‘Animated Conversations’ to Look Forward to at 2019 Children’s Media Conference
The annual Children’s Media Conference packs a lot into the three days in occupies in early July; it takes places from Tuesday 2nd – Thursday 4th July 2019. Whether you are an animator, writer, producer, director, performer, publisher, licensing agent, commissioner, or distributor; there is plenty to see and do (and people to meet) from all over the children’s media industry.
Animation has always been a staple of the CMC; with studios, creators and artists in attendance, producing events, and taking part in panels. This year the conference has identified a number of sessions and grouped them under the theme ‘Animated Conversations’. Of course, you will find a blend of animated discussions in most of the sessions, but if you work specifically in the animation industry – or perhaps you are a first timer – here are some sessions to particularly look out for…
Animated Conversations at CMC
1. Animation Skills Fund – Use it or Lose it!
Thursday 4th July – 2pm
ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council have announced the re-launch of the Animation Skills Fund. The Animation Skills Fund is a voluntary fund that individual animation companies pay into to invest in the future of the industry; and is working to address the skills issue though all career stages.
Join a panel of senior animation industry and education figures – Tom Box (Blue Zoo), Adam Jackson-Nocher (Lupus Films), Kate O’Connor (Animation UK), Helen Piercy (Norwich University of the Arts), Sarah Tanner (Jellyfish Pictures), Grace Hebditch (Blue Zoo) – to further the conversation about how this fund can be best used to develop UK talent and the future of animation.
Read more about this session >
2. Pushing the Pre-School Envelope
Wednesday 3rd July – 2pm
This session, sponsored by Channel 5’s Milkshake, explores how producers and broadcasters are pushing the boundaries to create new and engaging pre-school content, and make sure that it has an audience.
How do you best situate your pre-school show on social? How do you really enrol parent and child? How do you know which platform is best? How good is good enough when it comes to animation quality. And what are the right kind of messages for the merchandise purchaser? During this 60-minute packed session, these questions will be tackled, and give you the insight to move your pre-school property forward.
Read more about this session >
3. Creative Masterclass: Clangers and Paddington
Wednesday 3rd July – 5pm
Come and listen to the creative producers and visionaries behind the animation comebacks of ‘The Clangers’ and ‘Paddington’. Find out what inspired them to return to these children’s classics over forty years after their first appearance, and how they set about refreshing and re-creating them.
Read more about this session >
4. Successful Pitches – The Secret History
Thursday 4th July – 9:40am
What are the secrets of a successful pitch and how do you increase your odds of getting your series/idea commissioned?
Learn from the masters on a panel that will cover real inside stories on how they successfully pitched their ideas to channels and publishers. Join Mellie Buse (Adastra) on selling Grandpa in My Pocket, Caryl Hart on pitching her stories and getting them published, and Chris Dicker (Jam Media), on the Becca’s Bunch story; for an hour you don’t want to miss.
Read more about this session >
5. The Art of Voice & Song
Thursday 4th July – 11:10am
What makes a great character voice? What makes a truly “sticky” song that fast becomes an earworm? What happens around the microphone when your cast is set and the script is locked?
Getting the music and voice performances right for your audience is a vital part of production. Join BAFTA-nominated composers Ellie Wyatt & Joss Peach for their top tips and advice for writing songs to a brief, plus globally renowned voice actor Marc Silk for his unique insight and as many impersonations he can fit into the running time!
Read more about this session >
6. Delivery Demands
Wednesday 3rd July – 5:10pm
Technical standards and delivery demands have increased dramatically over recent years. Due to decreased timelines, the increase in production costs, and proliferation of delivery formats, the final output quality can be affected. In this session Beano, KidsCave, Soho Square Studios, and Pixelogic discuss the challenges and changes they have to make to fulfil new requirements.
Read more about this session >
There’s much more…
To view all the sessions head to the full CMC timetable and start planning your week. Alternatively, CMC produces a helpful app, which is free on iOS orAndroid. The app allows you to view the daily sessions, create your own timetable, and connect with other delegates – everything you need for a successful conference.
Passes are still available for the CMC and prices range from £280 (self-funded rate), £390 (membership of supporting organisation rate), and £510 (full corporate rate). (These prices exclude VAT). So start packing and we look forward to seeing you in Sheffield!