By FilmInk staff
RMIT University brings together researchers and the film industry to examine changing film and TV viewing habits, streaming strategies and policy recommendations.
Ten years ago, Netflix and Stan confirmed that their arrival was imminent and launched a ‘streaming war’ in the Australian television industry. All of our traditional broadcasters tracked their audiences online in different ways.
September will see the launch of the RMIT Streaming Industry and Genre Network (SIGN), a three-day event held across RMIT and ACMI to highlight new research and policy on streaming and its impact on the Australian film and television industry and audiences. A discussion base will be established.
The Australian Content in the Streaming Era Symposium, hosted in partnership with ACMI and taking place on Thursday 12 September, will feature discussion panels, lectures and screenings aimed at fostering conversation. SIGN researchers and industry heavyweights (including the ABC, SBS, Seven West Media, Screen Australia and Aunty Donna) explore how the local screen industry can future-proof in an increasingly global market We plan to continue considering this in the future.
This symposium will map how industry and policy developments have impacted creatives, distributors and the type of content produced by the Australian film industry.
This symposium will spotlight our audience to demonstrate how our own behaviors and habits have changed in the era of on-demand, streaming screen entertainment.
Key panels at the symposium include:
Australian TV Drama/Comedy: Industry leaders from Screen Producers Australia, Screen Australia, Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network and Auntie Donna (Haven’t You Done Well Productions) are leading the Australian film sector. We talk about how the fundamentals of drama and comedy have evolved. And what will the future hold? Australian unscripted/reality TV: SBS head of unscripted, creator of Prepping Australia, and podcast co-host and reality TV enthusiast Brody Lancaster to prioritize on-demand streaming of reality TV talks about how viewer habits have changed. Australian Sports: Free TV, Head of Sports at Seven, JAM TV talks about the impact of streaming on the availability, affordability and personalization of Australian sport. Australian children’s and young people’s media: Nick Barso (Crazy Fun Park, Invisible Boys), Head of Investment Development (Online), ABC Children’s Content and Screen Australia, on what is children’s content in the streaming era? We will tackle the issue of. Does it also include user-generated content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok?Australian movies: Umbrella Entertainment, which has just launched a new streaming service, Brollie, and film producers including Steve Jaggi, have announced that their vast catalog of films will be available locally. We discuss the implications for streaming for filmmakers and distributors and what the future holds for Australian cinema.
SIGN Co-Leader Dr Jessica Barranzategui is an expert in video-on-demand streaming, Australian children’s television and ‘darker’ genres such as horror and crime.
“Across research, policy, and industry, we have not sufficiently addressed the impact of algorithmic curation and platform interfaces in streaming film and television,” Dr. Barranzategui said.
“From the precarious state of the local children’s TV sector to gambling advertising on sports streaming, there are urgent issues that need to be addressed.”
Dr. Alexa Scarlata, co-director of SIGN and expert on internet-delivered television and national screen policy, explained the role of universities in promoting collaboration and evidence-based decisions.
“The Emerging Streaming Industry and Genre Network brings together evidence-based strategies, policy recommendations, and the public’s understanding of streaming,” said Dr. Scarlata.
“This symposium is an opportunity to reflect on the early promise of streamers, their impact on broadcasters and the sustainability of the local production sector. Hear directly from creators, commissioners and policy makers.”
ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan said: “Through our ongoing partnership with RMIT University, ACMI is collaborating with key academic partners to deliver the Australian Content Symposium for the Age of Streaming.” said.
“As the hub of Australia’s film industry, the Museum is committed to how the film content we watch is shaped by global platforms and their algorithms, and how Australia is reflected in our communities. , we recognize the importance of developing a more sophisticated, future-focused understanding.”
SIGN will produce a report summarizing the key issues, insights and recommendations raised at the symposium, which will be published in the coming months.
About the sign
The Streaming Industry and Genre Network (SIGN) brings together academics and leading industry experts to develop evidence-based strategies for the future of streaming entertainment, including streaming video (both subscription and user-generated), gaming, social media, and more. , policy recommendations, and contribute to public understanding. Platforms – construct and frame genres. For more information, visit www.rmit.edu.au/research/our-research/enabling-impact-platforms/eip-networks/sign.
About ACMI
ACMI is a museum of screen culture. Watch, play, create and discover the world of screen-based art, film, television and video games. Visit FED Square in Melbourne online or on tour. The museum attracts millions of visitors through its vibrant exhibitions, screenings, commissions and festivals. ACMI’s industry, education and creative incubator programs inspire and develop the next generation of screen creatives. We are recognized globally as a hub that connects people, communities, technology and ideas to shape the future. For more information, visit acmi.net.au.
Event program | September 11-13, 2024
Wednesday 11th September (9am-5pm): RMIT University, free, register via Humanitix
A series of panels will explore the current state and future of how streaming video is researched, the diversity of streaming, and how to understand streaming audiences.
9:15-10:30: Understanding how to research video-on-demand 11:00-12:00: Video-on-demand beyond Netflix 13:00-14:30: Streaming diversity 15:30-17:00 : Understanding streaming viewers
Thursday 12th September (9am-5pm + screening): ACMI, $41-48, register via Australian Content in the Age of Streaming Symposium | ACMI: Museum of Screen Culture
Australian Content Symposium in the Streaming Era
ACMI Cinema 2, Thursday, September 12th
9:00am – 9:15am Introduction
welcome to the country
session 1
9:15am – 10:30am
Australian TV drama and comedy
Drama and comedy have long been the backbone of Australia’s film sector, but after a decade of streaming, how have these genres evolved and what does the future hold?
Hear from industry leaders from Screen Productions Australia, Screen Australia, Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network and Aunty Donna (Haven’t You Done Well Productions).
10:30-11am Morning Tea (provided) Session 2
11am to 12pm
Australian unscripted/reality TV
Reality TV is a reliable mainstay that has enjoyed steady ratings success even as viewer habits have shifted in favor of on-demand streaming. Why does this genre have such staying power?
Hear from SBS’s Head of Unscripted, creator of Prepping Australia, and See Together’s Brody Lancaster, podcast co-host and reality TV enthusiast.
12-1pm Lunch Session 3
1pm to 2pm
australian sports
While streaming services initially seemed indifferent to sports, we are now seeing more and more sports (and their paratexts) moving online. What are the implications for the availability and affordability of this important cultural content?
Hear from Free TV, Head of Sports at Seven and JAM TV.
session 4
2pm to 3pm
Australian children/youth media
What is children’s content in the streaming era, which also includes user-generated content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok?
Hear from Nick Verso (Crazy Fun Park, Invisible Boys), head of investment development at ABC and Screen Australia (online).
3:00pm – 3:30pm Afternoon Tea (provided) Session 5
3:30～17:00
australian movies
Now that we have access to a vast catalog of movies through various streaming platforms, our movie-watching habits have completely changed. What are the implications for Australian filmmakers and distributors, and what does the future hold for Australian film?
We hear from Umbrella Entertainment and film producers who just launched their new streaming service, Brollie.
18:30-18:15 Drinks & Canapés (provided) 18:30 Special preview: TBA
Friday 13th September (9am-1pm): RMIT University, free, register via Humanitix
This half-day workshop on Streaming and Youth Audiences explores how legacy media (film, television), social media entertainment, and other participatory online media can engage children and youth content and audiences in the era of on-demand viewing and user-generated viewing. Consider how you navigate. content.
The complete program will be available soon.
Verified Screen Industry Speaker List
Andy Barclay – Business and Legal Manager, Screen Productions Australia
Louise Cocks – Investment Development Manager, Screen Australia (online)
Joseph Maxwell – SBS, Head of Unscripted
Brodie Lancaster – Author, essayist, cultural critic, and co-host of the podcast See Always
Lauren Rose Beck – Producer, Prepping Australia (other credits include Farmer Wants a Wife and Hunted)
Bridget Fair – Free TV, CEO
Renee Quirk – Head of Sports Business Affairs, Seven West Media
Nick Verso – Writer/Director, “Crazy Fun Park,” “The Invisible Boys,” “Lost in the Tree.”
Margaret Ross – Investment Development Manager, Screen Australia (online)
Hudson Sowada – National Sales Manager, Umbrella Entertainment, Artistic Director and Lead Programmer, Fantastic Film Festival Australia
Sam Lingham – Head Writer on Aunty Donna, Executive Producer at Haven’t You Done Well Productions (Credit includes Aunty Donna’s Big Ole House of Fun, Hug the Sun, Aunty -Includes Glen Ridge Secondary College in Donna).
Mary Ellen Mullane – ABC, Acting Director of Children and Families
Steve Jaggi – Jaggi Entertainment (Dive Club, Love is in the Air)
