The A Word

This week’s radio show is here, for your enjoyment, chagrin and a general effort to scandalize the community. The images below are respectively the show at the Gordon Snelgrove, and two images from Picasso and his contemporaries at the Kenderdine Gallery.

Here’s this week’s radio show, and the e-invite for the event at the Stall Gallery that I mention, as well. I’ve also included an announcement that just came in from the College Gallery. Enjoy.

You can listen to this week’s radio show here. And I recently got some more information on further protests and petitions re: the Saskatchewan Film Credit, and I’ll post those below….and here’s an image for an exhibition that is at the Snelgrove Gallery right now. And I just found out that Amalie Atkins, a local artist / filmmaker, has been long listed for the Sobey Art Award. Congratulations to Amalie, and you can see the full list here.

But before I get into that, I must pass on how amused I was when I read a missive from Tourism Saskatchewan, or more exactly an “update” about how the government has turned them into a Crown Corporation. The reason I laughed was that in the e – update, it’s stated, and I quote : In every other province in Canada, tourism marketing and programs are delivered either by a Crown Corporation, such as in Alberta and Manitoba, or by a government ministry. But wait – every other province in Canada has a Film Tax Credit: but I guess facts are only relevant when the politicians want them to be….like how cost of living only matters with their own pay raises. But now, on to something that Sandhya Padmanabh passed on to me, and I encourage everyone to use the helpful information she’s passed on.

5 Things you can do to support the Saskatchewan Film Industry:

1. SIGN THE PETITION to request that Government work with industry to develop a new incentive program that allows the industry to flourish:If you want  download a copy of the petition go to http://www.turning.ca/save-sask-film-petition.pdf

Completed petitions can be dropped off at:

In Saskatoon: Unreal City, 139 2nd Ave North; Turning the Tide, 525 11th Street East; Collective Coffee, 220 20th Street West

In Regina:  O’Hanlons 1947 Scarth Street;13th Avenue Coffeehouse, 3136 13th Avenue

2. PARTICIPATE

a)  FILM FRIDAY ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK: Our first hosting of #FilmFriday on Twitter was a success, which we look forward to repeating every Friday. If you are on Twitter please plan to participate next week. It would be great to get even better numbers and wider reach. Use the hashtag #FilmFriday and tweet about your favourite film or TV show or digital project with a Saskatchewan connection.  If you are not on twitter, you can participate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaskatchewanMediaProductionIndustryAssociation.

b) Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association is reaching out to the public through our website www.filmtvsask.com<http://www.filmtvsask.com/> ,

c) Engage: speak out on Twitter (@SMPIAoffice and #skpoli),

c) Engage: Speak out on Facebook (SMPIA) ,

d) Participate on Pinterest (SMPIA). <https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheSFETC>,

e) Watch for more events, petition blitzes, contests and announcements coming soon!

3. SEND A MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT OR WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. If you need help crafting a message, check out the sample messages from SMPIA at the bottom of this entry.  Consider writing a letter to the Editor. Keep the letters short (under 300 words if you can) and include your own personal story of how the loss of the Tax Credit will affect you personally if you can.  Make sure to include your name and contact information.

IN REGINA:

- Leaderpost: Letters@leaderpost.com <http://mailto:Letters@leaderpost.com>

- Prairie Dog: feedback@prairiedogmag.com <http://mailto:feedback@prairiedogmag.com>

- Metro: reginaletters@metronews.ca <http://mailto:reginaletters@metronews.ca>

IN SASKATOON:

- Star Phoenix: letters@thestarphoenix.com <http://mailto:letters@thestarphoenix.com>

- Planet S: reception@planetsmag.com <http://mailto:reception@planetsmag.com>

4. DONATE and/or VOLUNTEER : No sponsorship/donation is too small. If you can support our fundraising efforts please contact the SMPIA office via e-mail office@smpia.sk.ca and they will make arrangements to accept your sponsorship/donation either by cheque or VISA.  If you can’t make a donation then maybe you could be available to volunteer. To volunteer, please email the following information to helpsavefilminsask@gmail.com who are creating a database of volunteers and supporters.

Town/City of Residence:

Name:

Email:

Preferred phone number:

Do you own a business?

If yes, please state the name and nature of your business:

5.  STAY INFORMED: Some recent news articles

APRIL 17: <http://cjme.com/story/danish-film-producer-saskatoon-doesnt-sway-sask-premier-tax-credit/52881>

APRIL 16: <http://www.leaderpost.com/touch/news/story.html?id=6463904>

APRIL 16: http://www.cjme.com/story/danish-filmmakers-use-saskatoon-backdrop-short-film/52718?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

APRIL 15: http://www.thefilmfairy.com/index.php/shannon-jardine-on-acting-the-threat-facing-the-saskatchewan-film-industry-and-how-to-break-into-film/

APRIL 12: IN HONOUR OF #FILMFRIDAY ~ ROADTRIPPIN’ TO THE 2011 YORKTON FILM FESTIVAL <http://ht.ly/ag8H4>

APRIL 11: <http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/172190/Film+Television/The+Saskatchewan+Film+Employment+Tax+Credit+Is+Eliminated>

APRIL 11: <http://m.news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2012/04/ontarios-strong-plan-for-economy-includes-support-for-strong-film-and-television-industry.html>

APRIL 10: <http://artthreat.net/2012/04/saskatchewan-film-tax-credit/>

APRIL 10: <http://www.bmoremedia.com/innovationnews/taxcredits041012.aspx>

APRIL 5: <http://www.planetsmag.com/story.php?id=795> CRAZY ENOUGH TO BE A MOVIE

MARCH 29: <http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Film+credit+cancellation+illogical+public+policy/6382861/story.html>

MARCH 27: <http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wes-bentley-kim-coates-urge-304678>

MARCH 27: <http://cjme.com/story/brent-butt-concerned-saskatchewan-film-industry/49746>

MARCH 27 <http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Saskatchewan+film+credit+deadline+extended/6367763/story.html>

MARCH 26 <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2012/03/26/sk-hunger-games-sask-tax-credit.html>

MARCH 22: <http://www.globalregina.com/sask+film+industry+could+fade+to+black+film+makers/6442606422/story.html>

OTHER ARTICLES ARE ARCHIVED AT: <http://www.filmtvsask.com/index.php/news-from-media/>

SMPIA – SAMPLE MESSAGES

1. FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY:

a. We are thankful to the Government for the tax credit application extension to June 30th, 2012 and the willingness of Premier Wall to work with the Film, Television and Digital Media industries to come up with a new incentive program to insure a healthy industry for the future

b. My business greatly benefits from the economic spinoffs the Film, Television and Digital Media industries creates in the province. Over the last 14 years this industry has generated $____________for my company which has allowed me to maintain ________full time employees.

c. It is extremely important for me and my business that the government work out a new Film, Television and Digital Media incentive program that can help grow this industry and keep the jobs for our young people in Saskatchewan.

2. FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

a. I want a Saskatchewan that sees the Film, Television and Digital Media industries flourish.

b. Media of all forms and on all screens plays an important part of each of our lives. It is important to me (and my family) that we have a Film, Television and Digital Media industry in Saskatchewan so we see ourselves and our Saskatchewan values reflected on these screens.

c. It has taken 25 years to build the Film, Television and Digital industry to where it is today in Saskatchewan. This has been my (our) investment that has brought the industry to where it is today. Please work with the industry to come up with a new incentive program that keeps this vibrant industry flourishing in Saskatchewan.

d. Successful programs such as Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and The Englishman’s Boy that were created in Saskatchewan used the current tax credit program and certainly contributed to the turn around in attitude of this province both from within and from the outside.

3. FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY

a. We are thankful to the Government for the tax credit application extension to June 30th and the willingness of Premier Brad Wall to work with the Film, Television and Digital Media industries to come up with a new incentive program to insure a healthy industry for the future

b. I make a living working in the Film, Television and Digital Media industry. Please don’t destroy what has taking 25 years to build and force me (and my family of ____) to move to another province from the place I want to work and live.

c. I am proud to work in the Film, Television and Digital Media industry. The quality of work coming out of Saskatchewan is some of the best in the world. We have come so far together. Please find a way to create a new incentive program before the current tax credit program expires June 30th. Without a new program crossing over the old program I (my family) will not be able to wait and see and will be forced to move to another province.

…are dangerous bedfellows, but I think I said that I’ve been listening to (too much) Phil Ochs lately, and it seems so appropriate. You can listen to this week’s show here, and I’d like to just add a graphic that is very relevant in light of the pay raise that just happened for “our representatives”. I can think of no better example of something that is subsidized in perpetuity without any results expected than “our” politicians.

I’m pleased that many are not letting this issue “go away”, and a letter by Sheila Petty, from the University of Regina, is in today’s Star Phoenix.

…and ended in Los Angeles, to quote the Phil Ochs song I play during this week’s episode. You can listen to it here. A few other things to pass along have some images and information below. I’m also passing on a link that Amalie Atkins sent me, with a bit more praise for the coverage that she’s getting, from Canadian Art to MassMOCA.

This week’s radio show is a conversation with Ed Pien, who is one of the artists in Paper Doll which opens at the Mendel this Friday. You can listen to us talk about his work in this show, Revel, and a future project he will have at the Sydney Biennale.

Now, the talk / tour for that show is this Friday March 30th, with Ann Koval, the curator, and Ed Pien and Jeannie Thib, happens at 7 PM and the reception will begin at 8 PM, after a plethora of speeches and such. And here’s some images of previous installations of Ed’s work that will be in Paper Doll.

Here is this week’s radio show: and I talk about a few things, from the latest issue of Canadian Art to a few other things that are going on in the city. Enjoy.

…and you may think this is a self serving, arrogant post (what, is this a message from the U of S used car salesmen in Fine Arts and Humanities. No, wait, that’s not fair to the used car salesmen….), but listen to it, and you will enjoy it, I’m sure.

And I like to say “bacon” as a warm up word when doing voice overs….and it may also be because I once bitched that I’d done about 5 of these, and when was I going to get mine? Should have known to be careful what I wish for….

I include with this post a wonderful image of chicken hearts that the artist Yuka Yamaguchi once sent me, because it’s pretty.

This week’s radio show is primarily a remembrance of Chester Pelkey, but I also mention a few other things, such as the upcoming exhibition at PAVED, and an exhibition that is currently on at the Affinity Gallery, by June J. Jacobs.

Here is this week’s radio show, in which I talk about a number of events that are happening in the city this week, from AKA to the Affinity Gallery at the SCC to the Snelgrove.

You can listen to it here. And I give you an image for June Jacobs at the SCC, as I have raved about her work previously, and it’s a show to check out.