CO-OP WEB ORIENTATION
In Memory
Past Coordinator of the NB Film Co-op Passes Away
On Tuesday April 10th,
David W. Clarke
died unexpectedly in Montreal as the result of a massive heart attack. He
was 50 years old.
Between 1981-1986, David was the Coordinator of the NB Film Co-op. I joined the Co-op in the fall of 1983 and David was my first contact. I drove from Saint John to learn more about the organization and to try to break into filmmaking. When I arrived, the studio space was empty and the door was wide-open. I stood by the bulletin board reading about activities when David arrived about 15 minutes later. David had an easy-going manner and was soft-spoken and the open door at the Film Co-op seemed to reflect his welcoming approach at the Film Co-op.
He spent a couple of hours talking to me about the Co-op and about Charles MacLellan, a Saint John native who had pointed me in the direction of the Co-op earlier in the week. (Charles was the first Production Manager of the Co-op between 1979-1981 and passed away recently as well). David introduced me to some Film Co-op members, Heinz Gloss, Kevin Matthews and Kevin Holden, and I could see that the Film Co-op was a great place to meet filmmakers and network.
Over the next few months, I would commute daily between Saint John and Fredericton and David would get me spots on film shoots doing slate, sound and other jobs. He even connected me with local commercial filmmakers like Fred Clark (Fiddlehead Films) and I got some paid work in film. It was a great learning experience and I marveled how David cared that people at the Film Co-op were involved and given opportunities to learn. He had a genuine concern for the welfare of the organization and it's members.
Soon I was in a routine at the Film Co-op. I would pick David up at his house in the morning and we would get the mail and arrive at 51 York Street. There was always something new and exciting happening every day. It could be a film shoot, a visiting filmmaker in town to give a workshop or planning a film shoot with other Co-opers. It was fun and exciting to see new people becoming part of the Film Co-op and to see the growth in the filmmakers.
David would involve me in the dreaded writing of the Canada Council operating grant application and take me to the accountants to go over the books as I had a business background. This would prove important later.
David had a real talent for bringing people together and being the diplomat and his contribution to the growth of the Film Co-op is immeasurable. He worked with Eric Emery to produce a series of Bicentennial Vignettes for New Brunswick's 200th birthday. Together David and I approached the NFB to fund the Film Co-op's first half-hour drama, The Spectre of Rexton. The film brought together the largest crew ever assembled for a Film Co-op film and became an important milestone for the organization. Since then, the level of activity has grown along with the size of the membership.
David encouraged members to make films and provided them with the resources to make it happen. His encouragement prompted me to make my first film The Man Who Skied Citadel Hill. He even volunteered to act in it and helped me go through the year-long process of getting the film made. David saw that investing in people was the way to guarantee the future of the organization.
David left the Film Co-op in 1986 after a cutback in our operating grant from the Canada Council. Before he left. He spoke to me about becoming Coordinator. Since I had helped out on the grants and the books and knew the equipment, he felt I would be a good successor. I was honoured that he felt that way and accepted the job.
David took the year off to follow his passion for sailing. He fixed up an old sailboat he had purchased and spent the year on the water. Next, he moved to Montreal where he set up a very successful lighting and grip company called Cinepool with Denis Paquet, and he and Denis would come back to New Brunswick with the companies gear to work on features shot here.
I had not spoken to David in a number of years when he called out of the blue a couple of weeks back to discuss a lens collimator at the Co-op. His voice had the familiar warmth and humour that I had remembered and it was fun catching up on where the Co-op had grown and how things had been going with him. A week later, a mutual friend Kevin Matthews, called to let us know that David had had a fatal heart attack. It has been a sad week filled with many reminiscences. My consolation is that David has had a tremendous impact on what the Film Co-op is today and that the organization is part of his legacy to filmmaking in the
province.
Our thoughts are with David's family, his business partner and friend Denis Paquette, all his other friends and extended family at this time. Thank you David and goodbye my friend.
By Tony Merzetti, NB Film Co-op Staff
Spotlight on the Members - New and Renewed for 2007
Your friendly neighborhood sound man here. Back again for good times in Indie Film. 2006 was a blast and a great learning experience at the NB Film Co-op, and 2007 already is promising to be a great year with the never ending learning.
I am looking forward to working with more new and alumni members alike, to help make their films sound as sexy as possible. But alas, I am also taking my filmmaking experience in a new direction. I plan on expanding my role into the first and second AC roles as well as taking the dive into directing. But don't fret little ones, don't cry. I will still be around to hold the mighty microphone in the air and to scream out the battle cry of the lonely sound man.
Robert Gemmell
Cell: 260-3873
Home Phone: 472-1630
Actors in NB
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Email the Film Co-op to find out who these up and coming Atlantic actors are!
info@nbfilmcoop.com
Training
Writing for Television Advanced Workshop a huge hit!
Guest Instructor Matt MacLennan kicked off the
NB Film Co-op's NEW
Certificate in Film and Television Programme on a high note.
Matt put the 20 workshop participants, most of them certificate students, through their paces with his extensive knowledge of the Television biz in Canada.
To see the workshop schedule for the programme, click here
Questions....email Cat at:
info@nbfilmcoop.com
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
April 21/22 (Sat/Sun) 10am-6pm, Film Co-op (732 Charlotte Street Arts Centre) upstairs room, Fredericton
Co-op member - $75
Non-member - $100
Anyone interested must pre-register and pay in advance.
info@nbfilmcoop.com
Limited Enrollment
Assistant Directors (known in the industry as ADs) support directors by organizing and planning everything on a film set. The role is usually divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd ADs. This advanced workshop will focus on the roles of the 1st and 2nd AD.
The First Assistant Director’s main role is to take care of the practical management on set so that the director is free to concentrate on the creative process. This means during pre-production, working in conjunction with the Production Manager to break down the script, prepare a shooting schedule, and oversee the hire of locations, props and equipment. During production the First Assistant Director makes sure the production stays on schedule, supervises the rest of the AD team, coordinates all production activity, and directs background action on set.
The Second Assistant Director’s main role is to assist the 1st AD by managing the administrative duties of the A.D. department. This is accomplished by preparing the daily call sheets, preparing end of day paperwork, distributing scripts and script changes, acting as the link between the set and the production office, and facilitating transportation of equipment and personnel. People who take the Assistant Director advanced workshop will emerge with the following skill sets:
FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• Preparing a script breakdown and stripboard
• Identifying key factors that influence the order of shooting
• Preparing a shooting schedule for a project
• Identifying key strategies in maintaining a functioning shooting set
• Supervising the 2nd and 3rd AD’s
• Directing background action on set
• Effectively working with the director
SECOND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• Identifying all administrative duties for which the position is responsible
• Preparing call sheets
• Preparing end of day paperwork for the Production Manager
• Identifying key strategies in working effectively with the 1st AD and Production office
Prerequisite: None
Background on the Instructors
Jason Shipley has worked as a 1st and 2nd Assistant Director since 1996. His 1st AD credits include Feature Films such as "Alexander Sextus Part I: The Conclave," "A Stone's Throw," "A Bug and a Bag of Weed," and "Three Needles"; TV Series' such as "Trailer Park Boys," "Adventures of the Aftermath Crew," and "Foodessence"; and countless music videos and TV Commericals. Jason has also worked as a 2nd AD on Features, TV Movies, and Series' such as "Outlander," "The Event," "Relative Chaos," "Fatal Desire," "The
Hunt for the BTK Killer," "Ambulance Girl," "Sleep Murder," and "Lexx."
Rob Cotterill has worked as an AD since 1998. His 2nd AD credits include Features such as "Stuck," "A Stone's Throw," Trailer Park Boys: The Big Dirty," and "The Conclave"; TV Movies including "October 1970," " Canada-Russia '72," "Stone Cold," and "Trudeau II"; and TV Series' including "Trailer Park Boys", "North/ South," and "Political Animals." Rob has also served as a 1st AD on TV's "Trailer Park Boys."
Although they currently reside in Halifax, both Shipley and Cotterill are proud of the fact that they originally hail from New Brunswick.
To Check out Current Workshop Schedule for intro/intermediate and advanced workshops go to:
http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/My%20Webs/Workshops.htm
Arts in NB
Saint John - School of Rock and Film
By Jim Lavoie
You have heard about it or thought about attending the School of Rock and Film, but your finances aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Don’t worry though. Assistance, in the
form of a [here] scholarship is just a click away.
[Here] is pleased to offer four $1,000 scholarships
towards attending The School of Rock and
Film September programs. You must submit
your application by June 10 (forms are available
online at the school’s website: www.schoolofrockandfilm
com). Scholarships are available
in recording arts, film and media production,
animation, or art fundamentals. The application
requires two references that reflect your
experience and creativity towards the program
you are applying for. All applications
will be carefully
screened by a committee
including,
a faculty member
of each program.
You may fax
the application
and reference
letters to 866-
7 6 3 - 4 2 1 2 .
H o w e v e r ,
hard copies
must be
mailed or dropped off at The Saint John School
of Rock and Film, 274 Sydney St., Saint John
N.B., E2L 2M8). If you have any questions
contact the school at 506-672-7625.
Jim Kuehnel, campus director, is quick to dispel
any notion that the school is elitist in any
fashion.
"Cutting a cheque or the ability to do so is
a non-factor in determining eligibility for these
scholarships", he said. "We want all applicants
to be talented, creative people who wish to
broaden their horizons and make these industries
their careers."
The excitement in Jim’s voice
radiates across the telephone as he almost rushes
on..."We are the only school of this nature and
philosophy in Canada, let alone Eastern Canada.
“It’s time creative people stayed home to hone
their skills. The class will be receiving up-front,
hands-on, interaction with instructors who
have walked the walk and made
a successful living in these
industries." (Reader,
do yourself a favour
and check out all
the instructor’s
bios at www.t h e s c h o o l ofrockandfilm.com you will be amazed by their backgrounds.
"I have been in the music biz for a long time. I
have never seen a collection of talent ready to
parlay their experience upon capable and willing
students,” said Kuehnel.
The school, featuring state of the art equipment
amidst intimate class size (max 10) will begin
full-time classes this September. “We have some
major workshops planned which the public will
have access to, said Kuehnel. “...Guys like legendary
blues man Morgan Davis and one of the
greatest guitar players of all time, 3-time Grammy
Award winner Larry Carlton." (see sidebar).
"Today we have been talking about the recording
arts and music program, but come September
the other programs will have major announcements
of their own."
As we were wrapping up
our conversation, Kuehnel had a final thought
to pass along.
"One of the unique aspects of our school is the
flexibility it has to offer, for example, we are always
on the look-out for industry heavyweights
to come here and teach not only our full-time
students, but professionals and weekend warriors
as well. We have a bunch of them in the
works and hope to announce other workshops
of the magnitude of the Larry Carlton one
soon."
Sackville - Physical Computing Workshop
Faucet Media Arts Centre, Sackville New Brunswick
June 13 - 17 (3 evenings+2 full days) - $175.00
Facilitated by Nicholas Stedman
Want to make stuff move with your computer? Want to generate audio with your body? Want to make a kinetic-sculpture, or a real robot? Want to make a responsive video installation? Want to 'mod' your musical instrument?
In this production workshop, taught by Canadian artist Nicholas Stedman, we will explore how digital technology can be integrated into a physical arts practice, be it dance, music, sculpture, installation or performance art. "Physical computing, in the broadest sense, means building interactive physical systems by the use of software and hardware that can sense and respond to the analog
world" (wikipedia).
Topics covered in this workshop are as follows:
-Artwork in the field
-Graphical Programming for Media Arts
-Basics in Electronics
-Introduction to MicroController
-Sensors and Actuators
-Implementation
This workshop is intended for absolute newbies to physical computing, but you are expected to have a firm grounding on computer basics (ie. know how to turn one on, navigate, and surf the web). Where possible, participants are asked to bring their own laptops.
Nicholas Stedman has integrated computers in his art practice for more than 10 years. During this time he has made and collaborated on sculptures, installations, and performances which have been shown around Canada and abroad including at ISEA, and Ars Electronica. Currently he teaches computing for the arts at the University at Buffalo, where he is studying towards an MFA.
Prior, he managed the studio at InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre for 3 years where he developed and implemented workshops. And before that, he worked as a production associate at the Banff Centre for the Arts, helping visiting
artists to develop interactive artworks. He continues to provide technical assistance to artists, and is available for consultation.
For more information on Nicholas' projects please visit his website
http://nickstedman.banff.org
or contact him directly with any questions at:
nickstedman@gmail.com
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT:
Paul Henderson, Manager
Faucet Media Arts Centre
7 Lorne Street, Sackville New Brunswick
E4L 3Z6
www.strutsgallery.ca/faucet.html
faucet@strutsgallery.ca
506 536 1211
The Fredericton Playhouse Presents:
A Film by Lian Lunson
LEONARD COHEN - I'M YOUR MAN
WHERE: The Fredericton Playhouse, Thursday, April 26, 2007 (General Seating)
WHEN:
7:30pm (no charge)
Featuring performances from
U2/ Rufus Wainwright/Antony Martha Wainwright/Nick Cave/Jarvis Cocker and Beth Orton
Biz News
NB - The Biggest News in Maritime Wrestling History
Maritime Wrestlers to be featured in International Television Series.
Saint John based Hemmings House Pictures is pleased to announce the production of a new television documentary series completely produced in Atlantic Canada.
Licensed by TFN "The Fight Network" and in partnership with Film New Brunswick, producer and Film Co-op member Greg Hemmings has teamed up with professional wrestlers Peter Smith and Rick Doyle, to produce a documentary television series following the lives of professional wrestlers on the road. The first season of Wrestling Reality will film the wrestlers as they travel to 6 towns and cities in Atlantic Canada; season two is already in the works for Ireland and England. The series will air this coming fall on TFN.
Not only is Wrestling Reality the first documentary series of its kind, it is also Producer Greg Hemmings' first look into the world of wrestling. "This certainly is a departure from my previous work, but I'm completely stoked to be able to get a look into the behind the scenes lives of these performers…I feel honored to be able to have a front row seat looking into one of the most secretive sports on Earth."
Co-producer / star wrestler Peter Smith from Dieppe, NB stands 6 ft 7, and 300 pounds of muscle got into the wrestling business in 1998 after meeting fellow Maritime wrestler Gary Gallant and promoter Emile Dupree. He learned his craft in the Maritimes and in Calgary under the guidance of Maritime legend Leo Burke. Nine years later he has wrestled all over the globe including Japan, Korea, Russia, Egypt and throughout Europe.
"I am absolutely confident we can bring wrestling back to prominence in Canada and especially the Maritimes. This was always a hot bed for wrestling and we want to show the world how much talent we have here and how great the fans are. This series will show exactly how it is to live on the road in the wrestling business and I believe that close up look at our lives will help the public to understand and appreciate what we do."
Wrestling Reality will also star co-producer Rick Doyle from Kentville NS. Rick is an entrepreneur and a family man. Becoming a professional wrestler has been a life changing experience for him. After taking his son to a local wrestling show in 2001 he was intrigued by the industry.
"I had watched wrestling on television but had never gone to a live show, I couldn't believe how physical and exciting it was to watch up close". Much to his family and friends surprise, he decided to go to the training school. "I really never intended to wrestle matches; I just wanted to see if I could survive the training".
Under the tutelage of Peter smith and Mike Hughes, he emerged as one of the Maritimes most charismatic characters. "The show is a chance for us to show people how much dedication goes into perfecting our trade, and to show them the true personalities behind the in-ring characters".
The documentary series will be shot between April 30th and May 7th. The producers are excited about the future global potential of the series, and the promotions. Wrestling and Sports fans along with the curious are encouraged to attend the events. By attending these events you will support the regional wrestling scene and be apart of an extraordinary home-grown documentary production series.
Monday, April 30th - Kentville, NS- Kentville Centennial Arena
Tuesday, May 1st - Moncton, NB - The Oxygen Nightclub
Wednesday, May 2nd - Saint John, NB-Lord Beaverbrook Arena
Friday, May 4th - Sussex, NB- 8th Hussars Sports Centre - Sussex Arena
Saturday, May 5th - Bathurst, NB - KC Irving Regional Center
Sunday May 6th - Halifax, NS - Halifax Forum - Multi-Purpose Centre
Tickets for the event are $10.00 for children under 12, $15.00 for adults, except for the Moncton event, which will be $10,00 for all.
For additional information on Wrestling Reality, Please visit
www.wrestlingreality.com
www.thefightnetwork.com
ABOUT
- Hemmings House Pictures is a full service Production house, specializing in
documentary production for television. Recently it partnered with Tidby Pictures and Dream Street Pictures to produce a new TV series with CTV Travel / Discovery called "Planet Luxury"
www.planetluxury.ca
Festivals
"COME TO THE 2007 NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL, I WILL BE THERE!" says active Film Co-op member and Silver Wave Film Festival Publicity Lead Jim Lavoie.
Whether you are a volunteer OR an attendee at the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative’s
7th annual Silver Wave Film Festival in 2007, you will have the opportunity to experience and be a part of
what has now come to be known as one of the most outstanding events 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!
DEADLINE FOR FILMS IS AUG 3RD. CONTACT CAT AT
INFO@NBFILMCOOP.COM
Register
2007 SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL
November 8-11, Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com
if you have any questions.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS – FILM AND VIDEO
The Young Cuts Film Festival will be held in Montreal from August 16-19. We feature emerging filmmakers 25 years and under. Any entrants will also be considered automatically for the Air Canada En Route Student Film Festival. If you have an annual competition, we usually waive the fees for your best film. If you do not have a competition but would like to nominate one film that would be fine as well.
Our application form can be downloaded from our web-site: click here
Michael Ryan
Director, Young Cuts Film Festival
(514) 982-1994