Ottawa post facility General Assembly is attempting to move beyond a last-stop service capacity to become a partner in independent production.

General Assembly president Ken Stewart says the company has been undertaking efforts to become more involved with independent producers at the outset of projects, including providing options for producers short on financing. ‘We want to move past having producers come into the facility with the meter running,’ says Stewart. ‘We’re trying to help them develop their own projects.’

Stewart says General Assembly is investing in a number of projects by offering a portion of services, like audio post and offline and online editing, in exchange for retaining equity in the production.

‘It’s sometimes tough for an independent producer to make the decision to go to an independent services facility if the broadcaster offers services as part of a licensing fee,’ says Stewart. ‘We are potentially coming to the table with services to fill out a final part of a budget.’

The facility has worked deals with a number of Canadian projects including The Legend Teller, a three-hour dramatic/ historical production from Rusty Pelican Picture Company in Halifax, which has gained interest from Turner Broadcasting and a&e. General Assembly has also worked with Ottawa’s Making Waves Productions on Breaking the Silence, a one-hour documentary on aids shot in Africa, and River Rats, a project from Eric Abdelnour, which was picked up by Sullivan Entertainment.

Stewart says the facility has also involved itself in finding and lining up broadcasters or distributors for projects.

He says being a post facility in Ottawa, close to two major production centers, has a particular set of challenges which can be met by getting involved with area producers.

‘It’s difficult being close to Toronto and Montreal,’ says Stewart. ‘Success depends on developing our own national or international business or, more importantly, helping this region’s producers develop their own projects for national and international sales.’