The first module of CEE Animation Workshop 2022 is wrapping up!

The first module focused mainly on content development. The goal is to improve participants’ skills in script development, production development, international collaboration, film financing and management, legal issues, strategic business planning, and pitching and packaging tools to help them grow their careers and businesses.

Twelve project teams and four career-oriented participants attended a tailor made programme that consisted of initial feedback group sessions with their peers and group leaders, producers Jean-François Le Corre and Ole Wendorff-Østergaard, and script consultants Rita Domonyi and Phil Parker.

In addition to the intensive group work, eight master classes were organized during the week. The first was the introductory session on screenwriting and storytelling, led by experienced British Film Institute tutor and script editor from France, Philippe Barrière. Workshop head of studies Juraj Krasnohorsky and group leader Ole Wendorff-Østergaard introduced best practices for preparing a successful pitch and production package. Bonnie Williams, rhetoric expert and pitch tutor, gave a complementary presentation on how to present oneself.

This year’s Workshop also focuses on strategic company development, which was presented in a session with renowned experts Caroline Williams and Bernie Culinan, who also regularly work as tutors with Screen Leaders Ireland.

In addition, other aspects of development were also covered, such as how to give and receive script notes effectively – presented by British screenwriter Ben Morris, but also how to secure the appropriate contracts and rights during development – legal aspects with German lawyer Ulrich Michel. Experienced producers came to present their work and share their skills, such as Martin Vandas, co-founder of one of the most versatile animation studios MAUR film, Czech Republic, and Petr Oukropec, producer of Negativ, Czech Republic, who was accompanied by director Michaela Pavlatova and presented the case study of the animated feature film My Sunny Maad.

‘’The first module has come to an end and we could observe the exciting diversity of the projects and people of this years’ edition. We are happy to see the first steps in development and  connections being made by all! The balance of expert-led group work and professional masterclasses has once again proved to be the right approach to the development of content and skills and we are especially satisfied  with some new programme features as well, such as more focus on strategic company development,’’ Saša Bach, the managing director summed up the first week.