What a difference two points makes, depending on your job. A recent report from the CRTC says the Canadian Television Fund should lower its standards for Canadian content and fund programs that score as low as an eight on the 10-point CAVCO scale. This will make shows more marketable, say the feds. Problem is, it risks putting at-home directors, writers and actors out of work. And so – though we suspect we may already know everyone’s answers – we ask:

‘Do you approve of this 8/10 idea for the CTF?’

I forgot to take my Idiot Pill this morning so – no – I don’t agree.
Jerry Ciccoritti, director

From a producer’s point of view, we actually think it’s a good move, but we respect the concerns that the various unions and guilds have. One of the most challenging things that we find in CTF-funded 10-out-of-10 projects is selling them outside of Canada. It doesn’t mean that we can’t create good, successful Canadian projects internally, but from a pure business standpoint it will be easier for us to package things that are going to be more palatable if we can attract talent that’s already known internationally.
Shawn Williamson, producer, Brightlight Pictures

We’re very upset about this point, because clearly the CRTC is saying that Canadians can’t deliver commercial product…
which is complete bull.
Maureen Parker, executive director, Writers Guild of Canada

When you’ve got money that’s supposedly designated for Canadian programming, it should be producing Canadian programming…too much of it is going elsewhere. If private broadcasters are not going to produce genuine Canadian programming, then the money should be going to the CBC.
Arthur Lewis, executive director, Our Public Airwaves