Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 14/00) - The NWT Film Commission is only a year old, but commissioner Garry Singer is confident word that our territory provides unique filming opportunities for people in the film industry is getting out.

And this month, for the second year in a row, Singer will be attending a locations trade show -- Locations Expo 2000, in Los Angeles, California.

"It's an international trade show for film commissions from around the world," says Singer, who works for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development's trade and investment division in Yellowknife.

"Everyone there basically makes their pitch to the industry; to everyone from Disney and the big names to independent producers."

At this year's expo, Singer will be pitching the unique geography of the NWT regions -- North Slave, South Slave, Deh Cho, Sahtu and the Mackenzie Delta -- plus the quality of our light, and longer snow season.

"The film commission is a vehicle for promotion," adds Singer.

"Every other jurisdiction in Canada, the States, many countries, now have film commissions," says Singer.

The Yukon territory has actually had a film commission for about seven years now.

"Our forecast for this year in direct spending is in excess of $6 million," says Mark Hill of The Yukon Film Commission.

One film is currently in pre-production, two more are planned, and the commission is talking with four more possibilities. Last year, there were eight commercials filmed in the Yukon.

"This should grow this year," Hill says.

Singer says in the past year, $600,000 was spent in the NWT. But he has no way of tracking a potential increase this year, he adds. On his home turf, Singer's job is multi-faceted.

He is the direct contact for locations managers who might be interested in the NWT. As a result of the trade show, seeing ads in trade magazines, or seeing our name in the film commissioner's catalogue, Singer has fielded about 25 inquires this past year.

"You have to realize that a lot of education is required. Someone was looking for scenes to do with small communities and reindeer for a Christmas special ... but they wanted to do it in July."

Singer adds the commission isn't necessarily looking for a big budget movie to film here, but is targeting a niche market. For example, commercials and outdoor programs.

"Commercials spend a lot of money in a very short time."

But it's not just about money. Every time Yellowknife gets on TV, it's good exposure for the capital city and the entire territory.

Singer also acts as liaison between independent producers and local crew and production companies filming in the territory.

Independent producers in the NWT might benefit from the formation of the commission, although it's unclear exactly how.

"In terms of the (local) industry, we had a meeting with some of the independent producers. From that we did a review of the industry, outlining the market situation. What can we do about it? Because right now we have no film programs related to the film commission. We're really a clearing house for inquiries -- we'll direct them to the right people. But there might be an opportunity to try and develop the local industry," says Singer, adding that as yet no funds have been identified.

So far, unlike many other provinces and the Yukon, we aren't offering major tax incentives or labour rebates.

"The first meeting I had with (the independent producers), I was surprised by the answer. 'Why should we spend money to get people here when we don't have any work.' So that's another way of looking at it. If you're tight for money, where's the best place to spend it," says Singer.

Last week in Yellowknife, the commission sponsored a workshop for the independents. Tele-film Canada came up to share information on what funds are available for getting productions off the ground. Several independents participated, including Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen and others in Yk.

Singer has high hopes for the future of the territory in the industry.

And if our neighbour to the west (Yukon) is any indication -- though road access will sometimes prove a detriment -- it seems possible the NWT will be sought out as a unique location.