Quentin Tarantino to give Cannes masterclass

Quentin Tarantino is to give a masterclass at Cannes this year. The maker of "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill" is following in the footsteps of Martin Scorsese, Stephen Frears and Sydney Pollack by taking to the stage to talk about film-making. As anyone that watches YouTube knows, Mr T can be outspoken and passionate. So this should be a stimulating event.

This is not the first time Tarantino has spoken at Cannes, as he took to the stage of the open-air cinema a few years back to introduce some classics films.

The Cannes festival and Film Market will be held May 14-25.

McGuinness and that Midem speech

The ripples made by U2 manager Paul McGuinness when he called on the Internet providers to share some of the monumental profits he claims are being made on the back of cretive people (notably musicians, although movie makers will soon feel the pinch as well) have travelled the world. The speech's title was clear: "The Online Bonanza: Who Is Making The Money And Why Aren't They Sharing It?" The background is falling music revenue of between 10-17% per year. At the same time, ISPs are openly using the downloading of music as a feature in their ads. So McGuinness wants them to start sharing the profits.

One of the ideas has been a sort of levy on Internet subscriptions. This has met with some resistance, despite the fact that people have accepted levies on blank tapes, CDs and even video recorders in previous years. I pay authors' rights on my cable subscription. Putting one of an ISP is not such a big jump.

Talking to a movie director recently, I said that some people were complaining that as they didn't download music, they shouldn't be asked to pay more for Internet subscriptions. His reply: "That reminds me of the people that say, 'I don't drive at night, why should I have to pay for street lighting?'".

Former Pink Floyd manager calls for new music business approach

On the eve of Midem former Pink Floyd, Marc Bolan and Baaba Maal manager Peter Jenner has called for a new approach to the music business. On the MidemNet blog, Jenner explained the changes that the industry is going through as a move towards "a mass of international niche markets, rather than a world of national mass markets". He called on all the various players (such as labels, managers, publishers and broadband companies) to put aside their differences. "The historical antipathy and baggage that all the sectors carry around with them, combined with their desire to protect their existing businesses, has had the affect of completely frustrating anyone in the new digital distribution business trying to build a new 21st century business legally," he says. This was clear 10 years ago already when the first Internet players began approaching the music business and were largely rebuffed. Mobile companies also spent a lot of time and energy trying to find ways of working with the business, expressing considerable frustration when the tricky issue of rights was raised. Yet these same issues are still largely unresolved, as the regional pricing structures on iTunes demonstrate.

Jenner's solution is not a new one, but is becoming increasingly likely. Given that there is a very definite swing away from paying directly for music, whether it be for downloads or CDs, Jenner echoes many industry insiders in calling for "a solution based on actual consumer behaviour... one that allows access to music in a way that addresses how people engage with music today. A seemingly reasonable solution looks to be a system where each customer with a broadband subscription... would pay a small monthly fee to compensate creators and rights-holders for any unauthorised use of music that might occur via their subscription." He suggests about £2/€2.67 a month. I think the way he puts it as compensation rather than acquisition is wrong, but it is probably the most feasible solution on the table today. One of the unsung heroes of downloading, eMusic.com, is a subscription service, for example.

For the complete article, visit Midemnet Blog.

Tony Visconti and Laurence Bell to keynote talent event at Midem

Midem has decided to showcase even more new talent this year through the Talent Only event. Laurence Bell, head of Domino Records, which signed hit bands such as Franz Ferdinand and the Arctic Monkeys, and Tony Visconti, famed producer of acts including David Bowie, T-Rex and Les Rita Mitsuoko, will be the headline attractions at MIDEM Talent Only during a keynote event on 29 January.

“Thanks to an unrivalled eye for talent spotting, Laurence Bell has succeeded in creating one of the best and most respected independent labels,” said Dominique Leguern, Director of MIDEM. “Tony Visconti has become a legend since producing some of the most emblematic albums of the glam-rock period including those of David Bowie and Marc Bolan. Tony Visconti and Laurence Bell, together for a keynote as part of the MIDEM Talent Only, will be a highpoint for all industry executives concerned with the discovery and development of talent.”

Rupert Murdoch to address Cannes Lions

With a portfolio that goes from the New York Post to MySpace, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has managed to maintain a leading role in media across many platforms. The ad agency Young & Rubicam has invited Murdoch to address the Cannes Lions, most likely on how the media industry is changing and in particular the rise of new media.

U2 manager to keynote at Midem

In case you haven't noticed, Midem is just a few weeks away. And the latest news is that Paul McGuinness will be giving the keynote address at the first-ever International Manager Summit. Not only has U2 spanned 20 years of success, they have also embraced the new media, kept up as a live act and are still very relevant in today's scene. so to a certain degree, they are doing everything right. This will make McGuinness' address quite interesting for the many people that are asking just how to survive in the new music business landscape. For details, visit Midem.com.

Cannes Lions: Converging branding and direct marketing

Award-winning Richard Rosen will discuss his method of converging branding and direct marketing at the 54th International Advertising Festival in Cannes from June 17. “The essential link between marketing and branding is uppermost in everyone’s minds now,” said Alastair Tempest, director general of the Federation of European Direct and Interactive Marketing (FEDMA). “This seminar will be the keynote within the direct marketing segment."

Rosen’s presentation is titled, "Everyone is talking about the need to bring brand and direct together, but no one is offering the ‘how’, until now". “We’re all in the same boat, trying to drive acquisition and build customer loyalty faster with fewer resources,” Rosen explained. “Europe has had tremendous success with direct marketing and many are actively trying to integrate brand and direct. I’m having a great time helping them finesse the process and improve their financial results.”

Bono, Depeche Mode rumoured to appear at Ian Curtis film party

It's a rumour, OK? So take it for what it is. Bono and members of both New Order and Depeche Mode will most likely attend the party for the premiere of the film "Control", based on the life of the late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis who killed himself at the age of only 23.

"Control" is based on the book "Touching From a Distance" by Curtis' wife Deborah Curtis, with a screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh. Noted rock photographer Anton Corbijn directed the movie, which explains the connection with Bono and Depeche Mode. Inevitably, there is talk of someone getting on stage to play a song or two. But who? "Control" is opening the Director's Fortnight.

Winners of the 4th Pan-African film festival in Cannes

The jury of the Fourth Edition of the Cannes Pan African Film Festival, presided by Mrs. Pascale OBOLO, made the following awards:

• The DIKALO award for best feature film to Sergio Bianchi for his film "What is it worth ?"(Brazil)

• The Pan African Award for the best feature (jury creation) to Sol de Carvalho for "Le jardin d’un autre home [An other man’s garden]" (Mozambique)
• The DIKALO award for the best short film: ex aequo

Gérard Essomba : "L’enfant peau rouge [The Redskin Child " (Cameroun)

Tami Ravid : "Samual"( Holland)

• The Special Jury Award : to Cécile Vernant’s work "Il était une fois...Sasha et Désiré [Once upon a time ... Sacha and Désiré]" (France)

• The DIKALO award for the best documentary to Kal Touré for "Victimes de nos richesses : pays pillés...[Victimes of our riches: pillaged countries]" (Mali)

• The Special Award for the Best Actor to Mugisha Feruzi for his performance in Nicole Parker’s film "The Plague(USA)

The 2007 edition will be remembered for the quality of the films presented. The festival organiser, Basile Ngangue Ebelle (pictured right with Cecile Vernant), was awarded a Médaille de Verneil by the French Academy of Arts, Science & Letters for his work just prior to the festival.

Canada dominates interactive Emmies at MIPTV

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced the winners for the International Interactive Emmy® Awards, organized for the second year in a row at MIPTV in Cannes, France in partnership with Reed MIDEM and hosted by actor Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives, The Producers).

Canada led the evening with Zimmer Twins and ReGenesis Extended Reality Game in a tie for the Interactive Program category and BITE Television winning the Interactive Channel category, while the Interactive TV Service category went to the UK’s BBCi.

The Pioneer Prize was presented to BSkyB, for their innovative contributions to the field of interactive television and accepted by Sophie Turner-Laing (photo), Managing Director, Sky Entertainment.

The black-tie ceremony was attended by over 250 international executives from the television, broadband and mobile industries including sponsors: AETN, Deutsche Telekom, Intent Mediaworks, MPS Broadband, Nokia and Sky.

The 35th International Emmy Awards Gala will be held in New York, November 19, 2007.

2007 INTERNATIONAL INTERACTIVE EMMY® AWARD WINNERS

INTERACTIVE PROGRAM

ReGenesis Extended
Reality Game
Xenophile Media
Canada

Zimmer Twins
Lost the Plot Productions/
Zinc Roe Design
Canada

INTERACTIVE CHANNEL

BITE Television
BITE Television
Canada

INTERACTIVE TV SERVICE

BBCi
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
United Kingdom

Cannes festival archives now online

The Festival de Cannes has just unveiled a video archive of the first 60 years in time for this year's festivities, Tales of a Festival. The site features extensive archives going back to 1946 in French (mostly) and English. The material was made available from France's Institut National de l'Audiovisuel (INA) and CANAL+. Needless to say, some of this material is priceless, with interviews of Hitchcok, countless people mounting the red carpet and celebrities such as Maurice Chevalier, Picasso and George Simenon. In 1968, the festival was expecting 5 000 people and so hired a total of 8 hostesses to deal with the rush. That year, they showed 29 features and 11 short films! When you think that there are something like 100 000 people in Cannes during the festival these days, you get an idea of how the event has changed.

"Tales of a Festival" also allows you to upload videos. Let us know if you do so. This is definitely the site of the month. Check it out at Tales of a Festival.

Anna Nicole Smith comedy to screen at Cannes

In terms of the art of cinema, it's not the biggest news. But you can safely expect plenty of headlines on this one. Anna Nicole Smith, the society girl that married an aging billionaire and inherited his fortune, starred in a comedy called "Illegal Aliens" before herself recently dying under mysterious circumstances. The fortune now falls to her infant daughter, and a number of men have come forward to claim paternity. The tabloids have also been pillorying her co-star Chyna Lauer for trying to "cash in" on the publicity when she was interviewed on Larry King. This slightly sordid affair has backfired on the movie, which has had to deal with a variety of legal issues before it is even finished post-production. But it will be screening out of competition at Cannes. It's one of those sad cases where the people involved in a movie are causing more interest than the movie itself. Shame.

Source: Hollywood Today

Al-Jazeera chief to talk at MIPDOC

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the MIPDOC fair (April 14-15) will feature a keynote speech from Al Jazeera’s director general, Wadah Khanfar. He will be talking about their decision to launch a documentary channel covering current affairs, social issues, culture, art and religion. This follows the launch of the English version of their news channel.

Other highlights of MIPDOC this year will be a showcase of recent Italian production and conferences covering online distribution, a pitching session and the International Trailblazers.

Cannes Lions open for entries

The annual advertising fair, Cannes Lions (17-23 June 2007), is now open for entries. There are 10 sections in all, with different cut-off dates:

Entry deadlines:
Press Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Outdoor Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Film Lions Entries: 9 March 2007
Radio Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Direct Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Promo Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Media Lions Entries: 16 March 2007
Cyber Lions Entries: 23 March 2007
Titanium and Integrated Lions Entries: 23 March 2007

In related news, it has also been announced that one of Brazil's most respected communications professionals, Geraldo Rocha Azevedo, has been appointed as the 2007 Promo Lions Jury President. For full details, visit Cannes Lions.

Montreux Jazz boss is Midem's Personality of the Year

For the outside world, Midem is most often associated with the global pop business. So it's nice to see that this year's personality of the year is Claude Nobs, founder and director of the Montreux Jazz festival in Switzerland.

Nobs began his career as an accountant for the Montreux Office de Tourisme where he also worked on promoting tourism for the town. In the ‘60s, during a trip to New York, he met Nesuhi Ertegun, who was the President of Atlantic Records at that time. Ertegun introduced him to the singer Roberta Flack, whom he immediately invited to perform at the Rose d’Or in Montreux.

Having successfully persuaded Aretha Franklin to sing for the first time in Europe, Claude Nobs founded the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967. The initial three-day event was an overnight hit and quickly became the international meeting place for jazz-lovers from around the world. It now welcomes some 250,000 people per year - an outstanding figure. The next event will be in July 2007. Details on the Montreux Jazz site.

Not everything at Montreux is strictly jazz - by a long shot. But it does nonetheless remain the pre-eminent world jazz event. Nobs will receive the award at a special invitation-only event.

Time Warner CEO Dick Parsons is MIPCOM Personality of the Year

This year's MIPCOM Personality of the Year is industry heavyweight Richard D. Parsons, CEO and Chairman of Time Warner. Parsons is credited with turning Time Warner's results around, overseeing the success of New Line Cinema, AOL, Warner Brothers and other divisions. “In an ever-evolving world defined by constant technological and demographic change, Time Warner - with its long tradition of innovation and creativity - continues to shape not only our industry, but the culture we live in," said Reed Midem boss Paul Zilk. Parsons himself declared: "This award is a testament to the more than 85,000 Time Warner employees who are the creative source for all that we do. I dedicate it to them and to the hundreds of millions of people around the world who continue to inspire us to provide the best in entertainment and information in these rapidly changing times.”

Parsons will receive the award at a gala evening on October 11 at MIPCOM in Cannes, France.

Backtrack

Creator of Goldorak and Power Rangers to be honoured at MIPTV

Originally posted on March 13, 2006. The Japanese company TOEI, known for its successes with the Power Rangers and Goldorak, is to receive a lifetime achievement award at MIPTV in Cannes. TOEI has been active for 50 years already. Most recently, it has produced award-winning features such as the second world war drama "Yamato" that won a prize at Cannes 2005.

Although the MIPTV awards usually go to individuals, "TOEI executives were very insistent that their success has been a collective effort and that the award should go to the whole TOEI team, rather than any one individual,” commented Paul Johnson, Director of the Television Division, Reed MIDEM.

MIPTV will be held in Cannes between April 3 and 7. Details at MIPTV.com.

Harvey Goldsmith to address Live Music Network

Originally posted Dec. 2, 2005. For the second consecutive year, the Live Music Network at Midem will bring together professionals from the live music sector for a series of discussions. Two panels will focus on world-wide touring and the exposure of artists and repertoire within the major world markets. The day will kick-off with two keynotes: Harvey Goldsmith (photo), Managing Director of Harvey Goldsmith Productions Ltd (UK), and Kevin Wall, CEO of Network Live and Executive TV Producer for Live 8 (USA).

Goldsmith and Wall’s careers include the production of the Live 8 concerts on 2 July 2005. The global event succeeded in bringing massive public attention to the G8 summit and triggered a strong response from the international community to help alleviate poverty and famine in Africa. Participants at MIDEM’s Live Music Network will have the opportunity to not only share the challenges of organising such a huge event as Live 8, but also to appreciate how new technologies were used to amplify its political impact. Kevin Wall also founded the multi-platform, digital entertainment network, Network Live. The organisation is at the
forefront of new distribution channels for live music and a joint venture with the world’s largest Internet service provider AOL, major American satellite radio company XM Satellite Radio and leading events organisation AEG.