Take One: Film & Television in Canada
For over a decade, Take One: Film & Television in Canada served as a cornerstone of cinematic discourse in North America. Published between 1992 and 2006, this influential magazine dedicated itself to the analysis, criticism, and documentation of the Canadian screen arts, filling a vital gap in the country's cultural landscape.
The Origins of a Canadian Cinematic Voice
The magazine was founded in the fall of 1992 by Wyndham Wise. Wise had previously studied film under Joe Medjuck at Innis College, University of Toronto, during the early 1970s. While the publication shared a name with an earlier, unrelated magazine called Take One, the two had no institutional connection. Wise sought and received permission from Medjuck to use the title, although Medjuck prophetically noted at the time that the shared name might lead to confusion among librarians.
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Growth and Publication History
In its early years, the magazine operated without government or institutional backing, resulting in an irregular publication schedule. However, the trajectory changed once the publication secured support from the Canada Council and the Ontario Arts Council. This funding allowed the magazine to transition to a quarterly schedule in 1996, and briefly reach a frequency of five issues per year in the early 2000s.
The publication was managed by the Canadian Independent Film & Television Publishing Association, a non-profit organization. Wyndham Wise acted as both the publisher and editor-in-chief, supported by a team of contributing editors including Cynthia Amsden, Maurie Alioff, Tom McSorley, and Marc Glassman.
Contributions to Canadian Film Discourse
Take One earned a reputation as Canada's most influential film magazine by providing high-quality reviews, interviews, and critical essays. It became a primary vehicle for scholarly and critical discussions regarding the evolution of national cinema.
Notable Issues and Essays
- Issue No. 12 (Summer 1996): Dedicated to 100 Years of Canadian Cinema, featuring Geoff Pevere's essay "Ghostbusting: 100 Years of Canadian Cinema or Why My Canada Includes The Terminator."
- Issue No. 22 (Winter 1998): Featured Wyndham Wise's analysis of the "Tax-Shelter Years" in the essay "Canadian Cinema from Boom to Bust."
- Issue No. 28 (Summer 2000): Included Cameron Bailey's "A Secret History of the Toronto New Wave."
The magazine's influence extended into book publishing in 2001, when the University of Toronto Press released Take One’s Essential Guide to Canadian Film. This work was recognized as the most comprehensive resource of its kind since the 1984 publication of Peter Morris’s The Film Companion, and it is credited with coining the term Toronto New Wave.
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Key Facts
- Active Years: 1992–2006.
- Total Output: 52 regular issues and 3 special issues.
- Founder: Wyndham Wise.
- Publisher: Canadian Independent Film & Television Publishing Association (Non-profit).
- ISSN: 1192-5507.
- Legacy: Digital archives were transferred to Northern Stars after the magazine folded in the spring of 2006.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Period | 1992 to 2006 |
| Primary Focus | Canadian Film and Television |
| Key Funding Bodies | Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council |
| Major Publication | Take One’s Essential Guide to Canadian Film (2001) |
| Final Status | Ceased publication; archives at Northern Stars |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Take One: Film & Television in Canada related to the original Take One?
No. Despite sharing the same name, it was a separate publication with no connection to its predecessor, though the founder did obtain permission from Joe Medjuck to use the title.
Who founded the magazine and what was their background?
The magazine was founded by Wyndham Wise, who had been a student of Joe Medjuck during Medjuck's tenure teaching film studies at Innis College, University of Toronto, in the early 1970s.
How many issues were published in total?
The magazine published 52 regular issues and 3 special issues before folding in the spring of 2006.
What is the "Toronto New Wave"?
The term "Toronto New Wave" was coined in the 2001 book Take One’s Essential Guide to Canadian Film, published by the University of Toronto Press.
Where can the magazine's archives be found today?
Following the cessation of publication in 2006, the digital archives of Take One were transferred to Northern Stars.