NBFC E-news - Thursday, April 15, 2010
Spotlight
DAYDREAMS OF DISNEY
By Jennifer Mawhinney
I was always a creative and imaginative child. Be it spending hours with my Lego and Mecchano sets or devising elaborate sets and storylines for my Barbie dolls. Of course, I was also a loyal Disney kid, eagerly anticipating the Wonderful World of Disney television show each week. You name it, if it was animated, I watched it. The Flintstones, Warner Brothers, Spider-Man, BatMan (during Switchback on Sunday mornings) and even The Raccoons. Sure, all kids watch cartoons – that’s a given - but
it also typically wears off as a person ages. In middle school, I excelled in art classes, frequently sketching animals, but in high school our teachers always stressed the sciences for post-secondary education so there was no room on my schedule for any more years of art class.
Years later, pursuing engineering at university, I was still loyal to Warner Brothers and watched Animaniacs, Pinky & The Brain and Freakazoid. Those were the years that The Simpsons began as well as Ren & Stimpy and, yes, I watched those too. Over those same years, I honed my sketching, trying to replicate the Disney and Pixar animations such as Pocohontas, The Lion King and Toy Story but also from photographs of people. I recall watching Toy Story in the movie theatre and being absolutely blown away by the realistic detail of the leaves and the woodgrain. In the mid-1990’s, I thought long and hard about applying to Sheridan College in Ottawa but backed away from that idea due to financial reasons and not wanting to move away from my family. I also pondered attending NBCC Miramichi to take their animation program but was hesitant about being a guinea pig for NBCC’s inaugural year of the program so I took the “safe” route and ended up taking computer programming. It pays the bills while my artistic side sleeps.
Last week, I attended an Animation Workshop at the Film Co-op taught by Larry Mersereau. To my surprise and envy, I learned that Larry attended Sheridan College and he was so eager to share his knowledge and experiences with us that it was nearly midnight when our group finished. It is fascinating to see a group of serious adults magically transform into happy schoolchildren upon being given a colourful assortment of clay and a simple instruction to build a character. During that evening, I experienced one of those rare “eureka” moments when I realized that a short film that has been bouncing around inside my head for a few years, which I had always envisioned as a fairly elaborate live-action film, could most certainly be accomplished as an animated short instead. I highly recommend the workshop to anyone, young or old, looking for a fun and informative, hands-on workshop which may inspire you to try a new type of filmmaking you may not have considered or kickstart a dormant career ambition.
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NEW NBFC MEMBER - COLLEEN FURLOTTE - RIVERVIEW, NB
A latecomer to the film community, this new kid on the block developed an interest in film while looking for a way to promote her music. After recording an album under the group name
Sadie Says
, Colleen Furlotte produced a number of music videos to promote her own work, along with that of other members of her local music community. She unexpectedly found herself falling in love with the medium which marries a number of her favorite forms of creative expression.
A published author with a background in the entertainment industry, Colleen was surprised by how natural it felt to work on her first film in 2009. Armed with no budget and a confidence born somewhat of naïveté, she joined the ranks of guerilla filmmakers, acting as executive producer, writer, director and editor of the project. The result is “A Question of Beauty” - a feature length documentary that is already gently stirring up waters in Moncton and Toronto. A bit of shameless self-promotion coming full circle, Colleen’s music is featured in the film’s soundtrack.
Her style has been referred to as having shades of “cinéma vérité” which seems quite fitting for a woman who prefers an organic approach to filmmaking, complimented by a strong cinematic aesthetic. Luckily, she likes to keep things simple, a great perspective for one used to “creative creating” - making art with little to no money.
Still somewhat of a grasshopper in training, Colleen is eager to grow her experience in film by learning from others in the greater film community. She looks forward to meeting fellow filmmakers in New Brunswick and beyond.
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AHA UPDATES AHA UPDATES AHA UPDATES AHA UPDATES
Check out the latest AHA (Actors Helping Actors) Member news on the AHA site at: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/aha/
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WANTED/WANTED/WANTED/WANTED/WANTED/WANTED
The Film Co-op looking for a donation of a nice flipchart and stand to replace the one that was taken and never returned.
- If a kind patron purchases and donates a new one to Cat or gives the money to purchase one, they will receive a charitable donation.
- If a new full or associate member gives one to the Film Co-op it will count as their full volunteer hours
The Film Co-op is looking for a donation of a nice three ring hole puncher.
- If a new full or associate member gives one or the money to purchase one to the Film Co-op it will count as their full volunteer hours
The Film Co-op is looking for a donation of a nice paper cutter
- If a kind patron purchases and donates a new one to Cat or gives the money to purchase one, they will receive a charitable donation.
- If a new full or associate member gives one or the money to purchase one to the Film Co-op it will count as their full volunteer hours
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NBFC MYTH BUSTERS SHED LIGHT!
There are never any socials or parties at the Film Co-op
FALSE!
This is not true. Cat loves to organize socials and parties to bring the members together so they can:
- chat each other up to get volunteer member crew on their shoots.
- eat some free food as they are starving artists after all!
- chat up possible actors for their projects
- drink the free booze that cat pours into their large cups
- talk to each other about the sorry state of the commercial film industry in Canada and how exciting things are in the independent sector where there is a film or two shot every weekend it seems.
Cat will send out the notice soon for the Annual Co-op Spring Fling which will be open to members and their guests.
Also in the works, an open house in Moncton and SJ before the year is out!
Email Cat if you have any questions about anything Film Co-op related at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
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Hi Members, if you have not already, please contact Cat and renew your membership or talk to her about it. Membership Renewals are annual and should be paid by February/March each year at the latest but Cat loves you and will still take your money and take you back into the NBFC fold. You can renew in person at the Film Co-op, by mail or by paypal by going to this link on the Film Co-op website: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/members.htm
MEMBER RENEWALS FOR 2010
Jason Nicholson (Fredericton), Jonathan Collicott (Fredericton)
NEW MEMBERS FOR 2010
Colleen Furlotte (Riverview, NB), Ngaire Genge (Hillsborough, NB)
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NB FILM CO-OP ACTIVITIES: FREDERICTON - NBFC KIDS FILMMAKING SUMMER CAMP!
On August 9-13, the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative is hosting a Filmmaking Summer Camp for young school students (Ages 9-14), taught by Film Co-op Filmmaker Michel Guitard.
Program Outline
script writing
production management
directing
shooting and recording sound
picture, sound editing and music placement
distribution of finished project
For further details, check out the below website and email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/KidsCamp/KidsCamp/Welcome.html
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SCREENWRITER'S CAFE - FREDERICTON
Check out the new site on the Film Co-op website: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/screenwriters_cafe.htm
The screenwriter's Cafe is full for the summer session beginning in early July, but please email Cat if you would like more info and would like to participate in the Fall or Winter sessions!
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CALLING ALL SCREENWRITERS - GREATER MONCTON AREA
Are you a screenwriter or interested in becoming a screenwriter and live in the Greater Moncton area? If yes, you might be interested in a new writers/critique group forming in the area. Want advice and constructive criticism on your writing or just someone to check for spelling and grammar mistakes on your latest script? Are you interested in networking and meeting other ambitious writers in the area? Eager to learn the craft of screenwriting? Or maybe, you just want to hang-out and chat with people with similar interests.
If so, contact Moncton Film Co-op member Denis Sweet at den.sweet@gmail.com to get further information and express an interest.
No experience necessary, everyone from absolute beginner to veteran writer is welcome..
Please come to the information sessions.
Thank you, hope to see you all there.
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NEW BRUNSWICK FILMMAKERS CO-OPERATIVE MEMBER PRODUCTION CALENDAR
(Refresh web page if info does not show up on Calendar)
member film shoots and activities are added on an ongoing basis.
(Click on below shaded dates to get information on scheduled member film and video shoots)
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Training & Development
The NB Film Co-op annual workshop series provides hands-on practical film and video training for members and non-members alike.
The 2010 Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton workshop series website links are now online at: click here and Registration is open.
www.nbfilmcoop.com/training.htm
Formally registering and paying in advance is the only way to ensure you will have a seat in any of the offered courses.
Register in person at the NB Film Co-op or email to ask if there is space and pay by paypal) or by mail (Cheques and Money Orders only).
There are always limited spots available for all workshops so please call or email staff to see if there are available spots before you send your payment OR pay via PayPal please. You can put your name on the waiting list for workshops already full. For more information you can call Cat at: 506-455-1632 or email at info@nbfilmcoop.com
For any members wanting to do short digital dramatic, comedic, documentary & experimental projects: You must have your 5 required workshops (Screenwriting, Directing, Production Management, Picture Editing, Digital Camera & Lighting) in and your volunteer hours (30 hours) and you must be a full member (associate members can upgrade). Only full members can access resources. As well, more importantly, you have to be a member of the Film Co-op for at least 5 months before you are deemed eligible to do projects.
For members who want to use specific co-op equipment themselves and be specialty trained in it for a crew role, further workshops would be required to access those specific resources they want to directly use (Assistant Camera for 16mm, HD Shooting, Sound Editing, Grip, Dolly, Mini Jip, Red Rock).
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Festivals
SILVER WAVE 2010 ROLLS CLOSER!
10th ANNIVERSARY FOR SWFF
Win a full all access pass to Silver Wave 2010 by guessing WHO THIS FILM CO-OP MEMBER IS!
Email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com with your answer.
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The Festival has a $10 submission fee again to help with increased administrative costs.
Click Here (View PDF of SWFF 2010 Call for Submissions)
Click Here (View PDF of SWFF 2010 Application Form)
SWFF does not return festival materials and master screening copies to filmmakers. Please enclose a pre-paid envelope to get your tape and any other materials back after SWFF.
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The Arts
"ArtsLink NB is working to
(photo of Sandy MacKay)
advance the arts in New Brunswick by linking and unifying artists and arts organizations, and promoting their value to the community. ArtsLink NB is creating an on-line
communications network, linking different regions and disciplines. The core of that network is www.artslinknb.com
, and it includes grant funding and other resource, information and events from all disciplines and region of the province.
As well, ArtsLink is developing an understanding of what artists need to succeed in New Brunswick. By identifying the gaps, ArtsLink NB will work to create workshops for artists training, in areas like business management and self-promotion skills for artists, and finding venues for emerging artists. ArtsLink NB also works on a provincial level with government stakeholders and arts organizations in the Acadian sector to develop policies for New Brunswick.
Membership in this organization is free right now- drop into the website to sign on. As a strong collection of artists and organizations, ArtsLink NB can ensure the voice of the arts will be heard in the upcoming provincial elections."
Email Sandy MacKay--------------------------------------------------
Biz & Indie Film News
BLOOD SHED in LAS VEGAS at the Polly Staffle Grindhouse Fest
Friday, May 14, 2010.
http://grindhousefest.pollystaffle.com/index.html
Blood Shed was produced by Pierre Huard and Jason Shipley.
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Jillian Acreman's film Broke won an Award of Merit for Short Film at the Accolade Competition in California
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PLASTER ROCK: TERROR ON THE TOBIQUE
Breaking News: "Plaster Rock Terror on the Tobique" exclusive special screenings May 7th-13th Grand Cinema 3, Grand Falls, NB, Canada.
Pre-screening on May 6th for invited guests and cast sponsored by Radio Station K93, Grand Falls, http://www.k93.ca
Global Universal Pictures Inc. Breaking News
PLASTER ROCK - Homepage
http://www.plasterrockmovie.com
Corey Haim Remembered:
http://coreyhaimremembered.com/
Jim Lavoie, Publicist, jimlavoie@rogers.com
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SHORT FILM VENTURE PROGRAM!
Aspiring filmmakers across the province are invited to submit applications for the Short Film Venture Program. The program is an initiative sponsored by New Brunswick Film, in cooperation with the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative of Fredericton, NB.
If you have any questions, please email Tony at the NB Film Co-op at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
Applications can be dropped off or mailed directly to Cat at the NB Film Co-op in Fredericton.
New Brunswick Film helps develop the careers of professional filmmakers in our province. The Short Film Venture Program allows individuals to express their creativity in the visual format of short films. An eligible applicant must be a resident of New Brunswick as of the last day of the immediately preceding taxation year (December 31).
Applicants must submit a proposal by May 31 of each year, outlining their short film concept. Successful projects will be selected, go through a jury process to determine a shortlist for script analysis review, and final recipients will be notified by July 24 of each year.The final film must be completed by March 31 of the following year.
Those chosen for the program will receive a grant of 25%, of the total cost of the project, up to a maximum of $5,000. Winners will have a chance to train with some of New Brunswick’s industry professionals.
The winning productions will be given a showcase with a premier screening at a film festival in New Brunswick.
Projects submitted should meet the following guidelines:
- Be fictional in nature but could include small parts of comedy, animation and docu-drama;
- Experimental, animation or documentary films will not be considered;
- Have a running time of 10 minutes or less;
- Be shot on film or digital video, and may be completed in film or digital video provided they meet standard broadcast requirements;
- The medium, theme, and subject matter are up to the applicant, provided the project is suitable for general audiences;
-- Films may be produced in either English or French.
Previous applicants of the New Brunswick Short Film Venture Program, who were non-recipients, are eligible to apply with new project proposals
New Brunswick Film is a business unit of Business New Brunswick with a mission to promote and support a vibrant film and television industry in the province.
Since 2000, many emerging filmmakers have obtained grant funding and launched careers in the film and television industry, thanks to the Short Film Venture initiative.
For further information, please refer to the application form.
Click here for Application form in: (PDF)
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Margo Flewelling
Direct: 506-453-6508
Cell: 506-470-1754