Minds Eye Pictures of Regina is beefing up its feature film slate with the launch of a low-budget genre division.

The first announcement out of the new division is what is being dubbed the ‘Saskatoon Initiative,’ a $20-million production venture whereby the company will shoot eight movies over 18 months in Saskatoon.

The projects will all be low-budget genre pictures in the $2-million to $2.5-million range. Minds Eye ceo Kevin DeWalt says he is particularly looking for thrillers and psychological thrillers.

Minds Eye International will take Canadian and u.s. rights on the films.

The first films to be produced out of the genre division will be announced later this month.

The Saskatoon Initiative is aimed at building the crew base of the smaller of the two production centres in Saskatchewan, says DeWalt. The bulk of the province’s crew is currently based in Regina and only three projects can shoot at one time in the province, which often means labor shortages in the busy summer months.

DeWalt anticipates that by the wrap of the eight pictures, an a-level crew will be built in Saskatoon and the makings of a second crew underway.

In five years, the aim is to have five crews working in the province, he says. Producer trainees will also be brought on board the Saskatoon projects.

Minds Eye has brokered deals with unions and suppliers for the eight-picture venture. The Saskatoon Intitiative has been developed with the support of the Saskatoon Economic Development Authority and provincial training initiatives.

In keeping with the focus on feature films, in the coming months the company’s distribution division, which currently specializes in children’s programming and documentaries, will be expanding into world sales of theatrical films.

In other news out of Minds Eye, the company has commissioned a feasibility study for a soundstage and production complex in Regina. If the project goes ahead, Minds Eye will consolidate its head office, multimedia, post-production and audio companies in the facility, which will also contain two stages and production office space. DeWalt says other companies will be approached to take space at the complex, and is speaking with potential financial partners and investors who own land in Regina about backing the venture. The aim is to have a facility ready by May 30, 2001.