Conddun Funrieuis Photo: Greg Hulbert Canada Couircil Announces New Program to Help Independent Filmmakers
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condDun FunriEuis Photo: Greg Hulbert Canada Couircil announces new program to help independent filmmakers Ms. Penni Jaques, recently appointed film Officer of the Canada Council, came to Toronto in late October to ex plain the Council's tentative Aid to Film and Video Artists program, which is al ready accepting applications. Her visit coincided with the Council's series of open meetings held in this area, designed to gauge response to its pro grams from the art and academic com munities across Canada. Director Andre Michael Spencer of the CFDC and Penni Jaques of the Canada Council at the S.F. U. Forum in Fortier revealed that the Canada Coun British Columbia cil gives away $45 million annually to the arts, humanities and social sciences, 36 per cent of it in Ontario. Film, photography and video might get up to one million dollars of this production grants: up to $25,000, up to buy time to pursue a program of Ap amount during the coming year. We sus $10,000, and up to $5,000 will be given prenticeship Research or Advanced pect that this is still disproportionate to out to cover partial or total production Study in their respective fields, may also what other art forms are getting, but costs. Ms. Jaques cautioned potential apply for a Senior or regular Art Grant, then certain staunch classicists refuse to applicants against assuming that asking or a Short Term Grant. Finally, Project recognize them as such. No comparable for the highest amount is the wisest Cost grants of up to $2,000 are available grants are planned in film, for instance, course; in fact the $25 thousand grant to the professional artist to help defray to the huge amounts of money given to will be the hardest one to get, with the cost of a particular project, with the estabhshed theatre, music, literature, chances progressively improving as the exception of film or video production. and painting. Of course the real issue is budget is pared. Twice as many grants in However, projects such as exhibition that non-art allocations grossly out the lowest category will be given out as costs (temporary rental of screening weigh the art ones. in the highest, which is intended for space), costs of sub-titling films of ex Still, grants in 1974 to individuals filmmakers of considerable accomplish ception quality when they are invited to and non-profit organizations dealing ment. participate in national or international with film, photography and video will In addition, post production funds of festivals, and transportation costs of most likely be double what they re up to $15,000 are available for works films and equipment to international ex ceived this' year. And the Council is already in progress. And filmmakers, hibitions do qualify under this program. making a great effort to communicate professionals in other related fields such If all this seems confusing, one must effectively with the people most likely as video, and writers wishing to buy remember that the Canada Council is a eligible for these grants. time to write or develop a film script, very complex web of intricate inter Since an official brochure describing may apply to the Senior Art Grant pro relationships, and that not all the the new grants policy vis a vis film will gram (up to $15,000 to cover living money comes from the same purse. not be available before February, we expenses, production costs and travel, if Let's just be thankful that Ottawa were asked to spread the word among required) or for a regular Art Grant (up recognizes the need to fund the arts filmmakers. We are unable to quote to $4,000 to cover living expenses, plus more generously than do governments exact totals, however, since present $600 project cost allowance, plus travel of many other countries. figures are subject to change. if required to complete the project). Filmmakers wishing to apply for pro The first thing Penni Jaques em Again, in order to be recognized as a duction or post-production grants phasized was that in order to be eligible, "senior," you have to be an artist who should send six copies of the script or one had to be a professional. She added, has made "a significant contribution outline (5 will be returned upon ad however, that graduating students in over a number of years." judication), a curriculum vitae, list of certain high calibre institutions (Simon Other assistance available from the professional achievements, proof of Fraser, York) would be considered. Her Canada Council for which filmmakers Canadian citizenship or landed immi other major point was that no feature are eligible include Short Term Grants grant status (for at least 12 months films would be acceptable, of whatever or either $550 or $350 per month, de prior to application), dates of tenure of budget. The Canadian Film Develop pending on your stature, plus $600 pro grant, any other grants (no more than ment Corporation is there to invest in ject cost allowance and any necessary one Canada Council grant may be held features, the Canada Couricil grants pro travel; filmmakers and other profes within any twelve month period), two duction funds for short or medium sionals in related fields (film camera or three letters of reference, and other length films only. men, video artists, set designers, pro supporting materials, including a recent There are three categories in film ducers, editors, and others) wishing to previous work. 6 Cinema Canada George Csaba Koller With regard to the latter, Ms. Jaques The topic under discussion was "The most proUfic Vancouver filmmakers as pointed out that the sample film should Future of the Independent West Coast well as our correspondent, summed up support the candidate's abihty to com Filmmaker," and the panel included the evening in his report: "Outside of a plete the proposed project. In other four of them, Zale Dalen, Richard Pat- few filmmakers themselves, none of the words, if you're applying for a way-out, ton, Peter Bryant, and Bix Milanich. aspirants in the audience was willing to experimental film and submit a stodgy, Also on the panel were Penni Jaques of discuss other ways of making films. Un conventional documentary as an the Canada Council and Michael fortunately it appears that the emphasis example, the adjudicators will rightly Spencer of the Canadian Film Develop for independent filmmaking here is on wonder whether you are capable of ac ment Corporation, who flew in es government subsidy. Although the Can complishing your goal. She also asked pecially for the evening, as well as ada Council will be assisting them more that, until formal appUcation forms are Werner Aellen of Image Flow Centre, than ever, the future of west coast film available, the applicants use separate Les Wedman of the Vancouver Sun, makers shouldn't really depend on the sheets of paper for outline, resume, and Michael Walsh of the Province, and Kirk size and number of grants available, but budget, including all pertinent informa Tougas, director of the Pacific Cinema the willingness and creative drive of the tion. Furthermore, if you are not good theque. filmmakers themselves." at expressing yourself in writing, she'll According to our West Coast corres go as far as presenting a videotape to the pondent, the centre of attraction was jury of yourself explaining the film. the Canada Council, since the audience Pacific Film Co-op is formed That way your ideas can get across with was more interested in finding out At press time, news came in from more impact. All you have to do is about grants than in discussing any Vancouver that 20 independent film make the tape! directions for independent filmmaking makers there have formed the Pacific These grants will be given out four in the west. Ms. Jaques then presented Film Co-operative. times a year. You may apply anytime, her ideas and the new Council policy Set up along the lines of the Mon but completed applications must be re regarding film grants. treal production co-op (ACPAV), the ceived by the four cut-off dates: At the outset of the meeting Michael new organization has strict entrance November 1st for announcement in Spencer pointed out that the CFDC will requirements: a $25 fee, plus proof that March (you've missed this first one), be concentrating entirely on larger applicant has worked on at least 3 films February 1st, for announcement in budget, more commercial ventures and or made 1 film by him/herself. June, then May 1st for announcement that the preserve of independent films Also at the last minute came confir in September, and August 1st for an was now solely the Canada Council's. mation from the CFDC that not only nouncement in December. In conjunction with the forum, Peter Bryant's The Supreme Kid, but Correspondence, including general in several west coast independent films also Leonard Yakir's The Mourners quiries and grant applications for Film were screened, three of them produced (from Winnipeg) has gotten a condition Production and Post-Production Grants, still with CFDC grants, no longer avail al go-ahead in the low-budget program, Short Term Grants, Travel and Project able. The fine examples of B.C. creativ which now requires applicant to submit Cost Grants, should be addressed to The ity were Rocco Brothers, Morning Line, a short dramatic film that shows his Canada Council, Arts Division, P.O. Box Gandy Dancer, Baby Ducks, Green skills with actors. The budget has gone 1047, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 5V8. Ap Alder, Dancers, Mutations, and Funeral up too (see next item).