News
January 30, 2015
Weekly Update from Film Ontario, January 30, 2015
Happy Friday!
As so many of our Members work with other countries, we have met with Minister Chan, Ontario Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International trade, to explore resources on your behalf.
Ontario has Senior Economic Officers in locations around the world, including Beijing, London, LA, Mexico City, Munich, New Delhi, NY, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo, as well as consultants elsewhere around the world.
If any of you have any inquiries, the Senior Policy Advisor, Theresa Tran, is now our industry point-person!
The Banff World Media Festival has once again entered into a “Community Partnership” with FilmOntario. This means significant discounts on registration for our Members.
For the Banff World Media Festival, click on the logo on the left, orclick here, Content Industry Connect TO, click on the logo on the left, or click here and Content Industry Connect LA event (clickhere). Offer is valid for a limited time, don’t miss out!
Once again, a reminder to complete our FilmOntario members survey on Ontario youth employment (under 30). Your participation would be greatly appreciated! You should be able to access it here. Feel free to contact me with any questions!
Take care,
Sarah Ker-Hornell
CEO & Executive Director
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Weekly Update from Kelly Graham-Scherer, Los Angeles Representative
Happy Friday everyone,
As the dollar falls and production in Ontario booms, the film-friendly Los Angeles Times dutifully tracks local production on behalf of California stakeholders. The article below about Griffith Park, L.A.'s busiest and most iconic shooting location, made the front page of the business section this week.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-onlocation-griffith-park-20150128-story.html
A proposed change to Georgia's production incentives made national headlines this week: as detailed in the Atlanta Business Journal below, lawmakers in that state are looking to award an additional 5% credit on wages paid to military veterans employed in film, television and video production.
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2015/01/29/bill-proposes-expansion-of-film-tax-credit-for.html
A potential new deal between Lionsgate and Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co. could be the latest partnership between Hollywood and China. As reported in Los Angeles Times below, Hunan is the second-largest broadcaster in China and discussions involve film financing, movie distribution, local film production in China and television initiatives.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-lionsgate-china-hunan-tv-talks-20150128-story.html
The bad news continues regarding Dreamworks Animations Studios. As detailed in the Times below, news last week that DreamWorks plans to lay off 500 people, overhaul management and release fewer movies was intended to reassure investors, but the moves had the opposite effect on Wall Street and some predict the company could be forced into bankruptcy in the next two years if box-office results don't improve.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-stock-falls-investors-20150124-story.html
The gaming industry in Ontario continues to earn accolades and a few local companies made the list as creators of the most anticipated made-in-Canada video games in 2015. Capybara Games and Drinkbox Studios are just two of the Toronto-based companies named-checked in the CBC article below.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/made-in-canada-video-games-to-watch-for-in-2015-1.2931203
http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/5277777-richmond-hill-earns-gold-for-film-guidebook-and-ice-storm-crisis-plan/