GENR8 2023 intrigues, inspires and offers opportunities – Screen Producers Australia (SPA) yesterday hosted GENR8 2023, a one-day ideas forum open to in-person and online delegates that saw 26 key industry experts from multiple disciplines gather in Melbourne to dissect hot topics, including virtual production, artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and share their experiences on embracing new opportunities in an ever-evolving screen industry.
The day kicked off with the Media Super Networking hour, where attendees had the opportunity to connect with established, emerging, and like-minded industry professionals. The networking event was a chance for attendees to discuss ideas, careers and what insights excited them most for the day ahead.
The first session of the day saw AWZA Founder Reggie Ba-Pe III and New Canvas CEO and Executive Producer Nathan Anderson perform an informative health check on last year’s tech trends looking at Web3, UEFN, AI animation, Vision Pro, Deepfakes, and the Metaverse.
The forum saw 160+ delegates and speakers come together in person and online to take advantage of a program curated for curious minds, with expert speakers willing to share invaluable insight, a wealth of learned experience, fresh perspectives, and unconventional ideas geared towards the progression of Australia’s screen sector.
We heard from a range of voices across tech and screen including RMIT’s Associate Dean of Artificial Intelligence Professor Fabio Zambetta, Matchbox Pictures’ Chief Operating Officer Matt Vitins, NantStudios Technical Producer, Virtual Production Sophie Taylor, Reuben Games Creative Producer and Writer Leena Van Deventer, and Madman Entertainment’s CEO and Founder Paul Wiegard to name a few.
Over six extensive sessions, attendees got taken on deep dives into emerging tech trends and revisited some trends that haven’t been as ground-breaking as predicted. Sessions also covered how utilising existing skills can open doors in niche markets and explored how producers are harnessing the tools of artificial intelligence in their daily practice to enhance business outcomes of their projects.
The day rounded out with SPA CEO Matthew Deaner encouraging dynamic producers working across all platforms and formats wanting to boost their career through mentorship and professional development to apply to SPA’s Ones To Watch Program before Wednesday, 23 August.
The program will run over six months, and those selected can look forward to industry profiling, 1-on-1 mentoring with a prolific Australian producer, exclusive access to a series of webinars and industry opportunities to develop their creative slate and business skills in the lead-up to SCREEN FOREVER 38, along with the career-changing opportunity to secure an AUD $20,000 Screen Internship domestically or internationally, supported by Screen Australia.
Attendees were also encouraged to look out for a SCREEN FOREVER 38 session idea call out from Monday, 21 August. More details on SCREEN FOREVER 38 to be announced in the coming months.
Media Release – Screen Producers Australia
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