Methodology, Skills and Professional Benefits Participants Participants' Comments MEDICI Head of Training «The 12 Labours of Hercules» Report of the Reports – Workshops 1 to 4

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Third Workshop Report — 17 to 19 September, 2013 — Château de Limelette (Belgium)

Introduction

Perfect Storm (PEST) Methodology

Film funds and the film industry in general in Europe are facing the following set of issues at the moment:

• The increase in the number of films being made against the availability of screens
• The reduction in access to European film through traditional channels, notably cinema, DVD and terrestrial television
• The vast increase in the choice of films on all platforms
• The potential for new access to audiences through new platforms
• The change in Television economics
• The emergence of VoD and other release windows
• The competition for time, based on living costs, price points, and the multiplicity of different things for which people lack enough time
• The lack of realism (knowledge of the nature of today's demand, new fluid (liquid?) economic models, adaptation of the value chain to the new realities, creation of more immediacy and access to consumers) for making practical decisions
• The disruptive influence of new technologies.

Film funds need to take a holistic view of these issues and approach as many aspects of them as possible. Accordingly, the following four aspects (PEST) can be identified:

1. Political aspect: This aspect is always present in every European country. The political rules are related to things like the EU Competition Law, trade rules, access to data and other data rules.
2. Economic aspect: This aspect relates to the fact that, when faced with new innovations, producers will see things in an economic perspective; they will want to know what the new models mean to them in economic terms. The economic aspect includes talent pooling, emerging business models, infrastructure, etc.
3. Social (cultural) aspect: This aspect concerns how people will, in fact, behave and interact with the content and business models being supported by public funds. Also, evidence that the audience is aware of what the funds are doing is necessary.
4. Technological aspect

Please also see Michael Gubbins' presentation “MEDICI-Introduction” (PDF)

Impact of Digital in Film Business and Production

• Introduction — The Perfect Storm/The Workshop Method — PEST analysis
• Module 1 — Should we support less films for an overcrowded market, or focus on ensuring that the films we select find audiences on new platforms?
• Module 2 — How does the dramatic increase in audience data and a demand-driven economy affect our decision-making processes?
• Module 3 — How far do we need to adapt to new business models, and how far can we seek to protect traditional industrial structures?
• Module 4 — Conclusions

Decision Making Processes

• Module 5 — Goals and selection processes/methods
• Module 6 — Selection criteria
• Module 7 — Profiles of experts, consultants, selection committee members
• Module 8 — Relations with higher authorities and producers

• List of Participants (PDF)
• MEDICI Third Workshop Full Report (PDF)

Illustrations by Jean-Philippe Legrand – called "Aster"

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