AAAS Speed Pitching 2019Read below to see what the Commissioners are really looking for!
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Sample Decks |
Blue Ant Media
James Manfull, Executive Producer
Love Nature4K is a TV channel and SVOD platform that features wildlife and natural history programming. Films and series on Love Nature4K celebrate the complexity of life on earth in a positive and authentic way. We look for programs with strong stories that can reveal new insights into the natural word. We like real characters, human and animal, that viewers can connect with and care about.
James Manfull, Executive Producer
Love Nature4K is a TV channel and SVOD platform that features wildlife and natural history programming. Films and series on Love Nature4K celebrate the complexity of life on earth in a positive and authentic way. We look for programs with strong stories that can reveal new insights into the natural word. We like real characters, human and animal, that viewers can connect with and care about.
CuriosityStream
Jorge Franzini, Executive Producer
We're open to short form one-offs, series, or more traditional half-hours and hour programs. Our audience really expects a deep-dive, so we won't shy away from those types of stories whatsoever. Since we don't have particular subject slots to fill, we're really after great science stories.
Jorge Franzini, Executive Producer
We're open to short form one-offs, series, or more traditional half-hours and hour programs. Our audience really expects a deep-dive, so we won't shy away from those types of stories whatsoever. Since we don't have particular subject slots to fill, we're really after great science stories.
HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
Rich Stone, Senior Science Editor
HHMI is looking for stories including:
We select our projects based on scientific importance, originality, story, and the project’s potential for impact. We focus primarily, but not exclusively, on the life sciences, and prioritize inspirational stories of science that touch on one of four main themes: Pioneers of Science, Frontiers of Medicine, The Health of our Planet, or Countering Denialism.
Rich Stone, Senior Science Editor
HHMI is looking for stories including:
- Pioneers of science (character-driven documentaries or dramas)
- Frontiers in medicine
- Health of our planet (climate/conservation/biosphere)
We select our projects based on scientific importance, originality, story, and the project’s potential for impact. We focus primarily, but not exclusively, on the life sciences, and prioritize inspirational stories of science that touch on one of four main themes: Pioneers of Science, Frontiers of Medicine, The Health of our Planet, or Countering Denialism.
National Geographic Partners
Katherine Chivers, Associate Producer
I am looking for projects that would engage the audiences of National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD Channel, which often involve natural history, science, the environment, exploration, culture, travel, and innovation. The most desirable projects tend to deal with these topics in fresh and entertaining ways that can draw new audiences who may not regularly watch shows in a given subject area. We are also interested in talking with potential on-camera talent who have content ideas that align generally with the National Geographic brand, even if the ideas have not been formed into a complete proposal. In those situations we might explore a collaboration that could incorporate the project idea or on-camera talent into suitable Nat Geo projects that are planned or ongoing.
Alex Brady, Associate Producer
I’m interested in shocking and revolutionary discoveries, current studies, and exciting technological advances in every scientific field. Whether or not the series idea includes a host, can be serialized, or is less than an hour of television, I’m interested in the following first and foremost: why, and why now?
Lisa Feit, Writer/Producer
My interest is to see what the scientists are working on and how I might incorporate their projects into our existing and developing programming areas. I’d also like to talk with potential on-camera presenters to see who might be interested in working with us – and who has a flair for on-camera work.
Julie Nadezna, Writer/Producer, National Geographic Channel
Cooper Brooks, Senior Associate Producer of Development & Talent
National Geographic engages with our nearly 750 million fans around the world through Science, Exploration and Adventure content from the best filmmakers and talent on the planet. Our growing global audience is increasingly upscale and more gender balanced.
Our biggest hits share these success factors: ENTERTAINING, SCALE, ORIGINALITY, CROSS-PLATFORM APPEAL and GLOBAL APPEAL.
We have three current priorities:
Katherine Chivers, Associate Producer
I am looking for projects that would engage the audiences of National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD Channel, which often involve natural history, science, the environment, exploration, culture, travel, and innovation. The most desirable projects tend to deal with these topics in fresh and entertaining ways that can draw new audiences who may not regularly watch shows in a given subject area. We are also interested in talking with potential on-camera talent who have content ideas that align generally with the National Geographic brand, even if the ideas have not been formed into a complete proposal. In those situations we might explore a collaboration that could incorporate the project idea or on-camera talent into suitable Nat Geo projects that are planned or ongoing.
Alex Brady, Associate Producer
I’m interested in shocking and revolutionary discoveries, current studies, and exciting technological advances in every scientific field. Whether or not the series idea includes a host, can be serialized, or is less than an hour of television, I’m interested in the following first and foremost: why, and why now?
Lisa Feit, Writer/Producer
My interest is to see what the scientists are working on and how I might incorporate their projects into our existing and developing programming areas. I’d also like to talk with potential on-camera presenters to see who might be interested in working with us – and who has a flair for on-camera work.
Julie Nadezna, Writer/Producer, National Geographic Channel
Cooper Brooks, Senior Associate Producer of Development & Talent
National Geographic engages with our nearly 750 million fans around the world through Science, Exploration and Adventure content from the best filmmakers and talent on the planet. Our growing global audience is increasingly upscale and more gender balanced.
Our biggest hits share these success factors: ENTERTAINING, SCALE, ORIGINALITY, CROSS-PLATFORM APPEAL and GLOBAL APPEAL.
We have three current priorities:
- MARQUEE SERIES - big budget, tent-pole series about relatable, ad-sales friendly topics with global appeal. Examples include MARS, ONE STRANGE ROCK, COSMOS, STORY OF GOD and HOSTILE PLANET.
- HOST-DRIVEN SERIES - feature on-screen talent on an authentic quest. There must be an intuitive connection between the talent and the subject matter.
- HIGH VOLUME SERIES - formats that are smart and speak to core National Geographic subject areas, and which feel at home on our premium schedule.
National Geographic Storytelling Grants
Dustin Renwick, Program Officer, Storytelling Grants
National Geographic Society supports a community of innovative storytellers who help convey the importance of nature and human culture. These grants identify and fund the best impact-driven storytellers around the world at various stages in their careers. Applicants should show a record of successful media projects and must submit a portfolio. Grantees include photographers, filmmakers, data visualizers, cartographers, podcasters, and science journalists. Learn more: http://www.natgeo.org/grants.
Dustin Renwick, Program Officer, Storytelling Grants
National Geographic Society supports a community of innovative storytellers who help convey the importance of nature and human culture. These grants identify and fund the best impact-driven storytellers around the world at various stages in their careers. Applicants should show a record of successful media projects and must submit a portfolio. Grantees include photographers, filmmakers, data visualizers, cartographers, podcasters, and science journalists. Learn more: http://www.natgeo.org/grants.
Nat Geo WILD
Jessie Springer, Development and Production Coordinator
Nat Geo WILD is a TV channel that focuses on wildlife and natural history programming. For our character-driven series; we are looking for talent with passion, heart, and charisma. These shows need to be "animal first" with clear stakes for character/animals. Location can be anywhere in the world, but English must be fluent and clear. We are also looking for series and specials in the natural history space. We are interested in content involving Oceans, iconic predators and/or iconic or unique and exotic locations. We are interested in conservation/environmental stories but these must have a POSITIVE narrative.
Program formats: we only do TV series - so one hour formats, but are willing to look at films and convert them to specials if need be.
Jessie Springer, Development and Production Coordinator
Nat Geo WILD is a TV channel that focuses on wildlife and natural history programming. For our character-driven series; we are looking for talent with passion, heart, and charisma. These shows need to be "animal first" with clear stakes for character/animals. Location can be anywhere in the world, but English must be fluent and clear. We are also looking for series and specials in the natural history space. We are interested in content involving Oceans, iconic predators and/or iconic or unique and exotic locations. We are interested in conservation/environmental stories but these must have a POSITIVE narrative.
Program formats: we only do TV series - so one hour formats, but are willing to look at films and convert them to specials if need be.
Nature/WNET
Janet Hess, Series Editor
NATURE, now in its 37th season, looks for one hour episodes that offer new insights into natural history and the lives of our fellow creatures. A proposal should have a strong story, compelling characters, and something of a revelation about the natural world to bring to the audience. Revelation can come from new technologies in filming, new angles on old stories that make them fresh, and new storytellers as part of the narrative. We also must take into consideration the coproduction potential of each proposal and the financial commitment it will take to realize the film.
Janet Hess, Series Editor
NATURE, now in its 37th season, looks for one hour episodes that offer new insights into natural history and the lives of our fellow creatures. A proposal should have a strong story, compelling characters, and something of a revelation about the natural world to bring to the audience. Revelation can come from new technologies in filming, new angles on old stories that make them fresh, and new storytellers as part of the narrative. We also must take into consideration the coproduction potential of each proposal and the financial commitment it will take to realize the film.
NOVA/WGBH
Evan Hadingham, Senior Science Editor
Caitlin Saks, Science Editor
We are looking for ideas that would be good for 1 hour NOVA TV broadcasts. Any topic in the STEM fields would work, so long as they’d be appropriate and interesting to a general audience.
Evan Hadingham, Senior Science Editor
Caitlin Saks, Science Editor
We are looking for ideas that would be good for 1 hour NOVA TV broadcasts. Any topic in the STEM fields would work, so long as they’d be appropriate and interesting to a general audience.
PBS
Zara Frankel, Manager, Programming & Development
PBS is seeking bold ideas and multiplatform experiences that will welcome new audiences while continuing to serve our dedicated, loyal viewers. We’re particularly looking for projects that embrace fresh looks, utilize innovative storytelling techniques, and engage audiences with dynamic material across a spectrum from broadcast to digital. We’re actively seeking diverse, new talent on-screen and, just as importantly, behind the camera to serve our audience with groundbreaking content from a variety of perspectives.
Zara Frankel, Manager, Programming & Development
PBS is seeking bold ideas and multiplatform experiences that will welcome new audiences while continuing to serve our dedicated, loyal viewers. We’re particularly looking for projects that embrace fresh looks, utilize innovative storytelling techniques, and engage audiences with dynamic material across a spectrum from broadcast to digital. We’re actively seeking diverse, new talent on-screen and, just as importantly, behind the camera to serve our audience with groundbreaking content from a variety of perspectives.
Ru Mahoney Productions
Ru Mahoney, Impact Producer
Particularly interested in:
Ru Mahoney, Impact Producer
Particularly interested in:
- Hands-on science research conducted under extreme conditions or in extreme environments
- Field-based climate research in Greenland, Antarctica or the Himalayas
- Research being conducted in Papua New Guinea
- Sustainable industry (ag, architecture, etc) in the UK
Science Channel
Wyatt Channel, Executive Producer
Generally interested in engineering, cosmology/astronomy, current events, pop sci and anything with potential talent attached.
Wyatt Channel, Executive Producer
Generally interested in engineering, cosmology/astronomy, current events, pop sci and anything with potential talent attached.
Simons Foundation / Science Sandbox
John Tracey, Program Officer, Science Sandbox
Nonfiction films supported by Science Sandbox should communicate high-level science to general audiences in compelling ways and resonate with individuals who don’t usually seek out science content. Emphasis is placed on projects that incorporate innovative storytelling techniques and highlight diversity in science — especially those that feature topics, subjects or disciplines that broaden and rebrand what it means to be a scientist or to do science. Projects should highlight basic research or topics in science that don’t usually get the attention of major production studios and teams. Films should inspire viewers with the actual process of science and humanize the pursuit of discovery in relatable ways for diverse points of view. Priority is also given to feature-length films intended for festival consideration, a theatrical release and wide distribution
John Tracey, Program Officer, Science Sandbox
Nonfiction films supported by Science Sandbox should communicate high-level science to general audiences in compelling ways and resonate with individuals who don’t usually seek out science content. Emphasis is placed on projects that incorporate innovative storytelling techniques and highlight diversity in science — especially those that feature topics, subjects or disciplines that broaden and rebrand what it means to be a scientist or to do science. Projects should highlight basic research or topics in science that don’t usually get the attention of major production studios and teams. Films should inspire viewers with the actual process of science and humanize the pursuit of discovery in relatable ways for diverse points of view. Priority is also given to feature-length films intended for festival consideration, a theatrical release and wide distribution
Smithsonian Networks
Chris Hoelzl, SVP Program Development
Sirjaut Kaur Dhariwal, Program Development Coordinator
Smithsonian Channel is dedicated to producing science programming with a worldwide reach. These can be either series, usually 3-6 episodes, or specials. Whenever possible we try to highlight the work of the Smithsonian Institution, its scientific output and the work of its scientists and curators. We are looking for stories across the spectrum of human knowledge, with the exception of human health. For more on our output you can check us out at Smithsonianchannel.com. Ideas can be submitted directly to our portal at ideas.smithsonianchannel.com.
Chris Hoelzl, SVP Program Development
Sirjaut Kaur Dhariwal, Program Development Coordinator
Smithsonian Channel is dedicated to producing science programming with a worldwide reach. These can be either series, usually 3-6 episodes, or specials. Whenever possible we try to highlight the work of the Smithsonian Institution, its scientific output and the work of its scientists and curators. We are looking for stories across the spectrum of human knowledge, with the exception of human health. For more on our output you can check us out at Smithsonianchannel.com. Ideas can be submitted directly to our portal at ideas.smithsonianchannel.com.
YAP Films
Lee Ventura, Development Coordinator
Yap films is looking for interesting and challenging content that has international appeal in the following topics: cutting health science(contagions, gene editing, antimicrobial resistance), the environment and climate change, AI/big data, and space exploration.
We are also looking for onscreen talent that are compelling new voices that have a great story to tell.
Lee Ventura, Development Coordinator
Yap films is looking for interesting and challenging content that has international appeal in the following topics: cutting health science(contagions, gene editing, antimicrobial resistance), the environment and climate change, AI/big data, and space exploration.
We are also looking for onscreen talent that are compelling new voices that have a great story to tell.
