ITs a bit disjointed but I”d like to solicit scaledown’s comments. I ad libbed alot and grammar is atrocious from editing so don’t get to particular

Good Evening,

Mayor Francis, Members of Council, Ladies & Gentleman … I am here this evening to support the report you are receiving from administration and to clarify some issues I feel are important

First, like most areas in life, we stumble when we cloud two separate issues together. There is a significant difference between supporting local filmmakers, cultivating home-grown film, harnessing and retaining these talents

… and the establishment of a quasi-governmental Film Commission –that attracts Independant films motion media production crews, including movies, TV and commercials, to shoot on location in Windsor and region.

For the first: Much can be done to support our local filmmakers and related talent that’s realistic and that offers a return on investment.

For the second: Attracting 2 million dollar indie films is a very different story … and packaging these two together undoubtedly masks and confuses the issues.

For the first: to cultivate and retain local talent, at nominal cost, born exclusively by volunteers and sponsors such as WIFF, include: partnering with the University of Windsor and St. Clair College; expanding the 48 Hour Flick Fest to incorporate music video, and perhaps pairing the Flick Fest with the DWBIA to stage a contest inviting local filmmakers to submit their best downtown Windsor commercial.

Also We need to stop talking about this in the context of film when this area of creativity entails so much more we should be talking about the convergence of Film, Music and Interactive Media

On the issue of attracting indie films with $2 million dollar budgets. I believe that, in the short term, this is an unrealistic objective, for numerous reasons including:

(a) There are no post-production facilities and services in the region. Film would have to be sent back and forth to Toronto, preventing timely and essential turnaround. Now there’s always talk of a film studio being built here, building a sound stage warehouse is one thing, post production equipment requires millions and I’ve not seen that type of investment proposed

(b) Unlike Toronto and Hamilton, the City of Windsor does not offer filmmakers and production companies discounts on all municipal charges; does not waive all site rental fees on city-owned facilities and properties; does not provide dedicated support services to each production, and does not offer special discounted hotel and service packages for productions scouting or filming in Windsor. Remember, even if you could succeed in attracting these productions, they come looking for considerable handouts vs. what they spend and it can sometimes simply be a costly feel good venture.

(c) Additionally, the City of Windsor does not have an abundance of skilled film technicians; thousands Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television & Radio Artists members; nor do we have sufficient studios to accommodate small and large scale productions. Many say we have the labour force but we need a physical directory of who’s qualified to do what. No matter what people say about having an abundance of skilled trades, there are huge gaps and thats an opportunity for St. Clair and the U of W

The Windsor International Film Festival hosted a panel discussion involving industry professionals and an overwhelming number of local filmmakers at its annual festival earlier this month. The consensus was … that without any sort of production infrastructure in the city, the establishment of a Film Commission can do little to advance the work of the existing filmmaking community … not only in Windsor but in the region too.

Moreover, any premature involvement by the City can result in further barriers to production. Mary Baruth, the City’s Manager of Cultural Affairs, took a great deal of heat at the panel discussion when it was flimmakers wrongly or rightly inferred that the City vets scripts before issuing the necessary permits. Now don’t get me wrong, Mary Baruth is owed nothing other than thanks for agreeing to participate and start a dialogue with the local filmmakers in Windsor. That dialogue is what needs to happen before consideration of a film commission. No Local filmmaker on our panel has yet to be consulted and we had some recognized experts. One local Windsorite who is also stepping up to contribute that I have corresponded with is Dylan Pearce, also who help found the 48 hour flickfest

This issue should not be focused on today but is one minor example of where WIFF can bring together filmmaker expertise and city officials and create welcoming conditions.

We need to have realistic expectations as well. Filmmaking is not the exercise in city morale building some might think it is. I was reminded that even with the Michigan Tax Credits at roughly 80%, movies shot within the Detroit city limits had some sort of post apocalyptic theme and wanted Detroit for that setting. Thats not a bad thing, we just need to educate people on what to expect.

The good news is that the Windsor International Film Festival already has established relationships and partnerships with the Toronto International Film Festival through its Film Circuit; Telefilm Canada has just announced its funding of WIFF; and we have many celebrated successful filmmakers, industry professionals and expatriates Dan Murphy, Chris Pickle, Nick Shields, Otto Buj and hopefuly even George Thorne from whom we can glean first-hand knowledge and experience.

Windsorites should stop looking to government for solutions and should rather utilize organizations like WIFF to come to Council with what we can offer, rather than what we can ask for. Today, I want to extend that offer of assistance from WIFF and myself

I was recently informed that filmmaker Dylan Pearce is compiling a database of footage of Windsor and Essex County film locations. I have purchased the domain names filmwindsor.com, .ca, .org, and .info and I’m offering to work with Dylan to donate a website portal that features what Windsor/Essex have to offer by way of locations, equipment, and human resources. Last time Dylan and I worked together we both founded the 48 hour flick fest that in its 3rd year saw $3,300 in prizes go to local filmmakers annually.

Separately, my personal research shows that we need to stop addressing this issue exclusively from a “film” perspective. I am taking a second trip to Austin, Texas, next March because my first trip OVERWHELMED me with the fact that … rather than being behind, Windsor can “Leapfrog” our competitors by realizing what the future holds.

Perhaps one day we will attract 2 million dollar budget indie films. But we can realize the convergence of film, music and interactive media by becoming the hub of next generation viewer content, and the commercial, music video and video blogger location capital. Take a look at locally owned Suede Productions, who won four Telly Awards just last year … that’s a precedent for a city like Windsor and a tribute to our home-grown talent. Recently, CBC Radio awarded Phog best live music venue in Canada. To paraphrase SXSW, we need to ensure “Tomorrow Happens Here”.