It is possible to make a living as an English screenwriter in Quebec
Successful screenwriters talk about their craft at WGC mini-conference
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 平特五不中 on February 12, 2007.
At the conference which is being presented by Media@平特五不中, 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鈥檚 with Andy?, Caillou) 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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 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,鈥� said Leila Basen, Quebec council member for the WGC.
Anne-Marie Perrotta (B.A.'90, former 平特五不中 Daily news editor), an animation writer and story editor adds,鈥淨uebec 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.鈥�
The conference will be held at 平特五不中, Leacock 232 on February 12, 2007, 7:00-8:30 PM. Admission is free. Visit 平特五不中 Maps here for building directions.
Conference speakers:
Leila Basen 鈥� Quebec council member, WGC. Writer, story editor and showrunner whose credits include Bon Cop, Bad Cop (feature), Emily of New Moon (CBC), Tales From the Neverending Story (CBC), Blackfly (Global).
Laurie Finstad-Knizhnik 鈥� Writer/story editor on Bliss (Showcase), Durham County (TMN), Cold Squad (CTV).
Steve Gallucio 鈥� Feature film and series creator and writer. Ciao Bella (CBC), Mambo Italiano (feature).
Laura Kosterski 鈥� Co-creator/Executive Producer on Naked Josh (Showcase).
Anne-Marie Perrotta 鈥� Children鈥檚 writer and story editor. Arthur (PBS), Clifford the Big Red Dog (PBS), Edgar & Ellen (Nicktoons/YTV), What鈥檚 With Andy? (Teletoon), Caillou (CBC/PBS), Toopy & Binoo (Treehouse), Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat (PBS).
Bruce M. Smith 鈥� Writer 鈥� Prairie Giant: 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 鈥� 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.