09.12.06: Funding Deadline set for February 2007
Nova Scotia film, television and new media producers are advised that the next funding round deadline is set for 5:00PM on Friday, February 9, 2007.

Applications will be accepted for most Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation (NSFDC) Programs including Development Loans, Equity Investment, New Media, Sponsorships, Partnerships in Training, and Feature Film Distribution Assistance.  Please note that applications for Market & Festival Assistance and Professional Development Assistance are accepted throughout the year.

Any questions concerning these programs can be directed to Linda Wood, Program Administrator for the NSFDC, at (902) 424-7177.

Feature Story

Arcadia – Sailing on a sea of creativity

Nova Scotians have traditionally turned to the sea to earn their living. They have harvested fish, both near shore and far off shore. They have gone into the sand and mud underneath to harvest clams and mussels. They have gone below the sea floor in search of oil and gas. But more than anything, they have climbed aboard countless ships and sought their fame and fortune on the seven seas. They traded fish and lumber for sugar and spices, and they left their mark across the globe.

Today, another company has looked to the sea for its livelihood. But this one trades in images and sound. Arcadia Entertainment (www.arcadiatv.com) produces TV series about the oceans, or more specifically, what’s under the oceans. This is the Halifax-based company that produces Dreamwrecks, Buried At Sea, Marine Machines and other ocean-related pop documentaries. There are many more series in production or development.

Arcadia is the brainchild of John Wesley Chisholm, a Nova Scotian who admits to having “a slight obsession with boats.” Chisholm, goes on to say “When I knew I wanted to make television programs, I was just naturally drawn to boats and the seas they sailed.” He is an avid diver, surfer and sailor and has participated in discovering several famous shipwrecks.

After years in the music industry – he played, composed and arranged for the hugely popular Johnnie Favourite Swing Orchestra – John Wesley wanted off the treadmill. “One day, we were playing a huge concert in Ontario, and when it was over I thought to myself – okay that’s it, I’m done.” Life on the road took its toll and John Wesley wanted to spend more time at home with his young family.

John Wesley returned home and combined his obsession with boats and his love of the oceans to create Arcadia Entertainment. But this was no “pie-in-the-sky” wishful thinking. John has a degree in International Finance and a keen business mind. “I knew our competitive advantage was our once and future closeness to the ocean; that we could understand it and reveal it uniquely in the world.”

His insight and his vision have merged into reality. Arcadia now produces a staggering 75% of the world’s sea programming. Yes – 75% of the world.

Arcadia ’s programs, translated into 26 languages, have been picked up by National Geographic, Discovery USA , CBC, History, Vision, Z, Outdoor Life, Channel 5 (UK) and other networks in 140 countries.

Chisholm is pleased, but not entirely surprised. The oceans are “the Wild West of the modern age, full of bigger-than-life characters,” he says. “All we wanted to do was to tell some simple ocean stories, particularly about shipwrecks, technology and adventure. It’s something everyone can relate to, because, really, the sea is shared by all of us.”

The original vision of ocean-based documentary is continuing with several projects in the works, including Buried at Sea - a one-hour documentary special about weapons dumped, lost and abandoned on the ocean floor... surprisingly close to home.  GO DEEP – An 8 hour ocean tech series, and Dreamwrecks - 26 episodes exploring and documenting the most beautiful wrecks in the world in the most beautiful locations in the world.

John Wesley is also expanding Arcadia’s vision beyond the sea – again from something close to his heart. He is a practicing Scottish Rite Freemason, and recently wrote, directed and produced a one-hour documentary on the history of freemasonry. This was so successful that he is following up with a further three one-hour episodes on the subject – already sold to national and international networks.

John Wesley is the first to say that the company’s success is because of some very talented, very hard working colleagues. There is a significant creative team working with him at Arcadia Entertainment – a staff of 24 who are involved in every aspect of the creative process.

With John Wesley’s musical background, it comes as no surprise that he has composers and musicians in house to create the individual sound-tracks to go with each episode and in each documentary.

Arcadia also has its own editing suites, captained by seasoned editors. There are also writers and producers along with key support staff. And everything is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“Absolutely,” says Chisholm when asked if location is a key factor in Arcadia’s success. “Not only do we seem to have an inherent affinity for the ocean, jutting out into the Atlantic also gives us great credentials when we talk to world markets.”

Chisholm is also keen on how the industry has grown and matured, not just for Arcadia, but for all producers. “Look around,” he says, “and you’ll see this province producing programs that are among the best in the world.”  Chisholm is also happy about the level of support that productions are getting from government agencies like the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation (NSFDC).

The NSFDC provides a range of programs and services that encourage the industry’s growth.  Nova Scotia’s film and TV production industry is the fourth largest in Canada, generating $100 million a year for the past eight years. Of that, half is generated by Nova Scotia production companies and the other half from outside companies coming in to shoot movies and TV shows. 

“That doesn’t surprise me a bit,” says the businessman inside of Chisholm. “We have really talented, dedicated and professional people in every aspect of making a film or TV production.” For Chisholm and his colleagues in the TV and Film industry, the burgeoning industry is another example of why Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle that is unique in North America.

As John Wesley Chisholm says, “Years ago, we would have had to leave Nova Scotia to make Arcadia successful. Now, we can do it all right here.” John Wesley sees smooth sailing ahead.