Film, video and audio-visual post-production

The film, video and audio-visual post-production industry lost some steam from 1999 through 2001, with revenues rising just 5.4% over this two-year period. This compares with 45.3% from 1997 to 1999. This reflects an industry-wide slowdown, including the economic fallout since the events of September 11, 2001, increased competition from other countries to attract US film dollars, efforts in the United States to curb foreign location shooting, and a rise in low-cost reality programming and game shows.

The post-production industry also operated on a tighter operating profit margin, dropping from a high of 17.9% in 1999 to 10% in 2000 and 7.3% in 2001. Expense growth, particularly salaries and wages, has outstripped that of revenues.

Film laboratories levelled off on hiring, with fewer full-timers working in 2001 than in 1999. Overall employment grew only because of higher numbers of part-time workers. Salaries and wages paid out countered the employment trend by rising a sizeable 15% from 1999 to 2001.

Provincially, Ontario film laboratories dominated the post-production industry in 2001, earning two-thirds of operating revenue. Quebec's share was 27%, and British Columbia's was 5%.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: survey number 2415.

For general information, or to order special or standard tables, contact Client Services (1-800-307-3382; cult.tourstats@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact David Coish (613-951-1075; fax: 613-951-1333; david.coish@statcan.gc.ca), Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics.