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We have been here for three years trying to take a stab at the “Film Industry” in NS. Believe me, I’ve done my share of proactive marketing to the small group of key players. It would have been great to mentor our peers and students and network with film school’s faculty.
Three day calls a year, or one day as an extra does not make you a film industry worker, sorry. And sadly, it isn’t looking good for film students in Halifax either.
My story is simply just one of many.
We understand the pool is shallow. We understand that opportunities are few, and budgets are small. They should not be “non-existent” (in the sense that we are familiar with the “film industry”). Two fog machine rentals, a couple of lights, or a (paid) video shoot, or a union day-call or two between my wife and I would have made a difference…but the demand just isn’t here, and more specifically, there’s no demand for us.
We have real production experience. With real contacts. I do not call myself a “writer, director, producer, editor,” although in this province, everyone seems to be. My wife is currently working in BC and employing three Scotian’s in fact.
The logistics to move our production companies are a nightmare, and it will be very expensive—again thanks to the Liberals.
If I call a contact in British Columbia or Toronto, my call gets returned in less than ten minutes. If we call or email a person or a production here, it doesn’t get returned at all. And that was yesterday.
That is what we are used to from our film industry. Not here.
My point is, we had hoped we didn’t have to uproot and leave, sell our home (an awesome filming location) and figure out the business logistics all over. For the second time in only three years. Thank you, Liberals (but clearly they are not totally to blame).
I haven’t seen my wife or daughter for nearly a year, because instead of being on a (paid) professional film crew, I fix toilets here in NS. (She supports our mortgage in NS working in BC, with a crew from here, by the way.) Productions in BC for the most part cover our expenses in BC. The only way we can afford to still live here what with the ridiculous level cost of utilities and the HST in Nova Scotia. I guarantee that no production manager would ever cover those costs on a show in this province.
We came here in 2012 when film crashed in BC. Friends lost their homes, their jobs, and their spouses. We didn’t come here to “steal film jobs from people,” but quite frankly we will always be tagged as “from away” and looked upon negatively. Not only I suspect because of our resumes, but our last name as well. Since that time we’ve had our business cards thrown down to the ground in front of us, ignored at the union offices, and for the most part, pretty much asked “when are we leaving?”
And keeping in mind – this is being said from working professionals in an industry that are, or may one day be in a position to hire them. I for one will remember all of their names.
That is a horrible way for a small province to grow and learn. And sadly, that is the word that will continue to get out to a larger, yet very,very small global industry. We are already telling producers and shows not to come here.
And we aren’t the only ones with similar stories.
There’s a reason why the film industry, in a larger major motion picture sense, isn’t here, and in my opinion won’t be anytime soon.
Good luck with your film career in Halifax. By the sounds of things you’d like to keep us all out anyhow.
Mission accomplished #NSFILM. —REEL FILM GUY
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2015.
Too bad; so sad; don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
There’s nothing wrong with having “Hitler” for a last name.
Yeah, we know. Thanks for the long read, skipped most of it, sorry.
This ain’t Hollywood and never will be. There are tons of directors, producers, actors, writers out there and most are servers or do other jobs. Why? Because the film/TV industry is a fickle one with few truly making a living from it, whether you are here or in LA.
What utter horseshit. Boo-hoo-fucking-hoo. Somebody bring me a dry hankie.
So, judging the film industry by your story, you are like modern day nomads following the flow of government money. When you’ve scooped up all you can, you move on to the next trough to gorge yourselves on.
Instead of blaming your lack of success on the availability of government money, why not try making shit people will pay to see?
Cut! Exit stage left.
This is not a good economy in which to be whipped cream.
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I get a kick out of the ones who say “I could get a job in Toronto, you know, but I choose to live here.’
Um, no you couldn’t.
Film crews here are full of themselves, including a large majority of indie filmmakers. Big fish in a small pond syndrome. That said, you can’t complain if you instantly move from BC as soon as things take a dive to fucking Nova Scotia of all places. This place has been in the shitter for a long while.
Come back to BC anyway, and bring me a donair. No onions. Thanks P.S. And some Beep
They killed the Beep again – bastards!
CanCon welfare bums. Don’t matter if its any good, just gotta fill all those crap channels. Skinny cable and true pick and pay gonna put a lot of this second rate talent out of business. Why should producers give a shit if they are paid above the line anyway?
Its true. Who the fuck is going to pay for, sorry I don’t have cable, Extreme Knitting and Crocheting and all of its fabulous programs just so they can get to watch Gilligan’s Island reruns (by choice, I mean)? Nobody, that’s who.
However so brief it will be, the viewer has the upper hand for once.
I call Bullshit, no IA executive or office staff member would throw your card on the ground or ask when You R leaving.
Sounds like you are an background performer , wannabe star. The rental equipment portion of motion picture industry here is done by 2 key companies , with 2 other stage companies covering things like truss & motors, rigging gear & some lighting support. the lighting camera support ones don’t carry.
A couple of fog machines, does not an equipment supplier make you !
There are approximately 1000 well established Actra, DGC , IA , Producer, Production staff in this. Province with at least that many again, who are actively making a living & even more support from Rental equipment, vehicles, lighting, camera, housing, transportation, catering, etc.
To come here & think everyone will stand back in awe of your resume Is ridiculous & FYI I have worked out west have friends & contacts out there … The cream of the BC film industry didn’t come here , even the Whey didn’t come down, what were you then ?
People from Nova Scotia are called Nova Scotians. Please don’t use the lame term ‘Scotian’.