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Being Erica, Degrassi, Dramas and Comedies, Featured, Industry News

Jana Sinyor on the Toronto Screenwriting Conference and saying goodbye to Being Erica

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Jana Sinyor (Being Erica, Dark Oracle) is one of the speakers at the upcoming Toronto Screenwriting Conference on March 31 and April 1. She tells TV, eh? about her unconventional path to screenwriting, her learning curve on Being Erica, and the project she has in development with ABC now.

First, tell me about the Toronto Screenwriting Conference –- what do you hope to convey there, and what do you hope to get out of it? What role do conferences like this play in career development?

I plan to show up and have an interesting panel discussion with a bunch of people I respect. I hope it will be a lot of fun.

As for what role conferences play in career development, for me, they were extremely important. I remember attending Nuts And Bolts — a weekend conference put on by WIFT-T when I was just starting out — and then later I went to a screenwriting weekend conference that was put together by the WGC. Both events were very important in that they connected me with people I would later work with. I learned a lot from the panels, talked to lots of different people — and felt that attending helped me better focus, better zero in on what I wanted to do and what steps I was going to take to get there.

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more

Possible sea change for Saskatchewan television?

SCN’s prospective new owner, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., wants to spend less money on programming, at least according to CBC News Saskatchewan. Rogers wants to put 23 per cent of revenue generated by SCN towards independent films, rather than commit to fixed dollar requirements, as SCN is in “financial stress.”

In a related story, the 2012-13 Saskatchewan provincial budget announces the immediate termination of the Film Employment Tax Credit for film and television productions. Productions already registered by SaskFilm prior to April 1, 2012 will continue to be eligible for the credit, but new productions are ineligible.

The elimination of Saskatchewan’s FETC, according to the budget documents, is tied to a supposedly-heavier future reliance on subsidization. This is coupled with a decline in industry activity, and the fact that the FETC has required a public investment of over $100 million, since its 1998 introduction.

The FETC, an income tax credit equal to forty-five per cent of eligible labour costs, will be fully phased out in 2014. The FETC’s termination is supposed to save up to $3 million by the end of 2012, and $8 million annually.

Statement by the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association. They’re not fond of the FETC’s termination.

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Featured, Industry News

Industry Update – Bell/Astral, CRTC, APTN

Bell to buy Astral

BCE Inc. announced, on March 16, 2012, its intent to buy Astral Media Inc., pending CRTC approval. The transaction, funded 75% by cash and 25% by BCE Inc. common equity, is valued at around $3.38 billion. As part of the purchase, BCE Inc. assumes $380 million in Astral Media Inc. debt.

A $150 million penalty will be paid by Bell to Astral, should Bell’s acquisition of Astral fall through. If another company courts Astral (as Astral can’t solicit other offers), and Astral ultimately shuns Bell for a “superior proposal,” Astral pays a $100 million termination fee to Bell. Bell has first right to match any “superior” counter-offer.

The Bell/Astral deal attracts critics, including Carleton University journalism professor Dwayne Winseck.

Bell, the largest telecommunications/media company in Canada by market share, wants the eighth-largest telecom/media company. Theoretically, the Astral purchase opens a gateway into Quebec homes, strengthens Bell’s radio reach, and establishes Bell in the premium television arena.

Shareholders can vote on the Bell/Astral transaction, at a meeting to be held on or before May 25, 2012.

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Featured, Industry News

Canada In Development: Silent Partners and False Flag

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Canada In Development returns this week with Silent Partners.  A legal drama  about an unorthodox partnership between an up-and-coming young lawyer and her mentor/beard — a brilliant, South African-born attorney who is unable to practice law for mysterious reasons –  Silent Partners is set in Toronto.  Creator Denis McGrath is scheduled to deliver a first draft pilot and bible to CBC this month, but development terms are still in the works.  “That is development, phase one,” says McGrath, who is working with Cooperheart Productions on this character-based procedural.

McGrath is also working with Lark Productions on False Flag, a team-based action/adventure show about a squad that solves problems through lies, theft and misdirection — doing what governments, corporations and politicians are bound by law not to do — and leaving no trace behind.  False Flag is an hour-long, high-stakes show that McGrath compares to a “smart A-Team.”  It is currently in the first draft of pilot and bible with CTV, to be delivered in the summer of this year.

If you have a project in development with a Canadian broadcaster or production company, let TV, eh? know. See previous posts in this series here.

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