LOG MEDIA to Unveil New Finance Package for 3D Producers

Sep 22, 2011 2 Comments by Jonathan Tustain

EXCLUSIVE At MIPCOM this year, International S3D distribution specialist LOG MEDIA will be revealing a new funding package for production houses to support new 3D programming.

Already representing over 130 hours of S3D content thanks to its distribution deal with HIGH TV 3D, LOG MEDIA will be returning to MIPCOM this year, bringing along new 3D titles and a package designed to boost the 3D market with new funding.

In an interview, 3D Focus started asking LOG MEDIA Co – Founder Paul Berrow, what this new finance package will mean to producers and the 3D content market in general.

3D Focus: You recently informed 3D Focus that your new 3D financing package is to be revealed at MIPCOM. Can you elaborate on this?

Paul Berrow: In essence, it will be deficit financing against rest of world sales once an anchor broadcaster has been set up by the Producers or us. We have access to two funds depending on the scale of the productions. The comfort for the risk capital derives from our unique knowledge of the international 3D market place. Our close relationship with buyers enables us to accurately evaluate demand on any given production within a few days and crucially evaluate the point in the buying cycle as the market is notorious for last minute adjustment of time lines, something which is to be expected in a nascent market.

3D Focus: Can you provide a brief summary of the 3D content you will be offering at MIPCOM this year?

Paul Berrow: Our offering covers most genres including travel documentaries, health & lifestyle, magic, opera, ballet, sports events, wildlife documentaries, animation and of course the new music concerts that are always coming down the production line.

3D Focus: Do broadcasters and platform owners currently expect discounted rates for 3D content because of the small audiences out there?

Paul Berrow: Broadcasters are being realistic on the whole; if a broadcaster wishes to make an impact in the 3D arena then it is implicit that native 3D content is expensive to produce and therefore commands a premium.

3D Focus: These days, cheap 2D content can look good thanks to the availability of low cost editing packages and HD cameras. Is it a different situation for 3D?

Paul Berrow: The more things change the more they stay the same! There are low cost 3D productions that represent value in the market. Some ideas do lend themselves to modest budgets and yet remain effective entertainment.

3D Focus: Will you be pushing 3D content as hard as you did during MIPTV in April or, since the negative reports over the summer, will you be taking a more cautious approach and adopting more of a ‘wait and see’ approach, focussing on your 2D catalogue?

Paul Berrow: Our 3D international network is now well established and continuous dialogue with both live channels and emerging channels is central to our MIP sales initiatives. With over 130 hours of stereoscopic programming within our offering we form a central plank to any emerging 3D broadcaster’s acquisition strategy.

3D Focus: BSkyB seems to be in commission mode now and have established strong relationships a few key suppliers as do 3Net. With that in mind – what are your markets? online? connected TV? games consoles?

Paul Berrow: We try to be as thorough as possible with all platforms. Kevin Petillo established his reputation many years ago by pioneering sales to the emerging platforms of the day. 3D is being viewed as an opportunity by all our clients whether they are traditional broadcasters or digital platforms.

3D Focus: What do you think is needed to push the 3D TV industry forward? Poll after poll suggests people are not as keen on 3D as was hoped – Is this going to always be a niche format?

Paul Berrow: We are in the first stage of the roll out, when 3D can dispense with glasses we will see the next stage but for now it is about strategic investment in a new format for broadcasters. The broadcast model is clearly in its early stages and a great deal of patience is required. We will be playing out some of our content on a glasses free 3D set at MIPCOM in fact.

3D Focus: What are you hoping from MIPCOM? Are you in selling mode or looking to acquire 3D shows?

Paul Berrow: Acquiring both content and potential 3D formats along with sales combined with Financing opportunities remain our focus.

3D Focus: Are you focussing on overseas markets right now with the UK being so dominated by BSkyB in the 3D space?

Paul Berrow: We work with all of the 3D broadcasters including the Sky 3D channels and Direct TV. The emerging market channels are often the same clients we have been working with for over five years in the 2D space.

3D Focus: Do you think the quote, “There is not enough 3D content” rings true anymore?

Paul Berrow: This is about managing the expectations of the viewers and each client has a different policy. Sky nourishes their subscription base with adventurous and big budget productions whereas an emerging market client may choose a modest number of hours from our 130 hours in order to establish an early footprint.

3D Focus: If people want to talk to you during MIPCOM, what is the best way to do it?

Paul Berrow: They should email Edward Chisholm at . We will be on the yacht “Phantom of London” opposite the Palais at the start of the quay.

To read more about LOG MEDIA click here.

To register for MIPCOM, click here. Preceeding the opening party will be a day long 'Creating New 3D Experiences' day sponsored by Sony, which invites registrants to listen to influencial figures from the 3D industry from companies such as BSkyB, 3net and ESPN. For more information about the 3D conferences click here.

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