Rozálie Brožková

Rozálie Brožková
Producer
Vernes
Czech Republic
Pitching: The Seniors

What is the biggest issue facing the animation industry?
In the Czech Republic’s animation industry, we have had a lot of success and investment in short films, but we don’t have the funding for feature-length movies or series. This is coupled with the fact we don’t have any major broadcasters that have a lot of money at their disposal to spend on local content. The only option is to find funding from foreign investors.

What is your company doing in response to this?
Vernes has struck up partnerships with local producers and post-production studios, and we are on the lookout for platforms to fund and develop our projects. We successfully secured investment for our animated series The Seniors from the Czech Film Fund, but this was a first for us.

Are physical animation studios essential or is working from home the future of the industry?
It’s essential to work in working environments because if you work from home it’s harder to focus on the job at hand. It’s also really important for animators to come into the office so they can brainstorm, as that isn’t as effective online. I work in production and it’s better to have a workspace that you leave at the end of the day, so you can return home with a clear head and the ability to decompress.

How do you feel about Disney’s decision to close many of its TV channels around the world?
It’s a logical decision to focus everything on one platform. There was some research in the Czech Republic that found people are willing to pay for just two SVoD platforms. Therefore, it makes sense to have one hub for your content as it makes you more competitive in the streaming market.

Tell us about the project you are pitching at Cartoon Forum.
The Seniors (10×22′) targets a young-adult audience and is similar in tone to a sitcom. It is set in the near future when the world is grappling with overpopulation, meaning there are tight controls on reproduction and only the rich and elite can have babies. For the rest of the world, the other option is to adopt a senior citizen from a special shelter. These senior citizens have been trained to educate, tell stories from the past and to help with the housework. It’s a role reversal of modern-day teenagers. Our show follows four elderly citizens who live in one of these shelters.