MADE TV to showcase sketches via The Purple Pigeon

MADE TV - the local television network broadcasting in the Leeds, Tyne and Wear, Bristol and Newcastle areas - is looking for people to send in video sketches to be broadcast on a new show.

The network - which reaches around 1 million viewers a week - is launching The Purple Pigeon, a comedy show which aims to "give writers, producers, directors and actors from all over the country the chance have their work aired".

The team say: "Anyone out there who has developed an amateur short film, up to and including about 5 minutes in length (we're not bothered if it goes to 6 or 7 mins if we like it), of a good standard, and if we like it obviously, we'll commission, and put the clip on TV."

They add: "Even if we don't commission right away, we'll try and advise submitters what to go and do to make it useable for the show."

The Purple Pigeon, which will be hosted by Andrew Dorée and Karl Parish, will also feature a Clip Of The Week segment, in which creators will be invited on to the show to chat about their short.

This new show has been announced following MADE TV signing LittleRedVan Productions' producers Dorée and Nate Camponi to act as their official Commissioning Editors, as part of a plan to develop the network's own comedy and drama content.

The channel has previously broadcast the sitcom pilot Make It Plumb, and is now looking to produce more content, with other projects already in development including a 10-part comedy drama called Friend Zone, and a gym-set sitcom called Weight Lifters.

The commissioners say: "We want to put working class, gritty humour on the television and support artists, writers, producers and directors showcasing their work on our development slate. Collectively we have masses of experience and passion from writing, producing, directing, acting to representation. We're hoping to move modern comedy away from the 'formula' and back into a real and honest place, where we think it belongs."

The commissioners say they're keen on ensuring their shows reflect a wide range of talent too. "There's a hell of a lot going on out there and getting noticed is ridiculously tough - and in some cases, nigh on impossible. If you're not from the right background, the right schooling, the right ethnicity, it's a really hard nut to crack, and frankly, it's a bit crap that it is that way; so we're doing something about it. We're not saying everyone who sends stuff in is going on TV, but we will definitely give people the time of day if they work hard and produce top quality comedy and drama content."

For The Purple Pigeon, the producers are mainly looking for funny sketches that have already been filmed. In terms of the age of the clips and the subject matter of the content, Andrew Dorée (pictured) says "honestly, we don't care. So long as it's viewable, uploadable and we like it, no probs. There is no 'theme' contributors have to follow. All we ask is that the comedy comes from an honest and genuine place."

Due to tight budgets, there is no payment available, just the benefit of exposure. The producers explain: "To begin with, we're doing this for credit, showcase and the fun of it. If it's a success, then we have a different conversation."

The producer, director, and writers of any clips shown will be credited on screen, along with the production company (if applicable) that made the clip. Full credits will also be published on the show's website.

For any clips that are aired, copyright will remain with the creators and they need not remove the clip from any existing platforms, such as YouTube. The Purple Pigeon sees itself as another curated platform upon which comedy fans can find comedy, and creators can showcase their work.

The producers are also hoping the show can be a platform via which to find new talent to work with, and thus they are willing to accept scripted material. "If an idea for a short comes in that is scripted but not shot, we may commission it so they can go away and make it, but if we REALLY like it and/or the writers can't make it because they don't have the means, we'll co-prod with the writers." However, they stress "for this to happen, we'll have to really love it."

To submit any sketches, scripts or programme treatments, email: submissions@littleredvan.tv

The Purple Pigeon will be a 6-part series. It goes into production in December, and will launch on the MADE TV network in January, initially on Made In Leeds.