2012 Networking events - get the diary out!

Check out our social events schedule – from swanky drinks to late night shenanigans there’s something for everyone and you’re guaranteed a good, if slightly exhausting, time.

All delegates are welcome!

THURSDAY 

 

DELOITTE NETWORKING DRINKS 
Time: 17:15-18:00
Venue: The Tinto

CHANNEL 4 OPENING NIGHT DRINKS RECEPTION 

Time: 19:30-21:30
Venue: National Museum of Scotland

Once again, we’re back in the Museum of Scotland for our opening reception. Mingle amongst the priceless relics as you catch up with old friends, unwind after an action-packed day at the festival with a drink, and sample the very finest canapés from Scotland’s world renowned culinary larder.

The Festival will be running shuttle coaches directly from the EICC entrance to the Museum for all delegates straight after the MacTaggart Lecture.

FRIDAY 

CCTV NETWORKING DRINKS
Time: 16:30-17:30
Venue: The Tinto

CCTV invite you to join them for drinks and one-to-one discussions on collaboration opportunities.

CHAMPAGNE AND CANAPES WITH SONY TELEVISION PICTURES
Time: 16:45-17:45
Venue: The Moorfoot & Kilsyth

Join SPT’s UK production companies to raise a glass and toast the Edinburgh International Television Festival. 

WATCH PRESENTS THE FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY
Time: 21:30-02:00
Venue: The George Hotel

Watch and MGEITF are celebrating the eve of the final day of the Edinburgh TV Festival with a night out of the ordinary. Join the party at The George Hotel on Friday 24 August for a truly mind bending experience where unexpected furniture and a giant motion mirror will test your senses.

SATURDAY

REST!

Pack painkillers. And Echinacea.  And energy supplements. And possibly even sun tan lotion! Fingers crossed.

Festival Team
 

Top tips for festival first timers

With this year’s festival on track to deliver 15% more delegates year on year, over 50 sessions, nearly 2000 people coming from over 250 companies, I’m super excited about going up to Edinburgh next month.  I’m also hugely proud to be working on such an awesome – and awe inspiring – event.   But I can see that it all might seem a little daunting to if you’ve never been before.  

And as a relative Festival newcomer myself (class of 2011), when I was recently asked to offer up some tips for others visiting our event for the first time I thought it best to canvas some opinions.

So here, without further ado, are some of the top tips and handy hints that the wonderful Advisory Committee have to offer..!

1. Michelle Chappell 

 
On arrival, drop your bags and go to The George. The rest will all become clear (or not!). 

 

2. Miranda Chadwick 

• Go through the delegate list and plan coffees in advance. And then plan to change all your plans and go with the flow…

• Get a rolling system of queuing at the Bar at the George. I think the staff are prone to bribery through good tips. 
• Make sure you see at least 1 fringe thing!

3. Zoё Clapp

• Read the thoughts of panellists and audiences live for the sessions that you’re in (and, importantly, those that you’re not) by using the session hashtags on Twitter. Each session uses the hashtag of the room it’s being held in: #pentland, #fintry, and so on. You’ll never miss out on the stories as they happen.  

 4. Tamsyn Zietsman

• Always carry a bottle of water and a snack. The sessions are so good there is often little time to eat.
• Pack Berocca and nurofen. 
• Pack more of it than you think you will need.  You will need it. Pack clothes for summer, winter, spring and autumn. Guaranteed to experience all seasons during the weekend.
• Make a plan. As soon as you get the schedule, highlight the key sessions you want to go and see. 
• See some comedy if you get a chance!

5. Donna Taberer

• Don’t be afraid of “networking”. Networking is just gossiping. Who in the TV world doesn’t like talking about themselves and their great shows.
• Only buy large glasses of wine at The George – otherwise you’ll be back in the queue in no time.
• Share taxis outside the conference centre. It’s amazing who you can hop in with……

6. Kenton Allen

• Nobody minds people introducing themselves at Edinburgh. That, after all, is why we're all there. So don't be shy. If you spot someone you're dying to talk to, pick your moment and go and say hello. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the reaction. Resist the temptation to imagine they are now your NBF, stalk them for the next 24 hours and insist they come back to your hotel for a nightcap, but be brave. Fortune favours the brave.

7. Anna Fern

• Don’t be intimidated by the people you will meet, but also don't be pushy and thrust your script or CV under their noses.

8. Anonymous

• Be keen and introduce yourself to commissioners but don’t feel you need to pitch to them at every opportunity.  Make them remember you for being fun and passionate about TV; not for pitching to them in the toilets. 

9. James Herring

'Don't forget to make some time in the evenings to see a couple of comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe – but if you don't book them by the first week in August the hot names will already be sold out'

10. Simon Tomkins

Attend sessions which are 'out of your comfort zone’. This will help build knowledge and awareness of a range of areas which will be useful going forward.

11. Ian Johnson

•    Save embarrassment - Wear your name badge so it’s easily visible for anyone you’ve met the night before and who can’t remember your name
•    See something at the fringe right at the beginning so you have something to discuss OTHER than TV!

So there you have it. Top tips from those that know.  Have fun following (or ignoring) them. I’ll see you there!

Louise x

Richard Curtis to interview Steve Levitan at Edinburgh in August

British film legend Richard Curtis will join us at to interview award winning screenwriter and director Steve Levitan in an unmissable Modern Family masterclass.
 

Join two of the industry’s biggest names as they discuss how Modern Family has become one of the most talked about TV phenomena in recent times.

They will explore the inspiration, creative process and critical and public reactions as well as the challenges of showrunning in some of the most competitive market conditions ever known.  It’s going to be a showstopper.

Richard Curtis television career, a few highlights:

1979-82     Not the Nine O'Clock News- Writer
1983-89     Blackadder - Writer
1984-85     Spitting Image - Writer
1991         Bernard and the Genie - Writer
1990-95    Mr Bean - Writer
1994-2007 The Vicar of Dibley - Writer/Co-Executive
1999-2007 Robbie the Reindeer - Writer
2005         The Girl in the Café - Writer/Executive Producer
2007         Casualty - Writer - (1 Episode)
2008         The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency     Writer/Executive Producer
2010          Doctor Who - Writer- (Vincent and the Doctor) 

We cant wait!

VIEW THE FULL 2012 PROGRAMME!

2012 MacTaggart Announced...

 
After much speculation and rumour I am delighted to confirm that Elisabeth Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of Shine Group, will deliver this year’s MacTaggart Lecture.  We’re thrilled with this news and look forward to hearing Elisabeth’s unique perspective on the global television industry and her approach to running one of the most successful production companies in the world.

With Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Sue Vertue all confirmed to give a Sherlock master class too, plus other exciting sessions to be announced very soon, early signs are good for this year’s Festival.

Do give me feedback on any of the above – it’s always great to hear your views..

Don't forget 100 tickets are available for the super early bird rate! Don't delay...

Louise Benson 
Festival Director

Reclaim your August Bank Holiday Weekend!

In response to popular demand from people wanting to reclaim their Bank Holiday weekends I am very pleased to let you know that for the first time the Festival will run from Thurs- Sat, not the traditional Fri- Sun. 

SAVE THE DATE

The format will remain the same but hopefully this will give you a chance to enjoy the last weekend of the summer hols doing whatever it is you like doing when you’re not working in TV!

Louise Benson
Festival Director