CO-OP
ONLINE ORIENTATION
Upcoming!
NEW Film and Television Certificate Program in NB
Are you interested in Exploring a Career in Film & Television? Come to the below Info Sessions being held to find out more!
Moncton Info Session
Saturday, March 10th, 2pm
Moncton City Hall, 6th floor Reception Area
655 Main Street, Moncton, N.B.
Fredericton Info Session
Tuesday, March 20th, 7pm
Charlotte Street Arts Centre, upstairs room
732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB
Please contact Tony Merzetti, Executive Director, NB Film Co-op:
cft@nbfilmcoop.com
Monday Night Film Series
March 12, 2007, 8:00pm
MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES
The powerful and compelling MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES, a Special Presentation at the
2006 Toronto International Film Festival® – where it won the Toronto-City Award for Best
Canadian Feature Film – is ostensibly a portrait of Edward Burtynsky, the celebrated Canadian
photographer who specializes in large-scale studies of industrial vistas.
But it’s far more than a straightforward portrait of an artist. Indeed, the film is as much about the
aesthetic, social and spiritual dimensions of industrialization and globalization as it is about
Burtynsky and his work.
Burtynsky’s interest in humanity’s impact on nature led to frequent visits to China, where most of the
world’s raw materials – and much of its waste – wind up. The film follows his trips to China and
a related trip to Bangladesh, where young men immerse themselves in toxic sludge to tear apart
giant ships. Burtynsky’s photographs tend to emphasize the aesthetic dimension of overhauled
landscapes, stressing the lurid and curious beauty of these metamorphoses.
Spotlight on the Members
Hi! My name is Milan Chotai and I am a renewing member. The Film Co-op continues to be the foundation I stand on.
In 2005 I decided to pursue a new career and joined to take advantage of opportunities to learn skills through workshops
and by volunteering on sets. These are things I am still interested in so please feel free to contact me if ever you need a
hand!
That wasn't all though. Last year The Film Co-op supported my efforts to pursue an internship with Montreal-based Galafilm
where I worked as a P/A and Assistant Editor on various programs airing now. These are: Webdreams
on Showcase; Doctor*ology staring Leslie Neilson on Discovery Canada; The Secret History of 9/11 on CBC; and
The Great War on CBC. I even made the credits for a couple. :)
Afterwards I used the money I saved to travel to Thailand and work on one of my own ideas - a documentary about
orphaned Burmese children living along the Thailand border. During this time The Film Co-op supported
my application to the NFB for another project. Although it wasn't accepted I know how much stronger the Film Co-op's name
made it.
Three weeks ago I finally returned home to New Brunswick and began working on new ideas with provincial Film Co-op filmmakers
I have met through the Co-op to collectively further our ideas and career goals. We recently applied for a grant - again with the
support of the Film Co-op.
Most notably though I also recently returned from an industry conference where I made many
connections in no small thanks to a contact originally from Fredericton The Film Co-op recommended I begin corresponding with a
couple of years ago. One of the people I met was a reputable Toronto-based producer interested in an idea two friends
and I began developing together after I returned. Before presenting it though we will need advice from someone with
experience. Luckily - again - the Film Co-op had put me in touch with just such a person sometime ago. Accordingly he kindly
offered to help when I recently approached him.
Far from boasting I write this to make one simple point. From my brief but insightful journey down this road thus far,
I can see that in order to make it you have to know what you want, and be fearless in pursuit of it ... but it helps more then
many may realize when you have supportive people and a supportive organization like the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-op
behind you. That's why - whether that road takes me away from New Brunswick again or not - I will remain a member, and
help those from our community for many years to come.
PS: Special thanks to Film Co-op member Diane Terry who worried for my life during
the coup in Thailand; found me a job when I returned home; and found me a room
to rent too. *The New Brunswick Filmmakers Co-op - we don't just help you make
films.*
Milan Chotai, Oromocto Co-op member/filmmaker
My name is Ryan McNeil and I'm a skateboarder from Fredericton, New Brunswick. I've participated in a couple amateur skateboarding
videos and in doing so have become interested in he art of film making, (which is why I have chosen to become a member of the
NB Film Coop).
Between workshops, I am currently helping out on Colin Smart's "Temple of the Sapphire Moon" by playing
the part of "Borris". I am also working on my own skateboarding video so if anyone has any advice, suggestions or would like to help out in any way, I'd appreciate it. I look forward to taking
many workshops in the future.
Ryan McNeil, New Fredericton Co-op member/filmmaker
Renewing Co-op member Janice Wright Cheney is a visual artist and an instructor at the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design.
Janice has shown her work in galleries throughout North America and is currently preparing new work for several upcoming exhibitions. Her textile-based practice explores themes pertaining to natural history and domestic labour. Medusae, her first video project, will be shown at Stride Gallery in Calgary, Alberta in April 2007.
Janice Wright Cheney, Fredericton Co-op member
Renewing Members for 2007: James Kennedy, Fredericton, Jon Pedersen, Jemseg, Jonathan Collicott, FrederictonNew Members as of March 2007: George Strunz, Fredericton
Provincial Actors on the Move
Arts News
Time Zones Photo Exhibit
Friday March 9th from 5 to 7 pm, 732 Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Foyer, Fredericton.
Featuring three area photographers, exhibiting photographs from different parts of the world.
People of the Kampung:
Portraits of the Javanese People and their Communities
by Pamela Nelson
Photographer Pamela Nelson traveled to Indonesia in December 2004 for a month-long vacation. Before and after the tsunami hit on December 26, she explored several villages on the island of Java, documenting the people and their communities.
Kampung (pronounced "kam - poon") is
the Bahasa word for community. Pam's photographs reveal a sensitivity to the human spirit and a
quiet connection between people that surpasses language barriers and cultural differences. Her
discerning eye allows her to observe and depict gestures, expressions, and landscapes evoking a
deep awareness of the uniqueness of a distinctive culture and the commonality of the human experience.
Now based in Fredericton, Pam grew up in a small rural community in southeastern New Brunswick.
In the early 70's she relocated to the northeastern part of the province. Her early experiences led her
to develop a profound respect for human values and the simplicity of life.
Her ongoing interest in the social conditions of ordinary working people has resulted in several photography exhibitions, including Kent County Storytellers and Portraits of Acadians: From Petit Rocher to Cap-Pelé. She is also a published writer with articles such as Yvon Durell, the Fighting Fisherman; Trip to the Trappers House; Sarah Emma Edmonds, Nurse, Soldier and Spy; Harvesting the Wild Oyster; and Cowgirl Games.
Portraits of Wildlife
by Brigitte Noel
For me, bird watching is my lifetime ticket to the theater of nature. When you stop and take
the time to observe, it looks like the birds are there to give you a show and it is what I
capture with my camera, their performances for you to appreciate as much as I do.
It is more than just observing them; it is an interest in the actual birds, their names, markings,
activities, songs and habitats. Not only does it encourage myself to learn more and more about
birds, but it gets me outside and builds an appreciation of local wildlife and nature which I am
sharing with you through this exhibition.
Bird watching doesn't require a strong knowledge of birds; you learn as soon as you begin to
locate and identify local wild birds. I am even starting to learn their calls and challenge
myself to identify the birds by their songs just after 10 months of observation, Internet
researches and different books.
I have a special interest in bald eagles because they evoke diverse feelings. They are so large,
they symbolize power, might, dominance and conquest in the animal world and are looked up to as
being invincible. Their cultural aspects are also interesting to learn, for example; many Native
American cultures prize the bald eagle for its strength and power. They were also thought to be
reincarnations of people that watched over the living and guided them in their day to day
activities and ceremonies.
Come and discover what I have learned about birds here in New Brunswick, you will be surprised as
much as I was.
Also at this event you will get to see excellent work from the other photographers in the show: Pam Nelson and Tanya Canam.
The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative announces that registration is now open for the following workshop:
- ALTERNATIVE FILMS
Please click hereto read up on all the terrific upcoming workshops and to see the registration criteria.
You can download the full intro/intermediate program as well and hard copy workshop programs are available at the NB Film Co-op at 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton.
Note:
Everybody must pay in advance to register for all workshops as there are waiting lists and we must ensure we know our numbers in advance as well. If an attendee confirms and then cancels with no notice, there will be a penalty fee.
Email Cat at:
info@nbfilmcoop.com
More Moncton
Meet & Greet Pics
Updates
New Partnerships
Recently, the NB Film Co-op welcomed at their studio space, Therese McGraw-Finn, Dir of CCNB campus Péninsule acadienne, Julie Basque, development agent and Michel Chiasson, Dept Head of Health and Continuing Education.
Therese, Julie and Michel are working diligently on a new training initiative in film and television to be offered to the French population in NB and the Atlantic region.
Moncton Meet & Greet
The Moncton NB Film Co-op members know how to organize a social! Tony, Cat, John Christenson,
Dennis Poirier and Tony Sekulich drove to Moncton on Tuesday Feb 27 to participate in the
Moncton Film Co-op Member Meet & Greet at Don Cherrys and it was well worth it.
The Moncton members coordinated an evening of promoting the Film Co-op and it's activities and
initiatives to a full house of interested people.
Throughout the presentations, they shared their personal stories of how they become involved
with the Co-op and talked
about their creative goals and their strong desire to assist the Co-op in duplicating some of its services in
the Moncton community.
Active member, Ralph Prichard, Donovan Richard, Co-op Vice Prez, new Co-op Board Member Dan Thebeau, New member Tracey Carney and Tony Merzetti, Co-op Executive Director all spoke.
Present as well were: Raynald Couturier, New Brunswick Film, Gary Vermeir, ACTRA Maritimes, Kris Gilbert, William F. White, Steve Mayhew, The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Charlotte Shurko, IATSE 849, Hugh Murphy from Far Out East Cinema and other guests.
"COME TO THE 2007 NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL, I'LL BE THERE!" says active Film Co-op member Britany Sparrow.
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!
Register
2007 SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL
November 8-11, Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com if you have any questions.
Other Festivals
Antimatter Underground Film Festival
Sept 21-29, 2007 Victoria, BC, Canada
Entry Deadline: April 15/07 (early); May 31/07 (final).
Tenth annual international festival seeks imaginative, volatile, entertaining and critical films and videos. Dedicated to the exhibition and nurturing of film and video as art, Antimatter is the premier showcase of experimental cinema in the west, encompassing screenings, installations, performances and hybrid media experiments.
Criteria: Independent productions, completed after Jan 1/05. Any style or genre. Max 30 mins.
Formats: 16mm, Super 8, MiniDV, DVD, VHS.
Preview on DVD (NTSC/PAL) or VHS (NTSC/PAL).
Entry Fees: $10 (early); $20 (final).
Also accepting proposals for expanded cinema and media-based performance.
Contact: Antimatter, 636 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 1L3
250 385 3327; info@antimatter.ws; www.antimatter.ws
Complete entry form is attached as a pdf file. Also available on our website at http://www.antimatter.ws
More Workshops
Beginners Digital Photography Workshop
Sunday March 18, 2007
Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Time: 1pm-5 pm Cost $50.00
Photographer Pamela Nelson is offering a half-day workshop on basic digital photography. Take the
mystery out of camera modes memory cards and megapixels. Find out how and when to use flash
and functions. Understand the fundamentals of uploading downloading and saving images to your
computer.
Limited registration, $20.00 Deposit required. Pre-register by calling 506- 449-3791 or the Charlotte Street Arts Centre 506-454-6952.