Annual Report 2002–2003 nationalscreeninstitute “As a relatively young filmmaker, this (2003 NSI FilmExchange) was also my first time witnessing genuine evidence of the existence of a Canadian film community. Coming from Quebec, I was amazed to see a successful bridging of the vast distances separating the various filmmaking communities throughout the nation.” KARL RAUDSEPP-HEARNE Director, Song “In a word – opportunity! To connect and learn from seasoned veterans and other emerging professionals in a productive and focused environment. It’s been great so far!!!” ANAND RAMAYYA 2002 NSI Totally Television Producer, Wapos Bay – The Series The National Screen Institute – Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is a training and development organization for the film and television industry. Programs are delivered in regions across Canada and in key locations around the world. The National Screen Institute – Canada operates with ongoing funding from Telefilm Canada through Canadian Heritage, and Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Additional support provided by Patrons: Global Television Network, CTV and CBC Television. Further support provided by our Partners: Alliance Atlantis, Odeon Films and Warner Bros. Entertainment (Canada) Inc. nsi | ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 nationalscreeninstitute “We feel the NSI has served as an excellent platform to springboard our team into the future of Canadian filmmaking.” ERIN HASKETT, TIM McAREE AND LUKE CARROLL 2001 NSI Drama Prize Team, For My Father “When a festival puts new Canadian work front and centre it’s exciting. Maybe it’s the start of the revolution, where Canadian directors start to take back a few of their screens.” CARL BESSAI Director, Lola, 2002 NSI FilmExchange T ABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Profile 25 Professional Leadership 4 Message from the Chair 26 Senior Management 5 Message from the CEO 27 Associate Faculty 6 Year of Achievements 28 Auditors’ Report 20 In Development 29 2002–2003 Audited Financial Statement 22 NSI Reaching Canadians/Sharing with the World 38 2003–2004 Operating Budget 24 Board of Directors 40 Partners and Sponsors 1 nsi | ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 Profile ROLE MISSION The National Screen Institute – Canada The National Screen Institute – Canada supplies is the oldest Canadian training school for innovative, focused, applied professional training, writers, directors and producers working leading participants to successful careers as Build in film and television. Founded in the writers, directors and producers in Canada’s mid 1980s, one of four federally recognized film and television industry. and supported National Training Schools for professional development in film and STRUCTURE television, NSI plays an important role in A 14 member Board of Directors, chaired by preparing emerging content creators for Carole Vivier, oversees the operations of the viable and sustainable careers, without National Screen Institute – Canada. The Chief their having to relocate to Toronto, Montreal Executive Officer is Susan Millican, who reports or Vancouver for such training. directly to the Board of Directors. NSI takes its programs on the road – delivering them in major centres in every region of the FUNDING country. For our participants that means The NSI derives 39% of its total revenues from bringing them national level training at home. corporate sponsorships and 4% through earned NSI also recognizes the importance of exchange revenues from its programs. A further 22% is with industry professionals, and presents derived from various federal, provincial and opportunities for participants to showcase municipal government and agency sources. their work, develop mentor relationships The balance comes from Telefilm Canada, and learn from the best in Canada. through Canadian Heritage, in recognition of Our training is provided through six core NSI’s public role as a National Training School. programs, streamed to meet the needs of individuals at various levels of experience. Each program is based on a project-oriented methodology where participants learn by doing. Whether producing a short film or feature, developing a television series, negotiating a broadcast license or distribution deal, securing overseas sales, or sharing the national spotlight – NSI – Canada designs its programs so that participants can leverage and exploit their own works. 2 nsi | ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 Developing Imagination ing Recognition Providing Excellence The National Screen Institute – Canada Investment in program models, which has successfully met the financial and focus on creative work produced by our administrative challenges of the previous participants, has resulted in short films, year. The organization retracted and feature productions and television restructured its activities, maximizing programs with audience appeal both at value from its core business. home and abroad. Our programs performed well, despite budgetary constraints, Our strategy of developing imagination delivering graduates prepared to meet and building recognition for our program industry demands and market trends. participants, along with providing excellent film and television product, has resulted Our financial goals were surpassed. in many achievements in 2002–2003. We recorded a surplus and are in a position to reinvest in new initiatives. We look forward to introducing training opportunities that will lead to Canadians seeing a wider, more diverse, reflection of their stories and experiences on the screen. 3 nsi | ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 Message from the Chair These substantive achievements were made despite the financial challenges experienced Growth and change, renewed energy in the previous year. Program budgets were and commitment, and individual program streamlined and sources of revenue expanded achievements characterized fiscal year 2002– to eliminate the deficit. I am happy to report 2003. Key goals identified in our Business that these measures contributed to a surplus Plan were met, if not surpassed. These included in this current year. The Board was encouraged expanding training to meet the needs of by fiscal projections, and confident in approving both film and television, enhancing existing development of new initiatives and expansion programs to provide job ready training, of existing programs, as evidenced in this reducing costs related to program delivery, Annual Report. and diversifying our sources of revenue. This success is very much attributable to the The Board recognizes that increased activity drive and expertise of the NSI team under the will result in increased expenses. To establish leadership of CEO Susan Millican. a clearer picture of our value to the marketplace, the Board has approved an Economic Impact The primary task for 2002–2003 was to Study to be undertaken in the next fiscal audit NSI’s six core programs, and develop year. The results of this study will provide and implement strategies for modifying, NSI with valuable information to better position expanding or repurposing curricula. The the organization financially. We also hope to Board has been thoroughly pleased with introduce an endowment fund as a stabilization the results. Key achievements included: measure to ensure the NSI’s long-term growth. •repositioning Drama Prize to reflect CBC Oh behalf of the Board, I would like to extend ZeD program sponsorship, which included a our appreciation and congratulate NSI staff first-window broadcast license for participants; and faculty for a job well done. •restructuring Features First to strengthen financial, business and marketing components, and ensure the highest calibre of graduates; • launch of year one of Totally Television, a comprehensive professional development Carole Vivier program for the television industry; CEO, MANITOBA FILM & SOUND •refinement of the Global Marketing Program to provide greater distinction between film and television producers’ marketing needs, and stronger financial and business training; • elimination of the Movie Camp program and repurposing of the curriculum to meet the needs of an Aboriginal Youth Training Program in development; and •renaming and repositioning the NSI’s Showcase Program, FilmExchange, in order to strengthen the value of this event with audiences, program participants and industry professionals. 4 nsi | ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 Message from the CEO This year also marks the successful rebranding and marketing of our showcase event, NSI I am pleased to report that fiscal year 2002– FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival. The 2003 has exceeded our expectations. My festival brought together emerging and first task upon joining the NSI team was established Canadian content creators to to assess the needs of emerging Canadian showcase and market their works, participate content creators and determine marketplace in professional development workshops, and requirements before embarking on a plan meet colleagues, audiences, distributors and to revitalize and expand the NSI’s programs broadcasters. Our goal is to build recognition to provide essential job ready training. Programs for Canadian works on a local, national and were modified to respond to the film and international level. television sectors’ needs, and repositioned to attract the most promising talent from The NSI’s accomplishments in 2002–2003 across Canada. We succeeded in providing reflect the confidence and commitment of greater opportunities for writers, producers the Board of Directors, staff, faculty, alumni, and directors to develop their talents and partners and sponsors,