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Piracy is not poetry
In our Binchmarks column (see. p. 29), McMillan Binch lawyer Jason S. T. Kotler writes on a Quebec Superior Court Judge ruling that ‘pirating of U.S. satellite TV signals is not against Canadian law (unless you pirate the signals from a ‘lawful’ Canadian satellite distributor).’ He also reviews other lower court decisions on the legalities of satellite signal pirating.
AAC’s IFCC buy up for review
LESS than six weeks away from the much-anticipated digital channel launch, the CRTC has put out a public notice for interventions on Alliance Atlantis’ acquisition of the Independent Film Channel Canada licence.
Lost & Delirious winning
COMING-of-age feature film Lost and Delirious by Quebec director Lea Pool opened in major Canadian markets July 27 with 92% of the box office receipts generated in the U.S. over its opening weekend there earlier in the month.
VO2 sheds light on audio post
VO2 Mix, a new audio post shop, recently opened its doors in what is quickly becoming known in the industry as Toronto’s ‘post district’ (Spadina Avenue and Queen Street West). VO2 partners Terry Wedel and Euan Hunter have found a space flooded with natural light that lends itself to ease and relaxation.
Knowledge Network’s future threatened, warns former manager
VANCOUVER: The former general manager of Knowledge Network, fired from his position May 14, warns operational changes to B.C.’s 20-year-old public broadcaster will dramatically impair its ability to serve its audience.
Importing Propaganda into Canada
TORONTO commercial production house, Imported Artists Film Company, has struck a deal with New York-based Propaganda Films and the Propaganda Group of Companies to exclusively represent its extensive roster of directorial talent in Canada. Propaganda’s group of companies includes Propaganda Films, Satellite, Extension Films and Propaganda Independent.
Who’s doing spots? Hoodoo, that’s who
FOR the first time in its eight-year existence, Hoodoo Films is shooting commercials. Executive producer Michael Rosen, who has only dabbled in commercials over the course of his lengthy career, says after roadhousing a number of big-budget U.S. music videos and a few ads for Germany, it was decided the time was right for Hoodoo to enter the spot market.
Matt Eastman takes his cuts
Radke Films’ Matt Eastman is one up-and-coming helmer with great hope for the future of the business in Canada and the young directors within it. Eastman, who has been directing for just over a year, has already succeeded in gaining the industry’s attention and the respect of his peers. Now he’s added the Playback/Saatchi & Saatchi 2001 First Cut Awards to his list.
CFFF under transformation
VANCOUVER: The Canadian Feature Film Fund’s controversial roster of top-performing Canadian films has undergone some transformation since it was published Mar. 29, but it won’t be including Air Bud and Art of War, two recent films that won the Golden Reel award for box office success.
Extras to get new caucus under ACTRA
THE July 26 news that ‘ACTRA members say yes to extras’ has redirected the spotlight to the issues surrounding the representation of background performers.
Pixcom expands horizons
MONTREAL: In March, Pixcom Productions’ CEO Jacquelin Bouchard and its senior management bought out equity shareholder Investissements Desjardins, which remains an important investor in webcasting subsidiary Inpix Media. The buyout is the culmination of a five-year repositioning plan.
Competitive marketplace means fewer First Cut contenders
THE First Cut Award, sponsored by agency Saatchi & Saatchi and On the Spot, is an important way for young directors to send the message that they are an emerging creative force to be reckoned with.
Diginets buying off the shelf – for now
PRODUCERS looking to cash in on the deluge of new digital services should not hold their breath, as most of the new channels are drawing on low-rate programming acquisitions to fill their schedules and offset their projected losses.
People
* LORI Rosenberg has been appointed VP and general manager of Corus Entertainment’s new digital channels SCREAM and EdgeTV.
And what of the other contenders?
ON The Spot selected three impressive 2001 First Cut contenders and asked them about their careers. What would they be doing if they weren’t helmers? And which spots stand out as their personal favorites?
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