The Berlinale Talent Campus (Feb 13th-18th), taking place during the 60th Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 11th-21st), is an international creative academy and networking platform for 350 up-and-coming filmmakers from 95 countries. The six-day-long event offers them the opportunity to examine various aspects of their fields of work in lectures and panel discussions. This year's Campus main focus is "The Indie Filmmakers' Guide to Cross
Media", discussing the aspects
storytelling, distribution and financing of filmmaking in the digital
age with experts such as Karol Martesko-Fenster (Babelgum), Liz
Rosenthal (Power to the Pixel), writer and director Lance Weiler,
Michel Reilhac (ARTE) and many more.
For more info visit www.berlinale-talentcampus.de or check out some of the program details below.
The Indie Filmmakers’ Guide to Cross Media
Panel 1:
Extending the Story: An Introduction to Cross Media Storytelling
Monday, February 15th, HAU 2, 02:00pm
Technology is impacting on the art and craft of storytelling. Now that audiences are engaging with media across multiple platforms and are moving from a passive viewing experience to active collaboration, how does the art of storytelling change? Experts in cross-media and interactive/immersive storytelling will describe how to build story worlds that span across multiple platforms and engage audiences in powerful new ways. With Alexandre Brachet, Martin Ericsson, Lance Weiler. Moderated by Liz Rosenthal.
Panel 2:
Extending the Finance: How to Produce Cross Media Projetcs
Tuesday, February 16th, HAU 3, Top Floor, 02:00pm
As storytelling extends beyond the big screen and the 90 minute feature, what is the potential of building new financing partnerships across media industries and of extending the value of the stories and intellectual property that you create? As traditional film finance routes dry up, this session will suggest possible new alliances and partnerships with online networks, multiplatform broadcasters, brands, agencies and other new financiers. With Ben Grass, Karol Martesko-Fenster, Michel Reilhac, Lance Weiler. Moderated by Liz Rosenthal.
Panel 3:
Extending the Audience: How to Distribute Across Multiple Platforms
Wednesday, Febraury 17th, HAU 3, Top Floor, 02:00pm
As audiences discover and engage with films across a rapidly expanding array of platforms and devices, distribution strategies for independent film are evolving. Looking at a variety of distribution case studies, speakers will demonstrate a variety of models and lessons learned from making films available across multiple platforms, sites and devices to simultaneous release strategies, special events and digital word-of-mouth campaigns. With Lizzie Gillet, Karol Martesko-Fenster, Timo Vuorensola. Moderated by Liz Rosenthal.
Biographies of the experts:
Brachet, Alexandre
Paris-based e-producer and founder of the cross-media production studio Upian. He merges cutting-edge technology and traditional techniques to break new ground in made-for-broadband story-telling. His latest project is THANATORAMA.COM, webdocumentary offering a journey into the arcane world of the funeral which won the Grand Prix at the Web Flash Festival. He is co-producer of the online documentary GAZA/SDEROT. It was nominated for the Emmy Awards and won the Prix Europa in Berlin. In spring 2010, Upian will launch Prison Valley, a new interactive documentary, co-produced by Arte.tv and directed by David Dufresne and Philippe Brault.
Ericsson, Martin
Senior Designer and Creative Director of The Company P in Sweden, he has instigate, written and designed more than twenty pieces of participative art ranging from reality games, pedagogical games and Shakespeare adaptations to massive Sci-Fi and Fantasy larps. He created THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIKA together with the Swedish Television which won an Emmy Award for Best Interactive TV-service in 2008.
Weiler, Lance
Award-winning writer and director, he is recognised as a pioneer for the way he makes and distributes his work. His first feature THE LAST BROADCAST was distributed in over 20 countries. Another feature HEAD TRAUMA had its world premiere at the LA Film Festival in 2006.
Grass, Ben
Managing director of Pure Grass Films. He produced BEYOND THE RAVE and KIRILL, winning a Webby for Best Drama Episode in 2009. He was formerly responsible for Sony Pictures Digital in Europe and prior to that was senior Advisor for Corporate Strategy at the BBC.
Martesko-Fenster, Karol
Founding member of CINELAN’s Board of Directors after being appointed General Manager and Publisher of Babel Network Ltd's Film Division. He successfully promoted Sally Potter’s film RAGE which reached whole new audiences through the online distribution. Previously, he was a consultant for film and media ventures, amongst others, Arts Alliance, FILMHAUS Vienna, and T5M.com. He also launched Filmmaker Magazine, indieWIRE.com, as well as RES Magazine, The Virtual Film Festival and co-produced WETLANDS PRESERVED: THE STORY OF AN ACTIVIST NIGHTCLUB in 2008.
Reilhac, Michel
Executive Director of ARTE France Cinema and Director of Film Acquisitions for ARTE France. He was previously executive director of Forum des Images, general manager of the American Centre and of the National Theater of Chaillot, as well as executive director of the National Centre for Contemporary Dance. He started his own production company MELANGE in 2000 producing three international feature films CRY WOMAN, THE GOOD OLD NAUGHTY DAYS, and 7 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS. With his own organisation ‘Les Arts Etonnants’ he is also producer-curator-author of participatory events such as ‘Le Bal Moderne’ and ‘Le Goût du Noir’.
Gillett, Lizzie
Experienced producer came to London from New Zealand, where she had been working as TV news reporter and programme maker. She planned to live the dream, directing Panorama for the BBC or similar, but somehow wound up working for Spanner Films instead, and by end of 2004 she was on board the Stupid beast as Co-Producer of the feature film AGE OF STUPID.
Vuorensola, Timo
Finnish film director, he has directed short films, music videos and ads. He is interested in the effect Internet has on traditional production models. He directed STAR WRECK and is working on a new index of sci-fi comedy called IRON SKY.
