SPADA - Screen Production and Development Association Website

SPADA E-NEWS #3
21 December 2006

Dear Members

It was great to see so many SPADA members at Christmas drinks last week in Auckland and Wellington . The next social gathering to look forward to will take place at Park Road Post in Wellington at 5.00pm on Wednesday 28 February 2007. Park Road Post is kindly hosting the new SPADA board at the February Board meeting, which will be followed by drinks.

The curtain falls on 2006 with an attempt to replay an argument that was settled 10 years ago. However, SPADA remains focussed on pursuing a number of key issues that were first tabled in 2004; when SPADA began negotiating and discussing rights issues and terms of trade with the funding agencies and networks. At that time I said it may involve up to another year to negotiate and implement the desired changes. I can say that 12 months is what was needed – in fact we need a bit more time, because we’re still not there yet.

It is fortunate these discussions began when they did, as the advent of multi-platform programming has thrown into sharp relief the need for producers to have good terms of trade with broadcasters and funding bodies. Conference this year attracted a bevy of top international and national speakers, which produced plenty of vigorous and lively debate around key industry issues, and which may prove to be a tipping point with regard to terms of trade.

SPADA welcomes the appointment of Richard Fletcher as President, and Jane Millichip as Vice-President (Television) to the SPADA Executive. This is good news for the organisation and the wider industry, as 2007 will be a challenging year for SPADA’s members, but on that will hopefully also present new opportunities. SPADA looks forward to advancing the interests of independent producers and assisting our members in building sustainable businesses.

The SPADA office will close midday Friday 22 December, and re-open on 8 January 2007. On behalf of the new SPADA Executive and SPADA staff, I would like to wish you all a safe and peaceful Christmas.

Penelope Borland
CEO

New Executive for 2007
Nominations for the 2006/2007 Executive were considered at SPADA’s AGM on 15 November 2006. Further to all votes being tallied, the following SPADA members were appointed to the Executive for 2006/2007.

Richard Fletcher President - Producer, Liberty Films, WN
Jane Millichip Vice-President - Managing Director, South Pacific Pictures, AK
David Baldock - Managing Director, Ninox Television, WN
Vincent Burke - CEO, Top Shelf Productions, WN
Matt Emery - Lawyer, Emery Legal, AK
Rhonda Kite - Producer, Kiwa Media , AK
Angela Littlejohn - Producer, Maxim Films, WN
Veronica McCarthy - Producer, Raconteur Intl Ltd, CHCH
Gary Scott - Head of Factual/Documentary, Gibson Group, WN
Karen Soich - Lawyer, Karen Soich Law , AK

Since taking over from incumbent Vincent Burke, Richard Fletcher and CEO Penelope Borland have met with networks (TVNZ, TV3, Prime), government funding agencies (NZFC) and a number of Auckland and Wellington production houses. Richard and Penelope also met with the new Shadow Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Jonathan Coleman.

Government/Industry Policy Update

Digital Screen Rights
Initial meetings on a process for negotiating terms of trade and new media rights have been held with the networks. Indication on direction of these meetings will become clearer over the next few months.

Draft NZ Digital Content Strategy Submission
The National Library has prepared, on behalf of the government, a draft New Zealand Digital Content Strategy document. Comments and feedback have been invited, and SPADA will be making a formal submission by the mid-January 2007 deadline.

NZ On Air
To date there is still no news from NZ On Air regarding recoupment and PCOs after much discussion and advocacy. However the SPADA conference created the right opportunity for some potentially ground shifting momentum on terms of trade. Further to the International Terms of Trade session at conference (with Sarah Geater (Channel 4) and Tom Brisley (Darlow Smithson)), Minister of Broadcasting, Steve Maharey announced that the industry should have some positive news within six to eight months on the issue of terms of trade on international sales as the discussion had gone on long enough.

In a very positive move SPADA board member, producer Rhonda Kite, has been appointed to the board of NZ On Air. Ex-SPADA President Nicole Hoey’s appointment to the board was announced last month.

Copyright Amendment Bill Legislation
The First Reading of the Copyright Amendment Bill took place on Thursday 7 December, and as part of the Copyright Council SPADA is looking at the implications for the screen industry. A meeting was called on 20 December in Auckland , which was attended by the Associate Minister of Commerce (and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) Hon Judith Tizard.

SPADA understands that the main purpose of the Bill is to take account of the digital environment and international developments, and to extend existing rights and exceptions to that environment. For example, the protection under the current legislation that covers programme content in broadcasts and cable programmes is extended to the more technology neutral category of “communication” works.

SPADA will closely follow the passage of this Bill.

SPADA Conference 2006: An Overview
The 14th SPADA conference attracted over 350 delegates, including speakers, to the Hyatt Regency in Auckland . Congratulations to the SPADA Award Recipients: SPADA/Onfilm Industry Champion, Mladen Ivancic, SPADA Independent Producer of the Year, Julie Christie and SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year, The Simmonds Brothers (who also won the South Pacific Pictures’ Pitching Competition).

This year conference concentrated on the opportunities for growth for the New Zealand industry, keeping up momentum and expanding opportunities globally. Underpinning many of the discussions and debates for the three days was the importance of better terms of trade for industry growth. International speakers Sara Geater, Head of Commercial Affairs at Channel 4, and Tom Brisley, Head of Factual, Darlow Smithson Productions, articulated and clarified the rationale behind good terms of trade being integral to a healthy and sustainable screen production industry. The new UK terms of trade have led to a more exciting and creative environment injecting a new vitality into the industry and a much better relationship between broadcasters and the independent industry. More HERE.

Thank you once again to all our conference sponsors and supporters.

Feedback
We’d love to hear from you on any issues so please email us (info@spada.co.nz) or give us a call.