MIDPOINT Cold Open 2023

Series

Participants

Tutors

Inspirational professionals with a passion for sharing their experience

To ensure the most sophisticated approaches to training, Cold Open works with established and respected professionals from the European industry.

Steve Matthews

United Kingdom

Steve was Consulting Producer on all three series of Neil Jordan’s series The Borgias for Showtime Networks, and produced four series of RTE’s award winning Dublin gangster series Love/Hate. He was ...

Complete bio

Danna Stern

Germany / Israel

Executive Producer, Global Content Executive Tel Aviv-born, Berlin-based, Danna is a seasoned content executive working across borders, genres, and formats. She is the founder and managing director ...

Complete bio

Guest Tutor

Nebojsa Taraba

Croatia

Complete bio

Structure

This diverse one-off event is embedded within the diverse industry program of When East Meets West.

Participants are offered a variety of lectures, group sessions and individual consultations.

Workshop

January 22-25, 2023 | Trieste, Italy

MIDPOINT Cold Open is designed to build skills among independent producers interested in moving from feature films to fiction series content.

Offering practical knowledge connected to the developing, producing and financing of drama series content in Europe, the program will familiarize its participants with the overall landscape and priorities of the industry, compare narrative and concept structures between features and scripted series, and provide hands-on skills in the financing and distribution of scripted series content.

The program targets independent producers who have a background in feature-film production and aspire to move into high-end series content. The program’s graduates will acquire knowledge and skills in producing and financing series, and will become acquainted with the European series landscape.

The program is participant-based, so only one producer per company will be accepted.

The program is conducted in English.

Lectures

The State of Global Scripted Production

Danna Stern

Sunday, January 22, 18:00-19:30 CET | Trieste, Italy

In this overview, we will explore the current opportunities and challenges facing local language scripted series - as the production landscape, fuelled by global streamers, is in constant flux; affecting genres, budgets, deal-making, and creative decisions.

We will also, hopefully, provide you with some practical tips and tools, as well as work through key terms and detail the stages and partners necessary for successfully integrating into the international TV production community.

References

It is a gateway to the other side - the one on which producing TV drama content is actually possible. I recommend it to everyone who has an idea for a series and does not know how to bring it to life.

Zala Opara

Producer, Cold Open 2022 alumna

It was a wonderful forum to support participants in their first steps in international series production. Inspiring lecturers, great pool of projects and an amazing opportunity to network and develop new skills.

Kalin Kalinov

Producer, Cold Open 2022 alumnus

Some truly inspiring days that gave me the enthusiasm and trust that the sky is the limit!

Irina Malcea-Candea

Producer, Cold Open 2021 alumna

Even in a short time of 3 days, the amount of information I could get out of the lectures and 1:1 meetings was huge and extremely helpful for me in this stage of concept. I feel I understand the TV market way better I did so far and feel ready to develop my series now.

Juraj Krasnohorsky

Producer, Cold Open 2021 alumnus

MIDPOINT Cold Open is a great starting point on the bridge from feature film to series.

Johannes Jancke

Producer, Cold Open 2020 alumnus

FAQs

You may ask...

How many participants does the Cold Open program expect to select?

Approx. 6 - 8.
What background should the applicants have?

The program is targeted toward feature-film producers who aspire to move into scripted series.
What should I include in my motivation letter?

It will be closely described within the actual application form, but since you're asking: you should explain your professional background, reasons for applying to Cold Open, your company's plans regarding moving into series production and references of the kinds of shows you'd be interested in making.
What is meant by ''series pitch''?

The series pitch is simply an overview of your idea, and should include a general description of the premise, the setting, the main storylines and the narrative style. Usually about 1 - 5 pages, a first glance of the project.
Is the series pitch required?

Not at all. If you don't yet have a particular project in mind, let us know, in your motivation letter, which kinds of projects interest you most.
Can I get a scholarship for Cold Open?

Unfortunately not. However, we encourage you to contact your national or regional film funds, associations or ministries of culture, who may support participation in programs such as this or at least partially support training activities, even if they don't support television development in general.