Sunday, December 07
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Video Tape Library Open
Récamier I & II
Delegates are urged to take advantage of the many superb history programs that have been placed in the Video Tape Library for History 2003. Included in these tapes are programs submitted by registered delegates and companies that showcase the best history programming that they have created in the past year, full versions of many programs that were featured in this year's Congress seminars, as well as tapes of all the programs nominated as finalists in the "History and Biography" category at BANFF 2003. Viewing stations can be found in the Video Tape Library which is located in the Récamier I & II.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Opening Reception
Président
Sponsored By:
France 5 et le Groupe France Télévisions
France 5 and Le Groupe France Télévisions cordially invite you to the beautiful and historic Hôtel Lutetia to celebrate the inaugural social event of the 3rd annual World Congress of History Producers.
Sponsor Introductions:
Ann Julienne, Head of Acquisitions & International Coproductions
France 5 France
Monday, December 08
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Video Tape Library Open
Récamier I & II
Delegates are urged to take advantage of the many superb history programs that have been placed in the Video Tape Library for History 2003. Included in these tapes are programs submitted by registered delegates and companies that showcase the best history programming that they have created in the past year, full versions of many programs that were featured in this year's Congress seminars, as well as tapes of all the programs nominated as finalists in the "History and Biography" category at BANFF 2003. Viewing stations can be found in the Video Tape Library which is located in the Récamier I & II.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies & Keynote Address
Président
Sponsored By:
WGBH
What is the Real Cost of Adapting History to Television? A critical and spirited look at diverse ways of doing history television by Hélène Carrère d' Encausse, internationally renowned historian who is one of the world’s leading authorities on Russian and Slavic history; an Officer of the Legion of Honour; and only the second woman to be admitted to the French Academy in its 350-year history.
Sponsor Introductions:
Tom Koch, Director, WGBH International
WGBH USA
Speaker:
Hélène Carrère d' Encausse
France
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Coffee Break
Président
Sponsored By:
HISTORY 2003
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Fashions and Trends
Président
Sponsored By:
European Broadcasting Union / Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision
Are big reconstructions a temporary whim? Is the trend for "fake" archive, as a way to re-tell the past, growing? Is the cult of the presenter a bonus or hindrance? How can the fashion in one country work for the rest of the world? This session will discuss where history programming is going; whether the genre can sustain its popularity or whether the bubble is bound to burst. This session will set the trend for the rest of the Congress.
Sponsor Introductions:
Olaf Grunert, Senior Commissioning Editor
ZDF/ARTE Germany
Producer:
Andre Singer, Senior Vice-President
Alliance Atlantis Productions London Ltd. UK
Moderator:
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Author/ Historian
University of London UK
Participants:
Jacoba Atlas, Senior Vice President
PBS - Public Broadcasting Service USA
Olaf Grunert, Senior Commissioning Editor
ZDF/ARTE Germany
Janice Hadlow, Head of Specialist Factual Group
Channel 4 Television UK
Ann Julienne, Head of Acquisitions & International Coproductions
France 5 France
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Commissioning Editors Lunch
Rive Droite, Rive Gauche (Sèvres)
Sponsored By:
National Film Board of Canada / Office national du film du Canada
As part of this lunch, various broadcasters will 'host' tables where delegates have selected which commissioning editors they want to meet. The hosts will explain their company policies and needs; delegates will ask questions and discuss their ideas for programs.
Producer:
Banff Television Foundation
Canada
Participants:
Patricia Boutinard-Rouelle, Directrice des Documentaires
France 3 France
Marc Etkind, Director
A&E Television Networks/The History Channel USA
Mark Hamlyn, Executive Producer
Film Australia Australia
Mette Hoffmann Meyer, Commissioning Editor
TV2/Danmark Denmark
Yves Jeanneau, Head, Documentaires
France 2 France
Adam Kemp, Commissioner, Independents and Nations
BBC UK
Mark Samels, Executive Producer
WGBH USA
Alex Sutherland, Deputy Controller
Five UK
Cindy Witten, VP of Original Production, Factual & BBC Channels
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Lunch
Babylone, Boucicaut, Borghèse
Sponsored By:
National Film Board of Canada / Office national du film du Canada
Sponsor Introductions:
Tom Perlmutter, Director General
National Film Board of Canada Canada
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
The Art of Internationalizing History
Pompéien
Sponsored By:
Channel 4 International
What are the pitfalls of doing international coproductions when it comes to history? Is there an art to it? What happens when you get into bed with more than one person? In this session, Pop Idol meets history coproduction: broadcasters and producers will try to set up an international coproduction and convince the audience to "show them the money". Will they succeed? If not, why? Our panelists will also showcase their successes and failures ... and reveal how you deal with the morning after…
Sponsor Introductions:
Anne Roder Botbol, Senior Sales Executive
Channel 4 Television UK
Producer:
Bettina Hatami, Commissioning Editor
Discovery Channel Europe UK
Moderator:
Peter Worsley, Managing Director
Alliance Atlantis UK
Participants:
André Barro, President / Executive Producer
CineFlix Productions Inc. Canada
Simon Berthon, Managing Director/Executive Producer
3BM Television UK
Gregory Diefenbach, Vice President, Program Development
Devillier Donegan Enterprises USA
Michael Kloft, Editor
Spiegel TV GmbH Germany
Bill Locke, Executive Producer
Lion Television UK
Denman Rooke, Head of Programmes
October Films UK
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Napoleon: How Has History Served Him?
Président
Sponsored By:
CBC Television
Napoleon – myth, legend, hero, villain ... how has history portrayed one of its most famous and most controversial figures? This panel will take a major event in the life of Napoleon and examine the way a selection of several different films and television programs have treated the event and the man. The panel will be composed of a documentary producer, a biographer, and an historian, who will dissect and debate whether or not history has been fair to Napoleon, and if, in fact, fairness is even possible with a character of this magnitude.
Sponsor Introductions:
Mark Starowicz, Executive Director
CBC/Radio-Canada Canada
Producer:
Lesley Norman, Vice President
David Grubin Productions USA
Moderator:
W. Paterson Ferns, President & CEO
Banff Television Foundation Canada
Participants:
Antoine deBaeque
France
David Grubin, President
David Grubin Productions, Inc. USA
Andrew Roberts, Freelance Writer
UK
Vera Veyrat-Masson
CNRS France
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Coffee Break
Président
Sponsored By:
HISTORY 2003
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Refining the Proposal
Pompéien
Sponsored By:
AVRO
What are the tricks of the trade when presenting proposals? Various commissioning editors show-and-tell and talk about proposals that never made it and why. They discuss others that didn't get up the first time around, but with some massaging and brainstorming ultimately made it.
Sponsor Introductions:
Wolter Braamhorst, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries
AVRO Independent Netherlands Broadcasting Organization Netherlands
Producer:
Lilla Hurst, Head of Co-Production
RDF International UK
Moderator:
Lilla Hurst, Head of Co-Production
RDF International UK
Participants:
Daniela Bagliani, Programme Acquisitions Manager
R.T.I. Italy
Yves Jeanneau, Head, Documentaires
France 2 France
Daryl Karp, Head TV Factual Programs
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Australia
Ralph Lee, Deputy Commissioning Editor
Channel 4 Television UK
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
History in the Making: Too Early, Too Late or Too Political
Président
Sponsored By:
BBC History
...Prestige, Iraq, Al Qaeda, Blair, Security Council...Kelly... With the borders between current affairs and history becoming less clear, how can and how does the history producer contribute to the immediate interpretation of historical events by his/her coverage of contemporary affairs? What kind of access is there? What are the obstacles – both from the powerful political forces at work such as governments and from the commissioning bodies within the broadcasters themselves? When there are obstacles, how can they be addressed?
Sponsor Introductions:
Laurence Rees, Creative Director
BBC Specialist Factual UK
Producer:
Patrice Barrat, Producer
ARTICLE Z France
Moderator:
Patrice Barrat, Producer
ARTICLE Z France
Participants:
Alan Hayling, Director of Development
Mentorn UK
Vardan Hovhannisyan, Producer
Bars Media Armenia
John Willis, Director
BBC UK
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Meet the Commissioning Editors: USA & Canada
Pompéien
One of four sessions at 2003 History Congress in which commissioning editors are given a forum to advise you of their wants and needs, policies and practices – and you have an opportunity to ask questions and make contact with key decision-makers in the history programming community. This session will focus on North America. (Unlike Commissioning Editors Lunches, these sessions are not "by appointment" sessions but can be attended by anyone who is interested.)
Producer:
Fabrice Estève, Head of Productions & Development
AMPERSAND France
Shari Cohen, Executive Producer
Media Headquarters Film & Television Inc. Canada
Moderator:
Shari Cohen, Executive Producer
Media Headquarters Film & Television Inc. Canada
Participants:
Maryanne Culpepper, Senior Vice President
National Geographic Television and Film USA
Marc Etkind, Director
A&E Television Networks/The History Channel USA
Sharon Grimberg, Series Editor
WGBH USA
Tom Perlmutter, Director General
National Film Board of Canada Canada
Cindy Witten, VP of Original Production, Factual & BBC Channels
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Screening and Q&A: The Kennedy Assassination: Beyond Conspiracy
Président
Sponsored By:
European Broadcasting Union / Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision
Special screening of a note-worthy history program. Details to be announced
Sponsor Introductions:
Olaf Grunert, Senior Commissioning Editor
ZDF/ARTE Germany
Participants:
Fiona Stourton, Correspondent
BBC UK
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Reception
Hôtel des Monnaie
Sponsored By:
TV France International
Designed by architect Jacques-Denis Antoine and built in 1777, the Hôtel de la Monnaie is one of the most stunning neo-classical buildings in Paris. Functioning as a mint until 1973, today the Hôtel de la Monnaie is a museum. In every room the coins displayed demonstrate the role currency plays in politics, economics, arts, culture and technology. Join us in this fascinating and beautiful venue for this evening event. Transportation will be provided from the Hôtel Lutetia from 18:30 to 19:15. Buses will return to the hotel from 22:45 to 23:15.
Tuesday, December 09
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Meet the Commissioning Editors: UK and Australia
Pompéien
One of four sessions at 2003 History Congress in which commissioning editors are given a forum to advise you of their wants and needs, policies and practices – and you have an opportunity to ask questions and make contact with key decision-makers in the history programming community. This session will focus on the UK and Australia with an overview of New Zealand. (Unlike Commissioning Editors Lunches, these sessions are not "by appointment" sessions but can be attended by anyone who is interested.)
Producer:
Fabrice Estève, Head of Productions & Development
AMPERSAND France
Simon Berthon, Managing Director/Executive Producer
3BM Television UK
Moderator:
Simon Berthon, Managing Director/Executive Producer
3BM Television UK
Participants:
Richard Clemmow, Director, Factual Documentaries
Carlton Television UK
Bettina Hatami, Commissioning Editor
Discovery Channel Europe UK
Daryl Karp, Head TV Factual Programs
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Australia
Richard Klein, Senior Commissioning Executive
BBC UK
Hamish Mykura, Head of History
Channel 4 Television UK
Glenys Rowe, General Manager
SBS TV Australia
Alex Sutherland, Deputy Controller
Five UK
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Video Tape Library Open
Récamier I & II
Delegates are urged to take advantage of the many superb history programs that have been placed in the Video Tape Library for History 2003. Included in these tapes are programs submitted by registered delegates and companies that showcase the best history programming that they have created in the past year, full versions of many programs that were featured in this year's Congress seminars, as well as tapes of all the programs nominated as finalists in the "History and Biography" category at BANFF 2003. Viewing stations can be found in the Video Tape Library which is located in the Récamier I & II.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Facts and Fakes
Président
Sponsored By:
SPIEGEL TV
First we had recreations and reenactments. Then we had dramatization. Now faking archive is all the rage. Recreation of factual situations has always been employed by documentary filmmakers to enhance the visual aspects of their story telling, but how far is too far?
Sponsor Introductions:
Michael Kloft, Editor
Spiegel TV GmbH Germany
Producer:
Judy Rymer, Producer
Rymer Bayly Watson Pty Ltd Australia
Moderator:
Michael Kloft, Editor
Spiegel TV GmbH Germany
Participants:
Chris Durlacher, Independent Producer / Director
Wall to Wall Television UK
William Karel, Author and Director
Point Du Jour France
Jonathan Lewis, Freelance Director
UK
Laurence Rees, Creative Director
BBC Specialist Factual UK
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
From Print to Picture
Pompéien
Turning books about history into television programs can be a rewarding experience. It can also be a nightmare of complexity. In this session we learn about the advantages and pitfalls of adapting printed works to television. We will screen program excerpts from Canada and the UK and discuss the entire production chain, from selection of the printed work, through adapting the text to a television script, to shooting and completion. We'll touch on rights issues and explore the creative tensions inherent in the process of adaptation.
Producer:
Norm Bolen, Executive Vice President
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
Moderator:
Norm Bolen, Executive Vice President
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
Participants:
Norm Christie, Host, Consultant, Co-writer
Breakthrough Films & TV Canada
William Cran, Director
PITV UK
Gilbert Reid, Writer / Associate Producer
Breakthrough Films & TV Canada
Peter Williamson, Executive Producer
Breakthrough Films & Television Inc. Canada
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Coffee Break
Président
Sponsored By:
HISTORY 2003
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Tales of Empire: Why TV History Can't Break the Habit
Pompéien
Sponsored By:
Film Australia
The days of European empire provide such alluring stories for European and American audiences, networks can’t resist giving them what they want. But what of the original peoples of the countries that made up the European empires. Do they really enjoy seeing their past domination celebrated on television programs often made from the colonialist point of view? Given the dominance of the mass market, even if the networks changed their ways would anyone watch? A selection of major European, British and American commissioning editors, producers and filmmakers from former colonies look for a way forward.
Sponsor Introductions:
Mark Hamlyn, Executive Producer
Film Australia Australia
Producer:
Mark Hamlyn, Executive Producer
Film Australia Australia
Moderator:
Mark Hamlyn, Executive Producer
Film Australia Australia
Participants:
Nick Fraser, Commissioning Editor
BBC UK
Chris Hilton, Managing Director
Hilton Cordell Productions Australia
Maria Misra, Lecturer in Modern History
Oxford University UK
Hamish Mykura, Head of History
Channel 4 Television UK
Stephen J. Segaller, Director
Thirteen/WNET New York USA
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Collaborating With Historians: Case Studies
Président
Many times history television programs are made without a historian being directly involved. As Laurence Rees of the BBC says, “Often we say, just give us the book and we'll go make the show." Will working closely with historians actually result in better programs? Expectations of historians can differ widely from those of history producers. After all, a script for an hour television program may be thirty pages – less than the footnotes alone in the typical history book. In this panel, pairs of producers and historians from the US, France and the UK will share ways the collaboration worked, will discuss the pitfalls, and illustrate the results with clips.
Producer:
Kenneth Mandel, Executive Producer
Great Projects Film Company, Inc. USA
Moderator:
Mark Samels, Executive Producer
WGBH USA
Participants:
Larry Bland, Director
George C. Marshall Foundation. USA
Daniel Costelle, Writer/Producer/Director
CC&C France
Martin Davidson, History Producer
RDF Media UK
Kenneth Mandel, Executive Producer
Great Projects Film Company, Inc. USA
Richard Miles, Lecturer
Cambridge University UK
Vera Veyrat-Masson
CNRS France
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Lunch
Babylone, Boucicaut, Borghèse
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Commissioning Editor Lunch
Rive Droite, Rive Gauche (Sèvres)
As part of this lunch, various broadcasters will 'host' tables where delegates have selected which commissioning editors they want to meet. The hosts will explain their company policies and needs; delegates will ask questions and discuss their ideas for programs.
Producer:
Banff Television Foundation
Canada
Participants:
Norm Bolen, Executive Vice President
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
Wolter Braamhorst, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries
AVRO Independent Netherlands Broadcasting Organization Netherlands
Nikolas Hülbusch, Project Manager
ZDF Enterprises GmbH Germany
Ann Julienne, Head of Acquisitions & International Coproductions
France 5 France
Tom Koch, Director, WGBH International
WGBH USA
Claudia Moroni, Editor
ZDF Germany
Alberta Nokes, Director of Independent Production/Commissioning Editor
VISION TV Canada
Tom Perlmutter, Director General
National Film Board of Canada Canada
Ralf-Peter Piechowiak, Executive Producer
ZDF German Television Germany
Stephen J. Segaller, Director
Thirteen/WNET New York USA
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Technology: Changing How We Do History
Pompéien
Technology is dramatically altering the face of program production and in the history genre it’s having an unexpected affect. Through detailed presentations of technology’s influence on production processes and the audience/producer relationship, we examine the unfolding scenario. Could technology be a catalyst for a fundamental shift in control? Will we see a new history program landscape open to more and more producers exploring new histories where the audience are not merely observers but active participants via a range of interactive technologies?
Producer:
Ruth Berry, Producer/Director
Big Island Pictures Pty Ltd. Australia
Moderator:
Jonathan Drori, Director, Culture Online & Managing Director
UK Government / Thoughtsmith Ltd. UK
Participants:
Mike Greenwood, Commissioning Editor
Department of Culture, Media, and Sport UK
Jeffrey Tuchman, Director/Writer
Documania Films LLC USA
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
The Great Debate: History TV is Failing its Audience
Président
Sponsored By:
Alliance Atlantis and History Television Canada
The panel will debate the motion: This house believes that history television is failing its audience. The audience will vote.
Sponsor Introductions:
John Gill, Senior Vice President
Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting Inc. Canada
Producer:
Bill Locke, Executive Producer
Lion Television UK
Moderator:
Bettany Hughes, Author, Historian, Presenter
UK
Participants:
John Farren, Editor "Timewatch"
BBC UK
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Author/ Historian
University of London UK
Alex Graham, Chief Executive
Wall to Wall Television UK
Bettina Hatami, Commissioning Editor
Discovery Channel Europe UK
Michael Kloft, Editor
Spiegel TV GmbH Germany
Martin Smith, Freelance Producer/Director
UK
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Coffee Break
Président
Sponsored By:
HISTORY 2003
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Lighter Side of History TV
Président
Nielsen’s recent shock report to US Networks, that 10% fewer 18-34 year old men are watching television in the US this year compared to last, may be a statistical quirk but the on average 2% decline year on year over the past ten years is an undisputed trend. This distinguished international panel discusses, with key examples, what broadcasters could and are doing to make history programming more accessible and more attractive to a younger demographic. Do new interactive and graphics technologies herald a new and exciting age in history programming for younger audiences? Is it about relevant content? Or is it simply ‘game over’ with this demographic?
Producer:
Richard Life, Head of Factual Co-Production
Channel 4 UK
Moderator:
Sara Ramsden, Freelance, former Head of Science and Education
Channel 4 UK
Participants:
Patricia Boutinard-Rouelle, Directrice des Documentaires
France 3 France
Richard Bradley, Managing Director
Lion Television UK
Marc Etkind, Director
A&E Television Networks/The History Channel USA
Ralph Lee, Deputy Commissioning Editor
Channel 4 Television UK
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Crossing the Genres – Master Class with Ian Duncan
Pompéien
Producer/Director Ian Duncan won best history documentary at this year’s Royal Television Society Awards for "Dambusters". His film successfully crosses many genres, using classic doc interviews, archives, dramatizations, reconstructions, and CGI to merge science and history seamlessly.
Speaker:
Ian Duncan, Producer
Windfall Films Ltd. UK
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Meet the Commissioning Editors: Germany, Austria with a Scandinavian overview
Pompéien
One of four sessions at 2003 History Congress in which commissioning editors are given a forum to advise you of their wants and needs, policies and practices – and you have an opportunity to ask questions and make contact with key decision-makers in the history programming community. This session will focus on the UK and Australia with an overview of New Zealand. (Unlike Commissioning Editors Lunches, these sessions are not "by appointment" sessions but can be attended by anyone who is interested.)
Producer:
Fabrice Estève, Head of Productions & Development
AMPERSAND France
Uwe Kersken, Managing Director
Gruppe 5 Film Production GmbH Germany
Moderator:
Uwe Kersken, Managing Director
Gruppe 5 Film Production GmbH Germany
Participants:
Ulrich Brochhagen, Commissioning Editor
MDR / ARD-TV Germany
Werner Fitzthum, Editor - Natural History Unit
ORF Austrian Broadcasting Corporation Austria
Olaf Grunert, Senior Commissioning Editor
ZDF/ARTE Germany
Michael Kloft, Editor
Spiegel TV GmbH Germany
Claudia Moroni, Editor
ZDF Germany
Ralf-Peter Piechowiak, Executive Producer
ZDF German Television Germany
Thomas Schreiber, Controller of Television
Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) Germany
Helfried Spitra, Head of Culture & Science
Westdeutscher Rundfunk Germany
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Screening and Q&A: Metropolis: Alexandria - Center of Knowledge
Président
Sponsored By:
European Broadcasting Union / Union Européenne de Radio-Télévision
Special screening of a note-worthy history program. Details to be announced.
Sponsor Introductions:
Olaf Grunert, Senior Commissioning Editor
ZDF/ARTE Germany
Participants:
Dagmar Biller, Head of Production
Tangram Christian Bauer Filmproduktion Germany
Nicola Merola, Head to International TV & Producer
Pixcom Canada
Ruth Omphalius, Editor, Historical & Science Programs
ZDF German Television Germany
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Reception & Dinner
Hôtel de Ville
In 1533 François I endowed Paris with a Hôtel de Ville at the Place de Grève, a popular gathering place. Not completed until 1638, this venerable building met a tragic end, put to the torch during the revolt of the commune in 1871. An intriguing blend of pomp and academic art, the present day Hôtel de Ville arose from the ashes in an authentic Renaissance reconstruction in 1882. You are invited to a reception followed by dinner in this magnificent location. Transportation will be provided from the Hôtel Lutetia from 18:30 to 19:15. Buses will return to the hotel from 22:45 - 23:15.
Wednesday, December 10
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Meet the Commissioning Editors: France with Belgium and Switzerland overview
Pompéien
One of four sessions at 2003 History Congress in which commissioning editors are given a forum to advise you of their wants and needs, policies and practices – and you have an opportunity to ask questions and make contact with key decision-makers in the history programming community. This session will focus on France with an overview of Belgium and Switzerland. (Unlike Commissioning Editors Lunches, these sessions are not "by appointment" sessions but can be attended by anyone who is interested.)
Producer:
Fabrice Estève, Head of Productions & Development
AMPERSAND France
Moderator:
Fabrice Estève, Head of Productions & Development
AMPERSAND France
Participants:
Patricia Boutinard-Rouelle, Directrice des Documentaires
France 3 France
Philippe Chazal, Head of History
Histoire Channel France
Ann Julienne, Head of Acquisitions & International Coproductions
France 5 France
Pierre Merle, Commissioning Editor
ARTE France France
Muriel Rosé, Head of Documentary Unit
France 5 France
Anne Roucan
France
Alain Wieder
ARTE France France
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Video Tape Library Open
Récamier I & II
Delegates are urged to take advantage of the many superb history programs that have been placed in the Video Tape Library for History 2003. Included in these tapes are programs submitted by registered delegates and companies that showcase the best history programming that they have created in the past year, full versions of many programs that were featured in this year's Congress seminars, as well as tapes of all the programs nominated as finalists in the "History and Biography" category at BANFF 2003. Viewing stations can be found in the Video Tape Library which is located in the Récamier I & II. Today is the last day of the History Congress and delegates are reminded to pick up their tapes before the Video Library closes at 15:30.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Unsung Heroes and Heroines
Président
Research is the bedrock on which historical programming rests. What producers wish in their researchers are the analytical skills of a trained historian, the street-smart savvy of a private eye, the novelist's appreciation of character and story, and an art historian's eye for the telling image. No small order! Unlike other documentary genres – for example, science docs – the history producer will often push the researcher to undertake original research. The producer, commissioning editor and the audience want to see new angles on old stories. The researcher assigned to yet another WW2 chronicle is faced with the problem of what can be said that is new and fresh. Who are the witnesses going to be? Are they credible? Can they tell a story? This session will explore the terrain of history and the making of history where the history that is told – that becomes enshrined because it is seen by millions – is the history that the researcher will deposit in endless black binders in the producer's office. The researcher and producer face critical questions: how does one assess the validity of the testimony, documents, and artifacts, most particularly in areas where the history is hotly and politically contested? The research has to be capable of standing up to the onslaught of those who disagree with the view presented. By probing into the most contentious areas of historical research this session will highlight the art and science of the researcher – the various strategies used to uncover stories, find the characters, reveal the personal documents and images and the ways in which all those are tested. ** This session is in honour of Isobel Hinshelwood – the doyenne of historical documentary research – who died tragically at the end of last year. Her achievements set benchmarks for a whole section of our industry.
Producer:
Tom Perlmutter, Director General
National Film Board of Canada Canada
Moderator:
Jonathan Lewis, Freelance Director
UK
Participants:
Holger Hillesheim, Managing Director/Producer
TV Schoenfilm Germany
Patrick Jeudy, Film Director
Point du Jour France
Elizabeth Klinck, Researcher
E Klinck Research Canada
Svetlana Palmer, Producer
Freelance UK
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Living History: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Pompéien
Sponsored By:
Channel 4 International
Re-enacting history by putting people back in time to re-live history is now a mainstream genre around the world, and growing exponentially. There is much to report on what works and what does not from both the old hands and the newcomers to the scene. The question for this year's Congress in Paris is to see how Europe is taking up the genre - Gedeon's Olympics series is one example. Many producers say that living history does not work in France. Is this true? Have they tried it?
Sponsor Introductions:
Richard Life, Head of Factual Co-Production
Channel 4 UK
Producer:
Christoph Jörg, Commissioning Editor
ARTE France France
Moderator:
Christoph Jörg, Commissioning Editor
ARTE France France
Participants:
Jamie Brown, CEO & Executive Producer
Frantic Films Corporation Canada
Martin Davidson, History Producer
RDF Media UK
Thomas Kufus, Director, Producer and Managing Director
Zero Film GmbH Germany
Stéphane Millière, President & CEO
Gédéon Programmes France
Hamish Mykura, Head of History
Channel 4 Television UK
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Coffee Break
Président
Sponsored By:
HISTORY 2003
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Inside Stories: Witnesses to History
Président
Sponsored By:
Thirteen/WNET New York
When history strikes, will you be prepared? Could your story become testament? This session will examine history from the inside out. We will include gripping first-hand accounts and personal experiences that illuminate the humanity behind the cold hard facts of history. Stories are what history is made of, yet this kind of processed, first-person archive is judged to be less reliable than the views of those considered to be more objective. Is this a fair assessment? Can a film maker remain dispassionate when caught up in the moment? What are the checks and balances that should be employed when taking memories and weaving them into fact? Topics include the haunting and eerie drawings made by survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Only three photographs exist to chronicle, from ground level, the after effects of the nuclear-bomb attack. The drawings are the only other visual archive of that historical day. Also included is the dramatization of an expurgated agenda supposedly destroyed by the Nazis - The Wannsee Protocol. This lone document was the primary surviving evidence of a top-secret Nazi meeting where the extermination of the Jews of Europe was negotiated. Hear from the screenwriter of the film "Conspirac" who reconstructed this event and separated fact from fiction.
Sponsor Introductions:
Jody Sheff, Executive Producer
Thirteen/WNET USA
Producer:
Jody Sheff, Executive Producer
Thirteen/WNET USA
Moderator:
Tim Gardam, Director of Programmes
Channel Four Television UK
Participants:
Yuko Fukuyama, Program Director
NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Japan
Justin Hardy, Director
Asylum Films UK
Loring Mandel, Writer
USA
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Closing Lunch
Babylone, Boucicaut, Borghèse
Join us for the final lunch of History Congress 2003. On to Toronto for History Congress 2004, October 27 - 30!