April 20, 2018
Looking for film equipment at a good price to shoot your masterpiece? One of the NWT’s top film societies is now better equipped than ever to help you out – thanks to a funding partnership with ITI.
Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) received funding under the Department’s Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) program to purchase a range of commercial film equipment now available for rental from their Yellowknife office.
This includes camera lenses, professional audio equipment, and commercial essentials like stabilizers.
Take One — the NWT’s film development strategy — identifies the availability of commercial equipment as a possible revenue stream for industry and government to explore.
The funding comes as industry interest and demand is growing in the territory - and with it the potential for WAMP to benefit from meeting it.
With higher revenues will come strengthened programming delivery and greater sustainability for one of the department’s strongest allies in film development in the NWT.
It’s a move that also supports other goals:
Local Commercial Capacity
WAMP’s existing inventory of equipment, while useful for small-scale productions, is not suitable for large-scale productions.
This new purchase positions WAMP to service larger productions visiting the NWT — eliminating the need to look south for equipment and adding to the competiveness of the NWT as an attractive locale for visiting producers.
Local Skills Development
There’s a ton of passion within the local industry. But, without high-grade equipment available locally, there are few options but to go south for more advanced training.
Now, WAMP will have the ability to deliver more advanced creative and technical training in-house with locally-available equipment to keep more Northern filmmakers learning their craft in the North.
The NWT’s film strategy highlights this as a key action item in developing the local industry.
Economic Diversification
The GNWT’s mandate calls for diversifying the economy across all sectors — including the high-potential film and media sector. By supporting the territory’s film strategy and strengthening the industry, the department is opening doors for NWT residents to find meaningful employment in film.
