Independent Producers' Organisation - Letter from the Chair
Posted on 22 January 2007 at 09h00
Dear Colleague,
As we enter 2007 I thought it would be a good to have a brief appraisal of IPO matters and where we (referring to both the industry and the Independent producers Organisation) are headed. Most of us are so busy getting through our workload, meeting delivery deadlines and generally busy running our own businesses that we seldom have a chance to put our collective experiences to use and to reflect on when and how we need to intervene/guide/manage the growing demands of our industry. Please take the time to read this brief letter to get up to date with what the IPO has been doing and most importantly why it is vital for the IPO to continue it’s work, for you to support it and for their to be a united voice representing the experienced sector of the producing community.
I am sure you are aware there is a new producer organisation, The Producer Alliance (TPA), actively engaging in industry matters and the IPO has been working with TPA to keep a consolidated and united producer front. I strongly believe that having both organisations operational is presently necessary in order to manage the diverse needs of our producing community. The IPO represents members of the producer sector that output probably 70% of the content currently produced in SA, which infers that IPO represents the interests of the bulk of the experienced and active producers. The needs of IPO members are different to that of debut and emerging producers and we aim in 2007 to focus on the core needs of our members and general well being and growth of the industry.
During 2006, the IPO represented the industry at meetings with the DTI, the NFVF, the IDC and the SABC. After several meetings to discuss and input into the Customised Sector Programme (CSP), a final meeting for the year was held with the Longform Task Team in December to discuss imminent amendments to the large budget production rebate, the introduction of a proposed new South African Feature Film & Documentary Incentive, and the introduction of BEE and skills transfer targets for the industry. The IPO/TPA Long-Form Task Team is currently drafting papers on these issues for feedback and discussion with IPO members. Keep your eye/ears open for communication soon from the Longform Task Team.
On the broadcast front, top of our agenda has been to re-look at producer rights with regards Intellectual Property. After ongoing discussions with the SABC, the IPO’s Broadcast Task Team participated in a high level SABC/IPO/TPA meeting to discuss IP and SABC /producer relations. Dali Mpofu, Solly Mokoetle and Mvuso Mbebe represented the SABC at this meeting which saw a concerted effort from all parties to seek a meaningful working relationship between the broadcaster and producers. Resulting from this meeting, the SABC committed to setting up a working task group together with IPO & TPA to interrogate the current IP landscape and to holding two formal ‘indabas’ this year to address IP/copyright issues. SABC will cover the costs of a legal support team involved in the process.
The SABC has also agreed to set up an additional task group with the TPA/IPO to work through other producer/SABC issues relating to budgets, etc. Mr Eddie Manzingana has been appointed as Industry Development Manager: Content Enterprises and is vigorously engaging with IPO/TPA to resolve many of the current issues facing producers regards commissioning and production.
After several meetings to discuss the way forward for the IPO and the TPA, the general consensus is that the two organisations have symbiotic and complimentary agendas but slightly different roles. The IPO was formed in 1996 to bring independent South African film and television producers together in order to support the continued growth of our industry and create a joint voice to input and intervene on issues that threaten this growth. It will continue to act in the interests of the whole industry and to proactively intervene where necessary, through its executive and sub-committees. The emphasis in 2007 will be on consolidating and strengthening existing activities and relationships, rather than on recruiting members.
A new executive for the IPO will be elected at the next AGM, due to be held at Sasani on 31 January. Some members of the exisiting exec have volunteered to serve for an additional term. A list of nominees and a call for new nominations will be sent out to you shortly. We hope to build a vibrant, committed executive team to tackle the challenges confronting the industry in 2007. We also need the experience, ideas and enthusiasm of an active membership in order to stand up strongly to government and broadcaster plans that do not represent the best interests of the industry.
It is not our intention to run an IPO that works as a networking organisation, but rather an organisation that caucuses ‘when neccesary’ with our skilled and experienced producer membership to input/intervene/guide on issues that affect our industry growth. In order to do this we run a very small and tight office with one administrator who will research, disseminate information, etc (and we are very pleased to introduce Melody Emmett who has taken over as administrator and is fantastically efficient and proactive) and try to keep costs as low as possible. But we need your commitment, support and membership fees please… to ensure that it keeps running. If you are asking why keep two organisations running? What do they do? Why do I need to stay a member?...etc. Then think of this. When driving your car you do not use the airbags, hazards, emergency hand-break, accelerator, etc all the time…but it is very good to know they are there when you need them. The IPO is a recognised and valuable voice and tool for the producer community.
Bon Voyage into 2007 and you will be hearing a lot more from the IPO office in months to come.
Kind regards
Desireé Markgraaff
IPO Chair 2006
IPO Exco: Moeletsi Mbeki (president), Desireé Markgraaff (chair), James Whitehouse (treasurer), Jeremy Nathan, Brigid Olin, Joel Phiri, Mfundi Vundla, David Wich
|
