By April MacIntyre Oct 14, 2008, 15:09 GMT
Scenic New Zealand will host film commissions from the world over in the island nation to discuss matters related to the film industry and fostering stronger production business in their respective countries.
Peter Jackson - Movie Premiere - Mann Village Theatre - Westwood, CA, USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is the non-profit global professional organization whose members are film commissioners that assist film, television and video production throughout the world. Film Commissions from around the world are scheduled to meet at the 33rd annual AFCI Cineposium 08 held this year from November 19-23 in Wellington, New Zealand, a favored filming destination for many filmmakers.
The annual Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Cineposium International Conference for the first time will be held in Wellington, New Zealand. Past events have been held in Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.
The event will draw AFCI members from more than 20 countries for a varied program of professional development courses, issue-oriented industry discussions and master classes.
Film commissions and people interested in the entertainment business may register on line here.
“Given the financing challenges currently facing the film industry worldwide, this year’s Cineposium could well be our most important ever,” says Robin James, AFCI Board President.
“We have put together a dynamic program of sessions and panel discussions for film commissioners and industry professionals affecting every production community in the years to come. And Wellington, New Zealand, with its leading edge in the film community and bold new initiatives in film tourism, is the right place at the right time for AFCI film commissioners and others who need to stay on top of a changing landscape."
Peter Jackson, the Academy Award winning director of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy which filmed on location in New Zealand, says “It’s great that the AFCI Cineposium brings film commissioners together to learn and exchange information and best practice.
Ultimately, it helps filmmakers like me who work on a variety of locations and rely on the local film office to partner with our production teams on the ground. It’s even better news that Cineposium will be in Wellington. The region is a terrific environment for filmmaking and filmmakers. The residents and local government are incredibly enthusiastic, helpful and friendly.”
“Wellington is a world leading centre of screen production. We at Film Wellington are incredibly honored to be hosting this year’s Cineposium and extend a very warm welcome to all the international attendees,” says Delia Shanly, Film Wellington Manager.
“The event provides the perfect opportunity for all film office representatives to share ideas and production experience, and also allows Wellington to showcase the success of its screen industry.”
“As the longest running regional film office in New Zealand, Film Wellington is focused on keeping Wellington film friendly and provides a free support service to international and local screen productions,” concludes Ms. Shanly.
per the AFCI:
KEYNOTE AND OPENING & CLOSING SESSIONS AT AFCI CINEPOSIUM 08
“When Cultures Collide” features Keynote Speaker Richard D. Lewis, the world-renowned communications expert in the field of applied and anthropological linguistics for over 35 years.
Mr. Lewis is Chairman of Richard Lewis Communications Ltd., an international communication consultancy with offices in a dozen countries, and author of the book When Cultures Collide now in its third edition. He speaks 10 European and two Asiatic languages.
Mr. Lewis will explore the topic of cultural understanding that is vital knowledge for the film commissioner when hosting foreign production groups as well as for productions visiting foreign countries. He will talk about how best to prepare, plan, react and respond to a growing global clientele with topics and guidelines for doing business with international productions as well as knowing what cultural behaviors to expect.
“Film and television is a global industry with the ability to pick up and move from one location to another in a matter of hours,” says Joan Miller, Cineposium Conference Chair and Film Commissioner of the Vancouver Island North Film Commission.
This special event will take place on Saturday, November 22 at 9:00 am.
The Opening Oscar® Winners Luncheon will feature a varied panel of Academy Award winners in various disciplines from New Zealand who will discuss their experiences in creating award-winning entertainment filmed in their native country.
The luncheon is Saturday, November 22 and will be held at The Intercontinental Hotel. “We have created this session to showcase the fantastic talents and 'kiwi way' of filmmaking,” says Delia Shanly. “As we have so many of New Zealand's Academy Award® winners living or working in Wellington, we are able to provide a panel of Oscar® winners to share their insights and secrets across a wide creative range.”
For Cineposium’s Closing Day Event, film commissioners will be offered a very special treat. The Studio Executive Session will feature studio executives from Los Angeles who will interact with film commissioners in a candid dialogue on how studios and film commissions can work together creatively and as partners in making entertainment productions happen efficiently and successfully around the world.
Participating will be Kate Bedya, Senior Vice President, Production for New Line Cinema; Bryan Noon, Vice President, Business Affairs for ABC Studios; and Russ Nissen, Executive Director, Feature Reporting for Fox Filmed Entertainment.
“Positioning Yourself as a Financial Partner,” “Location Vacation: Film Induced Tourism,” “Life’s a Pitch: Demonstrating Your Value” and “How Would You Handle It”? Descriptions, panelists and registration information can be found on the AFCI wesbsite.
Cineposium 08 in Wellington will feature three professional development courses, all highly valuable for both novice and experienced film commissioners.
• “Film Commission Professional” -- This one day foundation course held on November 19th will build on the information presented in the online Film Commission Fundamentals by providing more in-depth information in several of the most important elements involved in film commission work.
• “Master Class – Advanced Studies in Film Production” -- This course held on November 20th will examine the most important aspects of filmmaking including finding and using material, working with writers, raising financing, getting a green light, shooting a movie, post production, distribution, marketing, technology changes that have an effect on all aspects of movie production, and the future of the industry.
• “Master Class – Marketing for Film Commissioners” -- This advanced course held on November 21st will demonstrate how to develop a marketing strategy that will sell a film commission’s jurisdiction most effectively.
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