Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
British Columbia Associations
- Creative BC | B.C. Film Commission and B.C. Film + Media combined to form Creative BC, an agency responsible for promoting the development of creative industries in British Columbia. Check out their current industry research for a real-time overview of BC’s creative industries, including motion pictures, book publishing, and interactive media. Take a look at the eight regional film commissions they’re associated with; depending on where you film, these organizations can serve you with local knowledge about the industry.
- Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC | MPPIA members work together to inform, educate, develop and market new initiatives that ensure BC’s motion picture industry flourishes as part of British Columbia’s vibrant, environmentally conscious, knowledge-based economy. Members can make use of their Market Intelligence gateway.
- BC Professional Videographers Association | The BCPVA is dedicated to providing a learning environment where videographer professionals can meet and share resources. They meet every fourth Tuesday of the month in Coquitlam.
Canadian Associations
- Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) | The CMPA (formerly Canadian Film and Television Production Association), represents the interests of screen-based media companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media content in all regions of Canada.
- Documentary Organization of Canada | The Documentary Organization of Canada is the collective voice of independent Canadian documentary creators and the nation’s premier organization for documentary advocacy. They have produced several excellent reports, including Understanding the Impacts of C-19 on Canada’s Documentary Industry.
- Motion Picture Association - Canada | The MPA-Canada advocates for major producers and distributors of film around the globe. Their mission is driven by the fact that film is a major driver of the creative economy as well as a form of storytelling. Though they represent major filmmakers and producers, they have a News and Research & Policy section with policy approaches for specifically Canadian film.
International Associations
- Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers | AMPTP is the entertainment industry’s official bargaining representative, negotiating 58 collective bargaining agreements on behalf of motion picture and television distributors. Their press releases are informative for large and small producers alike.
- World Film Society | WFS dedicates itself to the betterment of the global film industry through measures such as identifying and guiding young talent, attracting investors to the industry, and making communication easier among organizations.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Playback - Canada's Broadcast and Production Journal | Their daily newsletter features the breaking film & TV stories of the day.
Filmmaker Magazine | Check out their website for regular free content, includes news, opinions and analysis of the independent filmmaking business. Their print magazine is published 4 times per year.
INDIEWRAP | INDIEWRAP promotes the artists who are the future of independent cinema, covering all aspects of filmmaking including production, distribution, exhibition and criticism.
Videomaker Magazine | Videomaker, founded in 1986, has been helping creatives make videos by covering the latest in video trends, technology, and training for nearly 40 years.
American Cinematographer Magazine | Run by the American Society of Cinematographers, ACM brings cinematographers together to discuss ideas and advance the art. Though this magazine is not specifically targeted toward producers, they may find the varied and thoughtful profiles of people and new technologies instructive in their work and networking.
Consultant & Other Websites
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
- Film
- Television
- Animation
- Film and Television Producers
- Cinematographers and Directors of Photography
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs, Podcasts & Discussion Forums
Blogs
Film Editor | Editor and producers Johnny Elwyn shares his thoughts on all things post-production. Topics have included AI products for video production and how to make a DCP for a film festival projection.
digitalfilms | Oliver Peter, veteran film editor and video producer, collects the topics and articles he has written about over the years on this site. Topics have included a film's manageable length and short articles on how pieces of technology uch as Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve fit together.
Video Editing Archives | Run by PremiumBeat, Video Editing Archives explores the editing of and components that make video visually affecting and tie them together. Recent topics have included the art of editing superhero films and the uses of leitmotifs.
Edit Video Faster | Josh Short's mission is to help you edit videos faster, whether that's through technological means or through techniques that combat burnout.
Podcasts
Go Creative Show | The Go Creative Show is a must-listen for producers, cinematographers, and filmmakers. Every week, host Ben Consoli brings on A-list production designers, cinematographers, and producers to enrich the knowledge and know-how of the creative community. Guests have included Barbara Ling of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Baz Idoine of The Mandalorian.
Digital Production Buzz | Digital Production BuZZ works to keep you in touch with trends and technologies, people and practices that you need to know to keep up to date with digital production, postproduction and distribution opportunities.
The Artful Camera | The Artful Camera, which has over 200 episodes in its archives and ran from 2010-2019, is a show about the art, craft, and business of video production as well as more general filmmaking topics.
The Cutting Room | The Cutting Room interviews different editors every week to learn about their techniques, ideas and approaches to film editing and what advice they have for other editors or those looking to become an editor.
Engage Video Marketing Podcast | Useful for those in film production for motion pictures as well as more niche areas like corporate video production, Engage explores the power of video to engage audiences and move them to action.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.