News
September 13, 2018
September 13th News Report from your Los Angeles Representative
Happy Thursday everyone,
The Toronto International Film Festival is wrapping up soon and
Hollywood headlines are so far declaring it the most successful in years. This was the first TIFF of the #MeToo era and its
influence was everywhere, including at an opening day rally during which
hundreds of women called on the entertainment industry to support a wider
range of voices. Variety has details below.
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/toronto-film-festival-protest-rally-women-underrepresentation-1202933254/
Many in the industry are
anxiously awaiting the 2019 launch of Disney's new streaming service and we
learned this week that Warner Brothers will not be far behind. As detailed in
the Los Angeles Times this week, AT&T is developing a new streaming video service that will use the
Warner Bros. catalog of TV shows and movies.
http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-stephenson-warnermedia-20180912-story.html
Speaking of streaming
(aren't we always?), Netflix and the Canadian Film Centre announced a five-year partnership this week. As reported in Variety below, they
are teaming up to foster the development, creation and marketing of
Canadian film and TV projects and talent.
https://variety.com/2018/film/festivals/netflix-canadian-film-centre-cement-partnership-1202934283/
The
Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) is no more – in name, at least –
after rebranding to Ontario Creates. As detailed in Playback below, through its new name and logo, the cultural media
government agency said it aims to ensure its visual identity meets current
online accessibility standards for public websites.
http://playbackonline.ca/2018/09/07/omdc-rebrands-to-ontario-creates/
Finally, this week, a
proposed new studio complex in Ontario made headlines in Hollywood this week.
As detailed in the Hollywood Reporter below, the $100 million
First Studio City Complex in Markham is slated to open in late 2020 and will
reportedly boast 400,000-square-feet, including a 70,000-square-foot
"Super Stage," touted as the largest single purpose-built stage in
North America.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/plans-unveiled-new-100m-toronto-film-production-studio-tiff-2018-1140789
Many of you know that today will be my last day working as
Ontario's Los Angeles-based representative. As I sign off for the last time in
this capacity, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has
offered both professional support and friendship over the past nearly nine
years. This position has been an incredible opportunity and an extraordinary
privilege and I am grateful to have worked with thoughtful, engaged and hard-working
people at Ontario Creates (OMDC), the City of Toronto and FilmOntario.
I will reach out next week with more details on my next
professional endeavor. This e-mail and the office number below will continue to
be monitored by the Ontario Film Commission and its team is always ready to
assist you with any questions regarding working in the province.
Warmest regards,
Kelly Graham-Scherer
Los Angeles
Representative
Toronto/ Ontario Film
Office