Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

NSI IndigiDocs film From Up North featured on CBC and in Regina Leader-Post

Posted: 30 May 2017 12:14 PM PDT

NSI IndigiDocs short From Up North, by director Trudy Stewart and producer Janine Windolph, was recently featured on CBC and in the Regina Leader-Post.

CBC featured the documentary’s subject Noel Starblanket, whose stories and recollections about his experience of Canada’s residential school system make up the bulk of the film. He spoke to CBC about the necessity of telling his story and the emotions that comes with.

Trudy’s role is examined in the Regina Leader-Post piece in which she speaks about her work as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission statement gatherer.

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NSI IndigiDocs is a development launch pad for producer/director teams looking to produce a short documentary.

NSI IndigiDocs 2016 was supported by Presenting Sponsor NBCUniversal; Program Partners Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage and RBC Emerging Artists Project; NSI Aboriginal Training Programs Partner Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; Bootcamp Presenting Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Supporting Sponsors Entertainment One; Super Channel; Corus Entertainment; Telefilm Canada; Breakthrough Entertainment; imagineNATIVE Film + Media Festival and Hots Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival; Tuition Sponsor NBCUniversal; Provincial Sponsors Manitoba Film & Music and Creative Saskatchewan; Industry Partners National Film Board of Canada, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) and Directors Guild of Canada; and Service Sponsor Line 21 Media.

NSI IndigiDocs 2016-18 is funded by Program Partners APTN, Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and RBC Emerging Artists Project; Aboriginal Training Programs Partner Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; Boot Camp Presenting Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Supporting Sponsors the Directors Guild of Canada, Entertainment One, Super Channel, Corus Entertainment, Telefilm Canada, imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival, Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, Breakthrough Entertainment and the Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Partners National Film Board and the Directors Guild of Canada; and Service Sponsor Line 21 Media.

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Mickey Rogers on the importance of pitching

Posted: 30 May 2017 10:23 AM PDT

Above: Mickey Rogers

Pitching expert Mickey Rogers has a special offer for our readers. Get 50% off her online course and ebook bundle How to Win Your Next Creative Pitch (you pay $19.99 US).

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Ideas are just figments of our imaginations. Until you begin to put words on a screen and shape that idea into something that makes sense.

Once you have an idea, you’re constantly pitching, trying it out and refining it. When you’re ready, you need to take that idea to at least 10 people (ideally not your parents or spouse) and ask them what they think.

Ideally you ask the question of your target market – six-year-olds or sci-fi fans or horror audiences – to see if they can understand the essence of the idea. All this fine-tuning leads you to pitching a buyer. It’s a crucial skill for anyone in the content business.

Don’t take it from me – hear what Ron Moore, showrunner and creator of Outlander and Battleship Galactica, has to say:

The online course How to Win Your Next Creative Pitch is available to NSI website readers just in time for Banff World Media Festival.

The ebook and course bundle also provides worksheets and examples for you to follow for clarity in telling your story. There are tips from industry leaders about what to do and some horror stories of pitching gone wrong. At the end of the course, you too will be “good in the room.”

Find out about the course and ebook bundle. To get 50% off just use this code at checkout: nsi. Offer valid until June 30, 2017.

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Mickey Rogers, the course creator and facilitator, has over 20 years practical, ‘hands on’ experience in the content business. She’s won numerous awards, including an international Emmy for her productions. Mickey has run production and international distribution businesses and pitched to global giants. She initiated the NSI programs NSI Totally Television and NSI Global Marketing. Her current production is airing on CBC and being sold all around the world.

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Nominate a dynamic woman for the WIFT-T 2017 Crystal Awards

Posted: 30 May 2017 10:02 AM PDT

Do you know a dynamic woman in film, TV and/or digital media? Is there someone you’ve always looked up to for their leadership skills? Who inspires you?

Women in Film and Television-Toronto (WIFT-T) is looking for nominees for their 2017 WIFT-T Crystal Awards.

WIFT-T members are invited to nominate exceptional leaders, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the screen-based industry, for a 2017 Crystal Award.

Nominees can be in one of four categories: outstanding achievement in business, digital trailblazer, creative excellence and mentorship.

The deadline for nominations is June 23, 2017. Find out more about the awards.

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