Note to BC Members – Fall Update

MEDIA MAKERS CONVERGE AT MERGING + MEDIA CONFERENCE AND MASTER CLASS

Over 200 media makers from film, tv, interactive, gaming, web and social media gathered this past Friday to participate in the inaugural Merging+Media Conference, co-presented by CMPA-BC and Merging Media Productions.  The conference was jam packed with engaging speakers and panel discussions bringing together international and local content experts to discuss transmedia issues and the future of creative content.  The previous day, 30 producers took part in the Merging+Media Master Class launched by the UK’s Anita Ondine and LA-based transmedia producer Darcy Jouan.  Participants worked on group case-studies, had one on one time with mentors, and 10 were selected to pitch to a jury for a development prize from BC Film.  Projects pitched by Andrew Williamson of Off Island Films and Audrey Mehler of Paperny Films were chosen by the jury to split the $10,000 development award.

ADVOCACY UPDATE

On October 25^th, Premier Campbell shuffled his Cabinet and, in so doing, created a series of new portfolios and ministries.  The “film file” was moved to the newly created Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development helmed by rookie Minister Stephanie Cadieux.  We wrote to the minister this week and you can review that letter here: Minister Stephanie Cadieux Letter Nov 1 2010.  Rob Bromley, Brian Hamilton and I will be in Victoria on Monday Nov 8^th meeting with Officials from this new ministry, Ministry of Finance and others.  The CMPA continues to advocate for more recognition for the creative and economic contribution BC companies make to the provincial economy by developing and producing intellectual property as a complement to service production.

CMPA -BC ELECTIONS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 24, 2010

All eligible voting CMPA-BC members have been mailed an elections package including a ballot for the 2011 Branch Council election and official notice of the upcoming 2010 Annual General Meeting to be held on November 24 at 6:00pm here at CMPA-BC office.  PLEASE NOTE: NEW THIS YEAR completed ballots must be returned via mail or fax to Deloitte the independent auditor responsible for tabulating the election results.  The 2011 Branch Council will be announced at the AGM and we encourage you to attend and stay for a light reception following the meeting.  Please RSVP by Monday November 20 to Robyne at Robyne.switzer@cmpa.ca

PRIME TIME IN OTTAWA – CMPA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Early bird registration is available now until mid December for Prime Time which will run February 16-18, 2011.  This upcoming edition will continue to build on last year’s success in looking forward at key issues facing our industry.  You can register on-line at www.primetimeinottawa.ca

Until next time…

Liz Shorten

Note to Members: Upcoming Events

Hi all,

With the Vancouver International Film Festival upon us, we now have to accept that it is Fall indeed.  A few upcoming important events to consider-

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OCTOBER 13 – BC MEMBERS MEETING WITH NORM BOLEN, Canadian Media Production Association CEO

Norm will be in Vancouver for much of the week of October 11^th, following Thanksgiving.  All BC members are invited to meet with Norm for an update on recent CMPA activities and a discussion of industry issues.

Wednesday October 13
5:00-6:30pm (meeting and light reception)
CMPA-BC,  600 – 736 Granville Street

Please RSVP to Robyne.Switzer@cmpa.ca by Friday October 8th

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OCTOBER 14 – 16 – SEXMONEYMEDIA CONFERENCE

An international symposium on women in media, this conference will bring together a stellar group of media artists, industry leaders, scholars and policy makers to celebrate the achievements of women in media and create a more vibrant, innovative and equitable media landscape for the 21st century.  Check our the conference programme and register at: www.womeninview.ca

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OCTOBER 15 – CMF VANCOUVER OUTREACH CONSULTATION

Valerie Creighton (CMF CEO) and staff will be in Vancouver to update our industry on CMF issues and hear from us about what is working (and not working) with the CMF.  The meeting will take place as follows:

Friday October 15
9:00am – 12 noon
Pan Pacific Hotel, Oceanview I + II

Click here to register:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cmf-fmc-consultation2010

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OCTOBER 28 + 29 – MERGING + MEDIA CONFERENCE & MASTER CLASS

Register before October 8th and receive an early bird registration rate for this exciting convergence Conference and Master Class that we are co-presenting.  Merging+Media is two days of top-notch case studies, cross-platform business strategies, trends and best practices in cross-media production, the latest cutting edge technology plus significant networking opportunities to form cross-media partnerships.  This is the first event of its kind in Vancouver, bringing together some of the world’s most noted cross-media experts to showcase the latest trends and technologies in this space. Check out the website and register at:  www.mergingmedia.ca

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DECEMBER 7-10 – ASIA TELEVISION FORUM TRADE DELEGATION

The CMPA is organizing a trade-focused producer delegation to Singapore to attend the Asia Television Forum (ATF) from December 7 to 10, 2010 (exclusive of two travel days). The purpose of the delegation is to promote Canadian film, television and interactive media in the Asia Pacific and facilitate business meetings between Canadian producers and ATF participants, including Singaporean producers. The ATF (asiatvforum.com) is Asia’s leading international market for buying, selling, financing, and distributing content across all traditional and digital platforms, from television and feature film, to animation. The Forum includes a trade market, a full conference, and networking sessions. In addition, the High Commission of Canada will host targeted business to business meetings between Canadian and Singaporean film, television and interactive media producers, and other industry stakeholders.

A travel and accommodation subsidy will be provided to selected CMPA members. Interested members are asked to complete and return their statement of interest to participate as a delegate by 5 p.m. EDT, Monday October 18, 2010. Please click here to complete the statement of interest.

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See you at the Festival!
Liz

Advocacy Update – August 27, 2010

Dear BC Members:

The CMPA-BC has embarked on its own strategic and coordinated government relations program to address issues related to domestic production including the recent decline in production activity.  The following is an update on activities over the past months:

• Engaged a Government Relations and Public Affairs firm (April  2010)
• Held a Strategic Planning Session of BC Branch Council to guide government relations activities (May 2010)
• Developed and submitted a comprehensive Government submission from the CMPA-BC calling for necessary changes, investments and adjustments to current film/tv policies and programs (June 2010)
• Developed and enhanced government and political relationships: (January – August 2010)
• Held meetings with key elected officials and public servants, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Minister for Citizens’ Services, MLA’s with significant film activity in their constituencies, and relevant Deputy Ministers and their staff.
• Attended key political events including the Annual Premier’s Dinner fundraiser.

The BC Branch Council and staff continue to press for meetings with Ministers Hansen (Finance), Krueger (Culture) and Black (Small Business, Technology and Economic Development) and are seeking a response to our June submission.  In addition, we continue to participate in the government relations work of MPPIA-BC.

I will update members on advocacy activities and issues as the information is available and I welcome your input at any time.

Regards
Liz

Canadian Media Production Association – BC Producers’ Branch

 

Dear BC Members,

As announced last week, the organization’s name has been legally changed to the Canadian Media Production Association and we are effectively doing business under the new name.

Moving forward, any correspondence, cheque or invoice should be directed to the Canadian Media Production Association – BC Producers’ Branch.

Should you have any questions regarding the re-branding and/or name change, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Cheers
Liz

Liz’s Log – August 20th

Hi all,

We are pleased to announce that we are co-presenting an upcoming convergence initiative “Merging+Media Conference and Master Class” on October 28 and 29, 2010.   With a number of similar events taking place this summer and fall across the country, and with so many industry changes at play, we felt it was important to offer something locally to benefit our members and the wider industry.  “Merging+Media” will be a showcase of “Best in Class” case studies and will include discussions on cross-platform business strategies, trends + best practices in cross-media production, the latest cutting edge technology and will provide significant networking opportunities to form cross-media partnerships.  Thanks to our Producer Christine Lim for pulling together such a fantastic program and to our advisory board and sponsors who are working with us to create an event where media makers will converge.

The event program and confirmed speakers can be found on the website at http://mergingmedia.ca/ – there is a discounted registration rate for CMPA members and currently an EARLY BIRD RATE for members until September 30th. 

Until next time…

Liz’s Log – July 19th

Hi all,

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Robyne for all her extra efforts in the Industrial Relations area over the past 6 months as well as thank the members of the IR Committee and in particular Tom Rowe and Brad Van Arragon as Committee Co-Chairs for their attention and support.

Moving forward, I am pleased to report that Gigi Boyd will be taking on the role of Vice-President, Industrial Relations in the BC office as of today, Monday July 19^th.  We are fortunate to have someone in this role with the extensive production background that Gigi brings as well as her wider knowledge of the industry from her work at Telefilm and her Board experience with the DGC-BC and Shaw Rocket Fund.  You can reach Gigi at Gigi.Boyd@cftpa.ca or 604-682-8619 x224.  A press release regarding this appointment can be found here:   Gigi Boyd Announcement July 2010

Until next time…

Liz’s Log – June 25th

Hi all,

June has been a busy month.

The CFTPA announced during Banff/Next Media that the organization was changing its name to better reflect the multi-screen world and the future of our industry.  Over the next few weeks we will be rebranding to the Canadian Media Production Association – BC Producers’ Branch (CMPA-BC). A press release on this with the draft new logo can be found here: http://www.cftpa.ca/newsroom/press_releases/2010/2010_06_15.php

We were fortunate to have CFTPA colleague Reynolds Mastin here this week to participate in our Digital Content Rights: Navigating a Changing Environment presentation.  Reynolds gave an excellent overview of the recently released CFTPA research study on digital rights – a powerpoint presentation that provides summary highlights of the report can be found here:  Digital Rights Overview.  The full report can be found here: http://www.cftpa.ca/newsroom/pdf/CFTPA_DIGITAL_RIGHTS_STUDY_June_2010.pdf.  Thanks to BC Film for partnering with us on this initiative.