Newly formed CCFM proposes im 9. to encourage the priority of employ The committee was formed to meet mediate remedy for lack of feature ment of Canadians and reciprocal almost on a weekly basis, unril the production. relationships with international present slow production situation is motion picture makers. rectified. Its members have been con scientiously coming together at Spence- Heated discussion followed the intro Thomas Productions (who offered duction of the above aims and objec temporary shelter to the Council), tives, since everyone had their own sometimes as often as twice a week. At the past two meetings of the viewpoint as to what is actually wrong Subcommittees were formed to deal Council of Canadian Filmmakers and what's to be done about it. Peter with specific issues, such as political (CCFM), there was quite a bit of excite Carter, Budge Crawley, Allan King, Ron lobbying on both federal and provincial ment, and many in the industry feel Kelly, John Board, Don Shebib, David levels (Sandra Gathercole, Jack Grey, that this newly formed group may be Lee, Patrick Spence-Thomas, Ken Post, Allan King), inter-union relations English-Canada's last hope in unifying A. Ibranyi-Kiss, and both chairmen (Richard Leiterman, Glenn Ferrier, filmworkers on all levels of cinema into made impassioned speeches about their Patrick Spence-Thomas, Bill Wood, a cohesive and powerful voice. prognoses and own brand of remedies. Don Shebib), funding for the Council After much dehberation as to the make As we indicated in the last issue of (Budge Crawley, Kirwan Cox), and up of a new, permanent executive this magazine, major changes are in the drawing up a constitution (Jack Grey, committee (how many affiliated people offing for the filmmaking community. Jerry McNabb, Peter Pearson), also versus how many independents), the Their extent and impact are more dis formed were a Membership Committee following people were elected by secret cernible now, than right after the initial (June Pike, A. Ibranyi-Kiss), and a Press ballot, either representing their organiz meeting of the Council at the Westbury. Committee (John Board, Ron Kelly). ations, or as free agents: Whereas over 200 people (the cream of The non-executive members on these the Canadian film community's crop) John Board (Assistant Director) subcommittees were co-opted from jammed into that meeting hall in March, Budge Crawley (Producer) member organizations. the next general meeting at Bennet Glen Ferrier lATSE 644-C Fode's Tivoli theatre in April was Sandra GathercoleToionto To help solve the present crisis situa attended by nearly 500 filmmakers. It Filmmakers Co-op tion in English-Canadian feature produc was chaired jointly by Peter Pearson, Jack Grey ACTRA tion, Ron Kelly put forth an idea which President of the Directors Guild of A.Ibranyi-Kiss (Managing Editor-CC) was adopted by the Executive and Canada, and Richard Leiterman, lately Ron Kelly Chairman presented to Ottawa, by way of an of lATSE 644-C, but a maverick, indep Allan King (Producer/Director) urgent telegram to the Film Advisory endent thinker just the same. The Richard Leiterman(Director of Committee of the Secretary of State's Council adopted its present name at the Photography) Office, which met on April 30th. A Tivoli, as well as unanimously accepting Peter Pearson Directors Guild copy of it went to Robert Desjardins, as the aims and objectives drawn up by the Ken Post (Director of Photography) well. founding executive. Don Shebib (Director) The CCFM rushed this proposal to 1. to pursue the development of an Patrick Spence-Thomas NABET Ottawa well in time for the Advisory economically and artistically viable Bill Wood lATSE 873 Committee's session, but the Council motion picture industry; has yet to receive a formal reply. Every one went to Cannes shortly thereafter, 2. to encourage an increase in the and Secretary of State Faulkner's only demand for Canadian motion picture verbal comment since then has been that productions and their distribution in Robert Desjardins is looking into it. foreign and domestic markets; When the CCFM was first formed, it 3. to pursue the development of cinema was welcomed by government represent crafts and trades through the estab atives who felt that it will help them lishment of minimum standards; deal with the industry in a rational way. Instead of having to talk to half a dozen 4. to encourage the education of lobbying organizations, now it is members and potential members of possible to come to across-the-board the film industry in motion picture agreements, and lobbying efforts will arts and crafts; not be contradictory. However, in spite 5. to encourage the exchange of motion of its initial favorable reaction, Ottawa pictures and information related to has yet to back it up with any concrete the production of motion pictures action. The Council is getting impatient. between Canada and countries throughout the world; "a o 6. to promote effective communication and common action between profes sional motion picture organizations for the achievement of common goals; o 7. to speak to governments and depart ments of governments as the unified voice of all the disciplines; 8. to concern itself with social, economic and labour relationships within the motion picture industry, and to make recommendations to the Don Shebib appropriate organization;
Cinema Canada 11 A Crisis can be an Opportunity : A Proposal from the undermined potential profits despite increasing acceptance by Council of Canadian Filmmakers towards solving the present Canadian audiences. crisis in English-Canadian feature film production— Finally, one must not overlook the failure of the Canadian The Council of Canadian Filmmakers represents Film Development Corporation to take aggressive measures to approximately 5,000 people in the film community including develop scripts and scriptwriters or the failure of the Canadian the members of ACTRA, NABET 700, lATSE 644-C, lATSE Broadcasting Corporation to provide a mechanism to link 873, the Directors Guild of Canada, the Toronto Filmmakers Canadian films and the mass audience - in other words, to just Co-op, and other groups. show the films. 1. The Organization III. The Solution The CCFM was brought into existence because the English- The following proposal is designed as one interim solution Canadian feature film industry is on the brink of collapse. that is possible within present structures without a great deal Films are simply not being made and many hundreds of film of additional money. The CCFM plans to make proposals in workers are unemployed. They have organized the CCFM to the future of greater depth and breadth. The present crisis meet this emergency with radical and creative solutions. demands immediate action. II The Problem In essence, we believe that the CFDC must expand its We are culturally overwhelmed, demographically dispersed, present scope of operations to include script development, and undercapitalized by the failure of native private enterprise management of initial theatrical marketing of films in this to take the risks our situation requires. Yet our national category, and ownership of those films on a profit-sharing survival depends on our economic and cultural vitality. basis with the makers of the films. In addition, the CBC must The problems of making films in Canada are unique and take an active part in financing Canadian films and distributing demand unique solutions. The present crisis stems from them to the people in Canada. decisions made in Canada to attempt to model an English- We must avoid the present overdependence on private Canadian film industry on the American pattern. These investment, avoid many of the present excesses in the decisions have proved bankrupt in the long-run and the distribution/exhibition marketing system, and assure the mass disastrous decline in film production will continue unless those of the Canadian people an opportunity to see the work decisions are changed. that they pay for. The reason for this decline hinges on the lack of private We also believe that the creative talent has a responsibility investment without which the CFDC is presently inoperable. in this system, and we, the film workers, are prepared to work The Department of National Revenue has decided to interpret for reasonable minimum rates in this film category in exchange the Income Tax Act to avoid leverage leasing which was the for participation in potential profits and involvement in the rationale behind nearly all previous film investment. The management of this film category. leverage leasing bubble has disguised the fact that private We believe that continuity is essential for a successful film investment is not wiUing to take the risks inherent in the industry and fear that the great progress in Canadian feature Enghsh-Canadian film market at this time. An alternative must films made over the past few years will be irretrievably lost if be found to the present system of financing, the inadequacy of talent is now dispersed through prolonged unemployment. which is evident from the flood of applications from estab IV. The Mechanism hshed filmmakers for the low-budget CFDC category which We propose that in addition to present programs, the doesn't require heavy private money ox distribution advances. CFDC undertake a new category of ten (10) medium budget The fact that some top filmmakers cannot find private films beginning July 1, 1973. These films will be owned by the investment for even this category should prove that the system CFDC. The CFDC will oversee distribution on a market-testing simply doesn't work. basis. The option remains, after this market testing, for One cannot ignore the fact that most English-Canadian distribution through regular channels. films have a record of unrelieved red ink. They face infinitely This program covers an 18 month period with 6 months for greater competition from foreign films in their domestic script development followed by 12 months production. It market than their Quebec counterparts. Also, the distribution/ must be remembered that this is a worst case hypothesis and exhibition system has an immense overhead that has further will cost this much only if none of the films earn a penny.
To force government action, another FINANCING General Meeting of the CCFM has been 1. Script development: 4. Income: called for Wednesday, June 27th, 7:30 The CFDC sets up a script development Guaranteed television sale to CBC at P.M., at the auditorium of the Ontario program, buys options on properties $100,000 times 10 $1,000,000 Institute of Studies in Education and commissions 30 treatments, 20 100% box office from 4-wall (O.I.S.E.) on Bloor Street (Toronto). second drafts, and 10 final drafts distribution ? All interested filmakers are urged to annually with a maximum of $10,000 Foreign sales, etc. ? attend and become members of the per film script. $250,000 ?? $1,000,000 Council. The agenda includes a com 2. Production: plete, up-to-date briefing on the 10 films at $300,000 each maximum 5. Special Emergency Fund Executive's work since the Tivoli, the $3,000,000 10 films at $150,000 $1,500,000 sequence of events concerning the mini- 3. Distribution: 6. CFDC Total possible financial brief along with Ottawa's reply (invita exposure of CFDC script fund plus tions will be sent to Faulkner, 4-waU rental of 5 appropriate theatres at $5,000 per week for two weeks each, 10 films times $150,000 Desjardins, and other government $1,750,000 representatives), a call for a vote of times 10 $500,000 non-confidence in the CFDC, and the Advertising in cities at $5,000 per city $4,250,000 times 10 $250,000 approval of a new Chairman and Execu 7. Profit sharing plan • Promotion and prints times 10 tive Director for the CCFM. The Inter- CFDC ^0% Union committee has also been very $150,000 Script ^_jgf^ active (one point of confhct: mixed- Administration of theatrical market test Direction ')-l0% crews! ) and will put forth concrete $100,000 Producer ^-lOf proposals at this meeting. Be there! $4,250,000 Cast and Crew ?rt-?5%
12 Cinema Canada NFB as active as ever Courtois, Ken McCready and Don master from the Hong Kong film indus by Marie Dawson Rennick; Canadian High Commissioner try. The National Film Board of Canada Noble Power; J. Titsworth of the The basic idea was to create a pool of has announced its plans to shoot ten Canadian High Commission and Dr. A. highly skilled talent available for stunt $300,000 feature films, using scripts A. Armar, Director of National Family work in Canadian films and so ehminate designed to dramatize the Board's Planning in Ghana, attended the presen the need to import stunt performers language-learning program. Gordon tation. from Hollywood. Pinsent has been reportedly sought for Sponsored by the Canadian Interna The presence of two bogus stunt the lead role in the first film. tional Development Agency, the 27 schools in the Toronto area, has made Making its West Coast debut in San minute colour film which looks at the ACTRA Council bent on establish Francisco last month, the Film Board's family planning techniques and ing that they are the only recognized outstanding "Mon Oncle Antoine" gave examines Ghanaian opinion on the sub authority on stunt co-ordination in the signal for a special month-long ject, was shot in Ghana last Spring. Canada. These schools (which inci salute to the NFB and Canadian films. Also from the National Film Board dentally charge 400 dollars for nothing The National Film Board is really . . . An English version of the original but bruises) have attracted students by going places. Besides winning a Grand French film "Bozarts" (Beaux Arts) newspaper advertisements. The so-called Prix at the Cannes Film Festival the called "We Are All. . . . Picasso" stuntmen running them have been ex Board also captured two top prizes at Moving in and through art exhibi posed as false prophets. They even went the American Film Festival in New tions, galleries displays, pausing only to as far as claiming ALL the stunts on York. take in some individual works — among Pohce-Surgeon and other Toronto pro First prize Blue Ribbons were award them one by Armand Vaillancourt, ductions. ACTRA has aheady closed ed to the films "Nell and Fred", a social internationally known metal sculptor — down one group and is watching the documentary by Richard Todd and the film is an articulate survey of the art other, hawk-eyed. "Here is Canada", by Tony lanzelo. scene in Quebec by people closest to Though invitations were sent to both NFB chairman and Canadian Govern it; artists, sculptors, critics, museum groups neither was represented at the ment Film Commissioner, Sydney directors, teachers and some lay public. meeting. Newman presented the John Grierson It also questions the structure, for A Stunt-Symposium will be held in Award to Martha Coolidge, 27, a grad mat and value of art in the universal the summer to train additional perform uate from New York university who scheme of things — definitely adding up ers for feature work should demand received the trophy for her film on drug to a wide-ranging assessment of exceed supply. addiction called "David Off and On". Quebec's "democratization" of art. Miss Coolidge originally worked for CFCF-TV in Montreal. The Grierson Award was given by the NFB, Films Incorporated and the Visual Open meeting held by Stunt Education Centre of Toronto. The Fes Council tival was sponsored by the Educational Film Library Association. by Shelby M. Gregory Montreal's famous Paesano restau Continuing the effort to improve the rant was the scene of NFB shooting in Canadian stunt performer's position the April when the Board's comedy pro "Canadian Stuntmans' Council of duction, "The Great Little Artist" got ACTRA" held an open meeting for all underway. appHcants interested in stunt work, on Scripted by Angela Ferrante, Martin May 24 in the Cariton Street ACTRA Defalco and Sergio Lanzieri and direct offices. Though 50 or so people in town ed by Defalco, the film starred Canada's claim to be professionals in this field, most famous Italian performer Bob only nine interested actors turned up. Vinci, better-known as "Don Ciccilo", However, two top level ACTRA officials and also featured popular French — Toronto representative, Jim Keatings Canadian actor Mario Verdun. Aldo and Alan Bleviss, President of the Vinci, 67-year-old father of Bob Vinci Toronto Branch Council — attended. and star of more than 40 Italian-made Council members present were movies, also appeared. Umberto Frenchy (John) Berger — President; Taccola, Ida Dell'Aquila, Anna Migliarisi Shelby M. Gregory — Secretary; Gary Taureau (The Bull), a recent NFB production. and Sergio Lanzieri made their film Flanagan — council member and James debuts. Ince — council member. Vice-President, The film was produced as part of the Mari-lou MacDonald was unable to NFB's new "Multicultural Programme." attend. Another absentee was council Canada Council Senior Arts The aim? To produce new films reflect member Bob Hannah who had a prior Grants to 32 Prominent Artists ing the contemporary lifestyle of various engagement. Bob was addressing the Ottawa — Thirty-two prominent ethnocultural communities in Canada Construction Safety Association about a Canadian artists will receive Senior Arts today. film in which he appeared (his stunt: Grants from the Canada Council this The NFB sent a loud stage whisper being completely buried alive in a sand spring, according to an announcement about population control over to Ghana pit). made here recently. Total value of the recently. A film on "Family Planning in The purpose of the council meeting grants is $421,152. Ghana" produced by the Board was was to interview new applicants inter Names of the successful candidates in enthusiastically received by Ghanaian ested in stunt work, a cross section Film are: Jack Darcus, Vancouver, Head of State, Colonel l.K. ranging from professional kite-flyers to Albert Kish, Montreal, Martin Knelman, Acheampong at a screening at Osu trampoline champions, from cow-girls Toronto, Morley Markson, Toronto, AI Castle in the capital, Accra. to lady wrestlers, from stunt pilots and Razutis, Vancouver, and Joyce Weiland, Enghsh-unit filmmakers Dorothy xodeo-riders to an authentic Kung- Fu Toronto.
Cinema Canada 13 Filmpeople, filmpeople, film- June 30th, until August 8th (on week people ends), in 16mm colour, for a low- David Tompkins and James Murphy budget, in the Year of Our Lord, 1973. must be two of the hardest-working people for the cause of Canadian films. Walter and Ellis Delorey co-produced David is director and Jim is manager of a truly beautiful film, called Great Rain the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Mountain, by going up' to the Yukon Centre, which disseminates hundreds of being flown into the wilds, and staying shorts and dozens of features through 'Tdr^PKirls" y^c' there for two months last Summer. Just the non-commercial web of exhibition ing an Anglican church during a double finished, the end result of this outlets. They'd like to get their films christening, magic things began to hap admirable task is inspiring, free-flowing, into commercial theatres, too, but it's pen with light as only the "Great alternately pacifying and disturbing, an uphill chmb. Assisted by Tom Gaffer in the Sky" lit the set. Some of with excellent camerawork and a Urquhart, the two distributors give the the night shooting belongs on canvass. synthesized sound-track. Produced with best deal of any we've heard of to the We went in there not as a film crew the assistance of the Canada Council, L. filmmakers. The latter get 70%, and the from Toronto, but as family. And it Littlewhite, Ryerson, and the Toronto non-profit Centre is run on the rest. If worked! " See for yourself when CBC Filmmakers Co-op. Available for sales or you wish to book or deposit a film, airs it July 7th. John and Karen Foster rental from the Canadian Filmmakers contact the CFDC (no pun intended) in are a husband and wife camera/ sound Distribution Centre, at the above Room 204, 341 Bloor Street West team, who produce documentaries. address. Walter and Elhs are back up Toronto M5S 1W8, or call (416) Good ones. They're responsible for the North this Summer, shooting more film. 921-2259. recently aired Daytona short. More about them in the future. Recha Jungmann just finished a short Mary Pickford was honored recently film entitled two plus two and drop in Toronto, when a historic plaque Eleanor Beattie's Handbook of one, which had its premiere at the marking her birthplace was unveiled by Canadian Film is out, published by Women and Film Festival in Toronto. A Buddy Rogers. The archeological and Peter Martin Associates Limited, at 35 puzzling film, it explores the complex historic sites board of the Archives of Britain Street, Toronto, Ontario M5A realm of sex roles, male/female- Ontario selected the site for marking, 1R7. It's a valuable but rough source- female/female relationships, and three and the event was sponsored by the tool, compiled just a bit too early people in particular. Produced by Ontario FUm Institute. Ms. Pickford (doesn't include the great upsurge of Belphegor Films, Lothar Spree did the sent husband (and past co-star) Rogers, Canadian features in late 1972) and cinematography. Recha's short script along with a letter which stated in part: incomplete in other ways as well. But Notes for My Son appears at the back of "While it is more than fifty years since buy it to learn from, in any case. "No this issue, it institutes a new Cinema my widowed mother with her three one with serious interest in film in Canada policy to print short scripts. We small children moved from Toronto to Canada can be without th^ Handbook," are soliciting such writings. Please mail New York and California, no matter the blurb says. We agree, it serves an to Cinema Canada, 6 Washington where my footsteps have led me, the intermediary-stage role, but we've yet to Avenue #3, Toronto M5S IL2, Ontario. memory of Toronto has remained reach the level (at least in features) for a Prerequisite; scripts should be copy always in my heart's inner chamber." more definite work. The book contains righted by writers. a brief historical examination of films in Hillard Elkins is conducting a 'world Canada, biographies, filmographies and John S. Gaisford has left Somerset wide search' for a female lead in his bibUographies of eighty-one prominent Productions to become an independent next film, "One Hundred Dollar Mis filmmakers, and address hsts of film- producer, and is looking for experienced understanding." The film, to be pro related organizations and institutions. dubbing actors, who have not worked duced by Elkins Productions of Canada, Some reservations; not only are Film with him before. ( He looks forward to Ltd. (Toronto), is based on the best- makers juggled at random, but the working with those actors who have selhng novel by Robert Gover. Elkins, bibhographies stop quoting Cinema delivered excellent dubbing perform who will make his directorial debut with Canada after our first issue (march, ances for him in the past, he says, but this film, is looking for a girl to play the 1972), whereas other magazines are don't call him, he hasn't forgotten leading role as "a 14-year-old Black quoted up until last August. Among you! ) Mr. Gaisford started in the hooker, vintage 1950, and a virgin from others, Michel Brault's filmography is industry in 1956 as CBC film assistant, the waist up." The hooker is a very incomplete. Similar mix-ups omit the and has worked his way up to producing sympathetic character in the book and Toronto Filmmakers' Co-op from peer two feature films. Take Her by Surprise just as readers fell in love with her, so groupings. But still, a monumental and Out of Touch. But his specialty will the viewing audience. Resumes and effort and worth having around. now is dubbing (He's responsible for the pictures should be sent to Elkins Pro English versions of Valerie and The ductions, 170 University Avenue Suite Dennis Zahoruk would like to Initiation, two highly successful Cinepix 300, Toronto, Canada. solemnly announce the commencement productions) and he'll be doing just that of principal photography on "The in the immediate future on feature films John C. Foster, CSC reports that a Shakespeare Murders," a short feature- for U.S. television. CBC Gallery show he shot in Wood length film, best synopsized as a semi- stock, New Brunswick, is one to watch satiric detective mystery based on Gary Crowdus, the editor of for cinematographers and the general Shakespeare's writings, to be produced, Cineastes magazine, a radical film publi pubUc alike. Called Are You Listening? , written, and directed by Zahoruk, with cation from New York, writes that there the film is a study of a rural com Josef Sebesta on camera, to be shot are srill copies left of the summer 1972 munity, through the 'window' -in a mostly in Toronto, but also on location issue, which has excellent political figurative sense- of the local radio in Hamilton and Stratford (Shakespeare- studies on the Quebec cinema scene in station. Something magic began to land), with stars Gary Peterman and English. Cineaste is pubhshed quarterly happen in the cutting room, and some Moira Sharp, assisted by Berry Clavir, at 244 West 27th Street, New York, of the footage is mesmerizing. "Shoot- Don Brough, and Laurinda Hartt, from New York 10001.
14 Cinema Canada