Spring 2005 The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists INSIDE: CANADIAN FEATURE FILMS 2005 Genie The race to get ahead – page 8 Awards Reflections on a dream role Thor Bishopric ack in 1984, I spent the whole summer end of May, I will preside over my last the country. Many of them feel more like Bworking on a feature film shot at an National Council meeting as ACTRA family members than employees. I have amusement park in Montreal. It was a President. I have served for six years – studied the operations of all of ACTRA’s great summer job. And it was an exciting believe it or not, the longest period in large, sister-organizations and I can assure time to be an actor as there was a fair office of a National President in ACTRA’s you without qualification, that we have the amount of capital flowing into our indus- history. The experience of leading this finest complement of staff of any performer try. It seemed Canadian movies were des- tined to break out. One afternoon on set, I mentioned to At the end of May, I will preside over my last National my co-star, (to this day one of Canada’s most successful performers) that there was Council meeting as ACTRA President. I have served for an ACTRA meeting that night and did he want to check it out with me. He didn’t six years – believe it or not, the longest period in miss a beat. “Thor, ACTRA meetings aren’t cool,” he said. That comment stuck office of a National President in ACTRA’s history. with me until I attended my first Montreal Council meeting 10 years later and real- organization has been exhilarating and union anywhere in the world. I don’t say ized I’d been misinformed. Not only was deeply rewarding. It’s the kind of dream this because I wish it were so – it is so. the experience of brainstorming with fel- role one might like to play indefinitely. ACTRA has always felt like a family: my low working performers cool, but the cre- But I’m anxious to devote more time to father was a member, my sister is a member, ativity and the level of discourse were my work as a performer and writer, and my wife is a member and most of my inspiring. I’d been an ACTRA member to spend less time away from my family. friends are members. My time as president since I was four years old, but I never quite Also, I have tremendous confidence in the has only reinforced this bond, as many of understood how it all worked. And when remarkable cadre of performers who make the relationships that I’ve made with per- I found myself representing my branch at up ACTRA’s National Council – the formers and union-folk across the country the national table a few months later, experienced leaders from whose ranks and around the world will always be very my wonderment about our union and the my successor will be elected. dear to me. A producer friend once told dedicated people who led it only grew. I’m also extremely confident about the me, all that really counts in this business I’m in a reflective mood about my rela- talented professional staff working at our is relationships. By this yardstick, my tionship with ACTRA these days. At the national office and in our branches across time with ACTRA has been well spent. It’s been 21 years since I made that teen Thor is joined by some members of his ACTRA family at the ACTRA Maritimes AGM in May. comedy and unfortunately, our movie (Back row) Jamie Bradley, National Councillor, Nigel Bennett, ACTRA Maritimes President, industry still hasn’t taken off (nor did that Thor, Jeannine Huczel, ACTRA Maritimes staff, Jill Rosenberg, National Organizer, Digital movie, by the way). Indeed our television Media. (Front row) Gary Vermeir, ACTRA Maritimes Branch Rep, Stephen Waddell, National drama business is in big trouble as well. But Executive Director and Gary Levert, ACTRA Maritimes Branch Councillor. I’m optimistic. ACTRA is the most articu- late, the most passionate and the savviest organization engaging in Canadian cultural policy issues. In our 62-year history, we’ve never been better positioned to get results. But remember, ACTRA’s strength is its members. So if any of you are considering attending an ACTRA meeting and maybe standing for office, I encourage you to do so. See for yourself – ACTRA is ‘cool’. You have my word. In solidarity, Jeremy Webb Thor Bishopric ACTRA National President 2 InterACTRA SPRING 2005 The Stage Mom In this issue of InterACTRA... 4 Survival Guide page PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Thor Bishopric ...................................................................... 2 for parents of young performers in page 8 the Canadian film and television NEWS industry, by Robyne Ropell-Baruchel, Mercedes Watson Moves to UBCP, Boycott published by ACTRA. Blue Man Group, Bargaining Update and more! ........ 4 The guide is free to ACTRA members COVER STORY (under 18), or $15 (incl. GST) for Canadian Features: Making it to the finish line ................ 8 adult members and non-members. by Joanne Deer The Stage Mom Film policy according to ACTRA ...................................... 12 Survival Guide page 12 is available at First Weekend Club .............................................................. 13 ACTRA branches across Canada A new era at Telefilm? by Christie MacFayden ............ 14 or call 1-800- 16 387-3516 for Digital distribution by Jill Rosenberg .............................. more info. AFBS straight talk by Ferne Downey ................................ 17 ACTRA and USW: Stronger Together .............................. 18 Women in the Directors Chair 2005 ................................ 20 by Sherry White & Daniel Levesque BRANCH NEWS New presidents; Ottawa members get busy .............. 21 Spring 2005 Volume 12, Issue 1 InterACTRA is the official publication of page APPLAUSE ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, 14 ACTRA members in the spotlight ........................................ 22 Television and Radio Artists), a Canadian union of performers affiliated to the Canadian Labour FAREWELL Congress and the International Federation of Mercedes Barry, Jonathan Welsh, Actors. InterACTRA is free of charge to all 24 ACTRA members. Aileen Seaton, Ron Krantz ................................................ EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Thor Bishopric, Joanne Deer, Ferne Downey, MEMBER SERVICES Brian Gromoff, David Macniven, Ken Thompson, Discounts, Face to Face, Contact ACTRA .................... 26 Stephen Waddell CONTRIBUTORS: Karl Claude, Joy Corion, BACK COVER Sharon Davidson, Pearl Garnette, Erin Hazzan, 23 page Glitz Patrol: 2005 ACTRA Awards in Toronto .............. 28 Karen Ivany, Kim Hume, Daniel Levesque, Christie MacFadyen, Tim Progosh, Jill Rosenberg, by Karen Ivany Marit Stiles, Carol Taverner, Gary Vermeir, page Mercedes Watson, Sherry White, Carol Whiteman 24 COVER PHOTO: Courtesy Odeon Films DESIGN: Joss Maclennan Design Printed in Canada by union labour at Calling all scribes! Thistle Printing. Interested in never-ending glory? Want to contribute content All contents are copyright ©2005 ACTRA. to InterACTRA? Please contact [email protected]. All rights are reserved and contents, in whole or in part, may not be reprinted without permission. The points of view expressed do not Letters InterACTRA welcomes letters and feedback. necessarily represent those of ACTRA. Submissions should be no longer than 200 words, and Please return any undelivered mail to: may be edited for length. Please send submissions to: ACTRA 300 – 625 Church Street, [email protected]. Toronto, ON M4Y 2G1 PHONE 1-800-387-3516 or (416) 489-1311 FAX (416) 489-8076 Want to receive InterACTRA by email? If you’d www.actra.ca [email protected] like InterACTRA in your e-mailbox instead of by mail, email Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 us at [email protected] with your membership number. C ISSN 1705-9496 page 28 SPRING 2005 InterACTRA 3 ACTRA National Mercedes Watson welcomes new director moves to UBCP of research With much sadness, I have accepted the resignation of Mercedes Watson as Director has joined ACTRA Marit Stiles of ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society. National as the new Director of Mercedes During the past eight years that Mercedes Research. Marit will be responsible Watson has been with us, she has built ACTRA for directing all aspects of ACTRA’s PRS and Neighbouring Rights into the Research Department including oversee- Mercedes, on behalf of everyone at pre-eminent collection agency for perform- ing the compilation of statistical ACTRA and ACTRA PRS, I give you ers in Canada. With her energy, determina- research to support ACTRA’s collective my heartfelt thanks for everything you’ve tion skill and patience, Mercedes has rebuilt bargaining and public policy objectives. done for the members of ACTRA over the ACTRA PRS from the ground up. She has She will also provide information and past eight years; and best wishes for much created systems, engaged and nurtured counsel to ACTRA’s lead negotiators success in your new position at UBCP. It’s excellent staff, and increased collections and negotiating committees during not ‘goodbye’. Just ‘see you later’. for performers by $1 million each year. With collective bargaining. Neighbouring Rights, Mercedes started from – Stephen Waddell, Marit brings extensive experience in scratch and created the best run and most ACTRA National Executive Director social and economic policy, legislative efficient collection society for Canadian research and development, having spent performers. I will miss Mercedes greatly, the past six years as a Researcher for the Paul Falzone takes as will her staff who are devoted to her. Ontario New Democratic Party caucus. That’s the bad news. The good news is the helm Previously, she worked as Coordinator that Mercedes has accepted the position Paul Falzone is the new Director of of Public Dialogue for Canadian Policy of Chief Executive Officer of UBCP – ACTRA PRS following Mercedes' depar- Research Networks Inc. engaging a wonderful opportunity for Mercedes, ture.