The programme is designed to enhance business expertise in the key areas of personal management, strategic planning and opportunities in the international marketplace. What makes Screen Leaders unique and very effective is that we consult with the participating companies to ensure that the content is custom designed to address the specific needs of the participating Screen Leaders’ companies.

The participants will explore the following areas:

• Company structure
• New business opportunities in existing and developing markets
• Funding sources
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan
• Personal management skills
• Financial planning skills
• Company case studies
• Building international networks in a variety of industry areas

Film & Television production companies are coming under increasing pressure in raising finance, distribution and marketing of their product while retaining rights and generating future income.

The onslaught of the new medium (it is only 5000 days since the IPO of Netscape) has quickly threatened existing business models (through piracy, disintermediation etc.) and opened up the promise of new ones (VOD, Branded Entertainment etc). New platforms such as the internet, mobile phone, iPhone and IPTV have lowered the barrier for entry for content providers and generated new audiences and new revenue streams. The promise of the Long Tail is the ability to monetise this content across global niche communities. But how are these business models actually working? How do content producers adopt them and what does it mean to their business strategically? How do our participants take advantage of the new opportunities?

Discussion on the major changes that are coming about from the transition from the traditional broadcast media model to the new media model.

Discussion around the major existing business models - subscription, advertising-sponsored, pay per view etc.

A look into some hot business models in the digital space

What is changing among the audiences? Are they really switching off the TV and going online or is there a happy medium between the two? Is the move towards social networks a fad or does it have long term consequences for traditional media platforms?

Structure of the Screen Leaders Programme:

• An initial one day session to share learning and development objectives, to outline the main topics and themes, to begin the creation of a learning network, discuss structure of the programme and ensure alignment with participants’ interests.
• A residential workshop of 4 days during which there will be plenary sessions, case studies, panels, one-to-one meetings and networking activities with a focus on industry and management upgrading.
• 2 day strategic planning session.
• For each individual, two confidential assessment and coaching sessions on leadership, personal and management competences, and future development.
• A one-to-one assessment of each company’s strategic planning.
• A second residential workshop of 4 days, which addresses the needs identified in the first workshop and expands on the strategic planning and leadership sessions.

Programme Team

• Helen McMahon, Programme Director, FAS Screen Training Ireland

• Linda Beath, co-Course Director, is a senior industry executive who will programme the sessions dealing with the current marketplace and the strategic planning workshop, as well as conducting the individual development sessions/meetings.

• Frank Byrne, co-Course Director, is a professional leadership and management specialist who will programme the sessions dealing with company management and leadership, as well as conducting the individual development sessions/meetings.

• Neil Leyden, Digital Media Consultant, founded the Digital Media Forum, a collaborative network of over 500 digital media enterprises based in Ireland and is currently its Chairman. Neil sits on the board of a number of digital media start-ups and will programme the session relating to digital media developments. In addition to his digital media work, Neil is also a professional screenwriter.

FAS Screen Training Ireland
FÁS Screen Training Ireland is the state funded national training and development resource specifically created for Ireland’s film and television industry; it is funded by FÁS- The Irish National Training and Employment Authority, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ The Irish Film Board and through fee income. It works with industry professionals, both locally and internationally, to identify, design and deliver training for Irish professionals. Training programmes are offered to practitioners and companies to enhance their expertise in Film, Television, Animation and Digital Media. FÁS Screen Training Ireland is a unique resource for the Irish screen industry, offering training by professionals for professionals. It is committed to providing customised, state-of-the-art training. This collaborative approach to course design and delivery allows FÁS Screen Training Ireland the flexibility to anticipate and respond to emerging industry needs.

FÁS - The Irish National Training and Employment Authority
FÁS is the Irish National Training and Employment Authority, FÁS anticipates the needs of, and responds to, a constantly changing labour market which employs over 2 million people.

Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ The Irish Film Board
Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board (IFB) is Ireland’s national film agency. The agency supports and promotes the Irish film industry and the use of Ireland as a location for international production.