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Fewer Female Directors Worked On Top Films In 2011

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:16:35 +0000

By Rebecca Ford for The Hollywood Reporter

Women comprised only 5 percent of directors on the 250 highest-grossing movies last year, according to a study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film.

With strong female casts such as Bridesmaids and The Help making waves in the awards race, it seems as if it has been the year of the woman in front of the camera.

However, behind the camera, women are still lagging far behind men in work in the film business. According to a study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, women made up 18 percent of all directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors working on the top 250 highest-grossing movies last year. That represents a 2 percent bump from 2010.

Only 5 percent of directors were women. That’s a decrease of 2 percentage points from 2010 and approximately half the percentage of women directors working in 1998. THR featured two of 2011’s female directors — first time director Angelina Jolie and Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh Nelson. While neither of them would label herself an activist for female causes per se, the questions why there aren’t more women directors — only 13.4 percent of the DGA’s director members are female.

“I don’t think about the gender thing very much. But when I speak at schools, I’ve had female students say to me afterwards, ‘I never envisioned myself being a director, since I’ve never seen women do it.’ But after seeing me, they can picture themselves directing, so maybe we’ll see more female directors. And half of these kids in art and animation schools are girls,” Nelson told THR.

As for the other jobs on set, women comprised 25 percent of producers, 14 percent of writers, 20 percent of editors, 18 percent of executive producers and 4 percent of cinematographers.

Women were most likely to work in the documentary, drama, and comedy genres. They were least likely to work in the horror, action, and animated genres.

This is an excerpt. Click here to read the full article with photo slideshow.

Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund 2010 Annual Report Now Online

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:31:33 +0000

The Bell Fund 2010 Annual Report is now available online at the following link:

http://bellfund.ca/annual-reports/2010/en/home.html

2010 Highlights

· $11,133,214 was invested in the production of 83 cross-platform television and interactive digital projects

· $860,575 was invested in the development of 22 projects

· $122,000 sponsored 22 professional development activities across the country

1997-2010 Highlights

· $93,222,308 invested in Canada’s cross-platform industry

· $86,072,915 has been invested in the production of 614 cross-platform television and interactive digital projects

· $6,291,833 has been invested in the development of 175 projects

· $857,560 sponsored 149 professional development activities across the country

The Board of Directors salutes its Vice Chair and Treasurer for the past decade, Chris Frank, as he retires from his various duties this year. Thanks to Bell TV’s contributions to the Bell Fund and his dedicated participation in Bell Fund activities, the Fund has invested $93 M in 938 cross-platform television and interactive digital media projects, since 1997.

Netflix Signs Deal for New Paramount Movies

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:28:52 +0000

Netflix is taking a swipe at the pay-TV business by freshening the content on its streaming-video subscription service in Canada.

The company announced Monday a multiyear deal with Paramount Pictures for the rights to show all of the studio’s new releases in Canada before any television channels. It is the first exclusive deal for newer content on Netflix in Canada.

The service has generally been known for filling its library with movies and television shows that are well past their initial airing dates. This deal gives it the right to show Paramount movies during the window of time when they would normally appear on pay television – after theatres, hotel pay-per-view, airplanes and DVD releases, but before they reach television stations such as CTV or CBC.

“Traditionally, those [pay-TV] outlets have received first-run movies or new releases. Netflix is changing all that,” spokesperson Steve Swasey said in an interview.

The deal adds roughly 350 films to the Netflix selection for Canadian customers, beginning with Iron Man 2. The company does not disclose the total number of titles available here, though Mr. Swasey said it has increased considerably from the 7,000 movies and TV shows available when it launched in Canada last September.

Excerpt from Susan Krashinsky’s article The Globe and Mail. Click here for the full story.

United Way Wants You to Make a Movie that Makes a Difference

admin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:21:40 +0000

March 23, 2011 – (Vancouver) United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM) is launching the 2011 Care to Change Video Competition online at www.caretochange.ca. UWLM is inviting the public to make movies that make a difference with the chance to win prizes and receive exposure. BC youth (19 and under) and adults (20 plus) are invited to create and enter short films (maximum five minutes) that will educate viewers on topics such as bullying, poverty, vulnerability and isolation, and inspire them to care for others. Video submission deadline is June 15, 2011.

Prize winners will receive exposure of their videos on United Way’s online channels; select winners will also gain exposure through the Viso Give Channel on YouTube – an initiative of Broadband TV – and the Vancouver International Film Festival, as part of the Reel Youth filmtour.

Videos will be uploaded to the www.caretochange.ca homepage for public voting to determine the Viewer’s Choice Award. Public online voting will take place in August 2011. In addition to the Viewer’s Choice Award, three top prizes will be awarded in each category (youth and adult) and will be determined by an expert judging panel, chaired by International Emmy award judge and FanTrust Entertainment Strategies President, Catherine Warren. In addition, a selection of special mention prizes will be awarded. Results will be released in September, 2011.

“Care to Change is a creative and relevant way for aspiring videographers to make digital shorts that make a difference,” said Catherine Warren, Care to Change Judging Panel Chair and UWLM Board Member. “Film makers will bring a fresh perspective and unique lens to United Way Focus areas – poverty, bullying, vulnerability and isolation. We want them to answer the question: What does one of these issues mean to me and how do I care to change it?”

“We’re excited about this project and the opportunity it brings us to engage caring people in a new way,” said Michael McKnight, President and CEO of United Way of the Lower Mainland. “I look forward seeing creative videos that will motivate people to change the way they think and care about others.”

United Way of the Lower Mainland leads social change in the Metro Vancouver region by understanding social issues through research and dialogue; bringing together partners and coordinating action; influencing public attitudes, systems and policy; measuring community change and evaluating investments. United Way supports vulnerable people and works to prevent social problems. United Way of the Lower Mainland and its partners are focused on helping seniors and helping children. The following organizations provided generous sponsorship support for the Care to Change Video Competition at the Supporting Level: The Beat 94.5FM, The Province and VISO Give.

For more information on the Care to Change Video Competition, visit: www.caretochange.ca

For more information on the United Way of the Lower Mainland, visit: www.uwlm.ca

Click here to view the full press release.

Canada Media Fund Invests $11.5 million in 36 New Interactive Projects

admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:27:53 +0000

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced an investment of $11.5 million in 36 new innovative interactive projects submitted in the second round of its Experimental Stream. The CMF offers financial assistance to support projects at various stages: production, development or marketing.

In production, the CMF is investing $8.6 million in 17 new projects: 8 games, 4 websites, 4 mobile applications and 1 software application. Six of these projects are in English, 3 are French and 8 are bilingual. The average commitment to each project is $509,000. Two projects are being carried out in British Columbia, 1 in Manitoba, 6 in Ontario and 8 in Quebec.

In development, the CMF is investing $1.9 million in 13 projects. The average amount offered for each project is $150,000. For marketing assistance, the CMF is investing $960,000 in 6 projects, with an average contribution of $160,000.

“We’re proud to be able to announce our participation in funding these projects. The wealth of content and technological innovation demonstrated in the selected projects is truly remarkable”, said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the CMF. “The new approaches found to engage with users truly enrich the quality of our project portfolio. It’s a statement to the creativity and vitality of the Canadian interactive digital media industry.”

Production projects were assessed by a jury of Canadian and international industry experts, including FanTrust Entertainment Strategies president Catherine Warren, who also served as the jury chair for it inaugural competition.

Since the creation of its Experimental Stream in 2010, the Canada Media Fund has invested $27 million in 81 innovative interactive projects.

Click here for the list of winners and here for the full CMF press release.

New Funding for BC Digital Media

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:32:12 +0000

British Columbia Film has just launched a one-year pilot program to provide film and television production companies with financing for a wide range of interactive digital media projects.

Winning projects will get up to $25,000 and companies do not need to provide or source additional funds. Proposals that include “expert consultants” will have winning edge!

To discuss how BC Film Digital Readiness Program consultants at FanTrust can work with your company to build digital expertise, strategic partnerships, original content and active fans, please contact FanTrust President Catherine Warren, cath[at]fantrust.com; 604-724-4609.

Applicants must submit on a tight deadline by March 14, 2011.

Click here for the BC Film funding details and application form.

Value to Valuation: How Fans Can Help You Boost Worth

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:25:36 +0000

Everybody loves a fan! But what price love? As social networks and other tracking let you put a price on the head of each fan, soon your valuation will rise or fall based on your fan base.

Sure, fans can be evangelists for your brand, your distribution channel or your content. Fans can friend you on Facebook, critique you on Twitter and mash up your stuff all over YouTube. Fans can help you with your core business, secure second season pick-ups or boost international television sales. Fans can also inspire you take your entertainment business in new digital directions: onto apps and consoles, social networks and social games. Next up: fans will stand up and count for investors.

Soon, fans will be part of your business valuation, M+A strategies and financings. Here are some reasons why, based on some trends FanTrust tracks:

The average value of a fan is as high as $136 bucks, based on product spending, brand loyalty and willingness to recommend.

Fans are more likely to remember brand messaging than other audiences, a powerful reason to build a fanbase as part of any campaign. This is especially true when it comes to mobile fans, according to big brands like Marks & Spencer.

Facebook fans of big brands like Starbucks and McDonalds spend twice as much as other customers.

The estimated value of Starbucks’ Facebook Audience: $1.8 Billion.

The right number of fans can not only help you to secure deals with brands, broadcasters and distributors, but increasingly fans are part of the investment mix. Producers raising money to finance media properties need more than just great content for the right demographic, they need a baked in fan-base or at the very least accurate projections about audience reach.

For the past ten years FanTrust has seen lots of business models (and many strange bedfellows) — but only recently an increased attention to audiences, and fans in particular.

We’ve witnessed and advanced this steady rise in both television and new media companies valuing their fans, fan relationships and fan communities.

This is an important development in an entertainment industry where audiences have traditionally been seen as amorphous blobs, like ratings or bums on seats. Valuing fans will bring media rights holders, brands and investors closer together, speaking a common language and putting the committed consumer first.

Next time on the FanTrust blog, FanTrust’s top tips for connecting content creators with distributors and brands.

Global TV features “Media Innovator Catherine Warren”

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:39:21 +0000

At the nexus of entertainment, business and physics, FanTrust president Catherine Warren talks about how a foundation in science prepared her for a career of risk-taking and entrepreneurship in the high-stakes world of digital media.

For the full profile click here.

Thanks to FanTrust clients Image Media Farm, which provided Global TV with its studios as the location for this shoot, and to eOne for supplying the slick Twilight trailer.

New Funding Aims to Stimulate Media Development; BC Film to Provide Critical Matching Money

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:35:18 +0000

Changes to BC Film’s Project Development Fund and the Digital Media Development Fund now provide increased support to BC film, television and digital content production companies.

In a recent exchange with FanTrust, BC Film’s Robert Wong, Vice President, Tax Credits and Development revealed the thinking behind plans to further support the digital media industry with this funding roll-out.

“Our intent is to make it easier for producers to access funding in order to put themselves in a better position to leverage funding from other sources, including the Canadian Media Fund and Bell Broadcast & New Media Fund” Wong said.

The main difference between previous and current funding terms: BC Film is now matching 100 per cent of the triggering agent’s development funding up to $10,000 for one-offs and $20,000 for episodic projects.

“Before it was 50 per cent up to those maximums,” Wong said. “We are now matching 100 per cent of the triggering agent’s funding on digital projects up to $10,000,” he added.

BC Film has also opened up the program to projects that have applied to the Canadian Media Fund under the convergent stream.

“These funds can be spent on additional development activities for the project over and above the original budget,” Wong said. “Digital media project in any phase of production can now apply, not just projects in development or in the alpha or beta testing stage.”

The impetus for these changes came directly out of BC Film’s discussions with broadcasters, bringing BC Film’s programs in line with the needs of the industry. These changes also address the need in the community for seed money for digital projects, Wong concluded.

According the BC Film website, a summary of the changes include:

Project Development Fund

- BC Film will increase its maximum contribution to 100% of the triggering agent’s commitment.

- Projects which have a triggering broadcaster AND have or will receive a commitment from Canada Media Fund’s Development Convergent Stream may now be eligible to apply to the Project Development Fund. Funds can be used for additional development activities for the project, over and above the original budget, including digital media activities.

Digital Media Development Fund

- For projects with a direct market trigger, BC Film will increase its maximum contribution to 100% of the triggering agent’s commitment.

- For projects receiving support through the Slate Development Fund or Project Development Fund, BC Film will increase its maximum contribution to $10,000.

- Digital media projects in any phase of the production cycle can now apply. For example, projects that secure production financing from Bell New Media Fund or Canada Media Fund are now eligible to apply.

Read the full announcement at the BC Film website here.

Rose d’Or Festival Taps FanTrust President to Judge Prestigious Awards at 50th Anniversary Trophy Event

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:02:31 +0000

LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND, September 7, 2010 – The Rose d’Or held annually in Lucerne has named Catherine Warren as a Festival final juror for its 50th anniversary celebration of excellence in entertainment across all screens.

With more than 40 countries participating, the Rose d’Or Festival is among the most important networking events for the onscreen entertainment industry, attracting leading global executives as a forum for discussion, debate and behind-the-scenes deal-making.

“The Rose d’Or rewards creativity and originality in entertainment and is a coveted recognition of excellence among television professionals and, more recently, new media executives,” said FanTrust Entertainment Strategies President Catherine Warren. “I am honoured to serve on the winner’s round jury for this milestone anniversary year.”

FanTrust President Warren will judge the categories Multi Platform and Children & Youth. Additionally, Warren will join all jurors to determine the winners of the Social Award and the Best of 2010 special prize.

This year’s Festival also features Game World Playground, a platform for TV producers and game developers to explore strategic partnerships, supported in part by Apple. “Savvy entertainment executives want to meet their fans across all platforms, from TV sets to smartphones and iPads,” noted Warren. “The best deal-making takes place at the convergence of media, where innovators from traditional and interactive formats come together to create something groundbreaking for audiences.”

The 50th Rose D’Or Festival takes place September 18-22, 2010, culminating with the Awards Ceremony on the 22nd at the Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne.

About the Rose d’Or – Festival and Awards

The Rose d’Or is one of the most important annual events in the international television industry. It was founded in Montreux in 1961 and has been held in Lucerne since 2004. With over 40 countries taking part, the Rose d’Or attracts leading television makers, producers and production companies, and executives from independent and public service broadcasters. Since its creation, it has been a networking platform for the onscreen entertainment community, and a meeting place to discuss ideas and formats. The festival culminates in a Gala Awards Ceremony, at which prestigious Golden Roses for the best television entertainment programmes of the year are awarded. Throughout its 50 year history, the festival’s goal has been to reward originality, quality and creativity in entertainment programming, and to encourage excellence in television and new media.

Twitter: @FanTrust, @theRosedor

For media inquiries, please contact:

Travis Dudfield
FanTrust Entertainment Strategies
travis@fantrust.com
+1 604-340-6337