I WANT MY TIMBUKTU TV
Dutch broadcasting company, VPRO, is developing a new worldwide TV and internet project consisting of filmed personal stories across the globe. The network is considered the most culturally radical group on Dutch television and often collaborates with other European-based broadcasters, such as WDR, BBC and Arte. It is also the first Dutch broadcaster to have an official presence on YouTube.
In a press release disseminated at this year’s International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, they announced their new Timbuktu project. Through short video diaries and reports, the new program hopes to be an alternative to mainstream press coverage by using local correspondents.
Set to launch in February of ’08, VPRO has a call out for correspondents. The web site will allow viewers to navigate on an interactive Google map to any area of the world where they can find stories and video letters from correspondents that will cover everything from culture, lifestyle, politics, etc., in 5-minute segments. Sounds a bit like CurrentTV.
They will be broadcasting short, personal stories told in an informal style, which essentially targets the young, internet-savvy generation of DIYers and seekers of pertinent news. So if you’d like to work with a high-profile TV internet project, get paid for your work (!) and get a chance to show off your talent to an international audience through this Netherlands-based network, send a resume or CV with a filmography and a description of what kind of equipment, editing and internet facilities to which you have access to this address: timbuktu@vpro.nl.
Time to go international and help ameliorate what passes for “news” these days–let your voice be heard across the pond!
