Canadian Film Digest (May 1973)

| Page 12 May 1973 -AMPPLC Holds Annual Meet The Association of Motion Picture Producers and Laboratories of Canada held its annual convention at Toronto's Inn on the Park Hotel, on April 25-27, and the occasion proved to be a. fitting two days for the group’s Silver _ Anniversary. Convention chairman Arthur Chetwynd _ began work on the event six months ago, made frequent trips out west to encourage participation by far-flung members, and the result was a higher attendance than in previous years. Included in this year’s session were several highlights, among them a motivation exercise by a leading company psychologist, a panel of distinguished members of the film community, and, for the first time, a visual record of the event produced by students from the film course of Ryerson Institute of Technology. The film was shown to the delegates as the closing program on Friday evening. The convention began on ‘Wednesday April 25th with a special screening of short films, accompanied by refreshments. The recent short Kodak-Crawley effort, Picture Canada, was Superb. Also screened were Island Eden, a British Columbia Travalogue, Oscar nominee and Canadian Film Award winner Selling Out, the NFB’s Ride for Your Life and Flight, and Chetwynd's Wilbur. A reception hosted by Sir Arthur and Lady Chetwynd followed. Thursday morning saw the main business meeting take place. The entire day was declared Quebec Day, with food accordingly. President Henry Michaud chaired the meeting, which began with a report from the membership committee. Overall membership increased during the past year from 87 to 91. Concern was expressed for the fact that IBM and 3M had resigned without giving any reason. The matter was to be looked into. John Ross followed with the special projects committee report. He noted that the CFDC advisory committee had not met for a year. The subject of the abandonment of preclearance at airports was discussed, especially since the thought of meeting some unfamiliar customs men in who-knows-where was somewhat unhappy. Eighty people objected to the end of pre-clearance. The topic of the new motion picture producers’ association, formed recently by feature makers, was brought up. Ross, who was at their meetings, tried to persuade them to join the AMPPLC to no avail. He said that the AMPPLC should take the opportunity for self-examination, because all present felt that the AMPPLC could represent the feature makers adequately. Ross posed the question as to the effectiveness of the AMPPLC. Bob Crone gave the OECA liaison report, saying that all efforts were being made to have OECA farm out as much of their’work as possible. Crone also emphasised that the producers and labs must keep lines of communication open to keep up with what they are doing. Gerry Kedey’s report on Industrial Relations was mainly concerned with the new agreement negotiated with ACTRA. The same form would now be used but a 6% increment each quarter was built into the agreement until a new agreement for performers could be completed. A new series of categories, more specific and naming aspects such as TV, other films, features, was contemplated. Kedey emphasised that his committee bargains only up to a point. It cannot set rates definitely. Each individual member signs a letter of adherance to writers and actors. He noted that ACTRA had negotiated for a letter for both or no letter; it was resolved to maintain the separate letter method. Robin Chetwynd then made a grant entrance. in rural clothing. He presented the committee . through a slide show, commenting as Charlie Farquharson’s cousin Milton. Andre Fleury could not attend becalise of a strike by the Union Des Artistes in Quebec. It was noted that the UDA was asking for a rule adopted whereby any commercial made in French for Quebec showing must use UDA personnel no matter where in the country it is being shot. Henry Michaud reported that the French producers were preparing a brief to the various departments of the government directly or indirectly concerned with the tax leverage question. Michaud said the AMPPLC may join the APFQ as a signature on the brief. Due to the abscence of Christopher Dew, Bob Crone read the Canadian Film Awards report. The situation is now quite up in the air as no word on place, personnel, funds available, or dates has been finalised in any way. It was suggested that the luncheon and evening ceremonies be held on the same day. The concensus was that Friday would be preferable in order to encourage businesses to send delegations. Finally it was agreed that a working sum to sponsor the.CFA by the AMP 2 ee ee me ee | President Henry Michaud acts as chairman, PLC would be $3000, the same sum the group gave in 1972. Heinz Drege gave the education report, remarking that all seemed fine, and thanking the Ryerson students for their participation. Tom Glynn reported for the Taxation and Duty committee. He said he was trying to get the terminology cleared up so that tax assessors, film companies, and governments could all be speaking the same language. And to try and get assessment standardized for all places. An attempt was made to get a 91% cent tax valuation on industrial footage. Due to the abscence of Ed Zemla, no report was forthcoming.from the Committee on Special TV commercials. Frank Young then explained the auditor’s report for the previous and next fiscal years. No raise in dues was contemplated. Funds were expended in greater quantities than previously for publicity and executive travel because of membership drives out West. The auditor was re-appointed for the next year. The new executive was elected. Henry Michaud was returned as president, vice io} te Bee +y5 5 The Canadian Film Digest president was Harold Eady; Director are Eric Jensen, Findlay Quinn, Ralph Umbarger, Gunter Henning, Tom Glynn, David Bier, Christopher Dew, William Duncan, Bob Kane is associated members’ representative. The meeting was adjourned. Lunch followed with featured speaker Robert Burroughs. He led the afternoon workshops in motivation. That evening saw the President's Reception and the annual Banquet. Friday morning featured two panels. The first was on TV commercial production today and the second on sponsored films. Convention chairman Chetwynd said later that he felt too little time was given to the panels, so that by the time people became warmed up, the period was over. He suggested only one panel per half day would be instituted next year. Lunch was western style, from the drinks to the Pacific salmon. Guest speaker was one of Canada’s top political satirists, Dave Broadfoot. The afternoon session saw a blue-ribbon panel discuss the current state of the industry and answer questions from the audience. The panel included George Destounis, President of Famous Players, Sydney Newman, head of the National Film Board, Tom Vant, Chairman Film Development Committee, Alberta Government, Phil Lind, Director of Programming, Rogers Broadcasting, Graeme Fraser, Vice President Crawley Films, Al Bruner, President of Global Communications, Michael Spencer, Executive Director of the Canadian Film Development Corporation, Claude Heroux, President Les Productions Heroux. Moderator John Ross asked each of the panel a leading question to do with their field, and each was given five minutes to answer. Then the floor was thrown open for the audience to ask questions. They did so, but too often they were unable or unwilling to really pin a panel member down. Hindering them was the lack of opportunity to follow up a reply, but somehow one hoped for more cornering and baiting on both sides. (For some of the pane s comments, see page seven.) After the panel, the AMPPLC waterhole was opened, and the convention concluded with the presentation of the Ryerson student’s film. Chetwynd summed up the convention as successful because people had come out, contacts had been made, and thinking had been done. It was hoped to hold the convention out west next year. ONTARIO FILM INSTITUTE Incorporating the Ontario Film Theatre and Archives at the Ontario Science Centre IXth Stratford International Film Festival September 15th-22nd 1973 Ministry of Colleges and Universities Ministry of Industry and Tourism } Province of Ontario Ontario