Independent Production Fund

Independent Production Fund
Industry Original online series, Digital Media, television
Founded 1991
Headquarters

Toronto, Ontario

Montreal, Quebec
Area served
 Canada
Key people

Andra Sheffer, CEO

Claire Dion, Associate Director
Website ipf.ca

The Independent Production Fund (IPF) is a Canadian private independent foundation that supports the production of Canadian dramatic digital media entertainment content and provides professional development services and training to digital media producers and creators, in English and in French.

History

In 1990 Maclean Hunter Limited , a former Canadian communications company, created the Maclean Hunter Television Fund[1] with a capital endowment of $29.2 M restricted in perpetuity, as a result of a Decision by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).[2] The Fund was incorporated federally as a corporation without share capital and was granted charitable status. Its mandate was to fund television drama series and undertake industry training with the interest generated by the endowment and return on investments.[3]

The Fund mandate was extended to undertake the administration of other independent private funds supporting the Canadian film, television and digital media industry: the Cogeco Program Development Fund[4] launched in 1993, the Bell Fund (1997)[5] and a series of other short-term industry Funds.

In 1994 Maclean Hunter was acquired by Rogers Communications,[6] and the Fund was renamed the Independent Production Fund. A five-member board of directors representing different sectors of the production industry governed the Fund’s activities.[7]

In 1999 the CRTC approved the IPF as a "Canadian Independent Production Fund"[8] eligible to receive contributions from Broadcast Distribution Undertakings (BDU's).

From 1991 to 2010 the IPF invested over $47M in 249 Canadian television drama series.[9] In 2010, the IPF’s mandate was revised to focus funding on drama series created for new digital platforms.[10][11][12] It allocates nearly $2M per year from the interest generated by the endowment and recoupment of its funding investments, to original digital drama series.[13]

Executives

Fund Recipients

As of 2014, the IPF has supported 251 television projects, 368 professional development activities and 70 original online series which represents over 59 million dollars in funding.[18]

Selection of funded television series

TV Show Description Awards

Big Comfy Couch

"Loonette the little clown-girl and her best friend Molly the Doll live together on the Big Comfy Couch and enjoy all the wild and wacky treasures found under its cushions."[19]
  • 1993 – Alliance for Children's Television: Award of Excellence
  • 1995 – Gemini Awards: Best Children's Program or Series
  • 2007 – Midsouth Emmy Awards: Children's Programming

Caillou

"Caillou is a 4-year-old boy who delights in the small wonders of the world around him, embellishing everything he sees with his rich imagination."[20]

Degrassi: The Next Generation

“Degrassi is a pull-no-punches dramatic take on the real-life issues of high school life and beyond. With equal measures of humour, angst and heart, the students of Degrassi grapple with a series of "firsts" as they begin their journey into adulthood. Pushing their own limits and testing the bonds of family and friends, the students find their own ways to deal with a far-reaching range of issues."[21]

Selection of funded original online series

Series Description Awards

The Amazing Gayl Pile

"Gayl Pile hosts 'The Ladies' Power Hour', the lowest-paid gig at the near-bankrupt Shop-At-Home Channel. Six days per week from 10 am until noon, Gayl engages in cheery banter with female-skewed product inventors and beauty experts as they sell their wares live on the air."[22]

Bill and Sons Towing

"Created by Mark De Angelis and Charles Ketchabaw and starring veteran sketch troupe The Imponderables, the series follows a group of four brothers who take over their father's towing business. And while they may have different mothers, looks, personalities, and opinions, the siblings share a common thread between them: they're all morons."[23]
  • 2013 – Canadian Comedy Awards: Best Ensemble Performance in a TV or Web Series
  • 2013 – LA Webfest: Outstanding Achievement Ensemble Cast (Comedy) and Outstanding Achievement Writing (Comedy)

But I'm Chris Jericho

"A comedy web series starring Chris Jericho as a fictionalized version of himself. In this tongue-in-cheek portrayal of his life, Chris is a former wrestler struggling to make it big as an actor. Despite being on top in the wrestling ring, Chris now clings to the bottom of the acting rung, and must try to contain his frustrations in the face of absurdities in the entertainment industry, as well as the ineptitude of well-intentioned supporters."[24]
  • 2014 – Marseille Web Fest: Best Actor – Chris Jericho
  • 2014 – LA Webfest: Grand Jury Prize Winner, Outstanding Achievement Award (Comedy) and Outstanding Achievement Writing (Comedy)
  • 2014 – Canadian Comedy Awards: Best Male Performance in a Web Series – Scott Thompson and Best Writing in a Web Series

Guidestones

"Guidestones is the story of two journalism students who uncover a global conspiracy while investigating an unsolved murder."[25]

Ruby Skye P.I.

"Ruby Skye is a teenage girl who finds mysteries wherever she looks – and she needs to solve them, no matter what it costs her. Stubborn, smart, determined and a little too quick to jump to conclusions, Ruby makes some unfortunate choices in her pursuit of truth, justice and, well… personal curiosity."[26]

Space Riders: Division Earth

"Inspired by utterly fictional events, Space Riders: Division Earth is the story of two out-of-shape nobodies who accidentally become Earth’s heroes. Ken and Philip are roommates without direction. But when a case of mistaken identity throws them into the path of intergalactic supervillain Orson Ooze, they must fight to save themselves – and the planet."[27]

References

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