Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
May 25, 2011
Stage is Set for Film and Television Industry to Expand
With Newfoundland and Labrador’s film and television industry on the upswing, the Atlantic Studios Co-operative (ASCO) will use a $160,000 investment from the Provincial Government to meet rising demand for its production services.
“Reflected by its increase in production activity by 27 per cent since fiscal year 2009-10, Newfoundland and Labrador’s film and television industry is flourishing,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. “This investment in Atlantic Studios Co-operative will enable it to improve production equipment and capacity to service the needs of film and television productions. Coinciding with the industry’s growth are the economic and employment opportunities for those involved with the productions.”
Experiencing high demand for its services, ASCO will use the investment to purchase new equipment such as lighting, specialty tools, and software. The upgrades will enable the co-operative to meet the demands on programs, increase the number of projects it can supply, and help keep production budgets in line with those in other parts of Canada.
“The film and television industry continues to grow in Newfoundland and Labrador. With this growth, our own crews and production companies are being cultivated,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “We acknowledge that there are major costs associated with equipment rentals and transportation from the mainland to the island on a per project basis. The more that can be done by our production companies in-house, the greater the contribution to the provincial economy.”
ASCO reinvests any revenue generated back into the organization to develop its capacity and resources and further its ability to act as a catalyst for the industry.
“The entire film and television sector appreciates the ongoing support of the Provincial Government,” said Nigel Markham, President of ASCO. “This expansion will help production in Newfoundland and Labrador remain competitive and will help the industry continue its growth.”
Since being established in 2004, ASCO has provided high quality lighting and grip equipment and services to numerous professional television and film productions in the province such as Canadian Idol; Crackie; Down to the Dirt; Grown Up Movie Star; Hatching, Matching and Dispatching; the Republic of Doyle, and Young Triffie's Been Made Away With.
“The Provincial Government is committed to advancing co-operatives as a means of supporting industry growth,” said Minister Sullivan. “As demonstrated by the success of ASCO and the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative, the co-operative model can be an effective business structure to increase productivity and competitiveness. Co-operatives, in this case ASCO, provide film and television producers with access to equipment and expertise to make it possible to showcase their talents to the world.”
This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund. The program, through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador has $5 million available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.
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Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
| Nigel Markham President Atlantic Studios Co-operative 709-722-7673 |
2011 05 25 10:20 a.m.