– Torn Sprockets, another great film source

I found Ernest J. Dick’s review of books on the history of Canadian film and television most interesting. But I was sorry to see that it did not include one of the most informative and comprehensive works on Canadian films: Gerald Pratley’s Torn Sprockets: The Uncertain Projection of Canadian Film (1946-1984). It makes good reading and seems to have become a part of student ‘underground’ activity.

arthur norwood, teacher,

toronto.

-Committed to Canada

I was rather disappointed to read the article ‘Animal magnetism the force in doc deals’ (Playback, March 10, p. 21) and the comments attributed to myself.

Over the course of a 15-minute phone interview many issues were discussed, and so I was alarmed to read in the context of Canadian documentaries that ‘broadcasters don’t want to see Canadian stories’.

In my discussions with many producers we mutually agree that there are certainly some documentaries which will not travel overseas – just as there are foreign documentaries which would not find a slot on Canadian television. However, there are many that do, and if ‘I’m very picky’ it is to seek out those Canadian programs which will indeed find a home on international television.

Let me illustrate this with recent examples. At the upcoming mip-tv market in April, Great North Releasing will be launching 11 new Canadian programs, one-offs, and series, totaling 32 hours. We have already contracted 12 Canadian programs totaling more than 40 hours for the mipcom market in October 1997. Great North will sign contracts with more than 20 Canadian producers in 1997 to distribute their programs into the international marketplace.

In the past 18 months, gnr has invested more than half a million dollars in advances and guarantees, all on Canadian documentaries. gnr currently represents more than 110 titles totaling 415 hours, and 90% of these programs are from Canadian production companies representing all regions of Canada.

gnr will continue to market Canadian programming and will continue to be aggressive in acquiring Canadian product. As well as supporting various Canadian festival events such as Hot Docs!, Yorkton Film Festival, Can-Pro and the Banff Television Festival to name only a few, gnr also travels to all of the major international markets from Hong Kong to Cannes and to many diverse festivals including those in Capetown, Bristol and Montreal.

In conclusion, gnr is absolutely committed to investing in Canadian productions and to the distribution of Canadian programming. gnr enjoys an excellent international reputation and strong support from our domestic production community. We look forward to an exciting future together and we continue to encourage producers in their productions of Canadian programming.

paul black,

managing director, great north releasing,

edmonton, alta.