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Copps at the American Film Market by Brian Stevenson ([email protected]), Viodi, LLC |
March 2nd, 2004 Issue |
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To say the FCC creates storms of controversy within the media community is putting it mildly, especially when it comes to the American Film Market Association. AFMA is the global trade association of independent distributors and producers of motion picture and television programming. The annual American Film Market (AFM) is the world's largest motion picture trade event. The AFM is a global marketplace where more than $500 million in motion picture and television production and distribution deals are closed annually. AFMA invited FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps to air concerns regarding the state of Independent films, their place within the ever increasing world of media corporate consolidation and ways in which Independent filmmakers can exhibit their films without the need of going through the studio and corporate route. The reason AFMA invited Copps is because he is FCC's most outspoken foe of media consolidation. Copps filed a passionate dissent during the 2001-2003 media consolidation proceedings, when the FCC declared that it would liberalize existing rules, allowing broadcasters to own stations reaching a larger share of the national audience and allowing increased ownership of multiple stations in individual markets. Jean Prewitt, who is CEO of AFMA, expressed her concerns with regard to these recent events. "There has been a steady erosion of opportunities for independents in the United States as distribution channels increasingly are part of large, vertical integrated media conglomerates," commented Ms. Prewitt. "We have seen this phenomenon in theatrical outlets, video stores, broadcast and cable television.” Copps spoke of potential legislation whereby distribution channels would have to set-aside a percentage of their programming specifically for independent content. He wants to encourage the entertainment community to come up with a research plan that would enable him to provide evidence to the FCC of the problems independent distributors and filmmakers are having with media conglomerates. This could be the beginning of an influential relationship between Michael J. Copps and AFMA. Stay tuned. All displayed trademarks, logos
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