Canadian Content in the 21st Century in Film and Television Productions

Book excerpt: This report reviews the definition of Canadian content as it applies to film & television production and its relationship to public funding. After an introduction on the review and a summary of stakeholder comments, chapter 2 puts Canadian content into perspective with respect to how it is currently administered & defined, and what it represents in terms of production activity. It also analyzes in detail the degree to which the current definition, more specifically the ten-point creative system, responds to today's realities. It provides information on how some foreign countries promote & determine their national content, and highlights major weaknesses in the current Canadian content system. Chapter 3 proposes fundamental changes to the Canadian content policy infrastructure in three key area: how a Canadian-content production is defined, how Canadian content is administered overall, and how to encourage the greater use of Canadian creators. Chapter 4 examines two areas believed to be integral to the Canadian content system: international treaty co-production and theatrical distribution. Chapter 5 considers the particular challenges faced by Aboriginal & minority communities within the Canadian film & television sectors. Annexes include a list of recommendations, summaries of stakeholder input to the review, and results of a creative & technical cost analysis of various types of productions.