Telefilm Development

We have been hearing from screenwriters across the country that Telefilm offices are telling them that they must have at least one produced feature film credit in the past five years in order to qualify for the new feature film Portfolio Development program. Because this severely limits the pool of eligible screenwriters and was not ever in the guidelines, the WGC inquired about it directly with Telefilm. Telefilm advised us that it is not a question of eligibility - any and all screenwriters are eligible - rather, it is an issue of track record. Telefilm will be assessing the track record of the team and prioritizing projects written by screenwriters with produced feature films in the past five years. Telefilm has agreed to talk to their offices about refining the message and add clarification to the Filmography form on their website. The fact remains however, that Telefilm will be prioritizing produced feature film credits. We will be monitoring the results and, if the changes have the consequences we expect – that development support will end up going to only a small number of high-profile screenwriters – we will bring that to their attention in the hopes that next year there will be a change in the review process.

IPA Bargaining Update

The recent departure of Chief Negotiator John Barrack from the CMPA has prompted a restructuring - former counsel Reynolds Mastin is now Chief Negotiator and Chief Legal Officer. Prior to this appointment, CMPA CEO & President Norm Bolen and Reynolds Mastin informed us that IPA bargaining originally scheduled for May 7 to May 9 would not be possible. This was greatly disappointing. We are working with the CMPA and the APFTQ on finding new dates, and will be back at the bargaining table with both associations as soon as possible.

WGC Congratulates CMPA's Reynolds Mastin

The WGC sends its congratulations to the CMPA’s Reynolds Mastin on his appointment as Chief Negotiator and Chief Legal Officer for the producers' association. The WGC has worked with Mr. Mastin on several initiatives at the CRTC, CMF and elsewhere, and we know that he is a strong voice for quality Canadian programming. With this appointment, we look forward to resuming our work together toward a new Writers Independent Production Agreement, and the continuation of our long standing industry partnership.

Trevor Cameron selected for Internship

Our congratulations to Saskatoon's own Trevor Cameron, who was selected for a paid internship on a Bell Media TV series. Trevor participated in the western Canada session of the Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program, which began with a week-long intensive workshop in Vancouver in December, and concluded its mentoring phase last month. Participants submitted script materials to a jury, which deliberated before selecting Trevor for the paid internship. We will know soon what series room Trevor will get to be part of and, when we know, we’ll make sure to pass on the news. Congratulations too to all the other participants of the Program - Michael Chen, S.B. Edwards, Allan W. Hopkins, Shannon Masters, Sandy McDougall, Daniel Nammour and Katie Yu - who now have exceptional calling cards to the industry in their script and pitch materials refined through the program. The next western Canada session of the Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program will begin with a Call for Applications in early July.

Make Your Vote Count at AFBS AGM

Members are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting of Actra Fraternal Benefit Society (AFBS) on Monday, May 28th, 2012. Those unable to attend are encouraged to name Sugith Varughese, the WGC's representative to AFBS, as their proxy for voting purposes - that way, Sugith can ensure that writers' votes count and their voices are heard at the AFBS AGM. Details about the meeting can be found here.

On that front, it is with our gratitude that we note that Sugith Varughese has agreed to represent writers at AFBS for another two-year term (from May 1, 2012, to April 30, 2014). We appreciate all Sugith does to ensure that writers are represented in decisions taken at AFBS, and it is reassuring to know that he has our backs there. Thank you Sugith.