GAIT opens for producers

The Global Association of Independent Television has launched tv-pilot.com, a website designed to support indie production and distribution. The site allows producers to post their pilots as streaming video clips and accompany them with basic background information for potential buyers. GAIT plans to waive all submission fees for producers submitting their projects prior to NATPE. Further information is available by contacting gait at info@gait.net.

New Project on the web

The New Project Network has launched a web-based resource for producers seeking financing, or just looking to drum up interest in their projects. At press time, 24 projects were listed in the database, representing 85.5 hours of documentary programming. Included so far are projects from U.S. indies like Teleduction, The Entertainment Group, Video Production Associates, Working Title Productions, and Third Wave Films, as well as Connecticut Public Television. The cost for inclusion is US$500 per title for an entire year, or $300 for six months. Find them at www.newproject.net.

News Corp ups interest in health content

News Corp has announced it will invest US$1 billion into Healtheon/WebMD, a deal which will include the purchase of $100 million worth of shares, bringing News Corps’ ownership stake of the professional/commercial med site to 10.8%. News Corp will spend $700 million on advertising over the next decade, $100 million on an international joint venture, and almost $70 million in syndicating WebMD’s television content. WebMD can be found at www.webmd.com.

On-line schooling

Three leading international film schools are combining to launch a major global film school on the internet: UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television; Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS); the National Film and Television School of Great Britain (NFTS). Courtesy of www.docos.com