Breakdown of what happens in a #filmmarket #berlinale2019
First before you get to the market, your stomach fills with the feeling of dread and excitement. Dread? It could go badly, you might have forgotten your passport, in your imagination you have registered for #accreditation but it didn't go through, or you left business cards at home; on the other hand, it might go extremely well for you and you earn millions! Haha. One wishes :)
First there is the process of getting to the airport, which was challenging because one train decides to break down at my station, so all trains can only use one track to go to Oslo S. And I have a flight to catch. It was an inner battle to either take the taxi to Oslo S (NOK250) or wait for the train that might not come (free with my monthy card). I decided to wait for 15 min more, and thankfully the train did come. But the agony did not end in Oslo S, because the trains there were delayed by half hour, promising to go at a certain time, but the present train didn't move. Then I decided I shall take the more expensive Flytoget which is NOK210 more, compared to the NOK69 I could have used for the normal train. It was a great business decision, because I came just on time, 40 min before my flight. And thankfully my flight was delayed by 20 min as well, so I sauntered through the airport.
You might think why I agonise over small sums. Because each small sum can add up to a big sum in business. In one's start of a business, wise balanced decisions are needed. I'm willing to sacrifice small sums to achieve a bigger goal, but not unnecessarily.
Flights were delayed as I forgot that planes needed to be defrosted before flying. I'm thankful to the Norwegian airport for being such an advanced airport that I could make it to my Berlin market. The spraying process was quite an exciting one for me, even though I've seen it before. How great that we can fly in winter!
As we approach #Berlin from the air, I got excited again. Which new people am I going to meet? How would the Norway House look like? What films and adventures would I be up to? What parties am I going to?
Then the dread part comes when I realise I haven't found the way to get to my Airbnb apartment. But luckily I met one of my great producers Mona Hoel, on the same Easyjet flight and we went together on the bus to go to the centre, for me #PotsdamerPlatz.
I arrived one day early as I wanted to be well-rested before my battlefield begins on Feb 7 - I liken it to a battlefield because there are many friends to be made, but also competition. And one never gets more than 4-5 hours sleep per night. Seven days of that can make one feel exhausted and reclusive after the battle is over. But well-worth it, it was! #Filmfestivals are madhouses.
I got my card after a grueling long queue for it on the evening of the 6th, during which I made acquaintance with the gentleman behind me who is the organizer of Imagine Fantastic Film Festival (Switzerland) and representing Yume Sales Agency. Pretty awesome how one meets useful contacts at the fest.
My first small victory - I made it to MGB! And I was so proud to see "#Norway - Country in Focus 2019". Love the half snowflake design - snowflakes are a great reminder to me that we are all unique beings trying to survive on Earth.
Coming from a tropical country like Singapore, I love love love snow. You might not believe it, but man, I love Norway and its cold climate and snow. I even prayed for snow in England long time ago and got my prayer answered, but that is a story for another time.
I get pretty excited when I see all the different countries and stands at the #filmmarket, picturing myself talking to all the people there with exciting content to sell.
Every year the smaller stands change - this year there is no Mongolian or Filipino stand, and there were very few Chinese stands. I guess they are gearing up for #Filmart instead.
And #Berlinale authorities, if anyone is reading this, please arrange it such that Berlinale doesn't clash with Chinese/Korean New Year - it always destroys the important festival for many Asians. Only 40 Chinese participants were at the market. I saw some Koreans but they all came much later. And me? I couldn't go back to Singapore because I had to be here - doesn't make sense to fly 17 hours to Singapore, and come back 17 hours to Europe just for one day of Chinese New Year that started on 5 Feb. (Chinese New Year is celebrated over 2 weeks).
I visited all the stalls in the MGB the evening of 6 Feb just to soak up the calm and see the finishing touches the craftsmen were doing. Spain usually occupies the most expensive spot on the square, as well as Creative Europe MEDIA stand.
I hope to write part 2 in the next few days :)
Take care in the meantime, folks!
x
Adrienne
Comments