ACTRA Dying a Dramatic Death? Canadian Culture

30481 InterACTRA spring 4/2/03 1:11 PM Page 1 Spring 2003 The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists Muzzling Culture What trade agreements have to do with actors PAGE 8 30481 InterACTRA spring 4/2/03 1:11 PM Page 2 Happy Birthday… ACTRA Thor Bishopric CTRA marks its 60th anniversary in But ACTRA can’t do its job fighting on improvements, protecting existing gains, A2003 – celebrating 60 years of great behalf of our members if our resources are while assuring everyone from here to Canadian performances, 60 years con- dwindling. Your decision to strengthen Hollywood that we too want to maintain tributing to and fighting for Canadian ACTRA means we can remain focused stability in our industry. culture and 60 years of advances in pro- and effective in our efforts. The additional And on one final celebratory note, tecting performers. All members should be resources will be directed toward core National Councillor Maria Bircher and very proud of our organization’s tenacity activities such as the fight for Canadian I are beaming with pride over another and grateful to those members who came production, bargaining, and the continued birthday – that of our daughter Teale before us and ensured ACTRA’s success. collection of Use Fees through ACTRA Miranda Bishopric. Teale arrived at In February, ACTRA Toronto kicked PRS. Please see page 6 for more on the St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal on off our 60th in style by presenting three referendum. February 16th at 10:26 p.m. She was born ACTRA Awards at a reception at the By the time you read this, we will in perfect health. The blessing of our Royal Ontario Museum. The ACTRA have commenced negotiations on our daughter’s birth will forever ensure that Awards were the Canadian industry Independent Production Agreement (IPA) 2003, the year of ACTRA’s 60th anniver- awards, initiated in 1972, and awarded (see page 4). Sixty percent of ACTRA sary holds a special place in our hearts. annually by ACTRA until 1986, when member income is generated under the the Gemini Awards for Canadian televi- IPA – it’s by far our most important sion began. For some years now, we have agreement. As always, we expect negotia- yearned to have awards again – awards tions to be difficult – fighting hard for that centre on performers and performance – and our 60th seemed the perfect opportunity. Starting small seemed reasonable – our 1972 event had just three awards – so we decided to re-introduce the ACTRA Award in our branches. In 2003, we’ll be presenting ACTRA Awards from Dying a dramatic death? our branches in Newfoundland/Labrador, Maritimes, Montreal, Manitoba, and in Canadian culture is. conjunction with awards already presented in British Columbia. Since CRTC rule changes in 1999, production of English-Canadian Toronto honoured Gordon Pinsent television drama has seriously declined. with an ACTRA ‘Award of Excellence,’ and presented two ACTRA Awards for Send a letter to Heritage Minister Sheila Copps. Tell her you’re Outstanding Performance to Kristen disappointed in the Federal government’s disregard for Canadian culture: Thomson and Shawn Doyle. Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage We’ll also be celebrating our 60th at House of Commons, Parliament Buildings the Banff Television Festival (June), at the Atlantic Film Festival (September), Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 (No postage required) at the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles (October), with a reception in Ottawa, Support ACTRA’s Campaign for Canadian Programming and with a commemorative issue of InterACTRA this fall. It’s easy – visit www.actra.ca and On another celebratory note, thank send an email letter to Sheila Copps you to our membership for strengthening ACTRA’s financial situation. In January, members ratified a constitutional referendum calling for an increase in members’ dues and an ACTRA Performers’ Rights Society service charge. It’s a difficult decision to ask for more from actors – artists whose income is meagre and uncertain. 2 InterACTRA SPRING 2003 30481 InterACTRA spring 4/2/03 1:11 PM Page 3 In this issue of InterACTRA... PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Thor Bishopric ............................................................................................ 2 BARGAINING IPA Negotiations, CBC deal, Global and NFB Since 1958, the Actors’ Fund of Canada has helped by Stephen Waddell ........................................................................................ 4 thousands of performers and other entertainment industry professionals in financial crisis to get back on their feet after NEWS ACTRA members approve dues change, ACTRA’s John Drainie a major setback. When artists in need have nowhere else Award for contribution to broadcasting, campaign to save public to turn, the Fund can intervene at a critical moment medicare, report from National Council meeting ................................ 6 with a rent cheque, grocery money, a subsidy for prescription drugs or other assistance. FEATURE If you are ill, injured, or have suffered a financial Muzzling culture – what culture and trade have to do with actors catastrophe that puts your health, shelter or ability to work by Aidan Devine ................................................................................................ 8 in jeopardy, contact the Fund for quick and confidential help. The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity sustained by members of the entertainment industry professions. For more information or to make a tax- deductible donation, contact the Fund at: 10 St. Mary Street, Suite 860, Toronto, ON M4Y 1P9 TEL: (416) 975-0304 (TOLL-FREE 1-877-399-8392) FAX: (416) 975-0306 E-MAIL: [email protected] www.actorsfund.ca FEATURE Manitoba is making movies by Rob Macklin and Wayne Nicklas ........................................................ 11 BRANCH NEWS .............................................. 14 Spring 2003 Volume 9, Issue 1 InterACTRA is the official publication of ACTRA (Alliance of POLICY ISSUES Report on Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), a Canadian union of performers affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress and the Canadian television drama decline International Federation of Actors. ACTRA is a member of CALM by Garry Neil .................................................... 19 (Canadian Association of Labour Media). InterACTRA is free of charge to all ACTRA Members. 20 Editorial Advisory Committee: APPLAUSE ...................................................... Thor Bishopric, Stephen Waddell, Brian Gromoff, David Macniven, Kim Hume FAREWELL Contributors: Patricia Scott, Terrence La Brosse Ross, Lorraine Ansell, Randy Birch, Jennifer Blaney, Jamie Bradley, Anna Bucci, Dinah Christie, Dave Clarke, Joy Corion, Bill McNeil, Billy Van .................................................................................. 24 Sharon Davidson, Aidan Devine, Ferne Downey, Don Dudar, Jack Duffy, Randy Duniz, Richard Hardacre, Matt Holland, Amy House, 29 Karen Ivany, John Juliani, Dan Mackenzie, Rob Macklin, Garry Neil, DISCOUNTS .................................................... Wayne Nicklas, Peter Partridge, Kelly Ricard, Lloyd Robertson, Gary Saxe, Anne Marie Scheffler, Chris Scott, Thomas Tapley, R.H. Thomson, Carol Taverner, Catherine Vaneri, Jeremy Webb 60 Design: Joss Maclennan Design CELEBRATING YEARS Printed in Canada by union labour at Thistle Printing The ACTRA Awards in Toronto .................... 30 All contents are copyright © 2003 ACTRA. All rights are reserved and contents, in whole or in part, may not be reprinted without permission. GENIE AWARDS The points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Canadian films – we can make ACTRA. ‘em but no one can see ‘em Please return any undelivered mail to: ACTRA, 625 Church Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2G1 by Anne Marie Scheffler ................................ 32 PHONE 1-800-387-3516 OR (416) 489-1311 FAX (416) 489-8076 www.actra.ca [email protected] Got a computer? Want to receive InterACTRA by email? Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 If you’d like InterACTRA in your e-mailbox instead of by mail, Cover photo of R.H. Thomson and C Aidan Devine by Carol Racicot. email us at [email protected] with your membership number. SPRING 2003 InterACTRA 3 30481 InterACTRA spring 4/2/03 1:11 PM Page 4 André Leduc IPA Negotiations scheduled Stephen Waddell for March/April 2003 National Executive Director n October 2001, ACTRA quickly concluded a successful round • the Canadian production industry also faces increased Iof bargaining with the producers’ associations, the CFTPA and competition for service production, as foreign locations such APFTQ, that renewed ACTRA’s Independent Production Agreement as Australia, New Zealand and Central Europe build up the (IPA). Although it was a lousy time for bargaining, ACTRA infrastructure necessary to support major productions; and secured 3% increases in each year of the two-year agreement, • the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the potential of an internation- ensured more jobs for Canadian actors by negotiating an under- al conflict have given increased weight to the U.S. campaign standing with the industry respecting the issuance of non- against so-called “runaway production” – production levels in Canadian work permits and the promotion of work opportunities Los Angeles rose throughout 2002 and entertainment industry for Canadian performers, established ACTRA’s jurisdiction over jobs in L.A. are expected to increase throughout 2003/2004. internet productions and established basic hourly rates

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