Canuck Marketplace tightens ties

New training initiative launched Tuesday

By JENNIE PUNTER

TORONTO -- Canada's top advanced training institute for film, TV and new media launched its latest initiative, the CFC North-South Marketplace, at an industry-packed event Tuesday in L.A. Designed to foster creative and business relationships between Canuck talent and U.S. industry pros, Marketplace will see an advisory board of respected production and studio execs brainstorm semi-annually to develop and assess short-term programs that serve the immediate needs of a rapidly changing North American market.

"Our major preoccupation of late is creating activity incubations that give our alumni opportunities to thrive," said Canada Film Center's exec director Slawko Klymkiw before the launch. He added that Marketplace, which is financially supported by the Copyright Collective of Canada, may develop one major program each year or several smaller ones.

"With a variety of people who know what's going on, we can really gauge what the business needs, whether it's TV comedy labs or scrubbing up feature pitches or helping minority filmmakers break into international markets," Klymkiw said. "We're in the midst of an environment, especially in TV drama, where there's a serious interest in Canadian talent and production. More people are realizing Canadians can bring real expertise and dollars to productions."

The Marketplace brain trust now includes "Bones" creator and exec producer Hart Hanson, ABC Studios exec VP Howard Davine, NBC Universal exec VP of alternative programming Paul Telegdy and National Film Board of Canada boss Tom Perlmutter. Klymkiw plans to add three to four additional players for the board's inaugural meet later this year.