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I STARTED OFF LOVING FILMS AT A VERY YOUNG AGE

By Moncton based member Don Richard

May 7, 2009

I started off loving films at a very young age but never had any inkling that I would be able to actually work on movies and produce my own short films one day. During my university years, from 1989 to 1995, I studied history and had the chance to take some introductory courses in filmmaking, with the great Acadian filmmaker Herménégilde Chiasson. One of the things that we did was to rent the university's audio visual department video camera, to simply film ourselves and what we did for fun during those weekends!  We managed to film some short corny films in between. The beginning?! Not quite! In 1987 the first film I worked on was through a short animation contest for the NB Department of Health that was running in all the school districts. We had to create a short film that would promote non-smoking and bring an awareness of cancer to people. So, I went to work on a cartoon lung, which started out all pink and by the end of the host's monologue, had turned black like charcoal. That was my first experience, and we actually won that contest (Videotox).

Fast forward a few years into the future (well actually it's still in the past for anyone reading this, but you know what I mean) in 1998 I got together with a good friend of mine (Jacques Robichaud) who had his own video camera and who loved to write. He was not the type to go for the commercial type of storyline, but that was fine! I loved to help him out on his short films. It helped me learn a little as we went along. We shot a few shorts. One called "Care tu toi" was edited the old school way, meaning we used two VCR's. I still have all the original footage and I'll edit it using proper editing software and add a sound track and music to it. This could be called the 10th year anniversary edit (11th year really, but 10 sounds better).

In 1999, I decided to purchase my own video camera. I purchased an old one and in the beginning I was only playing with it by filming friends and events. I had ideas but nothing concrete on paper like a script. Then in 2000 I decided to go ahead and purchase a better digital video camera and a computer which would allow me to upload the film to it and then edit it. Now this was quite a boost. We then started filming some short films with some more people and with a plan in mind.  We actually used scripts as well! My first film was a music video of a French song entitled "Le Batailleur" from Zackarie Richard.

Afterward I shot a few more shorts, "Late", "Death on vacation - La mort en Congé", "La poursuite - The Chase", "Mopettes" and a family short film for my parents.  In 2002 after having played with filmmaking for a while on my own, I was now curious to see what else I could do. I wanted to see if I could maybe get some training or even classes that I could attend in New Brunswick.  I researched online about filmmaking training in the Maritimes and it was then that I discovered right here in New Brunswick, we had an organization that would help people like me who loved to make films called the NB Filmmakers' Co-operative. They offered workshops, networking and community building for like minded individuals, mentors, crews of people (free on top of that in exchange for your own free services) and the opportunity to put one's learned skills into play on other people shoots for hands on experience. Soon I was able to enjoy the privileges of applying for grants and equipment through them to film some of the projects I had in mind.

Since I joined the NB Film Co-op, I have worked on many fun and interesting projects such as, Visions, They Only Come Out At Night, I Woof You, Bathroom Stalled, A Lion's Tale, A Day's Grace, Temple of the Sapphire Moon, All Revved Up, Gamers Manifesto, the Night is Long, Do Gooders and Forever Lost.  I worked in such diverse roles such as pa, grip, sound, costumes, props master, actor, production manager and 1st AD.   

Finally, recently, I directed my first film with the support of the NB Film Co-op in co-production with my good friend and partner in crime, Dennis Poirier (Big D).  He wrote the script and acted in it while I directed the film for him.  It was a first and an incredible experience and having the tasks split between us this way made it easier for a first experience I think. The second film I directed was my own script and first time directing and producing on my own.  This was about a local Moncton legend called "Rebecca's Grave".  It was certainly a big endeavor to undertake, but when you surround yourself with incredible people for crew and cast, it makes things that much better.  Now I'm working on the second phase of that project which is to complete a small documentary about the same subject and combine it all together in a DVD.  Then I will be producing an action/fantasy genre short film.  More ideas keep on coming so I will keep on filming!  I hope everyone can learn about the NB Film Co-op and the people involved and get to do the exact same thing!