Toronto prodco Sparks Productions has signed London-based television commercial production company Rogue for exclusive representation in Canada. With the addition of Rogue, Sparks gains five new directors, Johan Tappert, Sam Cadman, Nick Jones and directing team Gervais and Merchant. Over the next four months, Sparks plans to introduce the new directors to the Canadian market one by one.

Canada had 134 exhibiting companies at MIPCOM 2002, up 19% compared to the 113 attending last year, and now ranks fourth among top exhibiting nations after France, the U.S. and the U.K. The Canada brand at the fall program market was underscored by the record 67 companies gathered under the Canada Pavilion umbrella, and by CBC/Radio-Canada’s investment as co-host of the market’s opening-night festivities.

The National Film Board’s distribution unit introduced a new acquisition policy for non-NFB product at MIPCOM 2002. The board intends to acquire non-Canadian product as well. ‘We’re up for business now,’ says Johanne St-Arnauld, director-general, distribution.

Last winter I found myself in Canada for the first time in my life. In the middle of moving a family, finding a house, trying to remember the names and faces of 80 new coworkers and tons of new acquaintances, finding the best steak in town and learning to speak Canadian, Anna Tricinci comes up to me and tells me about the First Cut Awards. (See report p.S-7)

Andrew Tolomizenko is corporate counsel for a large

Former Padulo Integrated SVP, creative director Mark Dwyer has hooked up with audio producer Doug Pennock and composer Blair Packham to launch music production house Zoo Music.

Director/DOP George Willis, represented by The Park City Film Company in Toronto, is not represented in South Africa by Velocity as reported in the Sept. 16 issue of OTS.

In his closing remarks at MIPCOM 2002, Reed Midem’s Michael Weatherseed told the press, ‘Despite the complicated and difficult economy, the figures have surpassed our expectations. There are little shoots of recovery in our industry – it’s very positive.’

Nelvana’s Hirsh steps down

Shots & Chasers submission forms are now available online at: www.playbackmag.com/onthespot.

* Toronto animation and F/X house Calibre Digital Pictures has announced the return to the fold of veteran compositor Gudrun Heinze. Heinze’s decade in the business has included credits on the features Spy Kids II, Undercover Brother, Panic Room and Jason X, the miniseries The Arrow, which won a Gemini for best visual effects, and numerous other TV and commercial productions. She has also worked at F/X shops Hybride Technologies, Command Post/TOYBOX, Spin Productions and GVFX.

Trevor Cornish, this year’s recipient of the First Cut Award, has only just hit the directing scene with less than two years experience and has never worked on a spot with a budget over $30,000. Proof positive that directors do not necessarily need big budgets to demonstrate their skill.