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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 15 April 1987
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Public Notice CRTC 1987-106
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ANIMATED PRODUCTIONS
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Background
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On 15 April 1984, the Commission issued Public Notice 1984-94 which contained the Commission's definition of a Canadian program. The Commission has for some time been exploring with the Department of Communications, animation producers and other interested parties a possible adaptation of the points system to animated productions.
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The Current System
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Under the current system, a production, to qualify as Canadian, must among other things earn a minimum of six points out of a possible ten points, based on the following key creative functions being performed by Canadians:
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Director - 2
points Writer - 2 points
Leading performer - 1 point
Second leading performer - 1 point
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Head of Art Department - 1 point
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Director of Photography - 1 point
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Music Composer - 1 point
Editor - 1 point
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Key Creative Positions
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Certain functions referred to in the existing points system are relevant to animated productions. These are:
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Director Writer Leading Performers Director of Photography Music Composer and Editor
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Other functions that are relevant to animated but not to live action productions, and that should be considered are:
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Layout Background Animation Storyboard Design Tracing Opaquing "In-Betweening"
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The Ten-Point System
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It is the goal of the Commission to maintain for animated productions the same type of point-scoring system as for other types of production.
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To do this, it may be necessary to reduce the points for the positions of director and writer, and to combine some positions.
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Following is one possible allocation of points:
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Director 1 Writer/Storyboard Supervisor 1
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First and Second Voice 1
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Layout and Background 1
Storyboard 1
Animation 1
In-betweening 1 Camera 1
Music Composer 1 Editor 1 10
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Because of the labour-intensive nature of producing animation, there remains a question as to whether some of these points should relate to the individual supervisor, to the whole department, or to the location where the work is performed.
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For example, should the point for animation be based on the nationality of the supervisor, the nationality of the majority of the animators, or the country where the studios are situated?
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Mandatory Points
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In the existing points system there is an additional requirement that, as a minimum, the points for either director or writer, and the point for either the leading or second leading performer be attained.
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Should any points be mandatory for animated productions? If so, which position(s) should be designated?
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Minimum Expenditures
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The present definition of a Canadian program includes a requirement that at least 75% paid to individuals other than the producer and key creative personnel, or for post production work, must be paid to or in respect of services provided by Canadians; and at least 75% of processing and final preparation costs must also be paid for services provided in Canada.
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Is the current requirement for 75% minimum expenditure on Canadian elements appropriate for animation production?
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The current definition provides for certain exclusions from the calculation. Among them is the expenditure for the acquisition of music, story and copyrights.
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Should such expenditures continue to be excluded from the calculation?
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Work Done Outside Canada
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Some animation projects have involved the use of foreign studios and personnel for specific tasks, notably the step referred to as "in-between-ing", which is the essentially repetitive drawing with minor variations of characters or objects to show movement between critical positions in each scene.
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While this practice provides for some reduction in the cost of production, there are concerns about the loss to Canadians of income and animation experience.
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The extent to which work may be contracted out is, of course, restricted by the 75% expenditure requirement referred to above.
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Should there be further restrictions on the contracting out of animation work?
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Use of Foreign "Stock Footage"
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Certain projects undertaken in Canada have consisted principally of animated film which has been purchased outside Canada and been "re-worked" in Canada.
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Re-working has included script writing, new sound tracks, manipulation of the images and possibly some original animation.
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Is there any circumstance under which a production could qualify as Canadian while using foreign-produced animation as its basis?
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The Commission invites comments from interested parties on the above matters. Comments should be submitted no later than 22 May 1987 to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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