Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

NSI’s Features First manager Shelly Quade tells us about PEI Screenwriters’ Bootcamp 2017

Posted: 12 Jun 2017 12:45 PM PDT

As I set off for Prince Edward Island I had all kinds of ideas about what to expect at the 11th annual PEI Screenwriters’ Bootcamp (hosted by Island Media Arts Coop).

I’m not a writer but I frequently compose stories in my head, am an avid reader by nature, a librarian by degree and have enjoyed proofreading my father’s manuscripts for years.

As manager of NSI Features First, I have to read a lot of scripts and I enjoy getting inside people’s heads as they weave tales that feed my imagination. So meeting a new group of creators during the event was enticing.

To be honest, Louise Lalonde, the genius and hard-working coordinator behind the PEI Screenwriters’ Bootcamp, lured me with the promise of a lobster dinner and she paid that in spades! The lobster was delectable, but getting to meet so many writers with stories to tell, along with their industry mentors, was incredibly satisfying.

Getting to meet Tom Shoebridge, Sharon Buckingham, Hannah Cheesman and Deb Patz and reconnect with funding friends Allan Bacchus (Harold Greenberg Fund), Stephanie Azam (Telefilm) and Rebecca DiPasquale (Bell Media) was great.

I was invited to present an information session about NSI which went over really well. I pulled in PEI writer Adam Perry (pictured below) to speak about his trials and successes with A Small Fortune which he’s developing through NSI Features First with Jason Arsenault. Both Adam and Jason do NSI and the PEI community proud! Watch for their feature in theatres soon.

The three days I spent listening, greeting, encouraging, being pitched to and confided in was priceless. I was made to feel comfortable and included and it was an honour to know I was playing a part in a bigger plan for these emerging writers.

The great Jan Miller (co-founder of NSI) called us “connectors” and she’s right. NSI folks often serve to connect creators to others who help them on their journey.

As I watched the PEI Confederation Bridge disappear in my rear-view mirror, I thought of the NSI logo on the back of my business card (Whatever, Wherever) and how true it is. We find creative voices everywhere from the west coast to the east coast and everywhere in between. Life is good.

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Brianne Nord-Stewart wins Women in Film & Television Vancouver Spotlight Award

Posted: 12 Jun 2017 11:19 AM PDT

Congrats to Brianne Nord-Stewart (TELUS Optik™ Local) who’s been named a 2017 Women in Film & Television Vancouver Spotlight Award winner. Brianne won the Encore Vancouver Newcomer Award.

As a writer, director, producer and editor, Brianne has established her niche in creating intelligent and awkward (for some: disturbing) comedies about sex. Brianne looks forward to breaking into that damn TV sphere, directing her first feature and collaborating on more music videos in cinematic places.

The spotlight awards have been given out since 1999, celebrating the outstanding achievements of BC women in screen-based media.

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The Wake

Posted: 09 Jun 2017 01:07 PM PDT

As Owen, a young man lost at sea, drifts in and out of consciousness, he’s joined by a strange guide in a deserted world, and wanders further and further from the surface.

Creative team

Writer/director: Taylor Johnson
Producer: Alexander Dodd

Filmmaker’s statement

In The Wake, my goal was to create a unique take on the classic mariner’s tale. In this contemporary world, the sailor still yearns for home, the spirit still craves a peaceful rest, and the siren’s song is still deadly.

This is a narratively complex film driven by discovery. Each interwoven timeline reveals a fragment of Owen’s story. I wanted the viewer to discover with the protagonist, live the story through him, and share in his successes and failures. How did Owen lose his way? Who can he trust? Will he survive?

At its core this is a story about love and loss, being driven to the edge and then lingering there. I hope that this film both speaks to those universal emotions and yet leaves the viewer with an experience that is truly their own.

About Taylor Johnson

Taylor is thrilled to be making his filmmaking debut with The Wake, the first of what he hopes to be many screenwriting and directing ventures.

A graduate of the University of Victoria’s writing and film program, his passion for cinematic exploration fuels a desire to create projects that captivate and challenge his audience.

Taylor was introduced to the arts at a young age, acting in amateur and professional stage and film productions. Performing with an adult improv troupe at the age of 14 sparked a curiosity for writing and the world behind the camera.

The University of Victoria’s dynamic and rigorous program ignited a love of storytelling and developed a conceptual toolkit that he is thrilled to be putting into action.

He thanks this film’s passionate creative team without whom none of this would have been possible. He hopes you enjoy the film!

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The Mary Contest

Posted: 09 Jun 2017 01:03 PM PDT

A young catholic girl, with a quick temper and dreams of becoming a nun, desperately wants to win a prize for her altar, but her plans are derailed by the relentless teasing of the popular mean girl.

Creative team

Writer/director: Teresa McGee
Producer: Gord Peters

Filmmaker’s statement

The Mary Contest is a sweet coming-of-age story that hopefully people can relate to, even if they didn’t grow up in Catholic school. It is based on a (brief) period in my life when I was sure I wanted to become a nun. Their lives looked so serene and seemed more important than that of my mother, who had nine children to take care of.

I joined a prayer and good works group called the Legion of Mary where a contest to name the most Marys was initiated by our group leader. The coveted prize: a miniature bible. My twin sister and I went to town collecting names for the contest – Our Lady of Fatima, the Little Flower etc. My twin sister ended up winning the prize and still lords it over me.

I am extremely proud of the work everyone connected to the film put in. I am indebted to Gord Peters, our producer, as well as the entire crew who worked tirelessly so that we could capture the footage we needed. Their commitment was truly inspiring.

As a first time filmmaker, I was awed by the many hours needed to put the film together and refine it during post-production. I thank everyone who worked on post with me for their expertise and for having the patience it takes to work with a first-time director. It was a tremendous learning experience for me and I cannot wait to take what I have learned to my next project.

I had the privilege of working with some very talented and generous actors on this film. Despite the youth of much of the cast, they amazed me with their professionalism and commitment to the project.

Our lead actor, Adanna Avon, has received two acting awards for her outstanding performance in the lead role, including the young artist award for best actress in a short film (11-12 year olds). Adrienne Hicks, who plays the mean girl Tammy, also received two acting nominations for her excellent performance.

Our beautiful original score is the work of the gifted composer Cameron Wilson. The score was recorded live with arrangements for piano, cello, oboe and violin. The music greatly adds to the tone of the film and is a work of art on its own.

Many people contributed to the making of The Mary Contest. Special thanks to the schools and individuals who allowed us to film in their spaces as well as the many people who donated money for our post production through our crowdfunding campaign. We received funding from the National Film Board of Canada to cover some of the production costs without which we would not have got off the ground.

After months of hard work, it is our profound pleasure to be showing The Mary Contest to audiences at festivals. We were named best family short film at Bare Bones Film Festival and also received the award for best youth actor in a short film (Adanna Avon).

We received an excellence in filmmaking award at the Canada International Film Festival and we were a finalist at the Black Hills Film Festival. We received three nominations at the John Paul II International Film Festival, including best screenplay, best actor in a short film and best short film.

Our two young leads, Adanna Avon (Mary) and Adrienne Hicks (Tammy) were both nominated for acting awards at the Young Artist Awards in LA for their roles. Adanna was the winner in her category. We also received three nominations at the Action on Film Festival for best female filmmaker (short), best youth performance (short) (Adrienne) and best foreign director. We received the runner-up award for the last nomination.

About Teresa McGee

Teresa McGee is a writer/director and teacher from Vancouver. Previous credits include third place at Slamdance for her short comedy script, Man Pillow (co-written by Kathleen McGee).

Teresa is currently writing a feature dramatic screenplay and working to save money to make her next short film, a comedy.

Teresa also writes for children, with eight titles with Scholastic Canada’s Literacy Place program.

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The Portal

Posted: 09 Jun 2017 12:55 PM PDT

A dimension-travelling wizard gets stuck in the 21st century because cell phone radiation interferes with his magic.

With his home world on the brink of war, he seeks help from a jaded travel agent whom he mistakes for a great sorceress.

Without his powers to prove his identity she has trouble taking him seriously, but finally agrees to reveal the secrets of our world in exchange for a lunch date.

Creative team

Writer/director: Jonathan Williams
Producers: Andrew Smith, Laura Perlmutter

About Jonathan Williams

A Canadian screenwriter with a background in comedy and genre, Jonathan recently directed the award-winning web series Riftworld Chronicles, starring Tahmoh Pennikett and Erin Karpluk, which has become a transmedia sensation, launching comic book, video game and television development deals.

He is currently working on Dreamboat, his feature directing debut.

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