SPAA Feature sessions – details revealed
The Screen Producers Association of Australia has confired the six sessions that will be part of the Feature Film Strand at next month’s Conference in Sydney.
The strand acknowledges the importance of strategic partnerships and outlines the changes in financing and distribution. It will also start a debate pm whether the Producer Offset is being used successfully.
“The global financial crisis notwithstanding, Australia is in a stronger position than many other territories to boost film activity levels, be more sustainable and lift its commercial and critical hit rate,” said executive director Geoff Brown in a statement. “One of the key reasons is the existence of the 40 percent Producer Offset because it is a guaranteed slice of the finance and, in theory at least, is the producers own equity. SPAA encourages conference delegates to believe that anything is possible.”
The sessions are:
DEVELOPMENT: The devils in the detail is a discussion of this often exhausting process and how producers pick and mix their way through all the solutions on offer. Three producers with wide-ranging experience of development methods will examine the creative issues they have faced and the pathways and strategies employed. Speakers include Robyn Kershaw, David Rapsey and Ross Grayson Bell.
3D PRODUCTION: Triple the fun or double the headache? Avatar excited the masses immensely in 2009 and box office records tumbled. Contributing hugely to all the excitement was the buzz around 3D and the way this new technology enhanced the visual experience. But how relevant is 3D to Australian production? What factors are determining which Australian films are being made in 3D? What suits and what doesnt suit 3D? Is there a niche that this country could carve out for itself? And once the decision is made to go down the 3D route, what are the implications? Technical gurus and producers who have cut their teeth on 3D will discuss the pros and cons.
FINANCING: As Frank Sinatra sang, I did it my way. Fitting all the pieces together and getting a green light for a feature film requires skill, a network of contacts and chutzpah. The challenge is even greater when it is a complicated co-production, a movie of scale that requires more money than usual or a picture that is not underpinned by the taxpayer. Jonathan Shteinman and Chris Brown will reveal how they planned each careful step along the byway.
CO-PRODUCTION: Single Aussie producer seeks European partner for genuine relationship. Enjoys films, travel, paperwork. Flirtatious, but looking for a soul mate. Loves sharing stories, discovering exotic places, meeting new people. Attractive. Good with money. Just how sexy do we really look to the Europeans? Is dangling the 40% Producer Offset bait enough to entice them into a co-production? A marriage made in heaven or a marriage of convenience that could turn into an expensive, heart-breaking nightmare?
SALES AGENTS: It takes two to tango. Filmmaking, by definition, is a collaborative venture. To maximise a films commercial success, producers and sales agents also have to dance well together. This can only happen if the partners understand each other and have a rapport. Speakers include Hilary Davis, Richard Guardian, Marian Macgowan, David Redman and Jim Reeves.
DISTRIBUTION: I love the smell of popcorn in the morning. For many independent films worldwide, getting into mainstream cinemas and holding their own is a victory. Mike Baard, Universal Pictures Australasia, Stephen Basil-Jones, Sony Pictures Australia, and Mike Selwyn, Paramount Australia, will reveal who makes the decisions about picking up local films and how they approach marketing and promotion, and their work with exhibitors.
The Conference will be held at The Hilton Hotel in Sydney, November 16-19.
