Alliance Communications and Universal Pictures have signed a deal to coproduce three $10 million to $15 million feature films. Universal is cofinancing and handling all u.s. distribution rights, with all other worldwide rights going to Alliance. The deal marks the first time an American studio and a Canadian company have sealed a multi-picture agreement.

The first of the three pictures is No Other Life, a Canada/France coproduction to be directed by Costa-Gavras (Missing, Z). Brian Moore (Blackrobe) will write the script, based on his novel. Production is slated to begin in early 1995 on location in the Caribbean. Details on the other two pictures are not yet available.

Lael McCall, vice-president of feature film development at Alliance, sees the agreement as representing ‘a flowering of the growth at Alliance and a maturation of the business. We presented (Universal) with a slate of Canadian talent we work with and they were very excited.’ McCall adds that the marketing boom Universal brings with it was an added consideration for Alliance.

As for the attraction for Universal, McCall says, ‘They’re interested in having access to our expertise in international coproduction.’

In terms of what this signifies for the Canadian production community, McCall says, ‘It means that we’re going to be making three large-scale films initially with Universal which will be showcases for Canadian writing and directing talent.’

McCall says the Blackrobe structure – Canadian writer, foreign director, shot and posted in Canada – is similar to that of No Other Life, which has a Canadian writer and will be posted in Canada. The lead character in Moore’s book is a French-Canadian, but McCall says casting details are not available.