December 12 was the third and final day of this year’s NEM Zagreb. The day featured dynamic discussions and experts sharing their knowledge on the future of television and content creation.

Throughout the day NEM Zagreb offered attendees the chance to attend the Script Surgery for Top 3 in Best Pre-Development Project Award. The Script Surgery workshops are specifically designed for the finalists of the Best Pre-Development Project Award to provide feedback and in-depth script analysis. As the last part of the competition is pitching in front of the grand jury at NEM Zagreb 2024, these workshops were organized in a hybrid model where the first part was organized online and the second part was held at the actual event.

NEM Zagreb also presented the European Showrunner Think Tank workshop, moderated by Daria Stilin, Screenwriter and Director and featuring Teodora Markova (“Soviet Jeans”), Teresa Fernandez-Valdés ("Grand Hotel", "Velvet", "The Cable Girls", "The Cocaine Coast") and Marie Roussin (“Mixte”, “Lupin”, “Borgia”, “Les Bracelets Rouges”).

The last day also offered two masterclasses by John Altman, Film Composer, Music Arranger, Orchestrator, Conductor and Saxophonist and by Larry Bass, Founder & CEO, ShinAwiL.

John Altman shared his musical experience in the TV industry and “the art of collaboration” with producers, directors, editors, clients and musicians. The Panel Room was filled with curious TV professionals who wanted to learn more about the practicalities of balancing creativity with the ability to negotiate the sometimes-murky politics of media work.

“I never made a demo for James Bond, Titanic, or Monty Python. I never did one for Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, or any of the other artists I wrote for—George Michael included. I just went straight in and did it. It's interesting because that trust was there back then. I think it's eroded a bit these days. It's so easy to make demos, use focus groups, and bring in multiple voices. Many composers, I think, are very confused because they're being pulled in so many directions”, shared Mr. Altman.

During his impressive career, Mr. Altman composed, arranged, and orchestrated music for over 50 films, including Titanic (period music), Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Léon: The Professional, and James Bond films GoldenEye and No Time to Die, for which he arranged and conducted music at the request of Hans Zimmer. Among his accolades are an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award.

“When you play music with people, you adapt to what they do while also contributing your own input. This concept carries through an entire music career. For instance, if you're writing for an artist, you consider their style and sound. I would never play saxophone with Prince the same way I played with Van Morrison. It's about understanding the nature of collaboration”, explained Mr. Altman and amazed the audience.

Larry Bass, Founder & CEO, ShinAwiL, shared tips on how to survive the upcoming 2025 and explained building sustainable businesses in a rapidly changing environment: “We don't stay in Ireland waiting for opportunities. Instead, we take our game to the international market, forming partnerships with streamers, co-production partners, distributors, and writers.

Content is global, so you’ve got to think globally to compete. So, what are you doing about these new buyers, changing trends, and evolving demands? With commissioners, how do you plan to secure commissions from cash-strapped broadcasters and streamers? Sometimes, just asking yourself these questions can help you find the answers”.

Mr. Bass has built ShinAwil into a production powerhouse behind the biggest smash hit TV shows in Ireland, since 1999. His latest work includes a new original crime drama BORDERLINE. The six-part series is streaming on MGM+ UK, Roku US and coming soon to ZDF Germany.

The last day also featured a presentation titled EU Showrunner Program - sponsored by Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia and presented by Martina Petrović, Head of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia and Carolin Große Hellmann, Head of Serial Storytelling / European Showrunner Program at ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln.