After listening to various CRTC Hearings today, getting caught-up with its fumbling machinations and various political hacks opinions on the matter, it was good to hear that the dunder-headed decision will be reversed. What strikes me most? The dusty division between residential and businesses. It was like Canada is somehow doing business like it's 1974. Folks work from home, small businesses, health care (and just about anything you can imagine) uses the Internet to communicate to and from various places. Konrad Von Finckenstein shows the CRTC's hand by saying it's more about heavy movie and video users. If there was ever a sure sign that he (and his ilk) are out of touch, it was that statement. They seem to think it's just about Netflix coming into Canada and proving to be a burden. A burden to only Bell, Shaw and Rogers. They're worried about the competition and the CRTC has just tipped its hand and proved that it still makes decisions in favour of big telecoms that gouge the customer. It smells of collusion. While the film and television community in Canada has had its frustrations with the CRTC, it is my hope that other Canadians (reduced to terms like consumers) now realize how frustrating and inept the agency can be.
However, I've had my fill for a few weeks. There's nothing more soul-sucking then watching suits, corporations and politicians argue in committees, no matter your inclination. Jim Henshaw says it better than me and has a wonderful entry on the matter and it's worth your time to read here. Now, onward to work.
I'm still waiting to hear if this 1st AD gig is greenlit. I joked on facebook the other day that nothing's greenlit in the film world until lunchtime on the 20th day of shooting. And as a friend pointed-out, even then the cheque has to clear. Boy do I know that. I was burned last year on a gig in Saskatchewan and have been more than once. That's a post for another time.
But I'm ending this on an up note. I wrote the first draft of this very quick blog entry using some software called Ommwriter. Give it a try. It's free and blocks-out the bullshit for however long you like. You can chose it's somewhat new-agey sounds, music and backdrop - or put on your own tunes and block out those distractions that seem to slither in the corner of your computer screen (in my case I put on the winter backdrop with some throbbing Tangerine Dream). You can use complete silence if that's your bag. The email bleeps, twitter feed, facebook alerts and all the other excuses not to write get kicked out the door. I'm enjoying it so far. I love the simplicity and clarity. It's just about you and the text you're laying down.
Cheers,