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CFTPA announces seven apprenticeships in the Atlantic

Ottawa, September 3, 2009 – The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) is proud to announce this year’s interns in the Atlantic Mentorship Program. 

In partnership with Telefilm Canada, Film Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Film, and the Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation, the program provides internships for emerging and mid-level producers in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and New Brunswick at active CFTPA member production companies.
 
“Regional programs are extremely important because they are designed to respond to specific skills shortages and needs of the local industry,” said Susanne Vaas, VP of Business Affairs, CFTPA. “We are delighted with the success of this program, and are looking forward to another great year.”

“I met recently with a large group of emerging filmmakers in Halifax and it was unanimous: working with a mentor on a real project is the best way to learn and develop,” said Gordon Whittaker, Atlantic Regional Director – Business Development and Feature Film Executive, Telefilm Canada. “The CFTPA mentorship program is an important training opportunity that transfers important knowledge, skills and experiences from one generation to the next. For us, it’s a smart investment that strengthens the regional industry.”

"Film Nova Scotia is committed to providing programs that help to develop the emerging talent in our region.  Providing the opportunity for these individuals to work and learn from established professionals is vital to continue the growth of our film, television and new media industry," said Ann MacKenzie, President and CEO of Film Nova Scotia. "The Atlantic Mentorship Program is an initiative that we are proud to offer along with the CFTPA, Telefilm Canada and the other Atlantic Canada Film Partners. Best wishes to the companies and interns for a successful mentorship."

“New Brunswick Film is pleased to partner with the CFTPA and the other Atlantic Canada Film Partners in the training of future film and television producers.  There is no better way for young producers to learn their craft and to increase their employment prospects than to spend time with an established New Brunswick producer”, said Alain Basque, Director, New Brunswick Film.

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation are proud to, once again, be part of the Atlantic Mentorship Program. By working alongside established producers, individuals have a unique opportunity to draw upon decades of experience that will guide them in pursuing a career in the industry,” said Chris Bonnell, Executive Director and Film Commissioner of Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation. “Programs such as these deliver results, and play a crucial part in ensuring the future of our industry”.

The following seven placements were awarded:

Big Motion Pictures and Chris Turner, Chester, NS
Emotion Pictures and Marc Tetreault, Halifax, NS
Hemmings House Pictures and Nick LeBlanc, Saint John, NB
Hemmings House Pictures and Jon Williams, Saint John, NB
Morag Loves Company and Lynanne Sparrow, St. John’s, NL
Rink Rat Productions and Cyril Butler, St. John’s, NL
Tell Tale Productions and Sean Doyle, Halifax, NS

For more information on the program, please visit www.cftpa.ca/mentorship.

The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media productions in all regions of Canada.

Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian productions that appeal to domestic and international audiences. The Corporation also administers the funding programs of the Canadian Feature Film Fund, the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. To learn more about Telefilm Canada, watch the complete webcast of the Corporation’s first annual public meeting, held April 8, 2009, at www.telefilm.gc.ca.

Film Nova Scotia is a provincial Crown corporation reporting to the minister of Economic and Rural Development. The Corporation provides a wide range of programs and services to build the capacity and competitiveness of the province's film, television and new media industry. The provincial film industry is the fourth largest in Canada, regularly exceeding $100 million in economic activity annually.

New Brunswick Film is the Province of New Brunswick agency responsible for promoting and supporting the development of an economically viable and vibrant film and television production industry. New Brunswick Film provides services and support to the film and television industry in the province by providing financial assistance to New Brunswick residents to develop and produce film and television productions, and by increasing opportunities for New Brunswick residents working in the New Brunswick film and television industry for skills development, employment, creative expression, and international marketing of their film products.

The Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation’s mandate is to promote the development of the indigenous film and video industry in the province and to promote the province’s film and television products and locations nationally and internationally. On a daily basis, the NLFDC facilitates and fosters the local industry. The NLFDC is the front line of the film industry to the public and, on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador, to the nation and the world. As such it fields many requests and enquires concerning Newfoundland and Labrador as a shooting location. The NLFDC also advises and counsels local filmmakers, production companies and crew. It provides information concerning all aspects of the film industry including: its own programs and those of other local organizations, as well as information regarding national funders, broadcasters, and distributors. The NLFDC partners with local, regional and national organizations and sits on national committees.

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For further information please call:

Canadian Film and Television Production Association
Anne Trueman
Director of Communications & Media
1.800.656.7440 Ext. 227
anne.trueman@cftpa.ca
www.cftpa.ca

Telefilm Canada, Atlantic Region
Michael Dunn
Communications
902.426.8425, ext. 2721
dunnm@telefilm.gc.ca 
www.telefilm.gc.ca

Film Nova Scotia
Ann MacKenzie
President and CEO
902.424.7177
mackenam@gov.ns.ca
http://film.ns.ca

New Brunswick Film
Ryan Donaghy
Communications Officer
(Wellness, Culture & Sport)
506.457.6445
ryan.donaghy@gnb.ca
www.nbfilm.ca

Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation
Matthew Crowe
Industry Analyst
709.738.3423
matthew@nlfdc.ca   
www.nlfdc.ca