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Production/Application FAQs
How can I be involved in an AFI DCL production?
What role can I play in the AFI DCL if I am not part of a production?
How does the AFI DCL application and selection process work for media providers?
How does the AFI DCL application and selection process work for mentors?
What kinds of media providers are eligible to apply for production in the AFI DCL?
Who is eligible to apply as a mentor?
What are the four production or scoping processes that are open for application?
Is there a cost to apply?
What is my commitment once selected?
What is AFI DigiFest?
How can I be involved in an AFI DCL production?
o Participants apply to take part as a "media provider" or a "mentor." A media provider owns or represents a media property or idea, and would like to collaborate with qualified experts to explore a digital application for their property. A mentor is an expert in the field of digital content design, production, development, or strategy, and would like to work on a production team to aid a selected media provider to create and/or develop a digital application.
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What role can I play in the AFI DCL if I am not part of a production?
The AFI DCL hosts occasional public events, including the annual Digital Content Festival in July. In addition, look for regular AFI DCL panels and presentations throughout the year at trade shows and industry events.
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How does the AFI DCL application and selection process work for media providers?
The AFI DCL recruits and accepts applications from media properties and content owners for a hands-on production and/or development process. Applications are available online, and are accepted at any time for an upcoming production cycle. Production cycles being on a quarterly basis, and production takes place year-round. All applicants are interviewed by phone after their application is received. An AFI DCL Selection Board comprised of industry experts meets quarterly to select participants. Participating properties will be notified at least six weeks in advance of the beginning of the production quarter for which they have applied. If not selected, an applicant may resubmit their application for an upcoming production quarter.
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How does the AFI DCL application and selection process work for mentors?
The AFI DCL recruits and accepts applications from digital media professionals who want to lend their expertise to the development of a digital application for a content property accepted into the AFI DCL. Mentor applications are available online, and are accepted any time for an upcoming production cycle. Production cycles being on a quarterly basis, and production takes place year-round. The AFI DCL, in discussion with the applying mentor, assigns selected mentors to a project that best suits their expertise and the production needs of the AFI DCL. Mentors will be notified at least one month in advance of the beginning of the production quarter for which they are assigned to a production. Mentor applications are valid for one year from the time of submission.
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What kinds of media providers are eligible to apply for production in the AFI DCL?
Primary media participants are:
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TV producers and networks
| Cable and satellite operators
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| Filmmakers and film studios | PC and casual game developers |
| Mobile content developers and distributors | Console game developers |
| Broadband entertainment services | |
Additional project initiators may include but are not limited to:
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DVD developers | Technology Providers |
| VOD creators and distributors | Hardware Vendors |
| Record labels | Advertisers |
| Standards bodies | Commercial and Fine Artists |
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Who is eligible to apply as a mentor?
Any individual or company with expertise in the digital field is eligible to apply as a mentor. Priority is given to the following AFI DCL-designated roles:
- Production Support - Companies or individuals who can provide interactive storyboarding, design, development, programming and technology support.
- Line Producers - Individuals with experience in interactive media production who can act as team leader, running weekly meetings, delegating tasks and keeping the team on schedule and on goal.
- Business Planning - Individuals or companies with hands-on business planning skills and solid knowledge of interactive media deployment requirements.
In addition, some individuals will be selected and assigned to teams as consulting mentors. Consulting mentors bring interactive industry knowledge, concepting abilities, creative ideas, and specific skills that the team may need, but do not do heaving lifting like design and production work.
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What are the four production or scoping processes that are open for application?
The AFI DCL offers four digital content development phases. Development phases are considered consecutive in the order listed below. Prospective media providers can apply for any or all phases, but must submit a separate application for each phase by the deadline for the production quarter in which they intend to begin the relevant phase.
Prospective media providers are eligible for application for any phase, regardless of whether their project was initially created at the AFI DCL. Conversely, projects incubated in the AFI DCL are not automatically accepted into continuing development phases without application.
- Digital Interactive Concept Development (3 months) - The most innovative digital programming is created from the ground up. This phase allows teams to start from scratch and create an entirely new concept, regardless of whether a property or assets of any kind already exist. Team deliverable is storyboards and a concept description as outlined by the AFI DCL.
- Digital Interactive Prototyping (6 months) - Before a digital, interactive concept can become real, a demo - or "prototype" - must be built. This prototype is used to test concept viability, and present the concept to companies and individuals who will need to visualize the experience. Team deliverable is a working prototype that runs on the platform it is built for. In the case of a visionary prototype for which a platform does not yet exist, team deliverable is (a) an interactive demo version of the prototype that can be shown on a desktop computer; and/or (b) a demo version of the prototype that can be shown on video or DVD presentation equipment. Eligibility for the Prototyping Phase requires an existing digital program or concept and filmed assets with which to prototype (episodes, footage, etc.)
- Digital Interactive Business Planning (3 months) - A critical step to successful deployment is a viable business plan. Business planning for digital, interactive programming requires a breadth of knowledge in traditional and interactive fields, and calls for specific expertise. Eligibility for the Business Planning phase requires a completed Digital Interactive Concept or a Digital Interactive Prototype.
- Build For Deployment - This phase is currently in development. When it becomes available, applications will be accepted to take a prototype and fully build it out for broadcast or deployment with the cooperation of a distributor (i.e., an MSO, satellite operator, or appropriate deployment partner).
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Is there a cost to apply?
There is no cost for mentors to apply. For media providers, there is a $100 application fee for commercial productions, and a $50 application fee for public broadcasting producers, station executives and non-profit organizations..
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What is my commitment once selected?
Both selected media providers and mentors are required to attend relevant events and participate in the work of the project.
- All team members are required to attend an Orientation and Team Kickoff Event at the beginning of their process. These events will be held at AFI in Los Angeles, CA.
- All team members are required to attend a Wrap Event after the close of their project, also held at AFI in LA.
- The bulk of the team's work is done via weekly scheduled conference call, with additional contributions from team members on their own schedule. Depending on their role, some mentors will be asked to attend calls and remain active for the entire course of the team's production. Other mentors, particularly consulting members, may be brought in only for limited times or on as as-needed basis. Length of assignment will be at AFI's discretion, in cooperation with the mentors affected.
- Some teams, particularly prototyping teams, may be asked to join an additional in-person mid-production event to review progress to date. These events may be held in Los Angeles, or at a location more geographically convenient to the bulk of the team.
- Teams will be asked to follow a curriculum as provided by the AFI DCL, and complete deliverable on time per AFI DCL's instruction.
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What is AFI DigiFest?
AFI DigiFest is a two-day event that showcases a wide range of exceptional digital media productions. Day one features the world premiere of prototypes recently incubated in the AFI Digital Content Lab. Prototypes are conceived and produced by AFI Digital Content Lab mentors drawn from top-tier interactive design and production companies. Day two features a series of curated presentations that highlight noteworthy interactive projects from around the world. Past presenters have included Sony Imageworks, Marshall Herskovitz, Current TV, PBS, Afterworld, Adidas, ABC Family and many more.
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Contact AFI Digital Content Lab at (323)-856-7886 or digitalcontent@AFI.com
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