Since the mid-September announcement of the upcoming Annual South African / Hollywood MediaXchange, to be held in Los Angeles from 4 to 9 November, three places remain available for participation in the Program which provides unprecedented access to the global industry’s key decision makers.
During an intense week of strategic introductions, the South African Delegation will engage with Hollywood’s top-level executives in Development, Production, Co-Production, Finance and Acquisition at the major Film and Television Studios, Networks, Cable Broadcasters, and Indie Production Companies. The local delegation will include media professionals in production, finance and facilities, in the South African entertainment industry, together with high-ranking Government and Government Agency officials whose portfolios include Funding Incentives, Co-Production, and Industry Development.
Since the Program commenced in 1998 it has grown to become a well-known facility in the Hollywood community for personal introduction TO the South African entertainment industry.
The 2011 Program yielded significant production business for the local industry via Film Afrika’s introduction to Starz Entertainment – a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider in the U.S. The eight-episode first season of the Channel’s pirate Adventure series, Black Sails – which will be shot in South Africa over 16 weeks – is executive produced by the high profile Hollywood director/producer Michael Bay (the Transformers franchise).
“We are delighted to have been awarded this production, and it is further proof of South Africa’s international reputation of outstanding production skill and expertise,’ says Film Afrika producer, Vlokkie Gordon. “A production of this scope provides not only employment for South Africans, but also skills transfer which is in line with Film Afrika’s policy of supporting growth and development of the South African film and television industry.’
The Program is produced by the LA/London-based MediaXchange headed by Katrina Wood, in association with Dezi Rorich’s niche marketing company Metal Moon in South Africa. Since originating South Africa’s first-ever International Film & Television Conference in 1995, Wood and Rorich have partnered to produce regular tailor-made exchanges between South Africa and the entertainment industry in international territories.
Rorich believes that there are a number of reasons that make this strategy advantageous. “The material value of this Program is that it is “custom-created. In a generic campaign meetings can be comparatively “ad hoc’ – in an overcrowded and competitive environment such as the film festivals, markets and trade dvents. Additionally, over the past 20 years the MediaXchange has grown to become a familiar and credible brand in the somewhat discerning Hollywood community. Adding to this, it is easier for the Hosts to free up time in their schedules when engaged in their own environment.’
Among the high-profile executives the organisers will be approaching include producers, distributors, financers or broadcasters involved in such productions as Wedding Date, Black Swan, Prime Suspect, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, Dexter, Modern Family, Glee, The Hangover, and the Twilight Saga
Rorich avers: “The participation of the Department of Trade & Industry (the dti) and industry organisations such as the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) over the past few years has added considerable value to the Program set up to raise our industry’s profile in “the world’s entertainment capital’ – a very competitive market to penetrate.
“The meetings provide direct interface in the boardrooms of the US host companies where the visiting delegates establish, reliably and first-hand, the immediate requirements of foreign markets.
Conversely, the SA delegates provide factual information about production expertise and facilities, Financial Production Incentives and Co-Production structures. The presence of dti and NFVF officials has been powerful and manifest proof of government’s support of the local industry and, any budget-saving advantages significantly heighten the appeal to do business with us. Furthermore, a strategic approach – such a group visit presents – helps us to gain an advantage in the mature and developed markets of the US.”
In addition to procuring production business for South Africa, an important goal is to open up relevant dialogue to generate joint business ventures (such as co- productions, distribution channels). In addition, it provides possibility for the local industry to expand its international reach by plotting as well as the opportunity to identify how to best position projects to attract U.S interest.
A Finance Forum “What’s the Deal’ will enhance the Program of the 2012 Exchange. The panellists will be high-level entertainment and finance executives who will share their knowledge and discuss the impact of the global economy on the industry, emerging trends in deal structuring, revenue generation through new distribution avenues, in addition to many other factors affecting film financing today.
To participate and learn more about the Program and Fees please contact: DEZI RORICH in South Africa + 27 82 578 1456 metalmoon@ion.co.za
