C4 RANDOM ACTS & 3 MINUTE WONDER

I have been looking at the short form documentary as part of the development of my work. This is the ideal format for online content but being old-school I also love the idea of getting my work on broadcast TV and the credibility that this creates and the contacts it will create. I also want to start looking for more commissioning and funding for my work and this is a good place. I looked at strands that would allow this to happen and that also provide an online curated platform for such works.

One of the first I researched was a strand called 3 Minute Wonder and it used to go out just after the C4 news at 7:55. I really enjoyed their output on this strand and generally the films shown on the series are primarily documentaries that tended to highlight a current issue that is not in the public eye, for instance. Its aim was to broadcasts first time directors' three-minute TV programmes in the middle of the channel's weekday primetime schedule. It was part of the Channel 4's 4Talent initiative to help new talent break into the very competitive UK television industry and Channel 4 offers new directors £4000 and their assistance in making their shorts.

I would have loved to try and get a piece commissioned for the strand as I feel my work would fit with its aims and objectives.but it is no longer running as it ended several years ago. However it was good to look at some past episodes and to get a stronger overview of what could be attempted, covered and ultimately make a successful micro documentary 3 minutes.

http://www.channel4.com/search?q=3+minute+wonder

Random Acts is the C4 scheme that replaced 3 minute wonders BUT not with the same broadcast time slot. It looks like it is an avenue that may be worth pursuing although there does seem to be a slant towards younger filmmakers. They also provide a slightly different programme within Random Acts called First Acts for 19-24 year olds.In their own words (obviously aimed at younger filmmakers!) here is their mission statement on their website here is an overview of heir remit.

Hi there. You’re on the internet, so first of all, congrats. The internet, if you remember, used to be quite good before getting really overwhelming and difficult to filter through the big black hole of content, making schmucks of us all. So we decided to make a thing on the internet that wasn’t just commentary, gifs, Vines of people shouting, think-pieces about what makes a great piece of video art… Instead, we decided to create a space where artists can actually just create, using the TV as a canvas.
So we made this website, which you are now on, called Random Acts. Unlike the rest of the internet though, nothing about it is random. We only show you the best in original short form creative content. We showcase all the films that we commission throughout the year, and also share films that we didn’t commission but wish we had.
We handpick the best artists from around the country and beyond, presenting you with short films that display bold expressions of creativity, films that are pushing boundaries, provoking thought and debate, playing with your minds and making you ponder your existence. We spend a lot of time finding people who are breaking ground in the medium of film and work with them to make the sorts of videos you have never seen before. Watch out for the Random Acts TV show on Channel 4, bringing you the best from the strand and highlighting them in an original compilation TV

The films commissioned get a TV airing and so do other selected works that the editors at Random Acts appreciate. It looks like it is certainly worth applying for funding and also worth submitting my Amen Brother piece to.

programme. http://randomacts.channel4.com