Currently shooting in Newfoundland, The Shipping News represents the most action the province has seen in quite some time.

‘This is the first big one since 1997,’ confirms Chris Bonnell, director of programs from Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation. ‘There were others in the early 1980s, but there hasn’t been a lot of guest production. Most of our activity has been indigenous production.’

The shoot, which began in late April and is scheduled to run until the end of June, is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book set in Newfoundland. The Shipping News’ production company, Slippery Hitch, is unequivocal about being drawn to Newfoundland’s locations.

‘There’s no other part of the world that would substitute adequately for this part of the world,’ says Craig Bankey, a spokesperson for Slippery Hitch. ‘Annie [E. Annie Proulx, author of the book on which the film is based] was adamant about the movie being shot here.’

Even allowing for Shipping News’ 60% American crew, ‘We wouldn’t be here if the resources weren’t enough,’ says Bankey.

Ah, resources…

‘One of problems we have is that we have no soundstage,’ admits Bonnell. ‘We’re currently looking at it. It’s one of the setbacks. We’ve just completed a feasibility study on a soundstage in Newfoundland. It appears that it is [feasible]. We’re hoping that it will be built in the St. John’s area now, since that is the hub of the film industry. We have the option of refurbishing a building or building from scratch. Obviously, if money were no problem, we’d prefer to build, but you also want that option for the soundstage to expand as the industry grows.’

However, Bonnell is under no illusion about the lure of a soundstage for its own sake. ‘[The presence of] a soundstage will not draw people here, but it will complete the package.’

Another missing piece of the package is the availability of equipment in the province. Although two high-profile equipment houses based in Nova Scotia are rumored to be assessing the viability of a Newfoundland operation, as it stands, equipment must be brought in from further afield.

‘We’re a developing industry and the demand is not great enough to have the equipment here on a permanent basis,’ says Bonnell. ‘Until demand is great enough in Newfoundland, equipment has to be brought in from Nova Scotia. If demand increases, then a company will come and set up an equipment house.’

And Slippery Hitch is not likely to post in Newfoundland. ‘We don’t have post-production capability here. There is some post for smaller productions.’

As for the film’s crew, says Bonnell, ‘The [Shipping News] crew has come from L.A., Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax and some crew here has been hired, [including] one key grip.’

Crew is another resource the province is looking to develop – particularly since the production figure of $2 million in 1995 has increased to $20 million in the fiscal year that ended March 31.

‘One of things we’ve found is that demand for crew has increased. We’ve looked at the different developments in other provinces and the incentives they provide,’ says Bonnell.

The Newfoundland tax credit – which is good for 40% of the money spent either on Newfoundland crew or on imported keys engaged in training locals – has also come into play in developing indigenous crew.

‘We have one [full feature film] crew now,’ continues Bonnell. ‘As product is growing, there’s a real need for professional development, and that’s something we’re looking at. The terms of reference are currently being decided for a study to be completed in the next couple of months. Then we’ll present a proposal to the government recommending a way to address this shortfall.’

Like the soundstage, crew is a necessary component in the full package film offering. ‘There’s an indigenous demand and also a demand from guest productions,’ says Bonnell.

‘Beyond our scenery, if we can provide facilities to international productions, I’m sure more of [our provincial production] would be [international]. The other issues remain in terms of infrastructure.’ *

-www.newfilm.nf.net