MFG NEWS / NOUVELLES DU MFG

It is possible to make a living as an English screenwriter in Quebec
Successful screenwriters talk about their craft at WGC mini-conference

Montreal, Jan. 21, 2007 – Despite what you may have heard, not all screenwriters live in Toronto, and writers who are just starting out in television and film will have the chance to meet several celebrated English-language screenwriters living and working in Montreal at the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) mini-conference at McGill University on (date).

At the conference which is being presented by media@McGill, screenwriters such as Bruce M. Smith (Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story), Laurie Finstad-Knizhnik (Bliss, Cold Squad), Leila Basen (Bon Cop, Bad Cop) Anne-Marie Perrotta (What’s with Andy?, Caillou), Laura Kosterski (Naked Josh) and Steve Gallucio (Mambo Italiano) will talk about how they got started in the business and are able to make a living in a predominately French-speaking market.

“It’s been a tough few years for all screenwriters as private Canadian broadcasters such as CTV and Global have spent less on original scripted drama, and the CBC has been stymied by decreased funding,” said Leila Basen, Quebec council member for the WGC.

Anne-Marie Perrotta, an animation writer and story editor adds,“Quebec screenwriters who write in English have been hurt even harder due to provincial tax credits that lure work away to Ontario or B.C., and by a province where the majority of series and films are written and produced in French. Yet despite all that, many of us have been able to make a good living and write successful movies and television series.”

The conference will be held at McGill University, in Room 232 in the Leacock Building on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free. (For more information, please visit http://media.mcgill.ca.)

Conference speakers:

Leila Basen– Quebec council member, WGC. Writer, story editor and showrunner whose credits includeBon Cop, Bad Cop(feature),Emily of New Moon(CBC),Tales From the Neverending Story(CBC),Blackfly(Global).

Laurie Finstad-Knizhnik– Writer/Story Editor/Producer onBliss (Showcase), Creator/Producer on Durham County (TMN), Cold Squad (CTV).

Steve Gallucio– Feature film and series creator and writer, Ciao Bella (CBC), Mambo Italiano (feature).

Laura Kosterski– Co-creator/executive producer on Naked Josh(Showcase).

Anne-Marie Perrotta– Children’s writer and story editor, Arthur (PBS), Clifford the Big Red Dog (PBS), Edgar & Ellen (Nicktoons/YTV), What’s With Andy? (Teletoon), Caillou (CBC/PBS),Toopy & Binoo (Treehouse), Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat (PBS).

Bruce M. Smith– Writer, PrairieGiant: The Tommy Douglas Story (CBC), The Investigation (CTV), The Sleep Room (CBC).

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) represents more than 1,800 professional screenwriters across Canada who create the distinctly Canadian entertainment we enjoy on our television, movie screens, radio and computers – such as dramatic TV series and movies, feature films, documentaries, animation programs, comedy and variety series, children's and educational programming, radio drama, corporate videos and digital media productions.

For more information on the mini-conference please contact gringamp@sympatico.ca.