Neal G. Clarance

Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Canadian Media and Entertainment Leader

Neal has extensive experience in the film, digital media, recording and theatre segments of the entertainment industry. He has assisted Entertainment companies in a broad range of accounting, tax, financial and business advisory services including, the preparation of business plans, film library and record library valuations, loan applications, financing proposals and in raising debt and equity financing both privately and publicly. Neal has also assisted in the financial structuring and packaging of feature films, animated productions, television series, movies and documentaries, and advising on utilizing Government incentives, including tax credits and in the structuring of co-productions and co-ventures.

Neal has authored articles on topics ranging from preparing business plans to financing strategies for the Entertainment industry. He has participated as a speaker in many seminars and presentations and is regularly interviewed and quoted by media and industry publications dealing with financing issues in the entertainment industry. He has authored several studies and reports on the entertainment industry for government and other interest groups including “Opportunities for Film and Video Production and Investment in British Columbia” and “An Analysis of Existing Studio Space and Related Services and the Needs of an Expanding Industry” for the B.C. Provincial Government.

Neal has also participated in several government sponsored trade missions on behalf of The Canadian Film Industry. He is a charter member and Director of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of B.C., a Director and Treasurer of the Whistler International Film Festival, a Director of the Canadian Film Centre and a Director of the International Financial Centre.