe list yielded some gems ­ if only of recycling ­ including the inevitable: What’s up Doc?, Pulp Non-fiction, Hot Diggity Doc and Third Doc from the Sun; there were others, but we won’t go there.)

Judging by the events calendar, RealScreen will be going just about everywhere else with doc in the title, promising a busy year for the RealScreen team, covering all manner of docs, info and lifestyle programming exploration and, I imagine, celebration.

Like Lou Reed said, it’s the beginning of a great adventure, and going by the auspicious international arrival of our sister publication KidScreen, Canada is a great place to launch from. Thanks to all who are helping shape the new pubŠit’s going to be a real coventure.