Canuck unions still lament ‘drama crisis’
The News Review:
- Canuck unions still lament ‘drama crisis’
- Festival tribute to master of Irish theatre
- We needs skilled migrants, but do they need us?
- Impact of Hughes sparks quiet revolution
- Sir Rupert III may be last man standing
Canuck unions still lament ‘drama crisis’
C21Media – Mar 18, 2005
In short, this meant that variety and factual programming could now qualify to fulfill Canadian content quotas. The CCAU and others in the TV industry still contend that this move was the direct catalyst behind a nosedive in Canadian drama one that saw the number of first-run one-hour scripted series fall from 12 in 1999 to just a couple in 2003 and 2004. Weve been waiting for this government to show leadership, but so far its been all talk and no action when it comes to ensuring that Canadians can enjoy home-grown shows,” said Maureen Parker, executive director of the Writers Guild of Canada. It is time that this government reclaims control over broadcasting policy from the CRTC and sets a new direction as (the Lincoln Report) recommended, she added. Comment was also made regarding the CRTCs Fall 2004 decision that offered broadcasters ad incentives instead of imposing drama spending and content requirements. Broadcasters make big profits in a protected market, using the public airwaves to simulcast US dramas and cheap reality shows they should be required to support home-grown Canadian drama, said Pamela Brand, national executive director of the Directors Guild of Canada. Politicians and lobbyists will continue to discuss and debate, but looking toward next season, there seems to be definite light ahead on the Canadian scripted programming scene.
Festival tribute to master of Irish theatre
Times Online – Mar 18, 2005
In a festival collaboration, a Christopher Wheeldon production of Swan Lake will bring together the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Radio Moscow. The music programme will include a concert performance of Tristan und Isolde, one of a five-concert residency at the Usher Hall by Jonathan Nott, the conductor. The festival runs from August 14 to September 4. Mr McMaster said yesterday: “Commissioning and creating our own work, and bringing together international artists and companies to work in new ways, ensures that the festival remains the essential destination for everyone interested in the arts, whether from Tokyo, Los Angeles or around the corner. ” Patricia Ferguson, the Scottish Culture Minister, said: “This year’s Edinburgh International Festival, unearthing a rich vein of artistic talent, provides a platform for world-class Scottish and international performers. “I am delighted that home-grown companies such as Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet feature in a programme brimming with Scottish writers and performers…
Mr McMaster said yesterday: “Commissioning and creating our own work, and bringing together international artists and companies to work in new ways, ensures that the festival remains the essential destination for everyone interested in the arts, whether from Tokyo, Los Angeles or around the corner. ” Patricia Ferguson, the Scottish Culture Minister, said: “This year’s Edinburgh International Festival, unearthing a rich vein of artistic talent, provides a platform for world-class Scottish and international performers. “I am delighted that home-grown companies such as Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet feature in a programme brimming with Scottish writers and performers. ” The Edinburgh International Festival is in its 59th year and generates about £19. 3 million for the Scottish economy. Tickets will go on sale from April 22.
We needs skilled migrants, but do they need us?
The Age – Mar 18, 2005
Immigration experts have recently documented a major increase inthe temporary entrant quota. Can this stigma be extended to immigration? Whileracist, home-grown protectionism is certainly an Australianhistorical fact, surely there can be no room for it in our policyplatform now. Amid familiar reactionary howls of “Aussie workers first” and”migrant plan splits voters”, the Government should be warned: aknee-jerk, turn the tap “on and off” approach to migration policyis not going to cut the mustard when global competition for thebest skilled workers is already running red hot. It is little wonder that members of the public have reactednegatively to increasing migrant numbers when the Government hasconsistently promoted an exclusive approach to immigration. Now,when it desperately needs immigrants, the Government has fallenvictim to its own bad PR. The Government has the task of convincingnot just the public, but potential immigrants, that times havechanged.
Impact of Hughes sparks quiet revolution
Telegraph.co.uk – Mar 18, 2005
Hughes’s gradual success should be celebrated nationwide. It shows British managers can thrive in a Premiership sphere often overly smitten with foreign coaches. The prominence of Moyes, whose Everton are fourth, Allardyce (sixth with Bolton) and Dowie’s Great Escape attempt with Crystal Palace confirms the quality of home-grown managerial talent. Steve McClaren, Steve Bruce and particularly Alan Curbishley also warrant respectful mentions. Mourinho is special, but Hughes and the Brit Pack also have many merits, often unsung. The man known as ‘Sparky’ looks well-equipped mentally to buck the old adage about fine players rarely delivering as managers. His hunger for success has not been sated by his glory years at Manchester United.
Sir Rupert III may be last man standing
The Age – Mar 18, 2005
Photo: Supplied Sir Rupert is dead, long live Sir Rupert. The late Sir RupertClarke’s 57-year-old son Rupert Junior has formally accepted hisfamily’s ancient hereditary baronetcy, making him the first new”sir” Australia has had since the 1980s. And in a quirk oftitlehood, the new Sir Rupert, or a descendant, may end up as ouronly home-grown title. The Clarkes are the only clan in Australia to have a hereditarybaronetcy, which automatically passes from one generation to thenext. Knighthoods, which also confer a “sir”, expire when thetitleholder dies and Australia stopped creating knights in the1980s. The new Sir Rupe only has to outlive the ageing ranks ofknights, now mostly in their 80s, to become the only fair-dinkumSir in Australia. The new Sir Rupe is officially the Fourth Baron of Rupertswoodand the third Sir Rupert after his grandfather and father, but whenDiary spoke to him a few weeks ago, even he seemed vague about theantiquated process.