From Page to Screen: Navigating Development and Adaptation
Adapting material for film and television is an art form that demands both creativity and fidelity. This panel explores the intricate process of adaptation, focusing on how stories are transformed during the development phase and the unique challenges that adaptations face compared to original projects. The panelists provide insight into the strategies they employ to preserve the essence of the source material while making it suitable for a new medium. The panel features Billy Bowring, Development Producer at See-Saw Films, who brings a wealth of experience in guiding projects from concept to screen; Isaure Pisani-Ferry, the creative force behind Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, who shares her unique perspective on biographical adaptations and discusses the nuances of bringing real-life stories to the screen; and Steve Matthews, Banijay Entertainment’s Content Executive, who works with the company’s scripted development slates and has wide experience with adaptations. Together, they offer insight into the challenges and triumphs of bringing complex source material to life on television.
SPEAKERS
BILLY BOWRING
Story Producer, See-Saw Films/ UK
ISAURE PISANI-FERRY
Creator and Head Writer of Becoming Karl Lagerfeld / FR
STEVE MATTHEWS
Content Partnerships Executive, Banijay / FR
MODERATED BY
MARIKE MUSELAERS
VP International Financing and Coproductions, Nordisk Film Production / SE
TIME
Monday, August 19th, 2024
16:30 – 17:30 (CET)
LOCATION
Swissotel Sarajevo / CineLink Talks Conference Room
Isaure Pisani-Ferry
Pisani-Ferry is a French writer, based in Berlin. She studied Literature and Social Sciences and wrote radio shows before turning to screenwriting. She has written on Canal+ and Netflix series (Kaboul Kitchen, Vampires, Ganglands) and is creator and headwriter of Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (Disney+).
Steve Matthews
Steve Matthews is the Content Partnerships Executive, where he acts as a key facilitator in the group’s production development process, supporting in driving co-production opportunities across Banijay’s footprint, and generally building out the business’ pipeline and creative partnerships primarily across drama. Matthews joined Banijay from HBO Europe, where he most recently served as VP, Executive Producer, Scripted, having joined the business back in 2014. In that post, he partnered with local teams across Central Europe, Spain and Nordics, to spearhead the development of original series and miniseries, as well as international adaptations. There he worked on productions including Pustina, Umbre, Blinded By The Lights, Uspjeh, The Sleepers, Foodie Love, Gösta; and from Banijay’s footprint specifically, 30 Coins (Pokeepsie), Beforeigners (Rubicon), and Beartown (Filmlance).
Marike Muselaers
With almost 20 years of experience in the film and TV industry, including co-leading the Lumiere Group (Benelux) as co-CEO, Marike Muselaers recently joined the management team of Nordisk Film Production as VP of International Financing and Co-productions. She is responsible for strengthening the financing of films and series and developing an ambitious strategy for co-productions. At Nordisk Film Production, and as a tutor, moderator, keynote speaker, and panel guest at many industry events and training programs, Marike always aims to facilitate and create compelling stories, meaningful partnerships, and innovative business models.