IPA in the final stretch

The Independent Production Agreement between the Writers Guild of Canada and the Canadian Film and Television Production Association is in the final stages of negotiations. A last meeting between the two parties is set for the end of March, with the emphasis on simplifying the agreement. Among the issues on the table are the inclusion of story editors in the agreement, script fee increases for mows and elimination of deductions from calculations of the advance on user fee royalties.

Soundstage for N.S.

The Government of Nova Scotia is providing $500,000 for construction of a soundstage in Halifax. Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation president Roman Bittman says tenders have gone out and plans are to complete construction by June.

Primary requirements for the soundstage are size and location. Bittman says interested parties include Salter Street Films, which is looking for space for its upcoming television series The Dark Zone, and Sherwater Development Corporation, which has a hangar available.

Cable Fund gears up

The Cable Production Fund, with an estimated $38 million allotment in its first fiscal year, expects to open its doors for applications April 3 on a first-come, first-served basis. Guidelines are currently being amended and should be finalized by the end of March. Qualifying productions must commence principal photography April 1 or after.