There are two sides to every story. One man’s tax bill is another’s insidious attempt at jack-booted censorship. The high loonie is bad for exporters, good for importers. Layoffs have left hundreds unemployed but may be necessary to preserve the industry. So, in the spirit of staying open-minded, we ask:

‘2008 – a bad year or a horrible year?’

It was good for us. Does that count?
Jenkinson,
Director of independent production, VisionTV

We’re in the midst of a down cycle in the industry. So yes, 2008 was a bad year – but probably no worse than 2007. And 2009 probably won’t be any better, as we appear to be heading into a recession. The only bright spot in all of this is that what goes down must eventually go up… Let’s hope, anyway.
Floyd Kane,
VP of creative and business affairs, Halifax Film

We delivered a CTV/Lifetime movie and got a 26-episode renewal on our Canwest series [Tube Tales] and a scripted comedy series [Seed] into development with CBC, started production on four documentaries, and delivered two lifestyle pilots. 2008 was, in fact, a terrible year because the Canucks missed the playoffs.
John Ritchie,
Executive producer/partner, Force Four Entertainment

Well, it certainly wasn’t a horrible year… Economic trials can lead to teamwork and invention.
Randy Pearlstein,
Writer/comedian, Chappelle’s Show, Cabin Fever

I was very concerned about C-10, and I continue to be horrified by the possible cuts in funding to filmmakers and other artists. But here’s the other piece of the puzzle: filmmakers thrive on controversy and drama. It’s been a controversial, dramatic year. So from the perspective of future storytelling, it’s probably not a horrible year.
Michael Parfit,
Co-writer/co-director/co-producer, Saving Luna

This year I had a baby girl, won a sweet acting award and my family got to see me on TV. The only thing bad or horrible is the prospect of zip next year.
Trevor Duplessis,
Actor, In a World Created by a Drunken God