Content Hub
Writers are the key to great content
MUMBAI: At The Content Hub 2020 organised by indiantelevision.com, Tulsea talent manager Radhika Gopal and Matter Advisors founder and managing partner Caleb Franklin discussed the importance of creating an ecosystem and a platform for writers.
While speaking to Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari, the panellists agreed that writers are the key to creating great content.
Gopal said, “Through Tulsea we worked with some great writers, directors and actors. We make sure the talent roster is balanced. We want to be an objective narrative party in order to make deals more transparent.”
Gopal works as an agent at Mumbai and Los Angeles-based Tulsea, a management company in India that focuses on writers and directors.
Franklin, who has been in the content industry for the past 16 years, believes the journey from storytelling to origination to how writers are delivering the content to the end user is important. Franklin’s firm Matter Advisors closely works with writers, actors, producers and directors who ensure that the stories are presented to the right target audience.
“There is a plethora of talent in India. We have so much opportunity. More importantly, we are constantly working to deliver great stories. We constantly update our clients on the current stories, trends, new podcasts and much more. We look at the entire ecosystem,” he said.
Franklin represents the company's clients across the global landscape of media, entertainment, technology and sports.
Commenting on the difference made on the writer’s life Radhika said: “What we attempt to do is give writers leisure time to write, network and help in handling contracts. We give them some time to focus on their craft and work so that they can do better. Money is a very important aspect of anyone’s career. When you are financially stable you are able to continuously focus on something you are passionate about. It is hard for people to be objective about what their core value is especially in the entertainment industry that runs predominantly by relationships. From the writer's perspective, we take away the headache of dealing with everything.”
“We talk to people in India, the US, Europe and other parts of the world to understand the ongoing trends. We look into storytelling patterns, deal structure and new formats. In fact much before Netflix and Amazon came to India we were able to foresee that the Indian entertainment sector is going to change,” she further added.
Caleb believes that the most difficult part is not cracking the deal. But, more than deal it is about socialising which is difficult on the writer’s part.
The panelists also started that it takes two years to execute a story on the screen. Hence, it becomes a part of a writer’s job to help deliver profit.
Mumbai: Exploring the shift from regional to national content, this synopsis delves into the trends and challenges. It navigates the transformation, analyzing industry dynamics, emerging trends, and the hurdles faced. From preserving regional variation to adapting to a broader audience, it examines the multifaceted journey of regional content evolving into a national narrative. In what ways do the emerging trends and challenges influence the dynamics of the entertainment industry during this transition? How can creators navigate these changes effectively? What strategic approaches can content creators adopt to strike a balance between maintaining regional identity and fostering a cohesive national narrative in their work? How can the transition from ‘regional’ to ‘national content’ impact cultural diversity within the entertainment industry, and what measures can be taken to ensure the preservation of regional variation?
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, seasoned industry professionals have offered valuable insights into the transformation of content consumption and production. The session was chaired by Ernst and Young partner Raghav Anand, MMTV chief executive officer P.R. Satheesh, Sony Marathi business head Ajay Bhalwankar, PTC Network chairman & MD Rabindra Narayan, Shemaroo Entertainment COO, Digital, Saurabh Srivastava esteemed voices in the field, have articulated their perspectives on the burgeoning shift towards globalised content.
Rabindra Narayan emphasised the dissolution of regional boundaries in content consumption, attributing it to the accessibility facilitated by global platforms and connectivity options. He predicts a future where language barriers will fade, citing the potential of technology to clone and adapt voices, thus enabling seamless localization across languages.
Saurabh highlighted the democratisation of content creation in the digital era, underscoring its empowerment and revenue potential, particularly in linguistically diverse markets like India. He emphasizes the value of culturally rooted storytelling in filling gaps in content supply, with technology enabling effective monetization, especially through OTT platforms.
Ajay Bhalwan sheds light on the evolving landscape of Hindi and regional language content, noting a significant shift where a substantial portion of content on Hindi film channels originates from regional languages. He accentuates the importance of language in enhancing authenticity and audience engagement, exemplified by the strong resonance of Marathi content in Maharashtra.
PR Satheesh underscored the paramount importance of content quality in driving viewership and transcending language barriers. Drawing parallels with the global popularity of Korean dramas, he advocates for leveraging technology, including AI and real-time translations, to enhance content creation and distribution.
These insightful perspectives collectively echoed the industry’s adaptation to a globalised content landscape, where technology catalyzes innovation and accessibility. As content continues to evolve, these experts offered valuable guidance on navigating the dynamic media landscape and maximizing the impact of storytelling in diverse markets worldwide.
