Sure, it may not be the era of the early nineties where talent was in such demand that bookings in the double (and even triple) scale brackets were not uncommon. The more recent decline of foreign, namely US productions being filmed in Canada has been attributed to a number of factors: SAG production incentives to keep US productions local, the rising cost of travel, and the offset of the strength of the Canadian dollar; all would make many skeptics believe that Canadian production would eventually become 100% Canadian produced... But for the upcoming season of 2011, this is simply not the case.

With the advent of still a large percentage of US and co-op productions scheduled to shoot on Canadian soil, there should be optimism in what has been unfairly labelled a fledgling industry. Why?

Among the factors: since production is becoming more and more post and studio production based and/or less based on location, the filming season can be extended well beyond the seasonal.  The talent pool, inclusive of everyone from background artists to crew and administrative production is deeper, and hence, a larger percentage of employ may be utilized locally. This is a fact that should be thankfully embraced by all local talent.

With episodic television productions in full swing and feature season upon us, those who would argue the decline in the last decade should be reminded of what previously defined a "busy season" in the eighties (and there was no recession back then either). It seems that principal roles in US production are not necessarily preceded by a customs check at Pearson... and even if the filming does predominantly take place on foreign soil, the advent of the epitch and the enormous liberality of casting has surely made Canada a much more attractive country to reside in as a professional actor.

Glenn Bang