Montreal: Early this summer, Telescene will begin production on 22 hours of the U.S. syndicated drama series Sirens.

The deal is being heralded as a major breakthrough in the city’s promotional efforts. Sirens is expected to pump more than $25 million into the local production economy in the first year. The amount could rise to $100 million if the series goes all the way to 78 episodes, the current number preferred in the u.s. syndication market.

Created by Ann Lewis Hamilton, a writer/producer on abc’s thirtysomething, Sirens is a relatively non-violent cop show about three rookie female officers in Pittsburgh who are trying to make it in this traditional male domain.

The series aired on abc last year but was canned after 13 episodes. Following the show’s cancellation, Telescene began talks with ABC Productions to purchase the rights to the show. Financing for 22 new episodes was done by Telescene, which has the Canadian and international rights, and u.s. syndicator, All-American Television.

Two of the three female leads from the abc run are returning, and a Quebec actress will round out the top players. u.s. and Quebec writers, along with Quebec directors, are being used on the series, says Telescene president Robin Spry.

At a mid-month press conference, Quebec Culture and Communications Minister Liza Frulla stressed that Sirens is a Quebec-owned series. The minister congratulated Spry et al ‘on their tenacious efforts over two years,’ adding the Quebec government played a decisive role in bringing the production to Montreal through its tax-credit and export assistance programs.

Telescene executive vice-president Paul Painter says syndication sales by All-American (Baywatch, Family Feud) in the u.s. are in the form of barter, cash, or both.

The revenue potential for Sirens in the u.s. market is tied to its ratings. ‘As long as it does a four rating in the u.s., they’ll (All-American) end up grossing approximately $10 million,’ says Painter.

In Canada, Baton Broadcasting broadcast the first 13 episodes of Sirens and has first right of refusal on the new hours.

Important contribution

apftq president Louise Baillargeon says the producers’ association ‘is especially happy Telescene has full control of the production and distribution.’ She says using Montreal’s lab and post services will be an important contribution to the local film infrastructure.

Andre Lafond, Montreal film commissioner, says the orchestrated efforts of all parties directly and indirectly involved in the production business are beginning to pay off for the city. He says the harmonization of the stcvq collective agreement with North American craft codes has also added momentum to Quebec’s location sales pitch.

According to Lafond, setting local issues in order laid the groundwork for a successful visit to Montreal by Tom Brodek, ABC Productions senior vice-president. The Sirens deal is the result of subsequent negotiations between Spry and Brodek.

Last fall, Lafond led a Montreal producer/production service delegation to meetings in New York City and Chicago, where he says discussions on ‘coventure projects’ were initiated.

Lafond is predicting a 50% increase in foreign location shoots for Montreal this year. In 1993 there were eight foreign shoots in the city or Quebec. This year, he says, there may be 10 to 12.

‘If this one (Sirens) succeeds, we’re in,’ says Lafond.

Spin-off benefits

At the press gathering, Montreal Mayor Jean Dore said film and tv production represents a $250 million a year investment in the Montreal region, with spin-off benefits in the order of $375 million.

While Toronto and Vancouver have built up an infrastructure through foreign production, ‘this has not yet happened in Quebec,’ said Dore. ‘But this (Sirens) is the signal that Montreal is now a serious candidate.’

Painter says the sale of 15 hours of Telescene’s newsroom drama Urban Angel to cbs gave the Montreal company ‘the credibility that is essential in the u.s. television market.’

$1.25M budgets

Sirens will be shot on a budget of about $1.25 million per one-hour episode. The Quebec production tax credit, worth approximately 18% of the budget, and the federal tax shelter, worth 9% of the balance, combine to cover 25% of the production’s cost. The federal tax shelter alone is worth about $2 million to the producer, says Painter.

All-American has sold the series in nine of the top 10 u.s. syndication markets, and expects to reach 95% penetration.

Telescene pitched Sirens at Monte Carlo and is reporting tentative presales to 34 countries, with interest from 17 more, Painter says.

‘This series will be a signal to Hollywood and Europe that anything produced in Toronto or Vancouver can be done as well or better in Montreal,’ says Spry.

Sirens goes to air this fall.