Broadcasting in Canada?

Interesting question. Can't offer much in the way of an informed opinion because I don't watch a lot of TV anymore and am seriously out of touch with the Canadian movie scene. I do know the Canadian drama/crime/comedy shows I occasionally watch have a distinctive feel to them that differs from their U.S. counterparts. Do you have any specific shows in mind?

Robert's statement was somewhat of a put down that reminds of this discussion on foreign trade and the suprising quality/price of our own Canadian goods. I know that Vancouver has a lot of independent producers independently financed (aka low budget) producing some very original stuff tha Holywood is paying attention to. A lot of the skills have been built originally by these large Holywood-North production. But as they moved back to the USA the skills are still here! The parking meter mockumentary was very interesting. Ans so was the Corporation, etc... I think Quebec has done extremely well producing unique material that the Americans have praised. The Barbarian Invasions, Seducing Dr. Lewis, The triplets of Belleville, Les Boys, etc... Perhaps this is the case of improved Quebec sovereinty improving our Canadian one! If I was more familiar with productions from other parts of Canada, I think I could find some gems too. I understand that TO may be more affected somehow. But then I am a true Western Canadian, whatever that means as far as Sovereinty.

I agree that a lot of the innovative movies have come out of Quebec (guilty secret off topic ...had a big crush re: Carol Laure years ago) There's been some really good movies from, or concerning, other regions of Canada. Unfortunately, don't get to see many quality Canadian movies anymore because all the rest of the guys on the block want to watch is wrestling...I mean, my television broke and I refuse to buy another until a quality Canadian product becomes available. I wonder whether foreign audiences view Canada from the perspective of movies Denis Arcand type movies or movies from the rest of Canada, e.g., Porkie's, I mean, Exotica, Goin' down the road, Who has seen the wind, etc.?

I agree with calumny. I don't watch a lot of TV, but what I do is usually Made in Canada, with many Canadian actors, but not shown in Canada. ??? Only available through US providers (I download it or wait for it to come out on DVD and buy it to get the shows).

I like the new avatar. Is it S. Harper? <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/twisted.gif' alt='Twisted Evil'>

No, it's my attempt at a self portrait. Guess I have to get a better mirror. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/wink.gif' alt='Wink'>

I can't escape television, I work in it. So I do watch it. The fact that our 'basic' cable service here in Ontario is 70% American channles doesn't help but...

From what I've seen of Canadian Television it's either a paid program (pretty much anything on CH!) or it's some recycled garbage (anything with Rick Mercer or Paul Gross).

It goes for the music industry too. There are so many good artists out there but all we get pounded with is the same old...Avril, Alanis (in the 90's), Shania etc. There's some great female role models (cough, sarcasm, cough)

As for the Film industry. We are a service industry. We come out with gems like 'Fubar,' 'the Corporation,' and 'End of Suburbia' once in a bluemoon from independant producers but they rarley get as much publicity as say: Friday Night Lights.

I agree that the technicians we do have are undervalued and it seems the general feeling is get used to it we are a "service industry."

Media is such an impressionable tool. Maybe this is one of the reasons we are headed towards our worst nightmares of "America jr."

This just in: 1US dollar=82Canadian cents... I guess there is no reason to debate the film industry in Canada anymore because in some people's eyes the dollar has already killed it. Maybe if this continues we will be forced to not rely on the US production dollar! (just wishful thinking)

[QUOTE BY= robert_fisher] This just in: 1US dollar=82Canadian cents... (just wishful thinking)[/QUOTE] Lots of wishful thinking <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/wink.gif' alt='Wink'> That equation should be $1 CAD = $.82 USD <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mrgreen.gif' alt='Mr. Green'>

I haven't seen much for Canadian movies lately (or at all, for a lack of them), but I think we're doing quite well for television. Corner Gas is by far the best caricature of people from the prairies that I've ever seen. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/lol.gif' alt='Laughing Out Loud'> Red Green is a good show too, and I understand it's quite popular in America's midwest. Although there have definitely been flops... like "An American in Canada", where they were simply attempting to define the difference between Americans and Canadians for the audience through undevloped characters... <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/rolleyes.gif' alt='Rolling Eyes'> Well, I thought so anyways... The only movie that was obviously Canadian that I wanted to see was Men with Brooms, but I shut it off after a very short time for all the bad language. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/rolleyes.gif' alt='Rolling Eyes'>

Corner Gas is a caricature? I thought it was a documentary where they changed the name of the town to protect my relatives. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/eek.gif' alt='Eek!'> I think Canada has some very real talent when it comes to the entertainment industry. We all know the people who have headed south, but consider the bands that have been playing smaller venues forever, our tradition of doumentary film-making (that's bound to become a much bigger deal since the US noticed Michael Moore), our homegrown film and TV industry, our writers etc. We should be having a hard look at the CanCon rules and revamping them, not to make it easier for foreign content to get in but to encourage Canadian talent and ensure they can make a living here.

Rev, I'm a little skeptical about this "Canadian content" ever since Celine Dion, Brian Adams, Nelly Furtado, and Avril Lavigne (I'll avoid offending TOO many people by not mentioning Nickelback) <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/wink.gif' alt='Wink'> haha

Yeah, I've always figured there should be a cut off when they reach a certain level of fame. Being from Winnipeg I often think that if I hear another Guess Who song, I'll puke on the radio. Everytime you walk into a bar and there's a band playing, chances are they are Canadian. They don't get airplay and sell CDs beside the stage and you've never heard of them, but there they are. We need to rework the rules to promote these people.

Yes, thank you. That is my conclusion as well, why do millionaire's get tax breaks? I guess this goes for all industry really, but it is a good question. Why does Shania, and The Guess Who, and even 'Nickelbag' sell tons of albums, but then still need 'help' promoting themselves? Especially when there are so many Canadian artists!?!?! We have to stop hanging on to the old and see what else is out there.