Factual

Across the Factual slate, we want to encourage discussion and debate and get under the skin of a changing Scotland.

We also want to document lives and stories from across Scotland – proposals set outside Glasgow are particularly welcome.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

Returnable Brand from Scotland

Our top priority is to find the next co-commissioned premium brand developed in Scotland which can grow and return. Where is our next Murder Trial? These ideas should have exceptional production values and strong story engines and should probably not be related to crime & justice. They should also have strong and authentic Scottish portrayal.

Landmark History

Our next priority is to find a premium history series which again can be co-commissioned. It can possibly cover periods and stories which BBC Scotland has covered in the past but must have a distinctly different and modern approach, again with exceptional production values.

GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES

As well as content that is specifically tailored to audiences in Scotland we are also co commissioning an increasing amount of hours with the network BBC channels and welcome ideas for these. These need to be series that work for both a Scottish and UK audience and have authentic portrayal of Scotland at their heart.

We are keen to receive ideas that work as box sets and drive traffic to iPlayer.

Post-watershed Documentaries

We commission singles and limited series mostly for post watershed slots. They need to demonstrate ambition and high production values. Subjects which will be of interest to underserved audiences are of particular interest.

Exceptional Access Documentaries

Singles and series with hard to get access and revelation in every sequence. Our best recent examples of this are Murder Case & Murder Trial. Where are the places that cameras haven’t yet ventured?

Insider Accounts

Powerful, impactful narratives that tell the inside story of big events or stories and reveal something important about how Scotland or the world works. These films get under the skin of big stories, told through the eyes of the key players. Yes / No: Inside The Indyref and Salmond &Sturgeon: A Troubled Union are examples of this – what is the next story we can tell with that level of access and ambition.

Observational Documentary Series

Precincts with strong stories at the heart of them, and enough happening to generate longer-run series. One successful recent example has been Paramedics on Scene.

Arts & Culture

For the BBC Scotland channel pitches which shine a light on areas of the Scottish arts scene which haven’t been covered before are particularly welcome. Two great recent examples are Scotland The Rave and Meet You At The Hippos.

PiCoS Information

• Genre: Scotland Factual
• Commissioner: David Harron

David Harron

In a 25-year career David has worked for many indies, BBC Scotland and STV as a producer and director on arts, documentary and sports programmes for various broadcasters. He has been exec on factual titles for BBC Scotland for over 10 years and Commissioning Executive since 2014.