MINDS EYE BACK TO SCHOOL WITH LUTHER COLLEGE PROGRAM

Released: November 25, 1998

(REGINA) Minds Eye Entertainment, Luther College High School and the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (C.F.T.P.A.) are pleased to celebrate the success of the pilot and announce the launch of Careers in Film,Television & New Media.

Careers in Film, Television and New Media is a unique, new program and the first of its kind in North America. It is an accredited industry-based curriculum aimed at preparing high school students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 for successful careers in the exciting world of film, television and new media production.

It began as a pilot project jointly funded under the Work Study component of Canada-Saskatchewan Strategic Initiatives by Human Resources Development Canada and Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.

The Strategic Initiatives pilot project funding ended August 31, 1998. The three year launch of Careers in Film, Television and New Media, while not fully funded, is currently being funded from a variety of sources including: Minds Eye Entertainment, Luther College High School, SaskPower, the C.F.T.P.A., Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development, the Saskatchewan Film Producers Association, Matrix Video Communication Corp., and, PS Production Services.

The program is the first, bold step in preparing for a predicted $100 million annual motion picture industry in the province by the year 2003. In six short years, Saskatchewan's motion picture industry has already grown from just over $5 million in 1992 to this year's production total of more than $45 million.

Graduates from this challenging program are recommended for job placement opportunities and have a definite employment advantage in the quickly expanding entertainment and cultural sector. Careers in Film, Television and New Media is a springboard for those who will continue their education in post-secondary motion picture studies, as well as those who will choose to begin a career after high school.

President of the Saskatchewan Film Producers Association Kevin DeWalt of Minds Eye Entertainment, founded the program and led its development.

"The Careers in Film, Television and Video program reflects a three-way equal partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the private sector, which will provide a long-term solution to the critical shortages of trained crew members in the motion picture industry ... here in Saskatchewan and across the country."

DeWalt states that although the province's motion picture industry is growing at a rapid pace, there is a shortfall of approximately 300 trained crew to fill positions on projects slated for production in 1999, and an additional shortfall of one thousand personnel over the next three-five years.

The Honourable Dwain Lingenfelter, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for SaskPower, announced today that the corporation will contribute $50,000 to help further this program's curricula for students in Grades 10 and 11 in partnership with Luther College High School and Minds Eye Entertainment.

"This industry is recognizing huge economic development at a rapid rate, and so by supporting this program, our government is responding to two important aspects of industry growth.

One is that we're acting on the opportunity to achieve a multi-million dollar industry in our province, enabling Saskatchewan people to work in their home province and economically benefiting all of our residents. The second is that we're taking steps to ensure that we provide the education necessary to have a skilled labour force to fill the jobs the industry requires," he stated.

Early indications have been positive. After the first year pilot at Luther College High School, enrollment has doubled within the program and many of the graduating students have already found jobs in Saskatchewan's growing motion picture industry. As well, Careers in Film,Television & New Media received two awards of excellence from the Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board, one for recognition of outstanding achievement by Minds Eye Entertainment for Human Resource Planning and a second for the educational partnership of Minds Eye Entertainment and Luther College. With continued success, the nationally-funded curriculum will be implemented in schools around Saskatchewan and across Canada.