Part 4 of 4: Filmmaker Atsushi Ogata reports from K Web Fest – NETWORKING & TIPS
One of the great things that happen at festivals is networking. Because of the number of prominent guests, and the highly organized and hospitable manner in which events and meals were arranged by K Web Fest, we had a lot of occasions to comfortably meet other international guests, Korean creators and industry people. The first evening, K Web Fest had organized an outing at a seafood restaurant in the Gangnam area with guidance from Gabriel Galand, French film director who resides in Seoul. We were taken by a K Web Fest bus to the restaurant, and had a chance to speak informally with all the international web festival directors and other creators such as Mark Szilagyi (REDLAND), Dipu Bhattacharya & Tom Chamberlain, Luke Eve and Chris Hembury. I can’t imagine a more comprehensive gathering of the world’s top web festivals in a country they had never been to, all trying to figure out what exactly the local dishes consisted of.
Through other meals, I also met Michael Ajakwe (LA Webfest), Kenneth Dixon (Warner Brothers), Gus L. Blackmon (GLB Producitons), Brooks Wachtel (Emmy Award winning writer), and other creators and cast, Amy Hoff (CALEDONIA), Martin Joseph (Marvelless Martan), Purpose Líricas and Jérémie Delaboudinière (The Popcorn Show).
This festival understands the critical balance between formal presentations and informal gatherings – finding a way to give exposure to officials without overloading them, and for individual creators to have access on a personal basis to programmers and industry leaders.
Award ceremony and meals also provided us with occasions to meet and speak with Hyun Woo, Kim (CEO of GB Boston Investment), Yoo, Jae-Hyuck (Editor of Korea Economy Daily) and JiHyun Choi (Samsung Medicos) and to further understand the scale, support and enthusiasm with which K Web Fest has been realized.
TIPS FOR READERS
Attending a web series festival can be a great opportunity for learning, being inspired and meeting like-minded colleagues and mentors. In April 2014, I stumbled upon LAWebFest, which was taking place quite close to my flat, after seeing it listed in the Writers Guild of America newsletter. Although I have worked in film and video for many years, I was nevertheless new to the field of web series, and I wanted to get information by attending the panels. Asking questions, introducing myself and talking with the panelists and other participants, I found myself dining with the festival participants in K Town in LA, then four months later, participating in K Web Fest in Seoul, Korea.
Compared to established film festivals, web festivals are still in their beginning stages. Half of the festival directors I met were starting their festivals for the first time this year. They are both triggering and reflecting the changes taking place around us. I’ve found the participants to be very approachable, engaging, candid and passionate about their work.
My tips to readers are:
- Attend panels
Attend as many panels as you possibly can, with topics that interest you. Listen; ask questions; speak with the panelists, creators and fellow audience members. Unlike traditional film festivals, where you may never have another opportunity to see some of the more obscure films being screened, with web festivals, you can always watch people’s web series on your own time. My suggestion would be to prioritize the panels.
- Hand out promotional material
Also be sure to take postcards and other promotional material about your own series to the festival. Hand them out and place them prominently at the festival’s information kiosks, with the festival’s permission. I was really surprised that our postcards along with a couple of post cards from other web festivals were the only ones placed on the tables along with the K Web Fest catlogues. Having informative and graphic postcards also helps everyone remember you.
- Watch web series by creators you met
It also helps if you take the time to watch other creators’ series so that you can engage in more meaningful discussions with them.
- Exchange contact details
Connect with people on Facebook. Take snapshots with them. That way, you can keep track of the people you meet. Compared to traditional film festivals, the participants are much more active on social media, and I’ve found it much easier to stay in contact.
- Follow up
Even if you don’t share any immediate projects together, keep following up with the people you met. You never know when or how your paths may cross again.
IN CLOSING
I would like to congratulate Young Man Kang, David Oxenbridge, Mike Lee, Debora Paik, Anna Lim, Anna Ward, Peter Kyuha Cho, and all the staff, organizers, volunteers and sponsors of K Web Fest for realizing this milestone event. I thank them for inviting us to be part of K Web Fest. Looking forward to seeing you all at future events! Wishing you good luck with your next edition!