It’s been three and a half years since I first walked through the doors of Playback to assume the position as new staff writer, and since then the wheel has come half circle. As I ascended the ranks to editor, I became a homeowner, got engaged, married, pregnant, turned 30, learned a thing or two about the industry and now I’m off to pursue not the throng of opportunities in communications, broadcasting or production as so many of my predecessors have, but to enter the world of poopy diapers and stroller fit classes.

At this time of reflection I can’t help thinking back to where the industry was at when I first started covering it and where I’m leaving it behind, for now.

Three and a half years ago, the yet-to-be-launched Corus Entertainment was the latest strategy in Shaw Communications’ effort to absorb all of WIC’s specialty assets and CanWest Global was on the brink of becoming a national network. The CBC run by Perrin Beatty was seething, having just been denied a handful of specialty television applications. CTV was not associated with any newspapers or telecommunications companies. Digital specialty channels and online business models were still mostly a concept. ‘Get big fast’ was the new motto of the day. Sheila Copps was calling for a new feature film fund but was still a long way from getting it together. Production in Ontario and B.C. had not yet reached the billion-dollar benchmark. Cinar was one of the most reputable animation houses in the world and one of the Canadian industry’s biggest success stories. eXistenZ was David Cronenberg’s latest feature. Canadians were boasting record sales at MIPCOM. Salter Street, Nelvana, Great North, to name just a few, were still independent production/distribution companies…and the list goes on.

As for Playback, On The Spot had yet to launch, First Take, our coveted e-mail edition, was being published twice a week, Susan Tolusso was our editor, Cheryl Binning our special reports editor, Teressa Iezzi our technology editor, Pam Swedko our commercial production reporter, Dustin Dinoff our intern, Leo Rice-Barker our Montreal Bureau Chief, Michelle Hille our copy chief and Ian Edwards our Vancouver correspondent.

And while today Leo, Michelle and Ian are still loyally in place, a newer and exceptionally dynamic Playback team has been shaped to evolve alongside an ever-shifting industry – one that continues to expand and consolidate at the same time, to encourage regional production yet strive for international stature, to seek higher box-office revenue but produce non-commercial films, to push for more Canadian drama but fail to cultivate a Canadian star system.

These paradoxes were at the centre of the Canadian film and television industry when I first started covering it and remain there as I conclude my tenure. And while I have no idea how long it will be, if ever, until these issues work themselves out, I look forward, with a mix of curiosity and excitement, to watching from a distance the newest incarnation of the Playback team, helmed by my keen replacement Peter Vamos and forwarded by the ever-prolific Mark Dillon and greener additions Laura Bracken and Sean Davidson, shed a fresh and inspiring perspective on it all. Cheers!