Posted by keri-jade at ts3-5t-90.idirect.com on November 28, 1999 at 18:45:18:
In Reply to: Lemme help you. posted by Alferd Packer on November 28, 1999 at 15:07:43:
: :I'm sorry.I know many things but that, obviously not.:
: Oookay.
Never appologuise. You are who you are and you know what you know.
(also take no prisoners, but that's a moral for another day)
: : So my question(s): Tails Lights Fade is being partly funded, even by the least, by the Canadian government? Even though it portrays a race to hide illegal actions from the law? Films like this couldn't be sponsored by the U.S. gov., could they? Is it easy for American independent films to film in Canada?:
: Alot of movies you may not think are Canadian. Also, Canada is, technically, America.
Okay, I'm Canadian, and so if Rock can say the n word I think I can be allowed to talk turkey about being inside the Canadian film industry and it's downfalls.
Disagree if you wish, but this is the view from where I'm sitting.
The film could have been funded by the Canadian government, and it's very possible that we'd never know unless the producer came right out and said it.
Up here, our provincial governments (primarily the Ontario one)don't seem to give a shite about the industry, but our federal government does.
Federally, and semi-publically, they have fund so many things. I don't even know of a person in the industry who hasn't received Government funding or assisance on every film they make (this even goes for our top brass Atom Egoyan and/or David Cronemburg (sorry for spelling). One of my friends is in the top running for a $35K grant to make a thirty minute short. He doesn't even need that much money, but he wants it all anyways. The same thing for writers. On labor day I applied for a $5K grant (I should hear any day now). If I don't get it, in January I'm going out for another one, what the hell, right?
Privately the government funds a whole lot of things too. For example, I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure our big film developing lab (where they acually develop the film stock, as opposed to developing new film ideas) in Toronto (I forget the name of the place, it's logo is in the credits of Good Will and whole pile of other films as it's a great yet *ahem* cheap place), is funded by the government. And that's just one thing. There's many other things they do, including co-laborating with other governments (especially the British and Austrailian governments), and sending money south of the boarder. They slip their money under the door (not literally) so as to keep our industry growing and not get attacked by the anti-art/"I just want a tax cut" people. (I could very well be mistaking, but the US government probably does the socalled "hush-hush" things like this too).
So why isn't OUR industry kicking ass right now with a whole wack a'films being made in the northren country? Because friend, it's like that guy who does those annoying comercials on like Fox or PBS about his book o'ways too get money from the US government ("I got $1500 to go back to school!"). Here to get the money, you have to know how to get it or you have to know someone who knows. Sadly, there's the rub. What's worse is those people who know don't like to tell. They're achually not writing a book, wearing a stupid bow tie and yelling the answers to you from the TV set. My friend trying for the $35K grant? He didn't even tell me about it until three days ago. I'm sure this summer I could have whipped off a 30 minute piece and entered. But honestly, I have no idea who he had to fuck in the first place to find out that there was this money avalable.
(FYI- I pass any info I find along freely to my fellow filmakers, I don't sit on it like a fucking hen and wait for good fortune to hatch only for me)
Also, this open-money policy from the government has only been in effect for us hardcore for about ten years.
As for censoring subject matter...well, I can't speak of the states (oviously), but in Canada, there isn't a whole lot the funders object to. Child porn is pretty much out, but besides that, the sky's the limit. In fact, I think that Canadian filmmakers sort of go towards the more controversal subjects (perhaps in order to get noticed?). Oh well, we have first admendment rights too (Bill of Rights and Freedoms, 1981 Sec 1a if I'm not mistaken). Except that we seem to really mean it. :)
Sometimes it's easier for American Indi's to film in Canada as it's *grr* cheaper as the dollar exchange is shite. Although I would think it would be more hassle then it's worth because of transportation costs, work visa's, permits, etc. Basically I think cross-boarder shooting to be the plaything of studio's or people with some saved up scratch to blow. But then again, the beginning scenes of Clerks (Dante's bedroom,etc.) were shot in Nova Scotia...who knows. Myself, I think indi. shooting is never easy, but that's just me.
that's all I have to say about that.
wait a sec...oh yes, Canada being technically part of America. Well, my good friends at QVC (The Quality, Value, Convience Shopping Network), like to say we're "part of the America's". Which I suppose means that Mexico is a part and so is South America in their own special way. Quite personally, I just like being Canadian. It's worth living through every single "Great White" slam.
okay that's it for this one. On to the relationship problem...