THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM:
I download illegal content.
The conversation about Australian film and television audiences, industries and screen agencies is stuck in a 1990’s paradigm of “us” versus “them” mentality to the detriment of everyone.
The Sydney Morning Herald article ‘Dr Who transports ABC to forefront of anti-piracy war’ published this week, is a classic example of the pirate / anti-pirate mentality that has the audience pegged as foot soldiers in a war with the networks and production houses. Let’s get one thing straight - It is not the responsibility of the audience to make content legally available, that is the job of the content makers and their gatekeepers. This should have been an opportunity to talk about maximizing viewership through the innovative iView platform allowing Australian audiences to participate in real time conversations with the rest of the world. Instead the debate has been framed in outdated terms.
As Nick Bolton reported in the New York Times
“the most downloaded television shows on the Pirate Bay are the ones that are not legally available online.” The article goes on to spell out the inverse relationship between legal availability of material online and copyright infringement. People who download content are audiences first and “pirates” second, as a direct result of access issues. If they choose to profit from its production, it is the screen industry’s responsibility to supply content to keep up with demand. That’s capitalism right? The traditional model is clearly not working; 100 Million fewer movie tickets have been sold compared to 10 years ago according to Time magazine.
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Featured Items
Daily Updates
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Storm Surfers 3D
Following on from Metro Screen's recent DIY Distribution seminar we've got a great case study for you. Storm Surfers 3D built enormous interest amongst its core fan base (surfers!) by scheduling carefully located sell-out screenings over the past 6 weeks. Now, due to popular demand, the film goes to general release with the support of the exhibitors.
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Speed Networking Event
Over 230 people have already registered for what is set to be the largest Speed Networking event in Australia for film, tv and digital content makers. Its happening Friday 26 October as part of SPAA Fringe at the Cockatoo Island Film Festival.
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DIY Distribution
If you missed out on the sold out DIY Distribution event at Metro Screen, don’t fret you can watch the Q&A panel featuring John L Simpson of Titan View Media, Ahmend Salama the Creative Director of DLSHS and Nick Bolton moderated by special guest writer/director, Dean Francis.
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HIRE
Production Budgets Made Easy.
It is now easier than ever to plan your next production with Metro Screen. We now have one single price for all hire of equipment and facilities, as well as a new one page rate card to make it super to work out your production budgets.
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Crew Required for Baseheart
A team of award-winning filmmakers are looking for lighting crew to work on an upcoming short film by Xiaofu Wang. Professional experience preferred but NOT essential. Shoot dates are 2 weekends from 22nd of September to 7th October, though dates are yet to be finalised.
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Entries
Graphic Festival Animation Competition 2012
Sydney Opera House as part of Graphic Festival have organized a global Animation Competition open to illustrators, animators and storytellers of all levels, from established to up-and-coming. To enter, entrants need to create an original short animated film with a running time no longer than three minute. There are up to $20,000 worth of prizes up for grabs and the winner will have their animation screened before some of the graphic and animation worlds’ most famous and exciting print, pixel and pop storytellers.
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Events
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Giveaways
Beasts of the Southern Wild Giveaway
Discover the most magical film of the year! Beasts of the Southern Wild was the winner of the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, and the Grand Jury Prize [Dramatic] at Sundance. In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality.
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Congratulations
Money Tree at Colourfest Film Festival 2012
Funded by Metro Screen's First Break Program 2011, Money Tree is an animation about Solomon, a destitute African boy trapped in poverty and his dreams of becoming rich. One day while roaming the village market he finds a coin belonging to a female shopper. He decides against the easy option of purchasing food with the money because he cannot bear to part with the coin, and so seeks the advice of his older brother.
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