Spring is upon us and so is another new membership year at the CMPA! (Please see important membership renewal details in the Member Services section of this update.) As with the coming of a new season comes change at CMPA-BC. I am pleased to welcome Linda Hay into the role of Acting Vice-President, Industrial Relations working closely with Jennifer for the next six months while Gigi is on leave. We are all really excited that Gigi has the opportunity to return to series television production during this period and wish her well and a safe return!
Wazuku Advisory Group has been engaged to work with CMPA-BC as our Government Relations consultants moving forward. They are currently developing key messages and a government relations strategy for the CMPA-BC for 2014/15.
CMPA-BC recently met with Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond, NDP Film/TV Critic George Heyman and NDP Culture Critic Lana Popham to discuss issues related to the BC based industry including Creative BC’s mandate and funding and the establishment of a cross-ministerial working group on the creative industries. A meeting with Minister Teresa Wat (International Trade) is scheduled for April 10 as we continue to focus on engaging with key provincial politicians and officials during this sitting of the Legislature.
Staff Changes
Effective April 1, 2014, Linda Hay will become Acting Vice-President, Industrial Relations for the BC Producers’ Branch. With support from Jennifer Buchanan, Manager, Industrial Relations and Member Services Linda will lead on CMPA-BC IR initiatives while Gigi Boyd takes a six month leave of absence to return to production work.
Linda has 20 years of experience in Canadian television and film production. Most recently, Linda has been the Senior Project Manager at the CMPA-BC focusing on professional development, sponsorship, research, and data management. Prior to her work at the CMPA, Linda produced the OWN Canada series “Buyologic” and was Head of Production at Vancouver’s Omni Film, where she oversaw rapid growth of the company in the areas of series development and production, including “Arctic Air”, “Robson Arms”, and “Ice Pilots NWT”. In addition, Linda has previously worked at NABET 700 and has had a long career as a DGC BC Production Manager.
Linda can be reached at:
linda.hay@cmpa.ca
604.682.8619 x231
Bargaining Updates
UBCP Animation
We are very pleased to announce that CMPA-BC Animation Member companies ratified the terms of a new three year UBCP Animation Agreement with the UBCP on March 20, 2014. Per the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement, rate increases and modifications to the previous 2008-2010 BC Animation Agreement came into effect on March 20, 2014.
The 2014-2017 UBCP Animation Agreement retains for Producers important buy-out and line count provisions from past agreements while providing updated terms for the use of productions in New Media in the future. An eight percent (8%) general wage increase in the first year of the agreement reflects the fact that the previous BC Animation Agreement expired in 2010 and UBCP Performers had not received an increase in wages since 2009. Subsequent increases of three percent (3%) for each of the following two years in the new agreement recognizes the interest of both the BC Animation Producers and UBCP Performers in fair compensation and continued labour stability in the BC animation industry.
View the 2014-2017 Memorandum of Agreement here.
WGC
The CMPA-BC will be hosting a roadshow in conjunction with our National IR colleagues at 2:00pm on April 28, 2014 to discuss the upcoming WGC negotiations. We will also shortly be canvassing members for proposals so please get in contact with Linda or Jennifer if you would like to submit a proposal in the meantime.
Terms of Trade will also be on the agenda. Please see the events section below for further details.
Fall Bargaining Schedule
Negotiations with the BC Council of Film Unions, Directors Guild of Canada BC District Council and the Union of BC Performers are likely to start in the fall of 2014. We will be canvassing members over the summer for proposals but again, please contact Linda or Jennifer if you have any proposals you would like to send through now.
Safety Updates
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Rental Program
Actsafe has introduced an AED rental program to make the use of AEDs affordable on short term projects. For $79.00 per month, Actsafe will supply the AED, train your staff and manage all necessary maintenance and service upon its return. The CMPA-BC encourages Producers to make AEDs available on your sets and ensure that the appropriate staff have up-to-date training.
You can find more details on the rental program here.
Actsafe Strategic Planning Session
Preparation is under way for the annual Actsafe Strategic Planning Session. Here the CMPA-BC and other industry stakeholders contribute to the strategic direction of the organization for the coming year, with a focus on a five year plan. Please get in touch with Jennifer if you have any feedback or thoughts on the direction of Actsafe and how the organization can further contribute to safety on your productions.
We look forward to working with you over the summer. Please get in touch if you have any questions, feedback or bargaining proposals.
Cheers from Jennifer, Linda and Gigi
Vancouver Creative Lounge – Quarterly Industry Networking Event (February 2014)
In partnership with the DGC-BC, Finale Editworks and IATSE 891, CMPA-BC co-hosts this networking event designed to bring together members and clients of our various organizations to meet one another and develop new relationships. If you are interested in attending a future event, please contact Kori who will ensure you get added to the guest list.
Consultation Meeting with Telefilm Canada: (March 2014)
CMPA-BC facilitated a meeting of BC feature film producers with Dave Forget and Michel Pradier of Telefilm Canada to provide feedback on Telefilm’s Development Program and potential future changes to its Marketing and Distribution Program.
BC Animation Committee (April 2014)
Building on the positive momentum generated by recent collaborations by BC animation studios at Kidscreen, the UK Co-Production Forum and UBCP Animation Bargaining, CMPA-BC has been asked to facilitate a committee of BC animation companies to further discuss issues of common interest. The first committee meeting was held on April 2 with another scheduled for May 9. Please contact Jennifer Buchanan if you are interested in participating moving forward.
Merging Media Update:
2014 is a transition year for Merging Media activities. After four years of presenting “convergence” related programming in a conference/master class format we are pausing to consult with the community to assess the needs, opportunities and challenges facing the screen-based industries moving forward. CMPA-BC has received funding from Creative BC to support hosting a series of focus groups which will take place in April to garner this important information. If you are interested in participating in a focus group, please contact Liz.
Membership Renewal:
Our membership year began April 1st, 2014 and we invite you to renew your company’s membership online. Membership with the CMPA means many great benefitsfor your company, and our Highlight Reel for 2013/14 can be seen here.
Should you have any questions regarding the renewal process, or require more information about member benefits and services please contact Lisa Moreau or Jennifer.
FUTURE EVENTS:
The CMPA-BC and CMPA National IR Teams invite you to join them for a joint Terms of Trade and Writers Guild of Canada consultation session.
The staff will update you on the current state of play regarding the Terms of Trade agreements with the private broadcasters and the status of the ongoing Terms of Trade negotiations with CBC. They will also be seeking your input regarding potential bargaining issues for the next round of negotiations with the WGC.
Date: April 28, 2014
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Malaspina Room,The Fairmont Waterfront, 900 Canada Place Way
RSVP to: Vancouver@cmpa.ca
RECENT EVENTS:
MIPTV Outreach Session (January 2014)
CMPA-BC co-hosted a breakfast meeting with Reed Midem and Telefilm to highlight the new interactive/digital components that are now part of MIPTV programming. Robert Marking, (SVP Sales, Reed Midem) was in attendance along with Francesca Accinelli (Telefilm) who spoke about the Canada Pavilion presence at international markets. Christine Larsen (Creative BC) spoke about the Passport to Markets program and CMPA members Ryan Nadel and Catherine Warren discussed their past participation as companies attending MIPTV.
Building Sustainable Companies Workshop: (January 2014)
As part of National CMPA’s Professional Development Series, CMPA-BC coordinated a two day session with facilitator Anne Marie Maduri focused on Building Sustainable Companies to Attract Private Investment. This course demonstrated a strategic approach to building a sustainable business model allowing for growth and private investment. The session included assessing emerging growth opportunities. Nine companies participated and now have 3 hours of consulting time with Anne Marie to work on their own business plans and strategies. The session is currently being offered in Toronto and we hope to offer it again in the fall in Halifax.
UK-BC Animation Co-Production Forum: (February 2014)
8 BC animation studios participated in this co-production forum designed and coordinated by CMPA-BC. Other participants included broadcasters Knowledge Kids, BBC Kids, an ex-Corus Executive and representatives from CMPA-BC, Creative BC, the Canada Media Fund and Vancouver Economic Commission. Pact (the independent producers association in the UK) partnered with us to put together a group of high level UK producers, broadcasters and distributors who participated in two days of programming in London. One day in Manchester/Media City followed with meetings with CBBC and Cbeebees commissioning editors followed by a reception at UK animation Studio Liddell. The BC Ministry of International Trade identified this initiative as a priority and hired UK PR Firm Apollo Media who garnered extensive UK media coverage for the mission. Additional funding from MPPIA, Creative BC and Vancouver Economic Commission made this event possible.
Hot Docs 2014- April 24- May 4, 2014
Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market, will present its 21st annual edition from April 24 to May 4, 2014. An outstanding selection of approximately 200 Canadian and international documentaries will be presented to Toronto audiences and international delegates. Hot Docs will also mount a full roster of industry sessions, services and networking opportunities, including the renowned Hot Docs Forum, April 30 and May 1, and The Festival Doc Shop. Members save $50 on a Conference & Networking Pass or $100 on an All Access Pass
Register with code: CMPADELDISC
Banff World Media Festival- June 8-11, 2014
Attracting over 150 Development Executives and a wide-ranging cross-section of television and digital media professionals from around the world, BANFF is the ideal place to make new contacts, find production partners and green-light new projects. Featuring in-depth spotlights on key international territories, pre-booked Face-to Face Meetings with industry decision makers, and unparalleled opportunities for networking with potential partners from across the globe, the BANFF Marketplace is designed to help you create new development and production opportunities. $1295 if purchased between Feb 24 – April 18 // $1595 if purchased between April 19 – June 7. Also, contact Henry Wong, Awards and Associations Coordinator, Achilles Media for a $50 discount per entry if you wish to submit a program for consideration to the Rockie Awards, and use code: CMPA.
Filed under: E-Update, Events, Industrial Relations, Liz's Log
