by Daniel Allard

Although in operation since 1989, the BFQ has only a limited amount of foreign film productions in Quebec City to its record. Taking into consideration the efforts undertaken, many producers have come to visit but only a few have finally decided to shoot in the provincial capital, with even less taking on feature-length films.

In 1996, when one-third (36) of the 107 screenplays taken into account by the BFQ were of foreign origin, 262 of the total 388 person-days for shooting were allotted to them, representing as much as 68% of available resources. Result: 10 of the 36 screenplays chosen were finally shot (but none of the 12 feature-length films), against 56 of the 71 Canadian productions.

(photo: Bureau du film de Québec)

Same outcome in 1995: although 20 of the 33 foreign screenplays - out of a total of 83 chosen - were shot: half were commercials, one-fourth news stories, and another fourth documentaries and television series. A single foreign feature-length screenplay ("Dog of Flanders") resulted in any sort of production, for a mere four days.

And in 1994, once again a third (31) of the 96 screenplays were of foreign origin, (168, or 32%, of the total 528 person-days for the production unit), but did not result in any shooting of foreign feature-length productions out of the eight feature-length screenplays chosen.

Thus, there exists a real influx of screenplays of all types. A dozen feature-length screenplays end up at the BFQ, but sufficient energy is lacking to close the big deal! For now, Quebec City is seductive, but only for the shooting of commercials and news stories!

However, BFQ president Liliane Tremblay, still puts on a positive face. For this career lawyer in love with the big screen, several reasons for this less-than-perfect situation are irrelevant and clear-cut expectations for more tangible results in terms of economic returns are still part of the agenda. In the last few months, several steps have been taken in the right direction.

The BFQ becomes part of the GQEDC

The BFQ has, since its inception in 1987, spent much time beating about in order to grow. First incubated within Quebec City municipal services, then part of the Office of Tourism of the Quebec City Urban Community, it reached the status of independent organization in 1993, although always suffering from an acute lack of funds. The question of instability of funds is now settled, however, since the integration of the BFQ, as of last August, into the Greater Quebec Economic Development Corporation (GQEDC).

With an annual budget of 260 000 $CAN, its mission is still "to promote Quebec City and the surrounding regions on the national and international scene and to offer an information service regarding film productions to film and television producers... it also plans and supervises all the services and activities generated by film productions, with the established goal of favoring regional players". The alliance with the GQEDC compliments the credibility of the BFQ by maximizing its potential for development. "Up until recently, we were very low profile on the international scene. Our integration into the GQEDC will allow us to position ourselves at the right level", predicts the Commissioner.

The total volume of foreign productions shot in Canada was estimated at 502M $CAN in 1995. The province of Quebec represents 14% of this market, but the Quebec City region is for all practical purposes a non-player in the business. The only big budget film shot in the region dates back to 1994 when Robert Lepage directed "Le Confessionnal", which generated about 500 000 $CAN for the region's economy. In 1994, 83% of BFQ applicants had production budgets lower than 100 000 $CAN at their disposal, mostly commercials, documentaries, and small-scale television productions. This explains why BFQ production promotion and services resources are strategically confined to the category of feature-length films and big budgets!

Until recently, the region did not even have proper production studios corresponding to industry standards for feature-length films. This is no longer the case since the refurbishing of ExpoCité according to industry guidelines. The Expo Industry and Commerce Pavilion now serve as a vast film studio. "A great addition to the region", confirmed the head of operations for ExpoCité, Sylvain Gagné.

"ExpoCité is absolutely wonderful, a lifeblood" states Liliane Tremblay. It is not yet a fully functional studio, but the potential is there and it represents at least that many more indoor production days. Having always capitalized on beautiful outdoor natural settings, the local film industry suffered from the absence of adequate film studios. In addition, the region can also count on the newly opened facilities of Ex Machina's Dalhousie Caserne in Quebec City's Old Port, offering a specialized film studio.

"The Caserne becomes Quebec City's second largest film studio, which according to its general manager, Michel Bernachez, aspires to accommodate more intimate projects revolving mainly around television production". Having opened only a few months ago, he confirms that an independent American producer has already contacted him to shoot in Quebec City, within the realm of Robert Lepage!

Certain giant hangars, a part of the MIL Davie shipyards, across the river in Lévis, are also just the right size for use as indoor film studios.

A Conclusive Forum

A forum on the audio-visual industry, held in the Quebec City region in March of 1997, confirmed the desire to consolidate all four sectors of the audio-visual industry into one field: a message received loud and clear at the GQEDC which has recently taken on a new recruit, Guy Rivest, to head the new multimedia department.

Forum pacesetter, Gilbert Guérin, of the Quebec City branch of the provincial ministry of Culture and Communications, is highly enthusiastic and announces that the region is on a new course. "Important national players, during the forum, told me not to wait a year to meet up again. This means a great deal", he explains. The recent publication of the first Quebec City guide to film production, by the BFQ, is another example of how things are moving in the right direction.

Change your way of thinking!

"If we want to be taken seriously by foreign producers, facilities and sites are one thing, but more is needed. We also need local productions", exclaim Liliane Tremblay and Gilbert Guérin.

Together, Quebec City television stations SRC, TVA and TQS must produce, in accordance with CRTC regulations, 33 hours and 50 minutes of local programming, mainly newscasts. Keeping in mind that local broadcasts from the former CFCM television station in 1969-70 counted for 46 hours per week, industry concerns take on a whole new meaning.

The audio-visual industry in general is composed of four cornerstones (commercials, television, cinema and multimedia), where commercials represents the main cash crop for the entire industry. Unfortunately, there exists a common belief in Quebec City among local managers that it is far better to have commercials produced in Montreal. Local money is thus sent outside the region. It is a bit like shooting yourself in the foot, they argue.

Other solutions

Because of its low volume of film productions, Quebec City has the reputation of not offering high-level resources. Outside producers must thus revise their budgets to include additional fees for transportation and lodging of staff from Montreal: costs which often exceed initial budget estimates by 10 to 15%.

The idea to create a regional film, television and multimedia production development fund is one of the main outcomes of the forum dear to the BFQ. "The region even needs two development funds", says Liliane Tremblay. A private fund of 1M $CAN and another public fund of the same size are needed. "Currently, the Quebec Commission on the National Capital is periodically approached for funding, even though this is not their mandate", she argues.

The regional tax on hotel accommodation (2$ per night) for the tourism industry serves as an example of successful funding. By multiplying each paid cinema seat by a regional industry development tax of 25 cents, you obtain an impressive level of annual financing.

Objective: make Quebec City the second largest francophone audio-visual production center in North America.

A study conducted among main regional companies in the field of film production -about 60- reveals a market in the order of 12M $CAN per year: quite an insignificant result, for the time being. In contrast, Brian de Palma is currently on location in Montreal for the production of "Snake Eyes". The shooting will last five months with a single production budget of 115M $CAN!

BFQ 1996 statistics do indicate, however, some very good results, like the filming of an episode of the "The Rescuers", a U.S. mini-series originally scheduled to be shot in Europe. Quebec City was chosen to double for the French town of Montauban. A sign that local political will is still forthcoming was the recent delay by the Quebec City executive committee in adjusting municipal service fees to the level of those in effect in other cities, to attract -and see return!- national and international film producers. However, a rebate policy of 30%, in effect since June of this year in Quebec City, appears to indicate a shift in policy.

For outdoor sites, business is booming. Productions in Quebec City take advantage of the great natural beauty of the city's European-style outdoor locations. And because Quebec City offers an exceptional site, at least in North America, those promoting the city for film production purposes have a good degree of marketing already done for them. "But a producer's decision to work in Quebec City is based 40% on the choice of the site", warns Liliane Tremblay. This represents only half of the way, the other 60% being the production facilities, which are totally over and above the advantages of the site. Availability of staff and material, fees, collaboration of local authorities, etc... are all essential factors not to be overlooked.

While Montreal will reap global revenues close to 1 billion $CAN this year, Quebec City must take advantage of this prosperity. In 1997, 500M $CAN will be spent in Montreal by production studios, compared to a total audio-visual production of 85M $CAN in 1987. If Montreal is on its way to dethroning Toronto as the film production capital of Canada, Quebec City must second Montreal.

One of Liliane Tremblay's main arguments is the fact that if Montreal wishes to continue to dominate the industry, it must count on the support of other regions of Quebec. It must not see Quebec City as a rival, but rather as a region rich in creative and artistic talent as well as know-how. If Montreal wishes to remain on top, it needs Quebec City and its pool of creativity!

Thanks to the work of the BFQ, the Quebec City region has shown the importance of establishing a lever for economic development in a field where growth is vigorous, at a time when film, television, and multimedia production is expanding rapidly, particularly in North America. Canada has largely taken advantage of the industry's phenomenal growth. As an example, economic activity related to the California film and television industry generates annual incomes of over 11 billion $US. Of the 4 billion $ generated outside California, it is estimated that 1,25 billion $ worth of film production activity takes place in Canada each year.

In Quebec, total annual film and television production represents 400M $CAN, of which only 50 M$ is for U.S. productions, while cities like Calgary and Halifax produce 50M $ each per year, Toronto 300M $, and Vancouver 600M $.

Considering the potential for economic development represented by the entertainment industry, Quebec City can capitalize, as with the high technology sector, on the advantages which make it distinct from other regions. "The war will be won when at least three mini-series are produced each year in Quebec City", concludes Liliane Tremblay, for whom the region's image as a pole for film production is of utmost importance.