CONFERENCE THEME: Regeneration
“Emerging from the grasp of the pandemic, we face a world of turmoil and distress. In the course of two days of debates and speeches with participants from around the globe, we examine how the world of film and television reacts to such turbulent times and how writers, and their guilds, find ways to adapt and thrive.”
CONFERENCE MODERATOR: Søren Frellesen (Denmark) will guide us through both conference days.
Welcome Event (drinks and film screening), October 4 2022 at 19.30 at the DANISH FILM INSTITUTE (DFI), Gothersgade 55, DK 1123 Copenhagen K.
The organizing committee of the World Conference would like to invite all guests from around the world to an informal opening event with drinks and film screening.
The welcome evening offers a variety of different choices: an opportunity to have a drink before two packed days of panels and keynotes, a world premiere of a new Danish comedy, a cosy space to begin conversations, and a meeting point to regroup before exploring central Copenhagen.
THE EVENING PROGRAM:
From 19:30 Entrance and drinks at Restaurant SULT
20:30 Welcome speech by Claus Ladegaard, CEO, DFI and interview with Jakob Wies, Writer of Fathers and Mothers.
21:00 World premiere of Fathers and Mothers.*
22:30 End of day!
*Please be aware, we have limited room in the movie theatre for the screening. Seats will be distributed first come, first serve.
Program Day One – Wednesday, October 5 2022
Trends and Developments
Changes to the program may occur
09.00:00 to 10:00 – REGISTRATION & COFFEE
10:20 –
Keynote Speech by
Sarah Phelps (UK)
10:45 to 11:00 – BREAK
11:00 – Panel: Public Service Broadcasting in a Streaming Age
As democracy is under threat, the importance of public service is emphasized. Public service broadcasters have played an essential role in the development of local production, creative talent, and international successes. Today, legacy broadcasters around the world are struggling to reinvent themselves and make local, quality drama to compete with the offerings of high-budget SVODs. We take a closer look at how streaming has affected the creative legacy of public service broadcasting and what the future holds.
11:45 – Panel: Work That Travels
With the widespread rise of streaming, we see a renewed focus on local stories going global in their original form as well as remakes. We look into the pros and cons – whether we’re seeing a strengthening of local narratives or a decline in originality as everybody tries to aim for the broadest possible market. And if your work travels, how do you ensure it travels well, creatively and financially?
12:45 – LUNCH
14:00 – Panel: The New Position of the Writer
Has the overall status of writers improved as more become Executive Producers and Showrunners as well? We talk to a panel of showrunners and writers about the position of the writer in the 2020’s, the skills and training required for these senior roles, how different guilds have developed the position and title for writers, and the challenges that come with increased responsibility.
15:00 – Interview: Writing in Conflict
Interview with Larysa Martseva (Ukraine).
Interviewer: Michael Winship (USA)
15:45 to 16:00 – BREAK
16:00 – Panel: The Role of Streamers: Opportunities and Dangers
Streamers are changing our market, our craft, our narratives, and our working conditions. Among the opportunities for writers: more work; a key role in the creative process; high-quality narratives. Among the dangers are: uniformization of narrative and format; opaque algorithmic decision-making and limits to freedom of speech. What are we gaining and losing and how can this group of international writers, and guilds, maximize the opportunities and minimize the dangers?
17:00 – Panel: A Room of One’s Own? What Will It Take For Female Voices to Be Heard.
Did #MeToo result in any improvements to women’s experiences in writing rooms, development processes and pitch meetings? Does the male gaze still dominate decision making, character and plot development? What additional strategies are needed for women writers to control their own narrative. We dive into a discussion about global gains for women and the challenges still to surmount.
18:00 SOCIAL EVENT – DRINKS
Have a drink and a chat before you leave DR Koncerthuset. Further program for the evening is up to you. Hope you will enjoy Copenhagen by yourself or with colleagues.
CONFERENCE THEME: Regeneration
“Emerging from the grasp of the pandemic, we face a world of turmoil and distress. In the course of two days of debates and speeches with participants from around the globe, we examine how the world of film and television reacts to such turbulent times and how writers, and their guilds, find ways to adapt and thrive.”
Program Day Two – Thursday, October 6 2022
Emerging Stronger
Changes to the program may occur
09:00 to 10:00 – ARRIVAL & COFFEE
10:00 – Panel: Writing for Cinema in a Streaming World
Repeated lockdowns and straight-to-streaming blockbusters have changed the rules for cinema. How does the a panel of writers from around the globe view this change and where do they think the feature film is heading?
11:00 to 11:15 – BREAK
11:15 – Panel: Fighting For Our Rights and Livelihoods
A panel of writers from around the world discuss their guild involvement, including on negotiating teams, what their current priorities are, and why they exchange valuable writing time for participating in the fight for solidarity, equity and inclusion.
12:15 – Panel: Buyouts and Bonuses – We’re not Buying in
What is fair and proportional remuneration? What does “work made for hire” mean in relation to authorship and copyright? We look at different payment models under Guild agreements and ask leadership to suggest three important clauses for inclusion in first contracts that address money and beyond.
13:15 to 14:15 – LUNCH
14:45 – Breakout Sessions – Choose between two sessions:
Studio 2: Panel: Catching the Youth
When some broadcasters realized they lost a generation of viewers to YouTube, they turned their efforts to winning them back with a focus on innovative storytelling and series for young adults.
Studio 3: Panel: Now What? The European Copyright Directive
All EU members should have transposed the key elements of the directive into national law by October 2022. With a focus on streaming, FSE Executive Officer, David Kavanagh, and representatives from Germany, France, and Denmark take us through the key elements of remuneration, transparency, and the opportunities and challenges ahead.
16:00 to 16:15 BREAK
16:15 – Panel: Seizing the Levers of Power
WGA East Executive Director, Lowell Peterson, closes the conference with an examination of our collective power: its foundation in an engaged membership and sources beyond collective agreements. He is joined by other Guild leaders to discuss inspiring real-world examples: The WGA’s “fire your agent” campaign; the addition of streamers to Canada’s Broadcasting Act; and New Zealand’s coalition of workers in film and television who captured the attention of a new Prime Minister to gain collective bargaining rights.
CLOSING PARTY at Restaurant Gorilla
Join us for an informal evening and party at Restaurant Gorilla, Flæsketorvet 63, Kødbyen, DK 1711 Copenhagen V.
THE EVENING PROGRAM
From 17:30 Drinks and arrival
19:30 Welcome and informal dinner
22:00 More Drinks, DJ and dance floor
01:00 End of night!
Please remember to sign up for this event during registration.