Patrick Wachsberger Urges Caution Over Fears Surrounding Shifting Industry Landscape: “Let’s Be Optimistic” — San Sebastian

Industry vet Patrick Wachsberger had little time for negativity this afternoon when he sat down for a career retrospective chat with Roeg Sutherland, co-Head of CAA’s Media Finance department, at San Sebastian’s Creative Investors’ Conference. 

“Stay calm. Let’s be optimistic,” Wachsberger said when quizzed on the current shifts in the market, including the looming threat of artificial intelligence. “Creativity is inhibited by fear. And I think today is a very interesting time. I don’t think we should be depressed by the changes in the business. We’ve been through so many changes.” 

The 193 CEO also urged his fellow producers and sales agents to stay agile and remain in touch with what audiences desire, but never chase perceived ideas of success. 

“As producers and sales agents, you have to understand what the audience wants,” he said. “But don’t start following the trends of the industry, because by the time your movie is put together and finished, the audience has changed.”

Wachsberger added: “ It’s very important today when you set up your budget to look at every angle, including foreign sales, rebates, equity, and the relationship with talent and filmmakers.”

Moving forward, Wachsberger said he now sees producing foreign language titles as an equally attractive proposition to U.S.-based, English-language titles. 

“We actually just started production on a French-language movie based on the hero of the resistance. Laszlo Nemes is directing, and Gilles Lellouche is starring,” he said, adding that he is also platform agnostic. 

“When you introduce your movie to the market, you should not think my movie is a theatrical movie or designed for a streamer. You have to look at all the options when you do your financial plan.”

San Sebastian runs until September 27.