In a previous post, I lamented Harper’s government’s budget cuts to culture and arts programs. My main concern is long term damage to one of Canada’s most vibrant ‘industries’ - film making. It turns out that not everyone is as short sighted. The Canadian Film Centre announced the creation of a new actor’s conservatory to train and market future stars of screen and stage. Financial support is provided by the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation and CanWest Global Communications Corp.
It is fitting to have this initiative annouced during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a wildly successful initiative founded in 1976 (Variety magazine acknowledged that “the Festival is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pics, stars and market activity). Michael Levine, the ubiquitous entertainment lawyer who is also the executor for the late Linehan’s estate said that “It’s not enough to train people. You have to train them, you have to give them good work, and you have to promote the hell out of them”. Brian Linehan’s genial style was (and still is) unique to an industry that’s mostly about fluff and glitz. The man who interviewed untold number of celebrities is (virtually) investing in a worthwhile venture. It’s what ’smart money’ does.
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