Links
Resources for Independent Documentary Filmmakers in Canada
Guides
Offscreen
Offscreen has been online since 1997, along with its French language sister journal Hors Champ. Based in Montréal, Offscreen is a wide-ranging film journal that covers film festivals, retrospectives, film forums, and both popular and more academic events. Part of our mandate is to cover the Montreal film scene, but within an international context.
Playback
Playback is Canada’s broadcast and production journal, a newspaper that offers a view of the industry events, trends, and innovations. Playback is read by, key decision-makers in the production industry, television broadcasters, etc.
POV: Point of View
Canadian publication dedicated to critical discussion of the art and business of independently produced film and television. Published by the Documentary Organisation of Canada.
Real Screen Magazine
About the business of docs, infomags and lifestyle programming.
Reel West
Reel West magazine is in its 20th year of publication. Each issue highlights the people, places and events that shape the Western Canadian film industry.
Synoptique : The Journal of Film and Film Studies
A journal about film and its communities. It was founded in late 2003 by Masters students at Concordia University in Montreal.
Take One
Take One is devoted to Canadian film and television. Take One covers the full spectrum of feature films, television, animation, documentaries, shorts, and independent film and video throughout Canada, and appears five times a year: March, May, July, September and December.
USEFUL RESOURCES TO CONSULT BEFORE FILMING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
2005 Risks in Global Filmmaking
A map from Aon Insurance which assigns degrees of risk for crime, corruption, disease and medical care around the world. [PDF]
African Film & TV
Country profiles which provide info on climate, political and economic situation, regulation, film industry, television industry, radio industry, broadcasting environment, communications, licenses, locations, equipment & local crews, distribution and more. The site originates from Zimbabwe.
Canadian Embassies and Consulates Abroad
CIA – The World Factbook
Current country profiles with a lot of statistical data.
Country Travel Reports
A resource provided by Foreign Affairs Canada. Consult the Country Travel Reports before your departure to find out about safety and security conditions, health questions and entry requirements for the country or countries you are going to.
European Documentary Network
EDN is a meeting point for professionals working with documentary film and television. It supports, stimulates and creates networks within the documentary sector in Europe. Membership fees of 100 Euros per year for individuals.
Mandy’s Film and TV Production Directory
An international directory of professionals in film, TV and multimedia production. Provides information about production companies, technicians, post production houses, and shooting facilities throughout the world.
P3 – Production Update Magazine
A monthly trade publication that provides up-to-date information about pre-production, production and post-production to the film, video and digital production professional. Registration is required for access to online version of magazine. Consult the Resources section for international guides to studios and stages as well locations libraries.
Reporters Without Borders : Reseau Damocles
The site includes the “Practical Guide for Journalists” and the “Charter for the Safety of Journalists Working in War Zones.”
Shooting on Location.com
A website based in the UK for film-makers planning to shoot on location. It provides comprehensive information about the world’s weather, landscape and vegetation and includes an international directory of location contacts. Note that this is a paid subscription service.
INFORMATION ON LOCATIONS FROM FILM COMMISSIONS
Provinces and Territories in Canada :
Alberta Film Commission : Locations
Manitoba Film and Sound : Locations
New Brunswick Film : Locations
Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation : Locations
Locations Ontario – OMDC (Ontario Media Development Corporation)
Prince Edward Island – Technology PEI : Location Services Program
Québec Shooting Guide 2005-2006
SaskFilm and Video Development Corporation : Locations
Yukon Film & Sound Commission : Locations
Major Canadian Cities :
Montréal Film and TV Commission – City of Montréal : Locations
Toronto Film and Television Office : Filming Guidelines – Locations [PDF]
Vancouver Film Office : Filming in Vancouver : Locations
North America – USA
Film Commissions by States
New York City : Location Services and Equipment
MAGAZINES, ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER SITES FOR RESOURCES IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
American Cinematographer
The international journal of film and digital production technologies produced by the American Society of Cinematogrophers; some articles are available online.
Australian Cinematographers Society
This society publishes Australian Cinematographer. Although no articles are available online, there are resources available from this site.
BBC Training & Development : Free Online Courses
Sample courses : “DV Camera Shooting Guides”; “Good Shooting Guide: The Basic Principles”
British Society of Cinematographers
Companion Web Site for The Camera Assistant’s Manual, 4th Edition
Published by Focal Press, 2005
The Canadian Society of Cinematographers (CSC)
Provides access to CSC News, the association’s monthly newsletter. Available in English only.
Cinematography.com
News and resources for professional motion picture camera people. Includes online manuals, forums, etc.
The Cinematography Mailing List : CML
CML is a place for professional cinematographers and their crew to talk and exchange ideas about cinematography. Also offers a list of recommended books in cinematography.
Digital Cinematography Magazine
IMAGO: European Federation of Cinematographers
International Cinematographers Guild
A few articles from the ICG Magazine are available online.
Internet Encyclopedia of Cinematographers
Biographies and filmographies of international cameramen and camerawomen.
Richard A. Stringer, ASC, Director of Photography
Articles on many topics in cinematography by this Canadian DOP.
Society of Camera Operators
Represents camera operators, camera assistants, DPs and other crew members worldwide.