“I’m deeply grateful to all my children’s media industry friends and colleagues for their phenomenal support in my first year establishing SALT CONTENT, for their encouragement and support while I continue to grow this business, moving onwards and upwards in a new phase of my career. Special thanks to my ROCK of an Agent in L.A., Annette van Duren.” – Angela Salt.
One year in business, summer 2019 in Review.
A fresh new batch of gold embossed SALT CONTENT business cards, beautifully designed by Pip Dale, have just been delivered in time for MIP 2019. Recipients frequently admire the tall, elegant logo which is inspired by a crystal or a rock, partly representing ‘salt’ but also those people who have been a rock of support while I got my new solo business off the ground in what were challenging and tumultuous times for me personally. Within the logo is a subtle ‘A’ for Angela, but ‘A’ is often the start of something too, a fresh plan, a decisive intention. I loved Pip’s beautiful design so much that I had it tattooed on my right shoulder where it acts as my personal compass, aligning me with the positive direction I’m focussed on. The apex of the ‘A’ points ONWARDS AND UPWARDS, a favourite power mantra. Whoever would have thought that an ex-agoraphobic with a previous abject fear of flying would one day be galvanised by such a phrase?
We can surprise ourselves, rewriting our stories, at any point in our lives. I’m choosing to see this time as the beginning of the “freedom half” of my life and who knows where opportunities will take me next… I’m open to the possibilities. My screenwriting work is taking me to fantastic, far-flung places and has given me not just a new lease of life but a new life, and I love it.
GAFX 2019, Bengaluru, India.
Summer 2019 has been remarkable. In June I was invited to be a guest speaker at GAFX 2019 in Bengaluru. It’s India’s flagship event in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics sector organised by ABAI. It was an honour to participate as part of an international team, to showcase some of the U.K.’s great animation, to be a messenger for U.K. independent creators and children’s writers and to co–host a masterclass in developing ip for global markets. GAFX is a powerhouse event with thousands of delegates attending. There are live competitions for artists, games and animation specialists and the creative talent and skill on show was incredible.
India is an exciting, emerging market in terms of original content and the enthusiasm and drive of the people I met was exhilarating. I took time to seek out, connect with and encourage the young women attending in particular. Forty percent of animation students in India are female but these figures drop off dramatically into industry, primarily for cultural reasons. The bright, ambitious and talented young women I met are beacons. I hope that they continue to shine and inspire others. I look forward to returning and seeing more and more women venturing into and excelling in animation, VFX and games in India.
The CMC 2019, Sheffield.
July brings one of the highlights of the children’s media calendar in my view, The Children’s Media Conference, The CMC. I have been a regular attendee for twelve years and have become increasingly involved with the conference as ‘dragon bait’ (!) a guest speaker, official party host and this year I was appointed Writers’ Representative. I exec-produced a supportive and informative session specifically aimed at the writers’ community called WRITERS ASSEMBLE! – because we are the super-heroes of the industry after all!
The overall theme of this year’s conference was ‘Limitless’ which is a great mindset. The CMC is always thought-provoking, questioning and informative and grows year-on-year attracting more delegates from around the world. It’s a fantastic place to network and, increasingly, bring ideas to market at the superbly managed International Exchange.
I was very happy to be celebrating one year of Salt Content at The CMC this year while hosting the second annual WOMEN OF STEEL dinner, meeting in sisterhood to celebrate the brave women of Sheffield who kept the steelworks running during both World Wars. I was delighted to welcome Mr. Biren Ghose, Country Head of Technicolor, India to join us as an honorary ‘sister’ this year!
To Kyiv on a BRAVE BUNNIES writing mission!
In August I travelled to Glowberry’s bright new studio on a film lot in Kyiv, Ukraine, to join in a ‘Writers’ Summit’ as part of the writing team for a gorgeous, upcoming preschool show, BRAVE BUNNIES, created by Olga Cherepanova.
It was my first trip to Ukraine and our hosts at Glowberry made us incredibly welcome organising fascinating walking tours each evening after the work was done. We covered much of the old city, saw the Golden Gate, once the main entrance to the old town; Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and monastery complex where we climbed the bell tower for an amazing panoramic view and some of us even walked as far as The Motherland Monument visible from any point in Kyiv standing 102 metres high.
I hadn’t expected it to be quite so hot, in the high thirties centigrade, so the liquid refreshment we were offered went down a treat – even the local (lethal) speciality horseradish shots and a round or two of cherry liquor toasts at Pyana Vyshnya (Drunk Cherry) bar!
The BRAVE BUNNIES Team bonded so well. What a friendly and talented group of people from Ukraine, Spain, Canada and the U.K. It was such a special trip and very productive work wise. I’m so proud to be a part of this show which connects to my heart and soul and inner child – venturing out into the big wide world… on cartoon business.
It’s really been the BEST summer!
