From the President

George A. Willis csc, sasc

I am very pleased to announce that the CSC has been designated the beneficiary of an endowment from a fellow cinematography organization that has passed into the folklore of our profession. The Canadian Independent Camera Association saw its dawning in 1994 in the midst of the electronic field camera revolution. It was formed by a small group of independent cinematographers to counter unfair treatment by camera manufacturers and distributors at the time. After purchasing expensive cameras and gear, a major complaint by independent owners was a virtual lack of follow-up support and resolution for a myriad of problems ranging from defects and parts replacement to faulty tape. The founding of the CICA was headed by Don Purser csc, and part of its original membership included Claude Barns, Robert Brooks csc, Walter Corbett csc, Carlos Esteves csc, Gordie Judges, Paulis Kolycius, Jim Mercer csc and Richard Wilmot. Right from its first meeting, with 18 members in attendance, there was a vital sense of community and robust resolve. Inspired by a strength in numbers and a booming voice, the CICA shouted. The manufacturers heard them loud and clear, offering their support almost immediately to the new organization. This promoted the beginning of a mutually beneficial dialogue between independent cinematographers and manufacturers. By 1995, the CICA had grown to 150 members and had opened its welcoming arms to other independent craft workers such as sound recordists, gaffers and make-up artists. Basically, if you were a freelancer, you could join and no longer be alone. The CICA also tackled industry issues common to everyone such as border crossing requirements, GST interpretation and half-day rates to name a few. At the height of its activity, the CICA sported more than 400 members in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, where petitions were being put forward to form state chapters. The CICA also branched into charity work, donating thousands of dollars from its raffles to food banks. Annual golf tournaments over the course of the CICA’s existence raised more than $250,000 for children’s charities. After 17 years, as technology and circumstances changed, the CICA felt that it had run its course and stopped operation in 2001. Today, the CICA is writing its final chapter with the disbursement of its remaining funds of which the CSC has received $14,841, which is earmarked to help fund our mentorship program. I would like to thank the CICA for its generous gift to our organization. The CSC and I would also like to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe the CICA for its years of service championing cinematographers for the betterment of our industry. I am also pleased to announce a new and important initiative that’s about to get underway at the CSC. It’s the newly formed “Revenue Generation Campaign” with the goal to revitalize the CSC revenue base and put the CSC on more solid financial foundations. Spearheaded by the CSC Board of Directors and CSC Executive Officer Susan Saranchuk, the campaign group will work hand in hand with funding strategist and not-for-profit specialist Gail Picco to develop a plan that will open untapped revenue streams to better position the CSC in meeting its future needs and demands on our Society. Gail Picco has spent three decades working in the not-for-profit sector at the senior level, significantly in fund raising, relationship building and communications. She has also served two terms as Chair of the Regent Park Film Festival. The CSC looks forward to working with Ms. Picco.