NBFC E-news - Thursday, Jan 21, 2010
Spotlight!
Fetal Films and Robot Cousin Soundworks team up to rock the Recession in 2010!
The Great Recession of '08 calls up many colourful images; ashen, grey-suited hedge-fund managers fleeing AIG and Lehman Brothers like so many rats from a sinking ship; Red-faced right-wingers shouting "socialist!" in the faces of those who dared question the virtues of unbridled free-market capitalism; And of course, the sparkling, shiny bail-out greenbacks supposed to make it all just go away.
With such a rainbow-palette to draw from, Fetal Films
(Photo of Chris Fulton to left by Jeff Crawford) (Chris Fulton and Josh Linton) and Robot Cousin Soundworks (Jordan Roherty) thought: "hey, why not set this hot mess to music?" And so a rock opera was borne...
"Bail-out! A Recessionary Rock Opera" - a unique musical film project in the history of NB indy film...
Fetal Films' past work - the Silver Wave Best NB Comedy Award-winning films "Gamers' Manifesto" and "Manic Chiropractic" - were films of modest ambition; few sets, a small crew, no pricey film-stock - films about slackers produced by slackers. So, to help them pull off the garish spectacle that is the modern musical, Fulton (Writer/Director/Co-producer), Linton (Lead Actor/Co-producer) and Roherty (Composer/Co-producer) are calling on some of the usual suspects to lend them a hand. From Moncton, Danny Thebeau on Camera, from Fredericton, Jen Chiasson rocking the Editing Suite, with other frequent
collaborators having their numbers called soon. In addition to the familiar, Fulton and Linton will be rounding out the group with song and dance professionals, including a much-needed choreographer to harness and channel Linton's raw, natural rhythm into a mainstream dance-style.
The Fetal Film folks are trying
(Josh Linton to right)
to bring something unique to the NB indy film scene, but will need support from the NB film community at large - we hope to feed off of your enthusiasm to push us through the process and hold us accountable to you, the NB film fans.
Regular updates will be posted on the e-news feed. Will be holding auditions in the months to come, so look for alerts in the e-news and on Facebook.
Anyone interested in dropping a line of encouragement, or for more info, you can reach Chris and Josh of Fetal Films at: recessionrockopera@gmail.com
Thanks!
Chris, on behalf of Josh and Jordan.
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PROJECTS ARE ON THE MOVE FOR CO-OP ALUMNI MEMBER
John Christenson, Past President and Past Director of Professional Development with the Film Co-op, is happy to be back for 2010 and is getting ready prepping for another busy year of filmmaking.
John, who co-wrote Omaha Fly-By with Jessica Holt and Tony Sekulich, is already into pre-production on OFB as 1st AD and Locations. Scheduled for mid-Spring, John was thrilled beyond belief to learn that Azure Sky Films was planning to produce OFB. “Tony, Jessica and I worked hard at perfecting a good comedy script,” says John, “and we hope audiences find as much pleasure in watching as we had in writing.” John says another perk to this production is being teamed with Joel Thompson and Jesse Anthony.
Spurred on by audience acceptance of his Three Amigos Buy a Door at last year’s Silver Wave Film Festival, John has been busy writing. And, now in very early pre-production, John has teamed with new members Stephanie Marin, Matt Carr and Phil Angers, recent graduates from the Centre for Arts and Technology, to produce his original comedy script, One Cart’s Story. A story that John hopes will help to explain a great deal.
Want to chat, send him an email at filmstalk@gmail.com
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NBFC MEMBER MEETS WERNER HERZOG
I recently returned from a week-long visit to LA to partake in Werner Herzog's first "Rogue Film School". Herzog is a Bavarian filmmaker who has written and directed 19 feature films, 9 full-length documentaries, 7 short films, and has collaborated on multiple short documentary and opera projects. His most recent feature film is "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" starring Nicolas Cage. Herzog is probably best known for his distinctive voice-over narration, his film "Fitzcarraldo" and the recent doc "Grizzly Man".
Forty filmmakers from around the world (Peru, Argentina, Spain, Belgium, US, and Korea) gathered for a long weekend to hear what such an iconic man would have to say about film. I was the only person to make the trip from Canada (and found myself explaining over and over where the heck New Brunswick is located). As the weekend progressed, the collective goal became less about efforts to obtain mentorship from the man himself (though we each attempted to corner him for guidance during breaks), and more about a constellation of eager young filmmakers revolving around the nadir of his creative intellect. Essentially his ethic of filmmaking comes down to the principles of guerilla filmmaking, Herzog-style.
Apart from the intense hilarity and gusto of the man himself, what we came away with as a group was the notion that if you want to make a film, you just have to go out there and get it done as quickly as possible. He drove home the point that you cannot let a film sit and languish. Write the script in a day, a week-don't over-research. Take true moments, and expand on them. He talked about the importance of not "playing at" filmmaking; that is, don't surround yourself with all the accoutrements of what you imagine is a "real" film set. Simply devote yourself to telling the best story possible with the resources you have, and it will work. Overall, Herzog expressed an unsurprising disdain for the studio system and a particular enthusiasm for young filmmakers to get out there and shake things up. Perhaps this was his main point: don't try to emulate big studio movies, instead create a cinematic moment that is true to your own experience or locale, because that is what is most compelling.
After an intense weekend of long days during which Herzog was incredibly generous with his time, we left inspired to start shooting our next projects, all while mastering our best Herzog impressions. Catch me at the Film Co-op and I'll throw a few distinctive "vile and debased" phrases your way.
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SAD NEWS - missing
Film Co-op member
An extensive aerial search was called off in November of last year for 68 year old Canadian sailor Hubert Marcoux who set out from Halifax on November 9th to sail 740 nautical miles south to Bermuda and is now considered long overdue. There had been heavy weather on the eastern seaboard the days he was sailing.
Search crews had been attempting to contact the man via radio for and four military aircraft had been searching the area north of Bermuda for any sign of the yacht. The Mon Pays was reported to have flares, life jackets and a radio on board. Another yacht which left Halifax the day before the Mon Pays with the same course set for Bermuda had arrived four days late and the three sailors aboard reported they had experienced heavy conditions with winds over 60 knots.
Hubert Marcoux is originally from Charlo, on the Baie des Chaleurs in New Brunswick, Canada and is a Film Co-op member. He emailed Cat about the Film Co-op several years ago and then formally joined as an associate member.
Marcoux's sister Lucy Milroy said her brother has survived many dangerous weather conditions while on his boat. He completed an 18 year world sailing circumnavigation with a solo trip from Australia to Halifax in 2003.
In 2005 he wrote a book about his around the world adventures, a French version Mon tour du monde en 18 ans then the English version Around the world in 18 years.
Marcoux also has brother in Montreal and a brother in New Brunswick. Cat will keep track of the search efforts to find him over the next while and our good vibes and thoughts are with his sister and other family members at this time.
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IMPORTANT THINGS for MemberS of the NBFC to do!
- Renew membership (contact cat)
- Put in required volunteer hours (contact cat)
- If goal is to create a film in the future through the Film Co-op, take the 5 required workshops through the annual film co-op workshop series starting up in February. (contact cat)
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MEMBER RENEWALS FOR 2010 -
Tim Rayne (Fredericton), Nathalie Rayne (Fredericton), Gary Belding (Fredericton) Youssef El-Khoury (Fredericton), Gretchen Kelbaugh (Saint John), Ralph Pritchard (Shediac), Jody Wagstaff (Fredericton), John Christenson (Fredericton)
NEW MEMBERS FOR 2010 -
Zack McCutcheon (Fredericton), Matt Belyea (Fredericton), Edward Carvell (Saint John), John David Thornton (Fredericton), Kyle Hurley (Fredericton)
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NEW MEMBERS/NEW MEMBERS/ NEW MEMBERS
JOHN DAVID THORNTON
John David Thornton has always loved films and storytelling. After studying at the Toronto film school John David returned to New Brunswick and continued his studies at the Centre for Arts and Technology in Fredericton under such instructors as Allen Edwards, Jon Collicott, Glendon McKinney and Roberta Nixon.
Thornton has directed and written a number of shorts, two of which have won praise and awards. He is also experienced in lighting for digital, low key lighting, P.A. work and grip work, and is willing and eager to work in most positions on a film, including an interest in acting.
Thornton hopes to improve upon his knowledge and experience and to simply enjoy the process of creating stories on film. He finds an energy on set which makes every shoot feel new and fun as though it were his first, and looks forward to joining the Co-op to join any and all other film lovers on their projects.
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NEW MEMBERS/NEW MEMBERS/ NEW MEMBERS
Angèle Bourgeois
Angèle Bourgeois, originally from Moncton, is an aspiring publicist/event coordinator.
Having spent the greater part of 2008 traveling, she returned to NB with a new dream; to find talent and help it find its way to the world. In Fredericton she is just beginning to spread her wings, recently having found her place at CHSR-FM, where she is a fund raising coordinator working with Tim Rayne. There she is getting helpful mentorship and having her first taste of the arts community, sharpening her teeth in the fields of marketing and event planning.
Having a great love of the arts, Angèle has had a growing interest in further exploring her hobbies, which include writing, dancing, photography and music. She learned of the NBFC through some wonderful friends and in 2010 she joins our ranks in hopes of surrounding herself with talented visionaries that could inspire her to find a voice of her own.
She would imagine her abilities eventually being best put to use as a production manager; however, she is still to discover all the aspects of filmmaking and only time can tell where her interests will lie.
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NEW MEMBERS/NEW MEMBERS/ NEW MEMBERS
KYLE HURLEY
Kyle Hurley was born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick
and from a young age has always been interested in film.
Kyle broke through into film when he enrolled himself in
the Digital Film program at the Centre for Arts and
Technology, Fredericton campus.
Kyle has always been interested in screenwriting, which was his big motivation to pursue film. Kyle has written & directed the short
student films “Getting it done” “Metaphor” and “The
Creative Process” in his time at school and wishes to write
much more. Although initially strictly a screenwriter, Kyle
has become more active in editing and acting and wishes to
pursue it further. Kyle currently resides in Fredericton
and is willing to take on any film related task in order to
get his name out there.
Contact Kyle
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NEW MEMBERS/NEW MEMBERS/ NEW MEMBERS
EDWARD CARVELL
From Saint John, Edward Carvell is a student at UNB Fredericton in his 3rd year of study taking Geology Science. He is very interested in the Film community in NB and all aspects of it.
He is new to the Film Co-op and very interested in helping with projects and meeting new people.
Ed hopes to learn more about the craft of filmmaking.
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NEW BRUNSWICK FILMMAKERS CO-OPERATIVE ACTIVITY CALENDAR
(Refresh web page if info does not show up on Calendar)
More member film shoots and activities to be added as they are confirmed.
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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
- Thank you to all the members who renewed their memberships so far for 2010!
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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.
Open Registration for the 2010 Fredericton Workshop Series will begin on Friday, January 22 (Tomorrow).
The 2010 Fredericton workshop series website link will be online tonight after 7pm at: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/training.htm
Open Registration for the 2010 Moncton and Saint John Workshop Series will begin on Friday, February 12 and the workshop website link for those workshops will go up the night before.
Formally registering and paying in advance is the only way to ensure you will have a seat in any of the offered courses. Pay on arrival is not an option.
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). 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 IS COMING!
10th ANNIVERSARY FOR SWFF!
(Photo by John Calver - 2008 Silver Wave Annual Awards Host Dan Thebeau)
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.
FESTIVAL UPDATES
Dawn Westlake recently submitted her most recent short for consideration for Silver Wave 2010. Her short film entitled The Catalyst is having its world premiere at Cinespace on Hollywood Blvd on 1/24, and the film is a finalist at Amori in Corto in Italy for February.
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The Arts
FREDERICTON - NOTICE TO ALL MONDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES MEMBERS:
Due to major renovations happening in the Tilley Hall Theatre on UNB Campus. The Film Co-op Monday Night Film Series will be on hiatus until Fall 2010 when it will start up again in a new revamped theatre!
Thank you for your patience.
General Information
The Monday Night Film Series takes place at Tilley Hall, Room 102, UNB Campus
Tel: 455-1632 or email info@nbfilmcoop.com
The NB Film Co-op presents the Fredericton Monday Night Film Series. The series partners are the Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival and the UNB Faculty of Arts.
The series presents limited release, independent foreign and Canadian films for one-night screenings, with the goal of diversifying local access to cinema. These films are new or recent releases, which would not otherwise be available to Fredericton audiences on the big screen.
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Biz & Indie Film News
Fredericton 48 Hour Film Competition
Imagine it and make it in 48 hours! 2010 Dates Announced!
Start planning now. The 2nd annual 48 Hour Filmmaking competition will be held March 12th to 14th.
Fredericton’s 48 Hour Film Festival is open to teams of up to 10 people who will write, shoot and edit a film of 10 minutes (or less) in 48 hours.
You must be a member of the online film info calendar to download the application so please sign up. http://www.meetup.com/48-hour-film/
Proud Sponsors: Film at UNB & The New Brunswick Film Co-op
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NEWS RELEASE
CACTUS Invites Public Comment on Community TV
Ottawa (January 11, 2009) The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) has published a free guide to a forthcoming federal review of community TV channels in Canada. Available through the CACTUS website, the guide reviews and discusses the questions that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has posed prior to its community TV hearing this April.
"Programming that is produced by, for and about local communities is one of three elements of our broadcasting system that Parliament addresses in the Broadcast Act," said CACTUS spokesperson Cathy Edwards. "Although Canadians have heard a great deal about the chance that local commercial TV stations could go dark if cable companies do not start paying for them, they have heard far less about the one element of the broadcasting system that is supposed to give Canadians a direct and active voice in their broadcasting system--community TV."
Edwards pointed out that although the CRTC requires cable companies to spend a minimum of 2% of their gross revenues to fund a platform that local communities can use for local expression, over the past decade many cable companies have cut off communities' access to this platform by closing studios and replacing community volunteers with paid staff.
"Most Canadians don't know they have the right to access these channels to get their messages out and to gain broadcasting experience," Edwards said, "and unfortunately most don't know about the CRTC's April 26 policy hearing about this issue. We designed our guide to encourage participation in this important process." The deadline for Canadians to respond to the CRTC's questions about community TV is February 1, 2010.
CACTUS' guide to the CRTC's notice of consultation includes an interpretation of the questions in the notice, hints for participating in the process, and a link to a letter to support more community involvement in community TV. The guide is available at: cactus.independentmedia.ca. The CRTC's notice is available at: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2009/2009-661.htm
Contact: Catherine Edwards, (819) 772-2862
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The Don documentary Haig Award - apply!
Submission Guidelines
The Don Haig Award is presented annually to an emerging Canadian documentary filmmaker . Emerging documentary filmmakers from across Canada are eligible to submit an application for consideration by the jury.
Application packages should consist of 6 copies of the following materials:
· A DVD of up to 3 documentary films of which the filmmaker must have had creative control. Film school projects and film students are not eligible for this award.
· A current CV and bio, including any documentary broadcast credits or film festival credits.
· A one-page letter stating why they feel they should be considered for the Award.
· 3 written references from professionals in the film and television community.
Packages are sent by either mail or courier, to arrive at the Hot Docs office.
Applications received after the deadline will not be eligible. Applications not submitted by mail or courier will not be accepted.
THE PRIZE
The Don Haig Award Recipient will receive a prize of $20,000 cash generously sponsored by documentary. There are no restrictions on how the prize money can be used. The filmmaker can decide to buy some creative time, to fill a financial gap in production, to complete a film; whatever is needed. The Award will be presented at the 2009 Hot Docs Awards ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2009.
Deadline for entries: January 29, 2010
Joan Schafer
The Red Car Producers
joan@theredcar.ca
416-564-1277
www.theredcar.ca
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NB FILM UPDATES
Please be advised that effective immediately, Margo Flewelling will be working in Policy and Planning with Brenda Boucher. During the transition period of January to March, however, as the film industry is being integrated into the Arts Development Branch, she will continue to offer support as needed. Margo may be reached at the same coordinates she had previously: Margo.flewelling@gnb.ca and 453-6508.
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NATIONAL FILM BOARD - GDP: MEASURING THE HUMAN SIDE OF THE CANADIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS
Directed by Film Co-op member Pamela Gallant from Cap-Pele, NB, The the new web-documentary called GDP will be of interest to many, especially the story of the entrepreneurs from New Brunswick, Isabel et Pierre from the Olivier Soapery. The Story of Isabel & Pierre now on
www.NFB.ca
In little over 14 years Olivier Soapery has expanded its operations to over a dozen shops throughout Eastern Canada. But how will a family-run business specializing in fancy soap weather the big dirty economic crisis?
This story is part of the NFB's groundbreaking online documentary project, 'GDP: Measuring the human side of the Canadian economic crisis' at http://gdp.nfb.ca .
Updated with new photo essays and short films daily, the site is following stories in over a dozen communities across Canada, presenting an immediate look at how we are living through the crisis. The website is also interactive: You can join the growing country-wide conversation by adding your comments or uploading your own photos and short videos. You can also follow the GDP project on Facebook or Twitter, or via the NFB Newsletter (links available on the website www.gdp.nfb.c)
images/PIB-GDP-essai-photoENG.pdf
images/PIB-GDP-essai-photoFR.pdf
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Advertise
Volunteer Needed—few hours/week
We are looking for 1 individual who has an interest in drama/theatre and working with youth. Volunteer will work with a high school student who will be preparing a short performance to be performed at a couple of local daycare or senior centers. Volunteer is needed 1 or 2 weekday afternoons/week for an hour or two.
Scheduling can be flexible depending on what the volunteer can offer. Project to start in early Feb and runs until early June. Main role of the volunteer will be to mentor and provide guidance to the student. If the volunteer wants to incorporate some “teaching” or wants to act in the performance that is possible, but not a requirement.
We’d like to select a volunteer by mid-late January. For more info please contact Andrea Harmatiuk, NBACL, Fredericton at: aharmatiuk@nbacl.nb.ca or 453-4416. THANKS!