c I N E M A Ci • T R A D E N E w 5 • IParamount raids Norstar, takes Atlantic I DOC study o~ distribution TORONTO - 'Unfair competi- its titles in Canada constitutes Famous Players Theatres. urges protective measu res tion' by u.s. Major Paramount unfair competition. "It's very clear the Idea of Pictures has cost Canadian dis- Paramount's raid, which fostering an indigenous pro­ tributor Norstar Releasing the took effect April 14, cost duction industry without simi­ OTTAWA - Just when it films). Thus, for example, the loss of half its business - and Norstar the rights to all titles larly fo~tering an indigenous seemed that Quebec's Bill 109 six U.S. majors (Orion since Canadian government action is from Atlantic ("a couple of ti- distribution industry is simply was dead and buried under arrival in Canada in 1983 has the only answer, say Norstar ties a month," says Ughtburn). an absurd task," Lightburn said, shifting political fortunes and distributed no Canadian films) executives. Norstar by then still had some referring to the Roth-Raymond American pressure, its key arti­ distributed (in selected pro­ In mid-April Paramount old Atlantic product and re- Film Industry Task Force re- cles plus a Canadian content vinces only) a combined total bought out Canadian rights to tains Canadian rights on exist- port recommending Canadian- quota have resurfaced at the of 107 Canadian films between titles distributed by Atlantic ing Atlantic product it's distri- ization of distribution. federal level in the recommen­ 1982-1985, as compared to Releasing of New York which buted over the past few years. Even then, he said, Canadian dations of a new report on film Columbia alone's national dis­ had been supplying Norstar Concerned about a prece- distributors couldn't solely distribution in Canada. tribution of 470 U.S. features in each month with independent dent being created by rely on local product and need Titled Canadian Indepen­ the same period. U.S. and foreign titles. AI- Paramount's move, Lightburn to have all sources of supply dent Film Distribution and "It has never been in the in­ though aware since last winter warned "If the other majors secure. Lightburn, who says Exhibition: The State of terests of the American Majors of initial overtures by can pick up the rights to "there's always prayer" as an Things, the 253-page report who dominate film distribu­ Paramount to Atlantic, Norstar Canada, there'll be no more ultimate recourse, summed up was written by Dr. Brian Lewis, tion in Canada," states the re­ was unable to retain its two- Canadian film." As to why the his opinion of the Paramount Department of Communica­ port, "to nurture a public for year-long business link with U.s. Majors haven't already deal by saying "It's a disgrace tions Studies, Concordia Uni­ Canadian cinema, or to re­ Atlantic which turned over struck as a group, Ughtburn that a company the size of versity, for the federal Depart­ invest their profits in a Cana­ those Canadian rights when said it was, so far at least, "out Paramount Pictures takes it ment of Communications' Film dian film industry, which com­ Paramount's offer reached $4 of respect for the market- upon themselves to help exter- and Sound Recording Policy petes with an American film in­ million. place." minate a vital link in the cui- Directorate. dustry. Lacking sufficient dis­ "We're just not in a position Doubting that anything tural fabric of a country such as Hot on the heels of the 1985 tribution control, lacking fi­ to compete," Norstar vice- could be done about the Canada." Stratavision Report (The nancial vitality, it has never president Tom Lightburn told Paramount raid (aside from Norstar president Daniel Structure and Performance been in the power of Canadian Cinema Canada. "The bar- looking to "some form of gov- Weinzweig said Paramount's of the Canadian Film and mm distributors either to en­ gaining power Paramount has ernment role") and mindful of purchase of the Canadian Video Distribution Sector) courage or promote the exis­ is titanic compared to ours and Norstar's need to replace the rights to Atlantic titles "just and the Film Industry Task tence of a public for Canadian their finanCing and cheque- lost Atlantic product "soon," shows the incredible arro­ Force's Canadian Cinema films, or to assure the capitali­ writing ability makes it very Lightburn said the Paramount's gance of (Paramount's parent A Solid Base, the Lewis report zation of the production sector difficult" said Ughtburn, ad- move was simply an acquisi- company) Gulf & Western." provides solid statistical data through continuous reinvest­ ding that the unrestricted ac- tion to obtain more in-house on the film distribution activity ment. The Canadian dis­ cess of Paramount to distribute product for its exhibition arm, cont. on p. 36 of 101 companies in Canada tributor, Simply, has never ef­ between 1982 and 1985. The fectively controlled what is report classifies distribution shown on Canadian screens or companies in five categories: where the box office receipts the seven American-owned are spent. The Significance of Issue is non-negotiable, say Majors Majors; the 14 Canadian­ this phenomenon - both cul­ owned "nationals"; 25 Cana­ MONTREAL - Grilled by jour­ tural and economic - cannot thing," was how David quoted the governments owe it to the dian "regionals"; and 55 Cana­ be exaggerated." nalists as to his thoughts on one studio honcho. industry to be frank. dian "specialists" (e.g., ethnic Quebec's Bill 109, former "Perhaps it's time for them Nevertheless, the Majors films, adult films, martial arts cont. on. p. 5 2 Montreal (and now Hol­ to say what they cannot do. If have learned over the years ' lywood) producer Pierre they can't solve the question of that good lawyers and drawn­ David offered his version of distribution, then they should out discussions can buy time. how Los Angeles studio heads say so. In that way, at least the "We've been doing that for AeTRA provides fact sheet see Quebec and Canadian ef­ Canadian distributors could years, and now we'll just wait it TORONTO - The Toronto forts at bringing home Can get on with their lives instead per cent is American). out until there's another elec­ Branch Council of the ACTRA ada's domestic mm market. of always waiting for some­ A fact sheet included w itll tion," said David, quoting the Writers Guild presented a brief Coincidentally David's re­ thing which is not happening. the report includes data on the same unnamed studio head. April 14 to the Ontario Gov­ turn to Montreal (planned two It would hurt a lot after all economics of public broad­ ernment dealing with the im­ months ago) took place amid "What the governments these years, but it would clarify casting in Canada. For exam­ pact of free- trade on film and unconfirmed news that Francis want is really not negotiable. things." ple: before bUdget cuts, the Fox, former federal Communi­ They have to decide what they According to David, only television in Canada. CBC produced 90 per cent of cations Minister, would soon want and then make policy. after people know what the The nine-page report, titled Canadian TV drama, captured "Write If You Find Work", was be representing the Quebec We'll see if the result is a situa­ governments are not prepared 20 to 25 per cent of Canadian government in discussions tion we can live with or not." to do can new strategies be prepared by Charles Lazer, and viewers and produced twice as with the U.S. Majors aimed at That, says DaVid, is the view planned. He mentioned alter­ presented by Lazer and Roger much primetime programming getting Bill 109 back on track from L.A. natives - a box office tax, an Abbott before the Queen's as all the private networks Park legislature's Select Com­ after the outgoing PQ govern­ aid program, new initiatives - and stations combined. This For his part David hopes mittee on Economic Affairs. ment abandoned it in limbo and said that progress would was achieved on a budget to­ last December. there is still a way to combine The report states that Cana­ talling $318 million ($218 mil­ the interests of all parties, but not be made as long as the illu­ Also coincidentally, the dian films occupy between lion from government and adds that the Canadians, with sion of a negotiated settlement same day that Cinema Canada clouds the scene. three and five per cent of $1 00 million from ad re­ their repeated "negotiations" theatrical screen time in met with David, he'd just re­ David admitted that the venues), compared to the over the years, are no longer Canada, that 97 per cent of ceived a phonecall from an frustration on the Canadian American PBS network, taken very seriously by the profits from theatrical screen­ American studio head whose scene is overwhelming, and operating on a budget of $218 Majors. "The Americans don't ings in Canada leave the coun­ viewpoint, David felt, was that it is not fair that a law million, which captures two want to dominate," he says, try, that between two and four worth noting. which was voted unanimously per cent of American viewers "they just want to do business." per cent of videocassette sales According to David, the be shunted aside. and produces no domestic are Canadian productions, and American studio heads will The crucial question, ac­ He would take news of this drama. The CBC and Radio­ that of all available English TV negotiate but don't really see cording to David, is, "What is frustation, as well as echoes of Canada accounted for 57 of the programs, 25 per cent are that there's anything negoti­ the political will? What are the Hollywood, with him for a 88 projects generated in the Canadian . while only two per able. "Cinema is a totally free governments really prepared meeting with long-time friend, first year of Telefilm Canada's cent of prirnetirne is covered enterprise and our pOSition is, to do?" After years of promises Quebec premier Robert Broadcast Fund operation. by Canadian programming (56 we don't want to give any- and false starts, David feels that Bourassa on May 2.

June 1986 Cinema Canada/35 • CINEMA G buying pictures for Pan-Cana­• Orval Fruitman, Pan-Cana­ dian's senior vice-president, dian, Fruitman conceded Canadians unable to compete with Majors said his company wouldn't be "l';laturally there's a concern trying to make up whatever when the Majors are buying up cant. from p. 35 wrong." the Toronto distributor about void of Norstar-distributed ti­ the product of independent The raid of Norstar's Atlantic At press time, a federal re­ Paramount's action (which, he tles resulted. Pan-Canadian, distributors. business, said Weinzweig, re­ sponse was unknown. Jeremy said, appeared to be a straight whose library includes Cannon "We're just going to try to sulted from the persisting Kinsman, assistant deputy transaction between two Group film titles and other U.S. do everything we can to get structural problems identified minister of cultural affairs at American companies). independents, itself had earlier the product for Canada." in the film task force report the Department of Communi­ At Pan-Canadian Film Dis­ lost to Paramount Canadian Attempts to elicit comment (foreign domination of distri­ cations, told a Toronto cultural tributors which, like Norstar, rights to Embassy Films titles. from Cineplex Odeon on the bution, chronic under-capitali­ sovereignty forum April 21 provides titles for exhibition While Pan-Canadian is after impact Norstar's loss would zation of production and fea­ "We are going to do something by Toronto's Cineplex Odeon as many pictures as possible, have on its exhibition were to ture film financing problems, about it. I don't expect the Corporation (and is, in fact, Fruitman admitted "we can no avail. Cineplex Senior Vice­ and theatre ownership con­ Norstar situation will happen Cineplex's distribution arm), it only handle so manv." President Marketing & Com­ centration and vertical integra­ again." was anticipated that no effect Paramount's buy-out did make munications Lynda Friendly re­ tion of distribution and com­ Kinsman did acknowledge would be felt from Norstar's an impression, however. Al­ sponded that Cineplex had "no petition). that DOC has had contact with loss of Atlantic titles. though his main concern is comment at all" on the issue. Weinzweig sees the report, and the federal government's implementation of its three re­ commended solutions (the feature film fund has been an­ nounced), as the answer. "The remedies are within the scope of governmental action," he stressed. Weinzweig cautioned that other American and Canadian independent suppliers will be pursued by Paramount. Noting "There's no point in having a feature film fund unless there are Canadian distributors," Weinzweig said Norstar has in­ sisted on some action from Ot­ tawa. "We hope," he added, "that it (Paramount's buy-out of Norstar's Atlantic business) sends a signal loud and clear to Ottawa and Mr. Mulroney in particular, who seems to think the Americans can do no Anne no co-prod TORONTO - A news article in the April issue of Cinema Canada identifying the two­ part Anne of Green Gables program as a CBC co-produc­ tion in connection with its win March 20 of a Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco Film Festival is inaccurate, ac­ cording to an official of Sulli­ van Films. Trudy Grant, president of distribution for Sullivan Films, pointed out the award went to Sullivan Films and that Anne was an independent produc­ tion, not a co-production. "The CBC had no equity in this pro­ duction whatsoever" and only paid a licence fee, said Grant. News of the award for the program that attracted the largest Canadian audience (for a non-sports program) with up to 5.8 million viewers was an­ nounced in a March 7 release from the network titled "CBC Programs Victorious at Major Film Festival." The release notes 'Two CBC programs have received high­ est awards at the annual San Francisco Film Festival" and, of Anne of Green Gables, states "It was a co-production of Sul­ livan Films, the CBC, PBS Won­ derworks, with the participa­ tion of Telefilm Canada, CITY­ TV, and ZDF (West Ger­ many)."

36/Cinema Canada - June 1986

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June 1986 - Cinema Canada/41 • CINEMA G • Telefilm reinstates administration fee TORONTO - The April 2 sociation, which expected the of "as much as $1 million," ONTARIO reinstatement by Telefilm Telefilm deCision and whose noted the necessity of the fee's Canada of a 2.5 per cent ad­ executive director Samuel return at a time when Broad­ ministrative fee on its financial Jephcott remarked "We're not cast Fund financing is down transactions has been met by a while the number of projects ARTS going to rattle our sabres over mixture of disagreement and that one." are increasing. COUNCIL indifference by industry as­ In fiscal 1985/86, Telefilm's sociations. Jephcott, who said a sub­ Broadcast Fund basically spent committee of his 185-member The Ontario Arts Council offers grants to The fee, which applies to all all of the $74.9 million ($20 association regarded the professional artists who are residents of Ontario, Telefilm transactions except million of which was a roll­ reinstatement as "inflationary," for grants and awards, became over from the previous year) it working in the following disciplines: saw little that could be done effective as of April 1 after a had to invest, including ap­ about it. "It's one of those one-year hiatus. Ed Prevost, proximately $4 million that things, rather like a bank SCREENWRITING Telefilm chairman, said the went into script development. charging an upfront fee to to assist with the development of feature-length reinstatement of the fee was Now, in fiscal 1986/87, Linnell make a loan agreement. If you made to make up for a curtail­ says the Broadcast Fund has dramatic screenplays. take Telefilm as rather like a ing of the federal agency's 360 million ( 35 million of Deadline: February 1 bank (Prevost's release does fmancing ability of the Broad­ which is a roll-over) to invest. so, describing Telefilm as "an cast Program Development The problem this year, says investment and financing cor­ FILM Fund as well as Telefilm's gen­ Linnell, is "Project demands poration"), that's what they're towards the production costs of documentary, eral funds during fiscal 1985/ could really squeeze our abil­ doing." 86. ity to help script develop­ dramatic, animated or experimental films. Kathy Avrich, ACFTP execu­ ment." Deadlines: April 1, November 1 The returns flowing from tive director, said the adminis­ As to what portion of Tele­ the administrative fee's trative fee was "one issue we'd film 's budget is devoted to ad­ reinstatement will be regarded VIDEO raised and fought to see it re­ ministration, Linnell said the as revenue, says Bob Linnell, moved. Now it's a little shock agency's administrative budget to assist with the production of original video art. Telefilm's business affairs to see it back.'· Like the Al­ comprised sL'( per cent of the Deadlines: February 1, August 15 executive, and as such will be liance Entertainment preSi­ total ("We try to keep it as lean "plumped back" into script de­ dent, she also wondered "Why as we can and that'S one of the Please note: all applications must be supported velopment and production. should other investors want to reasons the Nielsen Task Force by examples of recent work. Very critical of that decision invest in something with 97.5 was so favourable about us," he was Alliance Entertainment cents on the dollar;>" Avrich re­ noted), with the remaining 94 For further information and application forms, Corporation president Stephen marked that "The more open per cent intended for produc­ contact: Roth who, in an April 10 letter attitude shown by Telefilm at tion. to the Telefilm chairman, Montebello (the mid-January Asked whether the fee Film, Photography and Video Office spoke of the industry's "gen­ 1986 conference) seems to would make much of a differ­ ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL eral outrage" over the have disappeared." ence to Telefilm, Linnell stres­ 151 Bloor Street West, Suite 500 Telefilm's Linnell, who had reinstatement of an "inapprop­ sed "It is necessary and it is Toronto, Ontario M5S IT6 (416) 961-1660 riate 'tax' on the already dif­ no figure as to what the ad­ part of the money we invest in ficult enough process of ministrative fee's elimination projects" and didn't regard it as financing productions." cost Telefilm during fiscal a proverbial case of 'robbing In the Alliance letter (also 1985/86 but hazarded a guess Peter to pay Paul.' sent to Telefilm executive di­ rector Peter Pearson and Com­ munications Minister Marcel Masse), Roth took further issue with "the unilateral and non­ consultative method" (a Tele­ film press release) by which the industry was informed of the move. The Alliance riposte, whose sentiments were endorsed April 15 by the executive of the Association of Canadian - Film and Television Producers, SPECIAL EFFECTS goes on to note that the reinstatement "in no manner reflects the administrative cost SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS / FRANK C. CARERE of financing a particular pro­ ject and is another example of Telefilm's dangerous attitude of arbitrarily developing poliCies which render its financing incompatible with traditional industry financing sources which are essential to finding the remaining two­ thirds of the budget. "Why should other investors allow Teleillm to invest with a 97.5 • DESIGN • THE ELEMENTS cent dollar, especially in view • MOBILE FACILITY • PYROTECHNICS of Telefilm's other demands which often conflict with the • MECHANICAL EFFECTS • EQUIPMENT SUPPLY commercial realities governing their co-investor's invest­ ment?" the Roth letter asked. Less dismayed with the fee's FRANK C. CARERE (416) 460-0034 reinstatement was the Cana­ PO BO X 5818 STATION 'A' TORONTO CANADA M5W 1P2 (416) 463 6656 dian Film and Television As-

42/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • Spectrafilm sells Cousin's Canadian video rightsto American co. TORONTO - Critics of Spec­ video would generate in "Spectrafilm would have got For Young, the argument is job for the people that own the trafilm's sale of My American Canada and of its proposals to a good deal whether an Amer­ that Spectrafilm "was there" on film." Cousin North American video exploit the film. ican company would have the financing of My American My American Cousin's distribution rights to Los Young also ,stated that not been involved in the sale or Cousin (it put up one-third of producer Peter O'Brian. while Angeles-based American Media only did combining the rights not, those are going rates (for the budget) and that "lots of somewhat embarrassed over Home Entertainment are cry­ increase the sale but so did the the sale) in the industry," said opportunities" existed for the sale (a deal he admitted got ing over spilt milk, and Tele­ purchase by an American com­ Weinzweig, also miffed that other Canadian distributors "to by his attention), pointed out film Canada attempts to pre­ pany. Citing a lack of Canadian Spectrafilm "never shot the put up the money - and they it was made under different vent a similar repeat are offers, Young stated "The dol­ film in Canada to anyone - di~n't do that." rules in 1984. Promising to "wrongheaded," according to lars we would have got from a they didn't pick up the phone." The emphasis, said Young, separate Canadian rights from Barry Young, president of Canadian (video) entity would Connie Ede, Spectrafilm's should be a recognition that American rights in the films Spectrafilm's owner, the Skyld have been dramatically less" executive for non-theatrical Canadian distributors "can't he's currently making, O'Brien Group. and had it been otherwise, sales, had no knowledge of any exist on Canadian product" stressed as much in a recent The sale of those rights for Spectrafilm would have made approaches from Canadian dis­ and the focus should be on trip to Los Angeles. the best picture at the 1986 offers to domestic distributors. tributors for the film's video helping them obtain more pro­ As one of the panel speakers Genie Awards, reported to be Some Canadian distributors rights from Spectrafilm fitable product, While he saw at an April 21 forum on cul­ for $650,000 u.s. (a figure argue for a higher sale price (which, though it bills itself as no problem in separating tural sovereignty at Toronto's Young wouldn't confirm but had rights been separated (and "a North American all-markets rights on a high-end film, St. Lawrence Centre, O'Brien said was "in the ballpark"), particularly for separate Cana­ distribution company," lacks Young said Telefilm's current suggested to a packed theatre raised cries of foul from Cana­ dian rights). Young denies that its own video distribution guidelines will mean "a lot of "You'd better get wise to the dian distributors not offered a and observes "Spectrafilm arm). Had any video sale gone (low-end) ftIms will certainly business of cost, otherwise you chance to bid on those rights. would have obviously sepa­ to Norstar, said Ede, the rights not get done, at least with won't make films" in Canada. Telefilm, an investor in the rated the rights if it thought it would have had to be split Telefilm involved," He added O'Brien also observed the film, was embarrassed because could have done better." since, she said, Norstar only that the federal government Spectrafilm sale would "make the sale flies in the face of Norstar Releasing President handles Canadian rights. shouldn't consider initiatives enough money" to send him to Daniel Weinzweig, who con­ beyond lead rights on a pro­ Newfoundland later this year guidelines requiring a Cana­ Ede denied Weinzweig's tacted Young in mid-April over duction. to do Gordon Pinsent's John dian distributor for all rights in claim the sale price rep­ the sale with what the latter and the Missus. "Part of the any theatrical or 1V feature it resented a 'going rate.' Instead, The idea of a video distribu­ called "a sour grapes call," difficulty," he noted, "is you invests in. she described it as "pheno­ tion arm of its own, while takes issue with Young, Spec­ have to make such sales as a That proviso, however, menal" and pointed out the deemed by Young "under trafilm, and Telefilm. feasibility and possible (but it's necessity to achieve the wasn't formalized in Telefilm's 5650,000 U.S. figure translated Weinzweig, who said above." Broadcast Fund rules until last to some 5910,000 Cdn. a reasonably crowded field)," November - well after deal Norstar received no response is on the sidelines as Spec­ had been negotiated, said from Spectraftlm in a written While he doesn't object to trafilm's priority remains with Young. "In principle, there's inquiry prior to My American Spectrafilm's selling both North American theatrical dis­ MONTREAL - Les Journees nothing for them (Telefilm) to Cousin, scoffed at Young's as­ rights to titles abroad, tribution. du cinema africain au Quebec, alter, because it (the sale) was sertion that including both Weinzweig's operative thrust "We're a better, different the Montreal festival that cele­ cleared down the line," he (particularly Canadian) rights was "don't do it with pictures breed" Young said of Spec­ brates African film culture, has added. almost doubled the sale price, with Canadian taxpayers' trafilm, "and the real world is resulted in a festival of Telefilm Executive Director calling that claim "a crock" money in it." "Unfortunately," that we won't be able to com­ Quebecois films being or· Peter Pearson has said that (and stating as common he added, "Telefilm didn't do pete unless we can do so in ganized for Nov. 20~ 27 in Telefilm's board of directors knowledge the Canadian mar­ due diligence and nix the deal. both markets." Underlined Ouagadougou, capital of Bur­ will pass a resolution later this ket only making up one:tenth Telefilm has to . take the re­ Young, "We're not meanies, kina Faso (formerly Upper year - likely this summer - to of the North American total). sponsibility for that." we're just trying to do the best Volta) spell out its guidelines more explicitly and prevent a repeat of the Spectrafilm sale. The rub for Young's detrac­ tors, however, lies in the fact that Toronto's Astral Video will be subdistributing video cas­ settes of My American Cousin in Canada as part of an ongoing contract it has with Media Home Entertainment - cause enough for the Skyld Group president to deny Spec­ trafilm's sale was damaging to Canadian distributors. [j] '''It isn't injurious to Cana­ dian distributors," Young told Cinema Canada. "Astral Video The Chestnul TreeJR, will earn some fees, so I think in dollar terms the Canadian video distribution industry has all day dining been well served by this deal." congenial drinks original cuisine, live Commenting on the size of in our "European" the deal, which he has de­ Window Cafe. in our relaxing entertainment and dancing scribed as the "best package Piano Bar. with a breathtaking view for the investors, one of which Come and enjoy OUi is Telefilm," Young has said it of Toronto in our rooftop Chef's daily cre~tions . Sink into nne was. almost doubled by com­ of our comfortable re volVing restaurant. bining both American and Discover our Sunday Canadian video rights to­ wing chairs and let A whole new experi ence! Buffet Brunch served gether. Asked why that was, us pamper you! Young pointed out that while 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations recommended Canadian rights are always please call 977-0707 worth "substantially less," Spectrafilm was able to con­ vince Media Home Entertain­ ment of the substantially Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown, 89 Chestnut St. Toronto, Ontario M:SG lR 1 . higher per capita int~rest the

June 1986 - Cinema Canada /43 • (INEMAG • Gemini cricketllt's the Academy's all-industry TV awards TORONTO - In what chair- acting; the Gordon Sinclair Cohen expects the Geminis may not necessarily go by the The 14-pound, 12"-tall solid man Ron Cohen says will paral- Award for excellence in broad- will help put behind the televi- same name as their English TV brass statuette mounted on a leI the success of the Genies, cast journalism (radio or tele- sion industry criticism faced in counterparts. While the Belgian granite base is the the Academy of Canadian vision); and the John Drainie recent years by the ACTRA Academy's Quebec Committee work of Toronto designer Cinema and Television on Award for distinguished con- Awards (that they went almost will handle the search for Scott Thornley who, when pre­ April 21 unveiled the succes- tribution to broadcasting. A exclusively to ACTRA mem- French-language broadcasters sented at the Gemini Awards sor to the ACTRA Awards, the Special Writer's Award for bers - their original purpose, and corporate sponsors, the press conference, remarked "I Gemini Awards. lifetime contribution to TV says Malone - and, among Academy is currently negotiat- was raised on Leave It To Intended as a broad-based,' writing will also be presented. broadcasters, were dominated ing with national broadcasters Beaver." As optical illusion of nationally representative The Academy has also ag- by the CBC, which prompted a to provide a rotational system the two proftles, Hoffert also showcase of performance and reed to run a video highlights boycott of the awards by, nota- of coverage for the English-TV noted the Gemini Award's rec- craft achievements of the package of ACTRA's radio bly, the CTV Network). Geminis from year to year. ognition of the dualities found Canadian television industry, awards (scheduled for De- The Academy chairman, As to eligibility, the Gemini in television, such as "human the Geminis are the product of cember 2 at the Jane Mallett who anticipates the Geminis Awards are open to any Cana- creativity and technology; in­ six years of meetings, research, Theatre), a separate ceremony will become a household word dian television program as long formation and entertainment; and negotiation with the tele- which ACTRA Awards Ad- in a few years, said the Gemini as it has had what the Academy illusion and reality." vision industry. ministrator Elizabeth Malone Awards would likely be more calls "significant broadcast Thornley's Gemini, how- The Academy's television di- says the union is committed to expensive (depending on the television exposure" - such as ever, though the eventual win- vision, founded in 1985, with a for two years. kind of show produced and the Can-Pro Awards' best reg- ning design, was preceded by a current 400 of an anticipated Malone, wishing the broadcaster chosen) than the ional shows - and aired be- statuette created by the three- 1,000-plus members and Academy luck and observing Genies, although he declined tween last July 1 and this June artist General Idea team of To- headed by Audrey Cole, will "We must have to sit back and to state the production cost of 30 in Canada. Some 800-plus ronto, whose design was ini- hold its first Gemini Awards see how it works," accounted the 1986 Genies held March entries are expected by the tially accepted then ultimately ceremony in Toronto this De- for the demise of the awards 20. Academy. rejected by the Academy. Con- cember 4 at the Metro Toronto she helped found as due to the While the Geminis will The Gemini Award itself, sisting of a crescent moon atop Convention Centre, the venue loss of the CBC as the ACTRA cover all aspects of English- said to have involved a two- a cone with a cascade trickling for the 1986 Genies. Awards broadcaster. The language television production year selection process and ap- down, the General Idea design Some 53 award categories CBC's belief that it could only in Canada, the Academy also is proximately 24 competing en- was actually chosen by a jury will be involved, including: 17 go for one awards show cover- to develop a parallel awards tries, was unveiled by the which, on behalf of the best-program categories; 12 ing the entire television indus- ceremony - tentatively sched- Academy's awards committee Academy, had raised and re- best-performance categories; try, and the groundwork and uled for this November in chairman Paul Hoffert and con- ceived financial support from and 21 best-craft categories. preparation of the Academy Montreal - for French-Ian- sists of a leading facial proille the Canada Council. It was said The remaining three awards (including discussions with guage television production to backed by its twin - hence the to have been rejected for being will be longstanding ACTRA the CBC, CTV, and Global net- ensure coverage of both lin- name Gemini (which Hoffert too avant-garde. staples that the Academy will works) to present a ceremony guistic programming areas. noted has a link to the idea of Hoffert, who noted at the continue to present as Nellies; encompassing the full televis- The separate French-Ian- stars and, he said, "also seems press conference the involve- the Earle Grey Award for best ion industry, produced the guage awards are in what to go with Genie quite ment of "a number of different lead performance in television Geminis. Cohen called "a high state" and nicely"). cant. an p. 45

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44/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • his present moves finally marry his Canadian experience with Pierre David gets green light, reps Canadian producers his Am€rican expertise and allow him to get on producing, MONTREAL - After three years told Cinema Canada, compar­ of insecurity unlike anything I recent films, and Gilles Carle's selling and working on pro­ in Hollywood - years of illu­ ing his old status as president had known." latest, The Wasp (working jects he finds important. sions, doubts and, finally, per­ of the Corporation des Films Getting projects into de­ title Scalp), is one he's taking conl.fromp.44 sistence that's paying off - Mutuels and of New World! velopment, the stage in which back with him. "You know, Pierre David is back in Mutual distributors to his more studios will pick up the tab for representing Carle takes me juries" in the statue selection Montreal scouting as part of his recent role of producer-at­ the screenplay and its rewrites, back full circle to La Mort process, said the Thornley de­ current activities as producer's large in Los Angeles. "It may was never the problem for d 'un bucheron. It's really a sign was chosen for earning representative and Hollywood seem odd, but it was also a David. Getting the "green labour of love because selling a the "unanimous approval of producer proper. move from a place, Canada, light", or moving the film into French language fil m in the the awards committee and the "It was strange in the begin­ which had continuity to a production, was. Now, his first States is very rough. But, at this board of the Academy." Cohen ning, I went from a place place which had none. In Hol­ film is wrapping up and, ironi­ point, I probably know Hol­ concurred with Hoffert and where I gave the green light to lywood, the studio heads are cally, he finds himself execu­ lywood better than any other said of the flap with General a place where I had to ask fired and replaced regularly tive producer in Hollywood on Canadian, and it feels good to Idea that its design was not as others for the green light," he and that creates an atmosphere a feature, Quiet Cool, written be back in Canada and to know satisfying as Thornley's, on and directed by Canada's own that I can contribute to the which Cohen said the Clay Borris whose Alligator . growth of the Canadian indus­ Academy's awards and public Shoes played in Cannes' Di­ try by representing films in relations committees, as well rectors Fortnight several years Hollywood." For David, who is as board of directors, managed ago. also representing companies """ I "" I \I I " I It; I "" to arrive at "a general substan­ ~ David, president of the fea­ from Toronto and Vancouver, tial comfort level." 314 W_ Pender St., Suite 202 ture division of tlie Larry A. ~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~p Vancouver BC V6B 1T1 Thompson Organization, is producing Borris' film about the violent world of Northern tie ~o-u~ee Io-~ bo-o-i~ 91(, California marijuana growers with New Line Cinema which is fully financing the project. For Borris, whom David is also FIL#· Til· fllOEO * Feature Films * Voice managing, Quiet Cool marks * Industrial Films * Stage his entry into filmmaking * Television/Commercials * Model Division down south and is, admittedly, "a very commercial project," a specialist bookseliers since 1975 departure from the slice-of-life 25 bloor st. w . toronto, canada m4w la3 (416) 922·7175 CONTACT: family films which earned him his Canadian reputation. Marie Morton (604) 682-0457 Hard on the heels of the Bor­ PHONE/MAlL ORDERS/MASTERCARDNISA ris shoot come four other pro­ ductions, all of which have re­ ceived the green light since Car and Truck January. Demon Lover, to be directed by Charles Loventhal with special effects by Oscar Rental Company nominee Carl Fullerton, is a romantic comedy set in New York. Hot Pursuit, a "junior with star qtiality Romancing the Stone" will be produced for RKO Pictures and give David his first produc­ wants a part er credit. Paramount has domestic rights and PSO is handling foreign sales. Then in your ne~ Last Man on Earth with direc­ tor Rospo Pallen berg will go mOVIe forward in Italy and Utah for New World while The Ed­ ea wards Boys, written and di­ rected by Ken Harrison, will be shot in Texas for Vestron. ~ "I've also got 15 other pro­ jects in development but in the last three years I've learned to "" spread my projects around. I've had it with presidents changing and projects falling through," comments David. For the moment, David consid­ When you've got a film to promote, nothing helps to ers himself "hot." But that spark interest more than genuine glossy photos from could change. "Next year I may Galbraith, have a huge picture; next year • Cinema Displays • Pre-Release Promotions I may have nothing." • Press Releases Contact: Currently, David is branch­ Steve Hacker ing out as producers' rep, hop­ Canada Wide Service ing to ai d Canadians in their Low in price and easy to order, Genuine glossy photos (416) 763-5591 search for entrees in Hol­ can be produced in any quantity from your print, lywood and foreign markets. negative or transparency. Already, David closed a deal Ask for your FREE price list and Customized with New World for Rock De­ Promotion Kit today! SOMERVILLE mers' Peanut Butter Solu­ GALBRAITH REPRODUCTIONS Car &Truck Rental Ltd. tion and will rep the Tales for 420 Bathurst 8t., Toronto, Ont. M5T 286 1968 Bloor 5t. W., Toronto, Ont. M6P 3K9 All series, Much of his time in (416) 923-1106 Montreal was spent screening

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/45 • C I N E M A G • up to one of Canada's media chase which Power originally shareholders' meeting May 1 giants, did not, however, rule had stated would be good until that while the company has CRTC nixes Power Corp. out Power's re-applying for June). not completely ruled out ac­ Commission approval of the quiring TM, the matter is on­ MONTREAL - As a result of the Power Corp. president Paul many of the specific benefits it share transfer (an offer to pur- Desmarais told the annual hold for now. Canadian Radio-television and proposes are not already of­ Telecommunications Commis­ fered or planned by Telc-Mct­ sion's turning down Power ropole." CONCORDIA - .. _-· Corporation's bid for control 1,:", ,-I While the CRTC, according UNIVERSITY it::-" _:1 of TClc- Mctropole, Power has to the decision, "remains will­ announced it is no longer in­ ing to consider applications to terested in purchasing purchase TCie-Metropole ... any The Department of Cinema and Photography of the Canada's most profitable tele­ prospective purchaser (would vision station. have) to establish, beyond any Faculty of Fine Arts announces a probationary tenure-track In a brief statement Apr. 30, doubt, that its proposals would position in FILM ANIMATION at the starting rank of Power said the CRTC's "re­ result in Significant and un­ Assistant Professor, to begin with the academic year fusal" to approve Power's pur­ eqUivocal benefits." chase of over three million Power's bid for control of 1986-1987 _ Duties include full-time teaching respon­ shares in TM had terminated TM generated wide media-in­ sibilities within our graduate Major and Minor in Film the agreement concluded last terest through-out Quebec. September with TM's principal Until the Apr. 30 statement Animation, and a contribution to the administration of our shareholders, the JA. Deseve by Power, neither it nor TM integrated Film Animation and Film Production program­ Estate, the JA. Deseve Founda­ management had made any tion and Cine-Monde Inc. comment on the CRTC deci­ mes. The successful candidate will also be expected to In a surprise 20-page deci­ sion. Subsequent to the Power maintain artistic productivity during the appointment. sion April 18, the CRTC consi­ statement, Tele-Metropole still dered "that the applicant has had no public comment. not demonstrated to the Com­ The CRTC decision, hailed Teaching experience, a diversified artistic background, mission's satisfaction, that in editorial pages as standing- and bilingualism will all be considered assets, as will such possible qualifications as expertise in relevant areas of Film Production like experimental cinema or optical Night Heat series renewed printing, etc. TORONTO - Night Heat, the The turn of good fortune for police-action television series the Toronto dawn-to-dusk­ We are looking for a creative person and inspired teacher­ produced by Alliance Enter­ produced series is expected by tainment Corporation in as­ Alliance to feature up to 400 artist who will contribute to the development of one of the sociation with the ClV Net­ actors, approximately 4,000 leading university programmes in Film Animation in work and New York-based extras, and the full-time em­ Grosso-jacobson Produ~tions, ployment of 100 crew mem­ Canada and give it a sense of artistic and educational has been picked up for a third bers and technicians. identity and direction. In accordance with Canadian season by ClV and CBS. The decision by both broad­ The series' latest lease on life Immigration requirements, this advertisement is directed casters has resulted in an order is the most recent wrinkle for to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. of 22 further episodes (on top Alliance, which completed of an additional 13 episodes principal photography on the just. recently shot from last fantasy-adventure feature The Vitae and enquiries should be addressed to Associate November to this May), a sea­ Wraith in April in Los Angeles, Professor Andre Herman, Department of Cinema and son's worth for which Alliance began principal photography will spend up to S18 million in in Toronto the same month on Photography, VA-259, Concordia University, 1455 de Canada or approximately the supernatural feature The Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8. S818,181.81 per episode. The Gate, and is currently shooting production of those 22 the international mini-series Deadline, June 25th, 1986. episodes will bring to 61 the Sword of Gideon, based on total in the Night Heat series. George Jonas' Vengeance.

TORONTO'S II TO ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS LE lle FESTIVAL DES FESTIVALS DE TORONTO September 4-13, 1986 du 4 au 13 septembre 1986 PRE-SELECTION SCREENING FOR CANADIAN FILMS VISIONNEMENTS DE PRE-SELECTION DE FILMS CANADIENS

Les "isionnements de pre-selection de films canadiens pour Ie Festi, al des Festi,als aurontlieu Pre-selection screenings of Canadian films for the 1986 Festival of Festivals will be held in a Toronto du 17 au 27 juin 1986. Veuillez ecrire au bureau du Festi, al ou communiquer nec Ie Toronto June 17-27, 1986. P lease call or write to the Festival office for entry forms or if you bureau si vous desirez ohtenir ties formulaires d'inscriptiQn ou 8\oir de plus amplcs require further information. rcnseignements. ADMISSIBILlTE: EUGIBIUTY, I. Tout film canadien (sauf les films industriels ou commandites) est admis.ible, qu'il sagi"e I. Any Canadian film (except sponsored or industrial film) is eligible - feature, short, d' un long met rage, d'un court metrage, d'un documentaire, d'un film d'animation ou documentary, animated and experimental. experimental. . 2. Films must be certified Canadian productions or co-productions. 2. Les films dohent 'Hre certifies comme etant des productions ou des co-productions 3. Films must have been completed after September 14, 1985. canadiennes. 4. Preference will be given to Canadian premieres. 3. Les films doivent avoir ete termines apres Ie 14 septembre 1985. 5. Films for pre-selection screenings may be submilled in 16mm, 35mm, %~ or '12~ video. 4. Lt preference sera don nee aux premieres canadiennes. 6. Films will be presented at the Festival in 16mm and 35mm only (optical sound) and in their 5. Les films, pour les visionnemenls p.realables, peu,ent etre soumis en 16 ou 35 mm, Ott en original language with English subtitles. bande video de 'A Oll de 'I, po. 7. Deadline for receipt of entry forms is Monday, June 9, 1986. 6. Les films seront presentes, pendant Ie Festival, en 16 et 35 mm seulement (son optiqtte), 8. Deadline for receiving prints or casselle, for preview is Friday, June 13, 1986. dans leur ':crsion originale avec sous-titres anglais. 7. La da'te limite pOllr la reception des formulaires d'inscription est Ie lundi 9 juin 1986. 8. La date limite pour la reception des copies ou des cassettes pour les visionnements prealables. est Ie vendredi 13 juin 1986.

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46/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • C I N E MAG • Carri launches Canada, between the dis­ tributor, Telefilm, and SGC Barter brings props which pay for MM I new feature for funds. Without these contribu­ tions, Carre says "it would be TORONTO - Ever wonder For the spy thriller Covert personnel to see what would Special Olympics difficult to launch and distri­ how consumer products get to Action, MMI obtained free be needed. After reading the bute a film the way it should be appear in feature films? Honda all-terrain vehicles, script, MMI will then analyse MONTREAL - Qui a tire sur done," particularly if there In the United States, over Seiko watches, and Proctor­ opportunities available for nos histoires d'amour, have been budget problems in 100 companies are engaged in Silex kitchen appliances. On products. Quebec filmmaker Louise the production period, which providing brand-name com­ The Fly, it obtained the use Hart, with MMI account di­ Carre's second feature, pre­ luckily, she adds, was not the mercial props to movies while for 4 1/2 months of some rector Tom Wong, says each miered April 30 at Montreal's case with this one. only a handful do likewise in $6,000 worth of Canon camera project can then take four to Place du Canada cinema in a The sub-titled English ver­ Canada. MMI (for Making equipment, Pepsi for the crew six weeks of work and occa­ benefit for Quebec's Special sion, A Question of Loving Movies Interesting) - Product and, what no 1980s set should sionally even .less notice to Olympics. Carre wrote, di­ will preview June 24 at the Placement of Toronto has been be without, Fina capuccino­ provide a needed product. rected and produced the film Vancouver International Film in business 15 months and has making machines. An Olympia Once it's been established that which stars Monique Mercure, Festival. some 15 projects (largely typewriter even managed an a production's viable and in­ Guylaine Normandin, Gerard theatrical releases) to its cre­ appearance in a Larry Gowan sured, MMI then has the com­ Poirier, Normand Brathwaite, dit. MMI has obtained a gamut video for his Criminal Mind pany sign insurance docu­ Claude Gauthier, Gaetan Lab­ of goods for productions that album. Coudari's rubbish ments (MMI itself couldn't af­ reche, and August Schellen­ include Police Academy 3, berg. The film opened at the "We're not into blatant com­ ford to provide insurance on makes feature Separate Vacations, Toby Berri Cinema in Montreal and mercialism" says MMI-Product the range of items it provides, McTeague, The Fly, and the Rio in Sorel, Quebec, Placement's president Philip says Hart) to cover the brand­ for ACPAV Covert Action. where it was shot. Following Hart. Instead, as a master prop name company's products While E.T.'s taste-testing of its run through the theatrical company, Hart says what MMI while they're on the set. MONTREAL - Quebec film­ Budweiser beer may be more is into is "just something taste­ In what seems virtually a circuit, the film will move to maker Camille Coudari's new familiar to some, MMI man­ the non-theatrical circuit ful and that's already written straight barter arrangement, documentary feature Les Vid­ aged to find a company in Min­ (playing at universities and into the scenario and the Hart says the advantage for angeurs premiered at the nesota that specialized in cine-clubs) where, according script." production companies can Cinema Parallele from April 27 Husky dogs and was willing to to Megguy Tremblay of the to May 2. Before procuring particular amount to "substantial savings" provide gratis several brand-name items, Hart says instead of renting such prod­ film's distributor, J.A. Lapointe The film, a unique view of thousand dollars worth of dog MMI consults with a produc­ ucts. MMI, for its part, receives Films Inc., "the money is made garbage, was researched, writ­ food for the 150 canines in ten and directed by Coudari tion's producer, screenwriter, a fee for the exposure arrange­ anyway." Toby McTeague. Telefilm Canada and Societe who worked with Gilles Carle director, art director, and prop ment. generale du cinema du Quebec on the script for Maria Chap­ funds to assist in distribution delaine and also collaborated and promotion have helped with Carle on () Picasso. Rene create a noticeable campaign Gueissaz of Montreal produc­ preceding the film's premiere. tion co-op ACPAV produced Costs are normally split three Les Vidangeurs which is dis­ ways, Carre told Cinema tributed by Cinema Ubre. • • • • • • YOU SHOULD PUT US IN YOUR NEXT PICTURE

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HULL Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower 28th Floor,P.O. Box 126 INSURANCE Toronto, Ontario MSJ 2J3 GROUPOF (416) 865-01ll ~ COMPANIES Telex-06-23901 • • • • • • June 1986 - Cinema Canada/47 • c I N E M A G • Garry Toth (HBW/Toth Co­ try involves many profession­ Development Office of Alberta SHOOT ALBERTA productions, Calgary); Michael als in cross crafts, disciplines Economic Development in Ed­ Hamm (Frame 30) and two and productions, with hyphe­ monton, attempts to promote by Linda Kupecek new members, George Chris­ nates in abundance. Therefore and develop the Alberta film toff (FilmWest) and writer the AMPDC's policy requires and video industry. While he Alberta Motion Picture computers now being used. Sharon Riis. The committee any committee member who is Loroe MacPherson counsels on Development Corporation, The AMPDC advisory com­ meets quarterly with AMPDC involved with a project under development, investment, and Tthe $3 million loan-bank mittee consists of chairman staff to consider loan applica­ consideration to be excused funding, William Marsden of established by the Alberta gov­ Arvi Liimatainen (Kicking tions to be presented to the from discussion or decision. the Film Industry Develop­ ernment in 1982 to offset the Horse Productions); producer/ board of directors. The small Meanwhile, the AMPDC, ment Office, promotes the geographical disadvantages en­ director/writer Anne Wheeler; network of the Alberta indus- working with the Film Industry countered by Alberta film­ ...... makers, is now at the midpoint of its predicted lifespan. Under the mandate which emphasizes commercial viabil­ ity, benefit to Albertans, and the commitment and experi­ ence of the producer involved, 50 projects have been loaned "seed" money, with eight pro­ jects completed so far . The most high proftle of these range from the pay-TV comedy western, Draw! (starring Kirk Douglas and James Coburn, but funded nevertheless be­ cause of the Significant num­ bers of Albertan cast and crew hired by the production, and shot entirely on location in Al­ berta) to the contemporary drama Loyalties, a feature di­ rected by award-winning pro­ ducer/director Anne Wheeler of Edmonton, produced in as­ sociation with Lauron Interna­ tional of Toronto. But the AMPDC also extends a helping hand to mini-series, pilots and documentaries, as long as the projects meet the criteria for funding. Although the AMPDC is committed to nurturing Al­ berta producers, it also focuses on the development of the Al­ berta industry, allowing out-of­ province companies to mine its funds ... but only if the pro­ duction benefits the Alberta film community and economy. Producers may borrow up to 60 per cent of their develop­ ment budget to a maximum of $200,000. Despite their oil­ rich turf, Albertans (like other regional artists) are isolated from the financial power­ sources of central Canada, with access to Teleftlm Canada and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation always more costly whether in telephone bills, time and travel. The Al­ berta government hoped to amend that inequity with the AMPDC. AMPDC President Lome MacPherson and Vice-pres­ ident c.c. (Caryl) Brandt are in the process of assessing the AMPDC's role - past, present and future. A new computer program will not only analyze the 50 projects on hand, but will eventually allow produc­ ers with compatible systems to exchange information with the AMPDC office. The corpora­ tion computer is a hard-disk Corona using DOS 2.0, with Enable package. MacPherson and Brandt are inviting Alberta producers to contact the office in Canmore for details on the

48/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • An AMPDC-assisted pilot has Lebowitz (executive produc­ bertans. menagerie of family, friends -benefits of shooting in Alberta completed shooting in St. Al­ er) - in association with Kick­ Veteran Canadian star Don and staff (played by Lisa (no sales tax, favorable U.S. ex­ berta, a suburb of Edmonton. ing Horse Productions (Ed­ Francks plays a down and out Langlois, Cree Summer change, diverse terrain and Good Times at the Rainbow monton) - Arvi Liimatainen, rock'n'roller whose past suc­ Francks, Barry FIatman, Ken long hours of sunlight) to in­ Bar and Grill, filmed on loca­ co-producer - and the CBC, cess with a song titled "Good Brown, Wendy Lands and the ternational production com­ tion April 14 19 at the hist- Telefilm Canada, the AMPDC, Times at the Rainbow Bar and delightful Susan Sneath) com­ panies. 0ric Bruin Inn, was produced Simcom and Allarcom. Grill" inspire him to invest in plicate his life amid the by the Snack Bar Film Corpora­ Twenty-six of the 33 members his own rock music club in a rock'n'rolling of this television • tion (Toronto) - Michael of the production unit are AI- small town in Alberta. A comedy series. Directed by Timothy Bond (Oakmount High), Good Times at the Rainbow Bar and Grill was created by Phil Savath and Michael Lebowitz, and written by Phil Savath, with original music by Fred Mallin. Good Times at the Rain­ bow Bar and Grill may,herald other good times for the Al­ berta industry (in a darkening economic climate) with at least two more indigenous productions slated for early summer, and four foreign feat­ ures scouting for summer and fall shoots. • Moving from the commer­ cial to the cultural, The Cal­ gary Society of Independent Filmmakers has scheduled a full slate of short films. Buck: When I Was a Cowboy, Mor­ leyville Mission, and The Wait are in production, while FILM CANADIANA IS: Bodies and Pleasures (a col­ • Canada's national bilingual film reference laboration of Nowell Berg and catalogue. Douglas Berquist) and Coffee • An indispensable guide to film produced in with Charlie are in pre-pro­ Canada. duction. CSIF coordinator, per­ • A comprehensive directory of Canadian film formance artist Marcella Bien­ producers and distributors. venue recently guested on • An up-ta-date computerized database. CBC's Brave New Waves. • A vehicle to publicize your film, FREE OF CHARGE, to national and international markets.

FILM CANADIANA IS USED BY Sword of Gideon FILM USERS AND BUYERS IN: held by Hirsch • The media • Film festivals JE~ USALEM , ISRAEL - A bitter • Cultural and community organizations retired agent of Israel's secret • Libraries and audiovisual centres service, the Massad, is the • Educational institutions latest role for and the first • Government agencies screen appearance of John • Embassies and film archives around the world Hirsch, onetime head of CBC TV-Drama and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's fo rmer artistic director. DON'T BE LEFT OUT! FOR INFORMATION FILM CANADIANA is a joint project of the National Library The Alliance Entertainment of Canada, the National Film , Television and Soun<;l Corp. p roduction, which for­ ON HOW YOUR FILMS CAN BE LISTED Archives, the National Film Board of Canada and the Cinematheque quebecoise. mally bore the working title IN THE NEXT EDITION OF FILM Vengeance from the George CANADIANA, CONTACT: Jonas novel of the same name on which it's based, was reti­ Jana Vosikovska/Susan Kelly FILM CANADIANA is expanding to tled to Sword of Gideon. The FILM CANADIANA FILM AND VIDEO CANADIANA. HBO and CTV television mini­ National Film, Television, and Sound Archives series, w ith other shooting 395 Wellington Street locales that include Montreal Ottawa, Ontario Paris, London, Rome, and Ne~ K1A ON3 WE WELCOME INFORMATION ON YOUR VIDEO York, is based on the factual (613) 996-3414 PRODUCTIONS AS WELL. account of the man chosen by former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir to head an anti-ter­ rorist squad charged w ith av­ enging the 1972 Munich Olympic Games massacre of 11 Israeli athletes. Executive producers are Denis Heroux and John Kennedy, w ith Robert Lantos, producer.

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/49 • c I N E M A G • Five-year plan operative as NF B presents case to committee OTTAWA - National Film very close t o the goal of having who they are and a deeper un­ the Standing Senate Commit­ pleased that it recommends, as Board Chairman and Govern­ freelance directors on 70 per derstanding of the values tee on Social Affairs about The I did in my presentation to the ment Film Commissioner Fran­ cent of NFB films. which shape this society." Kid Who Couldn't Miss say­ Sub-Committee, that the film ~ois Macerola has presented One concern expressed in Macerola also commented ing "The Senate Committee has carry a statement saying it is a the Board's priorities and the report is the current domi­ on the report recently made by tabled its report and I am docu -drama." budget estimates for fi scal nation of foreign content in 1986- 87 on April 17. Appear­ Canadian school film libraries ing before the Standing although two- thirds of Cana­ Committee on Communica­ dian material used in schools tions and Culture, Macerola re­ comes from the NFB and ported that a new Operational teachers use NFB fil ms twice as Plan merging production and oft en as other 16mm fi lms. BUDGET-FRIENDLY marketing had been approved "As a producer and distributor, by the Minister of Communica­ the NFB is profoundly comm­ PRODUCTION tions on March 13. The plan, itted to changing this now being implemented, will situation, through its films WITH HIGH VALUES also reduce administrative and by supporting such pro­ costs by $12 million which in jects as Young Canada Televis· turn will be re- invested in film ion/Ttlejeunesse Canada," said production; increase technical Macerola. research, training and the The vital role of the NFB in number of films made by inde­ the Canadian mm industry was pendents; ensure employment stressed in Macerola's opening equity, particularly for women. remarks, with the statement and guarantee that NFB films that "The primary mission of a are seen by more of the public public producer is to bring to through joint distribution ag­ Canadians an always growing reements with other cultural vision of who they are and a institutions. deeper understanding of the Macerola also reiterated the values which shape this soci' Board's commitment to pro· ety." duction and training in all reg­ He stressed the vital role of ions of the country, reporting the NFB in the Canadian film that 1984-85 saw 2,500 industry in the opening reo freelancers employed by the marks, stating that "The pri­ Board and an expenditure of mary mission of a public pro­ ORIGINATES ON FILM S4 million on training in vari­ ducer is to bring to Canadians in the proven reliable camera OtiS provinces, and that it is an always growing vision of ARRIFLEX 16SR • • • • .' • .• ' • • • • LONE STAR

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50/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • seats, Singapore - approxi­ 3D at the exhibition's 500-seat and produced by the NFB for mately 300 seats, San Juan - IMAX theatre in the Canada Canadian National. Boudreau to Quebec Ace 320 seats, and Sydney - 250 Place pavilion. The new Imax Systems Corporation's MONTREAL - The Academy of Quebec Academy and at the seats). technology, jointly developed Space Shuttle mm, The Dream Canadian Cinema and Televis­ same time motivate the The latest format in IMAX by Imax Systems Corp. and the Is Alive, is now available in ion (ACCT) has hired Marc Academy to a better under­ technology, meanwhile, de­ NFB, is demonstrated in the Dutch, Spanish, and French, Boudreau. currently Director standing of film business in buted May 2 in Vancouver at first 3D lMAX film , Transi­ with Cantonese, Mandarin, and of Communications at the Quebec. EXPO '86 in the form of lMAX tions, directed by Colin Low Japanese versions to follow. Societe generale du cinema du Before joining the SGC, Quebec, as the Academy's Di­ Boudreau was with the rector in Quebec. Boudreau Quebec cultural consulate in begins in his new position May Toronto, where he realized 12. Immediate concerns for "that something could happen Boudreau will be the opening for Quebec films in English of an office in Montreal and Canada, where the Quebec sig­ prepara~ion of the French-lan­ nature is both recognized and WHO STARTED guage Gala television awards appreciated." planned for Nov. 3. Three committees of at least 12 volunteers each have al­ Four new Omnimax ready begun working, says THESE RUMORS? Boudreau. They'll be dealing with rules and regulations, theatres to open soon forming an executive, and one TORONTO - 1987 will bring committee specifically will be increasingly international ex­ • The word on the grapevine is that 3 organizing the November posure for the work of Imax full-sized motion picture dressing room event. Systems Corporation of To­ trucks have come up from L.A. and are Boudreau says his chal­ ronto, with four OMNIMAX lenge "is to make the Academy theatres set to open in Mat­ permanently based in Eastern Canada. exist in Quebec." There has suyama, Japan (spring 1987), been difficulty in the past in in­ Singapore (May, 1987), San • We've heard they have their own teresting Quebec filmmakers Juan, Puerto Rico (August, generators, make-up and hair rooms, in the organization. The for­ 1987), and Sydney, Australia mula used for voting, with its (operational December, 1987 actors' rooms with beds, air-condition­ numerical weight in Toronto, but officially opening the fol­ ing, gas heaters, personal make-up Generator amounted to a feeling that lowing March). stations, and crew washrooms. Quebec films are left out of The theatres will range from Genie awards proceedings. 20 to 23-metre domes with Part of the problem ' Boudreau water-cooled projection sys­ • They say four CANADIAN driver­ confronts will be to develop a tems and be of comparable operators have been trained to operate formula that works for the capacity (Matsuyama - 274 these rigs and the producers and pro­ duction managers are very happy with their performance.

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June 1986 - Cinema Canada/51 • CINEMA G • ended up there, while Quebec whatever American products Restrictive measures necessary for distributors with 31 % of head offices re­ they can find. Such a move cont.from p_ 35 ceived only 7% of national dis­ would fmalJy secure the tribution revenue. United States' cultural and Observing that "the health of world theatrical distribution • That the government en­ Studying the market share of economic hegemony over the the distribution sector is not rights; courage and assist the estab­ Canadian properties for 1982 theatrical film industry in simply a question of the health • Restricting foreign-owned lishment of theatre renovation and 1984, the report found Canada," the report states. of film distribution companies, distribution companies in­ funds in all provinces; that among Canadian-owned Examining the dramatic but a question of the structural volved in the distribution of • That immediate actions be distributors, the percentage of growth of Cineplex-Odeon health of the industry as a films in Canadian ancillary taken to insure the effective box office from Canadian (from 163 screens in May whole," the Lewis report faults markets to the distribution of implementation of the bidding properties had dropped 80.3%, 1984 to 1060 in August 1985), recent Federal policy initia­ those films which they have system. while the percentage of box "the flfSt Canadian-owned, ver­ tives from the (1974) CCA helped to produce, or for In identifying the distortions office for U.S. properties had tically integrated mm industry (which broke "whatever which they have acquired that result from U_S.-domi­ increased 69.2% (Among giant (which) now owns the healthy links had previously world distribution rights in the nated distribution in Canada, foreign-owned distributors, largest theatrical chain in existed between film produc­ appropriate ancillary markets; the Lewis report found that the the percentage of box office North America," the report ers and distributors"), to the foreign-owned companies from Canadian properties had found that "now that Canada fi­ (1983) Broadcast Fund (which • The implementation, on a (16% of all companies) col­ stayed the same: 0% in 1982; nally has its own domestic by its reliance on broadcasters three-year, experimental basis, lected 70% of distribution re­ 0% in 1984). Major, the marketplace is no actually discourages theatrical of Canadian content require­ venue. Interestingly, it was the "If these figures are gener­ more hospitable for smaller releases), or the 1983 bidding ments for theatrical circuits of smaller Canadian-owned dis­ ally indicative, we are faced Canadian flfms than it was be­ system in exhibition (which, more than 10 screens; tributors that out of their 34% with the following phenome­ fore. 'Our' Major seems to be­ though introduced to encour­ • The creation of a Canadian total market share of revenues non: the Canadian film dis­ have very much the way age competition in the mar­ Feature Film Fund, fmanced paid out, in 1981 and 1982, tributor - a key player in the 'theirs' do ... Vertical integra­ ketplace, "is likely to result in through a 10% levy on all $12.2 million in Canadian development of a public for tion constitutes a roadblock an even less competitive mar­ theatrical box office receipts; royalties while over the same Canadian films, a key to the for the industry as a whole." ketplace, dominated by a few • That priority be accorded to period the foreign-owned dis­ capitalization of the Canadian "The 'state of things' is this: even larger players")' the development of the Cana­ tributors paid $.3 million film industry - already weak there exists a profound struc­ The Lewis report makes nine dian film and video export sec­ (0.08%) in Canadian royalties and dominated by the Amer­ tural imbalance in the Cana­ recommendations that the tor; that Telefilm's Marketing (and $231.9 million in foreign ican Majors, has been further dian film industry," the report Government of Canada should Assistance Program be ex­ royalties). With 53% of distri­ weakened by the loss of inde­ concludes. "The distribution adopt or encourage in coordi­ panded; bution head-offices concen­ pendent foreign features, and sector is essentially an nation with the provinces: • That eligibility for the trated in Toronto, 75% of na­ is turning masSively to the oligopoly controlled by • Restricting foreign owned domestic marketing and distri­ tional distribution revenue promotion and distribution of foreign interests." distribution companies in­ bution programs of Telefilm volved in the distribution of Canada be expanded; films in the Canadian theatrical • That theatrical features not market to the distribution of be licensed for release to ancil­ those films which they have lary markets in Canada until helped to produce or for nine months after the Canadian which they have acquired theatrical release;

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52/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • CRTC revenues tions companies who are pay­ ing CRTC fees for the first time up to $54 million as a result of the 1985 budget. TV 0wins Peabody for Final Chapter? Bureau reported that the OTTA W A - Canadian Radio­ Commission experienced a re­ NEW YORK - 1VOntario, behalf of The Final Chapter? the province-wide network, television and Telecommuni­ duction in resources although building on its relationships co-production. was broadened by the public cations (CRTC) chairman during the same period its re­ with foreign broadcasters in an The Final Chapter? pro­ broadcaster to incorporate a Andre Bureau reported an esti­ venues have been increasing increased emphasis on co-pro­ duction, begun four years ago North American perspective, mated revenue of 554 million ($33.5 million in fees was col­ ductions, saw one of its most by NHK and broadcast in 1984 including a re-writing of the for the current fiscal year to lected in the 1985-86 fiscal successful such links rewarded on the 39th anniversary of the script, TVO's production of its the Standing Committee on year). at the George Foster Peabody bombing of Hiroshima on Au­ own animated sequences (de­ Communications and Culture The Commission now pro­ Awards on May 7. gust 5-6, was joined by TVO a monstrating 'blow-away' nu­ on April 10. cesses approximately 4,000 The awards, given for excel­ year after the Japanese project clear effects on North Amer­ Of that amount $39 million applications per year, up from lence in public service in started and upon NHK's offer ican buildings), and interviews comes from fees collected 1,803 in 1977-78 while pro­ broadcasting, numbered 27 to make it a co-production by (some 100 scientists had been from broadcasting and $1 5 cessing time has been reduced out of a total 800 entries. In offering footage. consulted in the project's reo million from telecommunica- by 35%. 1VO's case, its version of the Where the NHK version search stages). effects of nuclear war, The travels from the present to the TVO's version was rendered Final Chapter? was screened, past, TVO's version - which complete with Canadian actor PRESENTING.".,¥'__ with the award itself going to took six months of production Christopher Plummer hosting the co· production effort that following the arrival of NHK the 75-minute documentary. involved TVO, Japan's NHK footage in September, 1984 to Among the six awards it has network, Sweden's SVT- 2, and final delivery in February, won to date, The Final Chap­ JIll ... ' • '--~ France's Technisonor. 1985 - recalls the atomic de­ ter? has received four major ~INTERNATIONAL INC. The only award to a Cana­ vastation of 1945 and works its kudos in the Columbus, Ohio -Safety First dian organization this year and way to the present, depicting International Film Festival's the only one presented to a the graphic impact of a future A Chris Bronze Plaque, two gold t non-CBC producer in Canada nuclear exchange on major awards from the Houston In­ ~ went to Wally Longul, produc­ cities, Toronto, New York, and ternational Film Festival, and, FORMERLY THE STUNT COMPANY er of TVO's $153,000 adapted Tokyo among them. from the International Film version, with NHK producer • supplying the industry's finest stunt performers, co-ordi­ The TVO verSion, which and Television Festival of New nators for over 15 years Sosuke Yasuma accepting on premiered March 19, 1985, on York, a bronze award. • 150 motion picture and television credits • equipment available: air bags, air ramps, mini tramps, harnesses

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June 1986 - Cinema Canada /53 • c I N E M A G • about poverty in Newfound­ low Reed Productions in Nova ness world. He is also continu­ E A S T ,E R N W A V -E land. The latter is being di­ Scotia's verdant Annapolis Val­ ing to work on an NFB-assisted - _ by Chris Maika : - rected by Vancouveri te Deb­ Iey is in the thick of produc­ production called South bie McGee who has ""orne a tion with Lulu Keating of Red Mountain which examines e've been blessed with an Poverty a kind of "dramu­ transplant to Ne"f c,.,;:lld Snapper (watch out for its the rural poor of the Annapolis early spring this year in doca" (the opposite of a "docu­ (moving from "lotus-Ianu to bite!) Films on an NFB produc­ valley who earn their liveli­ Wthe Atlantic Provinces. drama": a film which seems a "the rock" is an event extraor­ tion called Women Entrep­ hood as agricultural workers. The pale faces of fUmmakers conventional interview-type dinary enough in itself to de­ reneurs which looks at the They live in appalling cir- who spent the winter in isola- documentary but which is serve a documentary). new ways in which women are tion bent over their Steen- really a. scripted drama) film Hubert Schurmann of Hoi- becoming involved in the busi- becks can be seen wandering Argyle Street and bent over ~ cups of coffee in the Athens. Quite a number of such pale ~ but hopeful souls were re- cently at a meeting sponsored ~ by the NFB with NFB president and government fUm commis- sioner Fran<;:ois Macerola. Bil- ~ led as an opportunity to pre- sent briefs, views, ideas, etc. on the role and future of the NFB, ~ it drew a wide spectrum of the fUm/video community from throughout the Atlantic Pro­ vinces. Ken Pittman, from New­ foundland, spoke about the re­ • lationship of the NFB, CBC, and Telef.tlm and emphasized the great importance of reg­ ional autonomy in allowing creative ideas to be realized. Cordell Wynne, from Halifax, addressed the issue of tr!lining and development in the region and in particular projects such as PAPFFS grants, Dramalab, and the support the NFB gives to the regional fUm co-ops. Brian Pollard from P.E.I. dis­ cussed the NFB's role in em­ ploying local filmmakers. Gor­ don Parsons, impressario of Wormwoods Dog and Monkey Cinema (really, I'm not kid­ ding, that's what it's called) spoke from the perspective of the exhibitor dealing with the constant stream of American film and added a Marxist flavour to the proceedings when he called for a "repatria­ e . ' s to elegant tion of our means of projec­ futuristIC settll1g h F rom can offer t e tion." Finally Margaret Conrod locales, Toronto cene. As well for your s from Acadia University spoke right pace1 . have: on Canadian cultural sover­ terrific locatlons, we . es eignty. Discussions were ani­ as rb production compam _ supe mated and showed the consid­ _ top-notch cr~ws erable interest that the local fUm community has in the role _ modern studlO~ ost_production _ state-of-the-ar p and involvement of the NFB in both the production and facilities tabon services _ excellent trans\por mmodations exhibition sectors of this reg- .' te hote accO ion. - £lrst-ra . d approval _ fast perm1t an assistance . to shoot in , planning • So, if ,you r~ not give uS a call .. Lots of interesting projects are our oty, w Y'll make a scene - 1n in various states of develop­ Together we T 8 ment. In Newfoundland pre­ the right places. N production for Finding Mary R o March continues with shares o of the production being sold T through investment brokers. o fiLM LIAISON Director Ken Pittman told me TOROt'iIT h City of Toronto . h McHug , . t that he should be prepared to N a1S . d Developmen give the final go ahead by the Planl1ln g an middle of May. Gordon Pin­ Department t Tower, City Hall • (416) 392-7570 • • • • • sent's John the Missus is 18th Floor, Eas . }.AsH 2N2 • and o in the final stages of prepro­ Toronto, Ontan duction and is set for a seven­ Canada week shoot beginning in late May in Newfoundland. Also in preproduction is The New

54 / Cinema Canada - June 1986 c I N E M A G • to • --. on "the rock" and are inves­ last year in Kenya and Tan­ age of the Blu, nose Expo Dramalab project has or­ cumstances and desperate tigating shooting this dramatic zania. It is a film about a group '86 in Vancouver. Sounds like a ganized two much needed poverty alongside wealthy production on Newfound­ of farmers on P.E.I. who assist nice excuse to visit the Panama workshops for the area's mm farmers and landowners of the land's Great Northern Penin­ and participate in exchanges Canal. Also in production is a community. "Acting For the area. Also in the works is a pro­ sula sometime in 1987. with farmers in that part of Af­ half-hour situation comedy Camera" and "Acting and Di­ duction about Nova Scotia's Both on Prince Edward Is­ rica. Meanwhile Jack McAn­ which is co-produced with recting" will be led by country inns. Schurmann, in land and in Halifax Brian Pol­ drew of Points East Produc­ A1V and a drama with CBC Academy Award winning (Best partnership with Acadia Uni­ lard is continuing work on tions on the island is also in­ Halifax. Short Drama, 1983) director versity's Leo Deveau, have Farmers Helping Farmers, volved with several projects In the field of education, im­ Don McBreaty following on purchased film rights to At The an NFB production shot in including a one-hour special pressario Charlotte Harper, re­ the success of his workshop Strike Of A Match, a novel set November and December of for CBC television on the Voy- cently back from the NFB 's here last September. The surge of activity in dramatic produc­ tions in the region has gener­ ated a considerable interest on the part of the community for possibilities of adding to their skills in this area . • Workprint, the newsletter started by the Atlantic Film­ makers Co-op, has expanded its coverage and now serves as a medium of communication for the Centre For Art Tapes and the Nova Scotia Photo Co­ op as well. Plans are underway to give it a new format, the aim being to upgrade its quality both visually and as resource. Meanwhile at the Atlantic Filmmaker's Co-op Glen Wal­ ton is drawing close to com­ pleting his film, The Nova Scotia Song, a musical documentary with and about Nova Scotia folklorist and song collector extraordinaire Helen Creighton. Plans are to have it ready for release by early in May. More on this in a future issue. London market big LONDON - One of the major international television sales markets, the London Market reports 90 per cent of its exhibition space already sold for the 1986 event to be held Nov. 3-7. CF I firstfor grantfrom Ontario Film Devel. OTTAWA - The -locally-based Canadian Film Institute, which provides services to both the mm industry and filmgoing public, became the first reci­ pient in late April of the Special Project professional develop­ ·MOTIONPICTURE GUARANTORSLTD. ment grant to be handed Out by the Ontario Film Develop­ C·INEGARANTIE LTEE ment Corporation. The CFI received the grant Robert Vince Jacquie Ross Beryl Fox Doug Leiterman to co-produce, with Ottawa's Algonquin College, the sL'i:th i 14 Birch Avenue, Toron to, Canada M4V lC9 Telephone (416) 968-0577 Telex 065-24697 annual Summer Institute of Film and Television, a week­ long presentation of seminars, lectures, and screenings held .Montreal Melbourne June 22-27 at Algonquin for Eva Bjurstrom Christine SuU film and televiSion industry (514) 481·8233 (03) 51-8963 professionals interested on honing their skills and ex­ changing information. Still to be announced at ::'GUARANTORS FOR INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTIONS IN: : presstime by the OFDC ,,·ere Italy - France - Ireland - .\ew Zealand - Spain - Fiji Islands - Australia - Argentina - Africa its first financial commitments in its Development and Pro­ duction programs.

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/55 • CINEMAG • Anglo/Franco Canadian film scholars gather in Quebec City QUEBEC CITY - A historic "So it's something of a his­ being funded with grants from cordia to draw upon, the time Other conference screen­ reuniting of some 200 Cana­ toric moment," FSAC president the Social Sciences and had finally come, Gaudreault ings include works by Toronto dian film scholars takes place Mario Falsetto told Cinema Humanities Research Council said. experimental filmmaker at Laval University May 21- 24 Canada at a Montreal press of Canada, Laval University's The conference, organized Michael Cartmell and a prog­ as the Film Studies Association conference April 30, "It Faculty of Letters and Depart­ by Laval doctoral candidate ram of Canadian experimental ,of Canada (FSAC) and its seemed silly that language dif­ ment of Literatures, the Denise Perusse, will feature films presented by Concordia Quebec counterpart, l'Associa­ ferences prevented us from Quebec Fund for the Forma­ seven panels from current re­ University professor and film­ tion quebecoise des etudes getting together. It's time to tion of Researchers and Aid to search in Quebec and Cana­ maker Richard Hancox, cinematographiques (AQEC), share our interests since we Research (FCAR), the National dian film studies, women in The two associations will get hold the first joint colloquim are dealing with the same sub­ Film Board of Canada, and the cinema, contemporary Quebec together again in 1987 for the on Canadian and Quebec ject." Societe generale du cinema du cinema, to the Canadian avant­ flfSt continental film studies cinema, For his part, AQEC president Quebec. garde film. A panel on the films conference, to be held in The last time the FSAC, a Andre Gaudreault felt that Gaudreault explained that it of Pierre Perrault (Un pays Montreal, with the American predominantly English Cana­ "from the point of view of or­ takes time to develop an sans bon sellS, L'Acadie, Society for Cinema Studies, dian association of film schol­ ganization, publicity and academic base for conferences I'Acadie, Pour la suite du ars, founded in 1976, repre­ budgets, it's a very good thing such as this one, which the two monde) coincides with Per­ senting 30 institutions across that we've waited until now" associations have been discus­ rault's being awarded an hon­ Canada, held a conference on to hold a conference on sing since 1985, In Quebec, orary doctorate from Laval Quebec cinema was in Ottawa Canada's national cinema. with some 60-80 students and University rector Jean-Guy in 1981, For the AQEC, Gaudreault noted that gov­ researchers currently at the Paquet on May 22, There will founded in 1982, this is its first ernment funding for confer­ master's and doctoral level, also be an avant-premiere sc­ conference on Quebec ences like the upcoming and a conSiderably larger reening ofJean -Daniel Lafond's cinema, Q\.!ebec City one was non­ number of undergraduates in NFB-produced feature-length · existent three years ago. The film studies at the universities film about Perrault, Les Traces' Film/video grants Quebec City conference is of Montreal, Laval, and Con- du reve, from The Canada Council OTTAWA - Film and video or­ •• ganisations across Canada be­ nefited from the largesse of the Canada Council during the • winter 1985 period to the tune of $403,300. That figure con­ sists of 3347,540 to 12 Film and holography production, distribution, and exhibition Of­ ganizations for operations, programming, and production equipment purchases; $20,485 to three organisations and ser­ vice groups for special film projects such as film programs, workshops, and publications; and 535,275 to two non-profit video organisations offering services to artists, Monitor North in Thunder Bay, and the Centre populaire d'animation audiovisuelle in Quebec City, Those grants were made under the Media Arts category. In the Arts Awards Service cat­ egory, eight further film artists received grants up to $4,000 THE COMPLETION GUARANTORS LES GARANTS D' ACHEVEMENT to assist with living expenses and project expenses up to a for features, pour series de television, year's duration. television series, longs metrages Recipients were: Renny Bartlett, Ottawa; Marie-Carole and international co-productions et co-productions internationales de Beaumont, Montreal; De­ mitri Demetrios, Montreal; Serge Gagne, Montreal; Patricia Gruben, Vancouver; Scott Haynes, North Vancouver; Pierre Jutras, Montreal; and Roger Murray of St- Luc, Quebec. Michael Spencer, President 1001, de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Suite 910 Montreal, Quebec H3A 3C8 Telephone: (514) 288-6763 Telex: 055-62276

56/Cinema Canada - June 1986 '. CINEMAG • Montreal producers regroup for Cannes' commercial fest growing influence of Toronto­ based agenCies on production MONTREAL - Five Montreal "It is the first time that the cooperation came from pro­ (with one). houses, "There seems to be a production houses have de­ production houses have taken ducer Ronald Brault of Les Pro­ Positive public relations cided to group together to pre­ this initiative," says Charles ductions du Verseau Inc., who from either a win or a good perception by Toronto agen­ sent a total of 19 high-quality O'Hayon, producer at Les presented it to the other pro­ showing at Cannes could help cies that Montreal is still in its Quebec-produced commer­ Films 24 Inc., which has three ducers at a meeting of the As­ off-set the current problems infancy," says O'Hayon, "which cials at the prestigous 33rd In­ commercials selected, "We sociation des producteurs de the Quebec publicity industry is how New York looks at To­ ternational Advertising Film want to prove that we can films et de video du Quebec is experiencing, which is in a ronto." Festival in Cannes, France, compete on the international (APFVQ). Those present read­ period of slow growth after 'There also seem to be inter­ June 23-28. level." ily endorsed the idea, and even spectacular gains of 30 per nal wars between the Toronto The move is unusual be­ "In the past the agencies helped select each other's best cent between 1983-84. "The agencies and their Montreal cause it is the advertising agen­ didn't seem to want to present work for submission to Can­ commercial market in Quebec subsiduaries with, of course, cies that usually take the initia­ to Cannes," adds Michel David, nes. is in stagnation" says Brault. head-office (Toronto) winning tive to present commercials at producer at Les Productions Participants are La Fabrique O'Hayon agrees, adding "there in the end," he added. All this Cannes. Production houses, Diva Inc., last year's winner of d'lmages Ltee (with four sub­ is a movement of business to­ results in more accounts mov­ like most profit-oriented Cana­ the Coq d'Or as Quebec's best missions), Les Films 24 Inc. wards Toronto, and for reasons ing to the Ontario capital. An dian companies, are more production house. "We're not (with three), Les Productions that have little to do with the important Quebec beer ac­ preoccupied with competition waiting any more - we're Diva Inc. (six), Les Produc­ competence or quality availa­ count, Molson's Laurentide, between themselves rather going ahead," tions du Verseau Inc. (five) ble here." moved to Toronto recently. "I than uniting in a group, The original idea for the and SDA Productions Ltee Brault and O'Hayon cite the wonder what the Quebecois people would think if they learned that a Quebec product had been given away to a To­ ronto firm, I think it's a slap in the face to Quebecois society as well as its advertising indus­ We put it all together try," says O'Hayon. Since the Quiet Revolution in the 1960s and 70s, Quebec coast · to · coast production houses, in concert with Quebecois advertising agencies, have created a body of work that was Quebecois­ specific - not simply a transla­ tion of American or Anglo­ Canadian commercials, "The political situation caused a production aimed strictly for the Quebecois people. It was a wave of development for the Quebecois commercial," says O'Hayon. Since the referendum, how­ ever, "we are seeing the return of concepts aimed at both mar­ kets: the double shoot," says Brault, explaining that Quebecois actors are hired to read or act out translated texts in a Toronto locale. "Our cul­ tural identify is thereby di­ minished," he says. "I think it is a form of assimilation." Despite the problems, O'Hayon, Brault and David all feel that the Quebecois com­ mercial can compete both na­ tionally and internationally. "We are good," says Brault. "For a little country of 6,000,000 we have incredible talent available." WILLIAM F. WHITE McGill/Mclaren MONTREAL - Canada's celeb­ LIMITED rated animator Norman Mcla­ A Canadian Company ren was honoured April 23 at a special luncheon, part of a Established since 1963 three-day international confer­ ence on peace and security sponsored by McGill Univer­ sity's Faculty of Education. Camera, Lighting, Grip ... A Complete Film Service McGill's Department of Edu­ cational Psychology in affilia­ tion with the Faculty of Educa­ tion has also established an an­ 36 Parklawn Rood 715 rue St. Maurice 43 West 6th Ave. nual prize named after Mcla­ Toronto, Ontario Montreal, Quebec Vancouver, B.C. ren. It w ill be awarded to a stu­ M8Y3H8 H3C1L4 V5Y1K2 dent who demonstrates excep­ tional talent in media studies (416) 252-7171 (514) 866-3323 (604) 873-3921 and manifests the global con­ sciousness and awareness exemplified by Mclaren.

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/57 c I N E M A G • • producer is retaining monies to assure that the net profits tive personnel, this situation is which would otherwise be are not dissipated or otherwise neither justified nor does it LEGAL EYE paid out to the creative person lost before profit-sharing is have to be. The defmition of by Michael Bergman as profit-sharing; con­ paid out. "net profit", or whatever term sequently, the interest accrues The preceding example de­ is used to indicate profit-shar­ enerally the principal ants queue to receive their to the producer. Finally, this scribes the situation of many ing, can be adjusted so that creative people in a mo­ share. First and foremost will pool of net profits is not always creative persons who are enti­ there is a genuine reward for Gtion-picture, such as the be the lenders. These would held by the production com­ tled to what is euphemistically the positive results of inspired di~ector , the writer and the usually include, in order of pany, but is often retained by called "net profits." This phrase creation. "Net profits" can be leads contract to receive as priority, Telefilm and other the holding or parent company "net profits" often appears in determined for profit- sharing part of their reward a share in government funding agencies, which in many cases has taken the creative person's contract purposes before taxes and the revenue or profits. This the banks or other institutional the assigment of all of the pro­ and may be loosely, if at all, de­ even before the diviSion of the profit-sharing is sometimes re­ lenders. These entities are duction company's rights in scribed. It is generally a massive revenue into two ferred to as points, residuals or quite careful not to permit any the film . The holding company synonym for 'a cut of the smal­ pools between investors and royalties. The wonder of a pic­ other person (or, for that mat­ may be responsible for several lest portion of the remaining the producer. After all, it can ture that seems to be doing ter, the producer) to in any mms at the same time. Under revenue of the mm after be legitimately argued that the well in the theatres is that way outrank them in priority this arrangement the creative everyone else is paid.' true profit of a film is that there rarely seems co be much, of claim. Standing second in person is relying on the good Given the importance of the amount which ultimately ac- if anything, accruing to the line, although not always, are faith and solvency of this entity contribution of primary crea- creative person entitled to a the investors who are at this ..... share of the profits. This has point permitted to recoup the much to do with the compli­ cost of their initial investment, BANFF cated and seemingly bizarre although no more than that. method by which the produc­ Next come, in varying order, ELECTRONIC AND FILM MEDIA PROGRAM er's revenue or profit is calcu­ promotion, publicity, adminis­ lated for the purposes of profit­ tration, producer's expenses PROGRAM HEAD: MILTON FRUCHTMAN sharing. To the extent that and the like. creative people have problems At this paint, a rather pecul­ collecting their share, it is iar thing happens. The remain­ often an indication of poor or ing mass of funds is generally faulty contract provisions. divided into two, one-half of The first basic problem to which accrues to the investors determining the eligibility of as their so-called profit and the the sums payable through prof­ other half accrues co the pro­ it- sharing is calculating just ducer. In most cases, the pro­ what is the producer's profit. ducer will then, from his share, In theory, the producer's profit pay the deferred remuneration should consist of all net re­ of the cast, crew, writer and venue which the producer re­ producing personnel. These ceives. In practice, though, it is items, having been deducted, much more difficult to arrive income and related ta..xes are at a hard and fast definition. then taken off This finally Between the ultimate user, the leaves a small fraction, if any­ audience and the producer, are thing at all, of the -fUm 's total a host of claimants to a share of revenues - funds which may the total monies generated be labelled profit in the pro­ from a mm: from the exhibitor duction company's hands. It is to the distributor to television generally at this point that broadcast to cassette rentals, creative personnel will be­ Sept. 15 - Dec. 12, 1 986 Feb. 9 - Apr. 3, 1987 from gross deals to net deals, come entitled to their profit­ participants and factors over sharing, but even then there is An opportunity for fi lm makers to extend their work into the electronic media . which the creative person has a hitch. Only the producer little, if any, influence or knows when the picture is in a control. position that enough revenue Each of these programs provides an opportunity for eight participants Where the creative person has trickled down so that to w ork with broadcast -standard electronic equipment in all phases of may have . some influence, something is left for profit production and post-production using single camera and mUltiple though, is with regard to pro­ sharing. At that pOint, the fac­ camera techniques. After rotating in all the craft positions, participants ducer-related activities, the tor of the timing of payment produce their own programs. While they are encouraged to experiment most common of which in comes into play. Profit-sharing payments are generally made with new production techniques, participants are also offered a firm Canada are non-arm's length creative and technical base. sales agents. These sales annually, sometimes semi-an­ agents, whose function pre­ nually, When they are made sumably is to sell the picture, during the calendar year, that FOR MORE INFORMATION are often controlled in a legal can be at the producer's dis­ AND A PROGRAM BROCHURE, CONTACT: sense by the production com­ cretion. Consequently the pro­ The Banff Centre ducer may select a time for The Office of the Registrar pany. The two entities may School of The Banff Centre, Station 34 have common shareholders, payment which is more advan­ Fine Arts tageous to the producer than Box 1020, Banff, Alberta TOlOCO common directors and even Telephone: (403) 762-6180 common officers. Whereas to the creative person. Fur­ these sales agents may perform thermore, in the interval, the legitimate functions, they have the rather interesting secon­ dary task of syphoning off a DO YOU WANT THE FACTS ON certain percentage of funds from the overall revenue of the COLOUR THEATRE SCREEN picture before that revenue ac­ crues to the producer. It can ADVERTISING IN CANADA? be argued then that the ulti­ mate principals behind the Why not visit Adfilms Ltd. downtown outlet - the Groaning production company and the Board Dinner Cinema at 131 Jarvis at Richmond in Toronto 2 50 MERTON STREET, 4TH FLOOR sales agent receive money - and view the Cannes International Advertising Awards TORONTO, ONTARIO M4S 1 B1 while the producer pleads in feature length . Groups welcome. poverty. Fred T. Stinson , President Once revenue from the piC­ For details call 416-483-3551 ture trickles down to the pro­ ducer, a whole host of claim-

S8/Cinema Canada - June 1986 • c I N E M A G • Radio networks for the past 20 ..... have to be conducted with re­ says that a percentage of zero of his 30 years with the corp crues to the investors and the gard to the expectations of equals zero. Mr. CB C retires producer together since the TORONTO Cec Smith, oration, has worked under six profit-sharing and so that the known in Canadian news­ combination of their financial ultimate written terms and Michael N. Bergman, Barrister CBC presidents and been in­ rooms by the nickname "Mr. and organizational abilities has conditions which define profit­ & SOlicitor, is a member of the volved with 22 fall television CBC," retired after 30 years of resulted in the infrastructure sharing are realistic. There is Bars of Quebec, Ontario and launches. Responsible as welJ service with the public broad­ which makes the movie possi­ not much sense providing for Alberta, with offices in for the CBC's speakers' bureau caster with the filing of his final ble. points, residuals or royalties if Montreal and Toronto. and audience relations divi­ news release May 16. The key, then, is the negotia­ their provision is just an at­ sion, the 57-year-old Smith is Smith, press relations direc­ tion of the creative person's tempt to confirm the considering public relations tor of the CBC's English lV and contract. These negotiations mathematical equation that Date set to launch and freelance writing Festival of Festivals

under new director MMI LIGHTS. CAMERAS, product • ACTION! TORONTO - June 25 is the PLACEMENT date set for the opening press conference at which the con­ tent and character of the 11 th MMlloans products free of charge to all annual Festival of Festivals, film companies who allow brand visibility running from September 4-13, in their productions. will be first revealed. The Fes­ We furnish your set deSigns with bever­ tival of Festivals office is invit­ ages, snacks, motorcycles, footwear, ing entries for Canadian films or co-productions, whether it's watches, computers, camera~ feature-length, short, docu­ mentary, animated, or experi­ mental, to pre-selection sc­ reenings in Toronto from June Ginette D'Amico 17-27. GROWING GROWING CASTING DIRECTOR The preview deadline for CREDIT LIST: CLIENT LIST: prints or cassettes is June 13, 1986 RELEASES Canon Cameras Make a Success Out of Your Next Production with the pre-selection entry The Return of Billy Jack Good Year Tires Get the Right Cast flyer noting that preference Spearfield's Daughter Kaufman Boots will be given to Canadian pre­ Police Academy III Seiko Watches PARTIAL CREDITS INCLUDE: mieres. Separate Vacations McDonald's Hamburgers Gowan Rock Video Pepsi Cola Joshua Then & Now - Alan Arkin, Jmnes Woo~s, The Festival of Festivals, in a Act of Vengeance Tuffy's Dog Food Gabrielle Lazure_ Meatballs III - Loretta Swlt_ bid to get its funding under-­ Bach et Bottine Quaker Oats Foods Fun Park - Carl Marotte, Carolyn Dunn. way, had begun a mailing of Toby McTeague Colgate Palmolive Paroles et Musiques - Catherine Deneuve, flyers seeking Friends of the Keeping Track Wang Computers Christophe Lambert. Of Unknown Origin - Peter Festival. Sent out in April with Covert Action Bauer Running Shoes Weller, Shannon Tweed. Au Nom de Tous Les Miens an annual price tag for Spirit Bay Proctor-Silex Appliances _ Michael York, Brigitte Fossey, Jacques Penot. friendship of $50, the flyer en­ The Gate E.D. Smith Sauces Cover Girl- Jeff Conaway, Irena Ferris. Gas­ tices would-be patrons and The Fly Duracell Flashlights Donald Sutherland, Helen Shaver. Scanners - sponsors with early notice of F.B.M. Distillery Jennifer O'Neill. Patrick McGoohan. .Visiting Hour­ pass/ticket sales, advance infor­ Willimn Shatner, Lee Grant, Michael Ironside. mation on screenings, news re­ leases, advance screening invi­ MMI PRODUCT PLACEMENT DIVISION 3199 Bathurst Street, Suite 203, Toronto, Ont. M6A 2B2 Plus many documentaries and cornrnercials. tations, membership card, 10 per cent off Festival merchan­ For more information, call Tom Wong or Philip Hart GINETl"E D'AMICO dise, a free Festival poster and C.P. 38, Nun's Island (416) 781-9139 Verdun, QC program book, the chance to win a Festival gold pass and - REMEMBER, IF YOU'RE NOT DEALING H3E 2J8 WITH MMI, YOU'LL PAY FOR IT! (514) 766-8754 the ultimate teaser - a tax re- I ceipt from the registered non­ We service all of Canada. L-__~ __~ __~~ ______~ : profit organization.

••••••• ••••••• ------progress ------studios

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/59 • c I N E M A G • the Winnipeg Film Group. Colin Thomas about children's Already shooting is a docu­ FRO~TS WEST A comedy series called Sur­ fear of nuclear war, that Van­ mentary called Rebirth of couver's Green Thumb Players Haida Canoe, produced by by Kathryn Allison vival Guides is in develop­ ment, with Ed Richardson of successfully toured through Chris Wooten, directly by John the Far East a couple of years Wright, with Doug McKay as he Department of Com- combers and Danger Bay), Tegra Industries producing. AI· ago. Cathy Chilco is producing DOP. The film uses an original munications' annual survey and Sterloff is looking at a larcom is involved along with the film version, with Thomas Haida canoe that was shipped Tof the B.C. film industry is couple of ideas, including a Telefilm, and an L.A. sale has al­ writing. The CBC network is from the National Museum in currently being compiled. Re- one-hour dramatic series from ready been made with KCET. involved in the development Ottawa, and will be shown at suIts are based on responses to a very reliable producer, and a Also in development is One of the project. a questionnaire that was sent half· hour comedy series from Thousand Cranes, a play by --. out to over 2,000 industry -- ,..------::::~-----...... ,===,=---I members" including indepen- dents, production companies, distributors, and union, guild and association members. Laurel March, the study's compiler, reports that the re­ sults indicate increases in all areas, particularly in produc­ tion and employment. The number of production com­ panies reporting is down 1 5 per cent from the last survey, but their average yearly re­ venues were $256,450 in 1985, up 37 per cent from the previous year. Presumably the larger production companies have all reported this year, with the smaller ones either flourishing or dropping out, to account for the large leap in revenue. Incomes for individu­ als working in the industry were also up in 1985. Average yearly fulltime salaries for men were up 15 per cent, from $34,100 in 1984, to $39,000 in 1985. Women's salaries still sadly trailed men's, but were up from $20,500 in 1984 to $24,590 in 1985. General comments from re­ spondents show that there is a great deal of concern about the lack of a permanent movie studio in Vancouver, and there were many references to the slow pace of the development of the Dominion Bridge build­ ing into a permanent studio. There was a general call for more federal and provincial support of the film industry; the provincial government's VANCOUVER lack of recognition of the in­ dustry was emphasized. There were many suggestions that Canada B.c. develop a provincial film ALLEN AERIAL PHOTOS LTD. fund based on the Ontario and Alberta models. There is a gen­ eral agreement that better We'llgiveyouaciw location and throw in facilities for training not only technicians, but also directors, writers, actors and particularly ilie ocean and mountains for free! producers, all desperately needed in B.C. The study will pleasantly surprised by the co-operation and be available in June. Ideal Location Look around ... you're in a beautiful quality of talent theyve had access to. And • city, at-the same time historic, modem and the favourable exchange rate for the Canadian dollar is just one more reason to come to Telefilm's Wayne Sterloff re­ cosmopolitan; a seaport city with miles of Vancouver! ports that there are numerous sandy beaches, and only minutes from feature mms waiting for the forested mountain wilderness. An added feature film fund to come into Call us/ or write/ were ready to help! effect. Among them are Cal bonus is the gentlest climate in Canada. Shumiatcher's Visa and David Fihn Co-ordination, Engineering Department Hauka's Road Film. Sterloff Abundant Resources City of Vancouver, 453 West 12th Avenue anticipates that several of them Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5Y 1V4 fj could be underway by late Vancouver boasts top-quality facilities (604) 873-7337 summer. Meantime, Teleftlm is for casting, crews, production, a~d post­ or the Mayors Office (604) 873-7410. interested in getting another production. Producers of ftlms like Quest for television series going to add Fire, Never Cry Wolf, and Runaway; have been to the two main ones already Member ofthe Association ofFilm Commissioners. in production (CBC's Beach-

6O/Cinema Canada - June 1986 c I N E M A G -+• • scuttled for a status quo ar­ ject at Douglas College. The be assembled in June. The that people can move up and EXPo. Thomas Howe and As­ rangement involving private college is going to be con­ trainees will move up on the make room for the new ones. sociates are distributing the industry leasing the building verted into a space-age mini­ union's experience roster as a He projects that only 20 film . Which Way to Cantegie with minimal improvements, city this summer as an alter­ result of their space station people will be assimilated into Hall is a half-hour documen­ he is terse. "Our attitude is, just nate EXPO event. Key union training. entry-level positions this year, tary which tells the story of lease us the building and let us people are training fifteen Chapman stresses that there and will be discussing the need seven local child prodigies. work in it. So we're waiting. .. people in the various technical is limited need for people to for controlled growth and Ivan Horsky produced it, with we're patient." Meanwhile, aspects of illmmaking as they fill entry level positions in the training of production person­ CBC radio veteran Robert union members are assisting construct the space station in union, which needs breaks and nel at the Vancouver Film Fes­ Chesterman directing. It was Alan Clapp's Space Station pro- moveable segments which will opportunities at the top end so tival's Trade Forum onJune 2. shot in April and May . •

Five U.S. illms are confirmed for shooting in B.C. this sum­ mer, and Rex Bromfield's Heartbreak Motel will shoot in June. George Chapman, the Business Representative of IATSE 891, admits he's disap­ pointed that Tripwire, the first big U.S. feature of the season which collapsed in preproduc­ tion, but with more pictures being scouted this year than last, he is confident union members will be busy weD into the fall. When asked about the Dominion Bridge movie complex proposal, which he has actively supported for sev­ eral years, and which has been

Buttering up the fests

MONTREAL - The Peanut Butter Solution, second in Rock Demers' Tales for AU series, has begun a tour of film festivals around the world. The tour started with a screening at the Films for Youth Festival in Laon, France, to be followed with festivals in Gijon, Spain; Melbourne, Australia and Min­ neapolis, U.S.A. Last year, The Dog Who Stopped The War, first in the illm series, took the Grand Prize at Laon. New World Pictures of Los Angeles is distributor for The Peanut Butter Solution in the English-speaking world Cinemaplus, the distributor for the French version, Operation beurre de pinottes, reports over 1,000 pre-sale orders_for the videocassette and expects that number to double by the end of April.

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/61 • c I N E M A G • CB C Telefest judges entries from film/video students in Ontario TORONTO - The collective says is intended as a recogni­ ducers also were awarded Reg­ documentary: Christopher Ryerson, for Prisoner Of Love efforts of more than 1,000 film, tion of talent rather than a re­ ional Director's Awards McNamara, U. of Windsor, for - music video. animation, video, and radio warding of it, attracted some plaques from CBC Ontario reg­ Tattoo - film short documen­ The remaining Telefest win­ students from 21 Ontario col­ 166 entries by student produc­ ional director Don Goodwin. tary; Andreas Trauttmansdorffl ners, in radio, were: Tony Gen­ leges and universities were ers in the competition's vari­ ReCipients of the latter John Hargreaves, Sheridan Col­ tiluccilEric Fruitrnan, Ryerson, recognized April 30 at the To­ ous media categories, Those award were, in the Film/televi­ lege of Applied Arts & for Electro Convulsive ronto Hilton Harbour Castle entries, examined by 53 ad­ sion division, Glenn Warner of Technology, for Urgo: Terror­ Therapy: Ellen Batorski, Niag­ hotel, the setting for the sixth judicators composed of vari­ the University of Windsor for Brain From Venus - film ara College of A.A. & T., for annual CBC Telefest Awards. ous CBC production execu­ In Case We Survive (his win­ short non-documentary; James Baby Talk - radio short Telefest '86, which chief or­ tives, entertainment colum­ ning entry as well in the film Stuart, Queen's, for A Sym­ documentary; and Sandy ganiser and CBC Ontario reg­ nists, and the illle, were re­ long non-documentary cate­ phony of Toys - animation; McMurray, Ryerson, for Our ional affairs manager Bert Allen duced to 14 winners after a gory) and, in the radio divi­ Derek JohnstonlKen Nyuus, Buddy - The Apple - radio week of judging in mid-April. sion, David Bossy of Fanshawe Ryerson Polytechnical Insti­ short non-documentary, The winners, whose crea­ College of Applied Arts & tute, for Makin' Free - video tions will be highlighted in a Technology for Videomania, long documentary; Phil Prim­ The Telefest Awards, begun speCial Telefest TV and radio his winning entry in the radio merlJohn Morris, Ryerson, for by the CBC's Ontario region in series to be produced by 29- long non-documentary cate­ Trapped - video long non­ 1981, were confined to film Raymond joins EPS year-old Steve Scaini for a later gory. documentary; Tracy Kennedy, and television programs until summer/fall airdate on CBC, Other Telefest Awards win- York, for Teenage Things - the expansion of those MONTREAL - Entertainment received Telefest posters as ners, their entries and video short documentary; categories and the addition of Programming Services (EPS) their awards. While all student categories, were: Lenka Tambre Leighn Hemstreet, radio in 1984. That year, 124 president David Jackson reo producers received certificates Holubec, York University, for York, for Metamorphosis .­ entries were received while cently announced the appoint­ of merit and critiques of their The Man Who Fell From An video short non-documentary; Telefest '85 counted more ment of Micheline Raymond to productions, the top two pro- Apple Tree - film long and Lennard Koratta Campese, than 1 30 entries submitted. the position of general man· ager of French-language mar­ ket sales. Former journalist Raymond will be responsible for selling films and television shows to On location, Studio III leads by francophone stations and net­ works distributing EPS prod­ uct. As well she will be in­ dollars and sense. volved in co-productions and Until now you shot outside in western Canada STUDIO III located in Calgary, AIt¥3rta. acquisitions through Astral and shot inside back there. Expensive and • 20,000 square foot facility Television. EPS is a joint ven­ time-consuming. Now there's STUDIO III. Right • 10,000 square foot soundstage e. ture between Astral Bellevue in the heart of the great outdoors, for only • office space, 24 hour security, prop and set storage Pathe and Twentieth Century • experienced crews available Fox Telecommunication.,. $500.00 a day. • 16mm film and mobile videotape STUDIO III, the largest sound studio in western equipment available Canada. That means your show can go on CCTA/CANCOM location from the first scene to the last take, at a price that makes sound sense. agree on DBS Look into our space for your next OTTAWA - Direct broadcast production, Bryan Ellis: satellite (DBS) will be estab­ (403) 246-7140, lished beginning this summer Calgary, AI for areas outside those served by cable broadcast as a result of an agreement reached be­ tween the cable industry's Canadian Cable Television As­ sociation (CCTA) and Cana­ dian Satellite Communications (CANCOM), the licensed satel­ lite distributor of Canadian Signals. A joint six-month task force worked out the basis of the agreement which will be presented to the CCTA's annual convention and CABLEXPO May 12 to 15 in Vancouver. Included in the eight-chan­ nel package are CHCH Hamil­ ton, CITV Edmonton, TCTV (French-language) and BCTV Vancouver along with the four U.S. networks. In a combined statement, "'IDED~~(Q)u CCTA Chairman Pierre Hebert 487 Adelaide St. West Toronto. Ontario. M5V 1T4 (416) 366-8001 and CANCOM president and CEO Pierre Morrissette claim ' Transfers fr om 35mm and 16mm film to video tape on Bosch FD.L 60,B.2. the arrangement will place the with System 60.B. computerised scene to scene color corrections. two companies "at the leading edge of a new generation of Video and sound compression and expansion also available. television services provided directly to the Canadian pub­ lic."

62/ Cinema Canada - June 1986 • C I N E M A G • member of the board for prop­ Canada and videos not seen in The 14th such ·annual event Co-ops gather osed children's cable web Montreal are eligible. Deadline for the 18S-member CFTA, it Saidye Bronfman Young Canada TeleviSion! for entries in both sections is will see the association retain a for Indy Alliance TeIejeunesse, will address the Aug. 15. presentation ceremony featur­ launches Shoah QUEBEC CITY - The annual meeting May 22 in a session ti­ A Film and Video Market will ing 10 personal achievement conference of the Independent tled "Young Canada TeleviSion be part of the Festival to help awards, as well the continued MONTREAL - The Saidye Film and Video Alliance/Al­ and the Independents.,. promote exchanges between presentation of the Chetwynd Bronfman Centre will present liance du Video et Cinema In­ The IFV A was incorporated production and exhibition. Award for Entrepreneurial the Canadian premiere of dependent (IFVA) takes place in 1980 and is now comprised Organizers are looking for Achievement. The 10 recogni­ French filmmaker Claude in this city May 20 to 25. of 37 member groups, repre­ films that explore the film tions of personal achievement Lanzmann's nine and one-half­ The agenda includes nightly senting more than 3,000 indi­ medium outside commercial will be nominated by industry hour film on the Hoiocaust, screenings, panel discussions, viduals from every province. conventions, as well as con­ members for both Producer Shoah, at the Theatre Maison­ daily workshops and plenary The annual general conference tinuing to explore the new and and Individual (i.e., executive, neuve, Place des Arts in sessions. Topics for the work­ is held in a different province growing video art forms and civil servant, supporter) in five Montreal on June 3 and 5. shops encompass issues of each year with the objective of their relationship to the film categories: Feature Film, Tele­ The benefit screening concern to co-operative film­ providing members with an medium. vision Entertainment, Televis­ launches the Centre's new making organizations and inde­ opportunity to exchange infor­ ion AdvertiSing, Music Video, program in the performing and pendent filmmakers, including mation and discuss topical is­ and IndustriaVSponsored & visual arts. Harry Gulkin, a discussion of the role of the sues. Part of the organization's Multi-image Production. Executive Director of the purpose is also to provide a CFTA awards Centre explained that "Shoah NFB and Telefilm Canada in as­ Nominees with the top five lobbying structure. represents the kind of sisting independent film and vote totals in each category TORONTO - The Canadian cooperative venture which the video, the establishment of an will be voted on by their peers, Film and Television Associa­ Centre intends to spearhead." exhibition circuit, and issues tion, despite having turned with winners announced at the involved in independent distri­ Lanzmann, the film's direc­ New Cinema fest over its programme and craft gala gourmet dinner for out­ tor, will be present for the bution. awards to the Academy of standing contribution in their Free Trade and Quebec's opening, June 3 and will briefly MONTREAL - The 15th An­ Canadian Cinema & Televis­ particular sector. The CFTA's address the audience at a now-dead Bill 109 will be co­ nual International Festival of ion's national, all-industry Ge­ recently-elected preSident, Ali­ vered on the conference's first cocktail reception before the New Cinema and Video, held mini TV Awards set for De­ son Clayton, says the dinner screening. full day. Francis Fox, former will be "a social event celebrat­ this year Oct. 16 - 26, has an­ cember 4, will still hold its an­ Shoah has been awarded federal Communications nounced a call for entries. nual Awards dinner gala this ing the successes of our indus­ minister arid currently a France's highest film award, a Films not preViously seen in October in Toronto. try, not just a televised com­ special Cesar Award. The petition." benefit premiere will be fol­ Clayton adds that "By shift­ lowed by a theatrical engage­ ing the emphasis to 'awarding ment at Montreal's Cinema only individual achievement, Outremont. It is distributed in we will complement the Canada by the Saidye Academy while maintaining Bronfman Centre in associa­ our popular celebration even­ tion with Les Films SMC and ing." Creative Exposure Limited.

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June 1986 - Cinema Canada/53 • c I N E M A G • Joyce Wieland: I teach chil­ going towards pOSitive things. was afraid at first to touch the ON (EXPERIMENTAL) FILM dren painting - I'm a painter, You build a bridge through paper, even to begin to draw. too - and I speak to them drawings or a film. Then she started to see. One by B. Sternberg about the future. They've done I work With older people, day she went outside and she statistics on children in public too. They also have to have saw the sun reflected on some uestions relating to curat­ - and keep a debate going on schools and 7S per cent think their eyes opened. They have buildings and she took about ing and curatorship are in criticism and curatorship. there isn't any future. So I like to have the layers peeled off half an hour to walk down that Qthe air these days, with to say "Draw a picture of the and even if they're not going to street! From then on, she and seminars, articles and a recent future" - draw a little house be artists professionally, they the others were looking. issue of provincial essays de­ • and let's make a drawing of have to see that the most im­ Hopf: What are the layers ontinuing with excerpts voted to the topic. Who deter­ where you would live. Some of portant thing is to enrich their on the eyes of fIlmmakers in from interviews with film mines what gets shOWn/seen them want to live in space. lives by seeing. Canada? journalist Florian Hopf and and what gets written about or C Their negativity keeps coming For instance, one woman Canadian fIlmmakers: included in historical record? in and you always have to keep who owns her own business What relation has this determi­ nation to the market evalua­ tion of art and/or its socio­ political value? What is the re­ National Office lative power between patron­ age and curatorship, and how do art, politics and govern­ Film Board national du film ment-funding interact? Do curators observe and place of Canada duCanada into context, or interpret, or do they, in fact, create theses for which the work serves merely as example? And what has this to do with film? No­ thing and everything (as usual). --NIWSr----- Film, as other reproduceable CANADIAN SCREEN animation techniques and a deep and challenge the status quo. A re­ art, is not a part of the collecti· INSTITUTE commitment to social responsibility port summarizing the discussions ble art market. It is coinciden­ in the cause of universal peace and and outlining recommendations will tal that these same art forms justice. be made available to educators are largely ignored by The National Film Board will contrib­ across the country. museums? The market in rela­ ute $1 .8 million over a five-year To mark his contribution to peace tion to mm is the feature-film education, McGill has instituted a period to help fund the newly-formed FILM FESTIVALS industry. And what gets shown Canadian Screen Institute, a national prize bearing McLaren's name which and produced is 'selected', via organization based in Edmonton will be presented every year to a stu­ CANNES Telemm, by television execu­ which will provide training in film pro­ dent who demonstrates exceptional tives. talents in media studies and mani­ The Decline of the American Empire, , duction. In making the announce­ Denys Arcand's new feature film, As far as I know, there are no ment, NFB chairman Franc;:ois N. fests the global consciousness and awareness exemplified by McLaren. has been selected to open the Direc­ curators of film in the major Macerola stated that the Institute tors' Fortnight at the 1986 Cannes public art galleries, which gen· represents a "vital step in ensuring Film Festival. The film was co-pro­ erally refuse or are unable to FORUM ON WOMEN'S that Canadian stories reach our duced by the NFB and Corporation include mm in the curating of screens, and that filmmakers from STUDIES contemporary art. lf you think M & M Ltee. across the country have the opportu­ The education sector has long been of curating as the procuring of, nity to tell the stories. a major user of NFB films . As part of caring for and exhibition of a BANFF collection, there is no curating The Canadian Screen Institute has a program to revitalize exchanges of experimental mm. And grown out of the Dramalab pilot between filmmakers and film users, Six films produced or co-produced there needs to be. Major public which brought together young film­ a two-day workshop was recently by the NFB have been selected to be galleries should be collecting makers from across the country to held in Montreal which brought to­ part of the official competition at the and regularly screening at least train in the various crafts related to gether several educators, family life Banff Television festival: Genie win­ the 'foundational' experimen­ dramatic film," said Mr. Macerola. and women's studies coordinators ner Final Offer: Bob White and the tal films, thereby educating the "The NFB participated in Dramalab and NFB women producers from Canadian Auto Workers Fight for In­ public and providing a context and will continue to support the Insti­ across the country and from Studio dependence; ACTRA winner for independant curating of tute because it links training and pro­ D. They explored the main issues af­ Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of programmes of contemporary duction opportunities, is closely con­ fecting self-image attitudes and ex­ Hal C. Banks; The Great Buffalo film art, and exhibition in art­ nected to provincial government in­ pectations of today's female high Saga; With Our Own Two Hands; Le ist-run centres. itiatives and is a cooperative venture school students and discussed how Vieillard et {'enfant; and The Space Artist-run centres arose in with the independent sector." filmmaking and film utilization can Between, Part III of the Defence of Canada to provide artists un­ help generate attitudinal changes Canada series. mediated access to galleries. Selection committees are com­ NORMAN McLAREN PEACE posed of artists as opposed to EDUCATION PRIZE administrators or critics. Ex­ At a recent international conference perimental mms are often pre­ on peace and security sponsored by sented in programmes selected McGill University, world - renowned according to an independent film animator and director Norman curator's theme or thesis. But does placing individual films in McLaren accepted an award on be­ a context aid viewers to see half of filmmakers everywhere who more insightfully or does it are working through their art to pro­ limit the viewing experience mote peace education. McLaren, by giving primacy to the who retired from the NFB in 1984, curator's position? Also, what established the Board's first anima­ control has, or should a mm­ tion studio and through his films ac­ maker have, over the context quired a reputation for innovation in in which herlhis work is seen? And who/what accredits cura­ N FB Offices in Canada: Headquarters - Montreal (514) 283-9253 National Capital- Ottawa (613) 996-4259 Pacific region - Vancouver (604) 666-3411 Quebec region - Montreal (514) 283-4823 tors as such? Is taught in mm Prairie region - Winnipeg (204) 949-2812 Atlantic region - Halifax (902) 426-7350 art history courses? In. the Ontario region - Toronto (416) 973-0895 plus offices in most major cities meantime, let's continue to screen films - more and more

64/Cinema Canada - June 1986 c I N E M A G • • brightest parts and find out filmmakers. .-. Wieland: It began in New Wieland: I think commer­ York in the '60s and before, the what you like and want and to It's difficult to get the films Student entry cial filmmakers in English underground filmmakers, and I validate that. shown. We're hindered by Canada don't have their eyes saw what they called "ecstatic When you work with stu­ middle people - writers, lV project for opened - they don't have a vision" and thought what dents you have to stay with people. A lot of people think fresh view in themselves to could that be - and I wanted it! them all the time. It's not just a art separates, but art is to em­ Ontario productions develop, from inside. They I would see these people de­ question of art and finding out brace others - whether to con­ look at product from other veloping from their own vi­ who you are and to make this vey something difficult or talk TORONTO - Students in On­ countries, from the U.S., and sion, from their lives in their wonderful thing happen out of about light - to communicate tario film production programs they want to emulate that be­ studios or wherever, they yourself, it's the responsibility those things without selling looking for an introduction CO cause there's no encourage­ would see the light and it was to society and to care about out... the film industry have, for the ment from Telefilm to recog­ always about light. The prob­ other people. There needs to Work that comes from the past six years, been able to find nize individual vision, personal lem is to go into oneself and be much more communication spirit, journeys into the spirit, some recognition in CBC On­ vision. find out what one is and to suf­ - about joy, about light, about that's what we need now. tario's annual Telefest. New Hopf: What are these films fer what it is to be oneself. Go things that are considered this year, and with a similar in· from inner vision? to the darkest parts and .frivolous by some political Sight into the industry, is the Student Entry Project. - ' • '; ~I ';., :;', - .~ ~ • " -- .- - • j' ~ ~ , The project, which will hold jury screenings May 22-23 1 ~ B"" "r:~, :?;:':~:-':r- ." ~ with an awards gala May 31 at the Ontario Science Centre, is attempting to take advantage of the fact that approximately 300 fUm students graduate an· nually from the production programs at post· secondary in· stitutions throughout Ontario. Seth Feldman, a York Uni ­ versity film instructor, says four fIlms each will be invited from institutions that include Sheridan and Niagara colleges, York, Queen's and univerSities, and Ryerson Poly technical Institute. Categories will consist of nar· rative, documentary, experi­ mental, and animated films, Feldman noting that organizers Here are the products are hoping to expand the pro­ ject to encompass screenwrit­ ing and fIlm criticism as well. In the works since February, that make it happen! Feldman said the project's been enthusiastically received by the industry - prizes will be donated by Norman ]ewison and Budge Crawley, with a • Lighting Filters Painting possible appearance by David • Cronenberg - and that, in his view, it will fill "a fairly large gap" in opportunities currently • Projections • Dance Floors available to film graduates. While the project is still coming together, Feldman says Screens Stage Platforms approaches by organizers have • • also been made to lVOntario's programming director about possible airplay and to the Designer Materials Special Effects Academy of Canadian Cinema • • and Television (organizers of the Genies and recently-an· nounced Gemini lV Awards) Fog and Smoke Computer Software regarding the future inclusion • • of a project award. Organizers are also lobby· ing, says Feldman, for changes in youth unemployment regu­ For further details contact Rosco or your local authorized Rosco dealer lations to get graduates on pro­ ductions faster, as well as a relaxation of rules among tech­ nical unions and guilds to per­ mit more apprenticeships. ••••~~.~ ••••""

June 1986 - Cinema Canada/65 c I N E M A G • • tape and the easier editing of stored in a video-cassette rec­ order, after which it can be sound it permits. Since the CRC's Chasing Rainbows with $1 0 M played back into the system's HDTV system will utilise a High Definition Ultimatte box, completely new digital record­ and then married to whatever ing technology offering a four­ TORONTO - Less than two Rather, it's that Chasing Rain· marry elaborate backgrounds action is being shot in front of times higher signal-to-noise weeks after CBC President bows will be the first major to foregrounds, as well as per­ a blue screen matting as the ratio, Galt says the problem of Pierre Juneau's April 3 an­ production to be done on mitting a direct lifting of mat­ foreground. The effect is such 'CBC sound' will also be over­ nouncement of the latest HDTV or High Definition Tele­ tes (or composites) off tape in­ that actors can appear in one come (though, he notes, "the round of program and staff re­ vision. stead of just off camera. room and yet actually be in cost of this system is extremely ductions, the network, on the Apparently the first such ef­ The HDTV hardware is another (or transposed to high at this point"). set of a bordello at Scar­ fort in the world, CBC sees the being provided for the produc­ however many background HDTV, with its potential for borough's Magder Studios, series' use of HDTV as bringing tion of Chasing Rainbows by images are stored and called savings in time, crew, etc. is a began production of its longest several advantages to a pro­ the Sony Corporation. Use of it up). system Galt predicts will see and most expenseive drama duction, the result of using for the series had been recom­ Such is the blending of two increased use, although for the series, Chasing Rainbows. 1,125 lines instead of the cur· mended to Blandford by John separate images, says Galt, that moment he. notes the' initial The 13-hour series, formerly rent 525-line North American Galt, a producer (and the no light will appear around an impact of such new technol­ titled Hello Suckers!, is and 625-line European sys­ series' director of photo­ actor married to a background, ogy lies in a better product, budgeted at $750,000 per tems. graphy) with Northernlight & shadows can be handled faith­ not better savings. "The high episode or $9.75 million in Development of the new Picture Corporation. North­ fully, and even Cigarette smoke quality of the picture is what's total, will be 18 months in pro­ HDTV electronic system by ernlight, listed as co-producer will matte perfectly. going to sell HDTV," opined duction, and is set for a Janu­ Japan's state network NHK on the series, will be providing "The importance of this pro­ Galt, "and it will give us the ary, 1988 broadcast date. And means, because of the in­ technical expertise and opera­ duction is it's in real-time" says production we've been look­ not only do the per episode creased number of lines, a tional support for the produc­ Galt, who adds "One advantage ing for." costs match those of the six­ larger and sharper image with tion's CBC crews. of doing this is we're in a posi­ As to what CBC will be look­ hour Empire Inc. production a resolution four to five times That matting ability is what tion to write the rule-book, to ing for from Chasing Rain of three years ago, but the pro­ that of current television. The will permit the Montreal set­ develop the creative aspect of bows, John Kennedy, head of duction itself reprises the Em­ detailed look also equals that ting to be produced in Toronto that technology rather than the the network's TV drama" says pire Inc. team of Mark of 35mm film, a considerable while, conversely, the period technical aspect." the network will heavily prom­ Blandford (executive produc­ improvement over the CBC's drama character of the series is Because the HDTV system ote a series he described as "a er) and Douglas Bowie (writ­ shooting. predilection for what invites the use of HDTV can use such combinations as huge adventure for us" and er). 16mm. and its matting strengths. Indi­ shooting with two cameras, then with an eye to foreign What makes Chasing Rain­ Besides affording that so­ vidual, early-1900s buildings one camera and a VCR, or sim­ sales. His expectation is that bows newsworthy isn't simply called 'American look' and in Montreal will be shot from ply one camera in the fore­ Chasing Rainbows will the size of its cost. Nor is it that being capable of 'down-con­ the same perspective, for ground, it's said that higher match the 1.9 million viewers for a production following the verting' to 525-line and 625- example, to create a compOSite production values will be per episode that tuned into entrepreneurial exploits of line systems without any ap­ of an exterior street scene that achieved at a fraction of the Empire Inc., while writer two young war veterans in preCiable loss in quality, the can be moved back to Toronto cost of 35mm film. The degree Douglas Bowie says that he'd Montreal of the roaring '20s, HDTV system's flexibility in­ without having to move the of cost-saving remains to be be disappointed if the series the bulk of production will be cludes a special matting pro­ production to Montreal. determined, although Galt didn't attract "at least" 2.25 done in Toronto and environs. cess which can electronically That image can then be noted the lower cost of using million viewers.

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66/Cinema Canada - June 1986