News and Notes: 27 November 2007

Cocktail Party Concept for Inaugural Asia Factual Forum

The inaugural Asia Factual Forum got off to a fun start on Monday when participants were told about its “cocktail party” concept.

With a mind to match the region’s best documentary talents from Asia with international buyers and commissioning editors, the event organisers seated the 120 participants at round tables.

The idea was to play matchmaker between the two sides by creating an intimate atmosphere, explained Mr Tony Chow, President, Association of Independent Television Production Companies Singapore, one of the event organisers. Even tea breaks were used as networking sessions.

The idea worked.

Soon after the event had been opened by Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, Media Development Authority (MDA), the signing of an MOU between Singapore creative house Upside Down Concepts and LIC Australia was announced. The agreement – which also involves LIC’s German co-production partner Kick Films of Munich – will lead to the co-production of 20 hours of documentaries worth US$4 million for the international TV market.

Said Mr Gin Kai Chan, Executive Producer, Upside Down Concepts: “We have been working towards this collaboration for several months and, following the signing of the MOU, we are now able to move ahead on this exciting slate of productions in the new year.”

The MOU also serves to emphasise Singapore’s reputation for co-productions. “Through AFF, we hope that more will discover Asia’s strengths as a regional hub for documentary production,” said Dr Chia in his opening speech. “With our English-speaking population, libraries, researchers, robust intellectual property and legal framework and business-friendly environment, Singapore is a good launch pad for foreign documentary makers to tap on the growing pool of talent, film funds, ideas and natural localities here.”

Then it was down to the business of courtship.

In a session on Becoming an International Player, the panel of broadcasters laid out the qualities they were looking for among the countless suitors pursuing their money.

Ms Mika Kanaya (Producer, International Co-Productions, NHK) advised filmmakers to study the channels while Mr Vikram Channa (Vice President, Content, Discovery Asia) suggested they forge relationships with people inside broadcasting companies.

Ms Courtney Thompson (Senior Manager, Development & Production, National Geographic Channel International) wanted filmmakers to “make production management their best friend”, in order to produce results reliably such that broadcasters could schedule their documentaries properly.

This was followed by a case study of a successful relationship in The Dawn of a Co-Production Deal. Ms Ulla Streib (Head of Operations, Darlow Smithson) and Mr Vikram Channa shared how the series Acropolis came about, describing the discussions and compromises that led to Darlow being commissioned to create the Discovery-EDB co-production.

After a purely social lunch – “No pitching, please!” – Ms Thompson and Ms Choi Lin Mok (Supervising Producer, National Geographic Channel) took centre stage. During In Detail: Mass Appeal Storytelling, they discussed the fine balance between entertainment and the message.

The Asia Factual Forum is part of the Asia Media Festival 2007. For more information about the festival, please go to www.asiamediafestival.com

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