c I N E M A G • T R A D E NEW 5 • Feds to legislate distribution MacDonald supports commercial free TV TORONTO - Flora MacDo­ revenues taken from North nadian film companies to im­ nald's promise to create a dis· American markets. "It is not port films for which they hold OlTAWA - Communications specialized programming tinct Canadian (national) our purpose to promote the world distribution rights. Minister Flora MacDonald has aimed at chil dren, senior citi­ market for commercial/theatri­ personal well-being of Cana­ These rights must include all reaffirmed a commitment to zens, women and minority cal video and film rights could dian film distributors," MacDo­ countries for which rights are improving the quality and groups. The minister noted generate an estimated increase nald told the press conference. held, including country of ori­ quantity of Canadian television that specialized programming of close to S20 million in reve· "Our purpose is to enable gin, at the conclusion of princi· programming. is scarce both on the private nues for Canadian distributors, them to earn a normal share of pal photography or when ap­ MacDonald recently told the networks and on the CBC, say government officials. the Canadian tllm market, so as plication is made to import the parliamentary standing com­ which has a mandate to target At a Toronto press confer­ to encourage the re· channell· film into Canada. mittee on communications and general audiences. ence, Feb. 13. the communica· ing of funds back into the Ca· They may also import films culture, that a commercial-free A March I 2 deadline has tions minister announced her nadian film industry." which they have actually pro­ English- language network (TV been set by the Canadian Ra­ intention to stem the importa­ When asked if legislation duced. Canada) should be created in dio-television and Telecom­ tion of films and video by for­ will guarantee that Canadian Government officials esti­ the best interests of Canadians munications Commission eign-owned distributors distributors re-invest in Cana­ mate that of 300 films impor­ who, she says, have expressed (CRTC) for applications for through legislation. dian production, MacDonald ted into Canada annually, close a need for improved prime­ the national service. The impending legislation, said there is no guarantee but to 50 per cent are studio pro­ time Canadian programming. On the French-language expected in April, ,yill intro­ rather indications of a strong duced and thus fall into the April 15 has been set as a side, the new TV5 service, La duce a system to license the \Yillingness on the part of dis­ proprietary license category. deadline for receipt by the mi­ chaine franc;:ais of TVOntario, importation of commercial tributors to re·invest, given ac­ "The interest of all film dis­ nister of the committee report and specialized programming films and video. This in turn, cess to foreign films. tributors will be respected," on the Caplan- Sauvageau Re­ already existing on the French­ said MacDonald, ,,'ill allow dis­ said MacDonald. port (Task Force Report on language networks, will serve a The licensing system will tributors to re-invest in Cana­ "Canadian film distributors Broadcast Policy). wider and more selective au­ pro\'ide a general license for dian production and thus will begin, at last, to acquire "I am keen to receive your dience. Canadian distributors. This li­ strengthen the production, dis­ fa irer access to independent views by then," MacDonald MacDonald also informed cense will allow them to nego­ tribution and exhibition-of Ca­ production from abroad, and told the committee,"because I the committee that the ten­ tiate Canadian rights and im­ nadian films. foreign distributors will be as­ am determined to keep my dency of Telefilm 's Broadcast port films for commercial dis­ According to federal govern­ sured the right to import their deadline of seeking cabinet ap­ Fund to favour general audi­ tribution. ment statistics, Cs. distribu­ own films. These new econo­ proval for a broad policy ence productions and "down­ tors earn 90 per cent of distri­ A second category of li­ mic opportunities for Canadian framework shortly after Easter, play attractive programming bution revenues generated in cense, to be called a proprieta­ distributors are vital to the Ca­ as well as authority to begin aimed at a somewhat smaller Canada - a mere 8 per cent of ry license, will enable non-Ca- nadian film industry cycle." drafting a new (broadcasting) audience," will be corrected act over the summer." by Treasury Board approval to Citing recommendations in establish the Broadcast Fund the Caplan· Sauvageau Report, on a permanent basis rather Venture fund may attract immigrants MacDonald suggested that a than as a five-year fund. "minimal fee" or an increase in The Communications Minis­ VANCOlNER Vancouver in Southern California for sev­ CEO of Hastings West Invest­ cable rates could provide ne­ ter has recently announced could become the first City in eral years doing marketing and ments), Robert McLernan ( re­ cessary start-up capital for the that satellite-to-cable channels Canada to have a private ven­ fundraising ( his company tired TO banker with a sideline new network con tolled by are eligible broadcasters under ture capital fund for producing Beacon Group Productions, in playwriting and directing), public and priva te interests. the terms of the Broadcast indigenous feature film s, if has been involved in over 520 and Sean Allen (Grant's TV Canada would carry Fund. Beacon Pictures Ltd. (a Van­ million worth of commercial brother - a Canadian actor couver-based venture capital and industrial productions in who has worked successfully company) meets its goal of California in the past seven in New York and Hollywood raising S5 million for a feature years), believes that feature and would like to come home Toronto productions up film fund. The project is the filmmaking in BC doesn't have to continue his writing and brainchild of Beacon's CEO to be a crap shoot if the invest­ acting career). TORONTO - Record numbers February, March and April, Grant Allen, who sees Van­ ment dollars are spread over Allen reports that in the past of movie and television shows then it is going to add to the couver as a hotbed of opportu­ many projects. year and a half the Board has were made in Toronto last overall total as being even nity for private investors w ho "We are bringing formal been active doing research on year, but early indications greater," McHugh said. want to participate in the venture capital investing prin­ the industry and setting up a show even more promise for Last year was a record building of a domestic fLlm in­ ciples to the business. Rather game plan. The federal and 1987, a city film official says. period for film and television dustry. than putting large amounts of provincial governments have Naish MCHugh, Toronto's production in Toronto with The fund will be spread over money into two or three piC­ been very helpful. He gives film liaison officer, told Cine­ everything from large Ameri­ development and production tures, which would be consi­ particular credit to Peter Pear­ ma Canada that permits for can productions, sllch as the of 30-40 films of varying dered by any investor as a high son, Donna Wong-Juliani and abou t 100 more locations have 1--1 .5 hour ABC mini-series lengths. 80 per cent of the fund risk situation, we will take a Diane Neufeld for introducing been issued so far this year Amerika ,to Canadian televi­ will be dedicated to BCbased minority position in approxi­ him to key industry people and than compared to the same sion series sllch as Oegrassi Canadian Certified features mately ten to 15 Canadian fea­ giving him an education on the period one year earlier. Junior High being shot here. with another five per cen~ tures, so that we reduce the past, present and future of Ca­ "It looks like it is going to be In 1986 a total of 102 pro­ going to script development. risk If the quality of the pro­ nadian filmmaking With the another record year ... it's \'ery, ductions were made including The remaining 15 per cent will ducers and directors is high on strong talent base, world-class very busy," McHugh said. 35 feature film s, 50 television go towards building a bridge to all of the projects, there is a technical expertise present in "I t's crazy. It's like June." In productions and 17 television Pacific Rim countries, en­ very good chance of making Vancouver, all that is needed January alone the city dealt series. couraging Asian productions money back" to make a domestic production with 15 productions, he Those productions had total to shoot in BC and interesting Allen claims that the fund industry fl ourish is private in· explained. budgets of S280 million and Asian investors in participating would be the first of its kind in vestment. He said even though pro­ they spent about S 180 million in BC projects, While the Canada, although there are The Beacon fund is intended duction was full y stretched here on everything from wages minimum investment is several in the States that are to augment federal and provin­ during the peak months of July to accomodation to props. By S25,000, purchasers investing doing well. cial support. Allen says that throUgll October last year, a comparison, in 1985, there 5250,000 will qualify as landed The board of directors in­ since producers will only have period when crews were com­ were 62 productions with immigrant investors under the cludes Gins Doolittle ( presi­ a minority investment from pletely booked up, this year budgets totalling 5180 million investment requirements of dent of The Doolittle Company Beacon, they will still have to could be even busier overall. and of that amount they spent the federal Immigration Act, and York Financial Corpora­ go out and raise substantial "If we are going to increase S 100 million in the City. Allen, a BC native who lived tion), Ken Tolmie (former cont. on p. 36 all of the off- months of January, cont. on p. 37 March 1987 - Cinema Canada / 35 • CINEMAG • Cinar opens MacDonald defends distribution legislation studio in Mtl. are going to obviously wel­ greater share of the home mar­ TORONTO - Major American ly to \'iew them as another bar­ MONTREAL - Cinar Films Inc, come this outright, but I don't ket so that, in turn, they can film companies aren't likely to rier to free enterprise in Cana­ will open an audio/video pro­ da, see it as being a major impedi­ reinvest in domestic produc­ embrace Canada's efforts to duction centre in September ment :It all." tion, control some movie distribu­ MacDonald said the propos­ following an extensive tion here, but the move won't The film import licensing als are not likely to he re­ MacDonald was asked if $500,000 renovation project hurt free trade talks, Flora Mac­ system is to be introduced as garded as a barrier. there are any proposals that in downtown Montreal. proposed legislation in the Donald, Canada's minister of "But at the same time no one will guarantee reinvestment in The distribution and pro­ House of Commons in the Communications, says. has ever said that we were Canadian productions, duction company has purcha­ weeks immediately following ;\lacDonald was answering going to stop our cultural de­ sed a five-story building at reporters' questions after her the announcement. velopment because there are "No I don't have any guaran­ 1207 St. Andre for develop­ The proposed system would speech outlining proposals for trade negotiations going on." tees, I only know that for years ment as a one-stop centre for federal legislation intended to not limit the American Majors the Canadian distributors have "In a sector of the economy audio and video sound post­ open up domestic movie dis­ from distributing movies in looked for this kind of access production, special effects, tribution to Canadian firms. where there is such develop­ Canada in which they have a to foreign films to indeed ment no one is going to say put music recording and musical "What we are talking about large stake, Instead, the sys­ boost their access to the re­ composition, in cultural industries and ex­ a cover on it all and wait until tem is intended to allow Cana­ venues here in this country " The S3,5 million centre will changes really comes to only trade negotiations are over." dian companies a better She added that in the past also provide office space to be about five per cent of the total Although there was no U,S, chance to distribute other for­ Canadian distributors have occupied by Cinar in March as trade between our two coun­ response yet on the specific eign films from countries such shown their willingness to in­ well as rental space, tries. This ( the proposals) proposal, the Americans were as England and Australia before vest in Canadian films, Digital Music Systems, comes to a very, very minor those rights are bought by aware that the federal govern­ which provides sound recor­ fraction of that five per cent." American companies, ment was moving in the film "From the response that 1 ding facilities, has entered into The minister was asked sector for some months, she One of the main goals of the heard around the audience a long-term agreement with whether the proposals would said, film distribution policy is to today I am positive that they Cinar for the top floor of the anger Americans who are like- "I don't suppose that they allow Canadian distributors a will continue to do so," building, , Toronto •• cont, from p, 35

McHugh said Toronto is be­ • coming more well-known as a production centre and that in itself helps keep the ball roll­ ing, "The fact that we're the third largest production center in North America speaks for itself, We've got everything here that a producer needs," He said producers have such good experiences filming in Toronto that they come back again and quickly spread the news, The lower value of the Cana­ dian dollar is a major asset, but even if it was at par with the American dollar Toronto would still be competitive, McHugh said, "We've got tremendous crews, we've got tremendous • faCilities, the whole broad THE COMPLETION GUARANTORS LES GARANTS D'ACHEVEMENT range of pre-production and for features, pour series de televiSion, post-production services",and then we've got the locations, television series, longs metrages We're a world-class ciry, We've and international co-productions et co-productions internationales got everything from historic neighbourhoods to futuristic modern complexes," McHugh added that the unions are also more flexible here than in the United States, "Everyone talks about the keeness of the crews and the fresh approach, They say it is Michael Spencer, President what New York used to be like 1001, de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 910 40 years ago," Montreal, Quebec H3A 3C8 Of the total number of pro­ ductions done in Toronto, Telephone: (514) 288-6763 McHugh said more than 60 per Telex: 055-62276 cent are Canadian although the most hefty budgets come from American shows, The ciry issued more than 2,100 location permits in 1986 compared to 1,700 the previ­ ous year, 36 /Cinema Canada - March 1987 • CINEMA G • Canadians will not be satisfied try," MacDonald told the com­ with the quality of program­ mittee, " but I am convinced Cable differs about new TV network ming that minimal fees pres­ that with high-calibre results cribed by the task force would the service would be popular" OTT AW A - Are Canadians prised by the minister's posi­ Hind-Smith, less than majority afford. The CCTA has stated its ob­ willing to pay for a new com­ ti on, Jrguing that Ca nadians support for a new. publicly­ MacDonald argues that cable jection to the principle of merCial-free television net­ will not watch - let alone pay funded net\'Vork. subscribers would hear the ex­ 'must carry, must pay' and has work recommended by the for - the new network. The- CCTA supports the tra cahle fees if offered "high­ called for more thorough pub­ Task Force on Broadcasting Recent consumer research need to increase and improve calihre" programming. lic debate on whether special­ Policy' to be released by the CCTA in Canadian programming: h()\\,­ "I have listened to the ty programming should be car­ This question is the source early March indicates, says eye r, Hind-Smith contends that concerns of the cable indus- ried by other means. of debate between Communi­ cations Minister Flora MacDo­ nald and Michael Hind-Smith. president of the Canadian Ca­ ble Television Association. In a recent presentation to the parlian1entary committee on communications and cul­ ture, MacDonald endorsed the Task Force recommendation for an English-language net­ work (TY Canada) to be distri­ I N buted on cable television. Hind-Smith says he is sur- Venture capital cont. from p. 35

amounts of their budgets, and Complete the fol/owing by ch . will be looking to Telefilm and Ooslng the most appropriate statement the upcoming BC film fund. Al­ J'm hr ' ready, Beacon is involved in a .'. '. s 00 '"g my next production in Toronto because co-venture with Telefi1ru to develop a comedy feature SC ripted by Sean Allen and Ste­ 8. 'Toronto's Film Liaison rovid fan Arngrim. tJ Two advisory boards have . that is fast, effiCient an~ free es a comprehensive service been set up to assist Beacon's management team in adminis­ b.O Toronto is th~ third-I - _ tering the fund. The Film Ad­ in North America argest film and Video production centre visors include Donna Wong­ Juliani, John Juliani, Gordon c.O Toronto's lOCations adapt to t- Pinsent, Rene Malo, Ron Ime and place Woodall from Canada, and Robert Stabler, James Alex and d. aU of the above Stefan Arngrim from the U.S. O' They will serve to screen and channel good projects to the fund, which will back BC­ based features that have "seri­ For the correct answer and a lot m ore, contact. ous international marketing potential." Naish McHugh Canadian content require­ Toronto Film Liaison ments will be met, but Cana­ City ot Toronto Plannin and D dian cultural niceties will be 18th Floor, East Tower, ~ity Ha"evelopment Department less strictly adhered to in the Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 search for marketable product. Telephone (416) 392-7570 The fund will be tightly ad­ ministered, and projects will fyt;" ' U O~' '' ' ' U G' have to fulfill some Telefilm­ "' · (O · . 'U'O . " ~ inspired requirements such as attached producers, interest from distributors, etc. The Business Advisors in­ clude John G. Smith (partner in the Vancouver law firm Rus­ sell & DuMoulin and former president of the Vancouver Symphony Society), William Grant (president of FirstFund Capital Corp.), Wilfred Vac­ heresse (an immigration spe­ cialist and partner in Hemlin, Vacheresse and Associates), and Robert Wall (former man­ aging director of the San Fran­ cisco stock and bond broker­ age firm Hambrecht & Quist).

March 1987 - Cinema Canada/37 • c I N E M A G munications minister Flora "This is the first time I have • that the Canadian cultural in­ McDonald at a House of Com­ heard anything specific," Neil dustry has gone through cy­ Stop talks, says ACTRA mons committee meeting said. cles, Neil said. He cited the shortly after Yeutter spoke out He added that despite all the example of the ftlm production indicate a possible step in the cultural support measures de­ boom in the late '70s that was right direction, Neil added. veloped by the government, a result of tax shelters. Tinker­ But Neil said the Prime Min­ TORONTO -American com­ McDonald outlined several Canada still isn't producing ing with the system can have ister has not defined whether to ments that Canada should be provisions designed protect enough of its own cultural pro­ large consequences, he said. he is willing to bargain with willing to risk its culture in a Canadian culture that are out grams. Any of those support "Uttle things can trigger big­ specific parts of Canada's cui- . ger occurences." free trade deal brought a swift of bounds under any potential measures taken away through tural industry. ACTRA's gen­ reaction from ACTRA : end the agreement. They are Bill C-58, free trade would make the situ­ ACTRA represents more talks. eral secretary said it appears to an act to amend the income ation worse, Neil said. than 8,000 performers, writers Garry Neil, general secretary be a game of semantics. tax act and Canadian content and broadcast journalists in of the Alliance of Canadian Comments made by com- regulations. As well, history has shown Canada. Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), said com­ ments by U.S. trade ambas­ sador Clayton Yeutter under­ line the need to break off the National Office talks. "The Prime Minister's earlier Film Board national du film assurances that he will not jeopardize Canada's sovereign­ ty are meaningless today," Neil of Canada du Canada said. Yeutter caused an uproar in Canada by stating that he is prepared to risk American cul­ ture in free trade negotiations and that Canada should be willing to do the same. He --NIW81----- spoke out Feb. 3, 1987 at a culty in dealing with his older Washington trade conference. LE DECLIN WINS OSCAR brother's death. Directed by Jim Pur­ The next day ACTRA issued NOMINATION dy and produced by Michael Scott of a statement calling on Prime It's a first - for the NFB and the Ca­ the NFB's Ontario Center, the film is Minister Brian Mulroney "to nadian film industry. Le Declin de competing for best live-action short stop Washington's attack on I'empire americain, Denys Arcand's drama. our cultural sovereignty, by intellectual sex comedy, has become Two NFB productions have been walking away from the free the first Canadian feature to receive nominated for best animated short: trade negotiations immedi­ an Oscar nomination for Best Fo­ Every Dog's Guide to Complete ately. reign Film . It is one of five features Home Safety, directed by Les Drew The same day Mulroney told selected from entries by 32 nations and Get a Job by Brad Caslor, a the House of Commons Yeut­ Winnipeg production. ter's comments displayed seeking a nomination for the presti­ "stunning ignorance" of Cana­ gious Academy Award. Since win­ da. ning the International Film Critics' CANADA'S MOST Mulroney's comments hit award at the Cannes Film Festival HONOURED FILMMAKER the nail on the head, Neil said, last May, Le Declin has accumula­ DIES but he questioned why the ted numerous honors. Most recently, Sound mixers Jean-Pierre Joutel Prime Minister doesn't carry it was voted Best Foreign Film by and Adrian Croll. Condolences poured in from around his comments to a logical con­ New York film critics. Quebec film the world following the death of Nor­ clusion by ending the talks. critics awarded it the L.E . Ouimet­ three nominations: best supporting man McLaren on January 26, 1987. For the Canadian cultural in­ Molson prize for best Quebec-made actress, best Cinematography and In his 48-year career, McLaren made dustry, free trade is a losing feature of the year. The film also re­ best original song. The film was co­ some 60 films. He was hailed as a game, Neil said. ceived the Golden Reel Award for produced with Les Films Vision 4 inc. brilliant innovator of animation tech­ "Mr. Yeutter's statements the highest box office gross for a Ca­ Sitting in Limbo director John N. niques and is credited with having make it clear that the' Ameri­ nadian film in 1986. Co-produced by Smith is one of five filmmakers in the raised animation to an art form. Re­ cans have always intended to the NFB and Corporation Image running for the best director award. trospectives of McLaren'S work have challenge the various pro­ M&M Ltee, Le Declin also leads in In the category 'best achievement in been held in some 20 Canadian ci­ grams and agencies the gov­ total nominations for the 1987 G E­ overall sound ', location sound recor­ ties and are being planned in several ernment has established to en­ NIE awards. dist Richard Besse and re-recording cities around the world. courage Canadian production. sound mixers Jean-Pierre Joutel and It is reckless of the Prime 31 GENIE NOMINATIONS Adrian Croll have been nominated NFB SIGNS DISTRIBUTION Minister to turn a blind eye to for their work on Le Declin; NFB Washington's grab for our cul­ NFB productions and co-productions staffers Joutel and Hans Oomes, to­ AGREEMENT WITH TROIS· tural wealth." account for 31 of the 86 nominations gether with free lancers Richard Ni­ RIVIERES Mulroney has repeatedly de­ for the 1987 GENIE awards. Leading chol and Shelly Craig, have been no­ clared he won't allow Canada's Trois-Rivi.eres has become the fifth with 13 (including Best Picture) is Le minated for overall sound in Sitting Quebec city to enter into an agree­ cultural sovereignty to be af­ Declin. Next in line with nine nomi­ in Limbo. fected in free trade talks. ment with the NFB for the purpose of nations is Pouvoir Intime. Directed Les Traces du Reve, a 95-minute increasing public access to NFB MONTREAl - Garth Ora­ by Yves Simoneau, this suspense­ documentary about the legendary ci­ films and videos. The Film Board of­ binsky, €hainnan of Cineplex thriller about an armoured truck hold­ nema-verite filmmaker Pierre Per­ fice is now located in the main public Odeon will be honored by the up that goes wrong , is being distribu­ rautt, earned a nomination for best library in the center of town. Library ted in English Canada by Norstar. It Montreal ,:World Film Festival, documentary_ The film was directed members will benefit from a 50 % opens in Toronto March 13. Lea Aug. 21 to Sept. 1, at a gala eve­ by Jean-Daniel Lafond and produced discount in video rentals and the li­ Pool's second feature, Anne Trister, ning ceremony. by Jacques Vallee. brary will be able to access FOR­ which centers on a 25-year-Old Je­ Serge Losique, president of Othef GENIE nominations include MAT, the national databank on the wish artist who moves to Quebec fol­ the festival, will present Dra­ Where's Pete?, a half-hour drama Canadian film industry administered lowing her father's death, received binsky with an award for his for children about a young boy's diffi- by the NFB. contribution to film exhibition in Canada. N FB Offices in Canada: Headquarters - Montreal (514) 283-9253 National Capital - Ottawa (613) 996-4259 Cineplex Odeon controls Pacific region - Vancouver (604) 666-3411 Quebec region - Montreal (514) 283-4823 1,500 screens and 500 theatres Prairie region - Winnipeg (204) 949-2812 Atlantic region - Halifax (902) 426-7350 in six Canadian provinces and Ontario region - Toronto (416) 973-0895 plu.s offices in most major cities 20 U.S. states.

38/Cinema Canada - March 1987 c I N E M A G • • Any local producers who plan "This is the best year I've seen April 4th to 7th at West Ed · to start shooting this slimmer it since I've been here." At the monton Mall's Fantasyland S H 0 0 TAL B E R T A might want to book crews since I've been here." At the Hotel. Scheduled activites in­ early. David Crowe of Calgary's very least, he be li eves "every­ clude seminars on music, pro­ economic development offi ce one w ill be working." gram production and manage­ t would be an understate­ don't get any submissions, echoes some of the optimistic • ment skills. The festival will ment to say that Alberta we're wrong." predictions for summer pro­ culminate with an awards Ifilmmakers are disappomted In the meantime, AMPIA is ductio n. There is talk of fi ve or Edmonton'S CITY plays host to ceremony hosted by CRTC with the Calgary Olympic gearing up for its 13th annual six pictures coming to Edmon­ some 55 privately-owned tele­ chairman Andre Bureau. Committee. COC sent out a\yards night on March 21 . A ton and Calgary. Crowe said vision stations. The Canadian questionnaires to local pro­ panel comprised of fed eral and there has never been more in­ Programming and Promotion ducers on February .fth. Those provincial government repre­ terest fr om foreign producers. CanPro festival w ill be held Stacey Bertles • who wanted to compete for sentati\'t' ~ , Winnipeg producer rights to produce the official Derek Mazur, and director documentary were asked to Sandy Wi lson will be viewing present sources of funding, the entries during the second world-wide distribution net­ week in March. works, lists of crew members, Anne Wheeler, who has al­ and their 'philosophy' - be­ ready scooped up 8 Genie fore February 27th. Jerry Joynt, nominations for Loyalties, vice-president of communica­ might be well-advised to take tions, said he felt three weeks her w heelbarrow to the AMPlA Nagra was "adequate time for profes­ ceremony. It will be televised sionals to answer the question­ live on CBe. Simply. .. audio naire." Local performer Tim Feehan Local producers disagree. will be back from his Japanese Allan Stein, president of the Al­ tour in time to appear at the Without equal berta Motion Picture Indus­ A;\lPlA awards. The singerl tries Association (AMPlA), said songwriter is establishing "it's clear that this process has strong connections with the been evol"ed by people 'who fUm industry His contribu­ know nothing about the busi­ tions include a single and rock ness." Very few producers video based on the U.S.-pro­ would be able to able to find duced feature The Wraight. funding and make distribution He's been talking to Calgary's deals that quickly. Dave \\'inning about compos­ Even . if they could, Stein ing the soundtrack for his next said, the committee's expecta­ feature, Flash Frame (see tions are unreasonable. They below). are planning to sell production Both of the big winners at last year's A.,\ lPlA a,',ards are rights for the ftlm . just as tele- IVS-TC . vision rights were sold. "In all gearing up for new projects . the hundreds of film proposals Wheeler'S putting the final I've seen, I've never seen that touches to the adaptation of before. C'sually people pay me Cowboys Don't Cry for Atlan­ to make film s. " tis. She plans to start shooting The profit margin just isn't it in Mayor June. She'll be off there. "If you sold to every net­ to India to scout locations for work in the world at top docu­ Bye Bye Blues. mentary prices you couldn't Dave Winning spent January expect more than 52 50,000," in Calgary, shooting additional said Stein. Producti on costs for scenes for last year's festival the Olympic film have been es­ winner Stonn. He's added timated at 5 1 to 53 million. another 20 minutes to the Stein thinks it is unlikely that original 8I-minute running TA-TC a corporate sponsor would time. The final version should offset costs. "It's my intuition hopefully be deposited on that corporate sponsors have Cannon Group Inc. 's doorstep The onl y audio recorders • re liable day-after-day, w eek­ been bled dry by the Olym­ the first week in March. Win­ availoble w ith SM PTE timecode after-wee k on location or in the pics." ning sold world rights for that ore: studiO Stonn to Cannon, and Cana­ Joynt pointed out that the • des igned the way you wont to • backed by people w ho have Los Angeles summer Olympic dian rights to TI10mas Howe. work - in video and in film extensive experience with fllm sold world-distribution Both those companies are synchronicity rights. The committee feels ob­ potential backers for Win­ • manufactured w ith durable ligated to license producers of ning's next project, Flash materia ls & components the 1988 ftlm with a fee. "We Frame. He's hoping to start Need information or assistance? would be short changing the production on the action/sus­ athletes of Canada if we did not pense film sometime in June. Our professional audio advisors pursue this avenue (of fund­ HBW/Toth will be shooting • are onl y a phone number, 416 -677-4033, away and they ing)." another 26 half- hour episodes orrl are always pleased to diSCUSS In response to claims that of Connecting, a series for applications. Ca ll soon .. .it could the coe ignored AMPlA's at­ teenagers. Production on Tel, ffi)@]~[?@] tempts to develop some policy a seven-part dramatic series, be rewarding. with the COC, Joynt said he has been postponed until • was waiting to see how many 1988. Helene White and Gary Inc producers filled in the ques­ Toth have one British partner, tionnaire, "ObViously, if we Diverse Productions, but are 6467 Northam Drive hot in pursuit of another. Mississouga , Ontario Meanwhile, Denise Coffey Canada L4V 1J2 MONTREAL - Franc;:ois Bilo­ (former associate director of Telex 06-983694 deau has been awarded the cri­ the Shaw Festival) is working tic's prize at Les Rendez-vous on the scripts about British im­ 416-677-4033 du cinema quebecois, Feb.l0 migrants adapting to Western to 15, for a review of Le De­ Canadian culture. elin de l'empire Americain in Llberte magazine. • March 1987 - Cinema Canada /39 • CINEMAG of television facilities planning•, said the corporation needs to Independents object to Broadcast Centre replace and consolidate its more than 20 separate loca- tions in Toronto. TORONTO - The proposed the Canadian Film and Televi­ commercial office and retail broadcast centre, which could "The intent is to replace CBC Broadcast Centre for To­ sion Association (CFTA) says. space, would really be more of ' be under constmction by s,omething that doesn't work," ronto w ill be a monster that Wilson Markle toldis Cinema a production th an broadcast 1988, won't put an end to pri­ McKay said. could spell doom for many in­ Canada that the centre, which center. va te producti on facilities in The CBC knows how much dependent production will combine CBC facilities But CBC offi cials strongly Toronto. production it will contract out faci li ties, a vice-president of with 1.8 million square feet of disagree and say that the Bruce McKay, CBC manager with independent producers and how much is to be done at the broadcast centre, he explained. McKay said the CBC doesn't want to build the centre and turn around and compete with outside busi­ ness. While the corporation needs some production fa cilities, McKay said, it makes no sense for the CBC to be on the lead­ ing technological edge. Markle, who is also presi­ dent of Mobile Image Canada timited, agreed that the CBC needs a central facility in To­ ronto, but said a central pro- duction facility is not needed. He said the CBC should job out its production to indepen­ dent Canadian producers "otherwise were not going to have a private sector." "It is going to be the biggest production center in North America." The CBC wants to build facilities on a 9.3 acre site on Front Street across from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Markle said the CFTA, which represents members from a full range of fIlm and broadcast in­ terests, opposes the centre and is planning to make a represen­ tation to the federal cabinet at "the appropriate time." "This country needs public broadcasting, but it also needs the private sector support of public broadcasting." Janet Dey, director of plan­ ning and development for the centre, said there is a large amount of support for the facil­ ity. Dey said the only area of sensitivity to the project is from a few people in a specific part of the indep~ncient pro- . duction sector. . ': ,,'. Dey and'McKay, .In in inter­ ~"iew at CB<; ,J :>ftkes, :' tnt" , ,',. 'phasized that it is lmpOftaqt to "qistinguish betwe~n th~ views, . pf independent produce!s, ~ .... '. ~e prograrils- 'and people who provide facUi~ies , f9r l'~~- ' :' aueers,She s:lid the two., l groups have QiJferertt views • about the ~eritte : " , . The CBC ne~ds a str~ng b~ . in, Toronto, Dey ,said, She ,said • an awful lot, of prod,ucer~ can't waft for the centre becaU'se it will help make their prodiJct look better. . She said in terms of the pro­ tection of Canadian culture, the broadcast centre is import­ ant. "We think it is most tre­ mendously consistent in terms of where this country is going." AD/Cinema Capevt8 "8mb 1981: - • c I N E M A G • Festivals and Markets will be tax situation is still a cause of help deal with the increasing finished by the end of April, concern to U.S. producers, it workload. B.C. reconciliation and Keith Cutler (Image Inter­ isn't keeping them away. She In conclusion, Falcone VANCOUVER - The reconcili­ The first outlined a proposal national) was asked to report surmised that a testing period hinted that from the script de­ ation of the British Columbia for gaining an ERDA agreement on the status of the lease on will continue until April, when velopment proposals TF has Film and Video Association between Victoria and Ottawa Dominion Bridge, which is still the productions will discover received, BC could look for at (BCFIA) and two splinter pro­ for film financing and was sent administered by the British either waivers or reality. On least one feature to be produc­ ducers' organizations was an­ to federal authorities. The sec­ Columbia Development · Cor­ the upcoming fIlm fund and ed with Telefilm assistance this nounced at the BCFIA's annual ond was to Premier Vander poration. growth of the indigenous in­ year. general meeting in late Janu­ Zalm asking for news on the Cutler said that although re­ dustry, Neufeld saw no conflict Five new Board members ary. status of the ever-awaited BC novations to the building are with her office's work in prom­ were elected: Harry Cole (Erin An earlier meeting had been film policy. The third was to continuing, BCDC has yet to oting BC as a location. "I can Films), Bert Skelton (Canadian suggested in January by Ron federal minister of communi­ choose from its short list of see the Film Commission ex­ Prolite), Michael Conway Devion (Dir. of TV, CBUT) cations Flora MacDonald re­ bids to run the studio. Domin­ panding its activities in promo­ Baker, Sandy Flanagan (Reel who saw the need for the vari­ garding Telefilm Canada's ac­ ion Stages is the name of the tion and marketing to include West) and Fiona Jackson. ous factions to join forces and tivities in this province. company formed by a coalition u.S./Canadian co-productions, Raymond Hall stepped down create a more effective lobby­ of industry insiders ( including as the central Canadian com­ from his post as president of ing strategy. Out of that meet­ Board member (and now the BCFIA) which has been missions are doing, on going to the association, and was pre­ ing came a spirit of co-opera­ president) Chris Bruyere an­ pushing for the development other regions to both promote sented with thanks and a large tion and three letters. nounced that his Guide to the of the old warehouse for sev­ BC as a location and as a pro­ gift by chairman Coralee Tes­ eral years. Some puzzlement ducer of high quality produc­ tar. Hall intends- to use his nadian Independent Short Film was expressed at BCDC's delay tions." new-found time to increase his Alliance again Showcase and was adminis­ in coming to a decision but Maria Falcone of the Van­ involvement in his company, TORONTO - The Alliance En­ tered by the Academy with cautious optimism was recom­ couver Telefllm office was in­ Petra Films, as well as in keep­ tertainment Corporation series funding from the Canada mended for the duration. vited to speak, and announced ing up with his teaching Night Heat has been renewed Council. Diane Neufeld (BC Film that the Vancouver office now schedule at UBC. Debbie Jan­ by both the CTV and CBS tele­ The Swatch showcase is ad­ Commissioner) spoke briefly reports directly to Linda Beath, sen, BCFIA's administrative as­ vision networks. ministered by the Academy on the incoming U.S. produc­ in a Telefilm effort to stream­ sistant was also bid a fond The two networks have or­ and sponsored by Telefilm tions, saying that most of the line communications between farewell, as she moves to work dered an extra 22 episodes of Canada, the Ontario Film De­ traffic in the province is now BC and the decision-makers. fulltime in the Academy of Ca­ the production bringing the velopment Corporation and television series and movies. Another person will be hired nadian Cinema's Vancouver of- I total complement for Night Swatch. She commented that while the for the Vancouver office to fice. Heat to 83 shows. The police show is filmed.in Toronto with a Canadian cast and crew and won the best dramatic series at the 1986 Ge­ mini awards. Night Heat is in its second season on CTV and its third season on CBS. At a ceremony celebrating the 50th episode of Night Heat the government of On­ tario honored the series with a plaque. It said Night Heat has provided entertainment, a major economic contribution to Toronto and Ontario, a ve­ hicle for artistic talent and em­ ployment for Canadians. Short film TORONTO - The Canadian in­ dependent short film contest is alive and kicking again after a one-year break. The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television is pre­ senting the contest from which five short films will be selected by a jury of filmmakers, dis­ tributors and exhibitors in March. An honourarium of $3,000 will be given each winner in the competition, intended to introduce independent and in­ novative short fIlms to the public. Each film will be blown up to 35mm, multiple prints made - and sub-titling completed. It is then to be packaged with a fea­ ture fIlni and distributed na­ tionally by Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Associa­ tion members. The competition is sup­ ported by Swatch. A Feb. 28 entry deadline is set for the Swatch Showcase of Canadian Independent Short Films. Between 1982 and 1985 the competition was called the Ca·

March 1987 - Cinema Canada!41 • c I N E M A G • Caplan hits road for broadcasting Chinese pay station expands VANCOLNER - A Chinese pay­ ment must be met by April 30, British Columbia and, as part of TORONTO - Gerald Caplan, 1986. Seven task force mem­ TV station has received ap­ 1987, a CRTC statement reads. the single service, serve a co-chairman of the recent fed­ bers toured the country in pre­ proval to extend its broadcast Cathay failed to meet pro­ number of ethnocultural eral task force on broadcasting, paring the massive document nationwide starting in May. gramming requirements w ith­ groups in their mother tongue is hitting the road to rekindle that is intended to guide Cana­ Chinavision Canada Corpo­ in one year as it is required to as Cathay had itself committed public debate on recommen­ dian broadcasting policy until ration was told by the Cana­ do in its license, the CRTC to do." dations for more Canadian the end of the century. dian Radio-television and Tele­ said. Cathay has also been call ed content television and an in­ Another major task force re­ communications Commission "The extension of the to a June 9, 1987 public hear­ vigorated CBC. commendation is a greatly that it can extend its Chinese li cense until the end of August ing where it must show that it Caplan, at the invitation of a strengthened Canadian Broad­ language programming into will provide Cathay with an has complied with its condi­ Canadian education associa­ casting Corporation. British -Columbia starting May opportunity to show its good tions of license. tion, agreed to attend public Caplan said he wants to I , 1987. faith and re-introduce, before Two CRTC commiSSioners forums in II cities on the fu­ spend time ensuring that the Except in British Columbia, April 30, an ethnic regional expressed minority opinions ture of Canadian broadcasting. public understands the CBC is Chinavision was licensed in pay-television service in on the issue. Public debate on the issue is in real danger if it continues to 198-'1 to provide a Chinese lan- simply a good idea, said Cap­ be whittled away. . guage pay-TV service in Cana· lan, when asked by Cinema The Canadian Association da. The CRTC previously Canada why he has embarked for Adult Eduction, which is a licensed World View Televi­ on the series of discussions. voluntary organization that sion limited, which is now But it doesn't mean the promotes adult learning and Cathay International Televi­ ministry of Communications citizenship in Canada, is hold­ sion Inc., to provide an ethnic Chinese treaty in works won't act without the public ing the forums to build regional pay-TV service in forums, said Caplan, who co­ momentum for broadcasting British Columbia. chaired the task force on policy reform. To reduce the impac t on to cover Bethune shoot broadcasting policy with Flo­ TIle forum schedule is as fol­ Cathay television, the CRTC in rian Sauvageau. lows: Feb. 4, Ottawa; Feb. 9, 1984 refused to permit Caplan said that, in fact, he is Victoria; Feb. 10, Vancouver; China\'ision to offer programs OTTA W A - The signing of a burg and Jacques Dorfman delighted by federal Com­ March 3, Montreal; March 4, in British Columbia for two Canada/China co-production (France). Executive producers munication mlOlster Flora Toronto; March 9, Edmonton; years. treaty will take place in Bei­ are Nicolas Clermont and Da­ MacDonald's endorsement of March 10, Calgary; March 17, In announcing that Chinavi­ jing, China, upon the arrival of vid Patterson. The script has the task force proposal for TV St. John's; March 18, Halifax; sion would soon be available in Communications Minister flo­ been written by Bethune'S bio­ Canada, a national non-com­ March 23, Saskatoon; March British Columbia the CRTC ra MacDonald in the Chinese grapher, Ted Allen. mercial public television net­ 25, Winnipeg. said the pay· TV service has capital. The Canada/China co-pro­ work to be carried on cable met all conditions of license MacDonald is scheduled to duction treaty signing will be television. and exceeded Canadian con­ arrive in Beijing on Feb.22 attended by the principals of Caplan said MacDonald tent, local programming, news where she will sign the go­ Filmline International. As re­ came out in support of the and current affairs commit­ vernment-to-goverrunent trea­ quired by Revenue Canada re­ proposal at a House of Com­ Reid to top post ments. ty with the Chinese Minister of gulations, the treaty includes mons committee meeting in Also , despite the fact that Radio, Film and Television. all forms of production and February despite the strong at Yorkton Festival Cathay has not met its condi­ The signing coincides with distribution and allows the lobbying efforts of the Cana­ tions of license, the federal the shooting of principal pho­ producers to benefit from fi­ dian Cable Television Associa­ broadcast regulator has re­ tography of Bethune: The nancial advantages offered to tion, who opposed the recom­ YORKTON - Ian Reid is the newed its license for a five­ Making of a Hero, a 520 mil­ Canadian productions. mendation. new executive director of the month period ending August lion co-production between Since 1963, Canada has en­ "She agrees with us that the Yorkton Film Festival. Festival 3] , 1987 the Montreal-based Filmline tered into official co-produc­ private sector has to provide organizers recently announced But the CRTC imposed a International, China Film Co­ tion treaties with France, more programming," Caplan that the Golden Sheaf Awards condition of license for Cathay production Company, August United Kingdom, Federal Re­ added. "Now we have to indi­ for short films and videos will to provide ] 5 hours per week 1 Film Studio of China and public of Germany, Italy and cate to her that she has support be presented earlier this year. of programming in two lan­ Belstar Productions of France. Israel. There are also film and around the country." Festival dates have been mo­ guages other than French, En­ This four-part mini series video agreements with Spain, The Report of the Task ved from the end of the festival glish or native Canadian in ad­ starring Donald Sutherland is Algeria, Belgium, France, the Force on Broadcasting Policy circuit in November to May dition to its Chinese language directed by Phillip Borsos and UK and Israel. Discussions are was completed in. September 20-24. programming. The require- produced by Pieter Kroonen- on-gOing with Hungary. DEPARTMENT OF FILM AND ,VIDEO Applications are invited for an Applications are invited for a Applications are invited for an assistant professor (probationary). one-year term appointment as assistant professor 'f probationary). Duties wlll include teaChing film assistant professor (subject to Duties will include responsibility for production and the history of budgetary approval). Candidates teaching Introductory '16mm film avant-garde film. Knowledge of and shall have professional experience in production, cinematography and still experience in the Canadian avant­ film drama direction and have had photography. Candidates should garde milieu is essential in addition considerable successful experience have demonstrable competence in to successful teaching experience. teaching advanced film and video profeSSional film production and still The appointment shall commence production. The appointment shall photography in addition to July 1, 1987. commence July 1, 1987. considerable successful teaching experience. The appointment shall commence July 1, 1987. CurrIculum vitae Including the names of three Curriculum vitae including the names of three \ Curriculum vitae including the names of three references should be sent to: references should be sent to: references should be sent to; Dr. Martin Bergbusch, Dr. Martin Bergbusch, Dr. Martin Bergbuseh. Acting Associate Dean, Acting Associate Dean, Acting AsSOciate Dean. College of Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, College of Fine Arts, University of Regina, University of Regina, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan Regina, Saskatchewan S4S OA2 S4S OA2 S4S0A2 Deadline for acceptance of applications is Deadline for acceptance of applications is Deadline for acceptance of applications is April 15, 1987_ April 15, r987 _ April 15, 1987_ II

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42 /Cinema Canada - March 1987 c I N E M A G • • ONTARIO mark. Two reasons may be LEG ALE Y E submitted for this deficiency. Firstly, the Canadian film and In \lIlll.ll'I Ikrglll.1I1 television industry has yet to AJ~TS be regarded as an export in­ n his Cinema Canada piece tionally link the various nation­ dustry. Although most Cana­ COUNCIL on the recent Convergence al copyright laws even if dian feature films are designed III conference, Michael Dor­ homogenity cannot be ob­ to be acceptable to the Ameri­ The Ontario Arts Council offers grants to land writes about the panel on tained. can market, this is not so much professional artists who are residents of Ontario, Copyright and Technology This process is influenced by export as an unstated and working in the following disciplines: which this writer moderated. I power politiCS and the politiCS perhaps unrecogized attempt must respectfully disagree of power, by fundamentally at integration with the Ameri­ with Mr. Dorland on two different notions of culture and can film industry. The primary SCREENWRITING points concerning his com­ how nations view themselves. emphasis of Canadian public to assist with the development of feature-length ments on that particular panel. Western Europe consists of old policy in the film and televi­ dramatic screenplays. It is with some surprise that I countries with long-estab­ sion industries is to make their Deadline: February 1 learned that I was speaking for lished cultures confident products available for domes­ the Canadian Government enough to enter into European tic use. Consequently, all of the given that I have not only no economic communities with a so-called international prob­ FILM connection with the Canadian common Parliament - a pro­ lems which concern the Euro­ towards the production costs of documentary, Government but have fre­ cess which the Europeans do peans, Americans and other dramatic, animated or experimental films. quently disagreed with its cul­ not view as compromising film and television exporting Deadlines: April 1, November 1 tural and particularly motion their national sovereignty. nations are either superficially picture poliCies as many of my They view free movement recognized or unexperienced earlier writings would de­ within a larger protected and in Canada. Perhaps the most VIDEO monstrate. Of more interest protective sphere as non-op­ problematic area of formula­ to assist with the production of original video art. though is Mr. Dorland's notion posing to their national iden­ tion of Canadian public policy Deadlines: February 1, August 15 that Canadian Law is an exten­ tity. American public policy in which applies to International sion of public policy whereas International Copyright seems Copyright Law, and the film Please note: all applications must be supported American Law is an extension to be grounded in the ethic of and television industries in of individual or natural rights. American individual rights. In particular, is the general ab­ by examples of recent work. As a blanket statement Mr. this context American publiC sence of Canadian public con­ For further information and application forms, Dorland's remarks would policy is designed to advance cern about these industries contact: surely spark considerable con­ and protect those rights in the and the film industry in par­ troversy among the Canadian international sphere and con­ ticular. Although Canadian film Film, Photography and Video Office legal community. Surely the sequently tends to be colored and television are well rep­ ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL plethora of Provincial, Federal with the notion that all other resented by a variety of special 151 Bloor Street West, Suite 500 and Constitutional Chatters of systems which do not ac­ interest groups, these groups Rights which presently exist in knowledge these individual generally appeal to a narrow Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T6 (4161961-1660 this country are sufficient evi­ (more often than not commer­ audience of the various Minis­ dence of the degree to which cial) rights are imperfect or ters of Culture or Communica­ individual liberties are held sa­ unsatisfactory. This concep­ tions in this country. No cred, not to mention that the tion of public policy is to a broader public relations effort basic legal structure in Canada great extent complemented by has been made to make the Ca­ is grounded on British legal two practical and legitimate nadian public aware that a notions of the rights of a sub­ elements. For whatever reason, quite substantial domestic film ject against the Crown and fair Americans tend to view cul­ and television industry now play. Nevertheless, there is dis­ ture as entertainment and en­ exists that can compete with • • • • • • tinct public sense, although its tertainment as industry. Active non-Canadian products. perameters defy definition, dynamic culture has an American and European YOU SHOULD that Canadians are more com­ economic value, it should be negotiators can talk to each promising, submissive to au­ exploited. In this context legal other about their respective thority, content and expectant impediments to this exploita­ cultural industries, public PUT US IN YOUR of government intervention. tion must be diminished or poliCies and their international Whether this sense is caused nullified. Since most countries implicati ons because they are by population, economics, cli­ worth their salt believe their each coming from well-de­ mate or insecurity, this writer national cultures are at least as fined positions and understand NEXT PICTURE feels that not only too much good as anybody else's, this at­ each other'S point of view. has been made of this notion of titude is understandable. O n American and Canadian the Canadian way (an expres­ the other hand American pub­ negotiators discussing the You have highly specialized insurance sion which might denote the lic policy is also influenced by same subject matter are talking needs and we have the know-how to perjorative) but that not every the fact that its cultural and en­ at, and not to each other, as Ca­ creatively adapt insurance for the media, region of Canada displays this tertainment industries have an nadians without a well- defined communications and entertainment characteristic. Be that as it extensive infrastructure and public poli cy in this area have industries .. . may, the real issue on the Con­ are recognized as an integral no precise stance. It is for this We will prepare realistic estimates for your vergence II Copyright and and vital part of the American reason (among others) that the budgets and work to get you the best rates Technology panel was the ap­ economy. The defence of these Canadian/American Free Trade and coverage available. Talks seem to be going so plication on an international interests through public policy Phone or write Arthur Winkler and ask basis of the public policy ofna­ is also legitimate from the poorly, and the Americans continue to insist, more or less, him to produce a n insurance package tions in the copyright American perspective. specially designed for your protection. domaine. In comparison to the Euro­ that cultural industries be on In this respect and although peans and the Americans, Ca­ the table for discussion. none of the participants on nadian public policy in the in­ The extent to which domes­ Arthur Winkler, CLU that panel represented any ternational copyright and cul ­ tic legal systems are concur­ Art.hur Winkler Insurance Broker Lt d . government, all tended to re­ tural and entertainment fields rent with domestic public pol­ A Division of the flect the notion that their re­ appears negligible. This is not icy can be debated at length by spective countries should in to say that Canada does not jurists and other inter.:-sted the International Copyright have a policy on International persons. There can be Hale HULL Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower 28th Floor. P.O. Box 126 Law arena reflect a public pol­ Copyright Law. The problem is doubt though that on an inter­ INSURANCE Toronto. Ontario M5J 2J3 icy which tends to defend their that Canadian public policy on national level the rules of the GROUPOF COMPANIES (416) 865-0131 country's domestic Copyright International Copyright Law game established between na­ Telex - 06-23901 Law poliCies. In fact, one of the reflects the more stable and tions - and how, if at all , their principal difficulties of Interna­ settled areas of print and re­ respective domestic legal sys­ tional Copyright Law is the es­ lated media. In motion pic­ tems interface - is very much a tablishment of common inter­ tures and television Canadian matter of public policy. In a national norms which func- public policy is a question cont. onp. 46 • • • • • • " "Dancing in the Dark"

Genie Award ,5 Nominations

Gordon M~LeUatl '~ , A,e.E, Awardfop '" . Best Docum.entary EditiD' gv'~';' " from ' " '0' x, i: T~e National Academy of C~abi~ :',; Programming (American Cable TV Networks) "R apists:· Can They be Stopped?" Written, directed and produced by John Zaritsky

AT , §

. Brigitte! NOMINATED Best ~ Feature Documentary • Academy Awards CINEPHllEASSOCIATE PRESENTSPRODUCER A AND DIRECTED BY ...••.. ~~~~~I~~~I~~~~~g~~p~~O~UCEDARK IRWIN , JIM AQUILA ~ ~~'~~ r BERMAN..- Rtira", thFA ..ILY

VON FILM ARTS AT ,11,,4 461 CHURCH. ST. FKlENDS TORONTO

March 1987 - Cin ema Canada/45 • c I N E M A G • Arcand and Berman Legal Eye Talks on-going about merger cont. from p. 43 vie for Oscars TORONTO Talks about time paid post at the CFTA merging the Canadian Film and ]ephcott said he will be step: MONTREAL - The winner of came so tired of the pys­ bizarre way the public policy Television Association ping down in May. ]ephcott in­ numerous awards in 1986, Le chological ups and downs of of all nations, concerning their (CFTA)and the Association of tends to stand for re-election Declin de l'empire ameri­ the film awards circuit that she cultural and entertainment in­ Canadian Film and Television in May as a voluntary board cain, directed by Denys Ar­ wasn't even going to enter her dustries, have some remarka­ Producers (ACFTP) are under­ member of the CFTA. cand, has been nominated in documentary for nomination. bly common points. They are way. He said there are several be­ "It just gets in the way of all designed to permit their the Best Foreign Film category While representatives of nefits from joining the two by the Academy of Motion Pic­ your work sometimes." domestic industries to grow both groups acknowledge the groups including reduced of­ ture Arts and Sciences in Hol­ But luckily her distributor and expand in an environment discussions, there is d!sagree­ fice costs and, most import­ I)-wood. and Don Haig, the associate elastic enough to permit this. ment about the nature of the antly, a unified voice for pro­ producer, urged Berman to Le Declin is one of five fo­ The problems arise because bargaining. ducers. reign mms selected from fea­ enter the mm. the expansion and growth of Sam ]ephcott, executive di­ tures entered by 32 nations. That's one reason Berman is national cultural and entertain­ rector of the CFTA , said he The ACFTP broke away from Co-produced by the NFB so thrilled about the nomina­ ment industries is perceived as thinks the move is essential. He the CFTA about three years and Corporation Image M et M tion of the film , about clarinet being at the expense of the said a secret committee of ago after organizational and Ltee, Le Declin has become player and big band leader growth of other nations' cul­ three members from both policy differences developed. the largest grossing mm ever Artie Shaw, in the best feature tural industries or economic groups and a chairman have a The ACFTP has up to 40 mem­ made in Quebec. documentary category. interests. In the international mandate to discuss the issue. bers (production companies Awards to date include, the When Berman reached Artie context the individual rights of But Peter Mortimer, execu­ and financiers), while the International Film Critics' Shaw, who was in hospital, he the various participants in the tive vice-president of the CFTA is a much broader group that includes producers. Award at the Cannes Film Fes­ had already heard the good cultural industries take prece­ ACFTP, said the discussion of a tival, Best Foreign Film (New news about the film. Berman dence only to the extent that possible merger is part of on­ Despite the split both York Film Critics) and Best Ca­ said Shaw was surprised and they are concurrent with this going talks between the spokesman said the two groups nadian Film Award at the To­ really pleased. growth process, otherwise, groups. are very close on many issues. ronto Festival of Festivals. "I think the film has a lot to however cherished and "Some form of integration is "Weare not at war. There say and Artie has a lot to say rightly or wrongly - they ap­ one of the ongoing things on are very few areas in which we and that's why he's so happy." pear secondary. that agenda," Mortimer told have a disagreement," said • The 11-t-minute documen­ Cinema Canada. "There is no­ ]ephcott. TORONTO - An Academy tary was in the making 2.5 Michael N. Bergman, thing spectacular going on at He said while the merger award nomination for Artie years and was produced on a all. " talks are not a high priority Shaw: Time is All You've Got budget of 5225,000 with sup­ Barrister & So licitor, Member Mortimer said no marriage is compared to some of the pol­ was an extraordinary surprise, port from the Canada Council, of the Bars of Quebec, Ontario about to be announced, al­ icy issues and film industry says Brigitte Berman, the To­ the Ontario Arts Council and a and Alberta with offices in though he added the two concerns being discussed by ronto mmmaker who made the private investor. Montreal and Toronto. groups have decided to start the groups, the discussions are documentary. Berman said Telefilm Cana­ some dating. still crucial to creating a "When they called me I was da helped ensure the docu­ After three years in his part- stronger industry voice. shocked. I just wouldn't be­ mentary made it to film festi­ lieve it and I kept saying 'come vals around the world and on'.)! thereby made it eligible for the In fact Berman said she be- Academy Awards. PICTURE VEHICLES

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Serving Quebec and Eastern Canada

46 / Cinema Canada - March 1987 • c I N E M A G • which will include some of this EASTERN WAVE information. In terms of future directions, h~ Chris \\ajka another of the recommenda­ tions of the Task Force on Film ilm production companies ness, which (/cl lIl1/ ~)' provided and Video was to establish an have been coming to At­ the monies, was willing to as­ ac tual Film Commission in the FROM UN IT PUBLICITY TO THE LAUNCH lantic Canada eyer since sume responsihility fo r it. It F province with wide respon­ IF YOU'RE GOI "(; FOR liEADUNES the Shipman Studios came thus drifted in a ki nd of sibilities including a budget THEN GO FOR THE BEST! from the United States in 19 19 bureaucratic limbo. providing development and SPECIALISTS IN ENTERTA INMENT to shoot the silent film Back to In 198-1 the provinCial Task production money to writers PUBLIC RELATIONS God's Country in New Force on Film and Video pre­ 20LJ AJc l <'IlJe Stree t E:J '-1. SIC 2()...t and producers. This proposal is Tmnnl(l. Ont:H1l1 M 5A IM H Brunswick (or maybe even be­ sented a report to the govern­ currentl y the subject of a study fore - I'm not a film historian ). ment with a number of recom­ by an interdepartmental gov­ (416) 864-9696 In more recent years fi lms mendations, one which was ernmental board within the such as The Bay Boy. My that the role and mandate of Nova Scotia government Bloody Valentine, and Chil­ the Film Resource Centre be which is drafting legislation for dren of a Lesser God have all re-evaluated. As a result of this, the creation of such an entity p .$. e~ been shot in this area. a Board of Directors was (rumours about town give it an Nevertheless, production has created in 1985 and pro­ operating budget of $800,000, ~ been, at least until recently, ir­ ceeded to review and revise but then we all know never to regular and sporadic. What the policy of the Centre. This trust rumours). If and when it film activity has taken place, lead, in 1986, to the establish­ comes into existence, Ms. both by indigenous producers ment of the Film Nova Scotia Cruickshank anticipates that as well as those from outside, Society which receives money Film Nova Scotia and its ac­ has often been regarded rela­ from the provincial govern­ tivities and responsibilities 1)1(, tively indifferently by the pro­ ment through the department would become incorporated tie cf(}a~ee I(}~ b(}(}icf vincial governments in the re­ of Culture, Recreation & Fit­ into the larger framework of gion. Film was often seen as a ness to operate Film Nova this organization. marginal activity with little Sig­ Scotia. The new director of this The idea of film commis­ nificant economic impact. office, replacing Marcelle Gib­ sions to co-ordinate the FIL!f - TV: -IIIOE() That image seems slowly to son - who had been with the growth of film industries, al­ be changing and the recent Film Resources Center since though not a new one, has creation of Film Nova Scotia, its inception - is Christine been slow to catch on in the an organization whose man­ Cruickshank She told me that Atlantic area. As previously TIII'Jb'llBBOOKS date it is to help and encourage under its new mandate she mentioned, there has been film production in the pro­ sees three principal goals for some scepticism that film vince, is evidence enough. Film Nova Scotia: could be an important factor in specialist booksellers since 1975 Film Nova Scotia replaces the 1) To promote Nova Scotia the economic equation. In this 25 bIoor st. w . toronto, canada Nova Scotia Film Resource as a location for films as widely light it is interesting to see that m4w 1aJ (416) 922-1175 Centre, an organization founded as the limited resources of her in the wake of the success of seven years ago with some­ office will permit. Children of a Lesser God, PHONE/MAIL ORDERS/MASTERCARDNISA what similar purposes. At that 2 ) to assist in promoting the which was filmed in New time the provincial govern­ resources of the province, in Brunswick, the NB govern­ ment, acting on a report by terms of location scouting, in­ ment has recently established Hadley Robertson who studied formation of the production its own film commission which a variety of film commissions infrastructure, etc. to film­ is called the Tourism, Recre­ in the United States, was con­ makers both local and outside. ation and Heritage Film Com­ vinced of the need to establish 3) and to see that as many mission. More on this in a fu­ some organization which Nova Scotians as possible find ture issue. might encourage film produc­ employment in all sectors of In the meantime calls from CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tion in Nova Scotia. It was a the film industry and its related Los Angeles, Baltimore, and time of fiscal restraint, how­ service industries, Philadelphia, as well as from (National Executive Secretary) ever, and the government did She is careful to stress that down the street come in every not wish to be shown to be all forms of assistance offered day and Ms. Cruickshank, with spending additional funds and by her office are available to one part-time assistant, tries to so the department of Culture, local as well as outside (or as prepare and send out packages Recreation & Fitness did not they are termed in this region of information which were ur­ act directly to establish such 'offshore') filmmakers and pro­ gently needed yesterday, She A National labour organization in the an office. Rather, it encouraged duction companies. The office will give callers an earful on entertainment industry requires a general the local office of ACTRA to does not undertake to do any the beautiful and varied loca­ administrator for its head office operation in make a request for this pur­ production management itself tions available, the number of Toronto_ pose and then the government nor does it involve itself in hir­ skilled local production per­ financially supported this 'pri­ ing of personnel directly, It sonnel, the advantageous This senior staff person will be responsible for all vate sector' initiative. Ho hum does, however, maintain an money and tax situations, the administrative matters of the organization and - the convoluted path of gov­ ever-growing file of cast, crew lower costs of filming in the should have knowledge of labour contracts. ernmental action. In any event and other people involved in area and the ease of bringing in Fluency in French is an asset_ the consequence was the crea­ various aspects of the industry production equipment. She's Position directly reports to the president and is tion of the Nova Scotia Film as well as an archive of produc­ convinced that we're on the ultimately responsible to the National Executive . Resources Centre_ This office tion stills and information, all brink of a new and exciting era Board_ was active in promoting film of which are available to any­ of film production in the pro­ The compensation would be commensurate with production although princi­ one interested in filming here. vince_Any takers? pally in terms of encouraging This information will eventu­ experience_ Please forward resumes to: outside producers to come to ally be computerized in a this area. database in such a way that Over the years there was a complete profiles of regions of TORONTO - A former CBC considerable degree of grum­ the province can be given to producer and radio commen­ bling by local filmmakers that production companies. These tator is the new communica­ this office was not responsive would include local and tions and research director of Box 28 to their needs and had an un­ municipal authorities, rental ACTRA- do Cinema Canada Doug Coupar will be re­ clear and undefinable mandate. companies, hotels and restau­ 67A Portland This arose partly because rants, names and addresses of sponsible for Alliance of Cana­ Toronto neither ACTRA, which ostensi­ extras, etc. An off-shoot of this dian Cinema, Television and M5B 2M9 bly funded and administered compilation of data is the plan Radio Artists' publicatiOns, pol­ the centre, nor the department to publish, in the near future, a icy research and media rela­ of Culture, Recreation and Fit- film directory for the province tions.

March 1987 - Cinema Canada/47 • C I N E M A G • School debate continues in QC MONTREAL - There is popular However, it is no less diffi­ "There is a lot of undeve­ support for establishing a new cult today, says Coulombe, for loped talent out there. Yo u see film school in Quebec, say a first- time filmm aker to "break them on the set one day and members of a panel who into the industry." they are gone the next," she gathered recently, to discuss says. the time-worn question: Does "Obviously for the young The film school would assist Quebec "reallv" need a fi lm fil mmaker the expense of a in developing projects suitable school' first film is a big problem," says for television broadcast w hich, "After fi ve years of debate, Coulombe, who adds that the says Coulombe, the student discussion and correspon­ absence of p roven credibil ty in could use as a sort of "calling dence, the accent is on the the film industry is the second card." word really," says Michel Cou­ part of the novice filmmaker'S Support for the school is lombe, moderator of the panel dilemma. currently spearheaded by both discussion and executive di­ the Institut and the National rector of Les rendez-vous du Monique Champagne, a pa­ Film Board of Canada, repre­ cinema quebecois (Feb.10 to nelist and executive member sented on the panel by George 15), who adds that there is of the Insitut quebecois du ci­ Dufaux, head of French-lan­ strong support within and out­ nema, who has been working guage programming. side of the Quebec film indus­ on the film school dossier for "We will do as much as we try for /'ecole superior de ci­ several years, says there is no can to support a school," Du­ nema et de video, question of duplicating exis­ faux told Cinema Canada_ A post-graduate film school, ting film -study programs_ Dufaux does not rule out the says Coulombe, would be Rather, she explains, the num­ possibility of associating a pro­ unique in providing an inter­ bers of students graduating posed six-month NFB training mediate step between existing, from these schools who are in­ program, which he hopes to accredited university and col­ terested in filmmaking need a launch in the next fiscal year, lege film programs and a place place to apply their knowledge with the school. FILM PROGRAM within the industry for aspiring and learn technical skills. filmmakers_ "We have to organize a school Another possibility for the The gradual development of that will provide what these school, he says, would be to Film theory and production within an interdisciplinary a Quebec film industry over people need and help in a con­ serve as the French-language fi ne and perfonning arts B_A_ degree program_ the last two decades has meant crete way," says Champagne, wing of the National Screen AppJication deadline for Fall 1987: 3 1 July 1987_ an increasing number of film As a veteran continuity per­ Institute (see article). For infonnation contact: courses and degree programs son on Quebec film sets, Champagne and Coulombe at the CEGEP (junior college) Champagne has observed the agree that the co-operation of Centre for the Arts, level and at Concordia Univer­ frustration of ambitious young the NFB is essential, and that Simon Fraser University, Sity, University of Montreal, filmmakers anxious but unable the school must make the best Burnaby, B_C. VSA I S6 and the University of Quebec to find employment in the in­ use of existing resources inclu­ in Montreal, dustry. ding the NFB . Tel. (604) 291-3363 National Screen Institute poised

EDMONTON Dramalab Quebec/Alberta co-production NFB -produced films entitled 1987, will begin its search for agreement, sets up a strong im­ Tech Change. TAILLEFER , DEVINE aspiring writers, directors, and petus for the NSI to become in­ The incomplete results of & ASSOCIATES producers from across Canada volved in programs in both the third phase of Dramalab is 11[) INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. to participate in a three-phase languages. entitled the Border Series, training program_ An announ­ An on-gOing feasibility study currently in development. Ne­ cement is expected in late Feb­ in Quebec for a new film gotiations are on-gOing with ruary, school (see article) could be­ CBC and Radio-Quebec. Shoo­ Offeri ng a comprehensive insurance Plans for the expansion of come the Quebec wing of the ting is scheduled for the sum­ package on all your feature, television, the National Screen Institute, NSI, says Radford, who is in mer. launched in April 1986, as a re­ consultation with the Institut The 18-member board of di­ commercial, theatrical or special event sult of the success of Dramalab quebecois de cinema. rectors at Dramalab consists of production_ 1984 and 1985 will also be an­ representatives of both the Dramalab is comprised of nounced, says Tom Radford, public and private sector. Ad­ teams of filmmakers who have executive director of the NSI. ministrative offices are in Ed­ Our specialists, with twenty years of been selected from the five In a recent interview with monton, experi2nce, can design an insurance major regions of Canada to Cinema Canada, Radford ex­ progran, to suit your specific needs. plained that the evolution of make a series of dramatic pro­ Dramalab through the first cy­ ductions in a three-phase, in­ Super 8 festival We have world-wide facilities. cle in 1984, the second cycle ter-disciplinary training pro­ gram_ (begun in 1985 and now near­ MONTREAL - The 8th Quebec ing completion) and the begin­ Phase one consists of film International Super 8 Film and drama studies at the University ning of the third cycle (1987) Video Festival will feature over MICHAEL DEVINE, C _I.B, of Alberta in Edmonton, fol ­ shows an expanding national 100 films of non-professional lowed by a hands-on practical or orientation from a western filmmakers, March 3-8, at the training at the National Film base to a national base, and is Cinematheque quebecoise in JACQUES TAILLEFEh, C_I.B., F.I.I.C Board studios in Montreal_ The resulting in the expansion of Montreal_ third phase sees the filmma­ the NSf. For the first time, video pro­ kers returning to their respec­ "The NSI," he says, "is the ductions are included in the 240 St. Jacques Street, 10th Floor tive regions where, under the Dramalab model extended into Intercollegiate, Quebec and Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1 L9 supervision of executive pro­ other areas of filmmaking, It International sections of the ducers, they write, direct and Telephone: (514) 288-2544 exists to help find ways to festival. produce segments of a series of Telex: 055-61159 create training programs in, for Organizers say that the in­ half- hour television programs, example, animation_" clusion of video is acknowled­ Radford says the Quebec/Al­ To date, the second phase of gment that video "has become berta connection, as characte­ Dramalab 1985 has resulted in a creative tool as effective and rized by the recently signed a six-part series of IS-minute as accessible as super 8."

48 /Cinema Canada - March 1987 • c I N E M A G • age during the performance) alternative to or 'anti' the do­ Although this structure had ON (EXPERIMENTAL) FILM as opposed to spending years minant cinema. Bruce argued been announced at the outset to make a film and then have it that being 'anti conventions' is of the evening, and so the pos­ h\ B Skrnlwrg screened and criticized in the not the pOint, (in fact, conven­ sibility for dialogue was filmmakers absence. Is this an tions are all right as long as guaranteed, nonetheless many attempt to control not only the they are true to the medium of those implicated by the making but the reception of and not so overdone as to be paper or qualified to question WO film -related events which, for Bill, were then over­ film, and/or is it an attempt to hackneyed); that valuing alter­ its tenents were either not in took place recently in To­ shadowed by the 'show'. Dot stress each aspect as process? native cinema as anti-domin­ attendance or left part way Tronto which featured, in Tuer, freelance art critic and Bruce Elder prefaced his ant, values only its social as­ through the presentation. I each instance, a filmmaker as reviewer, notes that Al ascribes paper, The Death of a Cana­ pects. Films are then discussed wonder about this; wonder critic: Kalling all kanadian a lot of authority to critics. She dian Art Movement, by ex­ only in terms of how they dif­ about the mode of presenta­ krltics, a performance by Al asks why Al would want to lo­ pressing his regrets with his fer from dominant cinema, and tion, about the concerns of the Razutis, .took place at The Fun­ cate himself in the avant-garde past role as advocate for Cana­ not for their own aesthetic paper itself and whether these nel on December 19 and had and at the same time decry dian avant-garde cinema. He value. In fact Elder attributes suited the targeted audience of been preceded by his screen­ critical canon' If one is avant­ reflected that in celebrating the drying up of an aesthetic a university film SOCiety. ing the week before of SpUce, garde why botller about critics work done here in the past, he interest in cinema, and in Perhaps such a paper nee ded a film which in turn was based and institutionalized curating had papered over defects, and avant- garde in particular, to to be presented at a confer­ on a seminar in which sLx film­ at all? And she asks, lien, what stated that now this tactic was this tendency. ence like the one held in Lon­ makers spoke on the topic is lie authority of lie critic? to change. Bruce accused the theory of don at the ICA on Postmoder­ "Avant-Garde Film Practice: 6 What is lie critic for' Is lie au­ The theme of the paper was being bourgeois, counter-re­ nism, or at the Canadian Film Views;" the second event was a liority of criticism more prop­ "Film Theory's Assault on volutionary and, in as much as Studies Association Confer­ paper The Death of a Cana­ erly a question of the auliority Avant-garde Cinema", and the it advocates a filmmaking that ence; that is, before people dian Art Movement presented of language itself - intimida­ film theory Bruce challenged is is valued solely for its social learned in the same field and in lecture format by Bruce tion by rhetoric' Does criti· me particular Feminist film utility, a return to a Calvinist with a deSignated responder Elder, at Innis College Film So­ cism arise from work, from a theory, or 'Ecriture feminine' world-view in which the value appointed to 'answer the ciety on January 29. As little as meory, or from the intersec­ (feminine writing.) Bruce of the liberating potential of art paper' before general discus­ these two people and presen­ tion of a theory and work' Is maintained that he is not is denied. Elder also ques­ sion ensues. I say this, if, in fact, tations had in common (I'm lie image (films) stronger than against theory, per se, but op­ tioned the validity of Lacan and a dialogue was the aim. If the not even sure how they will what surrounds it (critical ca­ poses academic film theory in­ con-comitantly called for a re­ righting of past sins of omis­ take to being mentioned in the nons)' Dot also questioned stitutionalized in film journals, reading of Freud and the tragiC sion by the tactic of full, pu blic same paragraph! ) it is interest­ what she supposed to be a de­ university film departments state of duality and negation at disclosure of perceived errors ing to note and wonder upon sire for dialogue mat the per­ and curatorial policy. The the core of language and the and conspiracies to gain and the significance of this move formance was to facilitate: wide-spread critical attention human condition. maintain power was intended by filmmakers to 'take on' both where are me openings for mis theory enjoys and its In part b), Bruce enunciated to draw attention to the sever­ the critics and academics who dialogue - and is it the func­ legitimization by academic in­ what he considers me 'baleful' ity of the problem before rigor propound and give credence tion of experimental film to stitutions has caused, Bruce al­ effects of institutional support mortis sets in - was it effec­ to certain film theories and create dialogue' leged, the death of Canadian as evidenced in Canada by spe­ tive? Is there another way? Is it critical positions. Is it a case, as Al Razutis tells me mat he in­ avant-garde film. cific appointments to univer­ more honest to say it out loud was suggested by Bart Testa, tends to keep developing this Support for this accusation sity pOSitions, selection of On­ man to 'politic' behind closed film teacher at University of area of live film performance proceeded along two lines. tario Arts Council film juries, doors' What does one do when Toronto, of filmmakers whose mat will employ elements of Part a), was an attack against access to publication and the the people behind the closed aesthetic is without a critical audience involvement. He the theory itself. Bruce also role of academia in legitimiz­ doors are seen as part of the milieu: that faced with films wants to directly interact wim made a point mat I particularly ing mis theory unreservedly. problem? Are subjective which have a density of their audiences while the film is noticed as contrary to a posi­ The reading of the paper was characterizations warranted? Is own and theories laid upon being made (an element of tion often reserved for experi­ followed by a screening of naming names and describing these which are inadequate to Kalling was to have been the mental film in explaining not Anna Gronau's film Regards, specific events a necessary part the films, filmmakers have filming, processing on stage only its history, but it's raison which was men followed by a of the game plan? And what's turned critic? and screening of the same foot- d'etre; namely that of being an question and answer period. next' Since I had not attended Kalling All KK , I decided to call some of the Kalled for . their opinions, observations, and more particularly to ask what issues/questions Razutis' performance had raised for them. The position/condition Al was analyzing is Postmoder­ nism, and this by way of em­ ploying some of its methodolo­ gies; namely, parody and ap­ propriation, or, as Al refers to it, plagiarism. For Bart Testa, the citings became less of an attack on the various theories quoted, (apparatus theory, feminist film theory, Bruce Elder's histories of philosophy found in Illuminated Texts,) than a 'jolt to the memory, a game of reCOgnition of sources, and, in some cases, a reminder of how interesting the source material is. This was clearly not Razutis's intention.' Bill Wees, of McGill Univer­ Sity, questions whether · a multi-media performance can function as a viable form of critical debate. An art event, Bill muses aloud, is by its very nature open to interpretation, is multi-valent, which is unlike the desired exactitude of criti­ cal discursive thinking. Kalling introduced critical issues

March 1987 - Cinema Canada/49 Considering that British Columbia network of relationships throughout the is four times the size of Texas and has province, to get you into any area you climates that range from rain forest to need. And wIth our sophisticated trans­ desert, it's hardly surprising how many port system, out again too. (After all, . films have located here. life on a glacier is no picnic.) In fact, in the past few years, we've Call us directly at (604) 660-2732 been a stand-in for everything from for scouting information, photo presen­ Cambodia to New York City, and from tations al)d any other'assIstance that prehistoric America to an uncharted you r~~UIre. planet far, far away. We promise your reception will be Our Film Commission has a solid anything but lukewarm.

Super, Natural British Columbia British Columbia Film Commission, #802 -865 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6Z 2G3 Member 01 J.\.~r ASSOCIATION OF ...... , FILM COMMISSIONERS

SO/Cinema Canada - March 1987 • c I N E M A G • te n t: as ~ ' d l , three o ut of the total of five nominated FRONTS WEST ' documentari es are fro m BC - " _. , . by Kath.ryn Allison , Ste\'e de Nure's Ranch - the Alan Woods Ranch Pro je ct. Kirk Tougas' Return to De­ pa rture. and C hri ~ Bruyere's luis Bruyere, the newly juneau to li sten, take no tes and Da ds a nd J(jds . As \~ ' e1I , elected President () f the co nsider the independence MicllJel Conway Baker's score CB ritish Columbia Film and suggesti o ns, Bruyere hedged fo r John and the Missu s was Video Associati o n ( BCFlA), at­ whe n asked if the AC RlM PIA no minated, and Vancouver's tended the CBC regional pro· reps were hopeful or dejected \Vinston Rekert got nominated ducers meeting (held in Win ­ aft er the meeting. "1 feel that it Jor best actor in a leading role nipeg o n j anuary 19) as a rep­ was an ini tial discussion, and fo r The Blue Man. resentative of the BC sector of can't really say what I think According to Cari Green, Di­ the new Western coalition of w ill happe n until the next rector of the Canadian Film­ indepe ndent producers' or­ meeting some time in Ma rch. makers Distributio n West the COMPLETE VIDEO ga niz a ti o n .~ , AC RIM PLA ( Al­ and after Fl o ra MacDonald's t\\"() hottest sell ers these days li ance of Canadian Regio nal Feb. 13 announcement on the are de Nure's Ranch and Motio n Pi c ture Ind ustries As· use of Telefilm 's S25 million. Tilby's Tables of Content. POST PRODUCTION sociati o n ). Certainly some members of 1986 was a good year fo r the Also attending from Va n­ our coalition are more op' CFDW, with total sales this couve r were Wayne Sterl off timistic than othe rs." year coming in at S82,595.00. (Telefilm ) and Ro n Devio n, Di· Happily, Bruyere's fea ture She says that the CFDW has rector of Television ( Van­ Shelley, whose sale to the had increaSing success w ith couver plant). AC RlMPLA reps Vancouver regio n of the CBC the television market, and re­ had been invited to participate had been stall ed over a low ports not ,only an increase in 3/4" ed iti ng in one day of talks concerning CBC offer and the corpora· CS buys ( through their C.S. the fa ilure of Telefilm mo ney ti o n's inclination to cut it into distributo r Coe Film Associates Betacam to 1" to filter down to independent three parts, ended happily in New York ), but an increase regional producers through earl y in February when it was in buying by local broadcas ters the CBC. sold intact for the Lies from and the CBC network ( thanks While the meeting was no n­ lotus l and seri es fo r a bette r to co ntinuing inte rest by Rena co nfrontational, the basic cen­ price. It will air March 28 in Krawagna at the corpo rati on). trali st philosophy of both Tele­ the regio n. With a sale to Green, w ho has been work­ (416) 367-9224 fil m and the CBC was seen as Global completed, Bruyere ing closely w ith Tom Howe in 113 BERKELEY ST. the major problem fac ing inde­ now faces selling it to Su per­ co-distributing a series called TORONTO, ONTARIO pendent regio nal producers. channe VF irst Choice in the North Ame rican Indian Por­ Before the meeting, CBC midst of the CBC- Pay TV bat­ traits, is going to Saskatche­ M5A 2W8 people handed o ut their in ­ tle. (Apparently, SuperchanneV wan Film Week (March 9- 16) house document o n Telefil m First Choice wo n't buy any· ,,'here she and Ho,,'e w ill give project guidelines which, thing that's had a fi rst run on workshops on the ir joint work Bruyere reports, were then CBC Citi ng bad experiences on the nati ve series, as well as openly discussed by ACRlM ­ w ith a couple of recent pro­ outline access to markets for jec'ts o ut of Alberta.) new independent productio ns. \ \ PLA reps. "What it boiled down to was When he's no t o ut lo bbying, Green will also go to Regina JACK THOMPSON that the network comes first at Bruyere is bus)' writing - he and work w ith the Saskatche­ Oadoun Thompson Associates Ltd. the CBC, and that there's no just fi nished his second draft of wan Fil m Pool to introduce room fo r fea ture prod uction in Cinde re lla Balle rina, his them to po tential buyers and the CBC's regio nal plants ," forthcoming feature whi ch got illustrate how the CFDW has co mmented Bruyere. Superchannel development been expanding into the edu­ Insurance SpeCialists One no te in the sectio n o n money. He's waiting to hear cati onal and television mar· for the Development ill uminated the from o ne of the two BC dis­ kets. She recently completed tributors he's pitched it to, and sim il ar work with the Atlantic Entertainment Industry state of regional dec ision-mak­ ing: "If it appears that a project says that if o ne respo nds Fi lmmakers Co- op, and picked may be of such large scale that . quickly, he coul d be shooting up two films from the re - it may require mo re than S500 the feature in Ap ril or Ma\·. He Li nda j oy-Busby's linda Joy development, this must be ap· also has fi nished an action fea­ and Heather MacLead's World proved by Bri an O'Leary (Net­ ture that will be sho t in Sas­ In Edgewise . work Directo r of Televisio n )." katchewan and BC this sum· In June she will be leaving • professional AC Rl MPLA reps politely mer. It is being developed by he r post at . the CFDW and • personal suggested that regional deci­ Jo natho n Prangley's co mpany, plans to work in the private sion-making over the 5500 Man Tracks, which has got se\'­ secto r. • service mark would be a worthy goal eral projects on the go, includ· To m Howe is no longer the for the Corporatio n. They also ing a teen comedy feature o nly Vancouver distributor suggested that it would be being scripted by Phil Savath. now that Marilyn Cole is up mo re equi table fo r the regions Another SuperchanneVFirst and runni ng w ith MCM , but he if the network expanded its in· Choice development fund re­ is certainly the fas test moving Your Complete Insurance terest in regional dramas to Cipie nt is Peg Campbell , who is one. He's been expanding into Broker formats longer than o ne hour. in the treatment stage o n a fea­ produc tion financing as well as TIle Telefilm Feature Fil m ture which she describes as "a hitting all the major markets in fund was described as having conceptual murder mystery the States. Apparently respo nse too ri gid a mandate, which abo ut a single mothe r private to his wares was very positive contributed to its underutiliza­ eye who investi gates the death at the NATPE market in New ti on by regional producers and of a relationship." She and co­ Orleans, w ith some serious the subsequent millions of dol­ producer Peggy l1lompson have nibbles at the Breakaway Call : lars left over at the end of the three o the r wri ters worki ng o n series pilo t produced by Terry Jack Thompson 1986 ' funding year. ACRI MPLA the script '''ith them: Peter David Mulligan and David Fos­ reps would like to see a por­ Eli ot Weiss, Banuta Ru bess and te r's company, Fa me. 100 Drumlin Circle, Suite 204 ti o n of that leftover mo ney ear­ Raymond Dang. They plan to Now Howe is getting ready (Steeles & Keele) marked for the regio ns and workshop it in Vancouver and for the Am e rican Film Market Concord, Ont. L4K 2T9 more co-operatio n between Toronto this spring. (AFM ) to which he is taking (416) 669-6400 CBC and Telefilm to pump up Congratulations to the BC fi ve feature pro jects, including regional productio n. Genie nominees Peg David Winning's latest script While CBC regio nal direc­ Campbell's It's a Party and Flash Frame, Vic Nicolle's tors have a directive trom Wendy Tilby's Tables of Con- cont. on p. 52

March 1987 - Cinema Canada/ 51 • c I N E M A G • -+ Shooting will take place in May Moira Simpson will direct a (Chilly Scenes of Winter ). As stereo, and the advent of digi­ First Seasons, Marv New­ and June. new program of sex education well, there will be a practical tal audio. The problem is that land's Tunes Times Nine, and Bill Maylone is directing a films for kids in Grades 5-6, seminar for selected screen­ the new technology baffles a two from Petra - Visa and series of six eight-minute films which will follow-up the popu­ writers to work on specific lot of people who are reticent Matinee Massacre. for kindergarten-age children lar Feeling Yes, Feeling No scripts. about jumping in and spending Tom Ughtburn (form ely which is aimed at "reaffirming series. Patrick Ramsay of Marathon a lot of money learning the with Norstar and Cineplex scientific curiosity in kids." Productions Inc. is pushing the ropes. Ramsay says his time­ Odeon) is joining Howe at the George Johnson is producing The Pacific Cinematheque sound end of his business with code NAGRA is the highest AFM to work on those pro­ those. Haida Paul finished and Pra..xis are co-hosting a the help of a time-code quality portable production jects. The two have been talk­ shooting a half-hour documen­ screenwriters' workshop in NAGRA tape recorder. Accord­ tape recorder available, and ing about doing business to­ tary on PMS, which she di­ late February, with public lec­ ing to Ramsay, people are he's used it on several videos gether for some time but this rected and will edit. Before tures to be given by Kit Carson more aware of the type of already with superb results. He will be their first real whack at that she had co-directed (Paris, Texas), Stewart audio quality they can get plans to get into more audio pooling their skills and making another documentary on Kaminsky, Sharon Riis (Loyal­ these days, with TV series like production of rock videos on some deals. Howe has also in­ menopause. ties) and Joan Micklin Silver Danger Bay being done in the Coast. vited old pal Melanie Friesen (former head of creative devel­ opment at MGMIUA's London office) to the market to assist him in developing film pro­ jects and to identity feature material to distribute in Cana­ da. Booths for fi\"e Canadian dis­ tributors at the market were organized by Telefilm - two of them wi ll be from Vancouver. Diane Neufeld and Brent Clackson (BC Film Commis­ sion) will attend the "Loca­ tions Expo" part of the AFM. They put on their carnival barker hats with other Film Commissioners peddling their wares to the producers who

stroll in and out of the Market. ;' She and Clackson will also partiCipate in the "Producers Breakfast" which was initiated three years ago by IA TSE 891 's Here are the products boy wonder business manager George Chapman. The break­ fast information meeting, held during the market week that make it happen! (March 3 this year), draws 50 to 100 producers who get spe­ cific questions answered about shooting in BC The result of this one is expected to be con­ Lighting Filters Painting sistent with the past two years • • - four to six productions (pro­ ducers?) in the bag. Projections Dance Floors • • • Screens Barbara Janes, the new Direc­ • • Stage Platforms tor of the Vancouver branch of the NFB, reports that they are well underway with two short Designer Materials dramas. The Vancouver plant • • Special Effects produced its first drama last year (Differences) and is con­ tinuing the new foray into Fog and Smoke drama with Peg Campbell's • • Computer Software S200,000 Nuclear Fear film which shoots this March. Peggy Thompson was super­ vising writer, with co-writers For further details contact Rosco or your local authorized Rosco dealer Raymond Dang and Banuta Rubess. Jennifer Torrence is the producer. It will be in­ cluded as part of a series called Home Movies, for kids be­ tween 11 and 13. Aside from ~~.~ Differences and Nuclear Fear, all the other segments •••• are from Ontario. The first of a series of teen­ •••• age dramas is in the first draft "" stage for the Board. Annie O'Donoghue will direct the 20-minute drama on teenage pregnancy which is being scripted by Tricia Finn. Script consultant is Sandy Wilson.

52 /Cinema Canada - March 1987 • c I N E M A G • Time to speak out THE GREAT $2,000 GIVE-AWAY for non-theatrical films

TORONTO - People must dation was that a financial reo speak out now in support of bate program be established to The Dorothy and Oscar Burritt Memorial Award has been going strong government funding for Cana· encourage users to increase for twenty-three years. The current Award of $2,000 will be given to dian non· theatrical films or the purchase of Canadi an no n· an individual or volunteer organization to undertake/complete/start a ri sk the industry's grad ual de· theatrical films and other project contributing to film appreciation, and thus to a wider enjoyment mise, a member of a govern· audio·\'isual mate ri als, l 'sers ment task force that studied include school hoards. univer· and awareness of film as an art, the issue says. sities, public Iihraries and Ca· Les Modo lo was a member nadian·owned companies, hut Dorothy and Oscar Burritt founded the film society movement in of a federal task force that last not individuals. year recommended govern· Modolo, who is president of Canada, and this Award keeps alive the unique spirit and dedication ment funding of Canada's non· Marlin Motion Pictures, said if of these film pioneers. theatrical film industry, nothing is done a number of Producers and users of non· private sector non· theatrical The Award-winner will be notified by the end of May, 1987. theatri cal fi lms such as those film companies will disappear. used by schools, industries and Revenues from Canadian community groups must let non· theatrical films were esti· 1987 APPLICATION FORMS AVAILABLE FROM THE the federal government know mated to be between S7.5 and DOROTHY AND OSCAR BURRITT MEMORIAL AWARD, th ey support the task force's S 1.3 million in 1985. The reo recommendations, Modolo port said this is equal to or P.O. BOX 484, STATION A said, more than the Canadian share TORONTO, ONTARIO M5W 1E4 Communications minister of theatrical revenues in Cana· (or contact Pat Thompson (416) 922-5772) Flora MacDonald isn 't likely to da as estimated by an earlier move on something about task force on the Canadian the· which there is "deafening si · atrical mm industry, RUSH INTO ACTION! lence," Modolo told Cin ema TIle Educational Media Pro· THE CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ENTRY FORMS Canada ducers and Distributors Associa· IS APRIL 24, 1987. The industry must write to ti on of Canada (D\PDAC ), of tell her their views or watch which Modolo is also a member. the report go on the shelf, he says it is pressing the govern· explained. ment for a positive reaction to * * * * In August 1986 the SL'i:' the non· theatrical film indu,stry member no n· theatrical film in· report, Administered by the Canadian Federation of Film Societies, the dustry task force submitted a The producers and dis· Dorothy and Oscar Burritt Memorial Award is registered as a charity .38-page report to MacDonald tributors association is also called The Other Film Indus· concerned that the govern· under the Income Tax Act. Donations to the capital fund are more than try, ment revise the Copyright Ac t welcome, and receive a receipt for tax purposes when sent to the above The task force produced 17 to help the non· theatrical in· address. recommendations including dustry remain healthy, the creation of a production An EMPDAC press release fund similar to those set up for says Jarvis Stoddart has been broadcast and feature films, appointed the new executive· The other major recommen· director of the association. NUMBER ONE COMBO· TO-GOI

. Association of C Canadian F film ~c::_ CraNspeople

March 1987 - Cinema Canada/53