Today's panels were all TV related (http://www.viff.org/forum/index.htm) and for all of them I was inside shepherding people to their seats and then passing the mike for Q&A. So, basically I got a day-pass. First off, I am constantly astounded by the rudeness of people and how they barge their way into things and cause a disturbance when presenters are speaking (one woman even answered and talked for a minute on her cell-phone) AND then expect these same presenters to spend their time after sessions listening to these people's pitches for some "original idea." A highlight was the presenters knocking down the idea that your idea is "original" and obviously "Big Hollywood" stole it from you. Get over it people, there are perhaps a limited number of ideas that will appeal to a niche or even broad audience, the talent lies all in how you present it and write the characters etc ... LOTS of debate over the Canada Television Fund changing its name and mandate to the Canadian Media Fund and will require all applicants to make their product available across AT LEAST two platforms (e.g. TV and mobile phone or TV and Web etc ...) Canada is apparently wanting to be the leader in this. Problem though, like the music industry, they haven't found a sustainable way to generate revenue. The most exciting panel for me was the one on digital media. It made me feel old and decidedly "un-hip" as they named off the huge huge HUGE web programs. It's all about the "millenials" (those born 1982-2001) who have had digital media in their life since it became widely available.
As well, it was awesome to see how many women were there in all fields (executives, producers, writers etc ...) inspiring to me coming from the publishing world where the majority of the big-wigs were old, white, straight men.
On another note, we made lasagna last night and it made for super yummy lunch today. I've almost got my whole VIFF planned out and there is just so much good-looking stuff to see. Especially interested in this ninja film called KAMUI which is described as the "best ninja movie ever made." Whoa, those are some big shoes to fill. There is another one called ANTICHRIST and LESLIE, MY NAME IS EVIL.
Going to some bake sale at goonies and to watch some film called EARTHLINGS. Then home to bed because I have a workshop tomorrow morning all day for my real job on narrative therapy.
