On December 6, the DGA’s Independent Directors Committee West (IDCw) and The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) presented the panel discussion/networking mixer: State of the Union: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Market But Were Afraid to Ask, in the Guild's Los Angeles Boardroom.
The event was designed to give DGA Directors a state-of-the-union report about developing trends, emerging markets and alternative distribution methods. The evening also served as an informal setting for these members to make contact with experienced producers, distributors and sales agents.
Following a check-in period where the invited DGA members signed up for breakout sessions, IFTA President and CEO Jean Prewitt and DGA Special Assignments Executive Daniel Tenkman welcomed the participants introduced the panelists: Crystal Bourbeau, Senior Vice President, International for Lionsgate; Jamie Carmichael, Film Division President of Content Media Corporation; Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose, President, International Sales and Distribution of Voltage Pictures; Pierre David, Chairman & CEO of Imagination Worldwide, LLC; Jay Joyce, Vice President, Worldwide Sales for Artist View Entertainment; Robbie Little, Co-President of The Little Film Company; Brian O’Shea, CEO of The Exchange, Inc.; and Mimi Steinbauer, President/CEO of Radiant Films International.
The panelists briefly spoke about the companies they work for, outlined the type of films they typically sell and distribute, and discussed how the global marketplace has changed in the past year. After the discussion the attendees engaged in breakout sessions with the panelists where they covered topics such as: how to make sure the budget is consistent with the prospective market value for a film; whether a theatrical release is necessary for a film to have financial success; whether Video On Demand is a viable distribution platform; and what improvements have been made in stabilizing foreign markets against the decimating effect of digital theft.
Following the breakout sessions, everyone reconvened in the boardroom for a cocktail reception.