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Cool reception for frozen man
When U.S. commercial production company hungry man announced this spring it was setting up shop in Toronto under the name frozen man – repping its stellar talent roster without the benefit of a Canadian representation middleman – a chill went through the local market.
Many believe frozen man represents a threat to Toronto spot shops, which have a difficult enough time competing against one another. Others, however, say the frozen men have a long, difficult road ahead of them. But all agree the ever-increasing competition in the Toronto market will continue to keep things very interesting around these parts for the foreseeable future.
Three-quarters dead
Ever wonder why the standard commercial media format is still the 3/4-inch tape? You’re not alone. Effectively, 3/4-inch technology has been defunct since the mid-eighties.
The last 3/4-inch deck made by Sony Canada was shipped two years ago, and the technology only held on that long due to industry demand.
Calvin Judges, marketing manager for broadcast systems at Sony Canada, confirms ‘[the 3/4] has gone through a couple of discontinuation announcements. There was all sorts of crying and we said, ‘We’ll extend it this amount.’ ‘
Vanlint leaves Big, opens new shop
At press time, Big Film Company producer Dave Greenham confirmed longtime Big director/cinematographer Derek Vanlint has left to form a new company in association with DKP Effects. The new shop will reportedly be called Hello Love. …
Cannes we do better?
Last year at the Cannes Advertising Awards, Canada scored a Gold Lion and five Bronzes. It was a banner year for the biz in our country. This year, Canada left the Cannes awards, held June 20-23, with three Lions. Ammirati Puris…
Who let the beast out?
Adbeast, a digital media-based common operating platform for the advertising industry, had its ‘coming out party’ at the recent Bessie Awards in Toronto….
Ricketts abducted
IT is with great sadness that On The Spot reports the mysterious abduction of well-loved and hard-hated commercial columnist Rick Ricketts. Ricketts disappeared at the Bessie Awards in Toronto and has not been seen since….
Mordecai’s version
When you read Mordecai Richler’s filmography on the Internet Movie Database, the unintended irony kicks the wind out of you like a lacrosse ball drilled to the shoulder blades. …
Novelist Richler dead at 70
Montreal: A bon vivant with a preference for a cigarillo and scotch, Canadian literary giant and acerbic social wit, Mordecai Richler, died in Montreal on the morning of July 3 from complications from cancer. He was 70….
Jump Cuts
Top cultural execs wanted…
Corrections
In the June 25 issue of Playback, Artizan Productions was incorrectly titled. Also, the company’s feature doc Tribute chronicles the subculture of the tribute band trade, not cover bands….
Shackleton Generates buzz for T.O.
The Shack we know in the Canadian commercial production industry isn’t an NBA star. That being said, Shack, aka Generator Films director Steve Shackleton, did have the opportunity to go one-on-one with Toronto Raptor Morris Peterson during a three-day ad shoot…
Darling codirects, cuts corporate video
Some say editing is like writing poetry. For Panic & Bob editor Tanis Darling, this edict took a literal turn with a corporate video job for The Griffin Trust. …
Award avalanche for de Fontenay
In this changing market, Canadian directors are having to branch out. Jet Films helmer Guillaume de Fontenay recently completed a 35-minute corporate video for Bombardier snowmobiles called ‘Ultimate Ride 2001.’…
First Cut Award planned for Aug. 2
The 2001 Saatchi & Saatchi/On the Spot First Cut Award will be held Thursday, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Capitol Event Theatre, 2492 Yonge St. in Toronto. The event will recognize the best of Canada’s young directorial commercial talent,…
People
* Johanne St-Arnauld has been named Telefilm Canada’s interim executive director. St-Arnauld replaces Francois Macerola, whose mandate ended July 3….
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