While the Spadina Street offices above Spy Films are still in need of a fresh coat of paint and some telephones, Mad Films executive producer Mark Bisson is already putting in quotes on their first jobs, rounding up directors and getting ready to officially open for business June 1.

Initiated and backed by the principals of Spy, Carlo Trulli, William Cranor and Wayne Fenske (L.T.B. Productions), Mad is an independent company.

While Spy wanted to grow and expand, providing more directors with more opportunities, principals did not want the shop to become too cumbersome with a plethora of new people, and therefore, set out to set up Mad.

Presently Mad has four directors on its roster, including David Storey and Robert Maya of commbat.films. In keeping with the plan to provide more personal career development, Mad will keep its list short, representing less than 10 directors.

Bisson, formerly of comm.bat, describes the new operation as a boutique, offering directors better career management as well as more exclusive representation.

‘There are certain production companies out there that can’t name all the people they represent,’ says Bisson. ‘I can name the directors, I know what movies they like and hate, I know their body of work and what they are capable of.’

Per Cranor: ‘You surround yourself with people you believe have a shot and you treat them like the respected talent they are. In some cases you start from zero and you see how far you can take them up the ranks, domestically and abroad.’

While operationally Mad will be starting small, concentrating on the commercial market with a staff consisting of Bisson and an assistant, the plan is to bring people aboard as they are needed and hopefully diversify into other production.