The following is a listing of Canadian commercial production houses in alphabetical order. Information is based on questionnaires completed by companies which chose to respond to Playback.

– The Ace Film Company

#400 – 1152 Mainland St.

Vancouver, b.c. V6B 4X2

Tel. (604) 682-0001

Fax (604) 682-7346

Key marketing contact: Parker Jefferson

Total shooting days: 72

Canada-orginated: 72

Total commercials produced: 63

Canadian-based directors: Gordon Carson

Director/cinematographers: Allen Jones

Exclusive Canadian representation: T.C. Christensen (Salt Lake City), Bill Jensen (l.a.)

– Apple Box Productions

#300 – 10359 Whyte Ave.

Edmonton, Alta. T6E 1Z9

Tel. (403) 944-0011

Fax (403) 438-5800

Key marketing contacts: Hans Dys, Missy Geffen

Apple Box Productions

54A Scollard St.

Toronto, Ont. M5R 1E9

Tel. (416) 966-2488

Fax (416) 966-9551

Key marketing contacts: Barbara Walker, Jaime Rodriguez

Apple Box Productions

#401 – 12 Water St.

Vancouver, b.c. V6B 1A5

Tel. (604) 684-8995

Fax (604) 684-8994

Key marketing contact: Greg Bosworth

Total shooting days: 216

Canada-orginated: 178

Total commercials produced: 158

Canada-originated: 110

Canadian-based directors: Peter Cresswell, Bob Keates, Philip Spink, John Spooner, Chris Tammaro, David Van Fleet, Mark Walton, Cosimo Zitani

Canadian-based director/cinematographer: John Spooner

Canadian-based cinematographer: Richard Zyp

U.S. affiliations: Ocean Park Production (Venice, Calif.), Plum Production (Santa Monica, Calif.)

Exclusive Canadian representation: Hank Benson (l.a.), Jerry Cotts (l.a.), Edi Flehner (Argentina), Stanley Larsen (Seattle), Eric Saarinen (l.a.), Bobby Sheehan (New York), Mark Simon (Atlanta), Lee Redmond (l.a.)

– Artists Company Canada

29A Leslie St.

Toronto, Ont. M4M 3C3

Tel. (416) 461-8063

Fax (416) 461-1071

Key marketing contacts: Karen Silver, Susan Neill

Total shooting days: 82

Canada-orginated: 32

Total commercials produced: 23

Canada-originated: 9

Canadian-based director: Skip D’Amico (also New York)

U.S. affiliations: The Artists Company and A&R Group (New York, Chicago, l.a., London, Brazil)

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: David Cameron (New York), Skip D’Amico (New York), Michael Haussman (London), Bill Hudson (New York), Piers Plowden (l.a.), Gillean Proctor (London), David Ramser (New York), Steven Ramser (l.a.), Michal Utterback (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Michael Cuesta Jr. (New York)

– Avion Film Productions

517 Wellington St. W., Suite 100

Toronto, Ont. M5V 1G1

Tel. (416) 598-2232

Fax (416) 598-0220

Key marketing contacts: Paola Lazzeri, Michael Schwartz

Total shooting days: 176

Canada-orginated: 139

Total commercials produced: 85

Canada-originated: 71

Canadian-based directors: Eugene Beck, John Fawcett, Martin Granger, Tim Hamilton, Warren Sulatycky

Director/cinematographers: Simon Mestel, George Morita, Rhett Morita

Cinematographers: Stanley Mestel

U.S. affiliations: Chelsea Films, Crossroads Films, Industrial Artists

– Big Star Motion Pictures

13025 Yonge St., Ste. 201

Richmond Hill, Ont. L4E 1Z5

Tel. (416) 720-9825

Fax (905) 773-3153

Key marketing contact: Frank A. Deluca

Total shooting days: 12

Canada-orginated: 12

Total commercials produced: 11

Canada-originated: 11

Canadian-based director: Giacomo Moncado

Canadian-based cinematographers: John Holosko, Adam Swica

– Cactus Productions

200 – 1152 Mainland St.

Vancouver, b.c. V6B 4X2

Tel. (604) 684-1133

Fax (604) 684-6375

Key marketing contact: Scott Kennedy

Total shooting days: 77

Canada-orginated: 34

Total commercials produced: 43

Canada-originated: 28

Canadian-based director: James Head

Director/cinematographer: James Head

U.S. affiliation: Mastrippolito Films, September Films, Emerald Films, Barry Dukoff Assoc.

– Cinelande et associes

420 Saint-Martin St.

Montreal, Que. H3J 1W2

Tel. (514) 931-0066

Fax (514) 931-6455

Key marketing contacts: Pierre Lalande, Andre Viau, Johanne Joliat, Alex Sliman

Total shooting days: 141

Canada-orginated: 141

Total commercials produced: 126

Canadian-based directors: Jean Beaudin, Charles Biname, Erik Canuel, Lyne Charlebois, Richard Ciupka, James di Salvio, Pierre Gill, Francois Girard, Serge Jacques, Jean-Marc Piche, Yves Simoneau, Tim Southam

Exclusive Canadian representation: Scott Lloyd Davies (l.a.), Peter Thomson (North Carolina)

– Circle Productions

225 Macpherson Ave.

Toronto, Ont. M4V 1A1

Tel. (416) 922-9900

Fax (416) 922-0548

Key marketing contacts: Timothy Turner, Karen Tameanko

Circle Productions

1620 West 5th Ave.

Vancouver, b.c. V6J 1N8

Tel. (604) 733-5727

Fax (604) 733-1142

Key marketing contacts: Chris Bowell, Tom Murray

Total shooting days: 240

Canada-orginated: 135

Total commercials produced: 95

Canada-originated: 57

Canadian-based directors: Wade Ferley, Fred Frame, Derik Murray, Shin Sugino, Robert Turner, Stephen Yeates

Director/cinematographers: Phil Linzey, Shin Sugino, Stephen Yeates

Cinematographer: Phil Linzey

U.S. affiliations: Circle Productions Los Angeles, Shut Up and Drive Los Angeles, Onesuch Films, Arf & Company, The James Gang

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Blair Hayes (l.a.), David Lamb (Chicago), Louis Lyne (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Jim Beresford (Dallas), Alex Fernbach (New York), Jonathan Taylor (l.a.)

– Dalton Films

26 Soho St., Suite 300

Toronto, Ont. M5T 1Z7

Tel. (416) 599-0000

Fax (416) 599-4224

Key marketing contacts: Cindy Kemp, Chris Dalton

Total shooting days: 67

Canada-orginated: 67

Total commercials produced: 41

Canadian-based directors: Ron Campbell, Bob Canning, Gail Harvey, Randy MacDonald, Stephen Onyett, David Straiton

Director/cinematographer: Bernard Leroux

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Todd Allan (l.a.), Susan Brown (l.a.), Michele Clement (l.a.), Jim Edwards (l.a.), Tenney Fairchild (l.a.), Hunter Freeman (l.a.), Paul Goldman (New York), Nelson McCormick (l.a.), Arthur Vibert (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Jack Churchill (New York), Jim Connolly (New York), Domenic Mastrippolito, Scott Miller (l.a.), Larry Shiu (l.a.)

– Damast Gordon and Associates

62 Shaftesbury Ave.

Toronto, Ont. M4T 1A3

Tel. (416) 972-7666

Fax (416) 972-7677

Key marketing contact: Susi Patterson

Total shooting days: 84

Canada-orginated: 77

Total commercials produced: 82

Canada-originated: 77

Canadian-based directors: Boris Damast, Glen Schultz

Director/cinematographers: Steve Gordon, Dan Izzard

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Laura Belsey (New York), Paul Cade (New York), Gil Cope (l.a.), Jeff France (l.a.), Robert Lieberman (l.a.), Jeff Lovinger (New York), Ian MacDonald (l.a.), Gary Noren (Seattle), Michael Rowles (New York)

Director/cinematographers: Miles Goodall (South Africa), Tim Pike (South Africa), Charles Wittenmeier (l.a.)

– Derek Van Lint and Associates

55 Sudbury St.

Toronto, Ont. M6J 3S7

Tel. (416) 588-4003

Fax (416) 588-6041

Key marketing contacts: Humphrey Carter, Mark Bisson

Total shooting days: 101

Canada-orginated: 76

Total commercials produced: 57

Canada-originated: 45

Canadian-based directors: Paul Herriott, Curtis Lantinga, Jean-Marc Piche, Chris Sanderson, David Storey, Stephen Thursby,

Directors/cinematographers: Derek Vanlint, Andrew Watt

U.S. affiliation: d.v.l.a. (us), Palomar Pictures

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Aoki (New York), Neil Abramson (l.a.), Fatima (London), Melodie McDaniels (l.a.), Keir McFarlane (l.a.), Jean-Baptiste Mondino (Paris), Eduardo Scull (Caracas), Gore Verbinski (l.a.), Mitchel Walker (l.a.), Darius Wolski (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Michael Buckley (Capetown), Robert Gordon (Miami), Paul Hopkins (Seattle), Robert Maya (Miami)

– The Directors Film Company

9 Price St.

Toronto, Ont. M4W 1Z1

Tel. (416) 924-8336

Fax (416) 924-9089

Key marketing contacts: Nell Frair, Teri Walderman

Total shooting days: 52

Canada-orginated: 49

Total commercials produced: 37

Canada-originated: 36

Canadian-based directors: Douglas Moshoian, Robert F. Quartly

Director/cinematorgrapher: John Lloyd

U.S. affiliation: Morton Jankel Zander/l.a.

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Jeremiah Chechik (l.a.), Chuck East (London), Elma Garcia (l.a.), Rocky Morton (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Irv Blitz (l.a.), Nigel Grierson (London), Bob Richardson (l.a.)

– La Fabrique d’Images*

318 Sherbrooke St. E.

Montreal, Que. H2X 1E6

Tel. (514) 282-1505

Fax (514) 282-8784

Key marketing contact: Michel Raymond

Total shooting days: 143

Canada-orginated: 138

Total commercials produced: 202

Canada-originated: 196

Canadian-based directors: Jim Donovan,Christian Duguay, Jacques Fournier, Francois Gingras, Marc S. Grenier, Claude Marchand, Michel Poulette, Jean-Francois Pouliot, Jean-Michel Ravon, Karim Waked

Director/cinematographer: Christian Duguay

Exclusive Canadian representation: Adam Kimmel (New York)

(*La Fabrique has an agreement on exchange of directors’ services with Toronto-based The Partners’ Film Company.)

– Frame 30 Productions

#202, 10816A – 82 Ave.

Edmonton, Alta. T6E 2B3

Tel. (403) 439-5322

Fax (403) 431-1905

Key marketing contact: Michael Hamm

Total shooting days: 52

Canada-orginated: 52

Total commercials produced: 38

Canadian-based director: Michael Hamm

Director/Cinematographer: Greg Hoey (for Western Canada)

U.S. affiliation: J.P.I. (Little Rock, Arkansas)

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Director: Scott Parker (Edmonton)

Director/cinematographer: Dean Bennett (Calgary)

– FX – Vision Productions

116 Cumberland Ave.

Toronto, Ont. M5R 1A6

Tel. (416) 975-5511

Fax (416) 408-4114

Key marketing contact: Simon Lugassy

Total shooting days: 36

Canada-orginated: 30

Total commercials produced: 26

Canada-originated: 20

Canadian-based directors: Vance Chapman, Andrew Hays, Len Henry, Robert Kent, Josh Levy, Gord McFarlene

Director/cinematographers: Kim Derko, Margaret Malanduccolo

Cinematographers: Kim Derko, Ricardo Diaz, David Greene, Margaret Malanduccolo, Jason Tan

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Director: Josh Levy (l.a.)

– Imported Artists Film Company

49 Spadina Ave., Suite 100

Toronto, Ont. M5V 2J1

Tel. (416) 971-5915

Fax (416) 971-7925

Key marketing contacts: Christina Ford, Marylu Jeffery

Total shooting days: 132

Canada-orginated: 128

Total commercials produced: 108

Canada-originated: 107

Canadian-based directors: Richard D’Alessio

U.S. affiliations: Big Deahl Productions, Johns and Gorman, The End, Moxie Pictures, Slavin/Schaffer Films

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Martin Brierley, Michael Anderson (London/l.a.), Anouk (New York), Meiert Avis (l.a.), Brothers Quay (l.a.), Charlie Carlson (New York), Mark Celentano (New York), David Deahl (Chicago), Jack Desort (l.a.), Geoff Dixon (New Zealand), Jeffrey Fleisig (l.a.), Yariv Gaber (l.a.), Jeff Gorman (l.a.), Amir Hamed (l.a.), Erick Ifergan (l.a.), Gary Johns (l.a.), Billy Kent (New York), Dan Levinson (l.a.), Libman & Williams (l.a.), Steve Lowe (London), Vadim Perelman (l.a.), Bob Purman (Wisconsin), Neil Pollock (l.a.), Marcus Raboy (l.a.), Randy Roberts (l.a.), Neal Slavin (New York), Zack Snyder (l.a.), Tarsem (l.a.), Michael Ulick (New York), Charlie Watson (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Mark Celentano (New York), David Deahl (Chicago), Amir Hamed (l.a.), Bob Purman (Wisconsin)

– Jet Films

3575, St-Laurent Blvd., Suite 540

Montreal, Que. H2X 2T7

Tel. (514) 844-1636

Fax (514) 844-7625

Email: member@quebec-live.com

Key marketing contacts: Jacques Langlois, Michel Fortin

Total shooting days: 111

Canada-orginated: 90

Total commercials produced: 187

Canada-originated: 180

Canadian-based directors: Michel David, Frederic Desjardins, Christian Langlois, Neil McGregor, Andre Melancon, Johanne Pregent, Eric Tessier, Jean-Marc Vallee, Curtis Wehrfritz

Exclusive Canadian representation: Louis-Pascal Couvelaire (Paris), Steven Goldmann (Nashville), Heiko Hageman (Hamburg), Lewis Roth (Miami)

(Radke Films and Otherworld Films for Quebec)

– Jolly Roger*

488 Wellington St. W., 5th Floor

Toronto, Ont. M5V 1E3

Tel. (416) 597-1611

Fax (416) 597-1116

Key marketing contacts: Peter Davis, James Davis

Total shooting days: 23

Canada-orginated: 23

Total commercials produced: 11

Canadian-based director: Robert Logevall, Curtis Wehrfritz

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Director: Steven Chase (l.a.)

* Jolly Roger began operations in January 1995

– Kessler Irish Films

30 Duncan St., 6th Floor

Toronto, Ont., M5V 2C3

Tel. (416) 977-3030

Fax (416) 977-3044

Key marketing contact: Liane Thomas

Total shooting days: 43

Canada-orginated: 32

Total commercials produced: 32

Canada-originated: 25

Canadian-based directors: Bill Irish, Ron Baxter Smith, David Wellington

Director/cinematographer: Barry Parrell

U.S. affiliations: glg, Gartner/Grasso, Epoch Films, Concrete Films, Wild Scientific, Crawford Films

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: John Crawford (San Francisco), James Gartner (l.a.), Michael Grasso (l.a.), Paula Greif (New York), Hans Neleman (New York), Willi Patterson (l.a.), Patrick Russell (l.a.), Frank Tammariello (l.a./Dallas), David Wild (l.a.)

Director/cinematographer: Jeff Preiss (New York/l.a.)

– L.T.B. Productions

137 Berkeley St.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 2X1

Tel. (416) 360-0053

Fax (416) 360-1253

Key marketing contacts: Sarah Ker-Hornell, Wayne Fenske

Total shooting days: 68

Canada-orginated: 42

Total commercials produced: 56

Canada-originated: 28

Canadian-based directors: George D’Amato, Christopher Gentile, David Hackl, Paul Lynch

Director/cinematographer: Harry Makin

Exclusive Canadian representation: Directors: Greg Gold (l.a.),Vince Misiano (New York), Chris Nolan (l.a.), Sean Tracey (New Hampshire)

Director/cinematographers: Steve Bruni (New York), C.B. Harding (Portland), Craig Henderson (l.a.), Leroy Koetz (Chicago)

– Magic Inc.

60 Sumach St.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 3J7

Tel. (416) 362-4678

Fax (416) 362-3372

Key marketing contact: Carmen Dolgay

Total shooting days: 115

Canada-orginated: 97

Total commercials produced: 130

Canada-originated: 115

Canadian-based directors: Michael Clarke, Gordon Oglan

Director/cinematographers: Derek Case, Ted Parkes

Cinematographer: Chris Berry

– Maxx Productions*

49 Spadina Ave, Suite 500

Toronto, Ont. M5V 2J1

Tel. (416) 585-9900

Fax (416) 585-2199

Key marketing contacts:

Kate Eisner, Harve Sherman

* Maxx Productions began operations in September 1995

– The Partners’ Film Company

53 Ontario St.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 2V1

Tel. (416) 869-3500

Fax (416) 869-3365

Key marketing contacts: Don McLean, Madelaine Atkins, John Smythe, Ross McLean

Total shooting days: 469

Canada-orginated: 392

Total commercials produced: 182

Canada-originated: 160

Canadian-based directors: Don Allan, Raymond Bark, Doug Bradshaw, Colin Chilvers, Barbara Cole, David Cronenberg, Dan Hackett, Carl Harvey, Dale Heslip, Bronwen Hughes, Greg Sheppard, Floria Sigismondi, Kari Skogland, Matthew Vibert, Eric Yealland, Clay Staub, Allan Marr

Director/cinematographers: Miroslaw Baszak, Chris Holmes, Larry Hutson, Ian Leech, Andre Pienaar, George Willis

Cinematographers: Miroslaw Baszak, Andre Pienaar

U.S. affiliations: Bedford Falls, Fahrenheit Films, G.M.S., Morrison Productions, Petermann Moss, Tobin Films, Werts Films

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Michael Cerny (l.a.), Rod Davis (l.a.), Kevin Donovan (l.a.), Pascal Franchot (l.a.), Jim Giddens (l.a.), Marshall Herskowitz (l.a.), Peter Horton (l.a.), Ray Lawrence (l.a.), Jim Manera (l.a.), The Nomads (l.a.), Mark Piznarski (l.a.), Steve Tobin (l.a.), Jay Vigon (l.a.), Rupert Wainright (l.a.), Bill Werts (l.a.), Barry Young (l.a.), Edward Zwick (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Tom Ackerman (l.a.), Charlie Cole (New York), Ken Morrison (New Orleans), Hobby Morrison (New Orleans), Peter Moss (l.a.), Gary Nolton (l.a.), Peter Nydrl (l.a.), Fred Petermann (l.a.), Greg Ramsey (New York), Mikael Solomon (l.a.)

– The Players Film Company

77 Mowat Ave., Suite 503

Toronto, Ont. M5B 2J9

Tel. (416) 516-9110

Fax (416) 516-9113

Key marketing contacts: Philip Mellows, Nina Valiquette

Total shooting days: 120

Canada-orginated: 80

Total commercials produced: 95

Canada-originated: 70

Canadian-based directors: Henry Less, David McNally, Stephen Surjik

Director/cinematographer: Henry Less

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Barbara Campbell (New York), David Culp (Seattle), Andy Morahan (l.a./London), Rob Thomas (l.a.)

Director/cinematographers: Michael Chu (l.a.), Bruce Logan (l.a.), Tom Ryan (Dallas)

– Radke Films

49 Ontario St.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 2V1

Tel. (416) 366-9036

Fax (416) 366-0006

Key marketing contacts: Edie Weiss, Jamie Phair

Total shooting days: 130

Canada-orginated: 125

Total projects produced: 52

Canada-originated: 50

Canadian-based directors: Philip Kates, Gabor Tarko

Director/cinematographers: Bob Perks, Gabor Tarko

U.S. affiliations: Propaganda Films/Satellite Films, Headquarters, Ritts/Hayden, Smillie Films

Exclusive Canadian representation:

Directors: Robert Black (San Francisco), Wayne Gibson (Boston), Peter Goldschmidt (New York), Jeff Jones (Chicago), John Mastromonaco (l.a.), Rob Pritts (l.a.), Eric Steinman (New York)

Director/cinematographers: David Cornell (New York), J. Wesley Jones (New York), Laurie Rubin (Chicago)

– Rampage Entertainment

#305 – 600 Drake St.

Vancouver, b.c. V6B 5Y7

Tel. (604) 669-0275

Fax (604) 669-0254

Key marketing contact: Shaun Turner

Total shooting days: 55

Canada-orginated: 50

Total commercials produced: 23

Canada-originated: 23

Canadian-based director: Gavin Wilding

Director/cinematographers (affiliated): John Houtman, John Bartley

U.S. affiliation: Devin International

– Sparks Productions

70 McGee St.

Toronto, Ont. M4M 2K9

Tel. (416) 461-2121

Fax (416) 461-3188

Key marketing contact: Andy Crosbie

Total shooting days: 73

Canada-orginated: 49

Total commercials produced: 60

Canada-originated: 35

Canadian-based directors: Holly Dale, Will Dixon, Terry O’Reilly

Director/cinematographer: Stephen Amini

Exclusive Canadian representation: Ron Ames (Dallas), Jeff Bednarz (Dallas), Todd Burrows (l.a.), Tricia Caruso (New York), Peter Cooper (San Francisco), Carl Corey (Minneapolis), Bill Cuccinello (Boston), Dan Driscoll (Boston), Rick Dublin (Minneapolis), Danny Ducovny (l.a.), David Elliot (New York), Bill Fertik (New York), Jim Gable (l.a.), Cindy and Alan Koenke (Colorado), Richard Kooris (Austin), Peter Martinez (Boston), Craig McCord (Dallas), Brent McCowan (l.a.), David McNamara (New York), John Massey (New York), Claude Mougin (New York), Paris (Dallas), Toby Phillips (l.a.), Sarah Pirozek (New York), Jerry Pope (Minneapolis), Neil Salley (Boston), Michael Shapiro (l.a.), Sean Thonson (l.a.), Neil Tardio (New York), Gordon Willis Jr. (Dallas), James Wvinner (l.a.).

– Spy Films

49C Spadina Ave.

Toronto, Ont. M5V 2J1

Tel. (416) 979-7797

Fax (416) 979-3090

Key marketing contacts: William Cranor, Carlo Trulli

Total shooting days: 86

Canada-orginated: 84

Total commercials produced: 46

Canada-originated: 44

Canadian-based directors: Javier Aguilera, Carl Armstrong, Cosimo Cavallaro, Rod Chong, Jennifer Cowan, Jeff Eamer, Pete Henderson, Gord McWatters

Director/cinematographers: George Vale, Alar Kivilo

Exclusive Canadian representation: Patricia Murphy (u.k.), Jeff Stark (u.k.), Anders Skog (Sweden), Daniel Barber (u.k./u.s.)

– Stonehenge Filmworks

Box 24, 468 Queen St. E.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 1T7

Tel. (416) 867-1189

Fax (416) 364-6055

Key marketing contacts: Sarah Caldicott, Glyn Evans

Total shooting days: 14

Canada-orginated: 12

Total commercials produced: 14

Canada-originated: 12

Canadian-based directors: James Musselman, Aaron Shuster

Director/cinematographers: James Musselman, Aaron Shuster

– Stripes Film

53 Ontario St.

Toronto, Ont. M5A 2V1

Tel. (416) 869-0420

Fax (416) 869-0568

Key marketing contacts: Dan Ford, Tom McLean

Total shooting days: 195

Canada-orginated: 175

Total commercials produced: 120

Canada-originated: 112

Canadian-based directors: Drew Jarvis, Alan Marr, Bruce McDonald, Sam Pecoraro, Clay Staub

Exclusive Canadian representation: Steve Griak (Minn.), Greg Hoey (Chicago), Greg Winter (Minn.)

– S.W.A.T. Films

4330 Papineau Ave.

Montreal, Que. H2H 1S9

Tel. (514) 526-4330

Fax (514) 526-8681

Key marketing contact: Pierre Fyfe

Total shooting days: 84

Canada-orginated: 84

Total commercials produced: 142

Canadian-based directors: Alain DesRochers, Jack Hackel, Bernard Nadeau, podz, Jean-Francois Pothier