Published 12th February, 2024

The MPEG Members Forum is the first time Australia's community of music producers and engineers have gathered together to openly discuss a range of issues concerning their corner of industry today.

Covering everything from AI to A&R, the Forum will focus on evolving your creative skillset and securing your value as a practitioner, with leaders in the field of production giving their thoughts and asking for your insights.

PANEL: Production Futures (12:15 - 1:15pm)

Producers Steven Schram, Becki Whitton and Michael Carpenter take centre stage for this epic forward thinking panel.

The world of production always feels like it’s rapidly changing but in 2024, things are moving faster than ever before.

This forum takes stock of what the future holds for producers and engineers, looking at the most pressing topics of the era. What impact will AI have on the craft? Will the rise of the deeply immersive Dolby Atmos and Spatial technologies set a new standard for delivery? What does A&R look like in the TikTok age and do our current best practices need an update?

Join us for this discussion to go deep on the most important topics on the horizon for production.

FORUM: Living Creatively (1:25 - 2:05pm)

Creativity doesn’t have to look just one way. In this Support Act led session featuring psychologist Carly Dober and producer manager Charlotte Abroms, we look at how to optimise your creative process and how to put tools in place to make sure you’re entering the studio as your best self.

We explore how different activities can help you reach your most creative output without sacrificing your wellbeing at the same time, and how nurturing the conditions around you can maximise your output.

FORUM: Money for Nothing and Your Points for Me (2:15 - 2:55pm)

Producers Franc Tetaz and Chelsea Warner, lawyer Stephen King and producer manager Kurt Luthy help untangle the world of producer points.

Do you ever feel like you need a maths degree to work out your producer points? How many producers does it take to get a point? What even is a point? And what’s the point of it all? No, really, can someone tell me?

Led by career focused producers, managers and legal experts, this forum lifts the lid on the all important negotiations, getting insights into creating equitable outcomes, and discussing a standardised practice for points to ensure you’re not getting shortchanged on your creative contributions.

NETWORKING: Speed Meetings (3:10 - 4pm)

Join small group chats with our panellists to ask any questions that may have been brewing over the day.

Founded in 2022, MPEG (Music Producers And Engineers' Guild) aims to represent Australia's recording sector; a sector that is often overlooked by other bodies, yet one that is absolutely pivotal to the survival and development of original Australian music. This event, the first of its kind since MPEG's establishment, is set to become an annual fixture on the calendar, alongside its sister event, the inaugural MPEG Awards, which take place later that evening.

Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees will receive a 20% discount at Runner-Up (the second-best rooftop bar in Melbourne and the best in Collingwood) should you wish to pass the time between conference and awards with a relaxing beverage.