Festivals : Vancouver : Trade Forum

By VIFF press office
13 Sept, 2004

UBC at Robson Square is the place to be Sept. 22 to Sept. 25 to get up to speed with the latest developments in film and television production, and network with top local and international industry professionals. Twenty panel sessions, as well as master classes and tête-à-têtes, showcase a range of current issues and creative topics over the four days of the event.

On the writing front, Adapting Material for the Screen explores the art and science of transforming books into successful screenplays. Writers John C. Richards (Nurse Betty) and Brandon Boyce (Apt Pupil) discuss what makes an adaptation work, including the narrative line, the climax, scene sequences, relationships and visual images. On the television side of the equation, Unabashedly Canadian - Low-Budget Episodic Television pursues a trend that is creating opportunities for writers and producers who can adapt to this style of television. With less money available to produce episodic series, our featured guests, Steve Levitan (Executive Producer, Train 48), Susin Nielsen (Creative Producer, Robson Arms) and John Pattison (Creator, Puppets Who Kill) share their respective approaches to finding a niche in this kind of programming.

On the Right Track provides insight to the process of creating the score for a film by showcasing the diverse talents of guest panellists Benoît Charest (The Triplets of Belleville) and Craig Wedren (School of Rock). Together they talk about how music helps to propel the narrative, complementing the story and images on screen; as well, Sarah Webster, Music Supervisor, S.L. Feldman & Associates will discuss the business of licensing and putting together a soundtrack deal.

Year of the Doc highlights one of the most positive industry developments this year, the explosion of documentaries on the big screen. Jennifer Abbott (Co-Director, The Corporation), Albert Nerenberg (Director, Stupidity), Velcrow Ripper (Director, ScaredSacred) discuss the approaches to financing, marketing and distribution, plus the elements that contribute to critical and commercial success.

Now that the DVD market generates more revenue than the theatrical market, The DVD Boom is a session that will be of special interest to those wanting to know what this trend means to independent filmmakers. Senior Executives from Universal Studios - Alliance Atlantis Home Video, Lions Gate Films Corp., Rogers Video and MGM Home Entertainment speak about this significant market shift and reveal ways that filmmakers can capitalize upon it in this 'must-see' session for producers.

Director Chris Kentis (Open Water) joins Canadian filmmaker Michael Dowse (Fubar, It's All Gone Pete Tong) on New Filmmakers' Day to talk about their Success Stories. Their afternoon session completes a full informational New Filmmakers' Day program that includes The Shot List - A Director's Blueprint, The Business of the Low-Budget Feature and Writing for Low-Budget Features.

The 19th Annual Film and Television Trade Forum takes place in the Rogers Industry Centre located at UBC at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, September 22-24, with New Filmmakers' Day on September 25.

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