The co-founder of MELS studios Michel Trudel, who is currently in a legal tussle with Groupe TVA, the owner of his former company, plans to compete with the latter by building and operating in Laval an “international cinema complex”, has learned The duty.
A well-known figure in film production here and in Hollywood, Michel Trudel has for more than 30 years been responsible for attracting American blockbusters to Montreal on behalf of MELS studios. “Mister Cinema”, as some call him, is behind the arrival of several major Hollywood projects, including franchise films X-Men and transformers.
In June 2020, he left MELS on bad terms with Groupe TVA, which had become its owner in 2015. For the past year, he has been in a legal tussle with the Quebecor subsidiary over severance pay that does not affect him. would have been paid only in part.
However, on the sidelines of the legal confrontation, the businessman created a new company at the start of the year: Trudel cité du cinema. It is now coveting two lots located in Laval, east of the Highway 25 bridge, not far from the Rivière des Prairies, noted The duty.
Mr. Trudel plans to build a “cinema city” there that could accommodate major productions and whose model would be very similar to that of the MELS studios.
It is a question of constructing three buildings there to accommodate large production studios, manufacturing and special effects workshops, make-up and costume rooms, as well as administrative offices and rooms that can accommodate film crews.
Spaces would also be intended for the storage of the necessary equipment, and a training center for technicians in the cinematographic industry should be integrated there.
“Early Beginnings”
Steps have been taken with the City of Laval, owner of the coveted land. The company asks him to change the zoning regulations, which currently do not allow activities of this nature.
Michel Trudel confirmed in writing that he was “in discussion with the City of Laval for a project for a cinema complex of international scope”. Resident of this municipality, he adds that it is his “way of contributing to the economic development of eastern Laval”, specifying that more information will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, also confirms the current discussions, specifying that the project “is still in its infancy” and that no agreement has currently been signed. He says he sees the development of the film industry in Laval with a good eye. “This could notably contribute to the development of eastern Laval, he says, by accelerating the deployment of public transit there, creating jobs and supporting local businesses. »
He adds: “To see stars frequenting our restaurants and our hotels one day would certainly be a plus for the region. »
The return of Michel Trudel to the forefront of Quebec film production portends a potential confrontation with Groupe TVA to attract local and Hollywood productions to the Montreal region.
Already, TVA Group and Michel Trudel have been in court since March 2021. The two parties disagree on the severance pay that has been — and should — be paid to Michel Trudel. The latter accuses the Quebecor subsidiary of not respecting the departure agreement, which would require the payment of $450,000. Groupe TVA alleges that Mr. Trudel placed himself in a conflict of interest by making “personal financial transactions” with a supplier, and that he therefore did not have to respect the contract.
Needs that exceed supply
“There is currently a lack of infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of film shoots in the city, and additional spaces will be welcome,” says Hélène Messier, CEO of the Association québécoise de la production maladie. , specifying that the real benefits can be assessed when the details of the project are known.
She points out, however, that if the costs and occupancy times of the new studios are established according to the budgets and needs of foreign productions, “independent producers in Quebec will not have the means to take advantage of the facilities, they who must compose with a fraction of the budgets of the American teams”.
Regarding the presence of a training center attached to the complex, Hélène Messier says that it should help “to meet increased demand for qualified audiovisual professionals. As you are no doubt aware, our sector is also experiencing an unprecedented labor shortage”.
Christine Maestracci, CEO of the Office of Cinema and Television of Quebec (BCTQ), does not want to comment on a specific project: “But we welcome any initiative that will ensure that our ecosystem will have the opportunity to grow. , both locally and internationally. »
The BCTQ pointed out last year that the current number of studios was no longer sufficient to meet the demand of American production studios. The organization then estimated that the surface area of filming spaces in the province should almost double, from 450,000 to 800,000 sq.2. Building additional production space would cost $382 million, according to a study commissioned by the BCTQ.