Some Fun Facts

Tried to find a book written and published in Canada about screenwriting yesterday. Out the shelves and shelves and shevles and shelves of books by Americans on how to write a movie, two lonely titles sat all droopey in the corner.

One, from 1995, is one of those small ratty hardcovers the library seems to multiply called "Telling it; writing for Canadian Film and Television" editied by Ann Frank. The other, from Biz Books, is called "The Way of the Screenwriter," by Amnon Buchbinder from York University. It relates the Toaist "Way" to the path of the screenwriter attempting to "let their story live." So far, so good.

But considering the success of the Canadian film industry, there should be way more than two Canadian books (accessable to me, anyway) on how to write a snappy little indie. Atom? Bruce? Peggy? No? Why do we have so few books about film industry in Canada? Obviously it's no match for the monolith next door. But still. Especially in Vancouver.

Fun Facts:



• Canadians spent $25 billion on culture in 2005




• In 2005, they spend more on non-school related books ($4.8 billion) than they did on going to see movies in the theatre ($1 billion).




• Alberta spent more on culture than any other province, at almost $1000 per capita, and waaay more on buying art than any other province. They have a lot of money, but they seem to be spending a lot of it on art.




• Canadians spent $13 billion, or 52% of all cultural spending on home entertainment.

I have no idea how much of that is indiginous culture. That's what I'm trying to find out. Surprisingly difficult to find those numbers.

ttfn