LINE ORIENTATION
Upcoming
April 2, 07, 8:00pm
PARTITION
Director: Vic Sarin
Cast: Gian Singh, Kristin Kreuk, Neve Campbell
Run Time: 116 minutes
Country: Canada / South Africa / UK
Year: 2006
Language: English
Distributor: Mongrel Media
Video: N/A
A love story played out against a backdrop of political and religious upheaval.
At the end of the Second World War, 38 year-old career soldier Gian Singh resigns his commission with the British Indian Army and returns to his childhood village, near the border with Pakistan. Haunted by the memories of war, he seeks a quiet life of farming, solitude and prayer.
His peace is shattered in August 1947, however, when India is granted independence. A new border is drawn between Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-dominated Pakistan, and the region is torn apart by massacres fueled by ancient animosities.
In the midst of one such massacre, Gian finds Naseem, a 17-year-old Muslim girl, and takes her under his protection.
They gradually find themselves drawn to each other but, as their remarkable story plays out, the obstacles to their happiness prove all but
insurmountable.
Spotlight on the Members - New and Renewed for 2007
My journey into film began as a viewer.
Once into my teens I tried my hand at acting, first in high school productions of Shakespeare and then into Theatre
Antigonish productions. I was getting terrific roles and acting was exciting but as I started watching the directors work,
and seeing what they saw, my interests began to shift. I started applying what I was learning on stage to movies and
discovered a whole new side of film to fall in love with.
In 2005, I decided to go back to school, but this time for film. UNB was my school of choice where I took the Certificate in
Film Production. I studied everything from film history to digital sound, and co-directed my first short, "Mailbox
Romance", shot on 16mm film. Directing Mailbox was a dream come true as I dove in head first helping with
everything from pre-production to the sound department to the editing process in post.
Since graduating from the program, I have been involved in many independent productions in the Moncton area such as
"A Day's Grace" and "Changed Fortunes". I've done everything from sound to camera, but
find myself most comfortable in the editing chair, acting and especially directing.
Most recently I've joined the NB Film Co-op and have been taking workshops. I look forward to working on my own projects again,
but until then I just want to keep honing my skills.
Jason Chisholm, New Moncton Film Co-op member
z7x57@unb.ca
Brian has worked as a professional photographer for the past 20 years, in some 55 countries.
(Photo by Noel Chenier)
In January of 2003, Canada's PhotoLife magazine ran a two-part feature on Brian and used one of his photos from China as
the cover. Fujifilm's Vision magazine also ran a feature on Brian in 2002 and used one of his photos from Mexico for their
cover.
For Canada's Equinox magazine Brian has covered stories ranging from refugee returns in Guatemala to the emergence of
Eritrea as an independent country. His time with the returning Guatemalan Mayans was spread over a period of four years,
some of which was spent living in their jungle return communities, some with the URNG guerrillas and some in Mexico in
the Guatemalan refugee camps there.
On assignment for Canadian Geographic Brian has photographed Guatemalan migrant workers in Quebec, the seal hunt in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the fishery in the Bay of Fundy, the French shore in Nova Scotia, the wilderness coast of New
Brunswick's Bay of Fundy, the rural community of New Denmark and a feature on lifestyles, along with a short piece
on the Charlotte Street Arts Centre.
In February 2001, Brian returned to Eritrea to photograph Canadian Peacekeepers patrolling the high desert border between Eritrea and Ethiopia for the Ottawa Citizen. In Ethiopia, he worked with Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) at a Sudanese refugee camp and then in November 2004, MSF sent him to Haiti. In Central America he photographed various aid projects for Oxfam, CIDA, The Canadian Auto Workers and several churches.
During the Kosovo conflict, he was contracted to CARE International and also illustrated an in depth piece on the conflict for
The Ottawa Citizen. For CARE he has also worked in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nicaragua, South Africa and Lesotho.
Brian has three books out: "Sustaining the Gaze: When Images Tremble" a book of poetry by Nela Rio illustrated
with images he took in Guatemala of women guerrillas and refugees; "Fredericton" and "Fantastic New
Brunswick." He is now working on a photographic book that documents Guatemala's recent history.
Brian has also worked on various New Brunswick Film Co-op productions as the set stills photographer and one television
mini-series.
In 1998, The New Brunswick Museum hosted a show of his containing 30 photos on Guatemala called "In the Line of Fire."
In 2003 he had a show at the University of New Brunswick called "Sustaining the Gaze: When Images
Tremble."
In 2004, Gallery Connection in Fredericton and Sunbury Shores in St. Andrews, hosted a collection of his photographs called Connection St. Croix that documented the response of seven installation artists to the 400th anniversary of Champlain's landing on St. Croix Island.
For Brian, photography is about people and the chance to work with people from all over the world and give a voice to their stories.
Brian Atkinson, Renewed Fredericton Film Co-op member.
To see more of his photos and client list, go to:
www.brianatkinson.ca
|
|
Email the Film Co-op to find out who these up and coming Atlantic actors are! info@nbfilmcoop.com
Arts in NB
Saint John - Movies at the Museum
Sunday, April 1, 2pm and
4 pm. New Brunswick Museum, 1 Market Square.
"Miracle Planet"
View the documentary Miracle Planet: The Violent Past. Discover the dramatic birth of our planet and the origins of life in this film produced in part by the National Film Board of Canada. Free with regular Museum admission. (506) 643-2300.
Saint John - Monday Night Movie (April 2nd)
Me You and Everyone We Know (2005)
Directed by Miranda July, Starring John Hawks, Brandon Radcliff, Carlie Westerman
Me and You and Everyone We Know is a poetic and penetrating observation of how people struggle to connect with one another in an isolating and contemporary world.
Christine Jesperson is a struggling artist and cab driver who uses her talents to draw her dreams and objects of desire nearer. One such object is Richard Swersey, a single father of two boys who is hoping for amazing things. But when he meets Christine, he panics.
But in a world where the mundane is transcendent and people seek meaningful connections, anything can – and will – happen.
8pm, pay what you can (projector replacement fund!)
Chris Lloyd
Artistic Director
Third Space Gallery / Galerie Tiers Espace
42 Princess Street, 2nd floor [Brodie Building]
Saint John, NB E2L 1K2
Saint John - Film Pix
The April 03 BMO Nesbitt Burns Film Pix movie is
CONGORAMA, a brilliant comedic drama about a 40-something, down on his luck Belgian inventor who learns he’s
adopted from Quebec and his real name is Legrand, so, fakes a business trip there, only to discover
bad beer, bad fries, and a town full of Legroses!
This Philippe Falardeau directed film received several standing ovations at Cannes, along with the
honour of being the Director’s Fortnight selection, in addition to winning the Genie for Best
Original Screenplay; and, sweeping house at the Jutras, taking almost all major awards.
This French language, English subtitled film is red hot and worth seeing, Tuesday, April 03 at
6:30 PM, Empire Studio 10. For the movie trailer and tickets information, visit
www.filmpix.ca
Fredericton - Screening
Mark your calendar for Tues April 10 at 7pm (82 min, English) at the Unitarian Fellowship, 874
York Street
"View from a Grain of Sand" a movie presented by the Social Responsibility Committee.
For more information please call Danny Mathias 457-0646.
We have on loan for Tuesday April 10 from the Peace Coalition a movie, called "View from a Grain of Sand"
about the lives of Afghan women, shown through the eyes of three women.
It is a fantastic movie. It was shown to rave
reviews at UNB on International Women's Day as a fundraiser for RAWA, an Afghan women's group that has released the
movie. There will be a free will offering after the showing to collect donations to RAWA.
Fredericton - Theatre!
Les Fous de la scène présentent Visa pour l’éternité
(English message follows.)
Les billets sont maintenant en vente pour la pièce de théâtre Visa pour l’Éternité au Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne sur la rue Priestman (de l’autre coté de l’Hôpital Chalmers). Écrit par la scénariste québécoise Sylvie Lemay, cette comédie sera présentée le vendredi 13 avril et le samedi 21 avril. Les billets sont en vente au Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne au coût de 12,50 $ pour les adultes et 8,50 $ pour les étudiants.
Quatre fantômes coincés entre le monde des vivants et des morts doivent traduire leurs meurtriers en justice pour gagner leur visa pour l’éternité. Entre-temps, un mariage s'avère être un plan pour assassiner un prétendant riche mais maladroit… et toujours en sueur!
Fondée en 1993, la troupe les Fous de scène est la troupe de théâtre francophone bénévole de Fredericton. Elle a remporté plusieurs prix lors des dernières éditions du Festival de théâtre communautaire en Acadie.
Fous de la scène presents Visa pour l’Eternité
Tickets are now on sale for the French play Visa pour l’Eternité at the Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne (École Sainte-Anne) on Priestman Street (across from the Chalmers Hospital). Written by Quebec playwright Sylvie Lemay, this comedy will be presented on Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 21st. Tickets are on sale at the Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne: $12.50/adults and $8.50/students.
Four ghosts stuck in limbo must bring their greedy killers to justice to earn their tickets to heaven. Meanwhile, a wedding turns out to be a plot to assassin a rich but clumsy (and sweating) suitor.
Founded in 1993, Fous de la scène is Fredericton’s volunteer-based Francophone theatre troupe, which has earned many awards at previous Festival de théâtre communautaire en Acadie.
Fredericton -
NB Playwriting Contest
Are you destined to be a dramatist? If so, the NotaBle Acts Theatre Company wants to hear from you.
The NotaBle Acts Theatre Company is now accepting submissions for its sixth annual province-wide playwriting competition from New Brunswick residents.
Winners will have their work featured as part of the 2007 NotaBle Acts Summer Theatre Festival, to be held in
Fredericton, July 25th-August 5th.
Submissions are welcome in two separate categories: The "Taking it to the Street"
contest seeks 5-7 minute scripts to be produced as free public theatre in downtown
Fredericton. Five winners will be selected. The second category, "Acting Out", is for
30-50 minute one-act plays.
Two winners will be chosen in this category. The two
winning plays will be showcased as part of the festival's main stage bill, while
runners up will receive public rehearsed readings during the festival.
As part of its continuing commitment to developing home-grown theatre in New Brunswick, nbActs provides support throughout the production process to each of the winning artists.
In addition to having their work produced at the festival, all winning playwrights will receive script support (a process called dramaturgy) from an established New Brunswick playwright and a cash prize: $125 for "Taking it to the Street" and $300 for "Acting Out".
Writers interested in the entering the contest should consult the full contest rules and regulations at
www.unbf.ca/nbacts
Questions about the contest or this year's festival
can be directed to festival co-Artistic Director, Len Falkenstein, at nbacts@unb.ca, or 455-5609.
The deadline for entries is April 23, 2007.
Training
Upcoming Advanced Workshop!
Matt MacLennan - Writing for Television
March 31 & April 1, Sat & Sun - 9am start time.
NB Film Co-op, Upstairs Room, 732 Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Fee: $75 for NBFC Members
$100 for Non-Members
Email info@nbfilmcoop.com
to register for this workshop
While many writers dream of writing the next great blockbuster, the greatest opportunity for screenwriters in Canada lies in television. But before an emerging writer can break into writing for a television series, they must first understand both the fundamentals of the craft as well as the business realities of episodic television.
The Writing for Television advanced workshop is designed to give emerging writers a foundation of fundamental skills and insight that will prepare them for a journey into the world of television writing.
The material will cover advanced screenwriting technique, a background on the current landscape of Canadian television, and a background on the business realities such as pitching series ideas.
Specifically, they will emerge with the following skill sets:
• A comprehensive understanding of story structure for episodic television
• Deconstructing a television series
• Understanding the composition and dynamics
of a series writer’s room
• Identifying the process of episodic television script development from pitch to final rewrite
• Creating and pitching your own series concept
• Effective pitch techniques
• Writing effective spec scripts
• Acquiring representation with a talent agency
Background on the Instructor
Matt got his start as a production assistant on A&E's "Nero Wolfe" where he was known for making a mean cup of coffee and volunteering in the story department.
Three years later his dedication earned him writing positions on top rated productions such as the Gemini nominated, "15 Love", and Showcase's "Naked Josh". Since then he's worked on productions which include, "Billable Hours" (Showcase), "Life With Derek" (Disney, Family Channel) and most recently CTV's "Whistler".
Leveraging his television experience to branch into the world of film, Matt has worked as a writer and story editor on films such as "Vampires of Suburbia," "Stopover," and the Irvine Welsh feature adaptation of "Ecstasy". Recently his short film, "Frankly" was produced by Monument Productions in L.A. and another, "Fact Is" was produced by Walker Films in Montreal.
Matt compliments his knowledge of story with development experience garnered while developing series television (Capri Films) and by working as a script reader and story consultant (Telefilm Canada, Alliance Atlantis, etc.)
He still makes a mean cup of coffee.
Rescheduled Workshop
Email: info@nbfilmcoop.com
to register for this workshop
ALTERNATIVE FILMS
Intro -Theory
April 17, Tue, 7 pm - 10 pm (NEW DATE!)
New Brunswick Film Co-op Studio (732 Charlotte Street, downstairs resource centre)
Fee: $15 for NBFC Members
$20 for Non-Members
If you love films that fall into different genres, but there’s a common off-beat thread running through all of them that makes them a little ‘odd’, then you will love this workshop that travels behind the scenes of filmmaking with a slight bent.
Low budget, indie filmmaking at it’s quirkiest best!
Special Guest Actor: Fredericton based actor Josh Linton
INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
Diane Terry joined the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative in 1992, where she participated in a series of workshops and then
shot her first film entitled Dried Flowers.
After a long hiatus to study massage therapy and start her own business, she went back into filmmaking to create her next alternative piece of comedic film art, I Woof You. The film was nominated for Best Short Comedy at the Silver Wave Awards in 2006.
Most recently Lady Di has started work on her next film project and continues crewing on productions as script supervisor and assistant director. Diane is also very interested in acting.
Festivals
"COME TO THE 2007 NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL, I'LL BE THERE!" says active Film Co-op member actor Darrell Mesheau.
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.
OTTAWA - International Animation Festival 07
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (March 21, 2007) – The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) today announced its worldwide call for entries for the 2007 Festival taking place September 19 to 23 in Canada’s capital.
"It's that time again,” says Chris Robinson, the Festival’s Artistic Director. “This year we're putting some emphasis on reaching out to the gaming, mobile, wireless and interactive world. With more and more animation being made for non-traditional distribution platforms, it's important that the OIAF celebrate the work being done in these new forms, so we've expanded our New Media Competition to include mobile content and interactive educational and gaming animation as well as shorts made for the internet.”
Animators are invited to submit their recent work in six major categories including Independent Short films, Feature films, New Media, Commissioned films, Student films and Films made for children.
“The tools might change,” adds Robinson “but at the end of the day, the OIAF is about celebrating all forms of animation and, most importantly, bringing people together."
The OIAF 07 entry deadline is June 1, 2007 and preview DVDs must be received by June 15. Entry forms are available on the Festival’s website at
www.animationfestival.ca
or call 613-232-8769.
For further information, please contact:
David Deacon
Media Relations, Ottawa International Animation Festival
(613) 232-8769
Email: media@animationfestival.ca
Biz News
Moncton - Profile on the NB Industry
DREAM STREET PICTURES
Timothy M. Hogan – President & Producer
Tim has spent a decade in the film and television business. His most recent credits include the half-hour travel series Planet Luxury, and the dramatic mini-series Canada Russia '72.
He has provided a range of production services to seven feature films, including BLUE HILL AVENUE with William Forsythe, IRISH EYES with Daniel Baldwin, and JERICHO MANSIONS with James Caan; four ½-hour television dramas; thirteen ½-hour episodes of a children’s television drama; and sixty-five hours of Discovery Channel Canada’s prime time documentary series, FRONTIERS OF CONSTRUCTION.
Tim is a member of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and is vice-president of the board of directors of the New Brunswick Producers Association.
tim@dreamstreetpictures.com
Rick LeGuerrier – Vice President & Producer
Rick has a commitment to storytelling that spans more than two decades, as a film and television producer, a journalist, and as a broadcast executive.
His most recent production credits for Dream Street include the half-hour travel series Planet Luxury, and the dramatic mini-series Canada Russia '72. Prior to joining the independent production ranks, Rick was Network Producer for CBC Television in New Brunswick where he wrote and produced Fiddlehead Country - the first variety music series ever produced in the province by CBC - and several variety specials, including …where the River meets the Sea.
Rick was also instrumental in developing the fledgling New Brunswick film and television industry through his
involvement with a unique New Producer’s drama series for CBC. Working closely with various producers, Rick
oversaw development and production of five half-hour indigenous dramas, The Shed Next Door, Paradise Siding,
The Dance, Horse Sense, and 106 Fire Hydrants, all subsequently broadcast in prime time on CBC Television.
Rick is a member of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) and sits on the boards of the
New Brunswick Producers Association and the Atlantic Film Festival.
rick@dreamstreetpictures.com
Tammy Gould - Business Manager
A native of New Brunswick, Tammy joined the team in June 2001 after more than 15 years in the IT industry where she developed strong skills in the areas of Systems Analysis and Project Management.
She has carried that expertise into the world of film and television. Her attention to detail and boundless optimism help keep all of Dream Street's projects on track.
tammy@dreamstreetpictures.com
Fredericton - MIKE HOLMES of HOLMES on HOMES
-- Tickets available Monday, April 2 at 10am
Mike will address a number of topics that all homeowners need to know. He'll inspire you with his "You're the Boss" presentation which includes how to hire a contractor and how to educate yourself before renovating or purchasing a home. Show date April 27 at 5pm.
Price: Tickets for Mike’s keynote talk are complimentary and available in person only at the Playhouse box office. Maximum 4 per person.
Link: click here for more info on Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes
CNN Image Source
Welcome to the new CNN ImageSource website!
A wealth of content and thousands of video clips at your command.
Current events, iconic images, sports, entertainment, scenics, and more…
Search, view clips, and order online. Click here
Could you create a hit Canadian TV series?
Winnipeg — The National Screen Institute – Canada is calling for applications from talented Canadian writer/producer teams ready to develop their television series idea through the NSI Totally Television training program.
NSI Totally Television is a market-driven, rigorous and individualized training program that allows working professionals to fine tune their projects over a 10 month period. The course starts with an intensive boot camp in the fall and ends with projects being pitched at the Banff World Television Festival in 2008.
Apply for the program by May 15, 2007, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
Guidelines and an application form are available at:
Click here
Training program connects young Aboriginal adults with film & TV pros
Winnipeg — The National Screen Institute is looking for 12 talented people, aged 18 to 35, for its NSI New Voices
training program which connects young Canadian Aboriginal people with film and television professionals
through skills development training and an eight week full-time work placement in the industry.
Apply by Monday, May 7, 2007, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
For an application form, visit: www.nsi-canada.ca/newvoices
Moncton native directs Mutant Ninja Turtles
Kevin Munroe also writes new animated Hollywood film TMNT
By Jesse Robichaud, © 2007 Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Born in Moncton, and raised in Salisbury, Kevin Munroe followed an
unlikely path toward the bright lights of Hollywood, where he has
carved out a successful career as an animator, writer and director.
It was during his formative years in Southeastern New Brunswick that
the writer and director of the computer-animated blockbuster TMNT (as
in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), which features the voices of Patrick
Stewart and Sarah Michelle Gellar, got his first glimpse of the
franchise that could soon make him a household name.
It was here that Munroe came across the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, first through their comic book, and then their first of three
feature films in which martial artists did battle in human-sized,
turtle-mocking puppet-suits.
It was the summer of 1990. He remembers it well.
"I thought the comics were really cool, I liked the animated
series, but I was too old to collect the toys," said the 34-year-old
yesterday from his hotel room inHouston, where he was screening a
sneak preview of the film.
"The Turtles movie came out and Tim Burton's Batman came out, I
loved that summer."
So how does aNew Brunswick boy wind up at the helm of a Hollywood
blockbuster?
The son of RCMP officer Mannie Munroe, and his wife Janis, who now
live in New Maryland, Munroe had his eye on law school while studying
political science at UNB andDalhousie University, but one day that
changed."I was on the debate team and I was still making doodles in
all the margins of my book, and I realized you know what, I'm not
doing what I want to do."
Admittedly, Munroe didn't know what he wanted to do, as the craft
of animation didn't seem to be a career-option in the early '90s
before Disney's Aladdin triggered a boom in the industry.
Then, while on a trip with his wife to Disney World, Munroe came
across a tour focused on animation, and it opened his eyes to what was
then a burgeoning field.
As his wife waited for him outside, Munroe was so captivated he
ended up taking the tour five more times. He waited for the company's
animators in the parking lot so he could approach them about their
trade.
"It was like one of those moments in cartoons where the clouds part
and God comes down and speaks to you. It was the coolest thing ever,"
says Munroe.
Today, he marvels at the fact there are animation schools in New
Brunswick but, at the time, the closest school was Sheridan College in
Toronto.
Disillusioned by the marks-driven approach of his classmates,
Munroe headed west, way west to Los Angeles, and began working there as
a freelance animator.
Years later, he picked up his first Turtles comic and brought it
along for a meeting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Peter
Laird. After making his pitch to write and direct the fourth Turtles'
movie, he asked for an autograph of the old, tattered comic.
"On the way back to the airport I opened it up and there's a
drawing of Raphael that said, "Dear Kevin, make a good movie or else,"
said Munroe.
Taking on the Turtles" legacy was a big challenge for Munroe, but
after watching endless hours of cartoon and movie footage, he decided
a fresh approach was in order." We said we're going to say this is the
next chapter in their lives, and the family's grown apart and now they
have to worry about coming back together." Ironically, the pixilated medium helped Munroe create a more
realistic portrait, by notably allowing the Turtles' faces to project
more emotion than was the case when actors wore puppet-suits.
"I love the suits, but my pitch to Peter was all about family. It
had nothing to do with the big action scenes we did. I felt like in
the movies they were always caricatures. I wanted to make them feel
more real.
So, who is is favourite Turtle?
"I'm not going to cop out and say I can't pick my favourite but
some days its one and some days it's another. I think today it's Raph,
he's always thought of as the angry guy, but in the movie he actually
wants the same things as Leonardo, he just goes about it in a
different way. I like that he's action- oriented, he doesn't talk
about stuff."
Flanked by a production designer - with impressive experience in
live action movies including The Matrix and Judge Dredd - who had
never worked in animation before, Munroe set out to create a visual
experience that has never been seen in theatres.
"Everybody was brand new at it, and we didn't really feel hampered
by rules, " he said of bringing CGI-animation outside of its comfort
zone.
"You have to make sure its not 'Over the Hedge with Turtles.'"
Munroe still visitsNew Brunswick on a regular basis, and remembers
Moncton for its "perplexing" Magnetic Hill, and its woods, which
"aren't the same as the woods in California."
He is currently at work on his next project, Gotchaman, which he
calls a "PG- 13 sci-fi epic that is really going to push the envelope,
if it's done right."
Fido Film a maturing of Canadian film
(Edmonton Journal)
With an estimated budget of $8 million, raised through the efforts of Telefilm, Quebec-based TVA Films and American financiers at L.A.-based Lionsgate, the zombie comedy Fido takes the indigenous B.C. film scene to a new level and puts director Andrew Currie, as well as his production partners, Trent Carlson and Blake Corbet at Anagram Films, in a much bigger pool than Vancouver.
"We really needed to get all the various pieces of financing together if this was going to have any chance at all," says Currie. "We needed to execute what the script demanded, and in order to do that, we needed the budget.
This
wasn't the kind of movie that would have worked in part." Currie says he wrote his first treatment for Fido after hearing the Dennis Heaton story about a young boy who befriends a zombie. He says the idea seduced him, and before long, he had a feature draft. But Currie knew this was the kind of movie that would have to wait -- not only for a more commercial element to infiltrate Canadian film policy, but for the right mix of talent, clout and cash.
Prairie comedies are ratings stars
(The Chronicle Herald)
"Little Mosque on the Prairie" joined CTV's "Corner Gas" this year as a Canadian television rarity - a homegrown situation comedy that attracts a million plus viewers every week, a feat once routinely achieved only by big American shows. But even though both shows are off the air for months, it appears the stage has been set for a battle royal between the two Canadian sitcom giants.
"Corner Gas" recently lost two members of its writing team to "Little Mosque" - supervising producer Paul Mather and story editor Rob Sheridan. Mather will become "Mosque"'s head writer while
Sheridan is executive story editor. While "Corner Gas" has inked huge syndication deals with networks around the world, the same is likely ahead for "Little Mosque on the Prairie" once enough episodes have been made.
Networks from around the world are already interested in licensing the show, says Mary Darling, executive producer of "Little Mosque".
Halifax filmmaker acclaimed at SXSW
(The Chronicle Herald)
Halifax filmmaker Jason Eisener took his latest effort, a mock promo for the fictional film Hobo With a Shotgun, to the SXSW
Film Festival in Austin's Grindhouse Trailer competition. Out of roughly 300 entries from all over the world, Hobo With a
Shotgun was named the best entry at the Grindhouse 101 panel on Saturday. Eisener's mini-saga of a homeless avenger
who deals out double-barrelled justice earned him the acclaim of a packed room of exploitation film fans, and a Q&A
with director Robert Rodriguez and Ain't It Cool News website guru Harry Knowles.
Eisener shot Hobo With a Shotgun on
locations in Dartmouth, Fall
River and Halifax in the short span of two-and-a-half weeks to make the deadline for the competition, which also featured
the Daniel Gaynor film Tetas de Muerte, produced at Halifax's Centre for Arts and Technology.
Kent leads Telefilm pack
(Playback)
Telefilm Canada has named five movies and five television comedies as finalists in a new program that supports anglophone
writers, directors and producers working in Quebec. And one filmmaker -- the veteran Larry Kent in Montreal -- has his name
on three of the lucky films.
Kent (The Hamster Cage) is attached to King of Kamookis, about an Inuit man's search for love,
which he wrote, and as a producer to The Modern Vampyre's Guide to Life and The Trials of Cooper Smithe. The finalists --
chosen by a committee comprised of individuals from the broadcasting, distribution and production sectors -- will attend
four days of
script development and training in Montreal next week delivered by the Canadian Screen Training Centre.
Participants
will then have eight weeks to prepare a synopsis and key scenes, before the committee chooses one feature film and
one television project to receive $20,000 in production funding. The other film finalists are: Blue Movies by Jennifer
Kierans and Debra Kouri, and Peppers from Daniel Perlmutter and Mark Slutsky.
Playing the blame game about film industry
(Toronto Star)
Our national film industry is not in the greatest of shape at the moment, even in Quebec where the distinct society has forged a distinct film culture. The Canadian dollar is no longer the bargain it once was, the lingering affects of SARS still haunts Toronto, and American states are much more aggressive about offering tax incentives to convince their homegrown filmmakers to stay home.
Worse still is the indifference by Canadians towards their own films. Even with the release last year of such genuine domestic success stories as Bon Cop, Bad Cop and Trailer Park Boys, Canadian films accounted for just
1.8 per cent of the English language box office in Canada. The rest is mostly American.
The news is not all grim. The Canadian film industry remains highly prized both within and off our shores for its creativity and talent. And big American productions like Hairspray and The Incredible Hulk have chosen to film here.
But there's the unmistakable truth that Canadian movies are almost invisible in this country, because most Canadians neither watch nor even understand their own domestic offerings. "I think it's a little misguided to create a box office goal when, as with any country in the world, all
their screens are inundated with Hollywood product," said Reg Harkema (Monkey Warfare). "And it's my feeling that they should look at some other kind of goal, especially in light of the fact that screens themselves are disappearing. ... I think they should look more towards what the films are doing in terms of markets globally."