Mediacorp rallies around local creative community by calling for #Stories4SG to uplift Singapore audiences amidst COVID-19 conditions
Attention, all content creators: We want your #Stories4SG! In a bid to bolster the local creative industry, Mediacorp is commissioning short-form content to support Singapore production companies impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Singapore, 23 April 2020 – Attention, all content creators: We want your #Stories4SG! In a bid to bolster the local creative industry, Mediacorp is commissioning short-form content to support Singapore production companies impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Through its new #Stories4SG initiative, Mediacorp is seeking innovative and inspirational concepts for digital short stories through a Call for Proposals (CFP) in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), supported under the Public Service Content Fund, which was launched on 14 April to catalyse more production projects in the coming months.
Howie Lau, Assistant Chief Executive, Media and Innovation, IMDA said: “We are pleased to have Mediacorp on board as one of the commissioning partners under the Public Service Content Fund to support our media professionals and freelancers during this challenging time. Through this initiative, our production companies and talent will have the opportunity to create innovative content that will not only inspire, inform and entertain Singaporeans but also strengthen the shared values of our community.”
Angeline Poh, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Mediacorp said: “As the national media network, we are committed to collaborating with independent production companies to create content that connects and inspires our communities. The unifying role that our content plays has only increased in importance during this unprecedented period.”
#Stories4SG is scouting for participants to produce experimental and enriching digital shorts that speak to our shared Singapore spirit. Submissions should be positive in tone, but can assume the form of an array of genres from comedic commentary, soulful sitcoms, thought-provoking talk shows to adrenaline-pumping adventure thrillers.
Submissions must be minimally 10 minutes in length, and can be in any or all four of Singapore’s official languages peppered with dialect. Of note is the flexibility in format and filming styles: Everything from entries shot as self-contained concepts to potential pilots will be eligible for consideration (see the annex for an overview of the CFP criteria).
Selected projects will be presented on Mediacorp’s digital video destination meWATCH and its other digital platforms like Mediacorp’s YouTube channels and social media. Meanwhile, media companies can leverage the circuit-breaker downtime to deepen their craft and prepare proposals for production once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
Sapna Angural, Head, English Audience, Mediacorp said: “Our #Stories4SG initiative will offer exciting production opportunities to our industry friends and foster further development in digital storytelling formats. By extending our expertise in content creation and providing producers with heightened visibility via Mediacorp’s multiple platforms, we look forward to sharing a fresh slate of inspiring and innovative Singapore stories made with Singapore talent, soon to be made available for our Singapore audiences.”
Singapore-registered production houses may find out more about Mediacorp’s #Stories4SG CFP at www.mediacorp.sg/call-for-proposals. Participants can submit their queries and completed application forms to Stories4SG@mediacorp.com.sg. The Mediacorp commissioning teams will hold remote CFP Q&A sessions with interested production houses on 30 April 2020. The deadline for submission is 11.59pm, 15 May 2020.
Annex
PSC Funding
Criteria for Applicants
1. Singapore-registered media/production companies with proven track record in local content production over the last three years
2. Adopter of the Tripartite Standard on the Procurement of Services from Media Freelancers
Criteria for Funded Content
1. Videos should not exceed PG13 classification in accordance with the Content Code for Over-the-Top, Video–on-demand and Niche Services to allow for widest possible reach
2. Short-form video (single video or a slate of videos) with minimum duration of 10-minute per video
3. Standard rate of S$25,000 per video will apply
4. Companies may submit more than one application. Each company can be awarded funding of up to S$150,000 for selected projects for each Call-for-Proposal
5. Companies to declare that the concept/project has not been submitted for funding by another government agency nor received/is receiving concurrent funding by another government agency
6. All concepts should contain at least one of the following Public Service Broadcast values:
a. Promote positive social values
b. Celebrate our culture and heritage
c. Promote racial and religious harmony
d. Promote the Singapore identity
e. Stimulate knowledge and learning
f. Foster an informed society
- ends
Media contact
Eugene Quek
Communications Specialist
Tel.: +65 6359 7450
Email: Eugene.Quek@mediacorp.com.sg
About Mediacorp
Mediacorp is Singapore’s largest content creator and national media network, operating six TV channels, 11 radio stations and multiple digital platforms including CNA, Singapore's most used news app, and meWATCH, its digital video platform. Its mission is to engage, entertain and enrich audiences by harnessing the power of creativity.
Mediacorp pioneered the development of Singapore’s broadcasting industry, with radio broadcast in 1936 and television broadcast in 1963. Today, it reaches 98% of Singaporeans in four languages weekly and has a growing Asian audience base through CNA as well as entertainment content that is distributed across markets in the region.
The Mediacorp Partner Network brings Mediacorp together with industry-leading brands like ESPN, Edipresse Media, 99.co and VICE to deliver rich content for consumers and effective solutions for advertisers.
Mediacorp is the recipient of industry accolades including New York Festivals, World Media Festivals, PromaxBDA (World and Asia) and Asian Academy Creative Awards. For more information, please visit Mediacorp.sg.