Pre-Production: Why Netflix?



The target channel for this documentary is Netflix. We believe this to be relevant as it is still very young. Documentaries on Netflix are increasing in popularity thanks to series' like Making a Murderer. However, one thing I have noticed is that these are all long documentaries with loads of hour long episodes (typically 8 to a series).

However, Netflix is sending its executive Diego Bunuel to the U.K. to oversee original factual programming out of its soon-to-open new London office, part of the the streaming giant’s increased emphasis on localizing its lineup of shows. Bunuel, who will relocate from Los Angeles, will commission original documentaries for Europe. "Netflix makes most of its programming decisions from L.A., but is expected to install content executives in its regional bases as part of its ramped-up localization effort."(Clarke and Clarke, 2018). Europeans love to watch short documentaries. They are interesting, engaging and don't take up a lot of time. With many of us having busy lives we find it difficult to fit feature long docuseires into our lifestyles. This is why platforms such as YouTube and BBC Three online have become so popular. We love the idea of learning whilst we watch and a documentary can have our full attention for its twenty minutes. I believe our documentary is a concept Netflix would be very much open to and a series of short 20minute documents would 100% fit into their audience demographic. 

Previous student Sam Creamer for his concept came up with a Netflix Original when it was young and his style is something Netflix adopted. 


Whenever producing content it is fiunidimental to have nailed down the audience and it’s common practice to have this thought through in a treatment proposal. The audience for a documentary can help establish the style, themes, content and help give the documentary a specific focus."The documentary division, though, has been moving from hit to hit since the 10-part series “Making a Murderer,” (Nytimes.com, 2018).

We want to bring Netflix this idea of documentary shorts as it is a fairly new concept. A few years ago BBC Three didnt make them and now it is their biggest hit. In fact, jumping onto going online only was a bold move and caused a lot of controvercy. "BBC Three moves online after final night as TV channel. BBC Three has broadcast its final night as a television channel as the youth strand goes online only"(BBC News, 2018). The point I am making is that this turned out to be a great success and television doens't progress until someone puts an idea for chnage forward.





References:

Clarke, S. and Clarke, S. (2018). Netflix to Install a Director for Original Documentaries in New London Office. [online] Variety. Available at: https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/netflix-install-original-documentaries-director-new-london-office-1202843493/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].

Nytimes.com. (2018). Netflix Casts a Wider Net for Original Documentaries. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/movies/netflix-casts-a-wider-net-for-original-documentaries.html [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].

BBC News. (2018). BBC Three moves from TV to online. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35578867 [Accessed 7 Dec. 2018].

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