Published at 1:12 am. Updated at 6:00 am.
Bounce
October 2022. Radio-Canada announces that it is canceling the Gala Québec Cinéma, which it has presented since 2003. At Québec Cinéma, the organization responsible for the ceremony, the surprise is total.
Dominique Dugas, general director of Québec Cinéma: “It was quite sudden. The current general manager, Sylvie Quenneville, immediately became involved in the community. People went to meet the minister [Mathieu] Lacombe. »
Suzane Landry, vice-president of content development, programming and information at Bell Media (Noovo): “When Radio-Canada canceled the gala, Québec Cinéma met with me. It wasn’t difficult to convince me. Because it was a natural association. Bell Media has been a long-time partner of Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma. We buy around twenty Quebec films a year to supply our platforms. And more than ever it is important to celebrate our cinema. To convince people to watch Quebec films, you have to give them a presentation.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Dominique Dugas, general director of Québec Cinéma
Dominique Dugas, Québec Cinéma: “Sylvie Quenneville and Patrick Roy, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, worked hard to find a solution. The challenge was moving from a public broadcaster like Radio-Canada, which covered 100% of the gala’s production costs, to a private broadcaster like Noovo, which had to set up a structure to finance the ceremony. »
Suzane Landry, Bell Media: “Québec Cinéma had taken steps with the government. They had a financial solution. »
Tenders
Spring 2023. Bell Media launches a call for proposals from production companies to revive the Gala Québec Cinéma. Sphère Média (Les petits tannants, Belle et bum) wins the bet by offering a ceremony led by Jay Du Temple, a specialist in relaunching shows after giving new impetus to the Occupation double in 2017. In August, the Quebec government announced that it would provide the gala with $600,000 to support its revival on the small screen.
Marie-Pier Gaudreault, Executive Producer, Variety, at Sphère Média: “We have embraced Noovo’s DNA. We wanted something inclusive that appealed to moviegoers as well as the people we wanted to bring to the movies. »
Suzane Landry, Bell Media: “We wanted a modern, unifying and festive gala. »
Marie-Pier Gaudreault, Sphere Media: “Jay [Du Temple] had all the necessary qualities to moderate this evening. For me it was a given [une évidence]. This is the only person I called. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Comedian and presenter Jay Du Temple
Jay Du Temple, host: “I was surprised [qu’on me contacte]. But quickly my brain started searching for ideas… Obviously there was something that attracted me. My body was sending me a signal. The slight hesitation I had was related to the cinema industry: would he be okay with me hosting his gala? »
Dominique Dugas, Québec Cinéma: “We have often been criticized for offering a program for the industry. With that in mind, it made sense to come back with someone like Jay at the helm. We put the public at the center. »
Jay Du Temple, host: “I have met several actors and actresses in the last few weeks. They were all super generous to me. They were calming and friendly. I feel a lot of support. »
Difficult context
Galas haven’t had it easy in recent years. In Quebec, TVA has abandoned the Artis Awards, viewership is declining, critics are questioning the relevance of ceremonies of this type… The context in which the return of the Gala Québec Cinéma takes place has not dampened Jay Du’s enthusiasm. Temple. On the other hand.
Jay Du Temple: “When you’ve just hosted six seasons of OD, the gala review isn’t stressful. And I liked the challenge page, the “It’s not a given” page. I find it rich. It wasn’t just another year in the history of an already ongoing gala. »
Suzane Landry, Bell Media: “We have just completed two years of the pandemic. The galas we held during this period obviously no longer had the emotion, taste and color that they had before. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Melanie Bhéré and Suzane Landry from Bell Media
Mélanie Bhéré, General Manager, Variety, Lifestyle, Documentary, at Bell Media: “Every decision we made, including the choice of presenter, always had the audience in mind. That is our guideline. »
Preparations
Preparations for the Québec Cinéma Gala have been going well for several months. Everyone agrees that it is a massive work for two hours of television, which will notably include a tribute to Rémy Girard as well as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the event.
Roxane Couture, content producer at Sphère Média: “Compared to other galas, people haven’t necessarily seen everything. We have to bring forward what they know. We sometimes think that cinema is niche, but that’s not true. There are a lot of super accessible films. You just have to put your foot in the door to want to see others. »
Jay Du Temple: “Since the summer, I have been thinking about the people in the film industry day and night. That makes no sense ! »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Marie-Pier Gaudreault, executive producer, variety show, at Sphère Média
Marie-Pier Gaudreault, Sphère Média: “We talk about the rebirth of the gala, but for us it is a birth.” Period. We are creating something completely new. »
countdown
The team responsible for the ceremony will move to Studios Grandé in Montreal on Monday to complete preparations. After the second round of voting ended last Sunday, Québec Cinéma has only known the winners for a few days. This is a stressful time for Jay Du Temple.
Roxane Couture, Sphère Média: “There is still a lot to do, but it is exciting!” The pieces of the puzzle are coming together. The gala is taking shape… We want to arrive on December 10th with the conviction that we have done everything we can to put on the best show possible. »
Jay Du Temple: “I demand a lot from myself and therefore also a lot from Guillaume Girard and David Beaucage. They are my best friends. We often work together. They show a lot of patience with me because I miss it so much… My goal is to arrive fit on the day of the gala. I want to have my gear ready, my jokes ready… I want to be in a good mood. »
Mélanie Bhéré, Bell Media: “Despite all the pressure Jay can feel, he remains so calming. He is an incredibly positive leader. »
Jay Du Temple: “I want everyone at Bell Media, Sphère Média and Québec Cinéma to be happy. I want my mother to be happy. I want the entire film industry to be happy. I want Rémy Girard to be happy. But the most important thing is that we arouse people’s curiosity. I want us to get them excited about Quebec films. »
Noovo will broadcast the 25th Gala Québec Cinéma on Sunday, December 10 at 8 p.m.