SESSIONS

Running Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Sessions: Industry experts delivering dynamic sessions in areas such as writing for the international market of factual television; international financing structures; viral marketing; piracy; co-productions for film and television; digital; trends forecasting, and much more. All session times and speakers published in the programme are subject to change. SPADA will do its utmost to keep delegates informed of any changes to the programme.
Full session details follow:

Thursday 16 November

Key Plenary Session
10:30-11:30
N Z On Air John O’Shea Memorial Address
David Gascoigne (DCNZM, CBE), former Chair of the New Zealand Film Commission, and currently the Chair of both the original Film Fund and Film Fund 2, has been involved with the business of funding New Zealand films, and deploying public funds for that purpose, for nearly three decades.  Why he does it, and what he has learned, will be some of the insights covered in David’s memorial address.

Key Plenary Session
11:30-12:30
Māori Television and Te Puni Kōkiri proudly present
From Margin to Mainstream
Over the past few years we have witnessed a dramatic change in the footprint of the ‘Māori story’.  In this new environment will Māori screen production remain in the margin or will mainstream programming become marginalised?  Ynyr Williams from Wales and Tomas Eskilsson of Sweden join our New Zealand participants to share their cultural experiences of moving from the MARGIN TO MAINSTREAM.
Producer Rhonda Kite
Chair Derek Fox

Plenary Session
1:30-2:30
The Business of Kids
Responsible for the production of theatrical, television, made-for-video and classic animation, as well as the supervision of creative development for animated television and made-for-video programming at Warner Bros. Animation, Sander Schwartz joins us to share his experiences, philosophies and business acumen on creating, programming and working on children’s programmes.
Producer/Chair Brent Chambers

Small Session
2:30-3:30
Proudly brought to you by Te Puni Kōkiri
A Conversation with Ynyr Williams and Tomas Eskilsson
Following on from the plenary session Margin to Mainstream, Derek Fox leads a Q&A with Ynyr and Tomas, giving delegates an opportunity to engage in further discussion with our experienced special guests.

Plenary Session
2:30-3:30
Discovering Discovery
Rebecca Batties, Discovery Networks Intl USA , will discuss why New Zealand producers have gained growing success in providing finished programmes and original commissions for the variety of Discovery Channels; where the Discovery Channels are heading; and how more New Zealand produced programming can find its way into her schedules. Rebecca is joined by Neil Harraway (Director of Production, NHNZ) and Julian Grimmond (Mountain Film Unit).
Producer/Chair David Baldock

Plenary Session
3:30-4:30
NZTE presents Michelle Krumm
Responsible for acquiring independent projects and new talent for The Weinstein Company, Michelle Krumm discusses TWC's vision and role within the international screen industry; and shares her knowledge of US acquisitions, co-productions, independent films, casting and tricks of the trade for marketing and publicity in the US.
Producer/Chair Vanessa Alexander

4:30-5:30
The Scheduling Game
Join us for this fun and informative session, in which programmers and producers will compete for the best programmes and deals in the marketplace, to create the most successful schedules.  Unfortunately, they’ll have to deal with the toughest distribution company in town – Grabbit and Run.
Producer Jane Millichip
Chair Andrew Shaw

Friday 17 November

Key Plenary Session
9:00-10:00
Are You On The Right Platform?
Technological innovation brings new opportunities for content and distribution. Talking to us about managing those opportunities and challenges is the man referred to as the father of cross platform Brian Seth Hurst.
Producer/Chair David Rose
Sponsored by Sony

Plenary Session
10:00-11:00
International Terms of Trade
Proudly brought to you by TV3
The heat has been turned up for producers to  navigate and negotiate the unknown territory of multi-platform programming.  Add to that the importance of retaining rights and negotiating favourable deals.  This can only be possible if good terms of trade exist with the broadcasters and funding bodies.  Is that the case in New Zealand ?  Join Sara Geater from Channel 4 and Tom Brisley from Darlow Smithson as they discuss the recently revised UK terms of trade, and the impact it has had on their industry.
Producer/Chair Angela Littlejohn

Plenary Session
1:30-2:30
Reality Check
Proudly brought to you by TV3
Worldwide ‘reality’ programmes of all sorts, shapes, sizes, styles and formats are riding a wave of unprecedented popularity.  To succeed, ‘reality’ must transcend ‘banality’ and hook the viewers from the word ‘go’.  Guest Speaker Julian Mercer (BBC1/BBC2) is a master practitioner of this challenging genre, and talks to us about how ‘reality’ in the UK is evolving from “characters” towards strong stories and action.
Producer Vincent Burke
Chair Phil Wallington

Plenary Session
2:30-3:30
Is There An Independent Film Industry Anymore?
Independent film pioneer Bingham Ray joins Lindsay Shelton on the couch to talk about his experiences, observations and advice on navigating your way through the landscape of independent filmmaking.
Chair Lindsay Shelton

Plenary Session
4:00-5:30
Piracy: Opportunity on the High Seas
“We understand piracy now as a business model.  It exists to serve a need in the marketplace…it competes for customers the same way we do, through high-quality, price and availability and we don’t like the model.  But we realise it’s effective enough to make piracy a key competitor going forward.”  That’s what Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group said recently.  Is she right?  Anthony Healey, Tim Riley, Victoria Spackman and Brian Seth Hurst discuss how to get to your audience before the pirates do.
Producer Victoria Spackman
Chair Anthony Healey

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER

Plenary Session
9:30-10:30
Genre Bending
Tom Brisley, from award-winning UK production company Darlow Smithson, and Stephen McQuillan former BBC producer/director discuss the recent trend sweeping broadcasters across Europe and the States - Genre Bending. Tom and Stephen share their experience of dramadocs, both in terms of the craft and the wider issues surrounding scripted reality: where does reality end and drama begin?
Producer/Chair Jane Millichip

Plenary Session
11:00 -12:00
Tom Cruise, Hedge Funds & Exciting Investors
During a presentation on film financing, Merrill Lynch execs decided to entertain its employees with the infamous video of Tom Cruise bouncing manically on Oprah Winfrey’s couch.   Amid the laughter, Merrill’s head of structured finance asked: “How do you hedge that risk?”   Risk management aside, Hollywood films have recently attracted more than US$4 billion from hedge funds and other institutions; it’s a very different story in New Zealand.  Bingham Ray, David Court , Bill Birnie and Tony Bishop join Richard Fletcher to explore why the NZ film industry, when it’s supposedly riding high, can’t excite investors.  Are the barriers insurmountable?  Can a genuine market for investment in film be created?
Producer Richard Fletcher
Chair Bill Birnie

Plenary Session
12:45-1:45 
Nordic Exposure
Scandanavia encompasses some of the most successful and innovative national cinemas. In particular, Denmark attracts a significant share of its local box office, and Scandanavian films play to increasing global audiences and international acclaim. How do they do it?  Tomas Eskilsson, who has worked with such Nordic directing luminaries as Lars von Trier (Dogville, Breaking the Waves), Thomas Vinterberg (It’s All About Love, The Celebration) and Lukas Moodysson (Lilya 4-ever. A Hole in my Heart, Together), talks with us about these filmmakers, how they work and the industries they work in.
Producer Caroline Grose
Chair Robin Laing

Key Plenary Session
1:45-2:45
Local Content: King or Courtier?
Join the Minister of Broadcasting Hon Steve Maharey, Rick Ellis (TVNZ), Rick Friesen (CanWest/TV3), Karen Bieleski (Sky/Prime) and Larry Parr (Māori Television) as they discuss the future challenges and opportunities for free-to-air television in New Zealand, and whether local content will be king or courtier in a globalised, unregulated, multi-platform broadcasting world.
Producer Penelope Borland
Chair Andrew Shaw
Sponsored by TVNZ

Key Plenary Session
3:00-4:15
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Digital But Were Too Afraid to Ask
Queue up on the digital platform and get some answers to those burning (and provocative) questions about what the digital transition means, when the “rules of the game” are set and how broadcasters have responded to the government’s challenge to develop plans for digital broadcasting.  The “buyers” - representing producers, regional broadcasters, viewers and potential IPTV partners (Ian Taylor, Jim Blackman, Russell Brown and Philip King) and the “offerers” - representatives from Freeview, BCL and the government (Steve Browning, Kelly Martin, Susie Stone and Jo Tyndall) - battle it out.
Producer Jo Tyndall
Chair Hon Steve Maharey


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