Canadian Film Digest (Mar 1973)

Page 6 Jean-Pierre Cassel, in town for National Jan-Michael Vincent, here for Bellevue General’s Baxter P oh nan Mancuso. VISITORS: Passing through Toronto bal Disney’s The World’s Greatest Athlete. eng OF RAE ve % o , a y : % ME } é : : a Paramount’s Save the Tiger contingent: Frank Tobin from the New York office, Bob Yankovitch, Canadian Pub and Adv, Jack Lemmon, Paramount Canada President Frank MARCH 1973 Film Factory: Mid-West Is Best Take a production facility and create a completely self-sustained unit: writers, cameramen, editors, editing equipment, screening facilities. Operate on the premise that clients will be offered a total package from conception to completed product. What have you got? Competition, Unless you're in Win nipeg. Film Factory is in Winnipeg and they like it there. What they did have was disbelief to contend with: how can you survive away from Toronto-Vancouver-Montreal? They’ve not only survived, they’ve grown so much in the last two years since they began that they are ready to tackle a dramatic film. J. William McCaughey was a CBC producer who decided to get out on his own. He had small facilities in his basement, and managed to drum up some work. As president and executive producer, he added Trevor Odgers (general manager) and Glen Eyolfson (technical director) to his company, and they began to grow. Soon they had a large full-and-part-time staff, and moved to larger quarters. What made it work was a process of convincing local clients that they could do a satisfactory job, coupled with costs as much as 50% lower than if the work were to be sent to Toronto or Vancouver. To date they have done commercials for the Greater Winnipeg Gas Company and other government companies, and especially for Kito Canada, who distribute the Hoky sweeper: reprints of this commercial are being used all over North America. The first job is their most famous, and it provided the initiative to start the company. McCaughey made a successful proposal to the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood for a half-hour film It was to be part of celebrations marking the signing of treaties one hundred years ago at Lower Fort Garry by Manitoba Indians. McCaughey found himself working with a number of people who wanted his kind of independence, and thus arose Film Factory. The film, called Our Tomorrows, was very successful, and some work was received. But most of it was hustle, hustle, to convince people that the quality and the market was right in their own back yard. Recent work includes a promotional film for the rock group The Guess Who, defensive driving commercials, and a half-hour film for the Trade and Commerce department to use at trade fairs. McCaughey still believes in open competition, though. He says that Manitoba film companies should not receive preferential treatment — if an Eastern or Western company receives a commission, then so be it. It should depend upon merit only. But at the same time Film Factory does have a track record, the most important aspect of of which is their own proof by showing that it can be done in Winnipeg. Now it’s on to prove that successful dramatic efforts can be produced entirely in their own back yard, whether for TV or feature release. ANIMATION ARTIST Applications are invited for the position of Animation instructor on a College level. A challenging opportunity to a mature individual experienced in the total animation process. Practical expertise and dedication more essential than academic status and teaching ability. Excellent working conditions with top professional facilities. Join the staff of the world’s number one School of Animation. Starting Salary: $9,200 to $12,400 Depending on Qualifications & Experience Mail Resumé and References to: GEORGE MARTSEGIS Co-ordinator of Animation SHERIDAN COLLEGE 1430 Trafalgar Road Oakville, Ontario, Canada. MUTUAL FILMS IN TORONTO Gordon Lightstone Suite 914 2, Carlton Street Toronto Tel: 416-869-0030 a division of Mutual Productions Limited IS nO iL TORONTO Full distribution across Canada of Canadian and foreign Films PIERRE DAVID EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARMAND COURNOYER DISTRIBUTION MANAGER IN MONTREAL Bill Spears Suite 24 225 East, Roy Street Montreal 131 Tel: 514-845-5211 ws