Alberta producers hope to double the level of production activity in their region over the next three years with the help of the provincial government.

A business subcommittee from the province’s Film Commission Advisory Council, headed by Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association president Doug MacLeod, submitted a three-year plan in September to grow the province’s production industry.

According to MacLeod, the group is proposing a performance-based funding model – different from the Alberta Film Development Program, which allots a varying lump sum from year to year – in which the province’s commitment would be calculated as a percentage of the prior year’s economic activity.

‘Because there isn’t a tax-credit program, there needs to be a line item in the government budget as an allocation for the industry,’ says MacLeod. He says producers have been outgrowing the amounts set aside by the Alberta Film Development Program, and there is always fear in the community that projects will not get the funding they need.

‘This is basically a way to modify that approach and give the government a yardstick with which they can measure economic activity and fund the industry based on that,’ he says.

MacLeod says a revised funding structure is necessary in order for Alberta to be a key player in Canadian production. The three-year plan holds about 60 recommendations, but the overall objective is to double the level of activity in the province. In recent years, production in Alberta has annually brought in about $200 million.

The FCAC raises concerns that Calgary does not have a major film studio to house big-budget service jobs, and that Alberta doesn’t host any dramatic series. Another objective is to increase the level of indigenous production. MacLeod notes that Alberta ranks about sixth in terms of provincial production activity.

‘Given that the government contributes about a third of a billion dollars to feature film and TV production in this country, we’re not participating to any significant degree,’ says

MacLeod. ‘We used to rely on Alberta broadcasters to write very significant licences for national and international product. This is no longer the case. The fact that we’re doing 2% or 3% of the CTF activity is appalling.’

The FCAC does not expect to hear back from the province for several weeks, but is receiving support from area producers. Conferences in Calgary and Edmonton were held in early October, where the subcommittee explained its plan to producers.

‘We’re hoping the Conservative government here will stand up, take note, realize production is a moneymaker, and start adjusting its policy accordingly,’ says Panacea Entertainment producer Michael Chyz.

MacLeod hopes that in the next six months, producers and local film advocates will impress on government officials how important a funding increase based on industry performance will be to Alberta.

‘It is important for government to level the playing field for its players,’ says MacLeod.

The 18-person committee was appointed by Clint Dunford, Alberta minister of economic development, to advise the government on the production industry. It includes IATSE Calgary Local 212 president Damian Petti, Alberta film commissioner Dan Chugg and film development consultant Jane Bisbee.

www.gov.ab.ca