Conversation with Zia Bales Senior Manager, Acquisitions & Coproductions, Kids EMEA Warnermedia EMEA
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Conversation with Zia Bales Senior Manager, Acquisitions & Coproductions, Kids EMEA WarnerMedia EMEA Has got new role Dive into HBO space more now 2 persons in a team, Zia takes animation across all ages From preschool to teens, Families Linear perspective When they pitch? Complementing what they already have got, watch For gaps Cartoonito in UK and Italy Boomerang dedicated to animation only 4 to 6 Cartoon Network 6 to 12 Us broader than animation strategially Kids’ entertainment channel HBO Kids and Family preschool, pre teen, families Materials when you pitch Make sure you are ready, know your characters Passionate about stories Early stage stepping in though is a wish One sheet can be enough Animatics and scripts, bibles etc. asked later How to approach? Email with nice introduction, tell about your company/studio Facilities Video pitches are welcome In person later, visit central ofFice in London What kind of shows? Style, subject Want to keep it broad, not interested to leading people Entertaining content Comedy Educational is less likely, maybe in HBO Engaging characters Charming stories No dark drama at the moment (AleXandra’s opinion), rather fantasy New ideas that we haven’t thought to DiFFerent things are looked aFter WarnerMedia has many old IPs and brands? In third party space do not notice that too much Acquisitions are about new IPs Creative-driven programmes Good content can come From quirky places Can be started in a game or short-form Ivanhoe Book based IPs? Not restricted to any format, it can be good but depends on a character that is Fresh Not looking for? Something that they already have got HBO is a very interesting opinion where journey has just begun EMEA channels? DiFFerent Focus compared to US channels Linear channels have broader needs Cartoonino, pre-school channel There is a history with shorts, that has developed into series? Narrative has to fit the purpose Series is higher priority, one offs ok Pandemic afFected or not? Not so much. Amazing industry, dedication to projects Working remotely works and is impressive Diversity issue on the screen? From 3rd parties you work with Very important internally and with partners diverse stories, voices, characters Range oF universes, the reality that reFlects our viewers Excited about the impact For a change Expectations about teams? Authentic voices, from writers to storyboard artists Making great content Hybrid series? Zia and the colleague both take, depends case-by-case Local needs for linear channels At HBO format is becoming more fleXible from short Form to long Pitching to US teams or EMEA? Working together closely Lots oF programme is worldwide Some international stuFF does not resonate with US It does not matter where the talent comes From WarnerBros and HennaBarbera comedies in the library? Slapstick style in our times Feel difFerent, want to complementary Educational content? In Cartoonito, they have eye on educational element Learning through play element, entertainment comes First HBO too Parents possibly want their kids to watch Socio-emotional ideas and values Making Friends, adding imagination are things to learn Specials will get better accepted iF there is a series too Coproduction vs. commission Not fully funding, other partners involved / majority funded but not all Pre-buys stages .