| The Meda Films Development Program |
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M.F.D. will offer selected candidates three eight-day production workshops per year, which will take place in Marrakech. During the three sessions, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a wealth of activities, adapted to their particular needs. They will have a chance to break their professional isolation through workshops conducted by experienced professionals, through discussions with selected speakers, and through film screenings followed by debates with professionals, which will help sharpen the participants’ critical analysis. Working languages will be French and English. Project support and training in all areas will be completed by coaches and international experts, mainly European. The main topics will be:Writing Producers and writers will work together on the narrative structures and techniques, but also on pitching techniques, synopsis writing techniques or breakdown techniques. At the end of the third session, the objective is for participants to have a version of the script sufficiently refined to maximize their chances of securing international funding. Legal Aspects Law and contracts are the cornerstone of film development. It is the first professional link between a producer and a writer. It is important for both to have a good understanding of these notions which will allow them to establish the rules of the game in their relationship, in respect of their own rights. The Role of the Producer Our ambition is to jointly address a series of issues related to film development to allow each target group to understand the “other party’s rationale. The role of the producer is often insufficiently known, including by those who may have the “calling.” It is not limited to financial aspects. The producer also needs to understand the creative and technical issues linked to a project. By understanding, we mean that s/he should be fully aware of all the stakes - artistic, financial, and strategic and be the main point of contact during the whole development, production and distribution process. The producer is often the person who follows the work from its initial idea through to its release in theaters. The Artistic Aspect The artistic aspect will become an essential element of judgment in the film development process. The workshop will address such issues as: when and how to think about casting during the writing process? When to start working on the music? How to reconcile the project’s artistic aspiration and economic feasibility? The Marketing/Communication Aspect Today, it is unthinkable to reach a general audience while ignoring modern communication techniques used to sell a film. Specific techniques exist, which are adapted to the industry. Even if writers and producers are not responsible for packaging a movie for marketing, it is essential that they be familiar with this aspect of the work, and that they understand who the different players are - agents, advertisers, publicists, advertisement firms, billboard companies, specialized agencies – and what they do. . If they are fully informed about all the importance of this work, it becomes possible to incorporate these different facets into the work from the start. The Distribution of Films This concern also applies to the distribution of films. It is critical that the target groups be receptive to experienced professionals’ suggestions, in order to fully understand the realities of the market. In the film business, contrary to the stage, where artists are in direct contact with their audience, distributors and theater owners have the direct contact with the audience, and they can serve as relays for the artists. For example, knowing that, due to the market structure, a certain category of films cannot attract more than a certain number of viewers, may be important for a writer to take into account upfront Similarly, the producer can take this into consideration to develop a realistic budget for the film. |
