NB Film Co-op

MENTORSHIP
NB Film, in partnership with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), Telefilm Canada and the Atlantic Canada Film Partners, are launching a new training initiative in the province, Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne announced today.

The Atlantic Mentorship Program will provide one English and one French placement that will offer on-the-job training provided by CFTPA's member production companies based in Atlantic Canada. Emerging and mid-level film, television and interactive media producers will be able to develop their business, creative and technical skills, and increase their potential for career advancement.

"This new program will help mentor emerging producers as they enter the film, television and new media industry," Byrne said. "This is a growing economic development area for our province. It is important to have highly skilled and trained professionals, and we believe in directly supporting their development. An evolving and growing industry certainly helps to move New Brunswick closer to its goal of self-sufficiency by 2026."

The program is also being offered separately in Nova Scotia and in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Atlantic Mentorship Program is funded by Telefilm Canada, New Brunswick Film, the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation and the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation.

"The Atlantic Mentorship Program will contribute to the region's skilled workforce and will help to ensure the growth of its production industry," CFTPA president and CEO Guy Mayson said.

To learn more about the Atlantic Mentorship Program, visit the website. The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada.

Created in May 2000, the Atlantic Canada Film Partners comprises Atlantic Canada's four film development corporations: New Brunswick Film, the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, Technology PEI, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Telefilm Canada.

New Brunswick Film is a business unit of Business New Brunswick, and its mission is to promote and support a vibrant film, television and new media industry in the province.

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UNB CERTIFICATE IN FILM PRODUCTION
The Certificate in Film Production at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton is designed to help students, develop expertise in all the areas of film including screenwriting, acting, directing, producing as well as the technical aspects of film and digital video production.

Students participate fully in the production structure of filmmaking in a variety of positions such as camera operator, cinematographer, director and screenwriter, in addition to gaining hands on experience in the post production process of picture and sound editing.

The program also covers basic film studies, including the history of film, because students making films learn from watching other films and analyzing how they work.

The broad range of the program not only prepares students for a variety of positions but also helps them in making informed choices in pursuing opportunities or specialized training.

Who is the Program For?
If you aspire to become a producer, screenwriter, actor, director, editor, or cinematographer, the the Certificate in Film Production maybe for you.

Many students enter the program after the experience of working in other professions. The program also appeals to the people working in the high-tech industry, multi-media, or other occupations who want to enhance their employment skills in the areas of film production.

Program Description
The Certificate in Film Production can be taken as a stand-alone certificate program or in conjunction with a degree program, with the approval of the appropriate faculty. Candidates for admission to the Certificate Program must meet the university's requirements for admission to the Faculty of Arts or for admission as a mature student. Enrollment in the Certificate Program is limited.

The Certificate in Film Production required courses will be scheduled in late afternoon or evening time slots in order to make the program available for part-time studies. Full-time students should be aware that at the present time some courses must be taken during Intersession.

The Programe is done in partnership with the NB Film Co-op and the film industry in NB.

Please email Tony Merzetti for further information at info@nbfilmcoop.com

Festivals

"COME TO THE 2007 NB SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL, WE WILL BE THERE!"

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 FILM SUBMISSIONS IS AUG 3RD.

Contact Cat at info@nbfilmcoop.com

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

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

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UNB STUDENT SCREENING WINNERS
The Second UNB Student Film Festival was held on April 12. Fourteen student films were screened and from that, the festival audience selected the following three winners:
1st place ($150): Fixers, dir. Davin Tong
2nd place (75$): Bathroom Etiquette, dir. Alberto White and Brendan Mittelholtz
3rd place (75$): Those Leafs, dir. Bruce LeGrow

The festival was made possible thanks to the generous support of the English department. Thank you for supporting filmmaking in New Brunswick! Submit your films to next year's student film festival!

For inquiries please contact Temenuga Trifonova, Director of the Film Program at UNB: temenuga@unb.ca

Arts in NB

SAINT JOHN -
Boutique, DVD Screenings in Intimate Settings & State of the Art, Cinema Screenings

This coming week, the reel rolls on 

Ø MIRACLE PLANET , April 29 – the latest offering from the ‘Movies at the Museum’ folks. A 2 PM DVD screening at the NB Museum in Market Square.

Ø MULHOLLAND DRIVE , April 30 - the 2001 David Lynch-directed feature involving a terrible car crash, an amnesiac, a stranger’s apartment, and a Hollywood starlet played by Naomi Watts... DVD screening at 8 PM, at Third Space Gallery on Princess Street.

Ø CASABLANCA , April 30 - the 1942 classic, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. Exiled, American expats in Morocco. Former flames. Intrigue. Betrayal. It’s all there. 8 PM DVD screening at The Somerset.

Ø THE LIVES OF OTHERS , May 01- the winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and at least 12 other awards, is coming for an exclusive, one-time screening through the not-for-profit community series, BMO Nesbitt Burns Film Pix. A sobering look at the lengths the German secret police went to, to gather information on citizens and use it against them. A 35mm film screening, 6:30 PM, at host facility, Studio 10 Cinemas. For the compelling movie trailer, advance tickets, and more, visit www.filmpix.ca

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FREDERICTON - THE BIG 3
The Big 3 are an emerging collective of artists ranging from film to Canvas to literature and have been evolving for years. Their is a distinct lack of uninhibited work being portrayed in todays artistic community, and the Big 3 are trying to fill that void. Henceforth, come May 2nd, we will be having our opening show. For the first time, The Big 3 will be displaying their art at the Phoenix Bar above the Capital until Sunday May 6th. Opening night will include a spoken word performance done by Bonshah as well as a mix of Soul, Funk, and Soul mixed throughout the night by DJ STV, Complementary wine and appetizers as well as Picaroons drink specials throughout the night.

DIGITAL CAMERA
Intro - Theory & Hands-on
MAY 5, 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

(Required Workshop for members who want to direct/produce their own digital projects through NB Film Co-op)

Number Limit: 20

A hands-on camera course for anyone interested in working with the Co-op digital video cameras or any camera.

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DIGITAL LIGHTING
Intro - Theory & Hands-on
MAY 6, Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm
New Brunswick Film Co-op
(732 Charlotte Street, upstairs auditorium)
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members

(Required Workshop for members who want to direct/produce their own film or video projects through NB Film Co-op)

Number Limit: 12

A hands-on digital lighting course for anyone interested in working with digital video.

INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
After moving to Canada from Argentina, Rodrigo Gutierrez lived for 7 years in Montreal, where he studied Television at UQAM and was an active member of the video production Co-op Videographe. He has also been assisting members out at the NBFC in his role as digital camera/lighting/editing guru in addition to being on the Co-op Equipment Committee.

Email info@nbfilmcoop.co to register

Biz News

MARITIME WRESTLERS TO BE FEATURED 
Saint John, New Brunswick, April 8, 2007

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 New Brunswick Film, producer 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."

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.thefightnetwork.com
www.greghemmings.com

ABOUT - Hemmings House Pictures is a full service film and video production company. Hemmings House specializes in television production, lifestyle, documentary, music video, commercial and high end corporate video production. Hemmings House Pictures recently partnered with Tidby Pictures and Dream Street Pictures to produce a new TV series with CTV Travel called "Planet Luxury" www.planetluxury.ca

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EXTRAS, EXTRAS, READ ALL ABOUT IT!
I had the chance to play Trudeau in Canada/Russia '72; you could easily be an extra too.

By Jim Lavoie

Published Thursday April 26th, 2007
No Oscar, no Gemini for me, but I was the man for a day. I was Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau in Canada/Russia 72. Well, part of me was anyway, all thanks to extras casting.

Imagine, if you will, what it would be like to be the centre of attention with a live audience and movie cameras pointing in your face. Then imagine you've never acted or been in a film before and you're trying to pass off as the one and only Trudeau. Then throw in the fact that the scene you are in is the ceremonial face-off for the greatest hockey series of all-time, Canada versus Russia, the Summit series 1972. And let's not forget, it's for a CBC movie scheduled for national release.

You can go ahead and imagine all you want because this actually happened to me. I know Elvis would have been proud of me because my hands were shaking, my knees were weak and it felt like I couldn't stand on my own two feet. Before I go on about my experiences and feelings about all of this, you should know how I got there in the first place.

I first saw an article that said Barrie Dunn (famed producer, director) was going to take on the challenge of recreating the 72 epic series filming mostly in Fredericton. Soon an ad appeared in the Daily Gleaner looking for extras for the movie and the group in charge of that, was called Extras Casting (http://www.extrasdoitbest.com).

I was in college in 1972 and that series meant everything to me, still does today. Although I had never acted before, I decide to throw my name into the ring. I had a basic concept of what being an extra meant. I mean when you watch a movie you see people mostly in the background, eating, walking, in a crowd...These are extras (picked by an extras casting group) and mostly are not cast (actors are picked by casting which is an entirely different group).

Liza Gagnon operates Extras Casting out of Saint John, and is in essence a broker who supplies extras dependant on a client's needs. The client (in this case Dream Street Pictures, Halifax) provides her with a list of requirements that could include look-alikes (as was my case) stand-in doubles, short, tall, young ,old, balding, long haired, English, French...and the number of extras required varies for each production.

"You do not, I repeat, do not have to have any experience to be an extra in a movie," she says. "Please get that misconception out of your head! You may have the look I need for an individual extras part or you could be part of a crowd scene." In order for her to assess where you could be placed you have to first register.

"I need a recent photo of yourself and basic personal information (kept confidential) that you may sent to our website or look for auditions call in your area.

"Once you are on file, this is FREE by the way, you will be considered for a variety of projects that we handle," she says. "It can be long hours, but hey, you are getting paid, and really who amongst us wouldn't want to be in a movie?"

Her current Extras Casting project is to provide hundreds of extras for a film to be shot in Fredericton for a movie called Sticks and Stones. They need families, hockey teams, individuals of all types to fill and a myriad of extras roles. If you've ever wanted to give this a try, now is definitely the time to do so. Trust me on this one, you will have fun, make new friends, make some money and be amazed at what goes into the making of a film. To be considered for Sticks and Stones extra parts register today at http://www.extrasdoitbest.com.

Back to my own extra special story. Unbeknownst to me, Extras Casting was looking for a host of look-a-likes for CR72. Persons who resembled guys like Bobby Orr, Harold Ballard, and yes even Pierre Trudeau. When my photo and information arrived at Extras Casting someone thought that without my glasses, shaving off my beloved moustache, and growing sideburns, I might be able to carry off Trudeau. They put my picture alongside Trudeau's and said "he is our Trudeau." I then began morphing myself into Trudeau.

First I had to wait for my "call time." Extras Casting posts, on a daily basis on their website, who and when you should report to work. If you're not on the call list you aren't needed that day.

Finally, I was on the call list and arrived at the appointed time at the Aitken Centre. I was met by Liza who immediately set me off to makeup (a whole new experience in itself) my head was shaved, gelled and powdered up. Word came that "Trudeau was wanted in wardrobe right away!" and I was whisked away to wardrobe where my Trudeau outfit awaited. A month prior I had given my pant and shirt size to Liza who would ensure my outfit would be my size. In the interim while growing sideburns, I had perhaps taken in an extra meal or three for the pants were quite snug, the shirt was showing off my newly acquired taste.

The man in charge of my wardrobe said "do it like the pro you are" and I replied "you mean suck my gut in?" To which he slyly replied "like the pro you are!" Next it was up to the ice, where I was greeted by veteran actor Walter Learning who informed me of the scene. Sensing my apprehension he said "Just follow me and lean on me." He had no idea I would have to because with no glasses on, I couldn't see a foot in front of me.

The scene called for me to lead a delegation of dignitaries to centre ice, greet the players, drop the puck and say nothing. I was really nervous for the first 50 takes or so but began to adlib, like waving to a crowd I couldn't even see. On the last take I said "good luck in the series," dropped the puck and headed off the ice. Someone shouted "locking gates" and I thought that meant don't let me on the ice again and lock the gates.

When the movie was released, it was mostly footage of Trudeau himself but that was the back of my head at centre ice, my hand, and my voice wishing good luck. I am now locked for eternity in a recreation of an event that meant so much to me.