Producer Updates as of February 18, 2022
COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND POSITIVE CASE REPORTING
Discovery’s Covid-19 Guidelines have been updated and are posted in the Production Guide. Please also be sure to communicate all positive Covid cases to your Discovery Production Manager, even if it does not disrupt production.
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*NEW* RECIPE FORM & INSTRUCTIONS
Please note that there is a new Recipe Form & Instructions posted in the Production Guide. The new form must be used going forward for all productions; the old form will no longer function in Discovery systems. The key change is shown below – the ingredients & method are now split into 2 fields.
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PRODUCTION SCHEDULES – Please keep Delivery Dates updated! It is required and will reduce inquiries from Discovery!
Reminder that delivery dates and shooting dates should be updated weekly and/or when the Program Master File delivery dates change. Critical dates include:
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- Deliverables – Rough Cut(s), Fine Cut, and Program Master File(s)
- Production Phases – Shooting Dates & Locations
Long-form programs have 7 key deliverables which must be delivered either before the Program Master File or on the same day. The Trailer must deliver 4 weeks prior to the Program Master File. Snap In Content, Textless Material, Program Graphics Master, Final Script, Music Cue Sheet, and the final Rights Waiver Log must deliver on the same day as the Program Master File.
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PRODUCTION STILLS DELIVERY – New Global Process Coming!
In the coming weeks, all stills deliveries will follow the same process: the Production Stills & Log will be part of one form and the stills will be embedded in the form. They get uploaded and ingested in Discovery systems. Delivery via other methods will not be necessary although some projects currently in-flight may close out using the existing process. More information to come with training and templates. (This notice does not apply to Food Network US, HGTV US, Cooking Channel, DIY, Travel Channel US, and Magnolia since this delivery method is already in place for these channels.)
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LEGAL ALERT – USE OF GRAFFITI AND STREET ART IN CONTENT
Discovery Legal has observed an uptick in claims based on the inclusion of graffiti and street art in programs. Like all original artistic works, graffiti and other forms of street art are subject to copyright protection. A fleeting use of street art may be defended as de minimis. However, many copyright owners reject this defense, forcing production companies to either litigate or settle. Fair use may not be a viable defense unless the program is commenting on or critiquing the street art (and, as a reminder, any reliance on fair use material in your program must be approved by your BLA representative before including the material, as set forth in the “Fair Use Procedure” section of the Production Guide). Production companies are responsible for clearing all artwork – including graffiti and street art – included in their programs. Permission should be obtained from the copyright owner, which is not necessarily the building owner or municipality where the art is located. If you have questions about this notice, please reach out to your Business & Legal Affairs representative.
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SOURCE FOOTAGE – Retention Policy & Retention Letter Template
- If it is decided that for your project you will retain the source material, the standard retention period is 4 years. If you have questions or concerns, please discuss with your Discovery Production Manager.
- A new Retention Letter template is posted in the Production Guide
- Reminder that Snowball devices which are not shipped back within 10 calendar days will incur penalties which compound daily.
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PRODUCER’S PORTAL TRAINING VIDEOS
New training videos will be posted in the Production Guide next week. Topics include:
- Registration, Company Management, and General Navigation
- Submitting a Program Proposal
- Uploading Document Deliverables
- Uploading Media Deliverables
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EMERGENCY ALERT TONES & PHOTO-SENSITIVE EPILEPSY REQUIREMENTS
- Production partners must not, under any circumstances, add real or simulated emergency alert tones to a program. If the program includes recordings of naturally-occurring alert tones, the production partner must cover (bleep) or silence the emergency alert tones. For production partners unfamiliar with EAS tones, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes simulated training tones available on their website. https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/audio/132794 . Please also see the EAS page under Policies in Discovery’s Production Guide which includes a training video.
- Reminder regarding Photosensitive Epilepsy delivery standards. Please see the PSE FAQ document located in the Global Technical Specifications section of the Production Guide.