Global TV Trends – A snapshot from MIP TV

Talk by Jane Roscoe

Numbers were down at April’s gathering of the international television industry, but you couldn’t tell from our schedules. It was still a week of back-to-back meetings, pitching, buying and selling. There was evidence of the impact the GFC – some companies were absent this time round (Warner Brothers, for example), and some companies brought teams half their usual size (MTV, ITV/Granada). Development slates seemed to be suffering with some of the major distributors holding back on bigger projects and waiting for the LA screenings to launch new pilots. Of course, we can’t blame this all on the GFC, drama in the States is still suffering the after effects of the Writers Strike.  Broadcasters such as Channel Four and the BBC talked about having less on the development slate, but being more focused in terms of what was being commissioned. There was a greater emphasis on domestic stories that would connect with their core audiences, and would work for the Broadcasters schedules. With revenue down across the board there seemed to be fewer opportunities for ‘risk taking’.

Collective wisdom tells us that when times are tough, TV is a winner. People stay home more, and need to be entertained. Yet, a recent study conducted in the UK suggested that during this recent economic downturn people are not turning to their TVs for comfort. But, at MIP, it seemed that it wasn’t all bad news.

Positive feel-good television was still scoring points at MIP.  The ‘fish out of water’ formats swapped families, cultures and power structures to give a fresh look to everything from finding a partner to understanding your finances.

Nostalgia ran high with many dramas focusing on the ‘good old days’, and anything to do with money was hot. Of course in the current context we want to be both informed about the GFC, what it is, how we got here, and what we do about it, and  at the same time, we want to escape into ‘yesteryear’ when times were not so tough. There was plenty to satisfy both.

The recent boom in eco-programmes, and the slow food movement have also prompted more formats exploring ways to ‘grow your own’, and understand where your food comes from. There were also many documentaries exploring the economics of our food and clothing, the journey from factory to shop.

Reality formats are still big news, from the Idols and ‘So You Think You Can dance, and Masterchef, to spin offs such as Britain’s Missing Model which puts disability on the catwalk.

There is no denying that times are tough, but there are real opportunities too. European broadcasters are looking for international partners, and we are all trying to find new ways to fund our content. It’s a good time to make new alliances and to look towards new territories for partners.

With MIPCOM just around the corner it will be interesting to see how the mood has shifted when we descend on Cannes in October.

Jane Roscoe

MMW Round Two Launch

Event Report by Nicole Hansson

Women in Film and Television NSW proudly launched its Round Two Media Mentorship for Women in April.

Ana Tiwary the MMW Program Director gave a brief review and update of the programs successful achievements and  thanked the sponsors, Holding Redlich, New South Wales Film and Television Office, Spring in Alaska, Content and Technology Magazine, Miller Camera Support and City of Sydney.

The newly elected WIFT NSW President Jane Roscoe (Network Programmer, SBS Television)  spoke on the topic “Global Trends in Television”. These observations and comments gave the audience an excellent insight into the state of the industry at the current time.

Jane noted that the effects of the global economic downturn have resulted in revenue being down which has led to an air of general nervousness. “Feel good” variety shows and obse

rvational documentaries are the formats that are working. Programs on finance are also doing well in the current market – looking at getting back to basics, how do we knuckle down and get through this economic climate? In regards to Drama it is high end quality, long running series that are targeted in terms of their audience – “niche dramas” that are working.

The Forum on “Creative Producing” included the following top industry speakers.

Rosemary Blight (Executive Producer/ Owner Goalpost Pictures - Clubland, Eternity Man, Closed for Winter - also Round 2 Mentor)

Kath Shelper (Producer/ Owner Scarlett Pictures - Samson and Delilah)

Tom Zybrycki (Leading award-winning documentary filmmaker - also Round 1 Mentor)

Julia Overton (Investment Manager for documentary and feature at Screen Australia - also Round 1 Mentor)

Melissa Azizi, an emerging filmmaker and Round 1 Mentee was the forum moderator.

The general consensus amongst the panellists can be summarised in the following points:
*You need to like the film you are collaborating on, you have to share the passion.
*Respect the people and place the project has come from and be unconditional in your support.
*Understand the vision of the person you are working with, believe in that vision and be interested in making that dream together.
*As Cath Shelper stated “Creating that space for braveness to take place”
*Collaboration is very important. Issues do arise with a creative team.
*What is paramount is the relationship. The discussions about the script are vital, belief in the same direction.
*Work with the market and the director. The process is very important.
*Rosemary Blight gave the clear and concise analogy of helping to put the right ingredients together. The project is fused into a whole that you can pull apart.

To hear directly from such experienced professionals was an exceptional opportunity for mentees, mentors and other industry professionals alike.

The launch officially concluded with the presentation and acknowledgement of Certificates of Achievement for Round One mentees.

An excellent networking opportunity wrapped it up. Stimulating conversation combined with nibbling from circulating patters of sushi was the perfect end to a very successful launch.

SPEAKER BIOS:

JANE ROSCOE: Network Programmer - SBS Television
Jane Roscoe has been at SBS for over four years and is currently the Network Programmer overseeing SBS 1 and 2. During that time she has attended the major Television and Film markets including MIPTV, MIPCOM, BANFF, BERLINALE, SUNNYSIDE OF THE DOC, HOT DOCS, IDFA, HISTORY CONGRESS, SCIENCE CONGRESS, SPAA and AIDC. She has an extensive network of producers, distributers and broadcasters from around the world. She acquires content for all genres and has particular interests in documentary, factual hybrids scripted comedy. She is the SBS Executive on the Indigenous Emerging Talent Mentoring Award, and is committed to helping young practitioners on their journeys. Previously Jane was Head of Screen Studies and Research at the AFTRS. During her career as an academic she has published extensively on audiences, documentary and factual programming. Her work on Big Brother and its audience is well sited, as is her work on mock-documentary. Her last book was Faking It: Mock-Documentary and the Subversion of Factuality (with Craig Hight, MUP, 2001). In 2005 she gave The Henry Meyer lecture ‘When Theory Met Practice’ discussing her move from academia to broadcasting. Jane is currently the President of Women in Film and Television NSW.

ROSEMARY BLIGHT: Rosemary is one of Australia’s leading producers and a principal partner of independent production company Goalpost Pictures Australia.  Rosemary has just completed THE ETERNITY MAN with UK director Julien Temple and is also executive producer of James Bogle’s feature film CLOSED FOR WINTER, starring Natalie Imbruglia and based on Georgia Blain’s novel of the same name.  Rosemary is the producer of the 2007 Sundance hit CLUBLAND (released as INTRODUCING THE DWIGHTS by Warner Independent Pictures in USA), starring Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn, directed by Cherie Nowlan and written by Keith Thompson. Rosemary’s other feature credits include Neil Mansfield’s FRESH AIR and James Bogle’s award winning IN THE WINTER DARK. Rosemary’s television credits include the ratings winning telemovie GO BIG, the 26-part drama series, LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD , the AFI and Logie nominated telemovies SMALL CLAIMS 1, 2 & 3 and the telemovie STEPFATHER OF THE BRIDE , written by Geoffrey Atherden. Rosemary is Executive Producer of series 1 & 2 of the AFI and Logie winner LOCKIE LEONARD, the 26-part children’s series, based on the novels by Tim Winton and SCORCHED, the major television and cross platform event for the Nine Network and Granada. Rosemary Blight is a board member of the New South Wales Film & Television Office.

KATH SHELPER: Kath is an award winning Australian film producer. She was the recipient of the 2005 Inside Film Award for Rising Talent. Her production credits include Confessions of a Headhunter, Plains Empty, Bush Mechanics, Above the Dust Level, and Green Bush. She was a founding member of the film production company Film Depot along with fellow producers Louise Smith and Matthew Dabner. Kath now works out of her own production company Scarlett Pictures. She has just completed her first feature film, the award winning Samson and Delilah directed and filmed by Warwick Thornton, starring Rowan MacNamara and Marissa Gibson and featuring Mitjili Napanangka Gibson. The film premiered at the Adelaide Film Festival, February 2009 and has won best first feature at Cannes Film Festival – the Camer d’Or.          .

TOM ZUBRYCKI: Tom is one of Australia’s leading documentary filmmakers. He specialises in telling local stories which have universal significance, and his films have won him many awards – internationally and in Australia. His recent credits as director include Temple of Dreams which was one of the highlights of the Sydney Film Festival 2007, Vietnam Symphony (2005), Molly & Mobarak (2003), The Secret Safari (2001), The Diplomat (2000) and Billal (1996). His credits as producer include Exile in Sarajevo (1995), Stolen Generations (2000), Making Venus (2002) and The Intervention: Katherine, NT (2008) In 2008 the Australian Directors Guild honoured him with the Cecil Holmes Award in recognition for his body of work and his role in mentoring emerging filmmakers.

JULIA OVERTON: Julia is an Investment Manager for documentary and feature film at Screen Australia (SA) She is a graduate of University of New England (BA Hons 1st) in English, Communications and Classics. Julia has a multi-faceted track record as an independent producer of feature films, television drama, documentary, children’s TV and animation. Prior to joining Screen Australia Julia was a development executive at Australian Film Commission where she assisted in the development of  a number of successful projects such as the Oscar winning animation Harvie Krumpet, the Cannes selected dramas Jew Boy, Crackerbag and Sexy Thing, the multi award winning documentary Jabe Babe a Heightened Life and a number of feature films. Her credits include feature films (Cut, Spider and Rose, Fistful of Flies, Until the End of the World, Travelling North), television drama (Aftershocks, The Long Ride, Tudawali), children’s TV (the Winners series) short drama (Entertaining Angels, I Eugenia) documentary (Black Man’s Houses) and animation (Pianoforte). Julia is on the board of the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC), is a member of Australian Directors Guild and co National Coordinator for Input, the public television conference.

MELISSA AZIZI: Melissa earned a BA Hon First Class (Art History and Theory/Performance studies) at USYD and MA Media Arts and Production at UTS. After being awarded several prizes at both universities for her short films Melissa formed Cinedream with fellow UTS graduate Will Kuether. She is currently producing a short film with the NSW FTO and writing her first feature. Melissa Azizi was mentored by Julia Overton in Round 1 of the Media Mentorship for Women program.

MMW Event Report by Nicole Hansson

Media Law Talk

Demystifying Copyright in Film and Television

Talk by: Sonia Borella and Catherine Hoyle
Held on: Wednesday 21 January 2009
Held at: Holding Redlich

Copyright in Film and Television seems a rather long complicated tunnel to explore. What exactly is it? Who needs to know? Why do we need to know? To address these questions and more the Media Mentorship for Women (MMW) program offered as part of their workshop series: “Media Law: Demystifying copyright in Film and Television”.

MMW applicants, WIFT NSW members and non-members were invited to an evening hosted by Holding Redlich Partner Sonia Borella and lawyer Catherine Hoyle. They gave an excellent presentation in a relaxed manner that was very informative and clear. Areas covered included the basics of copyright in Film and Television, ranging from copyright definitions, ownership, exceptions, rights in a film, title searches, to a checklist covering when you need to obtain permission to use material in your film. With all the information covered in the handouts we were able to sit back and just absorb everything in.

Opportunities to ask both general and specific questions were given both throughout the presentation and informally afterward with drinks. This was an invaluable opportunity to not only discuss individual projects but also to network with a variety of people involved in many different media areas.

Whether you are a producer, director, writer or other creative contributor to a film or television project this information evening very much enforced just how important it is to have at least a basic knowledge of copyrighting in the Media Industry.

So, at the end of the evening those initial questions and more were certainly answered and that copyright tunnel maybe just a little less long and complicated.

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Holding Redlich

Holding Redlich has a unique personality which distinguishes them from other law firms. It is a personality based on a strong commitment to ethical behaviour, trust, respect for the individual, a strong sense of their obligation to society, excellence in everything they do, and a resolve to work as partners with their clients.

Founded over 30 years ago, they have developed and grown into a leading national Australian commercial law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Consistent with their values, their partners and staff dedicate time and funds to strengthen our community through support for human rights, social justice and the arts.

They provide high level services in all aspects of media and entertainment, and have a reputation as Australia’s leading national media and entertainment law firm. Holding Redlich offers practical advice to clients to meet all their legal requirements, including contracts, intellectual property, co-productions, talent, finance, corporate structures and taxation (including the Location, PDV, and Producer Offsets).

Website: www.holdingredlich.com.au

Ana Tiwary shortlisted for NSW Woman of the Year Award

[press release from WIFT NSW]

Women in Film and Television NSW congratulates management committee member, Ana Tiwary on being a finalist for the NSW Woman of the Year Award.

She is the first woman from the Film and Television industry to be short-listed for this prestigious award. The NSW Woman of the Year Award is about recognising the work of an outstanding woman, who can represent all the talented women who give their time and experience to other women and their communities in NSW. The Award recipient will be announced at the Premier’s Reception for International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 5 2009.

Ana Tiwary is Vice President of Women in Film and Television NSW and has established the successful and popular Media Mentorship for Women (MMW) program, which enables one to one relationships between industry professionals and emerging female filmmakers in order to create a supportive community and improve the status of women in the industry.

Latest statistics on the Screen Australia website reveal that in many technical areas, the number of women working dropped between 1996 and 2006. For example the number of women Editors dropped from 26% to 23% and women Sound Technicians reduced from 15% to 10%. The numbers of women Directors (24%), Technical Directors (10%), Directors of Photography (6%), Camera Operators (5%), and Lighting Technicians (9%) have not significantly increased. President of WIFT NSW, Lindy Monson states that “Women are under-represented in most areas of filmmaking. This remains not only a matter of equal employment opportunity but also impacts on the way stories are told on screen.”

Before immigrating to Australia in 2007, Ana travelled around the world making films to support numerous charity organisations, giving a voice to the powerless and telling untold stories. A passionate filmmaker, Ana has made a film about the Women’s Peace Movement in war-torn Liberia and the election of the World’s first Black Woman President. From interviewing World Leaders to filming in Bombay slums, from National Geographic Channel to ‘Bollywood’, Ana continues to work on some very challenging projects. Ana holds double masters in English Literature and Film Production from the American University, Washington DC.

Ana says, “When I first moved to Australia, I did not how and where to start. I joined WIFT NSW and started volunteering as Technical Director for the WOW Film Festival. A speech by Tania Chambers (CEO, NSW Film and TV Office) inspired me to launch the Mentorship program.” In Round 1, 75 women were accepted into the program and 38 have been successfully matched with mentors in 10 different technical areas. Mentorship Round 2 has already attracted 77 applications and the matching process has begun. Talking about the popularity and interest the program has generated Ana adds, “The success of the program shows that there is a definite need for mentorship opportunities in the Media industry. I am absolutely amazed by the support the NSW Government, Private Sponsors, Industry Partners and our wonderful Mentors have given to the program.” The Media Mentorship for Women program is attempting to create a nurturing, warm and supportive atmosphere in which women filmmakers can thrive.

While announcing the State’s top-ten women, NSW Minister for Women, Hon. Verity Firth, said “The NSW Woman of the Year Award recognises the achievements of women and the leadership they provide as positive role models, particularly to younger women”.

Mentorship Coordinator, Heaven Muecke has worked closely with Ana in making the program a success. She states, “Ana’s desire is to create a community in which women support each other as well as improving the status of women in the Film & Television industries, which has continued to decline in the last ten years. Her passion, commitment and generous spirit is outstanding and worthy of recognition, she inspires me to dream big.”

Ana feels honoured and energised by being short listed for the 2009 NSW Woman of the Year Award. She is herself inspired by the incredible role-models she has met in Australia - Hon. Virginia Judge, Hon. Verity Firth, Wendy McCarthy, Rosemary Blight, Tracey Mair, Debra Richards, Sonia Borella, Jane Roscoe, Jan Chapman, Heidi Tobin, Katrina Southon and her mentor Tania Chambers.

Government Bodies:

www.screenaustralia.gov.au - Screen Australia

www.fto.nsw.gov.au - NSW Film and TV Office

Industry Guilds & Associations:

www.nsw.wift.org - Women in Film and Television NSW

www.wiftvic.com - Women in Film and Television Victoria

www.wifti.org - Women in Film and Television International

www.adg.org.au - Australian Directors Guild (ADG)

www.cinematographer.org.au - Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS)

www.awg.com.au - Australian Writers Guild (AWG)

www.screeneditors.com - Australian Screen Editors Guild (ASE)

www.spaa.org.au - Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA)

www.agsc.org.au - Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC)

www.ozdox.org - The Australian Documentary Forum

www.emergingdoco.com.au - Emerging Doco-makers Network of Australia

www.afi.org.au - Australian Film Institute

www.cinewest.org.au - Cinewest

www.afact.org.au - Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT)

www.asdafilm.org.au - Australian Screen Directors Association (ASDA)

www.avsda.com.au - Australian Visual Software Distributors Association (AVSDA)

www.filmcode.info - Film Exhibition and Distribution Code Administration Committee (FEDCAC)

www.nswfmg.com.au - NSW Filmmakers Group

www.sna.net.au - Screen Network Australia

www.avpa.org.au - Australian Video Producers Association

www.natpe.org - National Association of Television Program Executives

www.facts.org.au - Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations (FACTS)

Film Festivals:

www.nsw.wift.org/wow - WOW (World of Women) Film Festival

www.lafemme.org - LA Femme Film Festival

www.womensfilmfestival.com - St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival

www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com - Female Eye Film Festival

www.womensfilmfest.com - Women’s International Film Festival, South Florida

www.madcatfilmfestival.org - MadCat Women’s International Film Festival

www.bwfilmfestival.com - The Baltimore Women’s Film Festival

www.birds-eye-view.co.uk - Birds Eye View Festival

www.rwul.com - Red Orchid Film Festival

www.wiffbc.com - WIFTV Women in Film Festival, B.C.

www.trickywomen.at - Tricky Women Animation Film Festival

www.aawic.org - African American Women In Cinema Film Festival (New York, NY)

www.beaconcinema.com - Boston International Festival Of Women’s Cinema

www.chickswithflicks.org - Chicks With Flicks Film & Video Festival (NY)

www.sffringe.org - Diva Festival (CA)

www.estrofest.org - Estrofest (GA)

www.gurl.com - Gurl.Com Film Festival (NY)

www.ladyfesttx.org - Ladyfest Austin (Austin, Texas)

www.unaff.org - United Nations Association Film Festival

www.sydneyfilmfestival.org - Sydney Film Festival

www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au - Melbourne International Film Festival

www.stgeorgebiff.com.au - Brisbane International Film Festival

www.flickerfest.com.au - Flickerfest International Short Film Festival

www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au - St. Kilda Film Festival

www.bbff.com.au - Byron Bay Film Festival

www.tropfest.com - Tropfest

Online Communities & Job Sites:

www.screenhub.com.au

www.artshub.com.au

www.seek.com.au

www.sl8it.com

www.filmtvbiz.com.au

www.auscrew.com.au

www.alliance.org.au

www.mandy.com

www.craigslist.com

Australian Film Schools:

www.aftrs.edu.au

www.sydneyfilmschool.com

www.nida.edu.au

WIFT NSW new Media Mentorship for Women (MMW), was officially launched on the Opening Night of the 15th WOW Film Festival at the Chauvel Cinema earlier this month.

Tania Chambers, Chief Executive of the NSW Film and Television Office (FTO), opened the WOW Film Festival and announced the launch of the Media Mentorship for Women Program.

Special guest Ian Robertson, Managing Partner, Holding Redlich and Deputy Chair, Screen Australia, also proud to be a Platinum sponsor of the program, thinks that the MMW is an important initiative for the Film and Television industry. “I think one of the terrific things from the point of view of women working in this industry is that we have so many female role models … It is to be hoped that this mentorship program will add many more names to the list of outstanding female talent in our industry,” said Robertson.

The program has attracted mentors from many different areas of the industry, from scriptwriting and cinematography to sound design and editing. MMW offers established industry professionals such as Piet De Vries, Robert Humphries, Jessica Douglas-Henry, Susan MacKinnon, Guy Gross, John Edwards, Laura Sivis to name a few. We also have overseas mentors such as US based Laurie Scheer, UK based Anna Reeves and Anjum Rajibali from India on board for Mentorship Round 1. (A complete list of Round 1 Mentees and Mentors is provided the end of this article.)

Ana Tiwary Mentorship Program Co-ordinator, Vice President WIFT NSW, thanked all the sponsors, volunteers and acknowledged all of the 30 mentors who have come on board for Mentorship Round 1. “About eight months ago, the mentorship program was just an idea and I am happy to see it come to life today. The most vital part of our program is our mentors, and we are extremely grateful to them for contributing their time and sharing their wisdom with the next generation of women filmmakers.”

Mentoring flourishes at MMW Launch Forum…

The first round of the MMW was marked with a stylish kick off at the Rex Center in Potts Point. Attended by Mentors, applicants and other industry professionals, the event included a talk on Work-Life Balance by special guest Alison Nancye, a Mentorship Forum and a Speed Networking session.

Founder of The Life Kitchen, Director of MiLK Magazine, a renowned mentor, writer, keynote speaker, and mother of two; Nancye’s Work-Life Balance’ speech resonated with those present and inspired many to spend more time on nurturing their mind, body and souls.

With a panel of five inspiring mentors, comprising of Sarah Joyce, Kathy Drayton, Karel Segers, Phillippa Harvey and Madeleine Hetherton, engrossing debate was sparked. Hot on the tongues, were strategies to bridge the gap between emerging and established filmmakers. The discussion enabled attendees to address the issues that concerned them the most, proving to be a productive and engaging environment for all.

Overall, the excitement and camaraderie of the start of the MMW was so strongly felt by all, that a significant number stayed on to continue discussions and interact with new found industry colleagues.

Whats next on the MMW menu…

The MMW Committee will be organising 3 free workshops for MMW applicants over the next six months in areas such as Media Law, Cinematography and Scriptwriting. Mentorship Round 2 applications will be accepted between 10th December 2008 and 1st of February 2009. Please check the website for updates: www.nsw.wift.org/mentor

Special Thank You! to our Sponsors and Supporters…

The media industry has been very supportive of the program and we are very grateful to all our partners - Metro Screen, Getting Creative, A big thank you to Greg Neal from Miller for encouraging us from the very start of the program. Megan McMurchy and Hibiscus films, we cannot thank you enough. We are extremely grateful and fortunate to have incredible support from our sponsors. The NSW FTO has guided and supported us along the way. A special thank you to Tania Chambers for her vision, inspiration and encouragement. Our Platinum Legal Sponsor Holding Redlich are not only providing their valuable services but also organizing a free Media Law workshop. We are very thankful to Ian Robertson, Sonia Borella and Cathy Hoyle for supporting the program in so many different ways. Phil Sandberg form Content+Technology Magazine is printing a series of articles about the mentorship program. Keren Moran and Noa Peer from Spring in Alaska, have created an outstanding website for us. City of Sydney has offered us free venue for some of our events. Miller Camera Support were the first sponsor to come on board and have helped the program right from the development stage. We look forward to the continued support of all our fantastic Sponsors for many years to come.

Emerging to Established - Bridging the Gap!

MMW ROUND 1 MATCHED LIST

Media Mentorship for Women is proudly sponsored by:

Visit the Media Mentorship for Women website at www.nsw.wift.org/mentor

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How to increase your PRODUCTIVITY

By Prof. Chris Palmer, School of Communication, American University

Successful people tend to lead highly productive lives. They don’t waste time on television, gossip or other activities unrelated to their chief goals. They know what they want to achieve and they manage their time and organize their schedules to make it happen. To boost your own productivity, try these twelve suggestions:

1.    Focus on what matters most to you in your professional and personal life. Your goal is to achieve congruence between how you spend your day and what matters most to you.

2.    Be ambitious. Don’t let time, money and fear stop you. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

3.    Create your own unique Personal Mission Statement (PMS). Your PMS describes what kind of person you want to be and what you want to achieve in your life. It will give you a sense of purpose and meaning. In creating your PMS, you are beginning to write the story of your life. Who do you want to become? What do you stand for? What matters deeply to you?

4.    Put your goals in writing. Without written goals, your life is essentially drifting without focus. Goals turn your dreams into reality.

5.    Ask yourself the following question over and over again: What is the best use of my time right now? Discipline yourself to work only on the answer to that question.

6.    Rid your life of time-wasters like poorly run meetings, interruptions and gossip. But also pursue more radical gains in productivity by ceasing to pursue jobs, contracts, careers or relationships that you think are stupid and trivial.

7.    Take care of yourself first. Self-renewal (physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual) is the vital process of enhancing your capacity to make you a more effective and fulfilled person.

8.    Take your commitments very seriously, however small. When you promise to do something, do it—and do it when you said you would do it.

9.    Listen attentively and actively to other people. Because the other person’s need to be understood is satisfied, you are more likely to be listened to and understood yourself.

10.    Distinguish urgent tasks from important tasks. Often, urgent tasks are not important and important tasks are not urgent. This is why important tasks, such as building a relationship with your spouse, can get neglected. Schedule more time for important tasks.

11.    Take new action relentlessly. Overcoming fear and taking action can change your mood from one of resignation to one of ambition. Highly productive people seize opportunities quickly and make requests, promises and offers frequently. They move quickly and develop a reputation for speed and reliability.

12.    Be comfortable saying no and declining requests from others. What can you not do so you free up time to do more of the things that are really important to you?

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Chris Palmer is Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University in Washington DC, President of the MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation in Laguna Beach, CA, and CEO of VideoTakes, Inc. in Alexandria, VA. Check out his profile here http://environmentalfilm.org/palmer.html