MEMBER OF
THE MONTH
Glendon McKinney,
Filmmaker
(click here) for Glendon's PROFILE


Spotlight
NB Arts News
Workshops
Advertise
Submit Stories
Silver Wave & Other Fests/News
Quick Links
Apple
Adobe
Netscape
MSN.ca
IMAA
NB Film
*What's Needed at the Co-op!* Coffee, Cream, Sugar, Twin, Milk, Coffee Whitener, Dish Soap *What's new in the Co-op resource centre!* Canadian Society of Cinematographers, In Camera, SIFT, Film Print, Hand Media *Thank You!* Moncton based member Conrad Steeves for donating some much needed things to the Co-op! Fredericton based member Tim Patterson for coming and dusting/sweeping and washing cups at the office!

NBFC E-NEWS - JUNE 2, 2006

NBFC Online Forum, please use it members.
CLICK HERE

SPOTLIGHT ON SHORT FILM VENTURE 2006 - We will be spotlighting the Short Film Venture Program Award Winners from across the province over the next few months. The Short Film Venture Program is a grant program made possible thanks to New Brunswick Film who oversees and coordinates it annually in conjunction with New Brunswick Film Co-op and Cinemarevie Co-op. for more info on New Brunswick Film: http://www.nbfilm.ca and for more info on the NB Film Co-op: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com

Melony McCarthy: SFV Recipient, 2006

By day, I have a great job in government communications. By night, I dream of escaping the confines of an office job to travel the world telling stories... but I can't quite seem to make the numbers balance, so I get up and go to work to craft other people's stories.

This March, I vowed to liberate some of the ideas that have been rattling around in my head for years. To get started, I put together an application for the short film Venture Program. I have a B.A. in Mass Communication, ten years of experience in planning and managing public events, and close to six years of studying, volunteering and learning about film/video production here in New Brunswick through the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative. I knew I would be facing some strong competition, but I have a pretty god track record and I hoped that came through in my application. What a thrill it was to open the envelope I received from New Brunswick Film in April! Now, the challenge is enlisting a few good men & women to help bring this idea to life...

The idea for Behind Closed Doors came to me about three years ago, and I could vividly see the scene unfold in my mind. But I kept myself so busy with paid work and volunteering as President of the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative (and on the Silver Wave Film Festival, helping others make their films/videos, and showing dogs... and in other community activities...) that I just couldn't seem to find time to do my own film. This year, I've reorganized some priorities, and filmmaking came out near the top!

The story is simple, and fairly universal. It's a "slice of life," a comedy based on a common experience of thousands of women. For enquiring minds who want to know, it answers a puzzling question: WHY does it take so long for women to use the bathroom in public places?

On a routine family outing to buy groceries, Jen is suddenly faced with an age-old, urgent crisis: her three year-old daughter, Quincy has to go pee, and she has to go NOW. While Steve mans the front line at the busy checkout counter, Jen and Quincy dash off on a quest for a washroom.

In their battle against time and the limits of a very small bladder, this mother-daughter duo overcomes an unfriendly jungle of self-centered Saturday-afternoon shoppers, trying to make it to the safe oasis of the women’s public washroom.

Then, the real adventure begins...

In the current version of the script, I've set out a fair amount of dialogue. As film is a visual medium, it is my hope/intention that some of the dialogue may not be necessary, but that the nature/meaning of their interactions can be conveyed non-verbally through action/interactions. I plan to rehearse the scenes and capture them on video to help me further hone the script to make this as visually compelling as story as possible before I shoot it on film.

I would like to shoot on film because of the aesthetic qualities it adds, the depth and richness of image. I plan to highlight the simple story with well-planned images, camera work, and set decoration. I also plan to create a vivid soundscape to complement the images, and find/acquire music to help drive the story.

I'm looking forward to the adventure. Thanks, everyone, who helped me get to the "start line."

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MEMBERSHIP GRETCHEN KELBAUGH - SAINT JOHN
Gretchen comes to filmmaking via teaching and screenwriting. Frustrated at how hard it is to make connections with producers and broadcasters when you live in Quispamsis, she decided to invest in a mini-dv camera and a Mac computer. Since then, she has made two documentaries. School Groups and Stereotypes is distributed to high schools across Canada. Voyage with a Dragon, about embracing life after breast cancer, she sells herself over the internet to hospitals and cancer organizations.

But Gretchen's love is longform drama. One of her screenplays was optioned for 4 years by a producer in Ottawa. Then, after enough friends in the business told her they wanted the experience of working on a feature film set, she decided to bite the bullet and invest the time and money needed to produce a feature-length drama. She couldn't have made this Ultra Low Budget without the 80 or so volunteer cast and crew members from the Saint John community.

The resulting movie, Margaret and Deirdre, screened at the Atlantic Film Festival then was the featured film at the NB Gala Screening of the Silver Wave Film Festival last fall.

After two recent screenings in Saint John (the second one sold out), Gretchen cut 15 minutes from the video and is now sending it out to collect rejections from tv broadcasters.

In the meantime, small and larger paid video projects seem to come her way by word of mouth. Her current projects are an educational video on Integrated Pest Management for the NB Horticultural Association and a 5-minute promo video for a book on sex and intimacy after cancer. She hopes this will lead into a longer video on the same subject (the one on sex, not weeds). Email Gretch at: gretchk@rogers.com

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MEMBERSHIP - KAREN RUET - FREDERICTON
Karen Ruet (ROO-ay) first joined the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-op

while studying photography at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. She was a member of the Board while co-ordinating activity at Fredericton's only Artist-Run Centre: Gallery ConneXion. During that time, many auditions took place in that secretive space behind the Justice Building and a strong relationship was formed between the gallery and the Co-op.

Karen quickly fell in love with both Cat and Tony and looked for excuses to go to the Co-op as much as possible. The Merzetti/LeBlanc team proved invaluable while Karen learned the ropes writing grants, and attempting to get arts funding. Moonlighting kept Karen from "jumping in" completely because of the hours she worked on the weekends freelancing as a photographer for the Telegraph Journal, when many Co-op activities take place. Karen worked as the still photographer for dawn roberts anderson during the making of
"Neverville."

After a stint as an associate member, Karen has now rejoined as a full-member and can happily report that she has time on the weekends to expand her mind at Co-op workshops. She teaches photography at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, photojournalism at St. Thomas University, is the Director of The Gallery at NBCCD (457 Queen Street), writes a weekly art column for the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal's "The Reader" (published Saturdays), is an enthusiastic member of the Fredericton Photography Collective SilverFish (currently exhibiting work – Geological Survey - at the Grand Manan Art Gallery – June 3-23), likes bubble tea, the Monday night movie series, beach combing by any ocean, and roaming the back woods of New Brunswick with her dad, who was apparently a beagle in a former life.

Her interest in photography/film is fueled by a curiosity about other people, and attempting to figure out how we all live - in our own ways and together - on this amazing planet.

To contact Karen please email: karenruet@gmail.com

Other Recent Renewals and New Members: Richard MacQueen, filmmaker, Full Membership, (Saint John), Andrew Todd, digital camera man, Full Membership, (Saint John), Bobby Ogilvie, Associate Membership, (Fredericton), Robert Gemmell, sound recordist, Full Membership, (Fredericton)

UPCOMING!
Monthly NB Film Co-op Orientation Sessions
June7, 12 noon, Film Co-op (732 Charlotte Street)
June 21, 12 noon, Film Co-op (732 Charlotte Street)
Please email Cathie to confirm you are coming for an orientation.
info@nbfilmcoop.com

Top of Page

NB ARTS NEWS

REEL WOMEN!
The next meeting of Reel Women will be Thursday, June 8th at 6:30pm at Gia's, with invited guest Alanna Palmer. Alanna will be talking with us about networking - a vital part of this (and any) industry. Please email Gia at womeninfilm@gmail.com for directions. And if you'd like more info about this meeting or Reel Women, please email Gia or Cat. Hope you'll join us!

FREDERICTON - Arts Benefit Tonight - Friday, June 2nd!
Come out and support a benefit evening for a great New Brunswick theatre project this Friday at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre! You're invited to attend an evening of theatre and music to benefit the continued development of the stage play, Nights Below Station Street.

Nights Below Station Street is a Governor General's Award Winning novel by celebrated New Brunswick author David Adams Richards. It has been adapted for the stage by Caleb Marshall, and received the Eliot Haze Playwright Development Award from the Stratford Festival of Canada.

Fans of Richards will get a rare treat at the benefit as Caleb Marshall, Ryan Griffith and Tania Breen present a staged reading of Three Narrators, One Story, an unpublished short play by Richards. This piece has not been presented publicly since 1993, and is a wonderful example of this Canadian literary legend's lyric voice and keen eye for the detail and character of small town New Brunswick life.

The benefit will also feature a reading from Nights Below Station Street read by Phillip Lee, and a preview of the play by local actors Robbie O'Neill and Hilary Ready in the roles of Joe and Adele. Local favourites Tania Breen and Mike Doherty will entertain with music for guests to dance to.

This benefit will provide important funding to enrich and continue the development of the stage play, including the commissioning of a musical score and
archiving and distribution of the work.

The evening will begin at 7:30pm, and the first
reading will start at 8pm. Tickets are $15 or $10 for
students, and are available at the door. The Charlotte
Street Arts Centre is located at 732 Charlotte St,
Fredericton.

Contact Caleb Marshall or Elise Craft at 455-6564 or
calebmarshallactor@yahoo.ca for more information.

FREDERICTON - STAY CONNECTED WITH TELEFILM
Join Gordon Whittaker and members of the Atlantic office staff for an informative session to include highlights of Telefilm Canada’s corporate plan and updates on:
· The Atlantic office
· CanadaFeature Film Fund
· CanadaNew Media Fund
· New Industry Development Sector

The following staff members from Telefilm Canada – Atlantic Region will be in attendance: Gordon Whittaker Director, Atlantic Region Marty Williams Investment Analyst, Feature Film and Television Patricia Quesnel Project Coordinator

If you would like to meet with Marty Williams or Patricia Quesnel, please email Ivy Ho at hoi@telefilm.gc.ca to arrange a meeting. For those who are new to Telefilm, Patricia will also be available for one-on-one meetings.

Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Charlotte Street Arts Centre Auditorium
732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB
RSVP: Please email Ivy Ho at hoi@telefilm.gc.ca
by June 15, 2006
Note: Presentation will be in English

Top of Page

WORKSHOPS

Email Cat to register! All workshops below take place at the NB Film Co-op located at 732 Charlotte Street, Fred, NB. Registration/payment in advance is required to ensure a place in workshops.

EXPLORING NEW USES OF TECHNOLOGY - SPECIAL WORKSHOP!
(Theory Course)
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members
June 3, Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
Instructor: Chris Campbell
Location: NB Film Co-op Resource Centre

THIS WORKSHOP HAS ONE SPACE LEFT!

Technology related to the media is changing quickly and it's a challenge to stay up-to-date with the steady stream of abbreviations describing standards and ways of producing, distributing and viewing video. It can be intimidating and confusing, but new and exciting possibilities are emerging for those who take the plunge and explore the technologies that are changing how we tell our stories and connect with each other. Come on a tour of new technologies and see how you can share your work and see what others have made in a workshop that will get you up to speed with the new world that is emerging at the intersection of technology, law and art.

HANDS ON DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Theory and Hands-on
June 9, Friday, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
June 10, Saturday 10 am - 5:30 pm
June 11, Sunday 10 am - 6:30 pm
New Brunswick Film Co-op - upstairs room at Charlotte Street Arts Centre
(732 Charlotte Street)
Fee: $60 for Film Co-op Members
$80 for Non-Members
Instructor: Semra Yüksel

THIS WORKSHOP HAS ONE SPACE THAT JUST OPENED UP!

This workshop is designed to provide the participants with the necessary skills to make a short/vignette/30 second video that is more intriguing, demanding and challenging than making a longer project. The workshop will cover the four basic steps of documentary filmmaking. At the end, participants will have a collectively made production to take away from the workshop. The duration of this workshop will be 19 hours (17 hours in class and 2 hours consultation)

BOLEX AND HANDPROCESSING BOOTCAMP
Theory and Hands-on
June 17, Saturday 11 am - 5:00 pm
June 18, Sunday 11 am - 5:00 pm
New Brunswick Film Co-op Resource Centre - Charlotte Street Arts Centre
(732 Charlotte Street)
Fee: $75 for Film Co-op Members
$90 for Non-Members
Instructor: Chris Giles

THIS WORKSHOP HAS TWO SPACES LEFT

This extreme “hands on” course covers the features and modes of Bolex usage, which includes loading, meter reading, frame control, in-camera effects, and most important, in-camera editing. Participants will learn to script for the in-camera edit and how to control their shoot, especially transitional effects, special effects, titling, etc. When the shoot is over, the film in the camera will be done. Tired of paying those high lab fees! Learn how to process your own film and save some money. This hands-on workshop will teach you the basics of processing black and white reversal super 8 and 16mm film stock, using the ‘Russian Tank’ method.

The group will shoot some 16mm and super 8 film and then put the processing techniques into practice. The workshop attendees will then view the footage they’ve processed, look at other films that were hand processed, and
further discuss the aesthetics and techniques of hand processing. This workshop includes all film and darkroom chemistry.

Top of Page

ADVERTISE

FREDERICTON - CASTING CALL
Auditions will held for ONE DAY AT A TIME on June 32 at the Fredericton Public Library, 6-9 PM, with production starting Aug.24,25, 26 and Sept.1,2,3. Locations are Fredericton, St. John and Minto, NB. This is a volunteer production through the NB Film Co-op.

You can reach the filmmaker Tyrone eyers at 506-327-1992 or on his cell at: 260-0315, for further info. Or any further questions.

FREDERICTON - EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SUMMER STUDENT - PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Fredericton Arts and Learning Inc.(FAL) is looking for creative and enthusiastic students to work at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre (CSAC)- The Program Coordinator will assist the Facilities Manager at CSAC in program administration, heritage restoration and promotion. CSAC is a creative and exciting environment to work in and several challenging but interesting projects are planned over the summer such as historical research, marketing and artist events.

Applications will be accepted by email only and must be submitted by June 9 by emailing: csac@nb.aibn.com

This is a 10-week position starting June 19. The student will be expected to work a 35 hr week. Some evening anD weekend hours are required.

This position is funded by the Summer Career Placement Program. In order to qualify under the program participants must:

* be between 15 AND 30 years of age; * be registered as full-time students in the previous academic year, and intend
to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year;
* be students in a secondary, post-secondary, vocational or technical program,
but not attending full-time classes while participating in their SCP
placement;
* be Canadian citizens and permanent residents;
* be legally entitled to work according to relevant federal and provincial
/territorial legislation and regulations; and
* not hold another full-time (30 or more hours) summer job during their
placement.

FREDERICTON - CREW/CASTING CALL
Co-op member Aaron Moore who moved out west will be back shooting a short film in New
Brunswick in late June or early July. He is planning to be back in the province on July 10 or 11

Aaron is in need of the following:
3 actors:
- 2 twenty something year old males
- 1 forty to fifty year old male

- 1 DOP for digital (must be a trained co-op member) Aaron will be using his own camera (pd-150)

- 1 Gaffer/Key Grip

Someone to assist the DOP with technical/creative decisions, as well as coordinate the various lighting set ups. I will be soliciting my friends for help moving the gear, but someone who knows what a Baby or a Junior is would be helpful because my friends are quite inexperienced. There won't be much gear, but another person to help with the set ups will probably prove very useful.

- 1 Production Designer

Someone to help with the securing of props/costumes/make-up as well as the application of these things. Experience is important for this role.

Please contact Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com if interested in helping Aaron.

FREDERICTON - ACTORS WANTED!
UNB's Advanced Film Production Class is making a half-hour film June 7-16.
We are seeking male and female actors to play characters between the ages of
20 and 30. Open auditions will be held on the UNB campus Monday, June 5th at
Carleton Hall, 3rd floor, Room 307 beginning at 6:30 pm. Experienced and
inexperienced actors welcome. Those actors cast will be PAID for the
production.

MONCTON - CASTING CALL
Danny Thebeau at dtheb@nb.sympatico.ca or 388-0001
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: ASAP, please contact us for scheduling and location.

SHOOTING DATES: End July-August (2 weekends)
You must be available for rehearsals prior to shoot.

SHOOTING LOCATIONS: Moncton, Portage Vale, and Notre Dame areas.
(transportation provided from Moncton)

STORYLINE:
"INSIPID GRACE" is about a single mom (Grace) raising her son (Craig) with only the support of her deadbeat father. After Grace and her dad’s relationship falls apart, she evicts him from her home for being a bad influence on her son, for his drinking, gambling, and wrecking her 1972 Dodge. Her Homeless father lives in the entrance of a nature park where he robs unsuspecting campers. Grace, in a moment of weakness, and living on crackers and pickle juice, makes a pact with her father by imposing three conditions before she will consider letting him return home. His attempts to fulfill her demands make a couple city slickers, Hank and Gary’s camping trip a ridiculously horrid one.

COMMENTS: Actors are asked to submit their resume and head shot either emailed ahead of time, or at the auditions. Performance is key, not experience.

CHARACTERS:
GRACE - 25-35 Single mother, self centered, manipulative, obnoxious, aggressive, loves her family but has difficulty showing it.
GARY - 25-35 Friend of Hank's, Simple, Naive, Witty, scruffy.
HANK - 25-35 Friend of Gary's, Intelligent, responsible, clean cut.
CRAIG - 8-12 Grace's son, mischievous, obsessed with matches.
HOMELESS MAN - 45-60, Grace’s father. Homeless, an ex-alcoholic and gambler on the road to recovery, divorced. He has salt and pepper hair and wears layers of tattered clothing.
TWO MEN – 18-30 non speaking roles.
ONE MAN – 40-60 non speaking role.

SAINT JOHN - MAKEUP ARTIST NEEDED
Looking for someone to fill the role of "Make-Up Artist" for a short film which will be shot in Saint John around early August. The film is a Thriller/Horror and most of the make-up attention will center around one actor, yet basic make-up duties would be needed for the rest of the cast. Interested, please me at (506) 639-6102, or shoot me an email: stevendoiron@hotmail.com

SAINT JOHN - NBFC MEMBER NEEDS ASSISTANCE
Newly renewed Saint John Co-op member/filmmaker Richard MacQueen is looking for assistance on the following:
- Actors/Actresses (LATE TEENS to LATE 20's) for an
upcoming production he'se shooting in Saint John, sleeping arrangements are
available for people living outside of the SJ area during production.
....if you DON'T fit into the age bracket ---- Richard is ALWAYS looking to
touch base with actors/actresses for roles in future productions , so send
him a pic and some info and send Cat a pic and info too for the Film Co-op database.

- Richard is current in POST PRODUCTION on a film and is looking for a Sound Foley Artist, as well as any Instrumental Musicians to compose some tracks for the film - send Richard samples of previous work or a die hard ambitious email.

- Any Saint John based Co-op members without creative connections in the port city,
please email Richard. There is a group of active Co-op members and indie filmmakers who
would love to meet you and get you more involved in film and video in Saint John. It's up to you to take the first step to get involved and meet with people...do it sooner than later!

Richard MacQueen
richardm16@hotmail.com

FREDERICTON - CASTING CALL FOR PLAY
Casting call for male actors interested in doing a play! The play being
performed is "The Zoo Story" by Edward Albee and it's for a good cause!
Auditions will be held on Saturday May 27th at 5pm at the Underground Cafe
at 732 Charlotte Street (in the basement!). If you cannot make it for any
reason at this time and are still interested, don't panic! Email me at
moosepie13@hotmail.com and we will set up an audition at a later date.
Thanks and hope to see you there!

FREDERICTON - CASTING CALL
The NotaBle Acts Summer Theatre Festival is excited to announce that casting for the 2006 Festival will begin very shortly.

Auditions will be held on the following dates:
Saturday, June 3rd, 1-4pm, Monday, June 5th, 6:30-8:30pm, and Tuesday, June 6th, 8:30-10:30pm. All auditions will be held at MEMORIAL HALL on the UNB Campus, Fredericton. Anyone who is interested in auditioning but who cannot make one of these times is invited to contact NotaBle Acts by phone (455-5609) or by e-mail: nbacts@unb.ca. Roles are available for men and women in several types of plays, including the winning scripts from both categories of our province-wide playwriting competition. Further information about the festival, the shows, and auditions can be found on our website: www.unbf.ca/nbacts/

Top of Page

SUBMIT STORIES

IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT

Ralph Pritchard, a recent NBFC Moncton member plans to begin shooting his DV Short Film Narrow Escape in June after he finishes the storyboarding process using storyboard software.

If you are interested in getting involved in Ralph's project or want to find out more information about his project and see his cool story boards, email him at ralph.pritchard@rogers.com

IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT
Hi Cat! Hi Tony!
Just to let you know I am alive and well and still living in Ávila! I´d love to be there, Cat at the

Film Co-op, as I am a little bit homesick right now and missing all my friends very much indeed. Tony: I´d love to have you pop round for a chat and a coffee -- our chats have been some of the highlights of my brief escapes from work.

Weather here is great: a little bit cold today, and I went to a bull raising farm last Saturday, to see how they grow and select the fighting bulls! Very interesting! I also saw the seed bulls and I now know what a lot of old bull is!!!
I miss you all!
Roger Moore, 007, Fredericton based Co-op member/filmmaker/Past SFV recipient

IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT
Hi Cat! I'm in Arizona right now shooting our TV series "High Enders" It has been a blast. We've been documenting the most expensive things in the world! I'm thinking of writing a journal about this trip (we will be traveling the globe) and if I do I'll send it your way!

Greg Hemmings, Saint John based Co-op member/filmmaker

IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT
LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN
By Amy Whitmore - St. Andrew Based Co-op member writer
Today I returned the Feature Film Red Rover, which was shot here a few years ago, to the Video Shoppe. "There was another movie shot in town," the owners said. "Everyone's talking about it. "Oh, I said, thinking I'm out of the loop as always. "What film was that?"

"It's about skateboarders," the owners said. "Everyone's all excited, talking about it." "That's my film," I laughed, "and it's just a little amateur 3 min one. "Everyone thinks it's a feature film," they said. "Can you make it longer?" Everyone's talking about me - and you all, and they don't know it, and we don't know it.

Life in a small town.

IN THE FILM SPOTLIGHT
Neither [here] nor there
The best of a year in [here]
by Dennis Poirier/Fredericton based Co-op member filmmaker

In May of 2005, I was living in Moncton and threatening to microwave my roommate's cats if they did not stop leaving stinky presents in my bed. My neighbour was a contributing writer for [here], and I asked him how he got a gig like this. "Just write to the editor," he said with candor.

He was a cowboy journalist and used a lot of expletives in his submissions. I tried to emulate my cool neighbour while introducing to [here]'s readers cheap films worth seeing or avoiding. My favourite submission of this type was on Boondock Saints and Overnight. Boondock Saints is the best movie never to be shown in theatres. Writer and producer Troy Duffy got on the wrong side of Miramax mogul Harvey Weinstein and doomed his career in Hollywood before it got started. Overnight is the behind the scenes documentary which is summed up by an interview with the documenters: "We all heard the cliché: 'Hollywood changes a person'; we just proved it didn't change people, but it only magnified who a person really is." My proudest moment as a writer was when I wrote a article dedicated to Jennifer Lopez; the [here] staff found a very sexy picture of the Latino siren to add to the article and I had my first full page submission. As "Jenny from the Block" asked we didn't judge her by the size of her rocks, I was not able to hang up that particular article in my cubicle as she was only wearing really short shorts and a see-thru top. Every male in N.B. must have 'read' the article like they read a Playboy magazine for the jokes. If it contributed to an increased readership, I'm glad I was a part of it, but it wasn't my idea to print Jennifer's 'perkiness'.

However, I had a few hiccups of genius.

For example, Oscar night's submission on Brokeback Mountain: "It has never been a threat to my masculinity to admit I watch the Oscars religiously every year, and this year is no different.

That's the whole point of filmmaking, you present a story to an audience who may never experience what they see on the screen: may it be two Jedis fighting with lightsabers or two cowboys denying their love for each other: you are watching a movie to be entertained and perhaps enlightened to understand a world unlike yours." But some hiccups might turn out to be only brain farts: "Barbie dolls may be fun to play with, but most little boys won't be caught dead playing with them. Why? Well after you've undressed them, there really isn't anything more you can do more with plastic boobs and a squishy rubber empty head." Most of the women I showed this paragraph to laughed, but as the article went on, I could see how it could offend. I was thinking of this article earlier this year when Pamela Anderson hosted the Juno Awards (speaking of Barbie).

Her bikini-clad commercial was just as stupid. "My country needs me!" Next time Stripperella, leave the cell phone alone and stay in the U.S. with your redneck-rocker-du-jour.

My forte soon became mocking or appreciating films, but when [here] asked me to conduct an interview, I cringed. When you talk about people you may never meet, it is different with people you have met and know. Even worse is people you haven't met and have to call or meet in person to conduct an interview.

My shorthand sucks and I don't own any type of recording device. As my confidence in general significantly increased throughout the year, I now welcome interviews as they give me the opportunity to talk to artists and filmmakers in N.B.

Since I moved to Fredericton, I anticipated I would have more time to write. It hasn't been the case. I have already agreed to be on five film sets this summer. I've already been to numerous auditions for Joel Thompson's feature length production They Didn't Make It. I tip my hat to Joel Thompson and the rest of his crew for having such a positive turnout at their auditions. In early June, Jeff Combs will be shooting on Deer Island Seeds it is a 16mm expressionist silent black and white film based on the Parable of the Sower starring kids ages 9-11. The location will be in the gym of the Deer Island Community School with sets and costumes made by the kids themselves.

I also agreed to assist Short Film Venture recipient Michel Guitard with Simon Hunter a short drama that sounds like a lot of fun. With a lot of persistence Tyrone Meyers has got a hold of me to assist on his short A Day at A Time. With permission to shoot in a real prison, it promises to be an adventure. And I hope to have enough in the tank left to help Dean Gaudet with his JUMPSTART winning project. As for my own personal projects, I'm still meandering with writing a comedy and a twenty-page submission for a writing workshop in July. I'm still procrastinating to update my website http://www.redleafproductions.com/deadflies/newindex.htm but hopefully I get around to that soon.

Dennis Poirier's birthday is coming up soon. He hopes it will be better than last year as he underwent knee surgery to repair a torn ACL...ick.

Top of Page

SILVER WAVE/OTHER FESTS AND INFO

"BECOME A NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER, I AM" says NB Film Supporter Christina Elgee. As a volunteer with the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative’s 6th annual Silver Wave Film Festival in 2006, you will have the opportunity to experience and be a part of what is now come to be known as one of the an outstanding event for New Brunswick. Whether you’re interested in meeting great people, learning about the film and television business, or watching a fantastic collection of films and videos, Get Involved!

Register Online to be a Festival Volunteer Today by Clicking Here!

2006 SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL
November 8-12, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Call for Submissions!
The 6th annual Silver Wave Film Festival (SWFF) is now accepting submissions. This year's festival takes place from November 8th to November 12th, 2006.

SWFF is the annual film and video festival presented by the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative. It has both curated and competitive streams, as well as a solid line-up of social activities and workshops that get the town buzzing.

This year, we are celebrating our 6th year with some new programming approaches and we've waived the submission fee for filmmakers submitting. It promises to be a good year. Save the dates and plan to submit and attend!

Film and video projects from New Brunswick that are accepted for screening into the SWFF will be considered for the Silver Wave Awards.

The deadline for submissions is August 3rd, 2006, 5pm Atlantic Standard Time.

Incomplete applications and applications received after this deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.

The following items must accompany the application:
· Completed Application form, on CD in an MS Word or .rtf type document;
· List of credits;
· A VHS or DVD pre-screening copy of the finished project; (NOTE: only Mini DV, Beta SP and 35 mm will be screened at the Festival. DVDS will not be accepted)
· Productions stills, in jpeg format at 300dpi resolution, on CD to be used in festival promotional materials;
· Press Kit (if available of past festival/special screenings of film/video);
· Director's Bio and headshot;
· Poster representing the film or documentary (if available);

NOTE: Submissions materials will not be returned to you by the SWFF. Should you wish to make arrangements to pick up your materials after the Festival, we may be able to accommodate you.

To download submission guidelines and the Fest application form: http://www.swfilmfest.com/festinfo.php

Please email: info@nbfilmcoop.com if you have further questions.

You will be advised whether or not your submission has been accepted for screening well in advance of the festival.

Continental Drift International Short Film Festival in Saint John, NB extends its submission deadline

Continental Drift is accepting submissions for the 2006 festival until June 30th. Please submit your film--in any genre--to Saint John's annual celebration of international short films. Films must be 15-minutes or less in duration.

Visit the Continental Drift website www.cdrift.ca for details, and to download a submission form.

Top of Page