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BRITISH COLUMBIA FILM TO UNDERTAKE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW

Today Rob Egan, President and CEO, British Columbia Film, announced that the Society has engaged in a comprehensive review of programs and services it offers to the film and television industry in British Columbia.

For the first time since its inception in 1987, British Columbia Film is faced with unprecedented budget constraints. Direct provincial funding to the Society has decreased from $4.5 million in 1995/96 to its current level of $2.28 million for fiscal 2004/05. In addition, a one time provincial investment of $4 million towards a 3 year feature film program will end on March 31, 2004.

"In light of successive budget reductions, British Columbia Film must review its core purpose and activities in support of the province's film and television industry," said Egan. "This review will ultimately determine British Columbia Film's role in sustaining the industry in years to come."

The recent decline in domestic film and television production activity in the province will be at the centre of the Society's review. Domestic production has dropped 60% - from a high of $419.4 million in 2000 to $163.6 million in 2002.

British Columbia Film is a privately administered non-profit society established in 1987 by the provincial government with a mandate to expand and diversify the cultural industries of film and video in British Columbia.

The Society acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development.

WOMEN IN FILM AND VIDEO VANCOUVER

Registration has started. Space is limited. The coaches start their FF and training this weekend. They will be ready for you on April 24 and 25, 2004 for the FF opening weekend. You and up to 7 team members and your coach will spend 4 weeks on your goals that you would not be able to complete in a year, but will set out to complete in a month.

The program is awesome. Suzanne Lyons, Flash Forward leader, will kick your butt. On the Sunday, you will get an opportunity to practice your pitch to industry experts and ask them questions in an 8 person setting. Having a team coach for 4 weeks is a good thing. Try it. The Finale Sunday May 30, 2004 at 7 pm will celebrate and wrap out one spectacular month.

PRAXIS NEWS

Praxis Centre for Screenwriters presents UNCONSCIOUS MOTIVES: CREATING COMPLEX CHARACTERS FOR FICTION AND FILM with Carolyn Mamchur and Lydia Kwa, March 13 & 14, 2004.

Carolyn Mamchur is known for her compelling portraits of characters in conflict, in her screenplays as well as her fiction for young readers. She is also a Professor of Education at SFU and an expert in the Myers-Briggs personality profile. Lydia Kwa is a Vancouver novelist who has published poetry and fiction for both children and adults; she is also a licensed clinical psychologist. In this two-day course, they will pair up to demonstrate techniques for developing characters and creating conflicts true to their inner natures -- including Jungian archetypes, psychological profiles, psychodrama and good old-fashioned biographical research. Two previous offerings of this course have inspired writers in all genres with new tools for exploring character psychology.

A limited number of Cultural Diversity bursaries are available to assist visible minority screenwriters. Please ask for details.

This basic course on the principles of dramatic screenplay writing is uniquely structured - six weekly lectures by Marlene Rodgers, plus, for those who choose, six smaller group sessions (12 max.) with Karen X. Tulchinsky, where participants will receive individual advice on their writing and analyze their own and others' work in a supportive atmosphere.

A limited number of Cultural Diversity bursaries are available to assist visible minority screenwriters. Please ask for details.

For more information:
Praxis Centre for Screenwriters:
604.268.7880
praxis@sfu.ca

SISTA'HOOD CELEBRATION

The Sista'Hood Celebration is now in its fourth year of production on Vancouver's only festival featuring women in hip hop, spoken word and media arts. It is a week long festival featuring several amazing events:

*Reel Sista's Film Festival* - Friday, March 12:
A screening of hip hop films made by or featuring women. $10 - The Anza Club - 3 W. 8th Ave

*Workin' Sista'Hood* - Saturday, March 13 By Donation - SFU Harbour Centre:
This event features a full day of skill sharing and dialogue in the following areas: *Music* *Performance* *Film and Media* *Crafts* *Economic Development*

*Sista'Hood Action Conference* - Sunday March 14 2004 FREE - SFU Harbour Centre:
Calling all artists, activists, seekers of social justice, community builders, feminists and folks of all genders!!! On Sunday March 14th, 2004 the organizers of Sistahood call you to join us for an Open Space Forum to explore this question: What can we do to further weave together art and social justice activism in Vancouver communities?

NEWS FROM WENDY D

and

Opening reception Friday March 5 (7pm-10pm)
(live music with "the next t-shirt")

Saturday March 6 (11am-5pm)
Sunday March 7 (11am-5pm)

Many studios will open their doors on Sunday March 7 for our regular first Sunday of every month openings.

We have 24 artists creating new work specifically for this show on the theme Uncommon Wealth. Our community in the ARC is an incredible one; everybody is pitching in to help make this first show in our gallery a successful one. Siobhan Humston and I took on the responsibility of curating this show and seeing our new gallery space come to life. Thanks so much to the artists, volunteers and to Reliance Holdings for their support. Come and join us opening night and celebrate!

"THE" UNDERWEAR PROJECT
I Want You and Your Underwear

You know "THE" ones, hidden in the drawer, deep at the bottom. "THE" ones you pray no one will ever see. "THE" the underwear you just can¹t make yourself throw away. "THE" ones that are ripped, torn, stained, stretched, etc...

Pull out "THE" underwear and be proud. Let's show them off!
I want to photograph those underwear, yes with you in them, BUT it will be completely anonymous.

Join me Sunday March 21, @ the ARC 1701 Powell, Studio 711 from 11am-4pm. Bring your friends. I want to photograph as many women as possible!! I will then be showing them in my studio during the Open Studio, April 4. Coffee and muffins supplied by JJ Bean (while they last!)

The summer of 2003, Dean Buscher (yes, the dancer I am creating awesome artwork with) joined me photographing weddings. We had such a wonderful time and such a great response to our work, we decided to join forces. Pumpkin Weddings was born! We approach weddings with an artistic flare for capturing the moods and spontaneity in a discrete and unassuming manner. We have four cameras on the go, both of us using B&W and colour, making sure to capture the true essence of each wedding.

Living in the ARC has had a huge impact on my life. Live / work spaces are unique and present their own struggles and benefits. Siobhan Humston (my neighbor in the ARC) and I are interviewing and photographing artists in their spaces. We will be submitting to galleries for a multi-disciplinary show and working towards publishing a book. If you know anyone who is in a Live / Work space let me know.

After having a few months' break, Patricia Murray and I are ready to get back on track with the coffee table book project. We are working on a mock layout and will be approaching publishers soon.

Teaching photography is something I have always enjoyed. I love to share the knowledge I have gathered over the years with those eager to learn. There is nothing like seeing the bulb come on during a class. I have held a weekend workshop and a couple of nude photography classes. The next nude class is Wednesday, March 24 @ 7pm in my studio. There is a maximum of 4 students per class and the cost is $75. I now have a few private students as well, so much fun! If anyone has any ideas on a class they would like to see me hold, just let me know.

The past little while I have been taking a few pregnancy photos, babies and nude figures, so I have decided to pursue these avenues even more, along with headshots and editorial photography. With each photo session I do, I learn more about bringing out peoples' true essence. Capturing that essence is uplifting for all those involved. It's not just a photo, it's an experience. Working with couples as they expect their children, families sharing fun, intimate time together, individuals being proud of who they are and experience being photographed nude, actors giving it their all, makes me love what I do more every time I take a photo.

Above all else, living in Vancouver has opened me up to the world of Art. Living where I do and creating art work with friends and neighbors is beyond words. In November, during the Eastside Culture Crawl, Dean and I did a live dance/photo presentation that was extremely well received. I have never performed myself and it was a thrill to be in front of an audience sharing the collaborative process and energy Dean and I share. Our work is ever growing and evolving. Keep an eye out for more from the two of us.

A.R.C. OPEN STUDIOS
Sunday, March 7
11 AM - 5 PM
1701 Powell Street @ Commercial Drive North, Vancouver, B.C.

The first Sunday of every month is your opportunity to experience some of the finest and most varied examples of what Vancouver artists and designers have to offer. On Sunday, March 7, the doors of over a dozen of our live-work studios will be open for public viewing. Everything from sculpture and painting to photography and music.

So come on down to the A.R.C. and meet the Arcadians. Admission is free and you might even find that perfect gift for your loved-ones.

For more information call Wendy @ 604-253-1451 or visit the A.R.C. web site at www.arcgallery.ca.

AN INTERACTIVE EVENING

Entrepreneurs, artists and those who work on the front lines of small business are invited to a special evening of inspiration, business tools and anecdotes by Vancouver entrepreneur, performer and trainer David C. Jones, who recently was announced as one of the top 40 under 40 by Business In Vancouver.

David has turned his desire to make people laugh into a business that has him traveling the world as well as performing on TV and radio. As artistic director of Rock.Paper.Scissors since 1992, he has been honoured by The Canadian Comedy Awards and The Vancouver Sun People’s Choice Awards, among others. His ongoing journey to build an ethically strong performance and training company has been a long and sometimes ingenious adventure. His journey through mental illness, caring for the terminally ill and professional adversity is often shocking and surprisingly funny.

In this three-hour interactive session, discover the tools to help build a great company with ethics and humour. How slow and steady with a sense of purpose and a smile can help you achieve great things. How service of others can inspire you onto great things.

Tuesday March 16 from 7pm - 10pm
Alliance For Arts and Culture (938 Howe St.)
$20.00

Networking, laughter breaks and nice light snacks will also be provided.
5% of proceeds will be donated to Theatre Terrific

Space is limited; please book by calling Scott at (604) 734-0904 or email workshops123@yahoo.com

For more information about David C Jones or Rock.Paper.Scissors please visit www.rpsinc.ca

GRANVILLE ACTORS STUDIO

ACTORS
Deepen your personal power!
Are you terrified of auditions?
Have casting call fear?
Insecure?
Feeling powerless?
Lost in characters - don't know who you are?
Need grounding and focus?
Desperately need a better soul connection?

Join Alannah Jantzen, Shamanic Practitioner, Facilitator, Healer, in this amazing workshop. Deepen your knowledge of who you are and what you want. Explore, through your imagination, the wonder of creation and your connection to it. Hold fast to your sacred Power Animal – A Friend, Ally, Manifestor and Confidant. See through fears and what is holding you back!

Granville Actors Studio
825 Granville St. Suite 401
Saturday March 6th
10 am to 4 pm
Cost is $100.00 (Taxes included)

ENHANCE / IMPROVE OR KICKSTART YOUR TV CAREER

Using the power of improvisation...
With Ellie Harvie.

Ellie has parlayed her experiences as a renowned performer with The Vancouver TheatreSports League (including appearances with Second City, the Just For Laughs Festival, London and Los Angeles TheatreSports) into an exciting and busy career in television and film. Having been honored by both the Leo and Gemini Awards, she is also best known as Morticia on The New Addams Family.

Two Day “Harness The Power”
March 20th & 21st
10am to 3:30pm
$200 plus gst

All workshops at the William Davis Centre
Call Rock.Paper.Scissors at 604-730-9596 to register

WEEKEND WRITERS WORKSHOPS

ABC'S of Creative Writing
Sat. Feb 28 & Sun. Feb 29
For new and emerging writers. Learn everything you need to write a novel, short story, play or screenplay. Lots of in class writing exercises to get you writing now!

Intro to screenwriting
Sat. March 13
12:30 to 4:30 pm
Learn the basics on how to write a screenplay. You'll cover outlines, pitching, dialogue, action, visuals, proper film structure & more!

How to get published
Sun. March 14
10 am to 4 pm
Learn how to approach publishers, format your work, get an agent, sign a book deal and more.

INFO, TIMES, FEES, OR TO REGISTER:
Contact the instructor, Karen X. Tulchinsky at
kxt@primus.ca or
604-251-5085

ICAT MEDIA INC. IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD STORIES

Our little e-zine is poised to grow, and we need your input! We are looking for guest columnists and field operatives to add new angles to our weekly screed.

If you have something to say, let us be your mouthpiece. Email robert@icatmedia.com about becoming a guest columnist.

If you work in the film, TV or theatre business in Vancouver, we want your info! Send us an original report of goings-on or upcoming events and you’ll receive top billing. Pictures are especially welcome. Who knows – you might break a story and become famous! Email robert@icatmedia.com with all your news!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT NEWS AND CURRENT EVENTS

BRITISH COLUMBIA FILM TO UNDERTAKE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW

WOMEN IN FILM AND VIDEO VANCOUVER

PRAXIS NEWS

SISTA'HOOD CELEBRATION

NEWS FROM WENDY D and

AN INTERACTIVE EVENING

GRANVILLE ACTORS STUDIO

ENHANCE / IMPROVE OR KICKSTART YOUR TV CAREER

WEEKEND WRITERS WORKSHOPS

ICAT MEDIA INC. IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD STORIES