Producer FAQ
WHAT WILL I DO IF I BECOME A PRODUCER?
You will produce one of Candivan’s in-house shows (there are several to chose from). You will then create the first couple episodes of our show. You will receive a budget to do so; the budgets per episodes are low (most starting around $500 per episode), but the shows will all be shows that can be filmed cheaply (most of the ones are reality shows or shows that can be filmed cinema verite style. After these two episodes are on our site, viewers can vote on renewal. More episodes and seasons will be made (at your availability).
We will give you funding and a Candivan executive producer, but you will be responsible for creating the show, which includes pre-production, getting whatever cast/ crew/ equipment you need, and the day to day of shooting the show.
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PRODUCER?
One, you can work on a shoestring budget. As mentioned before, we are LOW BUDGET, and we need a producer that can make magic happen on that low budget. Most of the shows start at a $500 per episode budget, so those who can crank out episodes for that, whether that means shooting beautiful things on your iPhone, and finding potential people to help on minimal pay.
Two, you are driven and diligent about producing. Having some Type-A qualities will get you a long way here because we will need producers who get projects done, who get projects done cheap, and who get projects done fast.
WHO IS GOING TO OWN THE SHOW?
You will be the owner of the show, as well as us and the writer. As the producer, you will be entitled to 50% of the ownership (the rest to be split between the writer and Candivan).
This means if Netflix or Hulu wants to buy your show, you and the writer are fully entitled to sell it to them.* You can also shop the show around to other distributors if you want. While we are financing the show, though, we have exclusive rights to distribute it, and we can feature the episodes on our site for an unlimited duration.
*Note, if you decide to not make more episodes of a renewed show, whoever is currently the producer becomes the owning producer.
WHERE DO I NEED TO LIVE TO DO THIS?
Pretty much anywhere in the US or Canada. Film laws vary state to state, so we do have to make sure that we can fully work together (we are in California), but feel free to apply wherever you’re at. Note: your location might affect what scripts you are offered.
WILL I GET PAID?
As noted above, you will not be an employee, but you will be an owner of the show. This means you will get 60% of the show profits, and you will also receive 60% of the sales rights if the show is sold. You will also receive a budget, which you can take a stipend from.
Candivan will also finance all episodes of the show for as long as they’re renewed by voters. The more votes a show receives, the higher the budget is.
CAN I WRITE MY OWN SCRIPTS? OR CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO THE SCRIPTS I’M SUPPLIED WITH?
We do have calls for new scripts and new shows; however, right now we’re only looking for producers to work on select shows. Stay tuned if you’re interested in submitting a script idea.
As far as making changes, all changes must be met with approval from the writer and with Candivan. This is so you don’t accidentally change a major plot point or important character. If there is ever a point where you and a writer cannot agree on a decision, Candivan will step in to solve the issue.
Any major revisions agreed upon by you and the writer must be met with approval from Candivan. We’re usually happy to grant complete creative control.
I’D LIKE TO SHOOT THIS SHOW AT A HIGHER BUDGET. CAN I ADD MY OWN MONEY TO IT?
You are certainly welcome to (and we love you for it). Just know that Candivan can’t compensate you back for extra funds that you add.
Should I or should I not be part of the Producer’s Guild of America to produce?
Remember that this is your own project. We aren’t currently signatory to the PGA, but if you’re willing to waive it since you will be the majority owner, that would work.
WHAT WILL MY WORKING RELATIONSHIP BE WITH CANDIVAN? WHAT ABOUT WITH THE SHOWRUNNER?
You will be a Candivan executive producer, who will help you with needs that you have and who will be your liaison with Candivan. This executive producer will assist you with any problems. Candivan will possibly also take care of post production if you need help. With our in-house shows, we will share the decision-making. With the independent shows, you will have full artistic control, and we will only step in if there are any safety problems and if there is a dispute between the production company and the writer.
You will have regular contact with the writer/ showrunner. He or she will be available for all questions that you have, and you will be supplied with scripts several weeks before production. If there is a dispute between you and the writer, Candivan will step in to help.
WHAT ARE THE IN-HOUSE SHOWS I HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM?
The majority of them are reality-based.
We don’t want to reveal everything at this time, but if you are approved as a Candivan producer, we will share the full list with you.
I DON’T HAVE A PRODUCTION COMPANY, BUT I WANT TO BE A CANDIVAN PRODUCER. IS THIS POSSIBLE?
A production company would make things earlier. However, if you are an experienced producer and have proven that you can get people together to create great, low-budget media, and you’d like to start a new or temporary one, we’d love for you to apply too.
WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP AFTER I APPLY?
We will get in contact with you shortly after. If we feel we’d work well together, we will schedule a video interview to talk about you becoming a producer.