SOUNDSTAGE IS SET FOR ANOTHER EXCITING YEAR

The Canada-Saskatchewan Production Studios (Soundstage) are fully booked for the next production season and are set to have another exciting year. Announcements regarding specifics of the productions booked into the space are anticipated in the coming weeks.

The first of these, the CTV hit series Corner Gas, begins principal photography on May 18th. Because of the phenomenal audience response to this production, CTV has ordered 18 new episodes and the producers have booked three stages at the Soundstage, up from the two they used last season.

The Soundstage is being fully used from April to October, the prime film production period in the province. In the off-season, the facility is still being well-used for smaller productions and for commercial production. Administrative space in the Soundstage is also filled to capacity, with a waiting list.

"Through our commitment to the Soundstage and incentives like the Film Employment Tax Credit, the government is helping to grow an exciting film industry in Saskatchewan," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "Saskatchewan's film industry makes a significant contribution to the provincial economy. In 2003, Saskatchewan production volumes reached $47 million, the second highest ever in the province's history."

The Soundstage is one of Western Canada's most technologically advanced film, video and new media facilities, which is attracting a steady stream of productions to the province.

Major productions using the Soundstage include Corner Gas and Falling Angels, the hit of the Toronto International Film Festival which was nominated for 6 Genie Awards.

"The Soundstage in Regina is amazing. It's such a perfect facility," Tisdale-native comedian and creator and star of Corner Gas Brent Butt said. "The fact that it was built as a soundstage makes all the difference. In Toronto, you have a lot of old warehouses that have been semi-converted into studios. They don't really fit the bill. Having the Soundstage in Regina has made Corner Gas possible. Not sure how we would have done it otherwise."

The Canada-Saskatchewan Sound Stage was officially opened in September 2002.

Since then, there has been steady growth of Saskatchewan's film industry, which accounts for 650 full-time equivalent jobs in the province. Young Saskatchewan people, eager to explore the possibilities of the film industry, filled many of these jobs and were able to pursue their dreams here at home.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967