NB Film Co-op

The NB Film Co-op is a non-profit, charitable organization involved in the production of 16mm and digital films. It is into its 28th year of operation, and has 200 members stretched out across New Brunswick!

The Co-op provides broad-ranging support (workshops/training, creative support and mentoring, grant writing assistance, equipment, human resources, socials, informal writer/director/actor labs. It also presents diverse quality films and videos through its annual provincial Film Festival.

The Co-op also seeks to give a voice to, and develop the talents of, artists that would not otherwise have the opportunity to express their views in film and video.

Spotlight

Hi Everybody, I"ll be back in NB the first week of August if anyone would like to hang!! Love you Cathie.

Lita Llewelyn, Film Co-op actor alumnus living in Halifax
litallewellyn@yahoo.ca

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FREDERICTON - ANNUAL NBFC FUNDRAISER EVENT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Dear NB Film Co-op members, it's that time of year again; time to help Cat and Tony by volunteering on the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival as security so that the Co-op can receive a donation.

Board member and active volunteer Corena Walby has taken over the recruiting and organizing of volunteers this year for Harvest Jazz and Blues to help out Co-op staff who are snowed under a mountain of work.

If you are interested in helping the Film Co-op with this annual fundraising activity, please email Corena at: mwalby@nb.sympatico.ca right away as she would like to put together her teams of security people as soon as possible.

Wednesday - 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM;
Thursday - 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM;
Friday - 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM
Saturday - 4:00 PM to 1:30 AM.

We require 12 people per shift.

NOTE: Please be dependable when you commit to volunteer to help. Every year we have volunteers who cancel at the last minute which causes stress on the organizers as they scramble to fill in the holes.

For new members needing to get their volunteer hours in...this counts towards them!

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NB MEMBER UPDATES
Hi! My name is Denis Theriault and I am a Co-op member based in Fredericton. I just recently completed my directorial debut called "Abort", which I also wrote and acted in. I look forward to making many more projects in the future. In addition to filmmaking, I also love photography. I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities.

On a final note, I've just learned I got a principal role in a feature film called "Growing Op", being shot in Moncton starting August 20th. I'm very excited at the opportunities this will offer me! Anyways, I

look forward to meeting many of you in the near future!

Denis Theriault: denactor@hotmail.com

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NB MEMBER UPDATES
Dale Geddes tried to stay away from film production for as long as he possibly could.

But in April of 2007, he threw caution to the wind-machine fan and took on as a Locations PA for The Lullaby of Mike Bossy (a Jeff Wheaton TV pilot). During this rookie effort, he consummated the 18-hour workday in the coldest hockey arena this side of Vladivostok.

This small-crew production provided an ample training pen for a larger effort. And in June, Dale began with the Unit department of Sticks and Stones - an MOW shot at various strewn locations in the Fredericton area. There, he cut his teeth on aspects of film production like managing facilities for a few thousand extras and working with a 70+ crew. (And technical skills like driving 12-ton vehicles within a few millimeters of each other during a hectic midday tech-park move...)

Currently, Dale - apparently not having seen nearly enough punishment - is acting Production Manager and Location Manager on the upcoming short film Blood Shed. A NB Film Co-op production, Blood Shed will shoot on location on an insect-friendly set overlooking the Canaan river in late summer. While not afraid of whatever "on location" might bring, Dale now seeks others to come with him. During his waking hours, he is soliciting resources, volunteers, accommodations, vehicles, food stuffs and blow-up dolls.

Blood Shed goes to camera the 7th, 8th & 9th of September 2007.

dgeddes@gmail.com

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NB MEMBER UPDATES
Gordon Gilhuly spent over thirty years teaching Drama and English in Ontario highschools and then another ten years as a background performer for the movie industry in the Toronto area. One of his favourite memories from his movie work is his work on the first "X-Men" movie with Bryan Singer, made more memorable because he was able to work with his youngest son, Sean, who was cast as one of Professor Xavier's special students at the Academy. Another highlight was working on George Romero's "Land of the Dead" as one of the featured zombies (very easy dialogue!).

As an ACTRA apprentice, Gordon has worked in over one hundred movies, alongside such stars as Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Ed Asner, Richard Gere, Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen. He has also appeared in several student films. Now that Gordon has moved to Saint John, he hopes to continue working in film for many more years and, with some luck, become a full ACTRA member.

Gordon is also a published writer, with three books of poetry to his credit. He was nominated for the Governor-General's Award for Poetry in 2000 and short-listed for the CBC Literary Awards in 2007. He has also won acclaim for his short stories and a one-act play.

Gordon Gilhuly can be contacted at ggilhuly@rogers.com

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Fredericton’s filmmaking lioness likes challenges: Bunthivy Nou stays here at home to make her films
By Melani Taylor
Published Thursday August 2nd, 2007 in HERE MAGAZINE

When budding filmmaker Bunthivy Nou was growing up in Blacks Harbour, a small fishing village in southwestern New Brunswick with a population of 1,200 people, she watched a lot of movies.

“I have always been fascinated with filmmaking,” she says. “In high school I used to watch movies all the time. I didn’t think it was a viable career, but it was always in the back of my mind as something that I loved.”

After high school graduation, Bunthivy enrolled in the animation program at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. Soon realizing that she was less mathematically inclined than most of her student counterparts, she switched programs.

“I’m a creative and visual person, so I was naturally interested in animation. I soon realized it was a lot more programming than I liked so I moved into multimedia studies.” Bunthivy also decided to pursue a two year certificate in film production and joined the New Brunswick Filmmakers’ Co-operative, volunteering and participating in student films whenever she could.

Making a conscious decision to pursue a career in film and TV, Bunthivy began participating in films whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Since graduating, Bunthivy has worked on a variety of student films, four provincially funded short films and a recent feature film.

“I acted in the film Stuck, shot in Saint John and starring Mena Suvari. I just found out that it’s going to be in the Toronto Film Festival!” Living in Fredericton and working in the film industry hasn’t been easy. But Bunthivy is committed to building a career for herself.

“I really fell in love with the filmmaking process and the creative aspects of filmmaking. I couldn’t see myself not doing it. I figure money is money, but if you’re doing something you love the money will come and now I’m doing my own film,” says Bunthivy.

A Lion’s Tale is based on a short story written by Bunthivy last year. The central character is a single mother who confesses to killing her son’s bully.

“I wrote it in one night. I was thinking about what you would do if you needed to protect someone that you loved. For this short, I wanted to use the story because it’s an extreme moment in someone’s life and there are sacrifices involved.”

Bunthivy’s short film was among the handful to receive funding under the NB Film Short Film Venture Grant. She received the maximum allotment of $5,000. Thankfully, most of the filmmaking equipment has been loaned to Bunthivy through the New Brunswick Film Makers Coop and all of the crew and cast are volunteers.

“It’s essentially 25 per cent of your film production budget. I submitted the proposal early and I was very fortunate to get funding. I have allotted an investment of $2,000 of my own money for the film, just in case.”

Shooting will begin shortly in August ad Bunthivy believes that people will be impressed with the calibre of talent shown by her cast members.

“I’m really excited to have Wally. He’s a professional actor currently on stage at The Playhouse.

And Xavier Gold is a 13-year-old boy from Shediac who has a real spark; he’s incredibly mature and very talented.” Since this is Bunthivy’s first film, she’s in the process of finding her own voice as a director.

“I’m still trying to figure myself out. It’s a challenge to find your own style. I’d love to see more women directors because of the way we see things. I’m not sure how to eloquently explain it. But I think the more diversity in filmmaking, the better the stories are going to be.” Bunthivy believes that New Brunswick has a lot of talented artists who need more opportunities to grow and a reason to stay in the region.

“We can’t compare ourselves to Toronto, they have an established industry. But it’s not an issue of talent here though. There’s some incredible filmmaking and filmmakers in New Brunswick.

We’re not in it for the money; we do it because we love it.” Bunthivy hopes to be able to continue living and working in Fredericton for as long as she can.

“I would love to stay here and do what I do; I don’t feel like I should have to go to Vancouver or Toronto to make a living. I don’t mind traveling, but this is my home.”

Bunthivy Nou will be shooting her film this weekend and next.

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(Producer Peter Atkinson {left} and Director Connell Smith on location in Winnipeg. Photo by Brian Chisholm)

Getting 'er Done: Making How I Got Busted
By Saint John based Film Co-op member, Connell Smith

It was about this time last year I picked up the phone to call Brian Clow in Pickering, Ontario. Brian is a remarkable man; he inspired thousands of youngsters as a high school English teacher and is one of the people featured in our documentary How I Got Busted. I was calling to ask if he would hang in with us even though we had failed - after two years - to secure a broadcast license. If Brian and our other subjects were willing, we would proceed without funding to make a "no-budget" festival flick. For some reason I was worried Brian would opt out, but my fears were misplaced. There was no hesitation. Not only did he agree, he applauded our decision and then launched straight into a lengthy quote by Calvin Coolidge on "persistence". When we spoke he was sitting at his grand piano. The persistence quote, it turns out, is printed onto a card he keeps in front of him. For space reasons I won't put it down here, but you can quickly find that quote with Google. It was exactly what I needed to hear after getting disappointing news from the network.

It has now been almost three years since we first pitched the idea at what was then called the Tidal Wave Film Festival to a panel composed of representatives from the CBC and the National Film Board. The plan was simple: We would place classified ads in newspapers across Canada. The ads said: "Filmmakers looking for regular Canadians willing to talk openly on national TV about the pot bust in their past". We referred readers to our website: www.culturalfilms.ca 600 thousand Canadians have criminal records for growing, buying, or consuming pot. Those featured in our film would be thoughtful and intelligent people who are established in their communities. They would be good storytellers with no axes to grind.

That pitch later lead to a modest development deal with CBC and NB Film. Development money allowed us to focus our idea, to hire a professional writer for a treatment, to place the ads, and to travel for meetings with the broadcaster and potential subjects. At the time it seemed, to producer Peter Atkinson and me, that we were on our way. But development can also be a discouraging process; the number of films that get produced in the end is small. Sometimes, the will to carry on is lost. A little presidential persistence comes in handy at a moment like that. And encouragement from family, friends, and your documentary subjects, can go a long way.

The decision to proceed brought a sudden burst of energy. Friends offered to help and agreed to work for little and, sometimes, for nothing. People liked the idea behind the documentary; they wanted to see it produced. Among the critical decisions we made at that time was to ask a professional camera operator, Brian Chisholm, to work with us as DOP. We sought advice and hands-on help from decorated documentary writer/director Christine McLean. And, to ice the cake, we were extremely fortunate to have Darrell Grant come on board (Yes, that Darrell Grant, from Modabo). Most of the music in the film is Darrell's work. It sets the tone, and helps to make this the great social documentary I believe it to be. With a personal line of credit and complete editorial control we set off last October in Peter's old Chrysler Concord, now dubbed "The Red Rocket". Its normally spacious trunk could barely contain the gear, and Brian squeezed into the back seat beside a mountain of clothing and bedding. I'm not overstating it when I say we had a blast. I can now tell you with authority there are few jobs more enjoyable than driving across the country to spend quality time with some of Canada's most interesting people while making a film called How I Got Busted. The raw material is top notch; our interview subjects were brilliant, I doubt very much that there's a single frame in Brian's 16 hours of video that couldn't be used, and Darrell's music has been a dream to edit to.

We now wait anxiously for word from the festivals. Each week I write another one or two cheques for $25 and post them off to a city somewhere. The only word to date has been a rejection email from TIFF in Toronto. We're not letting it get us down. Let's just say we are consoling ourselves with the thought that - just maybe - the loss will be theirs.

I'd better wrap this up before I get carried away. "You can't know too much," Coolidge once mused, "but you can say too much."

Training & Development

NON-LINEAR PICTURE EDITING -
PREMIERE PRO 2
Intro - Theory and Hands-on
New DATE! August 11 Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
125 Cherry Lane, Shediac, NB
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members

Number Limit: 6

Want to get your film produced in less time? Maybe it’s time to start editing your own work. This hands-on workshop will give you a taste of what it takes to set up system and get going. After a brief tour of the interface we will get right into:

Working with Digital Video
- Capture from camera to computer
- Timeline editing basics
- Effects and Transitions
- Working with sound

Title Designer
- Text for credits, static and rolling
- Adding graphics
- Templates and mattes including letterbox

Advanced Features
- Working with still images
- Using motion, adding music
- Colour and sound correction
- Creating DVDs
- Outputting back to your Camera

INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
Ralph Pritchard has been editing both DV and Analog Video for the past 5 years using Adobe’s Premiere product. He is also a writer, director and producer who has edited three of his own short films (completing 2) during 2006. He also has experience with Adobe Encore (DVD creation) and Adobe Audition (sound editing) and Frontpage for web development.

Ralph is an active member and supporter of the NB Film Co-op.

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DOCUMENTARY AS THE ACTIVIST'S TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Intermediate - Theory & Hands-on
August 18, Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
New Brunswick Film Co-op
(732 Charlotte Street, upstairs room)
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members

Number Limit: 15

Find out how activists and artists are working together and using the visual medium to bring about change. In an age when the mainstream media is so often owned by the news makers, the activist documentary filmmaker takes on an even more important societal responsibility to investigate the facts and put a human face on the story. This is where Marshall McLuhan’s infamous revelation “the medium is the message” holds true.

Look at a range of different techniques and theories being applied by individuals and community groups set on making a difference.

The prerequisites for this workshop are that participants screen Kevin Matthews’ latest documentary “Forbidden Forest” and Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

Participants should also come prepared to discuss one other activist documentary of their choice. Participants are also asked to bring a documentary idea they would like to see produced. Several screening copies on DVD and VHS of “Forbidden Forest” are available prior to the workshop for loan through the Co-op.

INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
Kevin Matthews is a professional documentary filmmaker and one of the founding members of the Film Co-op. He has taught Film/Video Production programs through the Education system and regularly holds film development workshops in scriptwriting, directing, camera, editing etc. for the commercial and independent sector in New Brunswick.

Kevin has a huge body of documentary work on display in the Film Co-op, National Film Board and other Canadian Libraries and recently produced the documentary, Forbidden Forest with the NFB.


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MENTORSHIP ON FILM CO-OP MEMBER PRODUCTION
BLOOD SHED SEEKING VOLUNTEER CAST & CREW for "BLOOD SHED," a short horror film shooting in Coles' Island, New Brunswick for three days, Friday to Sunday, September 7th, 8th and 9th. This project will be a great opportunity to work and learn alongside film industry professionals such as Jason Shipley (Director), Jeff Wheaton (DOP), Gary Ferguson (Art Director), Rob Cotterill (1st AD), Aram Kouyoudjian (Sound) and others, all of whom originally hail from New Brunswick and currently earn a living working in the film & television industry today.

Thanks to a production grant from the NB Film Co-op, the project is being co-produced by Film Co-op members Pierre Huard ("La Couisne") and Jason Shipley, who will also direct. Mr. Shipley taught the Advanced Assistant Director's Workshop at the NB Film Co-op this past May and in previous years.

SYNOPSIS:
Three estranged brothers reunite at a family camp deep in the New Brunswick woods for a lost weekend of fishing, partying, and deranged, bloody murder!

We are currently seeking CREW to volunteer in following departments: Production
Assistant Director
Props
Set Decoration
Costumes
Hair/ Makeup
Grip
Lighting
Camera
Sound
Picture Vehicles/ Transport
Casting Director

If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please forward a resume detailing your experience and department(s) in which you'd like to work to blood_shed_movie@yahoo.ca

We are currently seeking CAST to volunteer in the following roles:
2 boys between 10 and 14 yrs . 

If you are interested in applying for these roles, please forward a resume and photo(s) to blood_shed_movie@yahoo.ca and to info@nbfilmcoop.com so the Film Co-op can put you in their online Casting Database.

Festivals

THE 2007 NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL 2007 SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL, November 8-11, Fredericton, New Brunswick www.swfilmfest.com


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

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One Minute Film/Video Festival
40,000 minutes and counting!

The final deadline for the FIFTH annual One Minute Film and Video Festival is quickly approaching!

Toronto’s shortest film and video festival is seeking one-minute-long films and videos on the theme Secrets. The screening will be held at Toronto’s Bloor Cinema in November.

Submissions can be in any medium and any genre, so long as it's exactly one minute long—and feel free to submit as many times as you like. We’ll be on the lookout for films and videos that interpret the theme with creativity and flair--remember, the theme is meant to be a starting place…

Deadline: September 1, 2007 ]

Submission fee: $15

For more information, please visit www.minutefilmfest.com

Arts in NB

NEW CAFE OPENS IN CHARLOTTE STREET ARTS CENTRE IN FREDERICTON 
This is a little notice to let you know that the Doodles Cafe at 732 Charlotte street at CSAC is open now Monday through Saturday. Come with friends to see the new Cafe and enjoy a great menu. There's something for everyone.

Have a great day.
Brigitte Noel, CSAC Facilities Manager

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FREDERICTON - UNDER THE STARS: CLASSIC FILMS IN THE PARK
Sunday, August 12th at dusk in Barracks Square, Historical Garrison District (Queen and Carleton Streets).

FEATURE PRESENTATION: My Man Godfrey
(94 min) 1936

"My Man Godfrey" successfully blends the two most prominent schools of film comedy from the 1930's: `sophistication' and `screwball.' It smears the conservative upper-crust milieu with the keen eye of `Dinner at Eight' and the pie-in-your-face irreverence of `You Can't Take It with You,' with as many witticisms as either and probably more sexual innuendos. This film is still one of the most emblematic films of its era.

William Powell is pitch perfect as Godfrey Parke, the hobo-turned-butler, breezing effortlessly through every scene. Carole Lombard also turns in one of her most cherished performances as Irene Bullock, the spoiled socialite who pretends to enjoy her wealth but really just wants to be around someone human. As their relationship progresses, Godfrey's humility rubs off on Irene and ultimately frees her from her elite family, which offered her security but only made her unstable. `My Man Godfrey' has no mercy on the aristocracy of the ‘30's, skewing it as socially incompetent and morally bankrupt. `All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.' How terribly true.

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NB SHORT FILM PLAYING BEFORE FEATURE: Not On my OWN
(5:15 min) 2006, Music Video.

A young woman's struggle with loss is mirrored against the daily life of a teenage outcast. both are so different, yet a connection is made. Set to the music of ThreeSeasonAnt.

Director & Writer - Saint John based filmmaker Steve Doiron

Biz News

WE WANT YOU TO BE ON YOUR TV!
Casting call for local talent to become the new faces on Rogers Television. Various positions to fill such as live show hosts, sports crew and reporters.
Audition Dates/ August 17/18

To book your spot: 1.866.285.8604
yves.sauve@rci.rogers.com

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MUST SEE TELEVISION ON CBC
Thursday, August 9, 2007, 8:00 p.m.
René Lévesque (Part 3 of 3)

A three-part mini-series with the spotlight on René Lévesque. Revered and, at times reviled, by Canadians, Lévesque was one of the most charismatic politicians in the history of not only Quebec-but all of Canada. But who was this passionate, chain-smoking man who defended his convictions so eloquently? Emmanuel Bilodeau as Lévesque, Lucie Laurier, Marie Tifo, Gilles Renaud, Pierre Gendron, Pierre Brassard, Frank Schorpion, Roc Lafortune, Roger Léger, and Patrick Godin.

(in HD where available)

REPEAT AIRING CC

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New Brunswick Film Industry Summit
October 1 - 2, 2007


New Brunswick Film Industry Summit "The Industry Now...And Beyond"

Register online

Saint John Trade & Convention Centre
Host Hotel: Hilton Saint John

For reservations

Delegate Registration: $100.00 before September 14th
Delegate Registration: $150.00 after September 14th
Delegate Registration ends September 24th

Email info@nbfilmcoop.com if you wish to receive the registration form in French.