US 

CONNECTING - JEFFREY KELLEY, SAINT JOHN

Set to film in July of 2017, Jeffrey Kelley’s current project is a short film about an aging boxer who has gone too many rounds past his prime and must now deal with the consequences of having pursued his sport for too long, despite the impact to his health. 

The film is titled "The Gatekeeper", and more information is available on the facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheGatekeeperTheMovie.  Jeffrey wrote the screenplay for "The Gatekeeper", and he will be directing the film.  

"The Gatekeeper" is an adaptation of Jeffrey’s short story of the same name, published this year in a volume of short stories titled "The Gatekeeper and Other Stories", and features a foreword by Christian Crouse.  "The Gatekeeper and Other Stories" is available at:
https://www.amazon.ca/Gatekeeper-Other-Stories-Jeffrey-Kelley/dp/0995190...

"The Gatekeeper" boasts some incredible talent both on and off screen.  The film crew is made up of MJ Banks (1irst AD), Ian Estey (DP), Jamie Shannon (Key Grip), Shauna Stewart (Best Boy), Doug Robichaud (Grip), and Kadi Oram (Make-Up Artist).  

The cast of "The Gatekeeper" features Christina Isbill (as Brooke), Scott Brownlee (as Bruce), and Vincent Gregg (as Doc), and Jeffrey Kelley (as Seamus).

Jeffrey’s other work includes the feature film "FIVE", an adaptation an adaptation of his novel "FIVE" available at: https://www.amazon.ca/Five-Jeffrey-Kelley/dp/0995190704/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UT....  More on the novel can also be found by visiting the facebook page at www.facebook.com/FiveTheNovel/  

The film version of "FIVE" was the result of the efforts of many collaborative filmmakers in both Saint John and Fredericton, produced through Experiment Five Media and Groove Hill Studio, and directed by John David Thornton and Ian Estey.  It also features an original score by Scott Brownlee, and was performed live by Scott at a recital earlier this year.

Last year Jeffrey also wrote the screen adaptation of another one of his short stories, "Frozen Trade" (2016), which he brought to the screen with director Rob Parsons, and in 2015 Jeffrey teamed with fellow producers Ian Estey and Scott Brownlee, to create the sports documentary "Reboot: Rebuild" (2015), which is now available to view on www.youtube.com at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGZ4fFeEX8o.


Jeffrey Kelley’s dark short film "Dirt Road Dead", shot last November, is also an adaptation of one of his short stories published in the volume "The Gatekeeper and Other Stories".  "Dirt Road Dead" was shot in homage to the well-known Hammer Films, and is currently in post-production with Peter Doyle editing.

Later this year, Jeffrey’s next novel, "A Cathartic Scripture", will be released and you can follow news on that project by visiting the facebook page, www.facebook.com/CatharticScripture.

CONNECTING - LARISA TAMJIDI, FREDERICTON

Larisa Tamjidi is an Iranian-Canadian actress and assistant film director. She was born in Tehran, Iran.

She is the eldest daughter of famous Iranian film director and screenwriter, Hamid Tamjidi and Maryam Bakhtiar. Her brother, Kasra Tamjidi is also an actor. Larisa started playing piano at the age of eight and, was cast in her first acting role in her father’s film, "Agate."

Her first main acting role was in the Iranian television series: "Wage of Fear." The success of the series resulted in Hamid Tamjidi producing a film entitled, "Fear Of The Wage." The film was about an Iranian detective and was produced by Iran and Turkey. Other films she has acted in include "Dear Wednesday" and "Playing With Death." She was an associate director on the film "Endless Night." She helped her father on his recent film shot in Fredericton entitled, "The Bird May Die," which won a major award in an international film festival. Her most recent acting role was in Co-op member Nancy Lynch's Short Film Venture short, "Side Of The Road."  

PAYPAL LINKS ARE UP FOR NBFC MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWALS FOR 2017 

It's time to renew your co-op membership for 2017, renewals are due annually in January for ongoing members. If you email Cat to ask for her help with anything filmic, the first thing she will ask you to do is renew as her focus is the co-op members in good standing. The paypal links for memberships for 2017 are up on the co-op website - http://nbfilmcoop.com/joining

Renewed and New Members: Devan Mahaney, Larisa Tamjidi, Ashley Sandford (Fredericton), Rebekah Johnson (Saint John), Pamela Gallant (Moncton).

BUZZ

THE MAKING OF

“WE ARE CHARACTERS INCORPORATED." 

By NB Film Co-op member Kirk Pennell

Anyone who lived in Fredericton and the surrounding area in the 90's would certainly know the name “Characters Incorporated.”  For 15 years, this group entertained audiences and would tour all over the world celebrating Canadian pride through song and dance.  I was fortunate enough to be a part of this whole experience.  In fact, it played a large part in my life that led me to what I do today. I'm a professional videographer, and like many NB Film Co-op members, I make my own independent films when I can. 

In recent years, I thought to myself, “I can't be the only one who was affected by their time in this group.” At the time, it felt like so much more than your general after school drama club.  And, it was.  It has been 35 years since it all began and 20 years since it ended and, Canada is turning 150 this year.  “The timing was perfect,” I thought to myself when starting this project two years ago.  I knew that if I were even to try and tell this story, I needed to talk to a lot of people.  I had to fit this passion project into spare time and weekends. 

I knew from past experience what an undertaking a project like a documentary can be.  Unlike a standard film, you do not always have the luxury of starting with a script.  You often find that the story begins to unfold after each frame you shoot, or interview you do.  You start out expecting one thing, but, due to unforeseen circumstances, happy accidents, missed opportunities, canceled appointments and everything else that can transpire, golden moments can occur.  Multiple stories you've heard followed by transcribing each word said along with watching each moment captured begins to formulate as a narrative in your brain.

What to use? What to cut?  Where to start?  What's the ending?  These are all things that often change throughout the production.  You have an idea, then, reality changes things in a heartbeat.  The documentary format is often chaotic, joyful, adaptive, invigorating and frustrating all at the same time.  At least that's what my experience has been.  Missed shots, forgotten questions, and other things I thought about after the fact continue to haunt me.  Well, maybe 'haunt' is a strong word, it's more annoying to me. I think about the setup I didn't like or the one I did like that I may not get to use as much. But, then there are the unexpected captured tears in an emotional recollection and other unpredictable moments that can only happen in documentary filmmaking.

Because of how close I was and am to the project, I knew I needed to partner up with someone with documentary experience and a less personal attachment to the group.  I found that person in NB Film Co-op member and well-known producer Christine McLean.  Christine has a tremendous amount of documentary experience and would be the fresh set of eyes that would help drive this story.  She graciously accepted and has been a constant support and partner throughout the process.  

I also turned to friend and former Character alumni, composer Alex Good.  I had worked previously with Alex on my short film “P.O.V.”  Alex's music brilliantly captured what I was looking for in that short film.  So, I knew he was the person to turn to for “We are Characters Incorporated.”  From the moment I heard his score in the first trailer for the film, I knew he was the right choice. Our team was complete.

The greatest joy has been getting to hear the stories and share the experiences of the people I interviewed.  It can be a very intimate experience going through this process.  Once the lights are on, and the cameras are rolling, I am overjoyed at how people open up and let their emotions surface.  It can be very therapeutic.  I found myself sharing many tears and joyful moments with the people we conversed with.

Two years have flown by.  The film is now in the editing stage with the occasional pick-up interview here and there.  I'm very proud to release the latest and final trailer for the documentary to the Film Co-op member community and beyond. (Link at the bottom)  Alex Good composed yet another fantastic score for this trailer, and I cannot wait to hear what he has in store for the final film.  

The aspect of this project that I am most proud of is that it is a New Brunswick film through and through.  It is about NB youth; a large part of our arts community history and made up of a cast and crew of all New Brunswick talent.    

Ladies and Gentlemen........”We are Characters Incorporated.”

LINK TO TRAILER

https://vimeo.com/221466771

NB FILM CO-OP WORKSHOPS ACROSS NEW BRUNSWICK 

Check out all our workshops: http://nbfilmcoop.com/workshops

(there is a paypal link on each workshop page title you click on to register for each workshop, see below).Moncton and Saint John workshops start up in April and registration for for them is now OPEN.

Email: info@nbfilmcoop.com to get a pdf of the workshop programs emailed to you.

Through this annual provincial training programme, you can learn from qualified, specialized instructors.

By participating, you acquire new, incredibly interesting skills, and enjoy the camaraderie of the film community in New Brunswick.

The NB Film Co-op workshop series provides hands-on practical film and video training for members and non-members alike. Formally registering and paying in advance is the only way to ensure you will have a seat in any of the offered courses. Register in person at the NB Film Co-op (call or email to make an appointment first please!) (Cash, Cheque or Money Order) or by mail (Cheques and Money Orders only). Pay Pal is now an option as well. There are always limited spots available for all workshops so please call or email staff to see if there are available spots before you send your payment. You can put your name on the waiting list for workshops already full. 

Workshops and Courses

The Majority of the workshops are held at the NB Film Co-op at 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton, NB beginning in early February annually. Instructors and workshop times are subject to change. There are separate workshop programs and schedules for workshops happening in Moncton and Saint John beginning in March annually. All participants will be notified by email/telephone of any changes with the workshop for which they have registered. For all day workshops, we recommend that you bring your own lunch.

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SAINT JOHN - DOCUMENTARY: TELLING PERSONAL STORIES THAT MATTER

http://nbfilmcoop.com/workshops/documentary-telling-personal-stories-matter

(Intro – Theory)

June 24, Saturday, 10:30 am - 4 pm

Instructor: Matt Brown and Andrey Blanco 

Location: Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Sq, Saint John, New Brunswick, ROOM #2

Fee: $25 For Film Co-op Members/$35 For Non-Members 

Class Limit: 8 

This full day workshop is designed to provide the participants with the necessary theory to make documentaries that are intriguing, demanding and challenging. 

The workshop will cover the four basic steps of documentary filmmaking step-by-step. At the end, participants will be able to take away invaluable insights to incorporate into their projects.

INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY

Matt is an award-winning writer, director, filmmaker and photographer. To date he has five short films to his credit. In 2006, his short film “Cold Day in Hell” won three awards at the Silver Wave Film Festival including: Best Short Drama, Best Sound Design and Best Art Direction. The film was also nominated in the Best Short Action Sequence in the prestigious Action on Film Festival in LA. His short film “Mountaindale" was selected for CBC’s national Internet competition “Roots Challenge” in 2010.