As Variety exclusively announced, French media executive Romain Besci, who was appointed CEO of the alliance of independent production companies known as Creatives, said Tuesday that the group is in a difficult situation. He said he is looking to not only remain competitive but also seek funding. As the market continues to grow, its scope continues to expand.
“We need to invest in our people and development. In order to grow faster and become stronger, we need to invest in several things,” Bessi told an industry audience at the MIA Market in Rome. Ta. “To do that, we need partners. We don’t want to sell our creatives. We want to find partners to help us reach new levels.”
The Creatives was founded in 2021 as a long-term partnership between member companies to build co-productions, launch strategic joint ventures, share information and connect networks.
The decision to hire Mr. Bessi, who played a key role in building France’s Newen Studios and Studio Canal into international powerhouses, comes as the group’s company responds to increasingly difficult market conditions for independent producers. It was born out of a common desire to formalize the movement.
“There was pressure from all of us to take the next step and think about how we could work together more formally and how our companies could be more integrated,” said the British said producer Mike Goodridge of Good Chaos. I had an informal conversation with “Coffee Club” during the pandemic.
“Over the past two years, the market has become even more challenging,” Bessi said, adding to the shrinkage of global streaming platforms, the continued decline in linear advertising, declining viewership for traditional broadcasters, studios and He cited disruptions such as the consolidation of other media giants. .
“The overall market is still much larger than it was five or 10 years ago. It’s smaller than it was two years ago, but it’s much larger than it was in the past,” he continued. “And the market has become much more selective. (Commissioners) are spending less, but they’re spending that money on experienced producers who can deliver.
“[The Creatives]is a safe home for talent. It’s a safe partner for commissioners. The fact that they know each other and trust each other makes things so much easier. He will do it,” he said.
Sharing the stage with Goodridge and Bessi in Rome on Tuesday in a session moderated by Variety’s Nick Vivarelli was Lemming Film producer Leontijn Petit. Synnove Hørsdal from Maipo Film (Norway). Carol Scotta of Haut et Courtes (France). Roman Paul of Razor Film (Germany).
Other member companies of the group include Spiro (Israel), Unite (France), Masha (USA) and Komplizen Film (Germany).
Members of the group, which spans eight countries, have a total of approx. We have protested against 330 movies. Director Suri’s “Santosh” is a British entry in this year’s international feature film Oscar race. In television, he has produced more than 50 shows, including “The New Pope” and the Clive Owen crime drama “Monsieur Spade.”
Challenging market conditions are driving a wave of consolidation in the U.S. and abroad, but Haut & Cote’s Scotta said member companies are steadfastly resisting offers from deep-pocketed media companies. “Most of us have been approached by investor groups, and…we needed to find a way to remain independent that suits the way we work and the DNA we all share. ” she said.
Bessi described the Creatives partnership as a “very unique situation.”
“They form a group of producers that are owned by producers. It’s not owned by a television network. It’s not owned by an equity investor. It’s owned by the producers, so it’s a different mindset.” he said.
With partners in Europe’s three strongest markets, the UK, France and Germany, access to top talent and decades of co-producing experience, the Alliance is positioned for the long term.
“When[The Creatives]was founded…platforms were just kind of infiltrating Europe, buying up all the talent, buying up all the production companies. How can we come together and counter that? “I was trying to think of something,” Goodridge said.
“The attacks by the platform didn’t really work. They scaled back a little bit. But our alliance has gotten stronger because it’s really tough outside. The independent film situation is horribly tough these days. And Of course, television is in a global recession. Everyone is telling us to survive until 25, but we are fighting it together.”
Paul from Razor Film echoed that sentiment.
“Together we are stronger,” he said. “We don’t really believe in competition, because it makes our lives more miserable and actually smaller. By working together, we empower each other. And , with this business model that we’re working in, it’s also a form of self-development.”
Photo: Romain Bessi (left) and Leontine Petit
