I Quebec Stalls on Film Commission I Cineplex Record Profits

c I N E M A Ci • T R A DEN E W 5 • IQuebec stalls on film commission I Cineplex record profits MONTREAL - While there is proponents of a film commis In 1983, Boudrias and Rohr TORONTO - As Cineplex lows us to complete our com mounting industry support for sion in Quebec. Both produc bach submitted a proposal to Odeon Corporation continued mitment to establish a North a Quebec Film Commission, ers say that in order to sustain the former PQ government to snap up American theatre American circuit with excel the Quebec government is tlle growing momentum of that a film commission office chains, the Toronto-based lent representation in the doing little about it besides film production in Quebec, be opened in Montreal with movie exhibition companyan major urban centres." studying the matter. particularly U.S. shoots, the four to five full-time staffmem nounced record profits for the RKO, when purchased, was Several sources within the Quebec government must bers, a film library and a first six months of 1986. planning to enlarge its chain to Quebec film industry predict make its decision soon. budget of close to $447,000. Cineplex reported a net in include a total of 135 screens that the government will make "We would have a film com This proposal, which also in come of about S 12 million on in the next 18 to 24 months. its intentions known in the late mission in place witllin the cluded a high-profile Guide du revenues of S 128. 7 million for The original RKO chain was fall. For its part, however, the next six months," urges Quebec Cinematographique the 26-week period ended created out of the 1928 Quebec government refuses to Rohrbach, adding that further with printed and audio-visual June 26, 1986. Financial re merger of Keith-Albee-Or comment, though Roland Sas delay could have a deterrent promotions, was greeted with cords for the same period the pheum theatres and RCA sivieUe, director of cultural in effect on foreign producers enthusiasm by the film indus year before show Cineplex Photophone. Cineplex purch dustries with the Ministry of who are eager to work in the try and within the provincial earned about $4.2 million on ased outstanding RKO and Cultural Affairs, told Cinema province but unable to get the government, but no action was revenues of $73.4 million. other affiliated theatre exhibi Canada that the ministry is assistance that only a film com taken as, explains Rohrbach, In late July, Cineplex purch tion companies from Michael studying the feasibility of es mission could provide. the anticipated electoral defeat ased RKO Century Warner Landes, Albert Schwartz and tablishing a film commission. Rohrbach is also concerned of the government was already Theatres Inc. of New York and Almi Pictures Inc. Among those who have that Quebec is losing a valu in sight. New Jersey for $179 million. The RKO Century Warner made recommendations to the able promotional opportunity Today, says Rohrbach, the The purchase of the 97-screen Theatres purchase is only one ministry supporting a film at the Cineposium gathering of report still stands - with a circuit allows Cineplex to of many made by Cineplex commission are Guy Trinque, film commissions and the slight budget updating. She move into the New York Odeon this year. After MCA film commissioner for the City American Film Market held says the governmem is aware theatre market for the first Inc., the parent of Universal of Montreal with the Commis every year south of the border that both producers remain in time. Studios, purchased 50 per cent sion d'initiative et de develop where five Canadian provinces terested in opening a film com Cineplex is to pay for the equity interest in Cineplex it pement economiques de (see sidebar) fly their provin mission office. purchase partly with brought a capital infusion of Montreal (CIDEM-CINEMA) cial flags for the prospective "TIle difference between 1,585,336 shares of MCA Inc. about $219 million (Cdn.) to and Montreal-based producers mega-dollar investment that now and then," says Rohrbach, obtained earlier this year in an the Toronto-based firm. Mychele Boudrias and Daniele foreign productions bring to arrangement that gave MCA a Two days prior to the RKO Rohrbach who are longtime provincial economies. (Cont. on p. 52) 50 per cent equity interest in purchase announcement, Cineplex. The shares are val Cineplex released details on ued at $80 million (U.S.). the acquisition of Neighbor Cineplex is also to give hood Theatres Inc. of Ontario production increases 60 per cent 597.5 million in cash, some of Richmond, Virginia. TORONTO - Film and video cal features, made-for-Dr fea ductions is 50 per cent. This which is to be used to repay an Cineplex's wholly-owned production in Ontario has gen tures, mini-series and series also reflects the numbtr of RKO bank debt. The rest of the U.S. subsidiary, Plitt Theatres erated S 102.7 million for the and does not include advertis U.S.- to- Canadian productions deal is to be financed through Inc., purchased the Neighbor local economy in the first ing commercials and Canadian in Ontario in 1986 a $1.5 million promissory note. hood chain at a cost of about seven months of 1986 and this TV network productions that "The Canadians are making a' Following regulatory ap $21 million (U.S.) with the is just the tip of the iceberg, could amount to an additional very strong comeback this proval the transaction is ex transaction expected to close says Brian Villeneuve, execu $ 100 million by year's end. year." says Villeneuve. He says pected to close in September late in September following tive coordinator of OFDC Mar Of the S102.7 million (com there are 60 per cent more and with the acqUIsitIon regulatory approval. Neighbor keting (Ontario Film Develop pared to $95 million for a 12- Canadian productions in the Cineplex will wrest 40 per hood Theatres has 76 screens ment Corporation). month period in 1985), Vil first seven months of 1986 cent control of all theatres in in 25 locations that include He explains that this ac leneuve says the percentage of over the same period in 1985 Manhattan. Washington D.C. Richmond cumulative dollar figure spent dollars injected into the pro and that the accumulative total Cineplex president Garth and other Virginia cities. in Ontario represents tl1eatri- vincial economy by U.S. pro- (Cant. an p. 52) Drabinsky says in a press re lease "The RKO acquisition ai- (Cont. on p. 53) Conciliator's report last hope before eec strike Quebec techs: contract in sight TORONTO - Both sides in But a CBC spokesman NABET workers falls below contract talks between the cautioned that a move by 2,103 employees. the CBC MONTREAL - After five years; with how quickly both sides CBC and its broadcast techni either side at the end of the would have to stop contracting without a renewed contract, are working towards a settle cians union are awaiting the one-week period is not guaran out work to independent pro representatives of the Syndic at ment. release of a conciliation com teed. ducers. des techniciennes et des tech Many of the outstanding is missioner's report expected "There measures or actions The current collective ag niciens du cinema du Quebec sues which deal primarily with sometime in September. are not automatic by any meas reement with NABET workers, (STCQ) say they are close to a finanCial matters have been ag Senator Carl Goldenberg ure," CBC public relations di which was due to expire in settlement with the Associa reed on in principle but re was appointed commissioner rector Richard Chambers said. June 1985, has been extended tion des Producteurs de Film quire detailed negotiation, says by Bill McKnight, former fed He said that during the seven through the period of the com et de Video du Quebec Leclerc. eral Minister of Labour, in Feb day period both sides could missioner's work until the one (APFVQ). Among issues still to be dis ruary 1986 to prepare a report continue to study the report or week period is up, NABET rep Both sides do not rule out cussed are minimum wage, on negotiations between the start talks again. resentative Mike Sullivan said. the possibility of a settlement overtime, guaranteed days, per CBC and members of the Na Chambers said the commis Sullivan said while wages are by the end of September. Fran diems, and wage compensation tional Association of Broadcast sioner decided an impasse had at issue, questions of job sec ~ois Leclerc, acting president for working nights. Employees and Technicians been reached in negotiations urity such as the contracting of the STCQ, says one good "There are little improve (NABET). and began to prepare his re out of technicians by the CBC reason for anticipating an early ments here and there," says Seven days after the com port this summer. are more central to the talks. settlement is a more open Leclerc, who adds that the in missioner's report is released - At issue are questions of job He said technically there are minded approach to nego creasing volume of work for both sides expect the most security, jurisdiction or what up to 30 outstanding items be tiations by the new executive STCQ members supports the likely date to be late in Sep types of work fall within the tween the two sides. of the APFVQ headed by presi need for an immediate settle tember - the 2,170 members bargaining unit and wages.

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