CanPro ’96, running March 30 through April 2 in Victoria, b.c., is making a push to get independent producers, specialty service, educational program and commercial representatives to join private television execs and brainstorm how to keep their heads above water amidst waves of programming trends that are impacting the local tv industry.

‘The industry’s changing so radically we need representation from all facets of post-production and funding agencies,’ says festival chair Vito Dunford, director of production, development and management for CHEK 6 Television in Victoria. Dunford, together with national chair Jerry MacLeod, vp of operations at BBS Saskatchewan, will head this year’s convention.

Dunford says CanPro opened its invitation list to 750 delegates compared to 450 last year and is expecting 350 to attend. Since specialty pay-tv, commercial and educational programming have been added to CanPro’s hit list, not only is attendance up 40% from last year, the number of promotion entries is up 20% to 464. Program entries are down 20% to 308.

The convention will take place at the Victoria Conference Centre, and for the first time will designate a ‘pitching’ room for independent producers to present program ideas to other delegates. There will also be plenty of opportunities to view program and promotional tapes.

Successful independent productions are the focus of one of the nine scheduled workshops. Indy producers Mickey Rogers of Vancouver’s Forefront Productions, Donna Liberson of Liber Films, Vancouver, and Jean Merriman of Calgary’s White Iron Film and Video Productions will trade ideas and highlight the best in independent features, tv series, documentaries and corporate reels.

The growing impact of technology in tv production is also on the agenda. ‘The advancement of technology and also the aspect of programming that’s given to making money’ will be among the trends under scrutiny, says Dunford. A workshop hosted by ReBoot producer Christopher Brough will share how computer technology is taking a byte out of traditional television content.

Science fiction

The overwhelming popularity of science fiction drama also takes center stage during a workshop by The X-Files co-executive producer Robert Goodwin, who oversees the series’ Vancouver-based production.

CanPro, a non-profit organization, is working with a $170,000 annual budget this year, a 13% increase from last year to compensate for rented space at the Victoria Conference Centre. The budget is raised through entry fees, broadcasters, sponsorship and the independent sector.

Besides giving a nod to local tv program production and promotion, the conference is a place for delegates to keep up with the changing pace of Canadian and international broadcasting.

The keynote will be by Peter Sealey, executive consultant for Sony New Technologies in New York. The former vp of Columbia Pictures will peer into the future of tv programming and discuss changes in the product and how it’s broadcast.

Pamela Martin, anchorwoman for bctv, will moderate ‘Friends in High Places,’ and will also sneak a peek into the Canadian tv industry in the 21st century. And, among other West Coast talent, the opening motivational workshop will be led by Vancouver’s ‘Man in Motion,’ Rick Hansen.

This year, CanPro will also look at the growing competition between local news producers and how some stations are breaking new ground to make their news broadcasts stand out.

‘Clip Trip’

Mary Powers, director of communication and promotion at Toronto’s Citytv, will once again join Peter Whittington, creative director at City, for ‘Clip Trip,’ a workshop where delegates can view videoclips from the world’s best, and most unique, television promotions.

Coach Jeff Eisler will host a training camp of sorts with video highlights showcasing big and small sports franchises, focusing on the most successful sports promotion ideas that make money and increase a station’s community profile.

tv’s impact on tourism is examined at a luncheon hosted by Rod Harris, assistant deputy minister for tourism, who will look at how tv is changing the face of tourism in b.c. by boosting the travel business.

All work and no play On Sunday, March 30 organizers are taking advantage of their Garden City surroundings by presenting a Sooke Logging Show and salmon bbq in the b.c. forest followed by Sooke Night with dancing to a western orchestra. And karaoke is on tap throughout the confab, for those who take advantage of the beverage-tasting room.