Chief executive officer, Media Development Authority, Singapore; executive director, Latin Media Corporation
VAI: What new product will MDA be highlighting at MIPCOM?
Christopher Chia: We have a strong representation from Singapore companies in Animation and 3D stereoscopic content, in line with MDA’s theme for the market this year. Among the slew of TV and animation titles that our companies are bringing, are ZZZ-FORCE (a new 3D Stereoscopic animation TV series that is 100 percent Singapore-made and Singapore-owned); Mr Moon; Silly Bitty Bunny and Rob The Robot.
VAI: What new product will Latin Media be highlighting at MIPCOM?
Jose Escalante: We are bringing three new titles to MIPCOM: 100 hours of telenovela First Lady (Primera Dama), 100 hours of comedic telenovela The Taxi Driver (La Taxista) and 26 hours of drama Amibitions of Love (Pesona Kasih).
VAI: What territories will you be targeting?
CC: Our wide slate of programming reaches out to different territories around the world. Specifically, MDA will be targeting Europe and the North American markets for international distribution of our television shows made by Singapore’s production houses.
JE: We are concentrating on Eastern Europe and Asia for our finished programs, and Western Europe and Africa for Formats.
VAI: Does MDA have any special announcements, initiatives, or programs it is promoting at the market?
CC: MDA is leading a delegation of about 10 companies to MIPCOM 2010. At the 116 square meter Singapore Pavilion, buyers and distributors can look forward to a showcase of the best of Singapore’s 3D Stereoscopic capabilities.
On show will be 3D Stereoscopic animation, and live-action content with VFX from Vividthree, a pioneer in 3D since 2006; as well as the animated TV series ZZZ-Force, from Tiny Island Productions, which produces quality CG-animated content for global television and film.
Visitors to our booth can also take in the pomp and pageantry of Singapore’s National Day Parade 2010, captured in brilliant 3D Stereoscopic, as part of a 3D TV trial to bring 3D consumer applications, services and experiences into Singapore homes. Additionally, MDA also expects to release the results of successful applicants of the International Animation Fund, which was launched at MIPTV this year. As with previous MIPCOMS, we will be organizing a Singapore Party on Tuesday, October 5 from 6:30pm – 8:30p.m. The venue is La Mandala, Boulevard Croisette.
VAI: What do you see as Latin Media’s biggest challenge for the market?
JE: Local productions have slowed down due to the financial crisis; therefore, not many clients are acquiring formats to produce local dramas.
VAI: What buying trends do you predict for the market?
CC: As for buying trends at MIPCOM, we believe that buyers will be seeking series-based factual and factual lifestyle shows.
VAI: In your opinion, does MIPCOM have any value outside of finding buyers?
CC: As the government agency responsible for promoting Singapore’s media sector, MDA sees MIPCOM as an important market for our media companies to network and forge relationships with international partners, establish new co-production deals, and distribute their content.
This is also a good time to identify emerging trends and exploit new opportunities that could translate into longer-term advantage for Singapore in expanding our markets for Singapore-made content, aggressively identify projects that span the multi-platform franchise, as well as capacity building and capability development.
JE: MIPCOM is not only a place to find buyers, it is also a good place to discover trends in production/programming and technology, and a place to attend conferences and get information about the media. It’s also a place to discuss the future of the industry with colleagues. Of course, it is also a place to see our colleagues
