WELCOME TO INDEPENDENT LENS!
Independent Lens Handbook
The Independent Lens production handbook is available for download, broken out into five sections in PDF format. The handbook has information and instructions about the delivery process, where to access logos and answers some questions about the series.
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If you have trouble viewing the handbook from your browser, first save the file to your desktop. From a PC: right click on the link, then choose “Save to disk." From a MAC: press control while clicking on the link, then choose "Save to disk."
Please contact your Independent Lens production contact for further assistance. If you prefer, we can mail you a hard copy.
Independent Lens Producer Forms
As described in the Independent Lens handbook and license agreement, Independent Lens producers are required to provide ITVS with certain information about the program by submitting forms. These forms are available for download below. If you are unable to download or open the files, please notify your production contact and they can email the forms to you. All forms must be submitted electronically.
Independent Lens Producer Information Sheet
Complete the Producer Information Sheet and submit the form to your production contact electronically via email. Your personal information is for internal use only.
- Producer Information Sheet (Zipped Excel Document)
Independent Lens Producer Questionnaire
ITVS Broadcast and Communications Dept.
Producers' answers will help inform the department's efforts in providing communications services including publicity, Web support, station relations and audience development. Your answers on the Web questionnaire are used on the companion website for your film at PBS.org.
- Producer Questionnaire (Zipped Word Document)
- Web Questionnaire (Zipped Word Document)
Music Cue Sheets and Instructions
PBS requires accurate and complete music cue sheets for all Independent Lens programs. If there is no music in the program, you should still submit a music cue sheet indicating that no music has been used.
Submit the sheet electronically via email to your production contact. For questions about music rights, refer to your Independent Lens handbook.
- Music Cue Sheet Instructions (Zipped Word Document)
- Music Cue Sheet (Zipped Excel Document)
Rights Summary Worksheet
The Rights Summary Worksheet lets us know which distribution markets program materials have been cleared for. Please submit this worksheet electronically via email to your production contact.
- Rights Summary Worksheet (Zipped Excel Document)
Chapter Break Worksheet
The Chapter Break Worksheet is only for those producers who license their Digital Distribution Rights to ITVS. Please add chapter break points every 8-10 minutes throughout the film, along with timecode/descriptions for an image for each chapter.
- Download the Chapter Break Worksheet (Zipped Excel Document)
Sample Video Packaging Elements for Independent Lens
For a sample of Independent Lens packaging elements, click on the links below.
- Opening elements (1:45, 7.5 MB QuickTime)
- Closing elements (2:08, 8.9 MB QuickTime)
Non-Public Television Distributors
This document is a limited list of distributors that have licensed or represented ITVS programs in the past for home video, educational, theatrical and other markets. This list is updated annually.
- Non-Public Television Distributors (Zipped Word Document)
ITVS and Independent Lens Logos
For downloadable logo files for ITVS, IL, ITVS-CCP and Electric Shadows, see the ITVS Downloadable Logos page listed below. Additional versions (for video, CMYK, etc.) available on request.