October 2024 / Call Out Highlights
1. Unscripted TV & Brand-Integrated Content
Call-Out: Captive Minds
What’s Trending:
Unscripted content continues to dominate TV and online platforms, and it’s clear why. Audiences are hungry for real stories, authentic experiences, and compelling characters. Captive Minds is looking for unscripted TV, online series, and brand-related content that can capture viewer interest across various platforms. Additionally, integrating brand and social content is key, representing a growing market for branded entertainment.
What Makes It Appealing:
Discoverers are seeking content that reflects current social trends, engages audiences through influencers or unique collaborations, and has viral potential. With brands looking to align with socially relevant content, unscripted creators have an opportunity to develop projects that are both entertaining and commercially viable.
Pro Tip:
For unscripted pitches, focus on strong, authentic narratives with characters or situations that resonate with audiences. Projects that can be adapted across multiple platforms (TV, online, social media) and integrate brands organically will stand out.
2. Genre Films: Horror, Thriller & More
Call-Out: DB Films
What’s Trending:
DB Films is focused on genre films, particularly horror and thrillers, with innovative twists that reflect societal anxieties. With audiences flocking to suspenseful, gripping narratives, genre films offer an exciting playground for filmmakers who can bring fresh ideas while respecting genre conventions.
What Makes It Appealing:
DB Films, positioned as "Britain's answer to Blumhouse," is looking for projects with strong hooks that can be marketed in one sentence and teased in a poster. Films that capture modern fears (what scares us now?) while offering fast-paced, engaging stories are especially desirable. Think "high-concept horror" or thrillers that delve into psychological or societal themes.
Pro Tip:
Your pitch should highlight the “hook” of your story—what makes it unique, and why it will grab audiences right away. A clearly defined, high-concept idea with relatable societal commentary will make your project stand out to genre-focused decision-makers.
3. True Stories, Crime, Thriller, and Sci-Fi
Call-Out: Submarine
What’s Trending:
Submarine is on the lookout for true-story-based films and TV series, as well as crime, thriller, or sci-fi projects. Real-life events continue to capture audience fascination, and combining these with thrilling or speculative storytelling gives filmmakers the chance to push boundaries while staying grounded in reality.
What Makes It Appealing:
True stories that tap into big societal issues—crime, justice, politics—tend to resonate deeply with both audiences and decision-makers. In addition, crime and thriller genres have long been staples of film and TV, offering filmmakers opportunities to play with tension, mystery, and dark, twisty narratives. Sci-fi, when combined with thought-provoking themes, continues to be a powerhouse genre for exploring human nature and the future of society.
Pro Tip:
For true stories, focus on the relevance of the event or issue to today’s world. In crime, thriller, or sci-fi projects, ensure your pitch highlights the unique twist or intellectual depth of your concept. How does your story stand apart from the hundreds of other crime or sci-fi narratives out there?
Conclusion: What’s Trending Across the Board?
Across all the current call-outs, one thing is clear: Discoverers are craving high-concept ideas with the potential to tap into current societal fears, issues, and trends. Whether you’re pitching a thriller, sci-fi, or unscripted series, your project needs to bring something fresh and compelling to the table. Filmmakers should think about the commercial viability of their projects, the emotional or intellectual depth of their stories, and how their work can stand out in a crowded market.
With so many opportunities on SMASH, now is the time to refine your pitch, focus on your project’s unique selling points, and get it in front of the right eyes. Whether you’re working in unscripted content, genre films, or true stories, decision-makers are out there actively seeking innovative voices and original ideas.
Ready to pitch? Create your SMASH Snapshot and take advantage of these exciting call-outs!
Create your free SMASH pitch today and connect with industry leaders searching for the next big project. Whether it’s unscripted TV, crime thrillers, or high-concept genre films, your opportunity to get noticed is just one pitch away!