Imax: A Premium Price For A Premium Experience...

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"It seems that consumers are willing to pay a premium price for a premium experience, even in this environment," said Richard Gelfond chief executive of Toronto-based Imax Corp.

"I would be surprised to see the economic factors affect our box office unless (the environment) materially worsens..."

NBC and CFC Mentoring Canadian Writers...

NBC Universal has partnered with the Toronto-based Canadian Film Center to launch a talent development/mentoring program designed to generate projects for NBC U-owned outlets.

The NBC Universal Content Creator Program will issue a call for script submissions from Canadian swriters, with CFC and NBC U execs selecting candidates to take part in the program, which will formally launch in the fall.

NBC U's TV production arm, Universal Media Studios, will appoint an exec to serve as the permanent liaison to the program, which will largely consist of forums and workshops at CFC's Toronto HQ.

NBC Universal will have the option to further develop any scripts and concepts generated by participants in the program. The focus will initially be on TV programming, but the plan is to expand eventually into film.

The NBC Universal-CFC program has been spearheaded by CFC exec director Slawko Klymkiw, Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime for NBC/UMS and Ron Suter, NBC U TV Distribution's exec veep and general manager for Canada...

John Cleese @ Toronto's "Just For Laughs"- July 18...

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The Toronto "Just For Laughs" Festival presented by WestJet will host actor/comedian John Cleese @ the Westjet "Just For Laughs" Britcom Galas presented in association with Jacob's Creek at Massey Hall, July 18, 2009 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.

An Oscar-nominated actor, writer, producer and director, Cleese is best known for his contributions to comedy through the UK TV series 'Monty Python', 'Fawlty Towers', the feature 'A Fish Called Wanda' and guest appearances on US TV series including 'Third Rock from the Sun', 'Will and Grace' and 'Cheers', for which he won an Emmy Award for 'Outstanding Guest Performer'.

Recent film work includes 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', 'Charlotte’s Web' and 'Shrek '.

Now entering its third year, the Toronto "Just For Laughs" Festival presented by WestJet has already entertained over 250,000 fans, generating more than $10 million of tourism and economic activity.

"...More than just a platform for entertainment, it is also a viable economic engine that creates jobs in the cultural sector and supports continued employment in all aspects of the tourism industry. The vision for the Toronto Festival is to invest in its operation in Ontario by establishing creative business units in all areas of comedy management, production and distribution. This new venture will focus on enhancing Just For Laughs' international comedic repertoire by adding a multi-ethnic and foreign language component, thus recognizing the unique diversity of Toronto and southwest Ontario..."

The third annual Toronto Just For Laughs Festival presented by WestJet will be held July 15–19, 2009 at several key venues. Details including locations, schedules and performers TBA...