Advanced Television

Yeti opens up Car Boots in Channel 4 doc

September 25, 2023

Yeti Television has announced a commission from Channel 4 for Car Boot Kings (60’), a documentary created under Channel 4’s First Cut banner for new directors making their first hour in broadcast TV.

Fuelled by Britain’s love of a bargain, and the need to make an extra buck during the economic downturn, Car Boots are thriving. Car Boot Kings follows two lifelong friends who are cashing in on the crisis by regularly drawing in 9000 traders and buyers a week… in their own front yard. JT and Andrew are known as the ‘Car Boot Kings’ running the Biggest Boot in the wild West Midlands. Whilst the rest of Britain sleeps, thousands flock to their fields in search of bargains, to flip some of their preloved possessions or find treasure they can sell on at a profit. You may think you know what car boot sales are, but these are massive markets that spring up in couple of hours where you can find just about anything.

For some, the car boot offers more than just a pound in your pocket, but a lifeline. Many regulars rely on the extra income to put food on the table and dinner money in their children’s pockets. And for the Kings, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Keeping punters who are tightening their belts happy, as well as making a tidy profit for themselves, is a constant challenge. And with the weather rolling in during the short summer season, can booters and Kings prosper?

Siân Price, Creative Director of Yeti, said: “As a seasoned car-booter myself, I’m delighted to be bringing the wonderful characters and stories bound up in this world to the screen. JT & Andrew really are one of a kind! We’re also thrilled to be able to support up-and-coming director Cam Bang Peter Tat in his first single documentary for Channel 4 as part of the First Cut scheme!”

Janine Thomas, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4, commented: “Cam and Yeti have delivered a charming and curious film. Car Boot Kings continues First Cut’s character-driven filmmaking custom as it examines our current cost of living crisis through an unlikely yet entertaining treasure trove of an extraordinary car boot.”

Shooting Producer/Director, Cam Bang Peter Tat, added: “Having worked in the TV industry for years, I’ve found it very difficult to get the opportunity to produce my own one-hour documentary so getting a First Cut with Yeti was perfect. To secure the role, myself and two other filmmakers, had to write a two-page treatment for the commissioner, outlining our approach to transforming the pitch document into a compelling documentary.”

Car Boot Kings is scheduled to TX on Channel 4 in October.

The documentary was produced and directed by Cam Bang Peter Tat under Channel 4’s First Cut scheme. It was commissioned by Janine Thomas, and exec produced by Yeti’s Siân Price and Simon Greenwood.

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