Last month, studio network executives, writers, directors, producers, and TV content creators gathered in West Hollywood for the annual Hollywood Creative Forum (HCF) to share inclusion strategies and to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work throughout the changing media and entertainment landscape.
What is the HCF?
Since its inception 13 years ago, the HCF has delivered meaningful connections, opportunities for collaboration, and business intelligence for diverse working creatives and executives in television entertainment. The annual event reinforces the importance of DEI as the default approach to industry talent, content, and culture processes. Event host, Dana Blair, and DMA, President of Planet DMA, guided attendees through this two-day program.
What Was New in 2023
- Provided takeaways to help attendees navigate the new content landscape of shifting streamer production models, continued mergers and acquisitions, FAST channel expansion and much more.
- Connected established writers, directors, and producers of color with executives for advanced professional development and networking, versus the typical focus on emerging voices.
Event Highlights
- A private, working conversation exclusively for executives. Tim McNeal, SVP, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney Entertainment, led a conversation on the realities, challenges, and opportunities in the current television environment. The session also included a panel on real-world experiences and solutions of integrating inclusion efforts.
“This event has evolved and responded to the moment our industry was in, even while keeping laser focus on working creatives and inclusion as a guiding principle for success in the work we all do.” — Tim McNeal
- A talent-only session on creating effective professional assets. Panels of executives and upper-level talent provided examples of elevating writing samples, refining directors reels, energizing pitch decks, and more.
- A full day of panels and networking, bringing talent and executives together, along with community and professional organizations. Tamara Gregory, Head of Development & Production, Willmore Films, led with a keynote on the state of the industry. Sessions included: interviews with writers, directors and producers of two TV projects; mentoring on staffing, pitching, and sales strategies with executive and talent panelists; and more.
“I challenge you, instead of working the room, leave the room better than you found it.” — Tamara Gregory
Takeaways
- Attendees left the event with actionable steps for taking their careers to the next level – and pivoting to new spaces – and relationships with peers that are invested in inclusion.
- Executives and organizational partners shared insights, talked strategy, highlighted wins for their own platforms, and directly connected with talent.
Explore Further
- To see the full list of Hollywood Creative Forum speakers, panelists, sponsors and partners visit https://www.hcfwalterkaitz.org/.
- To learn more about the Walter Kaitz Foundation and its mission to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in media and entertainment visit http://www.walterkaitz.org/.
