12 December 2006

The proliferation of new media platforms and changes to terms of trade were two items raised at the Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (SPADA) conference in Auckland in November that could shift the parameters for production companies.

SPADA represents the interests of producers and production companies on all issues that affect the business and creative aspects of independent screen production in New Zealand.

Chief executive Penelope Borland says the annual conference acts as a catalyst for television and film industry people to network, upskill and benefit from the combination of international and national speakers who are leaders in their fields.

This year’s theme, “growth”, investigated how the New Zealand industry can keep its momentum and expand opportunities, particularly globally.

“The conference covers business issues that impact on the future of the industry and there were riveting sessions from Brian Seth Hurst from the United States on digital and new media and Tom Brisley from United Kingdom company Darlow Smithson and Sarah Greater from Channel 4 who talked about what is happening in the UK in terms of trade,” Borland says.

As CEO at The Opportunity Management Company, Brian Seth Hurst is an authority on brand extension, distribution and content as they relate to technology and consumer lifestyles.

“Brian Seth Hurst said that the bottom line of what a producer does is problem solving and the problem they need to solve is ‘how can I make money from these new trends?’,” Borland says.

“The Internet is a huge ground for new talent and from there grassroots companies can grow to become big media companies. Traditional media companies need to look for that talent.”

Tom Brisley and Sarah Greater talked about what has happened in the UK after terms of trade changed two years ago.

“What it essentially means is the terms of trade have reversed from being hugely in favour of broadcasters to being in favour of producers. Formerly broadcasters took most of the rights, so there has been a very positive change in terms of sustainability and growth for production companies and recognition of the value of their intellectual property,” says Borland.

Borland says while the conference is for the New Zealand industry, a strong line-up of international speakers gives them a good idea of where they fit in globally and what trends are.

“New Zealand companies and producers need to make product for the international market. Breaking into the North American market is a big thing for New Zealand film producers and there is a lot of interest in the ideas we have here that have universal resonance.

“On the film side we had Michelle Krumm from the Weinstein Company, which has co-acquired the North American rights to Out of the Blue and Black Sheep. IFC Entertainment, ably represented by independent film pioneer Bingham Ray, also a speaker at the conference, has acquired the North American theatrical rights. And we had the head of commissioning for Discovery Lifestyle Networks, Rebecca Batties, who said she was interested in content from this part of the world but also that it was easier to get programmes produced here than in the UK.”

Julie Christie (Eyeworks Touchdown) talked about the creation of international formats from New Zealand and the challenges and opportunities there.

Paul Voigt, investment manager screen production at Investment New Zealand, says the SPADA conference is an important event where industry can talk, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise/Investment New Zealand see SPADA as its interface with the screen industry.

“International speakers at the conference provided a valuable global perspective and enabled New Zealand companies to appreciate opportunities that may exist in the international marketplace.

“The New Zealand industry has managed to link into various levels of the global value chain of the screen industry. Investment New Zealand would like to see more companies do this and assist those who are there to move up the value chain.

“It is up to the industry to take up opportunities as it sees fit. New Zealand has a very high profile at present as a result of our success in the world of feature film, so this is a window of opportunity to pick up and run with the current interest in New Zealand.”

For more information, please contact:

paul.voigt@investmentnz.govt.nz

+64 9 919 9042