LINCS

COMMON QUESTIONS

Do I have to shoot in a particular format?

All shooting formats are acceptable, provided the final video master is able to pass a PBS required technical evaluation. The program is for television broadcast and must be mastered on digital video. For more information about PBS technical requirements read their Red Book.

When producing for PBS, are there editorial standards, requirements, or policies that I need to know?

All ITVS funded programs must adhere to the PBS Editorial Standards. The ITVS Production Manual outlines the ITVS standards for packaging and underwriting as well as several production and post-production templates. It is available for purchase in the Producer Resources section.

Why are you asking questions about topic and geographic region?

We want to better understand the themes and topics that are important to the documentary community, and to be able to track this over time. Your answers here will help us serve you better. Please note: answers to these questions will not affect your chances for funding and will not be used to make any funding decisions.

How do I decide what is the correct topic and region?

Topic: As the producer, you know what your program is about better than anyone else. Select the one or two main topics your documentary addresses. If you want to get a better sense for how ITVS categorizes topics, please see our film finder.

Region: For international regions, ITVS uses the UN Geographical Region List. For documentaries that take place primarily in the U.S.A., please see the US Census Map

COMMON QUESTIONS

Do I need a fiscal sponsor? Can an organization be an applicant?

No, you do not need a fiscal sponsor. Organizations such as universities, foundations, and nonprofit media organizations are not eligible.

Will ITVS fund a first-time filmmaker? Am I required to have a certain amount of producing experience?

To be eligible for ITVS funds, the applicant or co-applicant must be an independent producer with producing experience. All proposals must be accompanied by a previously completed sample work on which the applicant or co-applicant was producer, co-producer, director, or co-director. Please do not send tapes on which you were an editor, DP, associate producer, etc. While this experience is relevant and should be included in your résumé, such tapes will not be included in the review process. If you have limited producing experience, we encourage you to find an experienced mentor to work with, preferably someone in your area with a proven track record of producing for PTV. If you have not produced anything of your own, you will need to work with a co-applicant who has.

Do I need a co-applicant and a station representative in order to apply?

You don’t need to have a co-applicant, but you must have a designated station contact as part of your LINCS station-producer letter of agreement.

COMMON QUESTIONS

At what stage will ITVS fund a project?

LINCS funding is for production and post-production only. It is not for research and development, nor is it for the acquisition of finished programs. The programs submitted must have already begun production and should be completed and ready for broadcast within one year of contract.

Will I increase my chances of getting funded if I ask for less money?

Although ITVS funds for LINCS are capped at $100,000 you should base your budget on what is required to complete your program. There is no advantage and several distinct disadvantages in presenting a project budget that is less than what is required.

Do you match producer in-kind in contributions to the budget?

LINCS will match secured cash for the production and in-kind services that are contributed by the public television station partner. Non-station in-kind contributions cannot be matched. Additionally, ITVS does not pay deferred expenses, and so they should not be included in your budget.

How much can I pay myself as a producer?

You should give yourself an equitable wage based on your time and effort. This must be expressed as a flat fee. ITVS does not pay deferred salaries, so you must calculate your time as a producer starting the moment you receive ITVS funding.

I have a transmedia project. Where should I enter that information?

Please use the budget summary form for transmedia projects, which you can find on the How To Apply page.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Regarding video samples, if applying with a documentary, do I need to provide a previously completed work AND a video of the proposed program?

Yes. All proposals must be accompanied by a video of the applicant’s previously completed work. If you are applying with a documentary, you must provide a work-in-progress video of the proposed project (either selects, scenes, rough cut, etc.) with a minimum length of five minutes.

Must the work-in-progress video sample be five minutes? I have a three-minute trailer, will this do?

LINCS is a highly competitive process. In our experience with LINCS no matter how well written the proposal, projects simply don’t compete when the work-in-progress is too brief. We receive so many compelling proposals that the more developed ones always rise to the top.