TV, Film & Media Industry International News Roundup, Thursday 12 September 2024
Finnish thriller Conflict premieres; Banijay expands global reach; CBC faces challenges; Ryan Reynolds' marketing empire; DEI efforts persist; Chinese films thrive globally but struggle at home.
Today’s Highlights:
Conflict of Interest: A Finnish political and military thriller centring on a proxy war, with international cast and influence from real-world events like the Ukraine war.
Hugo Brisbois: Discusses Banijay Rights' partnership model with producers, focusing on creative freedom and expanding global content distribution.
Catherine Tait Urges Support for CBC: Tait calls on Canadians to defend public broadcasting amid competition from streaming platforms and financial challenges.
Kristen Hodges' Tips for Aspiring Producers: Offers 20 pieces of advice for film producers, from networking to balancing creativity and commercial viability.
Austrian Film Institute Talent Lab: This program aims to discover new filmmaking talent across Austria and support early-career filmmakers.
Chinese Arthouse Films: These films thrive internationally at festivals but struggle with domestic audiences due to limited marketing and distribution.
ScreenSkills Apprenticeship Success: A film and TV apprenticeship scheme saw 76% of participants securing industry employment, highlighting its impact on skill development.
Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort: Details the success of Reynolds' marketing company, blending entertainment with advertising for brands like Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile.
Ken Basin's Guide Updated for 2024: "The Business of Television" explores the latest trends in TV production, including streaming platforms and international co-productions.
Hollywood's DEI Efforts: Despite the closure of some DEI departments, industry leaders continue to push for inclusivity and create opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals and Jobs with Screen NSW, ITV, Channel 4, Audible, Warners, NBCUniversal & Sky.
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Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL.
Producers: Fifth Season, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Paramount Television International, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC.
INSIGHTS
Conflict of Interest
Co-creators Aku Louhimies and Andrei Alén discuss Conflict, a six-part Finnish political and military thriller that centres on Finland facing a potential proxy war. Real-world events, such as the Ukraine war and Finland joining NATO, impacted the storyline. The series follows President Saaristo (Sara Soulié) as she navigates the invasion of Finland by an unidentified enemy and the international consequences. The show features an international cast, including Peter Franzén, Dylan Smith, and Nadia Forde, and focuses on the realistic portrayal of war and political decisions. Read More
Hugo Brisbois: "We Nurture a Close Collaborative Partnership with Producers"
Hugo Brisbois, Chief Commercial Officer at Banijay Rights, discusses how the company fosters collaborative relationships with producers to deliver quality content. Brisbois explains that Banijay emphasises a partnership model that allows producers to retain creative freedom while benefiting from Banijay's global distribution network. He highlights how the company works across genres to meet international market demands, from scripted dramas to non-scripted formats and is keen to expand its portfolio in new territories. Read More
Catherine Tait Urges Canadians to Defend CBC as Her Tenure Nears Its End
CBC President Catherine Tait is calling on Canadians to support the public broadcaster as she enters the final months of her tenure. Tait, who has championed CBC’s digital transformation and expanded Canadian content, warns that public broadcasting is at risk due to financial pressures and rising competition from streaming platforms. She has emphasised the importance of CBC’s role in promoting Canadian culture and storytelling, especially in the face of foreign media dominance. Read More
Canadian Content Commissioning Paralysed Until SVOD Rules Are Clarified
Lionsgate Television's Vice President of Programming, Trent Hamilton, has stated that commissioning of Canadian content has reached a near standstill as industry players await new rules governing streaming services (SVODs). With regulatory changes on the horizon, the uncertainty has caused hesitation among broadcasters and producers. Hamilton emphasised the need for clear guidelines on Canadian content quotas for SVODs to ensure that local production is adequately supported as foreign platforms dominate the market. Read More
Development Executive Kristen Hodges Shares 20 Tips for Aspiring Film Producers
Kristen Hodges, development executive at Summit Entertainment, has shared 20 valuable tips for aspiring film producers. Her advice ranges from focusing on networking and developing a thick skin to being proactive in finding projects and staying adaptable in an ever-changing industry. Hodges emphasises the importance of knowing the business side of film production, building solid relationships, and understanding the balance between creativity and commercial viability. Read More
Austrian Film Institute Focuses on Young Filmmakers with Talent Lab Scheme
Roland Teichmann, director of the Austrian Film Institute (AFI), has revealed more details about their new Talent Lab scheme, created in collaboration with the Vienna Film Fund under Christine Dollhofer. The program aims to discover promising filmmakers across Austria, regardless of formal film school training and provides funding for first and second feature films. This initiative supports new talent from diverse backgrounds and regions, encouraging fresh voices in the Austrian film industry. Read More
Chinese Arthouse Films Are Thriving on the World Stage but Struggling at Home
Chinese arthouse films have gained significant international attention at festivals like Cannes and Venice, but their performance at home remains modest. Industry experts note that while these films are celebrated abroad for artistic merit, they struggle to attract local audiences, where commercial blockbusters dominate. Factors such as limited distribution, a lack of domestic marketing, and the preferences of Chinese viewers are cited as challenges for arthouse filmmakers. Despite this, there is optimism that increased international acclaim could spark more domestic interest over time. Read More
How Tigerlily Productions Takes Titles Further
Tigerlily, co-founded by Natasha Dack and Nikki Parrott nearly 25 years ago, has built a strong reputation for producing non-scripted films, such as White Nanny Black Child and a documentary on Brian Eno. The company is known for securing international co-production funding and taps into regional funds and tax credits. Their strategy involves developing universal stories with strong characters to ensure global appeal. Tigerlily Two, the Scottish arm, focuses on expanding international partnerships to create projects aimed at a worldwide audience. Read More
ScreenSkills TV and Film Apprenticeship Scheme Sees 76% Employment Rate
A pilot scheme by ScreenSkills testing project-based film and TV apprenticeships reported positive results, with 76% of participants securing employment by the end of the two-year program. The Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Pilot involved 37 apprentices across roles, such as production assistants, coordinators, accountants, and post-production operators. The initiative, supported by major industry players like Amazon Prime Video, Sky, Banijay, and Fremantle, highlights the value of apprenticeships in film and TV. Read More
Ryan Reynolds on Building Maximum Effort into a Marketing Empire
Ryan Reynolds and George Dewey built a marketing empire starting with the creative promotion of Deadpool, which had a limited budget but became a massive success. They launched Maximum Effort in 2018, applying the same ingenuity to brands like Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile, which saw major financial success after creative ad campaigns. Maximum Effort's unique approach blends entertainment and advertising, exemplified in Reynolds's projects, including his ownership of a Welsh soccer team, which became a hit both on and off the field. Read More
AI Chatbots Could Accelerate the Creation of Big Character IP in Hollywood
Hollywood is increasingly exploring using AI chatbots to speed up the creation and development of prominent character intellectual property (IP). These chatbots can generate dialogue, scenarios, and storylines that human creators then fine-tune. The technology has the potential to streamline the content creation process, allowing studios to develop and test character IP faster than traditional methods. However, questions remain about how AI-generated content will be integrated into the broader creative landscape. Read More
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Pact Census Highlights Netflix, Amazon, and Disney's Producer Spending
According to Pact's annual census, UK streamer spending remained steady at £684M ($895M) in 2023 despite the Hollywood strikes and global TV industry shifts. Total UK producer revenue fell 8% to £3.6B from its 2022 high. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney continued investing, reflecting their commitment to the UK market. Pact's CEO, John McVay, noted that the impact of the strikes on the UK may have been overstated despite widespread disruptions reported by broadcasting union Bectu. Read More
DEI Departments May Be Closing, But These 40 Hollywood Heavyweights Are Still Agitating for Change
In 2020, companies widely supported DEI initiatives, but recent years have seen many backtrack on these efforts. The Hollywood Reporter's "Forces for Change" list highlights industry leaders who continue creating opportunities for historically excluded groups, even when it’s not part of their formal roles. With many DEI-designated employees being let go, the focus has shifted to those using their influence to foster inclusivity. This list aims to inspire more people across the industry to join the movement towards equity and inclusion. Read More
Aaron Pierre on His Work with Barry Jenkins and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Actor Aaron Pierre shares his experiences working with directors Barry Jenkins and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a candid interview. Pierre discusses his roles in The Underground Railroad and The Lion King prequel, reflecting on the collaborative process and how he prepared for these challenging projects. He also shares insights into his career journey, the importance of representation in Hollywood, and how he chooses roles that resonate with him personally and professionally. Read More
Podcast Deals Surge with Joe Rogan, Kelce Brothers, and Alex Cooper Leading the Way
Several podcast personalities have recently signed multimillion-dollar deals with audio platforms, rivalling payouts typically seen by A-list actors. Notable deals include Joe Rogan’s $250 million contract with Spotify, Alex Cooper’s $125 million deal with SiriusXM for "Call Her Daddy," and the Kelce brothers' $100 million-plus agreement with Amazon’s Wondery for their show “New Heights.” Other big contracts include Dax Shepard's $80 million deal, and the "SmartLess" trio's $100 million-plus deal with SiriusXM. These agreements include exclusive rights and first-look content options. Read More
Ken Basin's The Business of Television Updated for 2024
Ken Basin's widely read guide, The Business of Television, has been updated for 2024. The book delves into the intricacies of TV production, distribution, and financing, offering insights into the latest trends and legal frameworks that govern the industry. Basin, a prominent entertainment attorney, has included new chapters that address the rise of streaming platforms, international co-productions, and evolving audience consumption habits. Read More
‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Rings of Power’ Facing Epic Headaches
HBO's House of the Dragon and Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power face scrutiny from fans. Rings saw a dip in viewership despite a critical improvement in its second season. However, it still draws unfavourable comparisons to Peter Jackson’s trilogy. Amazon remains committed to its five-season plan. Dragon faced fan backlash over a budget-driven cliffhanger, with author George R.R. Martin raising concerns about creative decisions. Both shows are grappling with balancing expectations and high production costs. Read More
Pharrell Williams Discusses His New LEGO Documentary Piece by Piece
Pharrell Williams, renowned for his contributions to music, fashion, and film, reflects on his career spanning over three decades. He discusses his game-changing hits "Get Lucky," "Blurred Lines," and "Happy," which reshaped his perspective on success and humility. Pharrell emphasises the importance of collaboration and creative freedom. His upcoming animated Lego biopic, Piece by Piece, delves into his life story and musical journey, produced by Focus/Universal. Read More
‘Harry Potter’ Auditions Cast an Enticing Spell for Young U.K. Performers, but Is Child Stardom Worth It?
Parents across the U.K. are excited over auditions for HBO's Harry Potter reboot. Casting has begun for the roles of Harry, Hermione, and Ron, leading to widespread discussions in local communities, Facebook groups, and parenting forums. With casting guidelines specifying applicants must be U.K. residents aged 9-11 by April 2025, some parents are considering bending the rules, such as lying about their children's ages, in hopes of landing an audition. Read More
Hollywood's Top Lawyers 2024: The Legal Elite Driving the Industry
Variety has published its 2024 list of Hollywood’s top lawyers, recognising the legal professionals shaping the future of the entertainment industry. These elite lawyers are behind Hollywood's most significant deals, negotiations, and legal battles, from high-profile acquisitions to intellectual property cases. The list highlights their critical role in navigating the complexities of contracts, talent representation, and corporate law, solidifying their status as key players in the entertainment business. Read More
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Jérôme Alby Joins Newen Connect as SVP Distribution, Animation, Kids & Family
Jérôme Alby has been appointed Senior Vice President of Distribution for Animation, Kids & Family at Newen Connect. Alby will oversee the global distribution strategy for
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