10 February 2003 01:24
OMDC Film & Television stats reflect stability in anchoring production in Ontario
TORONTO, Feb. 10 /CNW/ - In 2002, Ontario's film and television industry contributed $984.5 million to the
provincial economy according to data compiled and released today by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC).
The figures in the attached charts reflect expenditures in Ontario by productions utilizing OMDC-administered programs
and services in 2002. The 0.3% increase in the industry's production activity over 2001 confirms that Ontario has
maintained its attractiveness as a jurisdiction in which to produce. But the OMDC recognizes and acknowledges that
Ontario faces strong competition from other jurisdictions. The OMDC will continue to work with the industry to
strengthen Ontario's competitiveness. "The sustained performance of Ontario's industry two years in a row
indicates that Ontario is a favoured film and television jurisdiction which attracts a competitive share of productions
to the Province," commented Marcelle Lean, Chair of the OMDC. "Producers are increasingly shopping in a global
marketplace trying to get the most value for their bottom line. We need to ensure Ontario is the location of choice for
our own producers as well as for foreign producers." The dollar value of the foreign portion of the industry
continued to grow to represent 61% of total industry activity. The number of series produced in Ontario increased over
last year to contribute a total of $216.9 million. It was also the first year in which foreign activity in Ontario
included animation production representing over $6 million of economic activity. On the other hand, the production of
foreign feature films decreased by 22%. "I am pleased with the stable performance of the industry this past year,
considering the difficulties of the previous year," stated Michel Frappier, Chief Executive Officer of the OMDC.
"The recognition of Ontario as a jurisdiction in which all genres can be produced, including animated productions,
confirms that the industry is diverse as well as highly skilled and qualified." The domestic industry decreased to
$380.7 million which represents 39% of total production activity. Although the data reveals an increase in the number of
projects, it also reveals a decline in the individual budget for many of those productions. For example, 73 domestic
television series were produced in Ontario, an increase from 40 in 2001, but those productions only contributed $209.3
million to the provincial economy, down from $224.7 million the previous year. The number of other domestic television
productions increased to 65 productions this year, but those productions contributed only $64.6 million in 2002 a
significant decrease from $109.4 million in 2001. "While the OMDC, together with the Ministry of Finance, has
accelerated the processing time for tax credits, we know that more needs to be done," commented Michel Frappier
"The challenges facing the domestic sector continue to be a priority for the OMDC. We are currently developing
strategies to address these challenges. We also want to maintain the level of foreign production in the Province. The
Province competes with many other jurisdictions for production activity - we want to be the jurisdiction of
choice." Ontario production companies continue to produce a wide-range of television dramas including: Degrassi the
Next Generation (Epitome Pictures for CTV), The Eleventh Hour (Alliance Atlantis for CTV), The Red Green Show (Red Green
Productions XII Inc for CBC), and the animated series Braceface (Nelvana). Some Ontario-produced features that shot in
2002 included: Foolproof (Alliance Atlantis); Luck (The Film Farm) written and directed by Peter Wellington starring
Sarah Polley; and the adaptation of the Carol Shield's novel The Republic of Love (Triptych Media and Dan Films)
directed by Deepa Mehta. Foreign features included Against The Ropes (Cort/Madden Production for Paramount Pictures),
starring Meg Ryan; Cold Creek Manor (Disney) starring Sharon Stone; Godsend (Lions' Gate) starring Robert DeNiro;
How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughy; and The Wedding Party (Franchise
Entertainment) with a key cast including Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks. The episodic series that shot in the
Province in 2002 also contributed to the strong foreign performance, including new shows Odyssey 5, Street Time,
Veritas, and returning series, Doc, Queer As Folk, Soul Food, and Witchblade. The regional bonus, a feature added to
Ontario's film and television tax credits in May 2000 budget, has encouraged numerous productions to shoot outside
Toronto, especially in Hamilton where a total of 24 productions shot, including the Fireworks series Blackhole High.
Other productions utilizing Ontario's wide diversity of locations were: Spinning Boris (Russia); The Music Man
which recreated River City Iowa in Millbrook; and Jasper Texas, which shot in Beaverton. Toronto also doubled for
Florida, New York City, and Virginia in the production Hanssen and San Francisco in the new TV series Monk. The OMDC is
committed to building capacity and competitiveness in Ontario's cultural media industry. This commitment includes
expanding the business environment so that it is advantageous to the growth of the film and television industry in the
Province. The OMDC will continue to work together with the industry to overcome challenges and maximize opportunities
for growth. The OMDC is an agency of the Ministry of Culture and provides a range of initiatives to stimulate the growth
of the Province's book publishing, music, interactive digital media, film, magazine publishing, and television
industries. For more detailed information including production breakdown chart, graph and listings go to:
http://www.omdc.on.ca/pdf/news/news20030210_yrend.pdf
VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION: http://www.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/inquiry.cgi?OKEY=97493 /For further
information: Media Inquiries Contact: Sharon Wilson, Communications Ontario Media Development Corporation, Tel: (416)
642-6616, Email: swilson(at)omdc.on.ca/
[CAIW [Corporate Announcements Intelligence Wire]] |
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