INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND

2001

ANNUAL

REPORT Board of Directors

What is it? Production financing for dramatic television

Peter Mortimer Robert Roy Heather McGillivray series and grants President Vice-President for professional development programs.

Bernard Montigny Paul Gratton Denise Robert – Treasurer Who is it for?

Peter Mortimer is President of AVA Paul Gratton is Vice President and Canadian independent Communications and an independent General Manager of Space, The Imagination producers with a private producer and international communications Station, Drive-In Classics, and Station broadcaster first-window consultant. He is a member of the Board Manager of Bravo!, Canada’s 24-hour licence commitment. of Directors of the Cogeco Program NewStyleArtsChannel. He is also Vice-Chair Development Fund. of the Cinema Division of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, serves on Robert Roy is Secretary General of the the Canadian Feature Film Fund Advisory International Centre for Children and Young Group, and previously served as CEO of the People (CIFEJ). He is a member of the Ontario Film Development Corporation. Board of Directors of the Cogeco Program What do you get? Development Fund. Denise Robert Denise Robert is Chairman of the Board of Groupe Cinémaginaire inc. Approximately $3 million Heather McGillivray is a lawyer with She has produced award-winning feature a year is available for experience as Vice-President and co-owner films including Patrice Leconte’s The Widow equity investments. of Macstar Communications Inc., an of Saint-Pierre and Denys Arcand’s Stardom. independent distribution and production Winner of the 2001 Golden Reel with company, and as Vice-President Wedding Night, she will soon release Denise Programming for Family Channel. Filiatrault’s new feature, Alice Tremblay’s Odyssey. She is Chair of the Board of Bernard Montigny is a lawyer specializing Directors of the APFTQ and co-chair of the in communications law. Canadian Feature Film Fund Advisory Group. How do you get it? Application deadlines are February 15, April 15 Management and October 1 each year. The Board of Directors evaluates all eligible applications based on quality, creativity, business plans and financial viability.

Andra Sheffer Claire Dion Charles Zamaria Executive Director Associate Director Financial Director

1 2001 ANNUAL REPORT President’s Message

As we enter our second decade of addition to the IPF’s ongoing funding for Canadian dramatic television management of the Cogeco Program series, 13 series received nearly $2.2 Development Fund and the Bell A Decade of Drama Series million in funding from the IPF resulting Broadcast and New Media Fund – in 105 original hours of Canadian all under one management team of 5 The 10th anniversary of the television viewing. The IPF can now people in offices in Toronto and Montreal. Independent Production Fund was boast over $32 million invested in Efficient minimization of overhead recognized by various industry Canadian independent production for expenses for all, while ensuring the salutes to the IPF and the our television industry in the past unique mandates and Boards of Directors 11 years. Although these are numbers of each Fund is our everyday goal. outstanding dramatic television to be proud of, the growing industry series of the past 10 years. The IPF remains Canada’s only truly anxiety over the seemingly uncertain independent Fund operating on the Launched in 1991 as the Maclean future of Canadian drama, particularly revenues generated by a $35 million Hunter Television Fund with an premium quality, prime-time dramatic endowment originally donated by series, is of great concern to us all. endowment of $29 million (now Maclean Hunter Limited. This is Maintaining high levels of quality valued at $35 M) resulting from supplemented by recoupment from Canadian drama production in an era production investments which now Maclean Hunter’s purchase of of increasingly fragmented markets averages a return of 12%. Once again Selkirk Communications, the Fund and changing consumer technologies I thank my colleagues on the Board of around the world is the single greatest was renamed the Independent Directors who remain committed and challenge facing broadcasters, investors Production Fund in 1996 after the enthusiastic about the IPF’s role in the and independent producers alike. industry, and to our management team purchase of Maclean Hunter Ltd. 2001 was a busy 10th anniversary year which rises to the challenges which by Rogers. As the industry’s only for the IPF. We celebrated our first each new year brings. truly “independent” Fund, the IPF decade with a 3-minute compilation celebrated 10 years of investments video celebrating great scenes from Canadian drama series of the ‘90’s of $30 million in 122 series which was screened at Festivals across resulting in 1,000 hours of viewing the country. We offer our sincerest with 14 different first-window thanks to CTV for making this “little” Peter Mortimer Canadian broadcasters. In addition, production a reality for us. Tributes, President and a promotional campaign saluting 177 training programs were assisted Canadian drama were designed with Special Program grants. The throughout the year to draw attention IPF also now administers four other to the achievements of our industry. “The IPF can now private industry funds – the Cogeco One hundred and thirty-five seasons of boast over $32 million Program Development Fund (since original drama series is an impressive invested in Canadian body of Canadian works! 1992), the Bell Broadcast and New independent production Media Fund (since 1997) and the Our management of other Funds for our television industry expanded in 2001 when the Videon Television Production Fund in the past 11 years.” administration of the Videon Production and the CFCN Production Fund Fund was incorporated into the IPF which were both transferred to the activities together with the final phase of the CFCN Production Fund. IPF in 2001. Administration of these Funds is in

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND 2 Stats and Facts

Category 2001 1991 – 2001

series 2,190,000 29,403,817 pilots 0 647,678 Money primetime series 1,590,000 17,783,221 family series 600,000 12,268,274 professional development 209,500 2,310,625 Total investments $ 2,399,500 32,362,120

primetime series 9 47 family series 4 71 Numbers pilots 0 17 professional development 12 187 Total number of projects 25 322

primetime 79 639.5 Hours family 26 694.75 Total hours of programming 105 1,334.25

English language series number 7 82 investment 1,300,000 18,547,233 Language French language series number 6 53 investment 890,000 11,504,272

Number of series /pilots BC 0 14 Prairies 2 17 Ontario 4 56 Québec 7 63 Maritimes 0 2 Region Investments in series / pilots $ BC 0 2,200,353 Prairies 250,000 2,414,502 Ontario 900,000 12,748,351 Québec 1,040,000 12,432,289 Maritimes 0 600,000

Canal famille 0 23 CFRN 0 1 Channel 47 0 1 CHUM/CityTV 0 2 CTV 2 23 Family Channel 0 9 First-window Global 1 20 SCN 0 1 Broadcasters Showcase 1 1 Groupe TVA 4 24 Teletoon 0 1 TQS 2 8 TMN 1 2 WIC/iTV 0 6 YTV 3 23

3 2001 ANNUAL REPORT Production Series

2030 CE Minds Eye Pictures / AD 2030 Productions Inc. p. ex: Kevin DeWalt, Deirdre Gilchrist 2030 CE p: Yan Moore, Josh Miller d: Rob de Lint, Rob King, Francis Danbergen & various 13 x 30 minutes YTV

This sci-fi series is set 30 years in the future in a world without pollution, war or poverty, but where no one lives past the age of 40.

The Associates (Season 2) Big Firm II Productions Ltd. (Alliance Atlantis Communications Ltd.) p. ex: Alyson Feltes, Ann Marie La Traverse, Maureen McKeon p: Brian Dennis d: George Bloomfield, Jane Thompson The Associates 13 x 60 minutes CTV

Five young lawyers learn about themselves and the law as second-year associates in a large, blue-chip firm.

Big Comfy Couch (Season 6) Radical Sheep Productions p. ex: John Leitch p: Robert Mills, Cheryl Wagner d: Robert Mills 13 x 30 minutes YTV

Loonette the Clown and her doll Molly live on the Big Comfy Couch Big Comfy Couch where they discover the world around them with an assortment of clown friends.

Blue Murder (Season 2) Barna-Alper Productions p. ex: Laszlo Barna, Steve Lucas p: Norman Denver d: John L’Ecuyer, T.W. Peacocke, Tim Southam, Don McBrearty & various 13 x 60 minutes Global

Crime drama series about an elite investigative unit operating inside the Toronto police force. Blue Murder

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND 4 Production Series

Cauchemar d’amour Match TV inc. Cauchemar d’amour p: Anne-Marie Hétu, Philippe Dussault d: Bruno Carrière 7 x 60 minutes Groupe TVA

Two singles set off in search of true love which will bring them longed-for happiness.

Degrassi: The Next Generation Epitome Pictures

p. ex: Stephen Stohn p: Linda Schuyler d: Bruce MacDonald & various 13 x 30 minutes Degrassi CTV

Amidst the Internet, body piercing and hip hop, kids still face the timeless issues of growing up and fitting in.

Dice Cité-Amérique Cinéma Télévision Inc.

p. ex: Louis Laverdière, Vivianne Morin p: Greg Dummett, Lorraine Richard d: Rachel Talabay 6 x 60 minutes Showcase

A murderer, an investigator, a psychology researcher, and various friends and lovers use “dicing” to catch a killer in this thrilling Dice cat-and-mouse mini-series.

Incredible Story Studio (Season 5) Minds Eye Pictures

p. ex: Kevin DeWalt, Kieran Corrigan p: Virginia Thompson, Mark Reid d: Rob King, Rob de Lint & various 13 x 30 minutes YTV

Real kids tell their own funny, fictional and absolutely incredible stories on TV.

Incredible Story Studio

5 2001 ANNUAL REPORT Lance et compte: nouvelle génération I and II Communications Claude Héroux Plus inc. p. ex: Caroline Héroux Lance et compte p: Claude Héroux, Réjean Tremblay d: Jean-Claude Lord 10 x 60 minutes TQS

Twelve years later, the National team evolves from a spiritless bunch of guys to formidable players working together towards their common goal.

Si la tendance se maintient Les Productions Vendôme II inc. p: André Dubois d: Jean Bourbonnais 5 x 60 minutes Si la tendance Groupe TVA se maintient

Political and media manipulation lead to the election of an “incompetent”– whose popularity continues to grow after the election.

Tabou Productions Tabou inc. p: Jacques Blain, Jocelyn Deschênes d: Louis Choquette 8 x 60 minutes Groupe TVA

The Vandelac family is haunted by a taboo subject – the unresolved disappearance of their 14- year old daughter.

Tabou Tribu.com II Sovimed inc. p: Vincent Gabriele d: François Bouvier, Phil Comeau 17 x 60 minutes Groupe TVA

The relationships of eight dysfunctional people in a PR agency continue.

Tribu.com

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND 6 Professional Development Projects

FILM & TELEVISION WORKSHOPS SEMINARS AWARD SHOWS TRADE FORUMS FESTIVALS

Academy of Canadian Canadian Film Centre OMDC (Ontario Media Cinema and Television Prime Time Television Resident Development Corporation) 2001 Gemini Awards Programme 2001 Canadian-Australian Producers Summit October 27 – 29, 2001 January – April 2001 November 7 – 17, 2001 Toronto, Ontario Toronto, Ontario Australia & New Zealand

Les Prix Gémeaux Canadian Screen Toronto International September 30, 2001 Training Centre Film Festival Montréal, Québec SIFT – Summer Institute of Film Sessions 2001 & Television 2001 September 6 – 15, 2001 APFTQ May 29 – June 3, 2001 Toronto, Ontario Co-Production Seminar 2001 Ottawa, Ontario and Hull, Quebec November 12, 2001 Vancouver International Montreal, Quebec INIS Film Festival Drama Series Workshop 2001 Trade Forum 2001 Atlantic Film Festival January – March, 2001 September 26 – 29, 2001 Industry Series 2001 Montreal, Quebec Vancouver, BC September 19 – 22, 2001 Halifax, Nova Scotia Montreal International Film Festival Banff Television International Film, TV and Video Festival Market 2001 2001 Television Festival August 23 – September 3, 2001 June 10 – 15, 2001 Montréal, Québec Banff, Alberta

7 2001 ANNUAL REPORT Videon Fund

The administration of the Videon Television Number of Funding Production Fund was transferred to the Category Projects Funded Commitments Independent Production Fund in January 2001 as a result of changes in ownership Development Loans 8 71,000 of Videon CableSystems Inc. $418,000 was allocated to 17 projects produced by Manitoba and Alberta-based production Production Equity 9 347,000 companies. All genres of production were eligible for either development loans or Total 17 418,000 production financing.

Videon Development Projects

100 Days in the Jungle A Place in the Sun Wild Files MOW Documentary / Reality Television Educational Series Imagination Film & Television Productions Fortune Films Inc. & Voice Pictures Reel Girls Media Inc. & Sextant Entertainment Group Inc. Development Corp. p: Ava Karvonen p: Tom Rowe, Nicolette Saina p: Michelle Wong, Wendy Hill Tout w: Chris Fisher w: Sean O’Byrne w: Michelle Wong Access CTV Vision TV A nature series that makes science The true story of seven Canadian men and A woman’s search for the truth after accessible to everyone. one American abducted by Columbian the suicide of her gambling brother, guerrillas in September 1999 while and a family’s journey toward healing. working on a pipeline project in Ecuador. Sudan: The Secret Story The Andy Seidemann Story Documentary MOW 887429 Alberta Ltd. Minds Eye Pictures (Alberta) Ltd. p: David Christensen, Damien Lewis p. ex: Kevin DeWalt w: David Christensen p: Josh Miller CBC w: Scot Morison Arms for oil deals, chemical weapons A – Channel use, child soldiers – this film explores Small town Saskatchewan Mountie Andy the darker side of oil in Sudan. Seidemann pursues a serial child molester. Days 100 Tipi Tales North of 60 – Another Country Children’s Series MOW Eagle Vision Productions Inc. Alberta Filmworks Inc. p: Lisa Meeches p: Doug MacLeod, Tom Cox w: Jordan Wheeler, w: Andrew Wreggitt, Peter Lauterman Nancy Trites-Botkin CBC APTN, YTV Suspense movie set in the wilds of The seven sacred teachings of northern Canada. aboriginal spirituality are presented through puppets.

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND 8 Videon Production Projects

7th Fire Edge of Madness Wilderness Journeys Wilderness Journeys

AD 2030 Innocence Under Siege Taking it Off Youth Series Documentary Documentary Series Minds Eye Pictures / AD 2030 Lank Beach Productions Anaid Productions Productions Inc. p: Luanne Lank p. ex: Margaret Mardirossian p. ex: Kevin DeWalt, Deirdre Gilchrist w: Susan Nicol p: Alexandra Zarowny, p: Yan Moore, Josh Miller Global, Prime TV Michele Boniface, Neil Grahn w: Yan Moore, Dennis Foon This documentary examines children as w: Neil Grahn YTV targets of conflict and soldiers of war. Life Network This sci-fi series is set 30 years in the The series follows seven people in their future in a world without pollution, war Mentors attempt to lose weight, examining or poverty, but where no one lives past Children’s series dietary, lifestyle and belief changes. the age of 40. Anaid Productions / Minds Eye Pictures p: Margaret Mardirossian Wilderness Journeys: Drug Deals w: Josh Miller & various The Ancient Rainforest Documentary Family Channel Documentary Merit Motion Pictures Inc. A computer transports historical figures Karvonen Films Ltd. p. ex: Merit Jensen Carr, Joe MacDonald forward in time to mentor kids. p: Albert Karvonen w: Erna Buffie w: Sandra Tober CBC Sharing Visions / Reveries Discovery Channel, SCN, Knowledge The show examines the increasing Documentary Network, Canal D alliances and conflicts of interest within Sharing Visions / Reveries Inc. Remote coastal areas of BC not the field of drug research and the p: Jean Patenaude accessible by road are explored. regulatory and approval agencies. w: Jean Patenaude CBC, CFRN, Bravo!, Canal D, Worlds Apart… Edge of Madness (formerly Access Alberta, SCN Joining Together A Wilderness Station) A documentary combining the art Documentary Feature Film / MOW of painter Sam Black with the music W.B.P. Productions Inc. CinéGroupe Corporation & of composer Stewart Grant. p: Louis Paquin Credo Entertainment Corp. w: Steve Wolfson p. ex: Jacques Pettigrew, Marie-Claude Stories from the 7th Fire APTN, SCN, Vision TV Beauchamp, Derek Mazur, Children’s Series The Inuit of the Canadian Arctic Charles K. Pitts Storytellers Productions Inc. and the Maya of the Belize p: Bill Gray p: Gerri Cook, Ava Karvonen, Rainforests are compared in the w: Charles K. Pitts, Anne Wheeler Greg Coyes face of imposing “civilization.” CBC, TMN, Showcase, Superchannel w: Gerri Cook, Greg Coyes Based on Alice Munro’s story, a woman APTN, CFRN, Access, Vision TV is tyrannized by her husband on their The series depicts ancient homestead in the early 1950’s. First Nations stories.

9 2001 ANNUAL REPORT