Funded by generous lead support from the MacArthur Foundation and additional support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and our industry partners, the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) launched an annual institute to connect independent producers and their socially relevant content to emerging models of storytelling and distribution.

About the Producers Institute

The Producers Institute for New Media Technologies is a ten-day residency for eight creative teams (independent producers or public broadcasters) with a shared goal of developing and prototyping a multi-platform project inspired by, or based on a significant documentary project. The intention of the Institute is to develop socially relevant media projects for emerging digital platforms. Producers participate in high-level industry roundtables, intense one-on-one project development with technical mentors, new media storytelling workshops, and hands-on prototyping of their ideas. The participants adapt and develop film, video, and audio content for delivery using a range of interactive formats, including but not limited to video game applications, interactive, web-based experiences, mobile streaming, multi-user communities, and new educational software. Producers may propose a range of delivery strategies, including cellphones, other hand-held devices, set-tops, Internet, portable software and more. The Institute provides creative mentors, technology consultants and advisors based on the needs of your project. At the end of the residency, all participants demonstrate and pitch to a panel of VC funders, industry leaders, and foundations. As ongoing support after the Institute, BAVC hosts a web-based resource center for the continued sharing of new ideas, strategies, project development,and distribution opportunities.

Who can apply?

The Institute accepts 8 teams of 3 people each. All projects must be either: independently produced (without the support of a commercial or cable broadcaster), or the project of a public broadcast station. The project Producer,Executive Producer or Director should be the lead Applicant, and should include two additional creative team members. Other team members should be one visual designer (web, game, etc), and any other appropriate committed program staff who would be relevant for project execution; for example: editor, writer, talent, director of photography, sound recordist/editor, composer, etc.

Provisions, dates and locations

The 2009 Institute was held at the BAVC facility in San Francisco May 29 - June 7. Participants must be in residence in San Francisco for the duration of the Institute.  Selected producers and their teams receive travel stipends and hotel accommodations, technical and administrative support during the residency period.

Click to read a description of what happens at the Producers Institute >

Criteria for Selection

• Projects are evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Level of innovation
• Market focus & audience reach
• Potential to benefit from Institute process
• Narrative structure and depth
• Suitability of project for cross-platform deployment: specifically, new global broadband interactivity, educational softwares, participatory TV, virtual worlds, 3G mobile and multi-user games. All projects should demonstrate some social networking, and/or user-generated content elements.
• Audience interaction and level of involvement
• Mix and experience of the project teams

Next Application Deadline

The application deadline for the 2009 Institute has passed.

For questions or more information, please contact BAVC's Director of Creative Programming Wendy Levy.