GENR8 2024 Wrap – Yesterday, Screen Producers Australia (SPA) hosted GENR8 2024, an immersive one-day ideas forum and networking event that welcomed both in-person and virtual attendees. The event showcased 23 leading industry specialists from diverse fields who convened in Melbourne to share insights and explore hot topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) in storytelling, the creator economy, narrative freedom in game development, and so much more.
Over 160 delegates and speakers came together in-person and online to engage and learn from a program curated for curious minds, with expert speakers willing to share invaluable insights, fresh perspectives, and unconventional ideas geared towards the progression of Australia’s screen sector.
The day kicked off with a buzzy in-person Media Super Networking Hour. The event allowed delegates the chance to connect with like-minded industry professionals, established and emerging, and discuss careers, ideas, projects, industry trends, and the program for the day ahead.
The first session of the day was Getting in bed with AI: Empower Your Creative Process, which saw a keynote from Jessie Hughes, Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo.AI which was recently acquired by Australian company and global graphic design powerhouse CANVA.
Jessie’s keynote highlighted how screen professionals can keep the artist central to their creative work.
She tackled how to address attitudes and opinions about AI, using real-world business and application examples to shift the conversation from mere possibilities to practical techniques.
Following Jessie’s keynote, delegates enjoyed five more inspiring sessions that looked at topical issues including the ability to retain audiences through IP across multiple formats and a lively and sometimes heated AI discussion was open to all perspectives in a unique open floor style forum.
Experts also explored how and why creatives are bypassing traditional commissioning deals, the legalities of utilising new technologies in production, and the wealth of opportunity available to producers through game development.
Delegates heard valuable points of view from experts across tech and screen including Ben Armstrong, CEO & Head of Gaming at First Nations creative and social enterprise Awesome Black, Deirdre Brennan, CEO at Screen Australia, Jason Goldberg, Head of Global Film at Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Alex Proyas, renowned Australian director, writer and producer, Jake Strasser, Co-founder and Developer at House House, and Virginia Whitwell, Head of Production, Partner, and Producer at GoodThing Productions to name a few.
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said,
“GENR8 is all about seizing as much knowledge and control as we can about our individual and collective creative and business futures. It is a runway for the new participants, leadership and ideas in our screen industry. We all know that change in our sector is happening at an exponentially fast rate and understanding and successfully navigating the experiences and insights shared today will enrich our craft and help to thoughtfully evolve our industry forward.”
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, 21 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 39, along with the career-changing opportunity to secure an AUD $20,000 Screen Placement domestically or internationally, supported by Screen Australia.
Attendees were also encouraged to look out for a SCREEN FOREVER 39 session idea call out from Monday, 19 August. More details on SCREEN FOREVER 39 to be announced later in the year.
Media Release – Screen Producers Australia
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GENR8 2024 Wrap
