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34785 InterACTRA Q5 5/21/04 1:57 PM Page 1 Spring 2004 The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists Acting up on the east coast PAGE 7 34785 InterACTRA Q5 5/21/04 1:57 PM Page 2 The battle rages on Thor Bishopric hanks to a number of recent victories, the ongoing struggle While we have pulled back from the brink, our industry will only Tto protect our industry and increase opportunities for Canadian thrive under the promise of increased, stable funding. The CTF performers is a little more hopeful. must be enriched and it must be made permanent. In February, we saw the result of a year’s worth of relentless and We also found victory in the CRTC’s Public Notice on Drama. passionate lobbying pay off with the restoration of the Canadian The CRTC has incorporated a number of ACTRA’s suggestions Television Fund in the Federal Budget. ACTRA members stood in its series of proposals, including giving broadcasters more ad up to tell the government that last year’s $25 million cuts would time in exchange for airing Canadian drama. We are pleased with have a devastating impact on our national identity and our jobs, this first step, but we remain steadfast in our conviction that this and the Prime Minister proved to us that he was listening. Thanks crisis will not be resolved unless the CRTC also imposes minimum to every one of you who helped make noise – especially ACTRA content and spending requirements on broadcasters. Toronto for their leading role and financial support. Telefilm’s policies pose another ongoing challenge. We were nothing less than shocked when we learned that it had signed a secret deal with Creative Artists Agency to package Hollywood talent. The message to Canadian performers being that our best shot of being in a Canadian film is to move to L.A. and sign on with a U.S. agent. We find it ludicrous to think that a big U.S. agency can help develop our indigenous film industry. It’s in their interest to package their own talent in films aimed at attracting U.S. audiences. As Canadian taxpayers we are outraged; as Canadian performers, we are incensed. ACTRA is also using its voice to bring attention to the loom- ing prospect that our media and telecommunications industries will be opened up to foreign ownership. It is not an overstate- ment to say that if U.S. and multinational corporations are allowed to acquire Canadian broadcasting licenses, we will lose control of our airwaves, our jobs, our culture, and ultimately, our country. Period. I am confident that we are well equipped to confront all of these challenges. In January I was pleased to chair our new National Council, a bi-annual gathering of our elected represen- tatives from across the country. (You can meet them on page 26.) ACTRA thanks our outgoing National Executive for their invaluable service, especially Vice President David Macniven and Treasurer Jamie Bradley. In May, our National Executive met with UBCP in Vancouver for an extremely constructive couple of days, during which we agreed to proceed on a number of joint initiatives between ACTRA and UBCP. Our recent successes have reminded us how much can be achieved if we work together with one passionate voice. I am confident that the enthusiasm and vision of our National Council and membership as a whole will serve us well as we embark on an ambitious agenda and continue the fight for our industry and culture. Thor’s letter to the Prime Minister, thanking him for keeping his Thor Bishopric, ACTRA President promise to ACTRA to restore the CTF. 2 InterACTRA SPRING 2004 34785 InterACTRA Q5 5/25/04 1:51 PM Page 3 The Stage Mom In this issue of InterACTRA... PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Survival Guide page 6 by Thor Bishopric ............................................................................ 2 for parents of young performers in the page 11 LETTERS .............................................................................................. 4 Canadian film and television industry, by Robyne Ropell-Baruchel, published NEWS by ACTRA. Performer presidents merge in Montreal, ACTRA PRS hits the road, ACTRA Bylaw changes, The guide is free to ACTRA members Putting bums in seats, Juliani Endowment Fund .............. 5 (under 18), or $15 (incl. GST) for adult COVER STORY members and non-members. by Joanne Deer The Stage Mom Trailer Park Boys: Unlikely heroes on the Survival Guide verge of becoming international stars by 7 is available at being – gasp – Canadian ............................................................ ACTRA branches FEATURE across Canada by Karen Ivany or call 1-800- How to get ahead in advertising: Commercials 387-3516 for offer performers more than just a paycheque ............ 11 more info. FEATURE page 18 by Joanne Deer Runaway Broadcasters: How profits are silencing Canadian performers .......... 14 BARGAINING by Kelly Lynne Ashton Full plate for new Collective Bargaining and Research Department ................................ 16 Spring 2004 Volume 11, Issue 1 POLICY InterACTRA is the official publication of by Ken Thompson ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, page 20 Television and Radio Artists), a Canadian Keeping control of our airwaves ............................................ 17 union of performers affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress and the International page 21 BRANCH NEWS Federation of Actors. InterACTRA is free Maritimes, Montreal, Saskatchewan .................................. 18 of charge to all ACTRA Members. Editorial Advisory Committee: Thor Bishopric, APPLAUSE Stephen Waddell, Ferne Downey, Brian ACTRA members in the spotlight .......................................... 20 Gromoff, David Macniven, Ken Thompson, Joanne Deer FAREWELL Contributors: Kelly Lynne Ashton, Ted Barris, Alex Barris, Rachel Davis, Al Foster, Tammy Bentz, Jamie Bradley, Mike Burns, John Rivet, Helene Winston .................................................. 24 Jeanie Calleja, Corrine Conley, Joy Corion, Sharon Davidson, Frank Glenfield, Matt Holland, Kim Hume, Karen Ivany, Shaun WHO’S WHO Johnston, Barbara MacAndrew, Jennifer page 23 Introducing your new ACTRA National Council ............ 26 McLaren, Howard Storey, Carol Taverner, Gary Vermeir, Mercedes Watson, Jeremy Webb MEMBER SERVICES Cover Photo: Courtesy of Showcase Member discounts; Face to Face, Design: Joss Maclennan Design now with even more face time .............................................. 27 Printed in Canada by union labour at Thistle Printing Limited WOMEN IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR 2004 All contents are copyright © 2004 ACTRA. All ACTRA members report back .................................................. 29 rights are reserved and contents, in whole or in part, may not be reprinted without permission. ACTRA ICONS The points of view expressed do not necessarily John Drainie’s legacy .................................................................. 30 represent those of ACTRA. Please return any undelivered mail to: BACK COVER ACTRA, 300-625 Church Street by Ferne Downey Toronto ON M4Y 2G1 ACTRA’s new statuette: A star is born ................................ 32 TEL 1-800-387-3516 OR (416)489-1311 FAX (416) 489-8076 www.actra.ca [email protected] Want to receive InterACTRA by email? If you’d like Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 InterACTRA in your e-mailbox instead of by mail, email us ISSN 1705-949 C page 24 at [email protected] with your membership number. SPRING 2004 InterACTRA 3 34785 InterACTRA Q5 5/21/04 1:57 PM Page 4 It’s my turn to send you congratulations First let me congratulate you on a job Thank you for sending me a copy of your now on the work and devotion you put well done in heralding the 60 years we ‘60 Years’ edition of InterACTRA. It was into writing and publishing the ‘60 Years’ have existed as a union. It brought back wonderful reading of the past struggles and edition of InterACTRA. It was so well those times when about 35 of us made a the many successes ACTRA has had over done with its photography, it makes an living solely from acting. The photo of the past 60 years. I want to pass on my important volume in the scant history of John Drainie, Frank Peddie and I working union’s congratulations for 60 years of pro- our actors et al, and their place over the on Jake and the Kid was a time when CBC gressive leadership on behalf of the mem- years in radio, TV and films. A pity you originated more outstanding radio fare than bers of ACTRA and compliment you on could not have included the names of the anywhere in the world. What prompted me your role in the broader union movement. CBC buffoons who continued to bring in to write to you was the photo in the publi- – Basil “Buzz” Hargrove, President, CAW American players leading to The Gold Rush cation with Michelle Finney and I in which Follies rumpus! Are they still around? it said I was playing Mister McGarrity on Again, I shall treasure this book, Maggie Muggins. In fact that is from Razzle “Hurray!” to ACTRA. It brings many Dazzle and I am playing Hiram Corntassle, Letters InterACTRA welcomes letters memories. cucumber farmer. I have made the correc- and feedback. Submissions should be no longer than 200 words, and may be – Gerald Pratley, Toronto ON tion known at the CBC museum but they failed to act on it hence the wrong informa- subject to editing for length. Please send tion. Oh yes I did work on Maggie Muggins, submissions to: [email protected] Correction: A name was omitted I was the voice of Clarence the Cow. from the list of ACTRA Presidents and So here I am 88 years of age, a life Calling all scribes! Interested in Chairpersons (p. 63): 1982-84 Joan –member of six unions, still doing the never-ending glory? Want to contribute Gregson, Chairperson, ACTRA Performers odd movie or TV role if it’s fun to do. content to InterACTRA? Please contact Guild. We apologize for the error. [email protected] – Jack Mather, Toronto, ON THE ACTORS’ FUND OF CANADA Join us and make a difference! A FRESH START THE ACTORS’ FUND OF CANADA provides short-term financial aid to help performers, creators, A BRIGHTER FUTURE technical personnel and other entertainment industry workers maintain their health, housing and A CREATIVE VISION ability to work after an economic setback.