TV TALK - Wednesday, September 30

9:15 – 10:30 AM
R.I.P. Conventional TV (FTV07)

Some claim that the traditional model for creating content, financing production and broadcast dissemination may never be the same. For producers, t his begs the questions: what type of content will live and die in the next era of broadcast platforms? Will there be new streams of revenue to replace the dried-up markets – and if so, how soon? Will online “broadcasting” afford opportunities for a greater diversity of shows to find audiences, and vice versa? Hear from trendsetters, stakeholders, content creators and innovators about what will be coming down the pipeline.

Moderator:
Andra Sheffer, Executive Producer, Independent Production Fund

Guest Speakers:
Steve Billinger, General Manager, Digital Programming and Business Development, CBC
Sue Biely, Independent Media Consultant
Michael Ghent, Creative Director, Film and TV Forum
Chantal LeBlanc-Everett, Head of Production & Development, Lifeforce Entertainment
Chris Van Noy, VP Digital Strategies, Jumpwire Media

10:45 – 12:15 PM
LOL – Comedy Rules (FTV08)

Writing for comedy is a very specific skill… and not an easy one. What seems like a straightforward task, i.e. making people laugh, is actually an intricate and idiosyncratic mix of tension, conflict, recall, reference, timing, exaggeration, believability, sympathy, empathy, juxtaposition, satire and parody mixed with context, personality and persuasion. Easy, eh? A comedic writer needs practice and patience to go from the printed page to laugh-out-loud funny. Hear from Emmy Award-winning TV writers about some rules for scripting comedy and developing funny characters. Sponsored by Telefilm Canada.

Moderator:
Roman Danylo, Writer, Comedy Inc.

Guest Speakers:
Greg Garcia, Creator, My Name is Earl
Jennifer Celotta, Writer/Consulting Producer, The Office

12:30 – 1:30 PM
Speed Dating Sessions – TV (FTV09)

Designed for emerging and transitioning filmmakers, these sessions are the perfect opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with broadcasters and local senior producers, pitch projects, get feedback and forge new relationships! For application guidelines and a list of participating producers and broadcasters please click here. Limited capacity – first-come, first-served basis , pre-registration required. Speed dating sessions are not included in TV TALK Day Pass but can be purchased individually at a cost of $10 per meeting, max 2 meetings per person. You must purchase a Forum individual ticket or Day Pass to be eligible for registration. Sponsored by Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia.

REGISTRATION FOR SPEED-DATING SESSIONS IS NOW CLOSED.

1:45– 3:15 PM
No Due Date: Keeping Dramas Fresh (FTV10)

Writers today face interesting challenges in keeping episodic television scripts dynamic and contemporary as audiences become more sophisticated. Skirting the line between comedy and drama seems to be a successful strategy for Desperate Housewives while the plot lines of Brothers and Sisters keep current by challenging the audience with the complicated maze that is American family life today. Durham County pushes the cop genre to the limit by throwing as much psychological trauma at the characters as the audience can stand. We’ll take an insider’s look at how TV’s top writers manipulate scripts in response to real-world situations, map out plot-lines for ensemble casts, figure out clever new ways to introduce characters and keep us all well entertained. Sponsored by the Independent Production Fund.

Moderator:
Helen du Toit, Program Director, Palm Springs International Film Festival

Guest Speakers:
Laurie Finstad Knizhnik, Co-Creator, Durham County
Molly Newman, Executive Producer, Brothers and Sisters
Dahvi Waller, Writer/Co-Producer, Mad Men

3:30– 4:45 PM
Co-ventures in TV Land (FTV11)

Defying Gravity, Copper, Flashpoint, The Guard, and The Listener – these are a few of the Canadian-made scripted television series that have recently met with co-venture success in the US. The upside to the squeeze on production financing internationally is that US networks are looking to Canadian producers with renewed interest to carry the freight. But putting together an international TV deal is far from easy. It takes skill, talent and great timing – not just a great concept. Stop by for an in-depth session on getting a green light on scripts, budgets, cast, crew and financing on a series produced in Canada for the North American and, hopefully, world TV market.

Moderator:
John Ritchie, Partner/Exec. Producer, Force Four Entertainment

Guest Speakers:
Nancy Cotton, SVP Scripted Programming, Fox Television Studios
Ben Davis, Director of Development and Current Series, AMC
Shawn Williamson, Partner, Brightlight Pictures