By Scott Beaty
As the newly appointed film commissioner of the Ottawa-Gatineau film office, Ken Korrall plans to slash the red tape that has stopped the region from becoming a major destination for filmmakers and producers.
Housed in the Museum of Civilization, the film office opened Sept. 8 and is a three-year pilot project funded by the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, the National Capital Commission, and local producers.
Korrall hopes that the film office can become a “one stop shop” for producers that will provide access to everything needed to make a movie – from equipment to location managers.
Korrall’s job is to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
“A film can’t afford delays,” he says. “Each minute, each hour it’s not working it is losing money. A film is like a circus, everything is rented, including the people. The average cost per day is $40,000 apart from salaries.”
Neil Bregman, a member of the board of directors and the president of local production company Sound Venture, says Korrall’s experience and enthusiasm is essential for dealing with the many challenges – such as conflicting provincial tax credits- that face the film office.
“Ken was the clear choice,” Bregman says.
“He has a vast background in film, he was involved in establishing the Montreal film office, he’s dealt with all levels of politics, and he knows the film industry from the foundation up,” he adds.
Korrall began working in the film industry in 1978 driving a truck between Montreal and Atlantic City as a production assistant.
He says that although the Ottawa region has experienced a major increase in productions over the past decade, it needs to establish a local base of industry workers if it is to compete with Toronto and Montreal.
“I will go after foreign production, but my goal is to get a solid technician base, get a solid production base, get the capital region working in harmony, and then we will be able to bring in the foreign productions,” Korrall says.
Bregman says that if the film office is to continue after the pilot project expires, it must make it easier for producers to work on both sides of the Ottawa river.
“This region is unique. We have two provinces, two cities, the NCC, conflicting labour laws, two languages. No other market has the challenges that we do. It’s one of the reasons the market’s been slow to develop in the first place,” Bregman explains.
Sheila Pokiak, president of the Independent Filmmakers Co-operative of Ottawa, deals with the challenges of producing local films on a daily basis.
She says that there are currently 30 films in production in Ottawa, but they often have shoestring budgets and rely on volunteers. Pokiak hopes the film office will complement the work of the co-operative and encourage local filmmakers.
“I hope that the film office can remember that local filmmakers need support. Sell Ottawa but also support local filmmakers.”
Korrall says that the film office is there to benefit the people of the Ottawa-Gatineau region – filmmakers and citizens alike. He says the municipalities are ready to cut the red tape in the hopes of establishing a booming industry. Korrall is ready to do his part.
“I don’t want producers leaving here and saying, ‘Oh, don’t go to Ottawa, it’s just a bag of problems,'” he says. “I will make myself available to any production house here 24-7. I’ll spoil you rotten.”