National Screen Institute – Canada ANNUAL REPORT 04| 05 measuringsuccessframebyframe! THE NATIONAL SCREEN INSTITUTE – CANADA (NSI) is pleased to present a record year of success in our 2004-2005 Annual Report. Our market-driven programs have led to employment for emerging talent by providing a competitive edge – over 80% of NSI graduates work in the industry! How do we do it? NSI seeks emerging and mid-career content creators with ideas and dreams that can be realized as award-winning and commercially successful fi lms and television productions. NSI delivers hands-on experience in developing and producing productions March 2 to 5, 2005 Winnipeg Tickets start at $7* For tickets, call 780-3333 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca Full Festival information at www.nsi-canada.ca or call 956-7800. *agency fee applies Event Partners Offi cial Media Sponsors that get noticed. NSI provides access to leading industry professionals who know what sells. NSI Table of Contents transforms career potential into a vibrant life in the 3 Profi le industry. This winning approach makes NSI the ideal 4 Message from the Chair choice for the most promising Canadian talent across 5 Message from the CEO the country. 7 NSI ZeD Drama Prize 9 NSI Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project For nearly 20 years, NSI has been delivering results by 11 NSI Features First offering professional development programs in close 15 NSI Totally Television consultation with the industry, and with an eye on 17 Spark Plug Program - Telefi lm Canada future trends. As one of four federally recognized and 19 NSI Global Marketing supported National Training Schools for emerging and 21 NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative 23 NSI FilmExchange mid-career writers, directors and producers, NSI plays a 26 Filmmakers of Tomorrow leading role in preparing Canadian content creators for 29 Trendsetters viable and sustainable careers, without their having to 31 Globetrotters relocate to Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver for training. 35 NSI Board of Directors 36 Professional Leadership 38 Staff and Faculty 40 Partners and Sponsors 43 2004-2005 Audited Financial Statements 52 2005-2006 Operating Budget 1 ideasdreamsexperienceaccesslife PROFILE industry’s desire to refl ect Canada’s diversity on their screens. What is NSI? Founded in 1986, the National Screen Institute – Canada NSI is a leader in fostering excellence and developing (NSI) is the oldest Canadian training school for writers, talent for Canadian fi lm and television. With over 80% producers and directors working in fi lm and television. of NSI graduates working in the industry, participants It is one of four federally recognized and supported don’t just learn about the process – they live it. National Training Schools for professional development What is the NSI mission? in fi lm and television. NSI supplies innovative, focused, applied professional NSI provides market-driven training through four core training, leading participants to successful careers as programs: NSI FEATURES FIRST, NSI TOTALLY TELEVISION, writers, directors and producers in Canada’s fi lm and NSI ZeD DRAMA PRIZE, and NSI GLOBAL MARKETING. television industry. Each is designed to meet the needs of individuals with How is NSI structured? various levels of experience. Every program is centred An up to a 20-member Board of Directors, chaired by around the philosophy that the best way to Laura Michalchyshyn, oversees the operations of the learn is by doing. National Screen Institute – Canada. The Chief Executive Offi cer is Susan Millican, who reports directly to the NSI is a “SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS.” Instead Board of Directors. of bringing students to a single facility, NSI takes its programs on the road, training participants in various How is NSI funded? Canadian centres and providing mentors in their Corporate Sponsorship communities, so they don’t have to move. This results in Government* 32% 65% a greater pool of talent from all regions in Canada. NSI delivers innovative programs that reach underserved communities. Programs such as NSI ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TRADE INITIATIVE (ACTI), Earned NSI ABORIGINAL YOUTH PILOT PROJECT (AYPP) and Revenue 3% TELEFILM CANADA SPARK PLUG PROGRAM recognize the * various federal, provincial and municipal government and agency sources, including National Training School support from the Department of Canadian Heritage, as administered through Telefi lm Canada l to r: past NSI fi lm projects: Leaving Metropolis (NSI Features First), Flower & Garnet (NSI Features First), My Original Sin (NSI ZeD Drama Prize) 3 dedictedworkandvision MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR this opportunity to welcome Directors Jean LaRose of APTN, Peter Moss of Corus Entertainment, Brad I am pleased to present another year of success as Pelman of Lions Gate Films, and Paul Gratton of captured in the 2004-2005 NSI Annual Report. This past CHUM. I would also like to welcome Liz Janzen as our year marks a signifi cant milestone – the fi nal year of new Director of Programming and NSI FilmExchange implementation of our fi ve-year Strategic Business Plan. Canadian Film Festival. Finally, congratulations to the Thanks to the tireless efforts and dedication of NSI Staff staff and new and returning program managers for and Board members, past and present, I am proud to initiating and leading new curriculums, and growing report that NSI has surpassed identifi ed goals. and strengthening our core programs. This combined As we approach our 20th Anniversary, it is inevitable expertise will ensure NSI has continued success as a that we refl ect on the past and the collective efforts leader in fi lm and television training. made to build NSI to what it is today – the ideal Our investment in research and development has choice for professional fi lm and provided the foundation for the improvements and television training in Canada. successes recorded in this Annual Report. Studies and The dedicated work strategic plans, such as the National Marketing Plan, and vision of current Economic Impact Study, Environmental Scan of Film and outgoing staff and Television Training Schools and annual participant and Board members Evaluation Reports, based on performance measures are noted with identifi ed by Telefi lm Canada, have served as invaluable tools for ensuring the stable growth of the organization. great appreciation. The organization is I am pleased to report that measures adopted in the last three fi scal years, including strong fi scal stronger than ever. management, improved marketing and responsive I would like to acknowledge the work, dedication program evaluation, have resulted in substantial and commitment of Susan Millican - CEO, Alex Raffé achievements for NSI graduates as evidenced in this - Vice Chair, and Committee Chairs Louise Clark Annual Report. (Programming), Marlene Kendall (Finance), and Carole Vivier (Corporate Development), as well as all of the Board who participate on committees and provide valuable insight, wisdom and advice. Fiscal year 2004-2005 proved to be a year of transition as we prepare to embark on the next 20 years. To ensure the stable growth of the organization, NSI expanded the number of Directors on the Board of Laura Michalchyshyn Directors from 15 to 20 members. I would like to take Chair, NSI Board of Directors 4 buildingfromsuccesstosuccess MESSAGE FROM THE CEO for mid to advanced level visible minority and Aboriginal producers in March 2005. I believe this request, and Over 80% of NSI graduates are our ability to respond quickly, demonstrates NSI’s employed in the fi lm and television leadership in creating diversity initiatives that work! industry – this is the measure of We have now added Spark Plug to the mix and we are our success! not stopping there. In the coming year we hope to extend ACTI, roll AYPP into a national program, and This fact does not come close to defi ning the quality of introduce a Northern Training Program, to provide that success. In this year’s Annual Report you will see access to underserved remote communities. With 50% that the personal accomplishments of NSI graduates of the Aboriginal population being under the age of have been inspirational. 25 and barriers to meaningful career development in For the last three years, we have made diversity creative fi elds being formidable, training a priority. The NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade NSI recognized an important need Initiative (ACTI) was introduced in 2003-2004 under and tackled it. the NSI Global Marketing Program. This unique We also recognize that the future professional development opportunity for Canadian strength of the Canadian fi lm and Aboriginal producers culminated with a trade mission to television industry lies with the Australia and New Zealand. In 2004-2005, a new round talent of our youth. New directions began with Aborigine and Maori producers traveling include introducing “Electronic to Winnipeg to continue building relationships with Gaming” development programs the aim of creating co-productions between Canada and other new media initiatives and Australia, and Canada and New Zealand. The NSI that appeal to a technically savvy Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project (AYPP) was launched in generation. We also hope to reach January 2005. It was developed to expose Aboriginal new participants with our youth outreach initiatives youth to the fi lm and television industry through and have grouped them together under one umbrella, experience and training. The 16-week program provided “Filmmakers of Tomorrow”. participants with a wage throughout and was divided into two phases: four weeks of workshops