Doc Summit Agenda Setting Soiree

1. Doc Summit Agenda Setting Soiree Hot Docs 2013

2. We heard you say this: • Just breaking in... there is so much financial uncertainty in the sector, that it is very, extra tough to be “emerging”. • Dwindling opportunities to produce one-off documentaries for TV - Discourages broadcasters from taking risks, and limits access to predominantly TV-triggered production funding sources for producers. • Historic era of audience-led choice among an expanding proliferation of entertainment options; challenge to make sure our content is "discovered" and to create ways to retain an audience's engagement. • Pressure and lack of training to make interactive work and regular docs. • The industry itself is struggling.  Specialty channels can run programs like ""Ice Highways" as a "history" program and run them infinite number of times.  No incentive to create original genre specific programming.

3. If things were different – we heard you say it would look more like this: • Doc companies springing up, existing companies producing more and better works, and not having to do as much lifestyle/commercial/reality programming to fund doc work. • A plethora of content allowing the broadcasters to select projects that will improve the level of Canadian content and finally rival the US. • 30% Increase in commissioned Canadian documentaries. • More players participating in the process with fresh ideas. • Avibrant Canadian media sector that is not dependent on a government funding lifeline. We need to be bold and innovative and entrepreneurial in how we create, market and distribute our stories. If we can do that, we can hit far above our weight class.

4. Doc Summit Agenda Setting Soiree Goals • Goal: • Leave the evening with a prioritized list of topics for the Doc Summit. • Goal: • Identify or have folks self-nominate the session production process of these 3 topics • Goal: • Listen to each other! • Goal:Leave informed, aware, and hopeful with the knowledge of one next step that will bring improvement to our industry. • …and have fun! ;)

5. 3 TOPICS to Explore for the DOC SUMMIT • I know that there are opportunities in New Media but where is the Audience for Interactive docs? • The Funding Conundrum: Funding one-off docs is more difficult then ever. There are fewer slots and less money from broadcasters coupled with funds that require a broadcaster trigger. • The perception that the industry as a whole is in poor health, in terms of:the diversity, originality, and quality in documentaries produced,the competitiveness of Canadian projects in the international market, andthe industry being dominated by a few voices and players. Is this true?

6. I know that there are opportunities in New Media but where is the Audience for Interactive docs?

7. The Funding Conundrum: Funding one-off docs is more difficult then ever. There are fewer slots and less money from broadcasters coupled with funds that require a broadcaster trigger.

8. The perception that the industry as a whole is in poor health, in terms of:the diversity, originality, and quality in documentaries produced,the competitiveness of Canadian projects in the international market, andthe industry being dominated by a few voices and players. Is this true?