ADG - Australian Directors Guild

2009 ADG Conference

RATES, RIGHTS & REVENUE

The legal and business side of directing and building sustainable careers for directors is the focus for our industry conference on Monday July 27 in Melbourne.

Looking at key factors affecting directors in the current and changing landscape, RATES, RIGHTS & REVENUE is a one-day 'intensive' staged for the first time in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival.

"As screen content platforms evolve, directors need to understand a range of changing contractual obligations," ADG President Ray Argall said.

"It's also vital to be on top of the industry's creative and economic landscape – particularly in areas such as income rates, creative rights and profit share," he said.

The ADG annual conference has been brought forward in 2009 to tie in with MIFF's own industry programs 37º South Market and Accelerator.

Sessions bring producers, lawyers and screen agents together with directors to explore directors' rights, industrial practice and revenue streams in both an international and local context. There is also an entertaining Hypothetical forum on negotiating the new ADG director's contract (yes entertaining!) and a launch of the GRASS website (Getting Real About Sustainable Screens) which underscores a session about making industry practice more environmentally sustainable.

A special section of the conference also provides delegates the opportunity to participate in a range of 90 minute workshops, on funding pathways, media and communication skills and financial considerations in digital space.

Presenters at the conference include: Greg Duffy (Frankel Lawyers), Bryce Menzies (Marshalls & Dent), Nadia Tass, David Caesar, Peter Andrikidis, Catriona McKenzie, Sally Ingleton, Vincent Sheehan (Porchlight Films), Michael McMahon (Big & Little Films), Sally Ingleton (360 Degree Film), Raena Lea-Shanon (Frankel Lawyers), Richard Harris (CEO SAFC), Jane Cameron (Cameron Creswell Agency) Jennifer Wilson (The Project Factory) and Scott Morris (APRA AMCOS)

We are also privileged to be joined by special guest Neil Haggquist from Canada, a labour relations specialist with over 25 years experience working with unions, employers and government in film related matters. Neil has worked with the Directors Guild of Canada and was the chief negotiator for Canadian directors in establishing the first reciprocal agreement between the Directors Guild of Canada and the Directors Guild of America.

RIGHTS, RATES & REVENUE: don’t let your career pass you by

The Conference is available to ADG members as well as non-members.
As well as directors, the conference is aimed at producers, agents, IP and entertainment lawyers, financiers and academics.