Films Made in Canada

In “Productions Flee to Canada, Study Shows” (June 25) there is mention of several factors driving film production to Canada. Basically, Canadian currency gives producers more bang for their buck. Film equipment, locations and hotels are cheaper, and crews work for less. Important items are not mentioned that need addressing:

Hollywood retains an open-door policy for anyone who wishes to work in our film industry. Canadian film technicians are welcome to come and work in the Hollywood film industry for big bucks. However, a Hollywood film technician cannot go to Canada and work for any rate.

Also not mentioned are the outrageous fees commanded by actors, who feel that an eight-figure salary for a couple months’ work is the norm. And when was the last time you saw a director or producer driving a car that cost less than $80,000?

DAVID J. BUTKOVICH

Glendale

*

Your startling article on runaway film production conjures up the following image: While passing my $800-per-month apartment, a producer in a $100,000 car on the way to her $7.5 million-beachfront home thinks, “Poor schnook. He worked on my first 10 successful features, but now he refuses to cut his rate by 35%.”

What does the “free” in free trade really mean? Free of conscience? Ross Perot warned about the “giant sucking sound” free trade makes. Perhaps we better look under the hood before there is no middle class left.

JEFFREY ALAN GOLDENBERG

Unemployed Camera Assistant

Burbank

*

My hat is made in China, my shirt in India, my pants in the Philippines, my shoes in Indonesia. So my movies are made in Montreal. So . . . .

CECIL SMITH

San Luis Obispo