Is Big Brother Dead? – creative anarchy at Endemol

‘Creativity is what separates us from pretty much every producer out there: we’re creative and entrepreneurial with a good dose of anarchy, but – importantly – we are successful because we believe in our shows. The great advantage that Endemol has is that we are a collection of creative and entrepreneurial producers – each is at the top of their game. Creating a show is like inventing a new sport: for a sport to work it’s got to have drama and emotion and you have to care about who wins. And that’s what we try to create at Endemol.’

Endemol UK CEO Tim Hincks was addressing ambitious young hot shots in the ITF-sponsored Fast Track session ‘Small Screen, Big Business’ of the Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, on Thursday 26th August. The event was opened by ITF Trustee David Strachan (joint MD of Scottish indie Tern) who told the delegates how much ITF could develop their professional skills, as it had done with his own teams at Tern.

The Fast Track scheme gives 40 of the industry’s future movers and shakers the chance to network and gain access to senior industry executives, over two days of intimate and insightful masterclasses.

‘My first real break in TV was with a small Indie company, Bazal Productions. The indie sector is where I grew up, so that was important to me, and I think the indie sector thrives on and teaches you, if you want it, is how to think on your feet and grab chances as they appear.’

Now that Hincks runs the super indie Endemol he is putting that ethos into action on a daily basis.

‘As indies, no one owes us a living: we don’t have advertising money coming in to us, we don’t have a licence fee, we don’t have subscriptions. If we stopped making shows tomorrow, we would go bankrupt. That’s what would happen, so it’s incredibly important we create our own stuff. Endemol is an ideas generator, that’s what we do.’

Small screen success has its new challenges with tougher economic challenges and the battle between quality and audience share.

‘Everyone talks about risk, but nobody wants to take them. If you’re a broadcaster, your lifespan is so much shorter than it ever was: you make one mistake and that’s it. So the pressure on broadcasters is immense and it’s important to understand that. They need the shows to work. Everything’s about money about the moment. People are commissioning things that they consider to be more reliable and extending brands more than taking risks. I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, after all, I’m a viewer and I like to watch stuff that works’ said Hincks.

As Endemol ’s Big Brother evicts its housemates for the very last time on Channel 4, Hincks hinted at its likely resurrection in a way to deliver an even bigger buzz than when the blockbuster show launched in 2000.

‘Even after 10 years, Big Brother is far and away the biggest show Channel 4 has. It still manages to double its average viewing figures – utterly extraordinary. You can compare it with a sporting event or soap opera for longevity’ said Hincks.

‘ Big Brother is clearly a brand that’s doing better than it’s done before and, with a loyal audience, I think it’s going to carry on in some form. The questions are: what shape it will be in? where and when should it be shown? should we rest it for a bit before reviving it? or should we bring it straight back – perhaps on a different channel?’

‘Whatever we do next with Big Brother, there’s a big decision to be made. But I guarantee it’s not about how we make loads of money now, it’s how we keep it running for the next ten years. It’s a question about creativity as much as it is about economic. A purely business-oriented company could really ruin Big Brother.’

Hincks closed the Fast Track session – his last as MGEITF executive chair -– with inspirational words for the next generation of TV and digital media executives:

‘Creative people and producers are like premiership football players – we’re the most valuable thing in a company . Your value is immense.’

Endemol UK is an ITF Member Company. Tern TV Managing Director David Strachan – who introduced the Fast Track – is a member of ITF’s Board of Trustees.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: bazal, big brother, brand, creativity, david strachan, endemol, fast track, media guardian, mgeitf, risk, small screen big business, tern tv, tim hincks
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This month we’re proud to be launching our ITF Freelancer scheme. For the first time, those joining will have access to unique ITF services which aim to develop freelancer skills and help with career progression, including:

• a third off all ITF short courses covering a wide range of in-demand training identified by top production companies
• invitations to lively Open Forum events with top indies, and great networking opportunities
• regular e-bulletins packed with the latest ITF news, industry events, training offers, funding and bursary updates

If you are a freelancer, or employ freelancers in your production company, please find out more at our website, e-mail or telephone Rychard on 020 3487 0358

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: courses, cross-platform, digital media, Freelance, Skills, Skillset, special offers, training, TV
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So what’s all this 3DTV business?

Monday 27 September, 2010
18.00-20.45hrs

Overview
In the week that Sky launches the first 3D Channel in the UK this Forum will discuss the latest developments in 3DTV and whether it is a viable business proposition for UK production companies.

• How much extra does it cost, and can it be a commercial prospect for TV in the UK?
• What’s the business model for TV drama, factual, arts etc?
• Co-production & theatrical releases prospects
• What’s the global market, sales & demand?
• What are the creative & editorial benefits?

Contributors
Contributors are expected to include:
Justin Judd (Digital Rights Group/i-Rights MD – Chair)
Tim Keene (Framestore – Executive Producer)
Brian Lenz (Sky – TV Product Development Director)

Programme
18.00 Registration, refreshments and networking
18.15 Forum begins, followed by discussion, questions & networking/drinks
20.45 Closure

Venue
Framestore Cinema 19-23 Wells St, London W1T 3PQ

How to Book Your FREE Place
Space is limited so reserve your free place as soon as possible by emailing: bookings@indietrainingfund.com

About ITF Open Forum Events
This is one of an occasional series of free ITF Open Forum evening discussions where leading industry figures will talk about the latest hot topics in our business. TV and digital media professionals are all welcome, and those attending will have a chance to share their experiences and network with each other.

The ITF 3DTV Open Forum event is being held in association with UK Screen, the trade body which represents and promotes over 140 service companies working in film, commercials and television in the UK.

Please note, speakers are subject to change. Please check this page for the latest information.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: 3d, 3dtv, Brian Lenz, Commissioning, digital, digital rights group, Formats, Framestore, i-rights, justin judd, open forum, Sky, Tim Keene, UK Screen
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september 10

Diversity: Putting the Pledge into Action 14 sept London
A new low-cost workshop to help indies make the most of their commitment to the Diversity Pledge, and the practical steps they can take to implement it in their company ethos and operating practices
Who’s it for? HR & operations managers, production heads & managers, co-ordinators, and executive producers
Price: ITF Member £80 / Pact or freelance £120 / Corporate £160

Dealing with Difficult People 21 sept London
A one-day seminar for production managers, team managers or anyone who would like to develop their people management skills
Who’s it for? Anyone who manages other people or works in a team
Price:  ITF Member £150 / Pact  or freelance  £225 / Corporate £300

Making Money from Music 23 sept London brand new
A half-day workshop exploring opportunities for production companies to acquire the copyright in the music they commission
Who’s it for? Producers,  executive producers, business affairs executives , production managers, distributors, financiers, lawyers, music publishing administrators and accountants
Price: ITF Member £80 / Pact or freelance  £120 / Corporate £160

Researchers Survival Guide 28 sept London
A one-day workshop designed specifically for junior production staff such as runners, junior researchers, production secretaries, etc
Who’s it for? Designed for junior production staff with some experience of working as a researcher or in a production or development environment
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Principles of Production Insurance 30 sept London
A half-day seminar to provide a basic outline of media production insurance for feature film and TV, why you need it and how it works
Who’s it for? This is a seminar course for producers, production managers and coordinators and anyone who arranges insurance cover or may need to make a claim. Suitable for both feature film and TV production
Price: ITF Member £50 / Pact or freelance £75  / Corporate £100

october 10

Compliance: Keeping up to date 7 oct London
A half-day seminar to give you an up to the minute grounding on all the important compliance issues in broadcast production
Who’s it for? Producers, executives, production managers and co-ordinators, researchers, and anyone who may be expected to ensure compliance obligations are met
Price: ITF Member £80 / Pact  or freelance  £120 / Corporate £160

Music Rights (1): The Essentials 12 oct London
A morning seminar to guide you through the basics of music copyright clearance
Who’s it for? Production staff off all levels, anyone who wants to gain an overview of clearance procedures for music in audio-visual production.
Price: ITF Member £60 / Pact £90 / Corporate £120

Cross-platform: Generating New Projects and Markets 14 oct London *Skillset bursary applies
A one-day workshop to encourage TV, digital media and interactive producers to develop their skills and business by creating, planning and pitching cross-platform projects for different markets
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers and other production team-members of TV &/or digital media and interactive companies looking to devise and deliver cross-platform projects for all markets; also freelancers wanting to create digital productions.
This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact £150 / Corporate £200

Generating Innovative Content 19 oct London
A one-day workshop on creative thinking techniques with practical applications to generating and developing TV programme ideas
Who’s it for? Anyone in production who is involved with generating, researching and/or producing programme ideas
Price: ITF Member £120 / Pact  or freelance  £180 / Corporate £240

Managing People for the First Time 21 oct London
A one-day seminar for production managers and team managers or anyone preparing for a management role
Who’s it for? Anyone wanting to improve their people management skills at work.
ITF Member £150 / Pact £225 / Corporate £300

Multiplatform: Joined-up Production 28 oct London *Skillset bursary applies
A one-day workshop to help production companies and digital interactive agencies work
together to create cross platform content
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers, and other production team-members. This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

*Skillset bursaries apply to this course…
Candidates for this course may be eligible for funding (80% of the training costs for freelancers, or 50% for employees – including  travel and accommodation if relevant) through Skillset’s Multiplatform Bursary Scheme
How to book: contact ITF as usual to secure a place on the course and pay ITF in the usual way. Apply as soon as possible to Skillset before the course because it will take up to 4 weeks for Skillset to confirm bursaries.

book / find out more

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: courses, cross-platform, digital, Formats, Legal, Management, multiplatform, Music, people skills, Pitching, production, Skillset, training, TV
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ITF has negotiated 20% discounts off the standard price of £500 (+ VAT) for Festival 3-day Delegate Passes for ITF member companies. To get your passcode please email rychard@indietrainingfund.com.
Freelancers are entitled to the special rate of £350 + VAT – contact MGEITF directly

ITF is also sponsoring the Fast Track Indie Q & A session “Small Screen: Big Business” with guest speaker Tim Hincks (Endemol CEO) who will be introduced by ITF Trustee David Strachan (Tern MD), on Thursday 26 August.
Tim is expected to be asked about how ITF member Endemol goes about developing, pitching and selling creative content across all platforms.
Fast Track is a programme for 40 talented and ambitious TV hot shots, with 2-4 years’ experience in any area of the industry. The Fast Trackers attend two days of insightful and intimate masterclasses with senior execs before taking up their free MGEITF delegate pass and attending the TV Festival.
Our new Development & Marketing  Executive Rychard Sagal will also be at this session to answer questions about ITF, its courses and membership both for companies and the new Freelancer schem

The Edinburgh International Television Festival is a unique event created and planned by senior industry figures, for the international television and media industry. Founded in 1976, the Festival is a charitable organisation which aims to provide an environment where the industry can come together and share ideas, debate, get inspiration and knowledge, and build relationships. This year’s event takes place 26-29 August in Edinburgh.

The Festival runs two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track, aimed at helping individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds gain knowledge and experience of the industry, supporting them in the early stages of their career and giving them access to valuable workshops and masterclasses.

Find out more…

Posted by indietrainingfund
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Be one of the first to join the new ITF Freelancer scheme…

For the first time, individual freelancers will be able to join ITF at a special low cost and enjoy a range of unique benefits for training, development and career progression.

Exclusive ITF Freelancer benefits:
•    great savings on ITF training. Enjoy a third off – every course, all year-round!
•    stay up-to-date with news, events and offers every month via ITF monthly e-bulletins.
•    receive invitations to unique Open Forum discussion and networking sessions devoted to the latest hot topics in our business.

Contact us for further details and to register interest for the scheme.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: Freelance, join ITF, subsidised training for TV freelancers, training
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As some of you may know, ITF Fund Director Laura Clark is now on maternity leave, so Training Director Ian Wyatt is covering for her until she returns after Christmas.

While Laura’s away we’ve also taken on a new Development & Marketing Executive called Rychard Sagal. We’ve dropped him in at the deep end, and by the Friday of his first week he was representing ITF at the BECTU Freelancers’ Fair, and he’s recently been with Ian to the Children’s Media Conference in Sheffield where ITF was presenting a successful workshop on Monetising Digital Platforms with two of our regular trainers Peter Cowley and Justin Judd.

Rychard, previously Marketing Manager for Ravensbourne – the specialist media academy – holds a wealth of experience in traditional and digital marketing across education, e-commerce and consultancy.  He will be using his expertise in web marketing and social networks to develop ITF’s online presence, promote our short courses and build even stronger relationships with our members. Rychard will also be working on launching our new ITF Freelancer scheme. He is enjoying keeping the office smiling with a constant supply of home-baked cakes and goodies. He looks forward to meeting as many of our sweet-toothed delegates and trainers as he can, as well as other prospective members.

Photo of Rychard Sagal, who joins ITF as Development and Marketing Executive

Posted by indietrainingfund
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Skillset has released bursaries for multiplatform courses from June of up to 80% of the cost for experienced TV freelancers, and 50% for employees (including travel and accommodation expenses where relevant).  Apply to Skillset beacuse you need to do so at least 5 days before the course…

Multiplatform: Joined-up Production 08.07.10 London
A one-day workshop to help production companies and digital interactive agencies work
together to create cross platform content
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers, and other production team-members. This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Cross-platform Storytelling 15.07.10 London
A full-day workshop to develop the writing and storytelling skills of TV and digital media production teams over a range of platforms and to review the latest trends in cross-platform scripted content
Who’s it for? TV & digital media content development teams, producers, directors and writers. Delegates will be asked to select and submit before the course a single page content proposal (new or existing) that you would like to develop in the workshop
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Cross-platform: Generating New Projects and Markets 14.10.10 London
A one-day workshop to encourage TV, digital media and interactive producers to develop their skills and business by creating, planning and pitching cross-platform projects for different markets
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers and other team members of TV and/or digital media and interactive companies looking to devise and deliver cross-platform projects for all markets; also freelancers wanting to create digital productions.This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Mutiplatform: Making Money from Digital Platforms and Rights 18.11.10 London
A half-day introductory workshop to help production companies and interactive agencies understand how to make money from digital platforms, and to exploit the content rights in both broadcast and corporate markets.
Who’s it for? Designed as an introductory course for TV and digital media production companies this course will benefit those requiring an overview of exploiting content on TV, digital media, interactive and 360 platforms. This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

book these courses / find out more

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: digital media, interactive, multiplatform, Skillset, training, TV
Comments: (2)

If you’re curious to see some of the best new animation talent leaving universities this summer, then why not visit the Skillset Animation and VFX Showcase this Thursday?

A selection of work from Skillset-accredited media academies and courses will be on display, including: Bournemouth, Central Saint Martins, De Montfort, Glamorgan, Hertfordshire, Newport, Ravensbourne,  Swansea, Kingston and National Film and TV School.

Adobe and The Foundry will be showing their latest software too, offering demos and giving a few inside tips.

It’s a great opportunity to see future talent, talk with tutors and hopefully find that next animation or VFX genius talent you’ve been looking for.

Date
Thursday 8th July, 5pm-8pm.

Location
Phonica Records, The Vinyl Factory, Poland St, Soho, London W1F 7LZ.
http://bit.ly/cGTnPb

Booking & further details
Free event. Includes drinks and nibbles. Get your pass:
http://skillsetshowcase.eventbrite.com/

Posted by indietrainingfund
Comments: (0)

The BBC, Channel Four, Scottish Screen, Skillset Scotland, indie and freelance producers got together for a unique collaboration in Glasgow last week. It was an Open Forum on “Diversity – the Creative Opportunity”.

Greater diversity can make programmes more commercially successful as well as more creative, said guest contributor Oona King (Channel 4’s Head of Diversity).
“It makes good business sense. A more inclusive industry makes better programmes, and is fairer and more representative. Programme-makers should take the risk to involve new talent from more varied backgrounds off screen as well as on it, from the development stage onwards.”
She added that C4’s Drama Controller Tessa Ross, for example, enabled visual artist Steve McQueen to direct “The Hunger” about ethnic conflict in Northern Ireland – even though he had never directed drama before. And two of C4’s greatest successes in the past 2 years both had diversity at their core: the movies “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Last King of Scotland”.

The Forum was initiated and staged by the Indie Training Fund, the leading charity providing  development for indie TV and digital media production companies and freelancers. It was one of a series of events and half-day Diversity workshops that ITF is organising around the UK to support the broadcasters’ new Diversity Pledge, and the Cultural Diversity Network

The discussion was led by Jo Street (BBC Scotland’s Daytime Commissioner) and Daniell Morrisey (BBC Vision’s Talent Business Manager, and a member of the Indie Talent Forum).

In the opening interactive quiz the small teams of delegates from several Scottish indies (including Bees Nees Media, the Broadbent Partnership, Caledonia TV Productions, The Comedy Unit, Firefly Arts, IWC Media, Lion TV & the Media Co-op), and the BBC, and the freelance producers had some surprises in what they knew about their audiences. Guided by the workshop leaders they then discussed some successful current programmes, and came up with ideas about how they could be improved by working towards more diverse elements and viewpoints:

Most of those present felt they gained new perspectives from the event which they would aim to include in the content of their future projects.  Afterwards they said:

“I will try and change my mindset so that diversity is more integrated into the development process”

“We will work even harder to give opportunities to diverse new talent when we hire people”

“A great and thought-provoking session”

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: bbc, channel 4, cultural diversity network, Diversity Pledge. Oona King, Indie Training Fund, Scottish Screen, Skillset Scotland
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