High End Co-Production Drama Series (Various Genres)

Closing date 26/04/2018

Channel

M-Net 101, 20:00 week day, weekly slot (PG13) / 21:00 week day, weekly slot (PG16)

Episodes

6-10 x 48 min

References

The Night Of, The Night Manager, The Fall, The Missing (UK version), Top of the Lake, Midnight Sun, Big Little Lies, Here & Now, The Sinner, Game of Thrones, Westworld, The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, American Crime Story, The Crown, House of Cards, Stranger Things, Better Call Saul

Audience

Premium M-Net 101 Audience. Primary: 25-45 Age group

Language

An organic mixture of South African languages but the primary language is English (70% English ratio)

Editorial Guide

What ‘High End Drama Series’ means to the M-Net 101 audience is a sensory experience evoking a range of emotional responses from curiosity to anger, empathy, irony and humour.  It is of an exceptional production quality and pushes the boundaries of visual and visceral story-telling.

The M-Net 101 audience consumes mostly international content yet they want to South African stories told in an authentic and realistic manner. The characters in the world of the story should safely provide a voyeuristic viewer experience. Narrative originality and innovative approaches to genre will enthral our audience. Concepts can be based on major South African events that have remained in the psyche of our society (excl. overtly political themes) and should to be in line with productions such as ‘American Crime Story’ (O.J. Simpson miniseries). Concepts based on novels, graphic novels, or other source material are welcome, provided that the producer is able to secure the required adaptation rights (e.g. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘House of Cards’). Original concepts should take an exciting new angle with well plotted storylines and rounded characters e.g. the miniseries ‘The Night Of’. Sophisticated and edgy family, or inter-personal dramas and mystery series in the line of ‘Big Little Lies’ en ‘Here & Now’ are also welcome. Concepts should be over-arching and not stand-alone episodes with a definitive ending.The tone should be edgy, gripping and entertaining. The story-lines and pace must have nail-biting tension that will keep the audience glued to the small screen.

Projects selected from this pitch will be added to M-Net’s High End Series co-production development and production pipeline. Shows will be developed in collaboration with international producers and/or distributors/broadcasters. M-Net is thus looking for projects that display the level of international appeal required to generate co-financing, co-production and international distribution opportunities.

Creative Requirements

• Must bring a rich understanding of the genre, adhering to the required pace and structure of story-telling.
• Must be willing to collaborate with an appointed foreign/local script doctor/producer of the Broadcaster’s choice who will assist in the development and/or production of the series. 
• And existing relationship, or track record of relationships, with international producer(s), distributor(s), sales agent(s), or broadcaster(s) will be most advantageous.

Submission Requirements

• Brief synopsis of the concept and series including a Controlling Idea,
• Dramatic Question, Premise, Logline
• A statement of intent – why is this series / story important? Why (do you think it) should it be produced? Why would the show have both local (M-Net101 audience) and international appeal?
• A clear and powerful world of the story.
• Character biographies for the main characters including their traits, goals, needs and flaws as well an indication of relationships.
• Characters references either visual or written are welcome
• A summary of the main characters arcs/journeys
• Episode summaries for 10 episodes and Series structure
• Proposals should be no longer that 50 pages.
• Full script/treatment of first episode.
• In the case where any Letters of Intent/Interest have been attained from oversees producers, distributors, sales agents, or broadcasters, please attached scanned copies to your proposal.