FOCUS 2017 expands Content Advisory Board to include UK’s animation and games sector

FOCUS – the meeting place for international production welcomes three new members to its Content Advisory Board (CAB): Kate O’Connor (Kate O’Connor Consulting), Helen Brundson (Animation UK) and Michael French (Games London).

With new representatives from the animation and interactive entertainment industries, FOCUS 2017 will cover more ground than ever before.

Through the CAB, FOCUS will offer two days of free-to-attend content strands presented by industry leaders sharing their expertise, inspiration and insight through a programme of panels, workshops, presentations and screenings. Informative and thought-provoking sessions will cover film, TV, animation, advertising and interactive entertainment.

Curated by Sue Hayes, the full programme will be announced in November. Sue explains: “the animation and interactive entertainment industries are becoming more integral to the production industry as a whole. As we welcome Kate O’Connor, Helen Brundson and Michael French to the CAB, FOCUS 2017 will bridge the gap for professionals working in film, TV and advertising who might be looking for new business opportunities.”

The sessions, workshops and presentations will include:

• Animation means business!
• CraftWorks presented by Jason Stone
• Do all the “clever” people now work in television?
• The new business of advertising
• Free legal advice – one to one appointments
• The global impact of high-end TV production
• Export accelerator workshop
• Existential innovation; designing a better, greener industry future
• The value of games and interactive entertainment
• Location manager’s question time
• Skills and training for the future

Our grateful thanks to this year’s CAB for all of their ideas and advice:

Anna Mansi – Head of Certification, British Film Institute

Caroline Fleming – Manager, Production Managers Association (PMA)

Dan Simmons – Consultant, Creative Skillset

Dawn McCarthy-Simpson – Director of International Strategy, Pact

Helen Brunsdon – Director, Animation UK

Kate O’Connor – Director Kate O’Connor Consulting

Michael French – Senior Programme Executive, Games London

Samantha Perahia – Head of Production UK, British Film Commission

Sara Putt – Managing Director at Sara Putt Associates, representing Women in Film and TV (WFTV) as board member

Steve Davies – Chief Executive, Advertising Producers Association

FOCUS 2017 will take place at London’s Business Design Centre, December 5^th and 6^th. To register your attendance for the event, click here.