Friday, May 19, 2006

I'm a Canadian writer (screen and TV) and journalist (newspaper columnist) from Vancouver who recently sold a TV pilot to the US History Channel.

Mazel tov!

I found a production co in CA which does a lot of work for the History Channel. They liked the idea, pitched it and got a pilot.

Any idea how I, as a Canadian can negotiate the touchy US Border Patrol/Homeland Security "travel and/or work in the US" issue?

The simplest solution is not to work in the US. You do your paid work only in Vancouver, for your Canadian loanout corporation. Your loanout charges the Californian prodco for your services. Which are done all in Vancouver. Naturally those services may require meetings in LA. Lots of meetings in LA. Long meetings in LA, which might take place over several weeks. Or months. But the actual paid work is done in Vancouver.

As a Canadian, you are free to visit the US any time you like. Just tell them you're there for the cheese. (Sorry. Californian inside joke.)

Failing that, you can get a work permit if your prodco can demonstrate that you are providing unique services, which since it's your show you obviously are. After all, corporations hire people from Europe all the time. It can be done. It's just a pain.

9:01 AM

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