Did you know that Canada has more co-production treaties—nearly 60—than any country in the world?
Canadian producers are world leaders when it comes to collaborating with global partners. But, as many will tell you, it can be quite a challenge to ensure all the pieces fit together, to produce a project and have it end up on screen.
Kate Harrison Karman, president of Toronto-based Cream Productions, has plenty of experience with co-productions, including Stuff the British Stole, a Canada-Australia co-pro (which won Best History Documentary Program or Series at the Canadian Screen Awards); An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, with the UK; and Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, another Canada-UK co-pro. She is a firm believer in the model, which allows for fruitful collaboration in a challenging industry environment. “It can be a real strength for producers to support each other,” she says.
According to Harrison Karman, a co-production is a lot like a marriage: before you take the leap, you need to know what you’re getting into; then, you need to stay connected. She says that producers need to ask themselves four questions before they commit to a co-production—and stay true to the shared vision once they begin.
Is a co-production right for your project? Ask yourself the following questions before you get started:
1. Why are we considering the co-production option?
Is it financing, talent, the subject matter? Any of these are legitimate reasons, but each affects the shape your co-production will take.
2. Who is our co-production partner (or partners)?
Have they successfully completed a co-production before? Do we have the same vision for the project? Pay attention to red flags before you get in too deep.
3. Does the creative make sense to co-produce?
If so, how will we split the responsibilities?
4. Are our financing partners (networks, distributors, etc.) comfortable with the co-production route?
This is critical. If they’re not on board, you have some convincing to do—or you need to look at alternative options.
No two co-productions are alike—but the successful ones have the following elements in common:
1. A singular creative vision (and an agreed-upon budget and schedule).
You and your partner(s) need to be on the same page and stay there, from day one until the project is done.
2. Full transparency across all facets of the production.
How else will you know if you’re on the same page? You should be honest and accountable about all aspects of the financing and creative, and expect the same from your partner(s). Plan on weekly or biweekly check-ins, and openly discuss any challenges you’re facing.
3. A clear and detailed breakdown of responsibilities.
If you’re a producer, you already know that this is the only way to avoid pitfalls down the road.
4. A balanced approval process for hiring key creatives, scripts, cuts, etc.
If you work this out beforehand, it will save you headaches—and potential conflict—later.
5. Teamwork.
There needs to be a sense of unity and shared purpose—both sides helping their staff develop into one team that’s making one show (or film).
6. Clear communication between producers and all networks.
This is absolutely crucial, and tied to all the other points. When you have open communication, everything else will fall into place.
Harrison Karman is the first to admit that there’s no one way to structure a co-production, but offers the following example of how it can come together, based on previous experience:
“You have to be on the same team; you have to be making the same show. It’s like any relationship: you need to know who’s responsible for what, because at the end of the day, if somebody goes sideways, you go sideways with them. On the flip side, success can be even sweeter when it’s shared.” Kate Harrison Karman
“You have to be on the same team; you have to be making the same show. It’s like any relationship: you need to know who’s responsible for what, because at the end of the day, if somebody goes sideways, you go sideways with them. On the flip side, success can be even sweeter when it’s shared.”
Kate Harrison Karman
In conversation with Sarah Spring, executive director of the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC).
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