May 13, 2024
UK sales agents claim that buyers are keenly in search of new stars and want certainty. By K Dass.
UK - As UK sales agents prepare for
the bustling Cannes Film Market, they find themselves navigating a delicate
balance. Buyers seek certainty in their investments, but they also crave fresh
talent and innovative projects. Here are some key takeaways from their
perspective.
Certainty Matters: Buyers are looking for
fully-packaged projects with recognizable casts that fit neatly into
established genres. They want assurance that the film will indeed happen as
promised. In the past, some packages lacked a director or had incomplete
scripts, leading to market skepticism. Now, buyers emphasize the importance of
certainty.
Challenges Post-SAG-AFTRA Strike: Pulling together
packages after the SAG-AFTRA strike can be challenging. Cast members are in
high demand, making it harder to secure commitments. The strike’s impact has a
long tail, affecting the ability to finalise deals.
Balancing Familiarity and Innovation: While buyers
seek safe bets, they also recognize the need to attract younger audiences. To
achieve this, they must discover new faces and voices. Sales agents emphasize
the importance of clear propositions within known genres, but with refreshing
twists that elevate the material.
Cautious Industry: The industry faces a paradox: it
wants established names for reliability but also craves fresh talent. This
cautious approach extends beyond buyers to the entire film ecosystem.
UK sales agents approach Cannes with a sense of
positivity rooted in realism. They understand the delicate dance between
certainty and risk-taking, all while keeping an eye on the evolving market
needs.