Meet some of our members

Tim Rayne Michel Guitard David Folster John Christenson Greg Hemmings Donovan Richard Delia Martin Colin Smart Dennis Poirier

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TIMES GOES BY: FIFTEEN YEARS WITH THE
NB FILM CO-OP

By Colin Smart

May 21, 2009

FADE IN:

INT. COLIN’S HOME OFFICE - DAY

Colin sits at his computer typing up an article for the Co-op's 30th Anniversary.

"Hello Everyone. My name is Colin Smart and I have been a card carrying member of The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative for well over ten years now.

During my time with the Co-op; I’ve experienced many things, met many people, have been involved in many projects and worked on many events that I could probably write a book on the subject...but since we already have someone working on that project (Thanks Tim Rayne, Tim O'Neill and Joe Blades) I’ll stick to writing up this article based upon the memory of my first encounter with The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative.

My actual fifteen year love affair with The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative began back in May of 1994 as before that time I never knew that the Film Co-op existed.

"How did you get acquainted with the NB Film Co-op you ask?", Well now that is an interesting story and one I am going to relate to you in this article."

(FLASH BACK)

INT. SED CLASSROOM - DAY

April 1994 - Colin Smart sits alone at a table trying to decide where he wants to do his second job exposure placement since his first placement with a garage went so poorly. He looks through a phone book and discovers a phone number for The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative. Curious he calls the phone number and asks the man on the other end of the phone a few questions.

Colin discovers that the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative is an organization that encourages and teaches people how to make films in New Brunswick.

Colin thanks the man on the other end of the line for his time and then goes to talk to his job exposure instructor about what he has found out.

INT. KERRY’S OFFICE - DAY

Colin talks to Kerry about doing a job exposure with the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative and Kerry agrees with him.

INT. SED CLASSROOM - DAY

Colin calls up the New Brunswick Filmmakers Cooperative and makes arrangements with a gentleman by the name of Tony Merzetti to come in for his Job Exposure.

EXT. TONY’S MUSIC BOX - DAY

It is May, 1994. Colin arrives at the doors to The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Cooperative. He hesitates for just a second and then goes inside.

INT. STAIRS THE NEW BRUNSWICK FILMMAKERS COOPERATIVE - DAY

Colin climbs the long narrow stairs up to the hallway outside of The New Brunswick Filmmakers Cooperative.

INT. HALLWAY NBFC - DAY

Colin follows the arrow to the main entrance of the NBFC and he walks into the foyer.

INT. NBFC OFFICES - DAY

Colin Meets Chris Campbell and Tony Merzetti in the foyer of the NBFC. He is greeted warmly by Campbell and Merzetti and he thanks them.

He is given a tour of the facility which takes up the entire upstairs above Tony’s Music Box and he is told he is in the old CFNB Offices. "Wow, he thinks to himself, cool."

After the tour he is shown the Film Co-op library and is given the opportunity to look at Beta and VHS copies of NBFC member produced films.

After watching the films, he is amazed at what he has seen and he wants to know more about the process. He talks to Tony and Chris about this and he is shown different aspects of the filmmaking process.

While he is being shown these things, he is introduced to Errol Williams and Doug Sutherland, two, now alumni members of the Film Co-op. They talk to him about making films. He takes it all in and he is inspired by all of them to try to make his own project someday.

He is shown more stuff on that first day than he is capable of absorbing but he knows that this is what he wants to do as a career.

He spends the next couple of weeks exploring the fascinating world of film production in New Brunswick. At the end of his job placement he vows to one day make his own film.

Little does he know that there is still a lot more to learn and it will take him at least six to eight years before he attempts to create his own independent film project.

But, he has now started on a career path that he will both love and hate but he will always come back to no matter how many other career paths and opportunities he explores.

(FLASH FORWARD)

INT. COLIN’S HOME OFFICE - DAY

Colin sits at his computer typing up an article for the Co-ops' 30th Anniversary.

"And that my friends, is how I started my fifteen year love affair with the lovely lady known as the New Brunswick Film Cooperative. I’m still here and she is still calling to me and when she calls I almost never deny her."

"Happy 30th Anniversary Sweet Lady. Hope you last for another thirty years and more!"

FADE OUT:

The End.