Corbin Bernsen has big things in mind for Kipling.

Bernsen told a public meeting at the community centre Tuesday that his plans go far beyond the movie role in Donna on Demand, awarded to Nolan G.L. Hubbard on the September long weekend. And they go far beyond the filming of 3 Day Test which is to take place here in March.

“An infrastructure can be set up here, capable of working on future productions,” the actor/director told the gathering of about 50.

Bernsen said he already has a line on a hockey movie for which Kipling would be an ideal setting and is working on yet another story in which Lloyd Warner, another of the finalists in the Donna on Demand auditioning process, would play a key role.

Bernsen is president and CEO of Public Media Works of Van Nuys, CA. Onstage with him Tuesday was Wally Start of Saskatoon, whose company, Angel Entertainment Corporation, will manage 3 Day Test.

They outlined a scenario wherein local people would train on the job in all areas, such as set construction, wardrobe, hair and makeup, catering and stage crew, for 3 Day Test.

Bernsen also said that only the lead role, which he himself will play, and the part of his character’s wife, will be filled by professional actors. The remainder of the parts will be cast locally.

“Every one of you in this room can be involved in 3 Day Test,” he said.

This would serve to create a pool of people with skills in the various facets of movie making, which can be drawn upon for future ventures.

“It will make Kipling an attractive place for other production companies to consider as well.”

Start said that thanks to the One Red Paper Clip exposure, Kipling has some built-in “push”, which he feels will help in marketing the movie to the world. Angel Entertainment will also be documenting the process from beginning to end.

For some in attendance, the interest was in learning about the movie as a possible investment opportunity.

Although no investment can be sought until such time as an “Offering Memorandum” is prepared, there was some discussion about how such an offering could be structured.

A name search has been completed for a local company, Kipling Film Productions Inc., which will administer money raised locally. Its first investment would be in 3 Day Test. The amount invested, along with any future ventures, would be determined by those with a financial interest in the company.

The extent of interest Kipling Film Productions would have in 3 Day Test would be determined by the amount put forth. It is hoped that the entire amount needed will come from this source, in which case it will share equally in the proceeds of the movie, with public media works.

The budget for 3 Day Test will be about $400,000.

Discussion centred around what the minimum amount an investor could put forward should be. Given the status of the company, no sales effort can yet be made. However, comments from the floor were invited.

Kyle MacDonald was excited about what he was hearing.

“If you start making movies here, people will move to Kipling to be a part of it,” the internet entrepreneur said. MacDonald, the “red paper clip trader” (oneredpaperclip.com) is the man responsible for Bernsen’s discovery of Kipling. He traded the movie role in Donna on Demand for a house in town.

MacDonald suggested that an amount such as $100 as a minimum investment in the new company would enable the largest number of people to participate.

This suggestion seemed to be generally favoured by the gathering.

The thought was also expressed that most who view it as an investment prospect would want to have a substantially larger interest and that a number of these (major investors) would be needed as well.

Earlier in the day, the steering committee had met. One purpose of that meeting had been to establish an interim Board of Directors for the application to incorporate. Once incorporation is complete and investors identified, a permanent board will be chosen by those with a vested interest.

The interim board includes Duane Leicht, Glenn Kuhn, Loretta Demyen and Abdoul Teuw.

Time is of the essence in the launch of the project. Since 3 Day Test is a Christmas story filming must be completed during the coming winter if it is to be released next year.

Set construction will have to be done in February in time for filming in March. Thus, financing must be put in place in short order.

The next three or four weeks will be critical, the meeting was told. If the required capital is not in place by December locally, outside sources will have to be sought.

Bernsen said he plans to make a return visit to Kipling Nov. 28 to assess the financial situation.

Tuesday’s meeting also got a “sneak preview” of 3 Day Test, though obviously not a screen version. Bernsen described the comedy’s plot in detail, much to the delight of the crowd.

He and Mr. Start also outlined some of the direct benefits to the community that the production is likely to have, particularly since a good portion of the budget will be spent locally.

A tax incentive available to the funding body would serve to mitigate a portion of the risk, the gathering learned.

The process whereby money is returned to that funding body, upon release of the movie, was also discussed.

Bernsen outlined yet another idea he has for the town. He described it as a “Win in Kipling” promotion designed to attract entrepreneurs and thus create employment.

Given the rather short time frame to launch the currently proposed film production, Win in Kipling will remain a work in progress.

Those gathered were urged to help make other people aware of the opportunity to participate and to impress upon them the fact that there is some urgency to the project’s receiving a commitment.