Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/516267
16 who's who women in business who's who W hen it comes to the global media production industry, women are taking a leading role, creating content for the big screen, the TV screen and even the computer screen. In Manitoba, 48% of companies are owned or led by women, including ground-breaking veterans Merit Jensen Carr (Merit Motion Pictures), Phyllis Laing (Buffalo Gal Pictures), Lisa Meeches (Eagle Vision) and recent Emmy Award-winner Kim Todd (Original Pictures). "All of these women are working on high-profile productions that have garnered a lot of attention and create visibility for the province," says On Screen Manitoba executive director Nicole Matiation. Manitoba Film and Music CEO Carole Vivier has had a front-row seat for 25 years as the industry has grown and matured, working behind the scenes to ensure local film and music programs are relevant, and efficiently administered. "Our job is to make sure that the film and music industries in Manitoba flourish," she says. MFM has provided support and/or financing to such projects as Buffalo Gal Pictures' locally-lensed TV series The Pinkertons; Eagle Vision's docudrama We Were Children; Merit Motion Pictures' documentary Vietnam: Canada's Shadow War; and currently, Original Pictures' production of Midnight Sun. "These women are definitely leading the pack," Vivier says. The Manitoba government's supportive tax credit has helped grow production from $17 million annually in 1997 to $108 million today, including $58 million on average from sources outside of Manitoba. Matiation says the local industry now employs 1,500 people each year. Her own work with the bilingual On Screen Manitoba includes advocacy and intervention on behalf of industry stakeholders on regulatory issues, local production enhancement and ensuring diversity of voice. She notes that 16% of Manitoba production is in French; 3% of production companies are francophone-owned and 23% are at least partially aboriginal-owned. On Screen Manitoba also administers programs such as Access, to support travel to markets and film festivals, as well as communications initiatives to Behind the Scenes { WinniPeg WoMen Produce quality content } By Wendy King Above from left: Manitoba Film and Music CEO Carole Vivier and On Screen Manitoba executive director Nicole Matiation on a local film set. These women are definitely leading the pack" PHOTO By DARCy FINLEy