To paraphrase one of the production people in attendance at this year’s Showbiz Expo in l.a., the theme of the event appeared to be ‘Screw Canada.’ According to the various Canadians who journeyed to the show as exhibitors or simply as visitors checking out new gear, the reception given by the u.s. delegation there was, how you say, tres froid.

The talk of the show was runaway production and Canada the prime culprit in underhandedly pillaging the hapless u.s. film industry. Bumper stickers and pins were distributed, money collected and petitions circulated in efforts to combat the marauding Canadian production juggernaut.

Those unfortunate enough to be sporting Canadian badges received anything from pity to snide remarks to outright hostility.

One Canadian attendee reportedly fled her booth in tears, while the folks from Treehouse ended up boycotting a day of the show and not setting up shop in their booth at all to protest the shabby behavior. The lack of rational thought behind the arguments, which are largely unrepresentative of the typical u.s. producer, is well documented (see p. 4 this issue and Playback, May 3, p. 1), but this didn’t stop the collective propaganda mongering.

Next stop, Congress, where legislation is being proposed to stanch the ostensible bleeding of u.s. production to other countries.

* Shack attack

Prop master, stunt driver and special effects guy Steve ‘Shack’ Shackelton made his directing debut recently with a heavy-hitting psa about drunk driving.

Shackelton and Phyllis Ripping wrote the spot featuring two couples dining in a restaurant. When one of the men takes out his keys and announces he has only had a few, the keys, with the aid of some special effects, transform into a gun.

Industry Films facilitated the project. Matt Conacher and Jill Van de Kamer line produced.

Mike Andringa shot the spot, Brian Williams edited at Panic & Bob and Pirate Radio handled the sound. Everyone involved donated their time.

* New arrivals

Industry Films has swelled its ranks by three. Joining the roster are director/dop Paul Hopkins and director Robert Davidson, both based in l.a. where they are repped by Area 51, and Italian shooter Federico Brugia.

International Shooters has added four Foreign Affairs directors to its roster: Roger Hyde, based in l.a.; Terry Brunton and Tony Sherwood, both out of Australia; and, Louis Pascal Couvelaire from France.

Kate Eisner formerly of Maxx Productions is the new director of sales at Spin Productions.

* Bright lights, big city

Chuck Gammage Animation is relocating its operations from Oakville, Ont. to 317 Adelaide Street West in downtown Toronto. The animation house, responsible for the Ford Windstar ads featuring the three little pigs, recently finished work on a job for Cheetos featuring mascot Chester, as well as a few spots for Smuckers out of Leo Burnett, Chicago.

* Attention freelancers

A side note for those working as freelancers in the commercial production industry: with recent changes in the Income Tax Act, it may be less onerous to obtain a benefits package. Crew and production types who are not full-timers at a production company can now secure individual benefits, including life insurance and disability, and write off the cost as a business expense.

While those with spouses could typically get covered for dental and health on their partner’s plan, it was previously significantly more expensive to buy an extra individual policy for disability, and those who did weren’t able to write off the cost, which is now possible, says Rudy Fedorowich of RGF Insurance Agencies, one of a number of companies offering employee benefits for the self-employed packages.