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Home , ACTRA Award, Alberta Watson, Brendan Fletcher, Brent Butt, Christmas in Wonderland, Chris Owens (actor)

summer 2007

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists

A real Canadian success story:

See story page 9 Contact ACTRA… ACTRA National Office ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society 300-625 Church St I ON I M4Y 2G1 tel: (416) 489-1311/1-800-387-3516 fax: (416) 489-8076 email: national@.ca I email: [email protected] email: [email protected] (srd – sound recording division) I www.actra.ca Union of B.C. Performers 300 – 856 Homer St I BC I V6B 2W5 tel: (604) 689-0727 I fax: (604) 689-1145 email: [email protected] I www.ubcp.com ACTRA Calgary 304 – 1300 8 Street SW I Calgary AB I T2R 1B2 tel: (403) 228-3123 I fax: (403) 228-3299 email: [email protected] I www.actracalgary.com ACTRA c/o 304 – 1300 8 Street SW I Calgary AB I T2R 1B2 tel: 1-866-913-3123 I fax: (403) 228-3299 email: [email protected] I www.actraedmonton.com ACTRA 212-1808 Smith St I Regina SK I S4P 2N4 tel: (306) 757-0885 I fax: (306) 359-0044 email: [email protected] I www.actra.ca/sask ACTRA 203 – 245 McDermot Ave I MB I R3B 0S6 tel: (204) 339-9750 I fax: (204) 947-5664 email: [email protected] www.actra.ca/winnipeg ACTRA Toronto Performers 200-625 Church St I Toronto ON I M4Y 2G1 tel: (416) 928-2278 I fax: (416) 928-0429 The Actors’ Fund of email: [email protected] I www.actratoronto.com Emergency financial help for entertainment industry professionals ACTRA Ottawa The Arts Court I 170 – 2 Daly Ave I Ottawa ON I K1N 6E2 “I felt so blessed and grateful that the tel: (613) 565-2168 I fax: (613) 565-4367 Fund was there when I needed it.” email: [email protected] I www.actraottawa.ca “I have been an actor for many years and was enjoying a pretty ACTRA successful career. Then I got a shock when I was diagnosed 530 – 1450 City Councillors St I Montreal QC I H3A 2E6 with thyroid cancer. The surgery left me with only about 10% tel: (514) 844-3318 I fax: (514) 844-2068 use of my voice… the very instrument I use to make a living. email: [email protected] I www.actramontreal.ca After three months with no voice and a slow convalescence, ACTRA Maritimes the financial burden finally became too much. I was still in 103 – 1660 Hollis St I Halifax NS I B3J 1V7 tel: (902) 420-1404 fax: (902) 422-0589 recovery and the doctors suspected that I email: [email protected] I www.actramaritimes.ca it would be another few months before all the treatment was done and I could start ACTRA Newfoundland/Labrador to resume a “normal” life. 685 Water Street I P.O. Box 575 I St. John’s NF I A1C 5K8 tel: (709) 722-0430 I fax: (709) 722-2113 I finally turned to the Actors’ Fund for email: [email protected] I www.actra.ca/stjohns help. I felt so blessed and grateful that the Fund was there when I needed it. I urge everyone to offer whatever they can member discounts Jane Luk contribute because you never know what ACTRA Member hand life will deal you next.” All ACTRA and UBCP members (Full, Apprentice & Extras) are entitled to a number of discounts when you show Your donation will help the Fund deliver more than your membership card. For a detailed list of discount info $400,000 in emergency aid to ACTRA members and please go to www.actra.ca. In the “Site Map” section there other artists this year. Even a small amount will make is a link “Member Benefits”, or contact Christine Webber a difference. PLEASE GIVE TODAY. Call toll-free via email: [email protected] or by phone 416-489-1311 1-877-399-8392 or donate online at www.actorsfund.ca ext 4005 or toll free 1-800-387-3516. In this issue of InterACTRA... Letters InterACTRA welcomes letters and president’s message 4 feedback. Submissions should be Our strike, our confidence, our future no longer than 200 words and may by Richard Hardacre be edited for length. Please send submissions to: [email protected] UBCP Bargaining 8 page 4 by Rob Morton, Howard Storey Calling all scribes! and Mercedes Watson Interested in never-ending glory? Want to contribute content to page 10 cover story 9 InterACTRA? Please contact Celebrating Corner Gas [email protected] by Holly Gauthier-Frankel

Want to receive AMAZED WITH HER 12 InterACTRA by email? ’s directing debut by Chris Owens If you’d like InterACTRA in your e‑mailbox instead of by mail, email us at [email protected] with your ACTOR-MOTHERS BRINGING UP BABIES 16 membership number. Mom’s inconvenient “hobby” by Ruth Lawrence and Stacy Smith

UBCP AT CANADA’S SUNDANCE 18 by Keith Martin Gordey

CITIZEN CBC 20 One view of the CBC and what it should be by David Sparrow Summer 2007 Volume 14, Issue 2 InterACTRA is the official publication of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Our Policy Inititiatives 22 Artists), a Canadian union of performers affiliated Get active… or go home to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the by Richard Hardacre International Federation of Actors (FIA). InterACTRA is free of charge to all ACTRA members. page 12 APPLAUSE 26 Editorial Advisory Committee: Richard Hardacre, Ferne Downey, Brian Gromoff, ACTRA members honoured David Macniven, Carol Taverner, Ken Thompson, page 18 Stephen Waddell FAREWELL 27 contributors: DJ Anderson, Jennifer Blaney, Remembering Allan Bratt, Mike Burns, Joy Corion, Chris Cornish, and Charmion King Sonia Donaldson, Ferne Downey, Randy Duniz, Anna Falsetta, Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Keith Martin Gordey, Richard Hardacre, Kim Hume, Don Jordan, BRANCH NEWS 28 Gina Kash Dineen, Chris Kelsey-Epstein, Duval Saskatchewan’s Status of the Artist work, Lang, Jani Lauzon, Ruth Lawrence, Rob Morton, Edmonton’s new Branch Council, Calgary’s Chris Owens, Leah Pinsent, Stacy Smith, David production update, Montreal’s awards news Sparrow, Marit Stiles, Howard Storey, Gary Vermeir, Mercedes Watson, Christine Webber Cover Photo: Corner Gas stars , ACTRA’s Face-2-Face Update 30 Lorne Cardinal and . Courtesy of CTV. by Jani Lauzon Photo by Prairie Pants Productions, Allan Feildel.

LAYOUT: Joss Maclennan Design www.joss.to CHEERS & JEERS 30 Printed in Canada by union labour at Thistle Printing. page 26 All contents are copyright ©2007 ACTRA. All rights are reserved and contents, in whole or in part, may not ACTRA PRS & BACK END DIVIDENDS 31 be reprinted without permission. The points of view Introducing the new Director of ACTRA PRS expressed do not necessarily represent those of ACTRA. by Ferne Downey Please return any undelivered mail to: phoneACTRA, 300 - 625 Church St, Toronto ON M4Y 2G1 BACK COVER fax 1-800-387-3516 or (416)489-1311 ACTRA Awards in Toronto 2007 email (416)489-8076 @ by Gina Kash Dineen web interactra actra.ca C www.actra.ca Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 summer 2007 InterACTRA  ISSN 1705-9496 Our strike, our confidence, our future By Richard Hardacre On the night of February 19, 2007, Why in heaven’s name would we want to strike?

ACTRA reached terms of settlement of the Independent Production Agreement (IPA) with the associations representing the pro- That is a perfectly valid question any National President Richard Hardacre ducers of Canada (CFTPA), as well as those number of interested observers might have addresses media on January 8, 2007, Gundu Jag of (APFTQ). The tentative agree- asked. Further, they could have inquired the first day of the strike. ment that evening brought a suspension to whether the career path of a self-employed the first strike in ACTRA’s 64-year history. performer was not precarious enough The agreement that winter night followed already, what with good jobs challenging about 14 hours of a final, determined push to secure, loads of competition, a govern- Many producers to make the deal and was endorsed in the ment that has yet to place a long-term next two days by ACTRA’s Negotiation priority on the value of Canadian televi- Committee and the elected executive of the sion and film production and various other just wanted a deal National Council. This undramatic denoue- obstacles to success. Not to mention other ment to a very strained negotiation that curiosities of our craft, such as capable that would be fair stretched frustratingly over four months producers reverting to non-scripted (i.e., no brought a suspension to our first-ever strike actors need apply) ‘lifestyle’ programming that had lasted six weeks. Then, with a his- because it’s cheap to produce and, anyway, to all – the same toric level of returns, our members ratified that’s mostly what our nation’s imaginative with an approval vote of 98.6%. private broadcasters and specialty channels crave to distribute – with thick profit mar- kind of deal that gins – as pablum to the masses. So, indeed, “Why in heaven’s name would ACTRA wanted. we want to strike?” Well, we didn’t want to. We had to. It’s that simple. Certainly it was about our right to be properly com- pensated for the skills of our creative work; about stronger work rules to protect all our The judge refused to issue the injunctions members, especially our minors and stunt sought against us and instead referred performers; it was about fair opportunity both parties to a long and costly arbitra- and access to the audition process for every- tion process. A lot of money was drained one, regardless of physical ability; and it was away from the producers’ coffers and about inclusion – the inclusion of all – with ACTRA’s own national strike reserves Chris Cuthbertson Chris all the richness available in the diversity of Our union was threat- on those fruitless legal challenges. our membership. ened; our industry was We faced a hyper-aggressive attempt to strip-mine our agreement, including put in jeopardy proposals to roll back pay on most produc- tions by 25%, to erode our work rules and When the ACTRA members of to force us to accept grossly concession- realized that the Governor General’s ary terms on new media. Meanwhile, all address to the legislature had stolen the Our adversaries across the table in many our efforts to resolve the strike, including press from their strike launch, they elected forgettable but sometimes awful hotel meet- engaging one of Canada’s most accom- to brave sub-zero temperatures and march ing rooms told us for months on end that plished mediators sent in to help by the to where the cameras were! Member they would challenge us on two definitive federal Minister of Labour, were held up. Rosemarie Walton was one of a shivering points: our actual as a union; and The industry looked to be headed for a crew outside Province House announcing massive rollbacks on our rates of pay. serious downward spiral in late January to the world that ACTRA was on strike! They threatened that we had no right and February. The livelihoods of thousands to strike or to negotiate as a union, pro- of film workers, performers, fellow guild vincially or nationally – and they hauled members and even producers were being  InterACTRA summer 2007 us into ’s Superior Court over that. put at risk. 500 plus Canadian performers along with members from other unions set up an information picket on February 2 at the Though ACTRA offered an interim Toronto office of Canada’s producers’ agreement that numerous producers association, the CFTPA. signed in order to continue shooting, more than 50,000 working in, or essential to, Canada’s $4.8 billion film and television industry (CFTPA’s Profile 2007) were put in substantial jeopardy by Disappointingly, we faced a wall of solid people who represent the associations of opposition. The negotiators working for producers. Many producers just wanted a the producers, along with several highly deal that would be fair to all – the same respected labour relations executives from kind of deal that ACTRA wanted. The most of the major U.S. studios wanted fact cannot be ignored that close to 200 only the deal that they would define for producers across the country chose to the internet. It was a deal that meant continue to work with our members, even virtually giving away the use of our work,

though we had to choose to strike their worldwide, in perpetuity. That brought Hume Kim associations. These producers broke rank on the strike that we did not look for, the Owithur their digital negotiators. future That fact is irrefu- strike we had to call, the strike that our table and it reveals a great deal. membership supported. – continued on next page

The fair deal we looked for comprehended something bigger than we can clearly define. We needed to achieve certainty about the ownership of rights to our per- formances as our recorded work migrates into the uncharted galaxy of distribution on new media platforms and, massively, over the internet. We contended that we had to be paid for this ‘new’ use of the intellectual property created with our per- formances. Our predecessor agreements already included a structure for various use fees. But we knew this new media world to be a very difficult place to navi- gate. ACTRA has been steadily working at determining terms for the same kinds of use by our national public broadcaster, the CBC. So, instead, we offered to dedicate all that wrangling to a joint committee to be advised by a mutually-agreed expert. They could work on a structure of proposals for a year. In the meantime we proposed that we could come to terms on everything else… and get back to work without the serious disruption of a strike. After an anxious month of watching their brothers and sisters in other provinces take up the strike call and after a lengthy provincial conciliation process, the 500 ACTRA members in Nova Scotia finally joined the strike on February 13. The Nova Scotian (and final) leg of the strike began with a launch rally which was capped by a march to Province House. Terry Coolen Terry

summer 2007 InterACTRA  Our strike, our confidence, our future – continued from previous page Our team never worked The producers alone new media work, insisting that “Professional performers don’t work for free. Not on TV. wanted to exploit Not on film. And not on the internet.” Since October 23, 2006, the very first day Countless organizations and perform- our performances of negotiations, many of Canada’s leading ers around the world jumped in to support film and television performers gathered in our strike: our UBCP Branch, that has a support of the negotiation committee. Their separate agreement for without additional presence, reinforcedMike S bymith the buttressingJohn Paul of and the Yukon, stood firmly with us during ourTremblay members at large, gainedE ricus Petersona lot of negotiations and held strong in their own compensation on Kennethpositive mediaWelsh support. TheWatson TrailerWendy Park Boys talks. The United Steelworkers, ACTRA’s Crewson– Charmion, King Gordon and Pinsent strategic partner in many of our goals, Tonya Lee – Williams Corner GasMaury lead Chaykin Michael, joined us at our demonstration pickets and the internet and Murphy , , lent us tremendous moral support through- , , , out. Others who aligned with us included , , the American Federation of Musicians, the on all new media and many others were part of Canadian Media Guild, the Canadian Talent ACTRA’s 50-member opening day team. Agents and Managers Association of Canada platforms, but On January 8, 2007, the first day of (TAMAC) the Entertainment Industry our strike we held a media conference in Coalition Agency Association (EICAA) and Toronto where Eric told the press, “Enough our sisters and brothers of NABET 700 and ACTRA performers is enough. I’ve had to take a 50-75% pay cut their parent union the Communications, over the past five years. Actors have been Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada hammered back to scale. And now here we (CEP). Actors’ unions worldwide expressed refused to give away are looking at demands from this trade their solidarity, including AFTRA, Canadian association, trying to hammer down even Actors’ Equity Association, the Danish their work for free. those minimums.” Eric spoke passionately in Actors’ Association, Equity – the British support of our strike nation-wide on Canada actors’ union, the actors’ Syndicat de la AM. Then, in the media spotlight leading , the Japanese actors’ union, MEAA up to her Award of Excellence from ACTRA (Australia and New Zealand), the Mexican Toronto, never failed to actors’ union, the Screen Actors’ Guild, Federation of Actors (FIA) representing per- press home ACTRA’s demand to be paid for Union des Artistes and the International formers in more than 100 countries. But I must stress that the strongest sup- port of all was from within our own house. Winning our strike could never have been Willachieved our had it newnot been media for the strength deal and helpsolidarity our of the sisterentire membership unions? of ACTRA.

With the Writers Guild of America’s contract expiring this October, AFTRA’s contract expiring in November and the Director’s Guild of America and the Screen Actor’s Guild contracts expiring in June 2008, will our 10% wage package and our internet and new media compensa- tion terms set the stage for professional Jag Gundu Jag film and television performers all over the Colinworld? Mochrie I have speakingno crystal to ball the tomedia answer on that. ACTRA’s first-ever strike.

 InterACTRA summer 2007 The producers wanted to exploit our tougher safety language and tougher minors’ port extended to your union – our union. performances without additional compensa- protections) and clearer language to ensure As just one of a long line of leaders given tion on the internet and on all new media our strike ability in the future. We agreed the trust to serve my fellow performers, platforms, but ACTRA performers refused to to steps to promote independent Canadian I regularly feel humbled by the gigantic give away their work for free. When the pro- production, we harmonized background tasks at hand. Now I know our reasonable The producers ducers finally listened, together we devised vouchers nationally and we have terms that goalsStephen can be Waddell achieved. I have witnessed the a fair deal. ACTRA performers will share allow us to organize the lifestyle/reality courageRaymond of Guardia our bargainingBrian Topp committeeMarit and wanted to exploit 3.6% of revenues received from the use of genre, bringing these productions into our SI tilesadmiredEda the Zimler skillsD anof ourMackenzie chief negotiaPatricia- productions on the internet. We are hope- jurisdiction. McCutcheontor and his colleagues:D J ful that our sister unions the world over Bluntly speaking, there are some major Anderson , , our performances will continue this demand for their own fair achievements. The terms are fair for per- , , , deal. The fact that Canadian performers will formers and for producers. With the new and the quite remarkable be compensated for the use of their work media section of the IPA, ACTRA and the . without additional on the internet and in other new media is associations of producers have built a Our colleague put it Ra majorespect… victory for and ACTRA. gratitude It is a threshold foundation for the future. But it is ACTRA, so well. A few years ago he said “ACTRA compensation on deal for the future. through our first-ever strike efforts, that is the house we have built for ourselves.” has established that new threshold. This When accepting ACTRA Toronto’s Award of has been a very significantWendy achievement. Anderson Excellence shortly after the strike ended on the internet and Our negotiatingTyrone committee Benskin fought a February 23, Wendy Crewson beamed that As you know from ACTRA’s bulletins and hard-won,Ron Lea selflessAlberta battle, Watson and foughtRon it Whitevery we have found our confidence, and that as on all new media media reports since February 19, we well indeed. They were actors we know just how difficult that can achieved a fair deal. Among many of the (BarrySaskatchewan), Blake Cary Lawrence (Montreal) be. Here is what I know – I have come to protections we sought and won we obtained and , Heather Allin andAidan Devine know the strength, the pride and the confi- platforms, but an excellent 10% wage and retirement pack- (all ofMaurice Toronto). Dean Joining Wint us were Alternates dence of the fine members of this union. For age over three years and we now look to (Ottawa), that I owe all my fellow members my com- continue to narrow the gap in compensation (Montreal), and Karl, Pruner plete respect, and my gratitude. ACTRA performers between Canadian and American perform- and of Toronto. Always ers on our own sets here in our country. We presentThor Bishopric with their tenacity and clarity were In Solidarity, achieved the dismantling of a serious attack ACTRA Toronto President and refused to give away on our legal rights as a union. And we estab- my Vice Chair, Past National President lished a set of terms for the use of our work . But along with them it was their work for free. made for or distributed over new media, the entire membership of ACTRA who won betterACTRA’s work negotiating rules (including committee stronger along with equal prominent this Canadianstrike. Your performers bargaining held committee a press conference is inRichard Toronto Hardacre on January 8. Eric Peterson (centre) opportunityaddresses the and media anti-harassment packed room. rules,(Left to right:)extremely Peter MacNeill, grateful Rick for Howland, the overwhelming Patrick McKenna, sup- DebraNational McGrath, President , , Sheila McCarthy, Dan Lett, United Steelworkers National Director Ken Neumann, ACTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National President Richard Hardacre, Wendy Crewson, ACTRA Toronto President Karl Pruner, Sonja Smits and Lorne Cardinal. Jag Gundu Jag

summer 2007 InterACTRA  Three hundred and sixty-five Howard Rob Mercedes days of solidarity Storey Morton Watson By Howard Storey, UBCP President and Negotiating Committee Member, Rob Morton, Treasurer and Negotiating Committee and counting… Chair and Mercedes Watson, CEO and Chief Negotiator

Performers in B.C. stood up and It’s a new day for we stood up, strong, united, professional our Union, a proud were counted. We endured a year of con- and respectful. It’s a new day for our sistent pressure from the whole industry union, a proud day but one that shines and we remained true to our vision and light on the fact that as performers and day but one that the intentions of our membership and a union, we can only get what we need fundamentally the needs of all perform- by being the best that we can be and by shines light on ers, while respecting the industry’s doing so together. need for stability. We worked in con- Chairing a nine-person negotiating cert with the other performer unions committee and a caucus that swelled to the fact that as in North America to present as united as many as 85 members, the objective a front as possible and never wavered. was to maintain a consistent, fair and Specifically, we aimed for parity with respectful process, while ensuring that performers and a performers in the rest of Canada and the rights of all members were protected. generally, we aimed for respect for our This role was simplified and our goals Union, we can only union and for the performers’ place in achieved due to the membership and the industry. Thanks to the year-long staff that maintained decorum and pro- unflinching solidarity of B.C. performers fessionalism throughout. get what we need and the enhanced quality of information, During a committee meeting follow- expertise and professionalism from our ing the presentation of the mediator’s by being the best e-board, staff and negotiating team, we recommendations, it was stated that secured a deal we proudly recommended virtually every constituency of the mem- to our membership. bership had had their issues addressed that we can be Huge thanks and respect are due to during bargaining. Some had received the very many members who came and terms in the agreement while others and by doing so stood proudly and respectfully before had realized the opportunity to speak the Hollywood studio representatives, in agreement or dissent on all issues. demonstrating solidarity with the aims We are both proud and to some degree together. of their union and the needs of perform- amazed to say that we achieved and ers everywhere. Grateful thanks for the maintained unanimity of voice for 365 unstinting commitment and courageThom of days. This was our strength, enabled by Tourapley small but intense group who made the support of performers across the up our negotiating team, committee country and continent. and caucus and special thanks to So, if negotiations were a journey, who joined us on this journey well taken. our Director of Operations & then we in B.C. have just returned from We continue on our path towards Communications, Film, TV & Digital a trip of epic status, which began over a building greater trust with our national Media. year ago in with a call from organization and remain mindful of the We refused to accept deep discounts UBCP for a respectful and responsible differences which shape our existence in and made respectable gains in terms agreement and ended in Vancouver with the West. Time allows for change, change and conditions of which we can be justly a mediator’s list of recommendations. brings about growth and we in B.C. have proud but we can be most proud of gain- The epilogue to our journey was success taken our first national step in demon-

ing respect for our members, our union – success in spite of all that we faced. strating what nour new future should look and raising the level and quality of col- We have a deal that is responsible and like. We are certain of one thing, it is laboration among performers unions respectful in many ways. Moreover, we a future shaped and supported by our globally. When all others said sit down, owe our thanks to all of our companions membership.  InterACTRA summer 2007 

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Corner Gas Corner , a show , , utherland askatchewan- S S authier-Frankel G Brent Butt Brent Corner Gas summer 2007 Kiefer , 24 (Below, left to right:) Gabrielle Miller, Brent Butt, Ewanuick, Fred Eric Peterson, , Nancy Robertson, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Lorne Cardinal. – continued on next page By Holly in January, 2004. sion since it firstit since CTaired on sion , and popular shows on Canadian on televi popular shows has dominated as one of the of most as one dominated has

born comedian born comedian way. The way. brainchild of It is refreshing to know that for four con four for that know to is refreshing It comings to which we can all relate in can some all we which relate to comings CSI: Miami notwithstanding. have Canada across viewers seasons secutive been avidly watching embodies characters of the ensemble where and short foibles emotions, those universal s , - Las Vegas a ess story: cc that the television culture of our neigh bours to the south dominates the airwaves, it becomes increasingly difficult to pinpoint and embrace a true national identity when we are busy watching shows like n su a - - ,

- - di a n a A behind-the-scenes chat with the chat cast A behind-the-scenes l C a

consumption. Though it is a fact of life American programming is cheap to buy and extremely easy to distribute, therefore making it readily available for hours of American imagery and plotlines. Thanks to the CRTC and private broadcasting cor porations looking to save money and time, an unfortunate reality in contemporary Canadian programming that the collec tive culture that Canadians consume most seems to include inordinate amounts of serves their basic need to relate to, to laugh at, or to somehow feel included in the stories that are being told. It is own realities and emotional experiences. It is logical to assume then, that when Canadian viewers switch on their televi sions, they want to find a program that to to them on a daily basis. Generally, these consumers like to support artistic endeav ors that communicate directly with their television, music, or literature, people consume the cultural offerings presented Whether it is through movies through is it Whether

A re Corner G Corner

Courtesy of CTV – continued from previous page Corner Gas A behind-the-scenes chat with the cast

Set in the fictional community of Dog they can be proud of… whether they’re con- transplant who moved to Dog River to take River, Saskatchewan, Corner Gas focuses on scious of it or not, it’s fun for our over the local café. Hailing originally from the life of Brent Leroy (played by Butt), the to see something they don’t have to actually Vancouver, Miller got her start in well- unassuming owner of a pit-stop gas station translate into our experience… you recog- known American shows such as Frasier and in the heart of the prairies. The plotlines nize yourself in some way.” With Peterson’s The X-Files. “I have a green card, and I had deal mainly with the daily lives of the trademark greeting, ‘Hey, Jackass!’, his char- been focusing on starting to cultivate a inhabitants of the tiny community, includ- acter not only provides a mischievous aspect career there (in L.A.), not because I didn’t ing Leroy’s parents and friends, various into the town’s dynamics, but also provides want to be in Canada but simply because other residents and whoever pops in to have an honest outlook about how his son should I had to think about my future and make their tank filled on a given day. Butt and run the family business and life in general. a living. Now I’ve been able to stay home some of Canadian television’s most notable Honesty also permeates Peterson’s life and work. Really, since Corner Gas, it’s been comedic contributors such as Paul Mather off-screen. His staunch support of his almost exclusively Canadian, which makes (), and Kevin White union and its members during ACTRA’s me really, really happy because that’s what ( Report) teamed up to perfect first-ever strike was indicative of his level of I prefer. I would like to be able to continue the light-heartedly humorous tone. Pair commitment to the support of indigenous to work in Canada because I love it.” Miller this simplicity with a sarcastic that is production. On behalf of ACTRA, he stood never expected such an immense response well-suited to a small group of loquacious up to the press nation-wide to fight for our to the show, “It has basically changed the townsfolk with nothing better to do all day rights as performers and as Canadians. course and plans of my career. It’s been than nose around for the latest juicy tidbit, In true Oscar Leroy style, Peterson is not such a huge gift because it’s enabled me to and you’ve got yourself a hit. Reminiscent of shy about how he feels in terms of the divide feel like I can stay in my country, tell our a long-lived successful American program all between working in Canada and working in stories, and work with people that I just about ‘nothing’ that shall remain nameless, the . “You know, you constantly absolutely love.” it can be argued that Corner Gas maintains hear, ‘Oh it’s JUST a business.’ Well, it isn’t The close-knit cast is lucky enough to be its primetime position with audiences of JUST a business, it’s a cultural business. working on a project that was spearheaded over one million viewers-plus every And even for the Americans it’s a by dedicated producers Virginia Thompson, week because the characters cultural business, so that when David Storey, and Brent Butt. With money are so vivid and familiar to you take the cultural aspect of provided by the Groundbreaker Benefit them, and extremely funny it and say this is a business, Fund, which was a result of BCE Inc.’s to boot. Eric then you’re into generic purchase of CTV in 2000, the emphasis PetersonA native of art… That’s when we haul was placed on developing and producing Saskatchewan now down the Canadian Canadian priority programming. Even with Toronto-based, flag and raise the such a considerable boost from a Canadian plays American flag network, however, the road to recognition Oscar Leroy, and change the is fraught with the notion that in order Brent Butt’s Ontario licence cantankerous plates into New and volatile York licence father on plates, and we the show. become some “Canadians city in North do have AmericaGabrielle that Miller is a special not in Canada or excitement Mexico!” and ownership of it. The fact that plays the earnest Lorneit is Canadian Cardinal asand Ericcafé Petersonowner Lacey as

“Davisis theirs Quinton” is something and “OscarBurrows, Leroy” a Toronto and CT V . of courtesy photos All Tara Spencer-Nairn Janet Wright as as “Karen Pelly”. “Emma Leroy”.

10 InterACTRA summer 2007 Brett Butt as “Brent Leroy” and Gabrielle Miller as “Lacey Burroughs”. “The positive feedback I get is incredible. People to succeedLorne as Cardinal a performer on TV in Canada, an actor will eventually have express how much to make the move down south. For , an ex-rugby player who plays the lovably goofy they love to have cop Davis Quinton, the frustrations of becoming a success in the Canadian market can be felt when he travels a Canadian show around the country hosting shows, performing in theatre, and provid- that they can watch ing mentorship for youth in various charitable organizations. “The major- ity of comments I get from people with their families.” are, ‘Wow, AND it’s Canadian, it’s Canadian-made,’ you know? Canadian productions have been given a bad rap over the years… bad production quality due to struggling with low production levels, lack of funds, etc. approach to the way audiences watch the With such a strong-voiced ensemble of But we are compared to the Americans – the show. “Audiences have to have a good time actors promoting our culture to such an larger market. People don’t always realize watching it. They’re not going to watch it for extensive audience, it would seem that the that we have way less money to work with.” patriotic or philosophical reasons, they’re solution is simple. The reality is, however, Gabrielle Miller’s experience of meeting going to watch it because it’s television that that broadcasters still want to play the and talking to fans of the show has been they like.” big-money game with one another, buying positive overall, but she has also felt similar With a fifth season about to begin pro- and selling companies to the highest bid- pressure. “The positive feedback I get is duction, the actors are optimistic and der. What is to be done when those same incredible. People express how much they excited. The massive success of Corner Gas broadcasters end up spending $688 million love to have a Canadian show that they can has proven that a show about Canadians can in foreign programming in order to win rat- watch with their families. At the same time, do well when given the right set of circum- ings wars while local profits plummet? Since I’ve also have had people say to me, ‘Wow, stances. Says Peterson, “Canadians doing CHUM is on the verge of being bought out it’s doing so well maybe you’ll get cast on an stuff that interests other Canadians is a by CTV, and a new Groundbreaker Fund of American show one day,’ y’know? (laughs).” straightforward cultural formula that works. sorts will surely be offered up for producers On behalf of ACTRA Toronto, Cardinal Anywhere you export it people will watch it and creators, the impetus to lobby for more has lobbied the Ontario government to because it’s a work of art that’s been tried regulated funding might not be foremost introduce Status of the Artist legislation. He and tested by its own audience.” on everyone’s mind. Perhaps Corner Gas too is working to protect our rights as per- Miller has lobbied the federal govern- has set more of a precedent for fundrais- formers – to address the unique nature of ment, on behalf of ACTRA, to invest in more ing than anyone imagined: “Hey, listen, I how artists work in areas such as protection Canadian TV drama. She also spoke out can call anybody a jackass and they love for child performers, career transition and during the annual Canadian Association it!” says Peterson. “On the street people ask training, income averaging and dignity for of Broadcasters (CAB) convention last me to call them a jackass… I could open a older artists. November in Vancouver on the need for business where for fiven dollars I’d call you The community and family-friendly new rules to protect our Canadian airwaves, a jackass – not a kissing booth, a jackass aspects of Corner Gas are important to the need for increased drama TV fund- booth!” Oscar Leroy to the rescue, just the Cardinal, and are reminders that televi- ing, and proper marketing and scheduling. way he would wantHolly it! Gauthier-Frankel is an sion need not only be used as a source of Demonstrating the success of Corner Gas is ACTRA Montreal actor spe- entertainment, but also as a tool for better a perfect example of successful Canadian cializing in voice work and communication and functionality on the television programming. singing. She has served on whole. Corner Gas provides an opportunity When asked about her extensive lobbying Montreal Council for three for a family to sit down, relax, and enjoy an to preserve our Canadian voices on our tele- years and writes a regular activity together. “One guy said, ‘Thanks for vision screens, she is humble. “It’s really just column for their branch the giggles you’ve given me and my family.’ what I believe and what I’m happy doing. newsletter The Grapevine You know, I get grandparents grateful for the Our voice and our country’s national identi- called ‘It’s MY Damn Union!’ show because they can watch it with their ty are tied to the arts. It is vitally important grandkids. We’re crossing generational lines.” for us as Canadians to continue to grow and Peterson takes a more pragmatic support what matters to us.” summer 2007 InterACTRA 11 Amazed with Her Sarah Polley’s directing debut

Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent in .

12 InterACTRA summer 2007 Story by Chris Owens. Photos by Michael Gibson.

Sarah Polley Amazed with Her Away from Her marks the feature film debut of as writer/director and it seems destined to do much more than survive. This assured film, filled with silence and subtlety, has Sarah Polley’s directing debut already garnered critical praise from the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Festival, and from screenings in Washington, Dallas, L.A., FranceGordon and Berlin. Pinsent Based on The BearJulie Came Christie Over the Mountain by Alice Munro, Away from Her tells the story of an adoring husband ( ) who watches his spirited wife ( ) disappear into the unforgiving maze of Alzheimer’s disease. Polley came across the short story when she picked up a copy of the New Yorker seven years ago. “I complete- Director ly fell in love with it. I just thought it was the most Sarah Polley interesting and moving love story I’d ever read.” Though daunted by the idea of adapting Munro, Polley always knew she wanted to write the screen- play herself. “That’s the thing I’m drawn to first and “There is a time in every man’s foremost. I always knew I wanted to be a writer in some context and for me, screenwriting is the most interesting part of the process.” education when he arrives To guide her along, Polley imagined Pinsent as the husband, Grant. “I couldn’t see anybody else at the conviction that envy playing that part. A lot of writing the film alone in my room was imagining him and that was a lot of is ignorance; that imitation the joy of putting it together.” When Pinsent was approached to play the part, he didn’t hesitate. “I got the screenplay and real- is suicide; that he must take ized just how much work Sarah had done on it – how much further she had taken it. I’m just himself for better, for worse, amazed with her. OWherelympia would Dukakis you Kristenget a 28 Tyear-oldhomson girlWendy in Los Crewson Angeles thatMichael can do Murphythis?” In addition to Christie and Pinsent, the ensem- as his portion; that though ble cast includes , , and . the wide universe is full of Between them all they’ve won two Oscars, two BAFTAs, one Golden Globe, two Genies and 10 good, no kernel of nourishing . That’s a lot of hardware and expe- rience entrusted to a first-time feature director. Just how did Polley approach the task? “As an actor corn can come to him but what I’ve learned is that it doesn’t work when a director comes in with a single approach to deal- through his toil bestowed on ing with every performer. I think that every actor requires such different things and has such differ- that plot of ground which is ent needs and has such a different process, that it felt like my job to try and ascertain as quickly a possible what that person needed and didn’t need given to him to till.” from me and try to provide that.” Pinsent appreciated the approach. “Sarah had – Ralph Waldo Emerson a very special way of working with the actors. ‘Well, that was amazing’ she would say, ‘that was astonish- ing. Now then, let’s try this as well.” – continued on next page

summer 2007 InterACTRA 13 Amazed with Her – continued from previous page

As the film unfolds, we see Grant trying the camera again. “I miss it a lot actually. to grasp what is happening to his 50-year It’s a strange feeling to be going back into marriage, trying to understand what it all that and exploring that part of my brain adds up to. “I think it raises more ques- again. It just hasn’t been exercised in so tions than it answers,” offers Polley. “For me long.” She’ll star opposite Jared Leto in what’s interesting about it is focusing on Mr. Nobody, directed by Belgium’s Jaco van what happens after a lifetime together as Dormael and she’ll play the daughter of U.S. opposed to what happens in the first five President John Adams () in a minutes of a relationship, which is what six-part HBO mini-series based on David most films concentrate on, and how memory McCullough’s bestselling biography, and rules and drives you and informs the people directed by Tom Hooper. She has also been you’ve become in relation to each other.” invited to serve as a jury member at this Knowing life is unpredictable and that years’ Cannes Film Festival. things may not add up as we think they Many actors dream of a glamorous life should, the film raises questions about in Hollywood. In 1999, Polley was a fan the very nature of our relationships and favorite at the Sundance Film Festival and the necessity to cope with our fears. “It’s her starring role in ’s The Sweet believing in great happiness when there is Hereafter brought her considerable attention happiness, bliss, as Joseph Campbell has in the United States. Did she ever think of said” suggests Pinsent. “But you can’t just “I try not to think too seeking her fortune south of the border? enjoy that guardedly. You just can’t do it. “You know, it never occurred to me. I think You have to give all to it and be happy to do much about what I’ve always been really happy here and really so but be aware that Nature plays its tricks. attached to Toronto and I think I’ve been Strange things happen.” reactions will be to very, very lucky that I’ve been able to stay Though she grew up on film sets, what here and work. I know that isn’t the case for really prepared Polley for the task of step- everybody so I don’t begrudge anybody any ping behind the camera on her first feature things because other decision or path they take but for me, was several short films she directed. “I was a it was so much more fulfilling to stay here bit shell-shocked when I first made my short is you can’t anticipate and work on indigenous projects as well films to find out how little I knew about the as things elsewhere. I just have never had process of making a film and how much I them and usually they’re that desire. It’s never been part of what I’ve had to yet to learn. So I was glad I didn’t, dreamt about to go to the States. It’s always you know, find that out on the first day of been to have a career here.” my feature!” Another difference between the opposite of what There is a school of thought that believes making the shorts and directing a full- the best way to promote our film and televi- length film? “The endurance – the length of you imagine they’ll be, sion industry is to play the numbers game time without sleep is kind of unbelievable.” and to ‘give them more of what everyone Was she ever concerned about how the so I tried to concentrate else is giving them.’ To imitate, to copy, to subject matter might be received by poten- hide our identity behind a familiar mask. tial audience members? “I was just drawn The creation of Away from Her used the to it and it really moved me and I felt like it on what I was doing opposite approach. “It was very important was really worth making the film. I try not for me in this film and I think in all my work to think too much about what reactions will and not on what people to not disguise the fact that it is Canadian. be to things because the truth is you can’t I think we do a lot of that. Just think of anticipate them anyway and usually they’re the number of auditions most actors go the opposite of what you imagine they’ll be, might think.” to where they’ve got to make their accent so I tried to concentrate on what I was doing disappear. You know, in so many ways we’re and not on what people might think.” – sarah polley kind of colonized and I feel like when we do Having spent the past two years writ- get the opportunity to make our own films ing, directing and now promoting her film, and we’re lucky enough to do that, it doesn’t Polley is busy preparing to step in front of make sense to me to make it generic. I don’t 14 InterACTRA summer 2007 Amazed with Her and Gordon Pinsent in Away from Her. – continued from previous page

“We must believe that we are marvelous. Pinsent echoes these thoughts. “We must believe that we are marvelous. This country shouldn’t think in terms of just being a (We) shouldn’t think in competitive, copycatting opportunity. We can’t do that. We just can’t. We must stop terms of just being a thinking in terms of regionalism being a bad thing. Regionalism is as universal as competitive, copycatting anything as long as you stay with it.” and Gordon Pinsent in Away from Her is rich in both quality and Away from Her. . Right now it is enjoying opportunity. We must the kind of international nreception that most filmmakers only dream about. If we stop thinking in terms of really feel the need to copy something, why don’t we start with that?Chris Owens has regionalism being a bad appeared in more think that you make something universal by than 40 television making it generic. I think you make it uni- series and movies. thing. Regionalism is as versal by being very specific and authentic He was nominated for to the place you’re representing. For me, I a Genie Award for his universal as anything as was very, very proud that this film was in performance in The the tradition of films that were not disguis- Uncles. Recent credits long as you stay with it.” ing their identity. When the film gets shown include The Recruit, Rent-A-Goalie, and the elsewhere people respond to a film that feels Universal Pictures release, Breach. He is the like it’s set in a very specific place. It’s not editor of ACTRA Toronto’s Performers magazine – Gordon pinsent an obstacle for them. I think as Canadians and lives and plays hockey in Toronto. we’re constantly worried about that and I don’t think it’s based on anything except our own, you know, insecurity.” summer 2007 InterACTRA 15 Actor-Mothers bringing up babies: Mom’s inconvenient “hobby” By Ruth Lawrence and Stacy Smith

‘It was her first lead role and the Martha Irving’s credits include first day on set. She woke up nervously excited but definitely ready for work. She had arranged the first thought was always, ‘child for a fellow actor to take her eight the CBS MOW, Candles on Bay Street, care!’ If you’re not getting paid for the year-old son, Luke, to classes on the feature film Pushing Up Daisies and audition, then it’s hard to pay for the this special day. Creeping into the she played Mrs. James Cross opposite babysitter. When your kids are young, shower, she hoped to let him catch R.H. Thomson in the CBC miniseries, you really need help from family, a few extra winks, but then heard October 1970. She put it best when friends, and neighbours. My husband, the bathroom door open followed she told Stacy, “Being a mom puts “Wheneverbeing self-employed, I got is sometimes a call avail - by the horrendous sounds of him everything in perspective. Before I able, but the pre-school years were being ill. From the other side of had Maddie, I was very self-absorbed the curtain he croaked, “Mommy, about work. But after you have a child for an audition, the first I’m sick,” and she was instantly and you come home at 6:00 p.m. from soaked… with panic!’ a rehearsal and they need you, every- thought was always, thing else drops away.” That was me, actor-mother Ruth Martha and husband Michael ‘child care!’ If you’re Lawrence, just few short years ago. Higgins decided to home-school their I could not cancel, yet my son could daughter, 13 year-old Maddie. Martha not go anywhere in this condition. felt this was easiest for all of them, not getting paid for the I’m sure many of you actor parents “Maddie is disciplined and does her out there have shared these feelings schooling on her own time. So when I audition, then it’s hard to of gut-wrenching guilt, mixed with am not on set we can work on projects professional reputation issues and together, or just hang out. It’s far less pay for the babysitter.” economic survival instincts. First stressful than spending evenings after off, I called his father, a fellow rehearsals on homework.” – Martha Irving actor who would understand the As for most parents, the toughest dilemma. But, he was booked too parenting times are in the early years. – he happened to have a day role “Whenever I got a call for an audition, on the same project. I anxiously called every friend I dared to at Ruth Lawrence and son Luke Lawrence. that hour. Twenty minutes later, I found Janet, a visual artist who lived close by. She had been incredibly generous to us in the past and, thankfully, was awake and available. I got to work on time, my son was nursed back to health and Janet has remained tops in our books for a long time. In the last year, a group of us have helped to raise our ACTRA Women’s Committee out of its long dormancy. Chronicles of sister actor-mothers have reached us from far and wide so Stacy Smith and I decided to write this article together and spread our tales of triumph.

16 InterACTRA summer 2007 Actor-Mothers bringing up babies: Mom’s inconvenient “hobby”

definitelyLinda the hardest.Goranson We’re very lucky the kids with you on the job is wonder- Actor-mothers invent ways to cope, so we have an understanding casting direc- ful… and it is really, really difficult. I have once you get the job, your support team tor here in .” been enormously fortunate to have had can take on many forms. Wendy also Actor and her friends great babysitters, including my mother recognizes the acts of kindness from coped with the child care challenge by who has been able to travel with me.” many fine industry professionals over banding together. “When our kids were Wendy’s children have even worked the years. “Maggie’s first haircut was in young, our actor friends had a sort of beside her. Jack, now 14, recently joined a makeup trailer. Jack’s first Oreo was babysitting group. If one of us had an his mother in Romania on her recent shoot. at a craft service table – thank heavens audition, we helped each other out, “He’s working as an extra in a big special for all those patient crew and cast June Crewson, Maggie Murphy, Wendy Crewson “Jack was only three days and Jack Murphy. old when we flew to NY, where I auditioned for The Good Son… ‘Get used to it, kid.’” – Wendy Crewson

Wendy Crewson

which I think is so cool.” effects scene we’re shooting now. We’re all co-workers who have worked miracles. is instantly recogniz- bundled in several layers, fake snow flying Thanks to those great grips who run able for her numerous roles in Sex Traffic, and the set thick with fog. As I brace for around during their lunch hours playing 24 and ReGenesis. When she picked another take, sweat dripping down my back Super Soaker, to those lovely drivers who up her ACTRA Award of Excellence at and gagging on a mouthful of paper snow, have ferried and shuttled my kin, and to the Toronto awards gala in February of I look over to see him under his refugee those continuity gals who have donated an this year, she laughingly referred to her blanket, grinning like a fool. Thank good- endless amount of entertaining polaroids. stellar career as, “Mom’s inconvenient ness one of us is having fun!” – continued on page 19 hobby.” While we’re all aware that her ACTRA Newfoundland member and work is incredibly important both to National Councillor Ruth Lawrence and her and to the industry, Wendy has suc- ACTRA Maritimes member Stacy Smith cessfully dealt with her mother-actor are both active on ACTRA’s national dual role. She explains, “The kids have Women’s Committee. To learn more about always come along with me, though less ACTRA’s Women’s Committee, please so as they’ve grown older… Jack was contact Committee Chair Ruth Lawrence only three days old when we flew to N.Y., at [email protected]. where I auditioned for The Good Son… ‘Get used to it, kid.’” Wendy added, “As any working mother will tell you, having

summer 2007 InterACTRA 17 UBCP at ‘Canada’s Sundance’ By Keith Martin Gordey

As film festivals go, Whistler 2006 You could always find

festival goer plotting to get up on those one or more of us at our was on the smallish to medium size: four sunny, white slopes. Something, alas, I days, November 30 to December 3, 94 just couldn’t find time to do. Instead I Industry Booth at the films screened (53 shorts and 41 mid- was busy with the three main activities length to feature films) with a total film at the festival: the films; the Filmmaker Filmmaker Forum pointing attendance of 6,100. But in terms of Forum workshops, Doc Talk, International potential value to the Canadian independ- Sessions, Pitch Fest West, the Keynote out to young filmmakers ent film industry, its impact may prove Luncheon, and the schmoozing (or net- much greater. Though it couldn’t boast working as some like to call it) at various the advantages of hiring the numbers of festivals like Toronto, industry functions. Sundance or Cannes, that didn’t keep A crowd of 1,200 flocked to the gala Norman Jewison from describing it as opening film, Let It Ride! (world pre- experienced union actors. Canada’s Sundance. If Sundance is the miere) which later won the Best Mountain marketplace for American independent Culture Film Award, an indication that film, then perhaps Whistler is becoming the Whistler Film Festival is a product of the marketplace for Canadian independent its mountain resort locale. Almost every- With that end in mind, UBCP hosted its film. Looking at the program, where fully thing connected to the festival takes place annual High Performance Cocktail Party, 60, almost two thirds, of the films were in and around the ‘Village’ which was a low-key, invite-only event at the Falcon’s Canadian (two were Canadian co-pros) designed with walking as the sole mode Nest, one of the exquisite mountain prop- you might come to such a conclusion. of transportation. This dynamic has the erties of Whistler Dream Accommodations. The Whistler Film Festival has much to subtle but curious effect of making the UBCP, the BC Branch of ACTRA, was a commend it. The setting is magnificent, festival quite egalitarian. No one arrives Bronze Sponsor of the Festival, but its par- Whistler at the start of in a limo, they just walk up ticipation and presence went quite beyond the ski season, with world in their parkas and toques that. You could always find one or more of class accommodation and and everyone seems more us at our Industry Booth at the Filmmaker restaurants and the relaxed relaxed, more open and Forum pointing out to young filmmak- atmosphere created by more approachable. As a B. ers the advantages of hiring experienced boarders and skiers either result, there is an ease of Davis Conchita Campbell Jason Barbeck union actors. And when we weren’t up excited to be on their way conversation that I suspect Joely Collins on the hill with our ski team ( up the hill or tired and helped more than one , , rejuvenated as they come filmmaker connect with a and ) at the Celebrity Ski down. I was not the only distributor or financier. Challenge race we were down in the Village Square with our annual UBCP Snowman Fund Event raising money for the B.C. Heart and Stroke Foundation. On the industry events side, UBCP and Citytv co-sponsored the Short Script Analysis and Competition where Oppenheimer Park by Adam Higgs won theBen $5,000Ratner development prize from Citytv and theFred Cinecity Ewanuick Initiative. UBCP also Andy presented the Actors’ Panel hosted by

ittrich/Whistler Film Festival Film D ittrich/Whistler (MountBrendan Pleasant Fletcher, Da Vinci’s Inquest) where (Corner Gas, Love andPatrick Other Gallagher Dilemmas, The Delicate Art of Parking), (R.V., Tideland, PaperUBCP Moonmembers Affair Brenda, Freddy Crichlow vs. Jason and), Joely Collins at the Celebrity (Sideways Ski Race., Master and

18 InterACTRA summer 2007 Keith artin Gordey M artin Actor-Mothers bringing

up babies – continued from page 17

“It is important for your

Kudos to the directors who’ve kindly child to see you doing allowed kids to sit by the monitors offering their valued opinions on scenes, such as, “I think that looked a things you love, to see bit fakey.” “You could always tell which trailer you fulfilled by doing Rob Morton, UBCP Treasurer and staffer was mine by the general uproar,” Wendy Monika Small personing the UBCP booth added. “Some kid hit like Monster Mash a job that you are truly at the Whistler Film Festival. would be playing full blast with my kids shrieking, jumping, and spilling choco- Nicholas Lea late milk and Cheerios all over the floor. passionate about.” I would barricade myself in the bathroom to change and work on the next scene. – Martha Irving Commander, Severed) and Ah, the glamour…” (American Venus, Butterfly On A Wheel, The alluring beauty of motherhood Vice, Moving Malcolm) shared stories is easily expressed by Martha. “It is from their careers as actors in Canada. important for your Following this UBCP presented a Feature child to see you Script Reading from Nicholas Racz’s doing things you The Igloo, a script that came out of the love, to see you Whistler Film Festival’s summer Feature fulfilled by doing Script development workshop. It was a a job that you are treat to see how thrilled the writers and truly passionate producers were when Walterthey saw (Wally) and heard about. When I was Marshtheir scripts come to life with the actors’ young my father staged ‘reading’ of them. It brought to travelled a lot with mind something that his bureaucratic (founding member of ACRA, job that he did which later became ACTRA) encouraged not really enjoy. me to do. He said, “Never forget, every Eventually he quit single person onAndrew that set W. is Walker there to do and moved on to one thing – record the actor’s perform- direct theatre – Martha Irving and ance.” The Borsos Competition awards the change I saw in Catherine de Lean daughter Maddie Higgins. for Best Actor, for Steel him was enormous. Toes (B.C. premiere)Christine and Best Willes Actress, You have to invest Rob Morton for The Secret Lifen of time in yourself Happy People, were sponsored by UBCP by doing what you and presented by Keith Martin Gordey and love to do, and my at the Awardsmakes hisBrunch. living, such goal is to pass this as it is, as an actor in on to Maddie.” film and television. Whether we’re actors or not, we teachers, etc. Maggie sat with a worried He serves on the all want what’s best for our children. look on her sweet face and when her boards of UBCP and Wendy, who has used her keen sense turn came up she sighed and said that PAL Vancouver. A of humour to guide her through some her ‘Mom pretended to be other kids’ snowboarder, he is trying parental moments, wraps up moms’. Dear God, I thought, my poor a “Grey on a Tray.” our story beautifully. “Sitting with kids will be in therapy for years.”n Maggie one day in a preschool class, the Fear not, sisters, Mommie Dearest is children were all talking about their not slated for a sequel from anyone in parents’ jobs… lots of stories of doctors, our membership anytime soon.

summer 2007 InterACTRA 19 CITIZEN CBC One Canadian’s view of the CBC and what it should be By David Sparrow

I saw the country and was exposed to its regional flavors all in the comfort of my own living room. It was available commercial-free from ‘The Rock’ in the east to ‘The Island’ in the west and it spoke Canadian to Canadians. It reflected our values, our concerns and our dreams. Our public broadcaster told our stories.

20 InterACTRA summer 2007 My first memories of the CBC are CBC till Photo Collection Photo S till We need the CBC. If the CBC were to cease in black and white. I grew up in front of a to exist, we would lose our culture to the CITIZEN General Electric console television set that my United States faster than the folks at CSI can dad put on castors so it could be moved quick- identify their next body. Recent history teach- ly away from the wall to replace a blown tube. es that we can’t rely on the CRTC to enforce Three stations came in clearly, but the one its mandate and we can’t rely on private broad- Mr. Dressup with Casey and we watched most was the CBC. Mr. Dressup, casters to conduct business for any reason Finnegan in the late 1960s. The Friendly Giant, The Pig and Whistle, This other than the almighty dollar. The privates Hour Has Seven Days, The Irish Rovers, Tommy make much of their money by re-broadcast- Hunter, Wayne and Shuster, The Forest Rangers, ing American TV shows and their news shows CBC , The Beachcombers… are increasingly using from American the staples of my childhood. In many ways they network news to tell international stories. They CBC moulded my first Canadian identity. I saw the even buy up American shows that they intend till Photo Collection Photo S till country and was exposed to its regional flavors not to air in order to stop other Canadian all in the comfort of my own living room. It was broadcasters from airing them and then they One Canadian’s available commercial-free from ‘The Rock’ in cry poor when asked to produce an original the east to ‘The Island’ in the west and it spoke Canadian drama in primetime. How wasteful. Canadian to Canadians. It reflected our val- And, before you say it, Canadians will watch view of the CBC ues, our concerns and our dreams. Our public Canadian programming… if it’s good. To get Bob Homme as The Friendly broadcaster told our stories. good programming, stand-out programming, Giant (1960s). Asst the 1960s fast-forwarded to the you’ve got to make a lot of new programming and what it 21 century, more channels came on the and then promote the hell out of it, just like scene, lots of channels, great channels… the Americans do. It’ll take a little money and American channels carrying The Mod Squad, a lot of faith, but when you’re in a battle for should be The Streets of San Francisco, Cheers and . your very identity there’s going to be a little CBC These were exciting shows and soon I wasn’t painful adjustment before the celebration. Collection Photo S till By David Sparrow watching nearly as much CBC. Anyway, the It’s time for the CBC to begin again to reflect, CBC had changed. Now they were running project and protect Canadian culture, identity commercials and running some American and creativity. They don’t need to be competi- programming including U.S. sit-coms because tive. They don’t need to be profit-driven. They they needed to compete. They were cutting can allow the producers they work with to be Wayne & Shuster Special: down on in-house production because they profit-driven and they can simply provide the Once upon needed to compete. They even built a brand- funding, the oversight and the medium. a Giant, 1988. new CBC headquarters in downtown Toronto We’ve got to keep telling great Canadian sto- – fancy offices, new studios, and a giant airy ries – funny, heartfelt, dangerous, imaginative atrium. Competitive, huh? I’m not even sure Canadian stories. A strong, vibrant CBC is the who they needed to compete with, in that they best place to tell them. This doesn’t mean were a public, government-sanctioned, taxpay- that private broadcasters should er-supported network – a Crown Corporation. be let off the hook. No, no, no. They are As I understand their funding based on granted access to Canadian homes under the P Productions A S P published 2003-04 numbers, the CBC (that’s proviso they produce their share of homeg- Radio, TV, Newsworld, CBC World Service, rown drama, news and entertainment and we French and English) receives more than must not allow our government to allow them $850 million from you and me every year. They to forget it. So let’s get excited about what

sell another $280 million worth of advertis- a well-funded,n properly structured, fully The Forest Rangers in the ing time. And between specialty channels and accountable CBC can be and let the govern- 1960s. other sources, they bring in another ment know that we want it and we’re willing CBC $225 million. That’s $1.35 billion, and it to pay for it. Currently on ACTRA till Photo Collection/Fred Phipps Collection/Fred Photo S till sounds like a lot, but in the new multi-platform National Council, David universe and with their vast mandate, the CBC Sparrow has been acting simply can’t compete. Of course, being com- for almost 20 years and petitive resulted in their loss of the Olympics is happy to be giving and their near loss of Hockey Night in Canada. something back to the And being competitive causes them to acquire/ union that has supported create lots of low-budget Canadian program- his career so well. A proud ming, largely sketch comedy… mostly sketch Canadian, he has commited comedy. Okay, yes… but Da Vinci and This is to all of ACTRA’s major The Beachcombers in the Wonderland were both cancelled. The point is policy campaigns. early 1980s. the CBC cannot be everything for everyone, not unless it is embraced by Canadians and better supported. summer 2007 InterACTRA 21 Our policy inititiatives Get active…

or go home Tapley Thom By Richard Hardacre, ACTRA’s National President

Revolutionary thinking, usually born late at night Sonja Smits and ACTRA Toronto members confronting then Finance Minister John Manley outside a Liberal fundraiser in April 2003, to protest the $25 million cut from the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) in Manley’s budget. in smokey rooms, lubricated with local wine and beer often is just… well, revolutionary imaginings. Many of us were introduced to the teachings and speeches of William Lyon Mackenzie, Thomas Payne or even Marx (not Groucho, but him too) by our teachers of history. In our teens and early 20s anything was possible, anything else was cinemas, and, clearly related to that, the goal to improve income preferable. The status quo had to be challenged if our world was security for performers. Much of what we have done since, from our to change for the better. Some, whether we call them teachers or lobby work to our collective bargaining has been developed to build visionaries, never release their desire for beneficial change. Thank on that policy conference decision. goodness for them. The chronology of our national campaign to build a Canadian Achieving any change in the policies of a government is a bit industry and to make advancements for the security of income for like trying to change the world. It takes revolutionary thinking and performersPaul Gross is now long and growing longer. (See timeline below.) long-term action. The upside is that a limited level of transformation Among the many mileposts along the way, some obvious examples just might be possible. For years ACTRA has lobbied our federal leg- stand out: islators and bureaucrats to advance the health of our industry and • ’ June, 2002 speech at an ACTRA Toronto members’ thereby advance the interests of our members. That has long been conference led to coverage by Canadian media and a weekend one of the goals of our union. feature in , and an article by TV columnist John Over the past five years we became more focused and energized Doyle with the quote: “A country without a healthy diet of continuing, in one overall direction. In June of 2002 we convened a National home-grown drama is lacking in the fibre of contemporary storytelling. Policy Conference, an exercise that committed ACTRA to focus In every country that has even the vaguest notion of a culture and on two policy fronts: Canadian content on television and in our identity, there is a distinct link between the idea of itself and the fictive Highlights from ACTRA’s Public Policy Campaign for Canadian Drama

JUNE 2002 October 2002 february 2003 april 2003 on our issue are ACTRA DVD’s go ACTRA National Former CRTC Chair Liberal Finance ACTRA stages directed at then to all MPs with a Policy Conference Charles Dalfen asks Minister John information picket Heritage Minister message from Paul commits to focus former CTV Exec Manley brings outside Liberal Sheila Copps during Gross: “To suggest on two policy Trina McQueen to down budget fundraiser to pres- Question Period, that the Canadian fronts: Canadian develop a proposal increasing Foreign sure John Manley and ACTRA per- television business content and income on how to bring Service Production to restore funds to formers receive a is in peril is a hilari- security for per- more Canadian Tax Credit, coupled the CTF. standing ovation ous understatement. formers. ACTRA drama to our tel- with a $25 million from the House This is a catastrophic launches a web- evision screens. annual cut to the may 2003 of Commons. collapse. We are in based letter writing Dalfen addresses Canadian Television ACTRA’s first ACTRA achieves free fall. Every other campaign on the TV ACTRA Toronto’s Fund (CTF). ACTRA big lobby day on significant national industrialized nation drama issue to MPs conference in news release Parliament Hill. media coverage. in the world is mov- across Canada. November on the welcomes PSTC, Four questions ing toward increased TV drama issue. denounces CTF cut. domestic production.

22 InterACTRA summer 2007 . Elizabeth J. Brady Images Brady J. Elizabeth M . avid Chan D avid

Keith Martin Gordey, Jackson Davies, Christine Willes, Donnelly ACTRA’s news conference in Ottawa in October 2003 urged the Rhodes, Joy Coghill, Rob Morton and UBCP President Howard Storey federal government to address the crisis in Canadian television spoke out in Vancouver on the crisis of Canadian television drama drama. (Left to right:) Paul Gross, Rick Mercer and Wendy Crewson. during the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) convention in November 2006.

policy hearings. Our performers drew all the major media out of imagination. A country is simply inauthentic if its stories are not reflected the hearing room to hear our case for a broadcasting policy that back to itself.” (John Doyle, Globe and Mail, July 18, 2002) must include Canadian production of scripted stories in network • April 2003, 200 ACTRA members along with other cultural work- primetime. We left no doubt that we were not going to let up on our ers staged an information picket outside a LiberalSonja Sfundraisermits campaign for an industry that builds an authentic cultural identity. in Toronto in order to pressure former Finance Minister John These are only a few of the obvious mileposts but every step is Manley to restore funds to the CTF. We sang O Canada as Manley important because every policy initiative gains ground by keeping arrived. “These cuts are unacceptable,” said . “We’re our issues alive and moving forward. here to tell Manley directly, restore the $25 million cut to the The strength of any organization, and certainly any union, CTF.” (Half of the cut was restored by the government two months depends upon commitment to singleness of purpose – individuals later.) with a common interest united in a common goal. ACTRA succeeded • The strong message to protect our culture delivered by ACTRA in its bargaining with independent producers this year, and we UBCP members at their press conference in November, 2006, operate like this in our policy initiatives as well. ACTRA pursues its while the big (and rich) private broadcasters held their annual policy goals – keeping Canadian culture and our identity alive on congress in Vancouver. film and television – right alongside directors, writers, technicians • Wide national media coverage in the same month of ACTRA and the very same producers because, despite differences we may members speaking out on the opening day of the CRTC’s TV – continued on next page

Canada alone is role in just about government to march 2004 moving in the every major cultural take action to More than 500 Why should opposite direction issue concerning save dramatic ACTRA members – toward oblivion.” performing arts in programming. respond to let- we care? Canada.” Playback ter campaign to june 2003 editorial, June 21, february 2004 Finance Minister In 1999 there were Clifford Lincoln’s 2003. Broadcasters dou- calling for restora- twelve 13-episode, one- Standing Committee ble their profits in tion of the CTF in on Canadian October 2003 2003 while drama the federal Budget. hour Canadian dramas Heritage report on ACTRA lobbies continues to die. Finance Minister on over-the-air television Canadian broad- Parliament Hill, ACTRA hits at Ralph Goodale casting released. holds a national broadcasters and announces that the channels including the ACTRA gets credit press conference the CRTC – notes CTF will be restored CBC. Why are there so for its work on cul- and meets with the appalling news to $100 million for tural issues: “Since MPs throughout the of the cancellation the next two years. few today? last year, ACTRA day. ACTRA calls of Blue Murder and – continued on next page has taken a lead on the federal Cold Squad.

summer 2007 InterACTRA 23 Our policy inititiatives – continued from previous page Courtesy of Courtesy

have, ultimately we all want the same thing – a healthy film and Star Toronto The television industry in which we can earn a living for what we love to do – being creative. Have we been successful? I shudder to think of where we might be if we hadn’t spearheaded the Coalition of Canadian Audio- visual Unions (CCAU) with the directors, writers, and technicians. In April 2005, Sarah Polley appeared for ACTRA before the Heritage Everyone now knows there is a crisis in Canadian drama because Committee’s hearings on feature film policy. She held up a newspaper we made them know it. Have we had victories in the skirmishes, and movie schedule with U.S. films highlighted in blue to show how U.S. is there success in sight? You bet. As long as we don’t abandon our films dominate Canadian screens. goal or lose our focus. What does the future look like? What are we doing tomorrow and the next week, the week after that, and for the coming year? Well, we will stay focused on the campaign for homegrown drama – it remains the number one issue. In coming months there will be a be less money spent on Canadian drama. CTV must offer a benefits decision from the CRTC on broadcasting policy. After that there will package of 10% of the purchase value of CHUM to receive approval be the lengthy process of broadcast licence renewals for CTV and of this transaction. We are asking for more. A benefits package is Global. ACTRA and our coalition partners will make formal, con- money to be spent to improve the quality and content of Canadian certed interventions to argue for more drama. With our partners, broadcasting. Corner Gas was a product of CTV’s last benefits package we have become the vanguard in this campaign; other groups are in 2000. But one success does not build a culture on its own. We are watching, fingers crossed. But we, the performers, have become the telling the CRTC that this time CTV must spend more money to make strongest catalyst for change. more successes like Corner Gas. Before those licence renewals ACTRA will be at the CRTC to inter- This past winter, the television industry breathed a sigh of vene in the review of CTV’s purchase of CHUM. Our argument is with relief after last rites were almost given, when Minister Oda finally the alarming trend towards the consolidation of power in media. The announced a renewal of the CTF for two years. The CTF provides issue is about drama; this time to raise the alarm that in this media essential seed money for the development and production of feeding frenzy there must be no reduced opportunity for homegrown Canadian dramas. But there’s no reason to celebrate. There should stories. In fact ACTRA will be asking the CRTC to take a second look be an increased level of support in this fund and ACTRA will contin- at the value CTV is putting on the CHUM assets because we think ue to pursue the government, whatever stripe it may be, to commit there may be a deliberate undervaluation. If that is so, there would more to the CTF. Highlights from ACTRA’s Public Policy Campaign for Canadian Drama

june 2005 dramas and the november 2005 december 2005 candidates with pre-budget hear- At the Banff TV scheduling of them ACTRA/USW hold A federal election ACTRA’s elec- ings at the finance Fest ACTRA and the in ‘real’ primetime. a successful joint is called and ACTRA tion questions. committee in WGC, DGC and CEP Heritage Minister lobby, meeting with asks political par- In January 2006 Ottawa. ACTRA present a report Liza Frulla lays out over 90 cabinet ties to respond to ACTRA holds a asks the commit- on the drama issue a cultural agenda ministers and MPs a questionnaire star-studded press tee to increase and entitled “The need at Banff, including from all parties on on culture. ACTRA conference that suc- renew the CTF as for a Regulatory news that the CRTC Parliament Hill. Joint sends all mem- cessfully raises the well as increase Safety Net” recom- must review its poli- messages include bers an election issue of culture in funding for Telefilm mending regulation cies, including the proposals for fixing postcard with the the press during the and the CBC. The of Canada’s private disastrous 1999 regulations of the message – Election federal election. finance committee broadcasters to Television Policy, CRTC and maintain- 2006: Vote for our recommends many require spending during licence renew- ing existing limits to cultural future, october 2006 of ACTRA’s requests of 7% of revenues als of major private foreign ownership urging them to ACTRA testifies in their December on new Canadian broadcasters. of media. contact their local at the annual 2006 report.

24 InterACTRA summer 2007 Chris Cornish Chris Jonathan Hayward Jonathan

Artists including actors, writers and dancers staged a demonstration called an “awakening” on Parliament Hill in April 2007 in an effort Raoul Bhaneja, Arlene Duncan, Tina Keeper, Liberal Member of to persuade Prime Minister Stephen Harper to restore funding for Parliament for Churchill, Heritage Critic and ACTRA member, and National the promotion of Canadian artists abroad. (Left to right:) National President Richard Hardacre at the House of Commons. Raoul, Arlene Councillor Barry Blake, Ottawa Councillor Rick Kaulbars, Brian Stewart, and Richard presented on behalf of ACTRA at the April 2007 CBC TV R.H. Thomson, Ottawa President Thelma Farmer, National President Hearings in Ottawa. Richard Hardacre, and Paul Whitney.

Tina Keeper

I met with ACTRA member , MP for Churchill, to recommend that the CBC receive more public money to air more Manitoba, and Liberal Heritage critic, to brief her on our important Canadian stories. issues. I discussed these goals with MP Charlie Angus, Heritage Foreign media behemoths don’t care about our culture or our iden- critic for the NDP and crusader for Canadian culture. I have contin- tity. Why should they? They’re content to make their profits, not only ued to have similar conversations with Mr. Maka Kotto, a poet and by driving cheaply produced reality programming on to our screens, member of Union des Artistes, who sits on the Heritage Committee but by letting stories be told to us by others who know thnext to noth- for the Bloc Quebecois. And we have had frequent discussions with ing of what it takes to make a culture north of the 49 parallel. Bev Oda, the Minister of Heritage. Along with many of our members, KarlPlans Pruner are underway for ACTRAHoward to meet S toreywith officials of the I plan to continue these meetings. We will not let any of our elected Heritage Department, the CRTC and Telefilm at the television fes- representatives be uncertain of ACTRA’s goals. tival in Banff this June, where I will be joined by Toronto President ACTRA also made a formal presentation to the full Heritage and UBCP President . Committee in Ottawa in April to tell them it is essential to keep the Together with them, and many from the ranks of our membership,

CBC strong and competitive. ACTRA’s branches made similar appeals including some of the most prominent performers in Canada, we n to the committee in their own cities. We argued that the public continue to lead our union in its energetic campaign to protect our broadcaster must have secure, stable and increased funding if it is airwaves, to build our culture on our screens and in new media, and to develop quality Canadian drama. We want the parliamentarians to allow Canadian content to be secure from foreign domination.

november 2006 across Canada to the next week ACTRA Heritage Critic and is restored for a fur- of the commit- ACTRA/UBCP CRTC policy hearings testifies before ACTRA member ther two years, but tee that the CBC’s performers hold in December 2006. the CRTC and Tina Keeper. with no increase. mandate to air a media event reminds them that home- grown drama across the street ACTRA appears at Canada’s private march 2007 april 2007 must be supported. from the Canadian the opening day broadcasters pay CRTC’s Broadcasting ACTRA members To achieve this Association of of the CRTC TV the lowest licence Report confirms present at the CBC mandate, increased Broadcasters policy hearings fees of any private that Canadian mandate review stable funding must (CAB) conven- and holds a press broadcasters in the broadcasters before the Heritage be allocated to a tion in Vancouver. scrum outside developed nations. are decreasing Committee, follow- properly managed The media left the hearing room. their spending on ing the appearance CBC. the convention to National exposure february 2007 Canadian drama of other branches hear ACTRA/UBCP is achieved for ACTRA participates while rapidly filling before the commit- For a complete tell them that the ACTRA’s campaign in the Standing Canadian airwaves tee as it travelled chronology on Canadian English to restore English- Committee on with foreign across the country. ACTRA’s Public drama campaign language Canadian Canadian Heritage programming. ACTRA asserted to Policy Campaign is a national one drama to our followed by a The CTF funding the Parliamentarians go to www.actra.ca. that will be carried TV screens. The meeting with Liberal

summer 2007 InterACTRA 25 applause Kudos to our winner Tom Jackson! Tom Jackson received the 2007

Known for his role as Chief Peter Kenidi in Humanitarian Award on March 31 in the CBC hit North of 60, Jackson’s TV cred- for his unwavering support for its include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Canada’s hungry and underprivileged. The Law & Order and The Diviners. He has Canadian Academy of Arts and Sciences’ recorded 14 albums, written and produced (CARAS) recognized an outstanding volumes of music including the acclaimed /iPhoto Inc. CARA S /iPhoto of Courtesy Canadian artist who has positively con- CD That Side of the Window which earned tributed to the social landscape of Canada. him a Juno Award nomination in 1997. Tom lunched his first Huron Carole concert Jackson has been recognized with many in 1987 to support Canada’s food banks, awards for his humanitarian efforts includ- and has continued to touch communities ing the National Aboriginal Achievement across the nation with the concert tour for Award, named one of Canada’s best activists 18 years. In addition to initiating many by www.junoawards.caTime magazine, and was appointed an more benefit fundraisers, he has helped Officer of the Order of Canada in 2000. raise more than $9 million for food banks, For information on the Juno Awards go family service agencies and disaster relief. to . Congrats to our 2007 Genie Award winners On February 13 the Canadian film

industry celebrated its finest in Canadian movies. This year’s winners include the followingRoy ACTRADupuis members:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Stephen McHattie in The Rocket. Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: in The Rocket. Buck Pauline

Best Performance by an Actress in a Aura Pithart, Joy Coghill, Janet Wright and Marie Morton. Leading Role: Carrie-Anne in Moss The Rocket. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: The Sam Payne Awards honour two in Snowwww.geminiawards.ca Cake. Courtesy of The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television & Cinema Canadian of Academy The of Courtesy outstanding UBCP/ACTRA members For a complete list of winners, please th goR tooy Dupuis . The 24 Annual Sam Payne Awards Marie Morton

Janet Wright in Corner Gas. was presented were presented in Vancouver on February with The Sam Payne Award for humanity, 23. won the Sam Payne Lifetime artistic integrity and encouragement of new Achievement Award which recognizes a Michaeltalent. For J. Fox18 years,Ian T raceyMarie was Auraone ofPithart the tal- union member’s accumulative outstanding ent agency movers and shakers in Vancouver. body of work in the industry. The versatility Clients included such fledgling actors as of Janet’s talent has taken her from drama , , and . to comedy, and all the stops in between, She re-instated her ACTRA membership and including acting in theatre, television and now enjoys working with her former clients film, and directing in many major theatres on set as a background performer. The Sam across Canada. Currently Janet plays Emma Payne Awards were established in 1984. 26 InterACTRA summer 2007 FAREWELL

We share our sadness at the passing CHARMION KING of the following colleagues: 1925 – 2007

Charmion King DENNY DOHERTY My mother, , was divine 1940 – 2007 in so many ways. Denny Doherty Professionally, she shone on stage, TV and film, from her passed beginnings at Hart away on January 19, at House and in London, his home in , the of of Courtesy in the late Ontario. He was 66. The ‘40s early ‘50s, to world knew Denny as being a founding the dreamy tenor in The member of the Crest

Mamas and The Papas, M ichael Theatre, to Broadway one of the greatest vocal and lastly Soulpepper. groups in the history of Archive. O chs A lifetime of plays too popular music. He had numerous to mention. Although theatre was her main focus, the gift – a beautiful she will always be remembered for her performances in such voice that cut through to productions as , Traders, the films Nobody the heart of you. Waved Goodbye and Last Night, and CBC’s radio series Rumours Denny was a Maritimer and Boarders to name a few. and a North End That said, what she was truly known for was her beauty, her Haligonian to boot. After grace, her laughter, her huge support of the arts in Canada the rock and roll rollercoaster came to a halt, he returned and her great friendship to so many fortunate to have known home and started a new career as an actor on stage, film, her. She had such wonderful generosity expressed in her teach- radio and television. He stole our hearts as the bootlegger ing young actors at George Brown to always lending a helpful rogue in Paul Ledoux’s North Mountain Breakdown. Audiences hand whenever a friend was in need. It’s been since her passing fell out of their seats laughing when he played opposite John that I have come to learn this even more than I did before. For Neville in Sean O’Casey’s of The Beginning. He was instance, there were times when she’d get a call to play a role in funny and real and grounded on stage and Halifax embraced something, and if she thought she wasn’t right for it, she would him as a hometown hero. immediately recommend a fellow actress she thought was bet- His easy charm and playful spirit made him the perfect ter. Not every artist would act so unselfishly, but that was the host of the childrens’ television series, Theodore Tugboat, and epitome of her spirit. he developed a huge fan base among children who had no For me, I am proud to say, she was not only my mother but idea The Harbour Master was a rock and roll superstar. she was truly my best friend. Almost every day of my life I was Denny and his wife, Jeanette, and their young fam- lucky to hear her voice or see her beautiful face. Whenever ily, Emberly and John, arrived in Toronto in the mid-‘80s. I needed a shoulder or an ear, she’d be the first to call and He appeared on stage frequently (Fire, The Secret Garden, would always be there for me no matter what. As anyone who Needfire) while establishing himself as a leading voice actor has ever lost someone they cared so deeply for, we know how – his voice credits number in the hundreds and hundreds difficult and painful their absence can be. Knowing this, I ­– but he continued to return ‘home’ to star in the film would like to say how proud I am of my father. He has been and series Pit Pony. In 1996 he and long-time friend Paul handling such a great loss. It’s because of her we try to be Ledoux created the one man show, Dream A Little Dream: the strong when remembering her and how she wanted us to live nearly true story of The Mamas and The Papas. Denny did the our lives, embracing it, moving forward and not in mourning. show for the next 10 years, including a Toronto production We are both grateful for the overwhelming number of truly that was nominated for five Dora Mavor Moore Awards, a heartfelt condolences, and, as a result, put together “a tribute five-monthNicola Lipman run Off-Broadway and a held-over run at The to our Charm,” since she requested there be no funeral. It was Cleveland Playhouse. Denny’s last performance was early held at the Soulpepper Theatre on April 20, 2007. Also, we December in Rockville, Maryland. want to thank ACTRA for its tremendous support of both Dad says, “Denny had great instincts as an and I during these sad times. actor.” And it’s true. He didn’t train as an actor – or a singer Mommy, you might have been the “grand dame” of Canadian for that matter. He just knew how to do it. And he made us theatre, but will always be the shining light in our hearts. We laugh and he made us… melt. love you and will miss you always. – Ferne Downey – Leah Pinsent summer 2007 InterACTRA 27 Sa skatchewan Edmonton

We are currently in the process of refining Change is afoot in Edmonton! We can’t believe

Saskatchewan’s Status of the Artist legislation. A panel that it has already been 6 months since the administra- of MLAs of both the governing NDP and theKent opposition Allen tion of our branch was transferred to Calgary. By the Saskatchewan Party haveMike conducted Burns hearings on the new time our Annual General Meeting occurred at the end legislation that arose out of the Minister’s SOA Advisory of February, it was clear that a page had turned. For the Committee. Our former council member and our first time in a long time there was a feeling of excite- Branch Representative served on the Minister’s ment in the room due to a combination of reasons: our Advisory Committee. On the whole, the proposed legislation interests continue to be well-served by our local council is laudable, giving artists many of the benefits that accrue to and our staff based out of the Calgary office (our Branch other members of society. The legislative committee examined Representative commutes to Edmonton for council the most contentious issues within the proposed legislation and industry meetings, as well as for on-set stewarding – the labour provisions. ACTRA’s delegation at the legislative when we have production and some of our councillors committee pointed out the importance of protecting national commute to Calgary for Calgary council and member- agreementsACTRA when Saskatchewan creating new provincial labour is provisions. ship meetings), and we have some spring productions with promising work opportunities for local performers (Christmas in Wonderland is an $8 million feature shoot- 40 years old this year! ing at West Edmonton Mall, and War Correspondent: The Clark ToddS Storyonia Da onaldsonmade-for-TV movie by localKen production Perry Our council and members company ImagiRebeccaNation Starr Productions).Nicole Wassil A new branch Briancouncil Copping was electedLarry atLangley our AGM: Jay will be celebrating this PresidentSmith Maralyn; Vice-President Ryan ; TreasurerRobert Clinton Don Ast ; Secretary ; great milestone in the fall. Councillors are , and ; alternates are (Past-President) and . continues his term as National Ken Thompson CouncillorColin MacuntilL eanJanuary, 2008. We would like to thank Maralyn for her commitment to the presidency, and for staying involved as much as her schedule will permit this , ACTRA’s National Director of Public Brian Topp year. decided that he would take his leave Policy, recommended a solid and detailed intervention on the from council after many years of service to the Edmonton Status Hearings and was involved in facilitating this essential membership, and he will be sorely missed. initiative. ACTRA Toronto’s Executive Director We have initiated some projects: we organized a meet- brilliantly assisted us in preparing for the meetings. We and-greet session for our members with a new local established that our first responsibility was to “do no harm” to casting director; we sent a request for proposals to our the agreements that are already working. The “grandfathering” membership with a view to creating a legacy project for of our agreement into the legislation can be accomplished by our branch; we have a new member Training Course the ministerial designation of our agreement (and others). scheduled for May, and are considering other professional The legislation could allow the local branches to designate a development opportunities. bargaining agent to act on its behalf. In our case, that would Our biggest project in 2007 will be working with mean that ACTRA Saskatchewan could designate ACTRA ACTRA Calgary to create a unified Alberta branch. This National as its bargaining agent. We were pleased with our will involve drafting new by-laws (including what the presentation and look forward to positive action from our ACTRA Alberta Branch Council will consist of) and pass- government that will hopefully benefit all of our artists. ing them within our respective memberships and holding Other big news… ACTRA Saskatchewan is 40 years old elections for an ACTRA Alberta Branch Council. this year! Our council and members will be celebrating this Alan Bratt This will certainlySonia be anDonaldson exciting year for ACTRA great milestone in the fall. Edmonton!

President President ACTRA Saskatchewan ACTRA Edmonton

28 InterACTRA summer 2007 C algary Montre al

Change is also afoot in We will be hosting the 2007

Calgary! In the past year our staff ACTRA Awards in Montreal on June 9 has re-assumed the paper admin- at Le Medley. And as theWalter newly Massey elected istration work for Manitoba and President, I am truly excited to be Saskatchewan, helped to close the presenting the Award of Excellence to Edmonton office and is now adminis- distinguished member, . tering that branch while facilitating The event will begin withth an after- the amalgamation of both branches, noon screening of our 4 Annual and waded through the strange ACTRA Montreal Short Film Festival world of Alberta labour law (which and will continue into the evening with is unlike any other province in its the presentation of a number of awards,Arden requirement for a separate mediation includingRyshpan the Audience Choice for and strike vote) in order that ACTRA Best ACTRA Short and the Community could be in a legal position to strike Builder Award, to be presented to in Alberta. They have also coordi- . nated two AGMs and two branch I would like to congratulate all of the council elections (one in each city). members nominated forD performanceaniel Brochu The production season looks good Hollybased Gauthier-Frankelawards at this year’sBruce event. Dinsmore Thomas Liccioni Stephane Lefebvre for Southern Alberta this spring. We JaneThe Wheeler nominees forMichel the O Perronutstanding Marcello Bezina France Raymond have already wrapped four movies of Voice Performance are , Patrick Kerton the week: , The Miranda, Handford , , , Secret of the Nutcracker (Canadian) Ellen David L aurenceand Leboeuf S.arah , and and To Serve and Protect (Canadian) CarlsenNominatedIsabelle for Outstanding Blais Female . – a true, Albertan story about the PerformanceNobuya Shimamoto are Nicolas Wright, Good luck to you all. RCMP officers who were brutally Stephane D,emers Alain Goulem, In addition, we will be honour- gunned down in Meyerthorpe, and Gian Paolo and Venuta . ing some eminent membersMatt Holland with Life Christmas Miracle. We also wrapped , , Memberships and acknowledging the Fiddle and Drum, an Alberta Ballet , and seven years of dedication and serv- production. are nominated for ice to the Branch of as In the past year, we have had more Outstanding Male Performance. Mwww.actramontreal.caontreal’s Past President. I hope to see than 200 participants complete And for the first time, we will be many of you at the ACTRA Shorts and our New Member Training Course. presenting an award for Outstanding Awards. Please check our website at These members are better prepared SWetunt Performance. hope thatThe nominees our are promising summer for details. to meet the challenges performers face on set and in their day-to-day will continue into a burgeoning fall. activities than performers who have not. If you are a Calgary Apprentice or Full Member and have not taken the course yet, you are sure to learn something new and meet other mem- On the production front, I am very bers in the process. encouraged by the recent upswing in We look forward to working with foreign film and television shoots landing our colleagues in Edmonton over the in Montreal and the growth of indige- coming year as we become ACTRA nous projects that we are witnessing. Like Alberta. It is sure to be a challenging many of the branches across the country, and interesting process – another we hope that our promising summer will learning experience for us all! Duval Lang continue into a burgeoningDon Jordan fall.

President President ACTRA Calgary Walter Massey to receive ACTRA ACTRA Montreal Montreal’s Award of Excellence.

summer 2007 InterACTRA 29 Be found on ACTRA’s F2F! Cheers… New fields on Face to Face online By Jani Lauzon

Cheers to all of our ACTRA mem- bers who stood side-by-side and remained steadfast during our first strike in the 64-year history of this union. Our UBCP branch, which has a separate agreement for British Columbia and the Yukon, stood firmly with us during nego- tiations and held strong in their own talks. We all stood up for our future rights, we all kept our focus, we all held our ground… Jeerstogether we made… history!

Jeers to Jim Shaw of Shaw Communications and Pierre Karl F2F is growing! In the near future Péladeau of Vidéotron for holding our industry hostage by refusing to pay their monthly instalments to If you are an ACTRA member and do the Canadian Television Fund. The you will notice additional fields in both the not have your profile on F2F, we strongly CTF is seed capital for Canadian ethnic background and disability sections. suggest that you take advantage of this drama programming. How unpatri- These new fields will help differentiate “who amazing promotional tool. Performers otic of these two corporate leaders. you are” from “who you feel you can play”. access and update their own Face to Face Do they care so little about our The reason for this is several fold. portfolios, with numerous profile options cultural sovereignty and national In June 2005, ACTRA Toronto launched including photos, résumé and audio and identity? Shame on them for their Mainstream Now, a catalogue of actors from video clips. F2F is a high-security, pass- disgraceful behaviour. ethnically diverse communities and those word-protected site wherewww.actra.ca industry users with disabilities. This initiative built on register and are screened for access. And Commercial News the success of Into the Mainstream, original- the best news is… it’s absolutely FREE! For National Commercial ly published by ACTRA National. more information go to and Although the binder format has been follow the links to F2F. Agreement Negotiations a highly popular casting tool, ACTRA If you have already listed your profile Toronto has had numerous requests to on F2F, please watch for these exciting

establish an electronic format and extend new changes inn the near future. After all, the initiative nationally. Producers and the strength of our Canadian industry is The National Commercial Agreement industry professionals requested, and we only possible if built on the richness of (NCA) expires on June 30, 2007. listened. But why re-invent the wheel? F2F our diversity. Consultation took place with members is already an extensive data base program Jani Lauzon is a Dora-nominated actor, acrossRichard the country Hardacre and ACTRA’sD avidNCA free to members. With the addition of a three-time Juno nominated singer/ NSparrowegotiating CommitteeHoward is meeting Storey to the new fields, F2F will give producers, songwriter, and the creator of several reviewMarium proposals. Carvell CommitteeIan M Finlayembers directors and industry professionals the children’s television puppet characters. are: Doug (Chair),Murray opportunity to create accurate and specific She won a Gemini Award for her role as (Toronto), Paul (BC), talent searches not available anywhere else. Seeka in the series Wumpa’s World, the Constable (Toronto),Bruce Dinsmore Options are good, and ACTRA recognizes first Metis puppeteer to garner the award. (Montreal), and (Toronto). that any effort to support our membership, Jani co-chairs ACTRA Toronto’s Diversity Committeewww.actra.ca Alternates are: in as many ways as possible, will only help Committee. (Toronto) and to create a strong and inclusive Canadian (Montreal). Check out ACTRA’s website film industry and more potential work at for updates! opportunities for all our members. 30 InterACTRA summer 2007 ACTRA PRS Manager Chris Kelsey Kim Hume Kim ACTRA PRS & back end dividends Epstein and newly appointed By Ferne Downey ACTRA PRS Director Brad Keenan. ACTRA PRS (Performers’ Rights Brad Keenan appointed director of ACTRA PRS become 25 years use! We sought a Society) was incorporated in 1983 with a back end formula option that rose and staff of two plus one – the ‘plus one’ being fell more with the success of a project, a part-time bookkeeper. And that worked because if you were involved in a huge inter- Brad Keenan recently joined the ACTRA out nicely for a while – remember the national success, it was the only hope of PRS team. With his solid understanding ‘80s? There weren’t substantial royalty or earning real money. So the advance formula of ACTRA’s core mission to protect the residual collections owing on the back end was negotiated into being – an advance rights of Canadian professional perform- of projects we shot under the IPA agree- against the Distributors’ Gross Revenue ers, he will be responsible for overseeing ments of those years. But that wasn’t going (DGR). It was a welcome relief to get out of ACTRA PRS, including the Sound to cut it by the mid-‘90s – by the ‘95 IPA we the producers’ net fee world to a gross fee Recording Division. Brad specializes in were paying a lot of attention to the back Aworld. What are some examples of good ensuring that compensation is received end, and ACTRA PRS grew accordingly. By collections utilizing the advance formula? for the use of intellectual property rights 1998 the correlation was clear: more claims through licensing of music and name, : The first season of La Femme Nikita shot staff = greater pursuit of claims = greater image and likeness rights. He has worked in Toronto in ‘96-‘97 chose the 75% advance collection for members. Over the past five extensively with the Canadian Recording option and by 2000 had already recouped years PRS has disbursed over $35 million Industry Association (CRIA), the Audio Chris Kelsey-Epstein the 75% and by the 2005 reporting period to performers representing over 150,000 Visual Licensing Agency (AVLA) and sales had reached 143% of performers’ total Qcheques to performers. I spoke with ACTRA numerous other associations and col- net fees. Five years of reporting paid out an PRS Manager … lectives. Previously, Mr. Keenan spent additional $1.4 million to performers. This nine years as Director, Music Licensing is a show that enjoyed great success and per- A : What is ACTRA PRS’s greatest collection & Partnership Marketing at SONY BMG formers shared in that success. story? MUSIC (CANADA) INC. in both the The series Total Recall produced in Toronto Toronto and offices. : RoboCop: The Series is a great story on a in 1998 selected the 50% advance option couple of fronts – $1.2 million was collected and had recouped the 50% in 2002. Since in a single shot – which made the cast mem- then the members have shared in $10.4 mil- bers extremely happy – and it was a success lion in sales (performers share $586,000). Thanks, Chris. The great thing about Qfor our hard-working staff who aggressively Then there is the case of 11 films shot DGR is it is a definable amount and we can Apursued the claim and won. in Montreal by one individual producer enforce this provision of the agreement. It between 2002-05. The 50% advance option is a participation formula that ensures the : What’s the back story on this show? was chosen, all have recouped and to date performer actually does receive a percent- : RoboCop: The Premiere (2 episodes) and performers have shared in $233,000 ($4 age of the gross – from the first dollar. And RoboCop: The Series (21 episodes) were pro- million in sales). The additional good news there is no limit – as long as the production duced in Toronto in ‘93-‘94. The use rights Qis that an anticipated further $270,000 will Qis distributed, money will be made and per- acquired were five-year pre-payments in free be due from the U.K. partnership next year. formers will share in it. TV (world) for the premiere, free TV (world) A A and video (world) for the series. When : What are you most proud of about : What is the best procedure to make a Jessica reporting was received in 2001, we learned ACTRA PRS? PRS claims inquiry? Paes [email protected] Susan Moffat that the show was being shown outside those : Members can look forward to ongoing smoffat: Email@ inquiriesactra.ca can go to either of uses acquired – in other media, in other ter- income from their work as long as the work the two Senior Claims Officers, ritories and past the time purchased. So, we continues to be exploited! Income from roy- ( ) or audited the company in 2003 and made our alties and residuals can help performers even ( ). With then rest of the case legally over a period of time and the out the peaks and valleys of erratic income. ACTRA PRS staff, they are the keepers good result for the members was a sizeable QFor example, the RoboCop money happened of the production archives and proudly Q$million-plus payout in 2006. It was a “dis- to be disbursed during the recent IPA Strike. uphold performers’Ferne rights. D owney is ACTRA’s pute resolution” success under that IPA. National Treasurer and A : What is your prognosis about the new ACTRA’s representative : That show was produced prior to the media use fees of 3.6% of DGR in the new IPA? on the AFBS Board of 1995 IPA. In ‘95 everything changed Governors. She is a – actors had grown weary of starring in : We are optimistic. It’s the way ofStephen the passionate defender shows that played all around the world and Waddellfuture and we anticipate that tracking could of performers’ rights. because of the stacked uses – five years be easier than it has been in other media. I’m pre-payment in each different medium – it going to ask Steve to chime in here ( had seemed that five years use could easily , ACTRA National Executive Director). summer 2007 InterACTRA 31 Maria Del ACTRA Toronto’s Outstanding Mar on stage Award of Performance with her Excellence Award Winner Outstanding recipient Wendy Gordon Pinsent,

Performance Crewson and Heritage Minister Gundu Jag Photos: Award. presenter Shirley Bev Oda and Douglas. Nominee Don McKellar.

2007 Toronto ACTRA Awards By Gina Kash Dineen The timing couldn’t have been better Bayo Akinfemi Shauna MacDonald Bruce Beaton Louis Mercier Sarah Manninen Sarah Polley . • nominatingL indaJury: Kash Bruce (Chair), OutstandingMaria Del Mar Performance Award for a male As the elevator doors opened, the music of Hunter Shelley Hoffman, Cal D, odd actor, given for his performance in Away from conversation between friends and colleagues and Michael Murphy. Her directed by . announced the party had begun. • vLisaoice Brooke Jury: Johnathan (Chair),Wilson Mike Kirby seemed genuinely sur- On February 23, ACTRA Toronto mem- Liisa, Repo-Martell and . prised by the ACTRA Award for Outstanding bers and their guests gathered at The Carlu • The Final Jury: Shirley (Chair), Douglas Performance by aMartha female Burnsactor forMartha her work to celebrate the 15 nominees of the 2007 , , inHenry TerminalKristen City T ashomson she gave a Dheartfelteborah Groverthank ACTRAWendy Awards Crewson for Outstanding Male and and . you to her family and friends as well as the Female Performance and the new, Voice But it was the formidable other nominees: , PerformanceJackie Laidlaw Award, as well as to hon- who almost stole the show, with her direct , and Len Carlson . our , recipient of ACTRA and sincere introduction to Wendy Crewson. The first ever ACTRA Award for Voice Toronto’s Award of Excellence. She spoke with deep admiration, between Performance was posthumously awarded to , Awards Chair extraor- swigs of bottled water, about Wendy’s per- well-known voice industry actor , dinaire for the past five years and her sonal integrity and successful acting career. who passed away in January, 2006.Adrian In Truss her committee of ACTRA Toronto staff and Making special note of her “must-see” per- acceptance speech, his daughter Corrina volunteers, once again pulled Karloff a Prunersensa- formance in Better Than Chocolate, which described a man who loved his work and tional soiree at Toronto’s elegant Carlu. involved the discovery of a stash of sex toys laughed every day. Nominee, Tajja Isen Jackie looked fabulous in her vintage ‘50s and subsequent search for batteries. E(Janellen- andRay theHennessy Dragon) said,R on“The Rubin voice award silk cocktail dress along with , Wendy was every inch the glamorous star is much appreciated by all who vie for it,” and ACTRA Toronto President, who positively in her gorgeous gown by Canadian designer (he) was glad to see it go to Len. , glowed with the look of a man whose has Pat McDonough, and yet disarmingly human, , and were also climbed Mt. Everest and is ready to kiss wearing a pair of readers perched on the end nominated for their fine work in , Amandathe next Martinezperson he sees. of her nose, as she accepted her award say- Di-Gata Defenders and respectively. After a judicious cocktail hour (or two), ing, “Somehow through the strike we found After the ceremony, the ever-funky Belazo guests were seated in the auditoriumPatrick McKenna where our confidence.” A committed supporter Brothers, Mike and Terrance,n DJ’d the dance and her band warmed the of Canadian arts and an active member of floor and kept everyone dancing until the crowdPaul with O sensual’Sullivan Latin rhythms, including ACTRA Toronto, she encouraged ACTRA lights came on and ACTRAit was timeToronto to grab member a late a song from the film Frida. membersGordon toPinsent lobby and vote for political night bite at Fran’s.Gina Kash Dineen has delivered a witty program scripted by vet- representatives who will work to support served as the Awards Jury eran . our industryWilliam in the Hutt future.Chris Bolton Don Coordinator for the ACTRA The three volunteer juries screened McKellar Michael was Tdignifiedherriault and charm- Awards in Toronto for more than 200 performances submitted by ing as he graciously acknowledged fellow three years. Toronto ACTRA members representing tele- nominees: , , vision series and movies, feature films, short and , during his films and MOWs. acceptance speech for his ACTRA Award for

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