The Big Picture

In The Big Picture: A Personal History of Independent Television Production in Canada, veteran producer Pat Ferns chronicles the evolution of Canada’s independent production industry—from its modest beginnings to its emergence as a multibillion-dollar sector, and its likely decline in an era of media consolidation.

Blending memoir with industry history, Ferns recounts his and his colleagues’ pivotal role in shaping funding structures such as the Canada Media Fund, spearheading international co-productions, and transforming the Banff Television Festival into a global event. With a sharp eye for policy and business strategy, he explores the tension between government regulation, market forces, technology, and creative freedom. His story provides a broader reflection on Canadian identity, culture, and the struggle to carve out a space for homegrown storytelling against the dominance of Hollywood. As the golden age of indie production fades, Ferns provides an insider’s perspective on an era that defined Canadian television—and why it may never return.