In the realm of holiday films, you can expect charming small towns, enchanting snowflakes, and the sweet story of star-crossed lovers. However, this year’s lineup of beloved holiday movies may be disappointingly shorter due to the global shutdown of productions caused by ongoing strikes led by Hollywood writers and actors. Glitch SPFX, a specialized special effects company based in Ottawa, has played a significant role in creating the artificial snow in holiday films produced in the province over the past five years. These films, the majority of which were made for American studios and networks, have been a lucrative business for Glitch. However, the company is now facing a complete lack of work.
Founder of Glitch SPFX, Ben Belanger, explained the situation, stating, “In June, we were working on three films simultaneously, and then the writers’ strike began, which seemed like it would be brief. But now, with the actors’ strike on top of that, things have become more uncertain.” Belanger was referring to the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes.
Glitch SPFX has been in operation for a decade, but the past five years have been particularly successful due to partnerships with American networks like the Hallmark Channel, known for releasing highly anticipated holiday films each year. Many of these films have been shot in Canada, with locations in Ontario, British Columbia, as well as Ottawa, the nation’s capital, benefiting from the increased business. However, this year, experts predict a significant decrease in the number of holiday films produced in Canada for networks like Hallmark, primarily due to the unavailability of American actors caused by the strikes.
On the subject, Shane Boucher, founder of 1Development Entertainment Services, an Ottawa-based production company specializing in holiday made-for-TV movies, stated that having at least one American star in a holiday film is crucial for networks. Due to this requirement, many companies are likely to wait out the actors’ strike instead of working on new projects with an all-Canadian cast. Boucher explained, “Normally, a Hallmark-known star or an American star with a strong social media presence is chosen. Their reach and audience appeal is typically higher than some of our top-level Canadian stars.” However, Canadian studios often hire domestic crews for tax credit purposes, which is more cost-effective.
While Boucher’s company has chosen not to wait out the strike and plans to collaborate with networks to develop their own intellectual property in the interim, he sees it as an opportunity. He said, “We’re usually busy with production, so this gives us a chance to focus on smaller projects and keep our team working regardless of where the projects come from.” Alistair Hepburn, executive director of ACTRA Toronto, added that there is a small chance some holiday film productions may be able to secure an American actor through an agreement being worked on by SAG-AFTRA. Independent producers, not affiliated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), may be able to engage the services of a SAG member through a waiver system. However, Hepburn noted that these projects cannot be distributed by AMPTP companies like Netflix or Disney but can be sold to networks like Hallmark.
While Belanger feels financially secure during this uncertain period for Glitch, he is more concerned about his employees. He stated, “I worry about my employees whose paychecks I sign. They are looking for other sources of income right now.” He compared the current situation to the industry-wide shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which also resulted in some Glitch employees seeking additional work and not returning afterward.
Despite the uncertain future, Belanger mentioned that many of his staff members are enjoying the break. Although the holiday season is still a while away, the summer season is typically the busiest time for filming. Belanger said, “It’s an unusual situation. They don’t appear to be too concerned about it, but we don’t know when we’ll be back.”
With SAG-AFTRA entering its second week of striking, Hepburn acknowledges that the strikes will likely continue for an extended period. He emphasized the impact this will have on the industry, stating, “This will affect the performance and the entire industry for months to come.”
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