BronweN's short drama A Saturday Affair
(Photo and text from July 29th issue of Daily Gleaner)
From left, Bena Patel, BronweN and Natasha Arluison look over some 1970s-style clothing as the original Patel’s Catering sign sits on a chair in the foreground. BronweN is directing, writing and producing a short drama entitled A Saturday Affair. Arluison will portray Patel as she starts up her company in the Boyce Farmers’ Market.
NBFC E-news - Thursday, July 30, 2009
Spotlight!
NEW BRUNSWICK FILM CO-OP 30TH ANNIVERSARY WEBSITE!
Check out the NBFC anniversary website! Send your stories and tributes to cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/30years/
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CHECK OUT THE NEW CO-OP ACTIVITY CALENDAR ON THE FILM CO-OP HOMEPAGE ON A REGULAR BASIS! WWW.NBFILMCOOP.COM
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MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES
SABIAN: THE CYMBAL MAKERS TO AIR ON MPBN
"SABIAN: The Cymbal Makers, a documentary film produced by Acrolect International Inc of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and directed by Semra N. Yüksel, will be aired by the MPBN on August 8, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. EST."
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MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES
IT'S A WRAP!
Fredericton: A Cultural Capital - Tony Merzetti's Francis Sherman: When All Is Said and Done.
Cast and Crew above on site on final weekend. Photo by Glen D. Ross.
Second weekend of shooting crew and cast above: (back row) - Mike Cowie (1st AD), Greg Melanson (Grip and played Charles Whelpley first weekend), Jeremy Robinson (Sound Recordist Mixer and Boom), Tim Rayne (Catering and played Mont Wiley first weekend), Stefan Folkins (Walter), Tony Merzetti (Writer/Director/DOP), Daniel Greenwood (Gaffer), Lex Gigeroff (Bliss Roberts), Arthur Thomson (Production Designer), (second from the back row) - Jillian Acreman (Craft Services and everybody's best friend), Cat LeBlanc (Production Manager), Tim O'Neill (Key Grip), Lori Gallagher (Extra and Set Production Assistant), Christine LeBlanc Bennett (Extra and Hair/Makeup), (front row) - Morgan McMullin (Extra and Hair/Makeup), Susan Thompson (Sarah), Michel Guitard (Assistant Camera and Grip), Jim Lavoie (Publicist and played Frank Shute first weekend), Jennifer Mersereau (Script Supervisor), Nathalie Rayne (Assistant Art Director), Katie LeBlanc (Extra and Hair/Makeup)
Missing from the above photo: Crew: Joe Blades, Larry Tannahill (Art Department Specialty Props and Design), Sara Townsend (Hair), Rob Gemmell (Assistant Camera and Grip) Nancy Lynch (Sewer), Bruce LeGrow (Sound Recordist Mixer and Boom), Rachel Noel (Makeup), Jan Thompson (Mustache Creation), Cast: Christine Bissonnette (May Whelpley), Jeff Bate Boerop (Francis Sherman), Colin Smart (Charles GD Roberts), Shawn Fitch (Bliss Carman), Dennis Poirier (Morris Aitken), John Christenson (First AD and Fred Dever), Elizabeth Goodyear (Alice Sherman), Rob Imeson (Louis Sherman), Doug Sutherland (George Whelpley), Gabriel Guitard (Young Francis) and of course missing because he's taking the picture: Glen Ross (Set Stills Photographer).
We will give special thanks to all our many sponsors and contributors in the film credits of the final film to be screened at Silver Wave on November 6th.
This project would not be possible without the support of Canadian Heritage, City of Fredericton, the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative, volunteer crew and cast and other supporters and contributors in the community.
(Photo by Glen D. Ross) - Daniel Greenwood and Arthur Thomson make a lovely couple as they stand in for the actors Walter and Sarah on set.
Thank you to all our cast and crew leading up to and on both weekends for making Tony's Cultural Capital short film Francis Sherman truly memorable. The planning and shooting went wonderfully thanks to all of you being involved with the project. We appreciate the time you volunteered on Tony's project and
We will see you at the Wrap Party cast and crew!
best,
tony and cat
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MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES MEMBER UPDATES
MONCTON/MEMRAMCOOK MEMBER PRODUCTION UPDATES
Moncton Film Co-op member Donovan Richard has a short film coming up this weekend (August 1).
XIII
is a short historical drama about a young man who is pursued by a group of barbarians who track him out into a field and surround him. This man is pushed into a corner, but he won't go quietly. Big Donner wanted to shoot an action film using his fellow martial artists from his Aikido class and this project will do the trick. Donno Darko (Donovan) has also received a Short Film Venture grant to shoot his third short film entitled
Delivrance
In the era of the British siege over Fort Beausejour, then named Fort Cumberland hundreds of Acadian prisoners were held. Deliverance, tells the story of friendship, perseverance, and betrayal which leads its characters to the fateful evening marked in history as the Acadians escape from captivity. This short was written by Danny Thebeau who is also the DOP, and Saint John member Tim O'Neill is onboard as AD.
Memramcook Film Co-op member Patricia Leger recently uncrossed her fingers and her toes after receiving a Short Film Venture grant to shoot her short drama
Bows and Arrows
this Sunday-Wednesday with the Film Co-op and NB Film's support (Congrats Pat!). Her story follows a group of children in rural New Brunswick circa 1930 who are preparing for the up-coming fair. The children place bets on who will be crowned the Brussels Sprout King or Queen.
Onboard are intrepid and tireless volunteers and co-op members Danny Thebeau and Donovan Richard as crew. Please contact Danny at: dtheb@nb.sympatico.ca if you want to volunteer and help them out! Great chance to get involved.
These projects are made possible due to the financial support of New Brunswick Film and the equipment and member crew support of the NB Film Co-op.
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Training & Development
Contact cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com to register for all workshops please. Workshops can be paid for through PayPal, snail mail or in person, but check to ensure there are seats left before you pay by snail mail or online please.
NOTE: for those members hoping to use Co-op resources and equipment to shoot their own projects in the future, please remember there are 5 required workshops that you have to take before you can do that (Screenwriting, Directing, Digital Cam and Lighting, Production Management & One Editing Workshop). On top of the required workshops, volunteers hours must be put in and you must be a full member in good standing. Talk to Cat if you have any questions: info@nbfilmcoop.com
If you miss any required workshops or workshops you would like to take, there is also one-on-one training sessions with instructors for a fee that you can arrange with Co-op staff at any time.
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FREDERICTON - KIDS FILMMAKING SUMMER CAMP!
ALMOST FILLED!!
On August 10-14, the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative is hosting a Filmmaking Summer Camp for middle school students (Ages 9-15), co-ordinated by Film Co-op Filmmaker Michel Guitard. Cost is $150 per student
Program Outline
script writing
production management
directing
shooting and recording sound
picture, sound editing and music placement
distribution of your finished project
Camp runs from 9am - 5pm each day at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre (732 Charlotte Street) and kids should bring a lunch each day although there will be light snacks and liquids on hand.
Only LIMITED spaces available and registration is open now! Don't miss out on this incredible experience! Please contact Cat Leblanc at: info@nbfilmcoop.com or (506) 455-1632 to register.
INSTRUCTOR PROFILE
Michel Guitard is a prolific young filmmaker, cameraman & editor who has worked on over 75 productions through and outside the NB Film Co-op in different crew positions from the age of 10 to 19 years old. He has done many of his own films; one of them, a Short Film Venture film entitled "Simon Hunter."
Michel is the Technical Director at the NB Film Co-op.
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Festivals
SILVER WAVE FILM FEST 2009
MARK THESE DATES IN YOUR CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 2009!
November 5-8 (Thursday-Sunday)
30th anniversary Contest: Guess who the two lovely ladies are above (photo by Jim Lavoie) and what they do creatively and win a full pass to Silver Wave 09! Email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
One Pass (value of $65.00)
(this contest is not open to past winners, NBFC board members, filmmakers who are submitting to SWFF for 2009)
www.swfilmfest.com (email cat if you have any questions)
Extended Deadline for Submissions for the 2009 Silver Wave Film Festival
The Deadline for Submissions has moved from August 3rd to September 3rd for Silver Wave 2009!
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The Arts
FREDERICTON - UNDER THE STARS: CLASSIC FILMS IN THE PARK
August 2nd at Dusk
SHORT FILM SCREENING BEFORE FEATURE
Secrets of Autumn
Director: Pamela Gallant
Cast: Stacy Smith, Sara Gallant, Mike Arsenault, Bertolet Charron, Ralph Pritchard
Length: 9:25
Contact:
galpam@rogers.com
Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick, Canada, 2008
A stranger arrives in a small Maritime town, her car in need of fixing. A local drama catches her attention…
Gidget Goes to Rome
(1963) (1 hr 44 mins)
Starring: Cindy Carol, James Darren, Peter Brooks, Cesare Danova, Jessie Royce Landis, Joby Baker
Director: Paul Wendkos
On vacation with two girlfriends, her boyfriend Moondoggie and his pal Clay, Gidget takes in the Eternal City with her dad's wartime pal, Paolo Cellini. Gidget doesn't realize that her dad has asked his friend to keep an eye on her while she's there. But he didn't plan on Gidget falling for Paolo. Moondoggie's back again, but Carol takes the Gidget baton from Walley.
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Biz & Indie Film News
A REBEL WITH A CAUSE
By Jim Lavoie
Published July 23, Thursday in HERE Magazine.
You know what it's like when you run into an athlete in public and in street clothes they look different. That headhunting linebacker for the TiCats looks like an accountant and is not at all like you imagine him to be. The same thing goes for a lot of celebrities, politicians, and actors. But this is definitely not the case should you have a chance encounter with 'Cyrus' of the Trailer Park Boys. He looks the part almost all the time, minus of course, the leather, guns, girls on each arm and making life hell for the TPB gang.
Enlarge Photo At 6'1", 205 pounds, Bernie Robichaud is intimidating enough in casual attire, and creates space by just being there. He carries himself with a carriage of confidence and coolness that comes with the knowledge and experience of handling any given situation. It's easy to see how he was cast as the character Cyrus just by conversing with him.
He can articulate with the best of them but to emphasize a point he reverts to his street roots and is apt to conclude a discussion on complicated regulations by saying "Bullshit! That's crap and you know it!"
He listens intently to what he's being asked, seems to be measuring the question's worth before answering and stares directly with an intensity that is almost a glare. You get the feeling that if he wasn't working a lot as Cyrus on TPB and life had turned just a bit he could have ended up exactly the same, only as the real deal.
So, the secret to success is to develop a character based on your life, pitch it to a hit TV show and you're in, right? Wrong! Robichaud's road to obtaining recognition is so unorthodox it's hard to put any sort of label on. The first indication of this is the fact he took up acting at the age of 25 after a transient, troubled adolescence to say the least.
Robichaud was born in Boston and grew up in Halifax where he attended J.L. Ilsley High. Life at home was turbulent with an alcoholic father, who at one time had been a top-ranked hockey player and expected more from his son. So much more in fact, that he spent the last couple of school years living with friends.
Like his father, Robichaud was a gifted athlete and excelled in hockey, basketball and golf.
"I learned at a young age that nothing would be just given to me so I had to work for everything and go get it," said Robichaud. "It was tough on me, but like the times you rolled with the punches, picked up street savvy and made do."
This period of his life resulted in the highly-acclaimed play Kitchen Sports, which essentially weres memoirs by Robichaud.
At this point in his life, outside of his passion for sports, there was no real role model or source of motivation that was pointing him in any particular direction.
"I would have to say that a couple of athletes caught my attention for similar reasons. They both were very successful in their respective sports against all odds. One was Nate Archibald, (who had an) NBA star-studded career despite being considered too short and Phil Esposito, hockey scoring wizard despite his awkward style and lousy skating as deemed by hockey experts."
He decided to forgo university to look for a job and while working as a male model in Toronto he was told by an agent that he was missing his calling and should be an actor.
"I told him 'sure, me and 10 millions others,'" laughs Robichaud. "But it played on my mind and I thought 'why not?'"
So it was off to Dalhousie to study theater and he was accepted into first year by Patrick Young, who felt Robichaud had raw talent but not to count on acting as a profession.
"A month into university, my voice teacher Dorothy Ward, who had taught voice at Stratford, took me aside and gave me the direction I really needed," a grateful Robichaud recalls. "She said I was wasting my time in university and should have been placed in second year at the very least."
Taking her advice to heart, Robichaud took private voice lessons and subsequently dropped out before the second term. Ward arranged for a job for him at the Neptune Theatre's second stage where he was mentored by award winning director Tom Kerr.
"This man taught me everything, every little detail, and I soaked it in," said Robichaud.
The following year Robichaud got a real break when CBC producer Sudsy Clarke asked him to play a major role which was in fact two major roles.
"I was the voice of Robert/Becky in a radio drama Becky's Name. It was obvious my voice training paid off as I was able to cover a wide range of different voices, accents and dialects," said Robichaud. "In fact, I impressed Mr. Clarke and award-winning playwright Kent Stenson so much with my voice versatility that they wrote ACTRA lobbying on my behalf for union affiliation. The end result was I was working as a professional a year and a half before the rest of my class graduated." Prior to rocking the scene with Cyrus, Robichaud has had a very active career, which now spans over 25 years. He has shared screen time with Hollywood Icons like James Caan and Kathy Bates. His movies are numerous with many lead and co-lead roles included. His Trailer Park Boys adventures include The TPB 2008 special, the new TPB feature in theatres this fall playing the recurring role of Cyrus.
The last two years has brought film work for Robichaud in New Brunswick on two separate feature films through Global Universal Inc. First with Blue Seduction starring Billy Zane and Estella Warren where he played the role of Stanley Miles, Zane's close personal friend. He has just wrapped American Sunset starring Corey Haim, Frank Molina and Angela Cullins. The feature film is a thriller extraordinaire and was shot in Fredericton and Moncton.
"Bernie has that dangerous and evil aura surrounding him that is essential to making him invaluable to my productions," said producer Jackie Giroux.
"It doesn't get any better than this, I live in Moncton, and shooting here and in Fredericton was great, bring em on," states Robichaud.
Robichaud is encouraged by the inroads being made to attract more productions to New Brunswick.
"With forward-thinking producers like Giroux and veterans like Steve Mayhew seeing the great locations available and the expertise behind the camera and the other technical capacity being available locally we are on an upswing," he says. "But we lack the number of actors needed, if the powers to be would lift the restrictions and perhaps form a Maritime actor's pool which would allow actors to work in each other's provinces, align this with the tech expertise already in place and producers would be more willing to come here and film ... Build a quality studio sound stage in Moncton or Fredericton and they will come! Infrastructure of this nature would benefit any production that comes to the populated major centers."
While Robichaud awaits yet another Global Universal Inc. production later this summer he has his eyes fixed squarely on overseeing the ongoing screenwriting adaptation of his play Kitchen Sports. Tentative plans call for shooting to begin the fall of 2010.
"This is like a baby to me," says Robichaud. "It's my story and many others whose kitchen was the birthplace of myth, legend, disaster, just about anything you can think of. Here in the east, the kitchen symbolizes family harmony, discord, music, feast or famine, dreams built up or knocked down.
"Many a game has been replayed from many a vantage point with varying opinions depending on the pecking order or who happens to be in the room," he says. "But is this thing we call sports but a metaphor for life? You will find out next fall!
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NEW BRUNSWICK JOY AWARD DEADLINE: OCTOBER 16, 2009, 5PM
If you are a member in good standing with your volunteer hours in and training and are interested in applying for this prestigious grant, email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com and she will be happy to give you advice and help.
What You Win:
$10,000 in rental services and $500 in materials from PS Atlantic (Halifax)
$3,500 in equipment or facilities from the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative.
$1000 cash from New Brunswick Film.
$1,000 in film stock from Kodak Canada Inc.
Applicants or co-applicants must be NB resident with permanent, ongoing residence in the Province of the Award. Past recipients can apply again at least 12 months after receiving their past award: their past Award project must be completed, and required reports and material received by the NB Film Co-op and LJMAS. In this Award session, requests for retroactive financing are ineligible, as well as for film or video transfers. There are no project length restrictions. Applicant must maintain creative control.
Application material list;
Synopsis (25 words)
Project description (1-2 pages)
Biography or curriculum vitae
Treatment or sample script (up to 10 pages)
Budget, itemized revenue and expenses (Telefilm format is requested but not required)
Timetable
DVD support material on one disc (e.g. past completed work) (VHS is no longer officially supported by major manufacturers*)
Written support material (e.g. published reviews)
Entry fee of $20
Rough edit on DVD if applying for post (optional if applicable)
NOTE - do not use staples or any type of binding. Photographs, posters and other non-photocopyable material must be supplied in 3 copies or examples. Materials are not returned without adequate SASE, or can be picked up by appointment. One complete set of material from each successful applicant will become part of the NB Film Co-op & LJMAS Archive.
*Applicants are encouraged to contact Cat at info@nbfilmcoop.com with questions about submission formats and media, before submitting material. Any digital formats or media must be Windows, Mac and Unix compatible. DVDs must play on any standard DVD player.
Adjudication
New Brunswick Joy will be adjudicated by a New Brunswick peer-review jury and submissions can be given or mailed to the NB Film Co-op. The composition of the juries is confidential. Selection will be based on the innovation and creativity of the proposed project, with priority given to: emerging artists and established artists exploring a new genre or medium. Consideration will be given to the applicability of the award(s) being sought and to the applicant’s demonstrated ability to complete the project as planned and budgeted.
Award recipients must agree to the following terms and conditions:
• to report project progress to the LJMAS at intervals and manner specified in the Award contract.
• to acknowledge the Society and Award Sponsors by name in the project and to do so according to the terms of the Award contract.
• to use the award within one year on only the submitted project (extensions must be requested in writing solely through the LJMAS).
• to provide material for archives and publicity purposes to the LJMAS as described in the Award contract, and to have their name and image appear in publications.
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CULTURAL OLYMPIAD DIGITAL EDITION 2010
Hi, everyone, we would appreciate it if you could use all channels at your disposal to promote the call for submissions for CODE Motion Picture, an exciting screen-based element of Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition for 2010. Telefilm Canada and all of the members of the Association of Provincial Film Funding Agencies are providing financial support for this project and we want to engage the full creativity and craft of Canada's film-making community in bringing it to screens large and small during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler in 2010.
Thanks for your help,
Ted Bairstow, Director, Partnerships
Culture and Celebrations
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games/Comité d'organisation des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d'hiver de 2010 à Vancouver; Telephone:6044032540; Fax:7783286468
3585 Graveley Street, Vancouver, BC (C.-B.) V5K 5J5
E-Mail:
ted_bairstow@vancouver2010.com
www.vancouver2010.com
For the latest Cultural Olympiad and CODE news, please subscribe to our e-newsletter Click Here
Inscrivez-vous afin de recevoir notre bulletin Click Here
et être informé de tous les projets liés à l'Olympiade Culturelle et CODE.
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Advertise
FREDERICTON: A CULTURAL CAPITAL FILM CASTING CALL
Historical fiction film “Venus in Flames” being shot in Fredericton NB, is seeking volunteer actors. Film is a drama based around the famous Fredericton Exhibition Palace (1864-1877).
Looking for a variety of Actors in the ages of 18+. Be prepared for hangings, explosions, and a large fire. If you think that you would like to act in fantastic film come to the casting call. Contact Chris Giles at wildgiles@gmail.com
Location:
Room 202,
Charlotte Street Arts Center
732 Charlotte Street,
Fredericton, NB
Casting Times:
All week from July 27 to July 31.
This project would not be possible without the support of Canadian Heritage, City of Fredericton and the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative
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WELCOME TO FILMS4PRICES
Welcome to Films4Prizes!
1. Choose a contest.
2. Make your film.
3. Submit your film.
4. WIN PRIZES!
http://films4prizes.com/index.html
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FREDERICTON - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The New Brunswick Crafts Council is hiring an Executive Director under the Work Smarts program. The Executive Director of the New Brunswick Crafts Council reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for providing strategic direction to the organizational goals and objectives and for overseeing the specific activities of the organization.
The Executive Director works with the Board, staff and membership of the Council to develop and maintain short and long term organizational and strategic plans to ensure that the Council meets the needs of its members, government partners and funding agencies/sponsors. The Executive Director will contribute to cultivating and expanding fine crafts locally, provincially, regionally and nationally in an effective and efficient manner. We are looking for an individual with experience in project management, financial management, preparation of grant applications and proposals, human resource management, and experience with non-profit organizations.
For more information and to apply for this position, please see
http://www.smu.ca/worksmarts/nb.html
Note: If you do not fit the criteria for the Work Smarts program, please contact Karen LeBlanc at
karen.leblanc@ent-fredericton.ca
or at 453-6996.
The closing date to apply for this position is August 4, 2009.
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FREDERICTON - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Seeking to Fill Position for Outreach Programming Intern August 21
Fredericton Arts & Learning, Inc. seeks candidates for an Outreach Programming Intern position. This position is for an average of 10 flexible hours per week, as needed, for a six-month period, from September 2009 – March 2010 at $10/hr.
The ideal candidate will possess these qualities:
• good written and verbal communication skills
• self-directed and outgoing
• organized
• cooperative
• strong connections within the Fredericton Arts community/ artists
• understanding of the importance of Arts education
• able to work from home
• flexible and self-disciplined
The Outreach Programming Intern will be responsible for:
• scheduling workshops
• contacting artists/ Arts educators
• communicating and meeting with partner organizations
• organizing invoice remittances
• serving as a liaison between artists and the organization
• working with an administrative team
• writing a monthly report for the board of directors
Interested applicants should submit in person a three-page CV and cover letter explaining their suitability for the position to:
WhiteFeather, Director of Arts Development
Re: Outreach Programming Intern Position
Fredericton Arts & Learning, Inc.
Room 200, 732 Charlotte Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 1M5
The application deadline is August 21, 2009 by 4 PM.