This is the topic of Speed Rating – a format which was first created as a web series on YouTube and only recently made its debut on the regional channels in France. Global Agency spotted the speed dating short comedy and will be offering to international buyers at MIPCOM 2016. We also liked the idea of the show and asked several TV executives to have a look at the show and tell us what they think about it for PITCH & PLAY.
The Idea
During a night out with friends, we were discussing the many times we had been shut down by the other person while dating, and the many ways that were available now to meet a partner for life. We focused on speed dating as we thought it would be easier to make a short com of. We wrote about 100 episodes during that first night!
The Format
Speed Rating or Speed Dating Gone Wrong in English is a "shortcom", that is a short and funny program of two and a half to three and a half minutes, including credits. Each of the episodes is made of several 30-second skits. The length of each skit can be shorter or longer depending on the topic discussed.
The stories are about failed dates. A failure during an attempt to seduce someone, one night when one is doubting or lacking self confidence. The program doesn't talk only about rejection during speed dating, but rejection while in the process of seducing someone, whatever the place, or the reason why this happended. Speed Rating is about one (potential or actual) couple, a conversation, and a rejection treated with humor. Lots of it!
The Production
We started writing the skits in 2011 and shot two pilots in 2013. The pilots were extremely well received and received several awards at Cannes Festival and Marseille Webfest, so we decided to start producing an entire first season in 2015. We organized several workshops with screen writers to have a large amount of skits but also make sure they would all be different. The writing part was the longest part in the production of the first season. We then went on with the casting and building the set. We shot the 107 skits of the first season over a period of 3 days, including building and removing the set. For the second season, we hope to shoot outside, which will take much more time but we are attempting to come up with a strict workplan to keep costs down.
The Budget
The budget for a season of 25 three-minute episodes is about 75.000 euros. For the upcoming season, costs will be higher as we will be shooting outdoors (120.000 euros without editing).
The Screening
We asked several industry experts to watch footage from the show and share their opinion about its qualities and potential for international success.
What do you like about the show?
The show spoofs a very contemporary phenomenon – which is always a great fundament for recognition comedy. The idea is simple and easy to connect with for a large audience. A challenge might be that it's a bit repetitive since it is about speed dating specifically. The jokes tend to be a bit predictable after a while.
Do you think this format would work on your market? Have there been similar shows in your territory?
In Sweden we've seen a lot of comedy sketch shows that spoof various topics over the last years, covering everything from mums to neighboring countries to celebrities. But none of them has been as niche as this one. As a part of a larger context, such as a sketch show, it could absolutely work. Or as short form for Instagram, YouTube etc.
What would be the potential of such an idea for international roll-out?
As a short-form format it could absolutely have some potential.
What do you like about the show?
It is easy and cheap to produce and adaptation should be quite easy.
Do you think this format would work on your market? Have there been similar shows in your territory?
Short form sketch shows are relatively rare for the Bulgarian TV market. However, the genre may be better exploited as web content. The major obstacle is that the speed dating culture is not very popular in Bulgaria. This makes it a tougher sell, especially for younger audiences, which is the main target group for web content.
What would be the potential of such an idea for international roll-out?
In bigger markets it is possible the idea to be developed even as a TV content but I think it mostly has potential as a web series.
