The Children's Media Conference

Guest Blog: When Kids Shine, So Will Our Future

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:22:00 +0000

In this first of our regular series of guest blogs, Kate Henderson describes a UNESCO event which inspired her.

If you have information, insights, inspiration or issues you want to air, let greg@thechildrensmediaconference.com know.

On 8^th February UNESCO held the award ceremony of their Children’s Eco Picture Diary Global Contest in Paris.

This contest, conducted in association with Panasonic Kids School, promotes awareness of ecological issues such as recycling and energy conservation through creativity and play. Children from around the world kept picture diaries of their eco-friendly activities and those with the best diaries were invited to Paris to collect their awards and take part in special events around the city.

The judges included soprano Sarah Brightman, who was appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace on the same day and actress Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy).

The Grand Prix Diary Prize went to Jeamyma Pazsa Natasuarna (pictured) from Indonesia. Her diary was full of colourful drawings about ways she helps the environment.

As part of the Panasonic Kids School the children visited World Heritage sites with 3D video cameras and recorded reports for Kids Witness News. Their inspiring reports were screened in Paris. The children said “the whole world should be a heritage site” and that it is “our treasure”.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO spoke passionately to the children explaining, “as an individual we can make a change, but together we can change the world”. She said that “every child who had created a project was an ambassador for peace and that they should continue to dream bigger”.

I couldn’t help thinking what great animated shorts the children’s drawings would make and how inspiring their images and words are for children’s films and other media.

You can find more information on Kids Witness News and Eco Picture Diaries here: http://pks.panasonic.co.jp/global/index.html

Speakers Go BAA

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:50:34 +0000

The CMC British Animation Afternoon is just one month away and speakers have been announced.

15 March 2012
1 Victoria Street Conference Centre, London SW1
Tickets on sale now

It’s the must-attend event for everyone in animation – producers, designers, animators, writers, distributors and students – this afternoon of insights will give the lowdown on possible futures for animation funding and distribution “beyond the broadcaster”.

Confirmed speakers include:
Orion Ross (VP Original Series, Disney Channel & Disney XD, EMEA at The Walt Disney Company) with a keynote overview of working pan-platform to maximize the potential of your brand
Plus:
Andrew Baker (Rights.tv)
Sarah Baynes (The Creative Garden)
David Curry (LeSinge Media)
Dan Efergan (Aardman Digital)
Gina Fegan (Screen & Digital Media Specialist, UK Trade & Investment)
Ed Galton (Cake Entertainment)
Marc Goodchild (IpDipSkyBlue.tv)
Oli Hyatt (BlueZoo and Animation UK campaign)
Helen McAleer (Walker Books)
Greg McLeod (Brothers McLeod)
Juliet Tzabar (PlugIn Media)
Maurice Wheeler (DoCo)
Karl Woolley (Impossible Kids)
And more to be announced…

It’s the usual CMC line-up of the very best experts in the field of digital exploitation, who’ll explore new ways to market, and the opportunities, challenges and pitfalls along the way.

Our thanks to UKTI for their support in providing the state-of-the-art 1 VS Conference Centre, which is just a short walk away from the British Animation Awards, taking place on the South Bank that same evening. If you’re coming to town for the BAAs – don’t miss the chance for some extra networking and fantastic advice from our expert guests.

It’s everything you need, in one place, and in one convenient package. And all for just £55 + VAT (including lunch on arrival).

Book now at: http://cmcanimationafternoon.eventbrite.co.uk

Spot the Deliberate Mistake

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:45:23 +0000

OK – who spotted it?

In the last newsletter we said that the dates for the Children’s Media Conference this year were in February. That might stretch even our organisational powers. The real dates are of course 4th – 6th July 2012 and we’ll be back in Sheffield with more venues, more space and more content than ever. Tickets for the annual conference will be on sale very soon with an early-bird deal not to be missed.

Incidentally, congratulations to Joe McCulloch at BBC Children’s who was the first to spot the error, closely followed by Sirkka Moeller from Germany and long-time CMC supporter Rachel Murrell. They’re getting free Pizza Express tickets for CMC 2012 – our generosity knows no bounds!

Peppa Gets Animated in Exeter

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Our chums at BAFTA are putting on a great event at the Animated Exeter Festival.

It’s a family-friendly look behind the scenes at animation house Astley Baker Davies who produce the BAFTA award winning Peppa Pig. Producer Phil Davies will be in conversation with CMC regular contributor, Helen Brunsdon about Peppa and ABD’s latest series Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.

The event is on February 17th from 2 – 3.30 pm and it includes a previously unseen episode of the phenomenally successful series. Tickets can be booked through the Exeter Phoenix. BAFTA has a limited number of free tickets for BAFTA Members - please RSVP toregions@bafta.org, stating your membership number.

More information.

UK@KidScreen Delegation Make an Impact in New York

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:40:34 +0000

CMC, in association with The Creative Garden, organised the official UK delegation to the KidScreen Summit last week.

The delegation comprised 33 people representing 28 companies. They all received significant discount on their KidScreen tickets, and the benefit of dedicated meeting tables, an exclusive breakfast briefing to kick start the week (with an amazing array of US and Canadian kids executives explaining the way the market works across the pond) and a glittering reception at the UK Consul General’s residence in Manhattan (where the Queen and the Princes stay when they’re in town).

All-in-all the delegation seems to have been a success. Thanks to Impossible Kids for their sponsorship of the two great events and to UK Trade and Investment for their support throughout.

KidScreen is as much a market as it is a conference. Delegation participants reported strong interest in their ideas and projects and if the number of meetings at the UK tables was any indication of potential success – then there should be some business results.

Congratulations to delegation members David Johnson (Famous Flying Films) and Ian Mackinnon (Mackinnon and Saunders) whose project Calamity Island featured in the prestigious pitching competition, and to Dominic Minns and CMC Advisory Committee member Juliet Tzabar (PlugIn Media) whose website for Octonauts won a KidScreen Award. Meanwhile Anne Brogan (Kindle Entertainment) walked away with 4 Awards for the CBBCLeonardo series!

Outside the delegation, Aardman Animations, Lion TV and Cartoon Network Europe also won awards – not a bad haul for the Brits in a worldwide field!

Other delegates at KidScreen showed strong interest in the CMC thanks to the great promotional work being done by UK delegation members and our tireless Advisory Committee at the Summit – so we can expect more international guests in Sheffield in the summer, adding to the creative and business potential the Conference offers.

The UK@Kidscren delegation profiles can be seen here.

Sponsorship Opportunities in 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:39:36 +0000

The CMC depends upon industry sponsorship at all levels to support the unique experiences we offer. Currently we are seeking a sponsor for the BAA animation afternoon in London, and then there’s the main Conference in the summer.

Last year 44 sponsoring organisations provided the backbone funding for the event and we need that support more than ever. The opportunities are wide and they put you right in front of not only the 800+ attendees we expect in Sheffield, but also on all our online and print publicity throughout the year.

In the past we’ve had support from all the major broadcasters, production, distribution, interactive and publishing companies and many medium-sized and smaller organisations get involved too.

The menu of sponsorship options is available now from Alison Warner, our Sponsorship Co-ordinator. There’s something in it for everyone – but get in touch quickly as some of the best options get snapped up early!

Contact: sponsor@thechildrensmediaconference.com

Content and Commitment

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:37:57 +0000

The editorial content for the July Conference is under construction – and you can be part of this.

We are still looking for session ideas – topics you think will excite and interest the delegates to CMC in July – they can be anything from a suggestion for a Creative Masterclass, to a debate on kids’ media policy. The Conference theme is“Ahead of the Game” so concepts around that broad tent-pole would be very welcome.

Do you have a burning issue? Do you know stuff that you feel should be shared? Do you have you experience of an innovative approach, new methodology or focus on the future of kids and content that deserves wider understanding? Then CMC is the perfect opportunity to spread the learning and you can save yourself the cost of a registration if you offer to produce the session.

We’re also looking for volunteer session producers who are open to new ideas and ready to have a topic allocated by the editorial team.

To propose a topic – simply write a couple of paragraphs about it, including which parts of the CMC audience would benefit from it, and what the take-away might be. To propose yourself, send your CV.

Contact: greg@thechildrensmediaconference.com

Best Value for Kidscreen

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:58:06 +0000

The last three places in the official UK@Kidscreen delegation are up for grabs.

To register for this great deal go to: http://kidscreen2012fullfee.eventbrite.co.uk

The cost is £975 + VAT (£110 less than the current Kidscreen ticket price).

For that you get not only full registration at Kidscreen, but also a package of extra benefits:

- Inclusion in the official UK@Kidscreen website

- Access to dedicated bookable meeting tables in the Kidscreen Delegate Lounge

- Invitation to a Breakfast Briefing on the US and Canadian kids’ media scenes

- Invitation to an evening reception at which you’ll be able to meet key commissioners, buyers and producers

- The services of two media consultants throughout the entire event

UK@Kidscreen is organized by The Children’s Media Conference in association with The Creative Garden . The delegation is supported by UK Trade and Investment.

Special Events for UK@Kidscreen Delegation

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:52:00 +0000

By joining the UK@Kidscreen Delegation you will receive an invitation to both these exclusive events:

Breakfast Briefing – Tuesday 7 February at The British Consulate-General, NYC

With the help of our friends at BAFTA New York, Linda Kahn, (Linda Kahn Media and formerly Scholastic and Nickelodeon USA) will host a discussion on the latest trends, needs and challenges in the US and Canadian markets. Speakers include:

- Kim Wilson (CBC Canada)

- Andrea Sporer (Scholastic)

- Douglas Shwalb (Classic Media)

- JJ Ahearn (Licensing Street)

- Debbie Back (ex Nat. Geo and Nickelodeon)

The Breakfast Briefing is sponsored by Impossible Kids.

Networking Reception - Wednesday 8 February at The Consul General’s Residence, NYC

Impossible Kids are also sponsoring the UK@Kidscreen Evening Reception, designed to provide maximum networking opportunities in a smart setting. We’ve secured the Consul General’s Residence, with its Manhattan skyline views, and we’ll be inviting all the key commissioners, buyers, co-production executives and producers attending Kidscreen. This is an exclusive benefit for delegation members only.

CMC Goes BAA...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:47:17 +0000

At a British Animation Afternoon – save the date!

15 March 2012

1 Victoria Street Conference Centre, London

Tickets on sale in two weeks time.

If you’re in animation production, distribution or commissioning, here’s a date for your diary.

On March 15th 2012 the CMC will be producing an afternoon of seminars and workshops exploring the best routes into the animation market in the changing world of kids and TV. With case studies on innovative approaches (creative and commercial) and expert advice on rights exploitation, negotiation and business management in the digital space, this will be a potential game-changer for anyone engaged in animation.

With support from UKTI, we’ve taken space at the 1 Victoria Street Conference Centre (just across the road from Westminster Abbey). So at the end of a full afternoon of facts, insights and networking, it’ll just be a short walk across the river to the British Animation Awards (BAA) which take place at the BFI Southbank that evening.

The Hunt is on…

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:43:00 +0000

For topics and session ideas for this summer’s CMC.

Send your ideas to greg@thechildrensmediaconference.com

The CMC Advisory Committee is currently hard at work looking at theme and content. They come up with the ideas for sessions, workshops and masterclasses, but so do you. What makes the Conference unique is the fact that the content comes directly from the interests of people “on the ground” in all parts of the kids media industries. If you have a topic you feel should be covered, describe it in a paragraph or two and send it to Greg.

And for volunteer session-producers for this summer’s CMC.

If you feel you’d like to be involved send along a CV to:greg@thechildrensmediaconference.com.

Session producers are the people who pull together the ideas, formats, speakers and editorial focus for each session at the CMC, and they drive the hour or 90 minutes through to completion at the event.

You can offer a session idea, or you can simply volunteer your expertise and time to produce a session from the range of ideas on offer.

A couple of weeks before Christmas, last year’s session producers came together to let us know how the CMC went from their point of view. They were unanimous on two points: session producing takes time and dedication; but it’s enormously satisfying to produce something which informs and enlightens the industry – and the networking is good too!

UK@Kidscreen - Best Way to Get to NYC in Feb.

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:47:07 +0000

There are still a few places left on the UK@Kidscreen Delegation to the Kidscreen Summit in New York (Feb 7-10, 2012).

But you need to hurry - by registering with us by this Friday 9 December you will get the additional benefit of being listed in the delegation advertisement in Kidscreen Magazine.

Kidscreen ticket price alone is now £1020 and rising. As a member of the delegation you get the Kidscreen ticket plus a set of added benefits - so with all the extras this is a great deal!

If you’re a first-timer this is the best way to navigate Kidscreen - with personal support all the way. If you’re a regular, the general delegation benefits provide huge advantages. You get access to meeting tables in the busy delegate lounge, a Breakfast Briefing with market specialists from the USA, and an Evening Reception, with invitees including commissioners, buyers, interactive commissioners and key producers from North America and other territories.

The Reception gives you easy access to key players, in the exclusive setting of the Consul’s Residence, overlooking the Manhattan skyline. (It’s where the Queen stays….)

All this and personal advice and support during the event from representatives of UKTI New York, the CMC and our organisational partner, The Creative Garden.

It’s got to be the best bargain on Broadway this winter!

Call for Entries - Prix Jeunesse - deadline Dec 12th

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:37:25 +0000

PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL 2012

1 – 6 June in Munich, Germany

Enter Your Best Children’s and Youth TV Programmes!

Deadline coming up soon: 12 December 2011

The world’s leading festival for children’s and youth television invites you to enter your best productions! Broadcasters as well as production companies are eligible to enter programmes into the competition.

2012 Festival Theme: Watch Learn and Grow with Children’s TV

Children are learning all the time – and constantly when watching TV! What does that mean for quality in children’s TV, and how can we support children in their curiousity on life? Learn more on this topic at the upcoming PRIX JEUNESSE INTERNATIONAL, via info sessions and guessing games.

Entries do not have to be connected to the festival theme!

Please check our website for contest rules and registration forms:

www.prixjeunesse.de

See you in Munich!

Peabody Awards - Call for Entries

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:50:00 +0000

The Peabodys are prestigious US-based awards for news, documentary etc. They recognise distinguished achievement and public service by television and radio stations, broadcast and cable networks, producing organisations, individuals and the Internet. They have children’s (2 - 11) and youth (12 - 17) categories. TV, radio and interactive are eligible, and broadcasters or producers can submit entries. Deadline for entries for programmes/projects in the last calendar year, is13th January.

For more inf and the entry form: http://www.peabody.uga.edu/entries/important_dates.php

London Screenwriters' Festival

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:47:43 +0100

CMC has negotiated a discount for London Screenwriters’ Festival http://bit.ly/d4R5S7 Oct 28-30. It’s £66 off the £300 price. Disney and Pixar writer David Reynolds, whose credits include Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 and The Emperor’s New Groove is going to be running a session or two. To secure the discount contact Janice at groupsales@londonswf.com and quote CMC11 as your discount code.

Arab Awakenings

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:05:00 +0100

blogged by Delyth Thomas.

Moderator:

Naomi Sakr, Professor of Media Policy (CAMRI), University of Westminister

Speakers

Dr. Naif A. Al-Mutawa, CEO, Teshkeel Media Group

Nia Ceidiog, Managing Director/Producer, CEIDIOG, Cyf

Firdaus Kharas, Chairman, Chocolate Moose Media

Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, Managing Director / Creative Director, Dana Production Company

Howard Myers, Joint Managing Director, Rival Media

Theresa Reed, 3Line Media

Produced by:

Jeanette Steemers, Professor of Media and Communications, , (CAMRI) University of Westminste

Friday morning and there are some fairy bleary eyed delegates hitting the caffeine in the Showroom café, but by 9.30am the cinema is filling up and there’s a gentle buzz about this session, and a very strict, highly entertaining floor manager ensuring the panel stick to their allotted time slots…

There’s a significant expansion of children’s channels across the Arab world, and therefore a need for a huge amount of content. Some of this is home grown, some co-pros and others from international companies making material in Arabic. The first speaker Dr Naif Al-Mutawa (speaking on video) and creator of “The 99” – an animated series about superheroes drawn from Islamic culture.

He articulated his belief that with no licensing laws and little funding, to create a viable marketable Arabic product, it’s better ‘go into the Arab world and pull out global issues - i.e. to be international.’

However Firdaus Kharas, exec producer on Al Jazeera’s first ever home-grown pre-school animation - versioned in 90 languages , sold to150 countries, with 1 billion viewers - disproves Dr Al-Mutawa’s theory somewhat. Likewise the Jordanian Dana Production company is making hugely successful content for Arabic channels.

The two British exports, both preschool animations, approach their co-pros slightly differently. Nia Ceidiog, creator of Baas (a family of animated sheep), the second series of which was commissioned by Al Jazeera and S4C , made the series in Wales, whereas Theresa Reed of 3 Line Media, did the re-versioning of Driver Dan Story Train In Abu Dhabi – using local talent, and local kids for the live action element of the programme. Some of the animation needed re-versioning to account both for physical cultural differences, right to left page turns for example, and general cultural differences – probably adding another 10% to the budget.

When working in Arabic there’s also the linguistic issue to consider given it’s a hugely diverse market. Al Jazeera uses a classical Arabic that’s not always understood by pre-schoolers who mainly speak in their own dialect. Imagine Shakespeare reading Jackanory to a 3 year old….!

Howard Myers uses linguistic differences to great advantage in his adventure reality show ‘Power Struggle’ – made and shot entirely in Arabic for the Arabic market. Kids come from all over the Arab world to be on the show, speaking in their own dialects and having to learn to understand each other - the presenter speaks in classical Arabic.

Whichever way you look at this though, universally kids are kids no matter what language or culture.

Imagine the Future of Learning

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:56:35 +0100

Can you imagine the future of learning? http://innov8.pearson.com.

Innov8 is an open innovation competition, sponsored by Pearson, for learners, educators, games and app developers, innovators and anyone with a vision for how technology can open up new opportunities for learning. if you have a great idea for a learning application and want to win up to £6,000 to see your idea come alive then innov8 is for you.

Pulse Films student talent search competition

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:51:53 +0100

Production company, Pulse Films are running a talent search competition for student film-makers http://bit.ly/pBsfnw

If you’re a student in Film Making or Animation and either coming up to the final year of a B.A. or diploma, or a postgraduate student, they want to hear from you. They’re particularly keen to hear from film makers with a great sense of how to use music with moving images.

Deadline is 12th August - so get moving! All the info is at: http://bit.ly/pBsfnw

Conference Wrap

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:22:00 +0100

Sanjay d’Humières chokes back a tear in the final moments of CMC 2011.

The Conference wrap was the time where all good things had to come to an end. Anna Home, Chair of the Conference, took the opportunity to say a few words and extend her thanks to all those who made this year’s Children’s Media Conference possible.

There was however, one final piece of good news with the announcement by Anna that the lobby group Save Kids’ TV (created at the Showcomotion children’s media conference 5 years ago) had been given a new lease of life by merging with the Children’s Film and Television Foundation to create a new entity to be called The Children’s Media Foundation (CMF). Not only will CMF carry on its lobbying work in the field of television but will now have a view on all media used by children, and all the issues surrounding that media.

The new organisation will act as a focus for advocacy around children;s media issues, will monitor the quality of content, help to stimulate, and disseminate academic research, and offer the press, public and politicians a measured view of children’s media rather than the sensationalist view so often reported now. It will also act as Secretariat to the recently formed All-Party Parliamentary Group on Children’s Media and the Arts, bringing information and insight on kids and media into the heart of the legislature. And finally Anna said that the Foundation is now looking for supporters and patrons.

The founding members of the new Children’s Media Foundation board will be Anne Home who will be the Chair, Greg Childs, CMC Editorial Director, Linda James outgoing CFTF Chair, and Nigel Pickard a member of the SKTV Executive.

Finally, the CMC’s volunteering team presented their short film capturing some of the key moments of the last three days and “thinking differently” from several delegates.

Anna closed the Conference with the hope that everyone would return next year for more insights, debate and collaborative learning.

Interactive networking with BBC Children's

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:57:00 +0100

3rd Aug. Evening event. Interactive aspirants should get over to Bridge House at Media City Salford to meet CBBC and CBeebies Interactive managers and discover the opportunities of working there.

BBC hiring managers are holding an Open Evening for interested and experienced interactive people at ALL levels.

1830 - 2030 3rd August, BBC Bridge House, Media City Salford.

For more information download the BBC PDF