NZ on Air and TVNZ are requesting proposals from local independent TV producers for a new series for and about New Zealand's gay community. ‘Kiwifruit', for two years TVNZ's magazine-style programme for the GLBT community, has been criticised for a perceived ‘shallow' superficial coverage of issues affecting our community. Research conducted by NZ on Air earlier this year indicated 70% of gay and lesbian television audiences did not like generally like the programme. At the same time, the research showed a continued desire from the gay community to have their own presence on our television screens. “There was a strong expression of wanting to feel “connected” to other people who share the same experiences as them due to their sexuality. There was also strong emphasis on access to information that is of interest to them,” says the request for proposals. The local-content funding agency and TVNZ are now seeking proposals for a weekly half-hour ‘observational documentary' series. “The series should reflect the diversity of this community and represent the full spectrum in terms of demographics, lifestyles, personalities etc. Your proposal should identify a real life scenario/setting, which will become the source of diverse stories, characters, ages, attitudes, opinions, information and debate on issues relevant to the gay community of New Zealand. The series is intended for a late evening timeslot on TVONE or TV2,” reads the request. “We envisage a series of 10 x ½ hours…the budget should be around $35K per episode.” Ref: NZOA, TVNZ, GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 10th December 2006 - 12:00pm