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YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT U WANT – FILMMAKING IN CANADA

By Peter Evanchuck

Recently Soderbergh’s ‘UNSANE’ created a stir in the film community since his half dozen or so DOP’s all used iphones to create the media and after spending a million on making it, he released it.

It’s release wasn’t to his satisfaction since it sort of bombed at the box. His response to this was rather remarkable to we Canadian filmmakers.

He had only $20 million for marketing/promotion of the feature. That he states, wasn’t enough. He assures his readers that at least $30 million is necessary to create the buzz needed to get the bums in the seats of theatres across the U.S.

These costs are absurd to any Canadian filmmaker since no one ever or seldom gets that kind of money – even to make the feature.

My little movies struggle like I do with my cancer to get out and about in a very controlled American domination of our theatres and media outlets.

All that aside, I and others have used digital to continue to ‘tell our stories’ and use whatever outlets we can to expose those tales to interested viewers. The problem of course is how to make some rent money to pay the bills.

At the present I’m roaming from Ontario to Nova Scotia shooting scenes for my latest docudramedy ‘THE SEARCH FOR A BEAUTIFUL BACHELOR.’

The story is revealed partly with documentary footage, dramatic footage all with a sensible sense of humour.

And that my fellow videographers is where this filmmaker stands firmly in the grip of low budget movie making like so many other Canadians who have a yearning to understand life around them.

PS: i just heard that Netflix intends to open a major studio in Toronto. Perhaps taxfree Netflix might have to pay some taxes into the media fund and fund more Canadian storytellers.

movieshandmade.com

bookshandmade.com

marvelousrealismcanada.blogspot.ca

neonmatisse.com

Helene Lacelle on location in Moscow (Ottawa's Lansdown Park Pavillion plays Red Square) in scene from 'CanadianPIGgirl,' Evanchuck's feature drama now in post. (Photo by Peter Evanchuck)

 Director Peter Evanchuck on location in Niagara Falls sitting with a bachelor Zombie discussing life (Photo by Helene Lacelle)

CONNECTING MEMBERS - CAM WOYKIN - FREDERICTON

Welcome to renewed member Cam Woykin who loves it on the east coast; he even likes shoveling. That's Cam smiling in front. 

Cam Woykin is a Toronto-based artist and educator, and currently teaches film production at the University of New Brunswick and lives in Fredericton.

He received his BFA in visual arts from the University of Lethbridge, an MFA in film production from York University and, in 2011, was recognized by the Toronto International Film Festival as one of Canada’s emerging talents in film. His creative work has been exhibited at festivals, galleries, and alternative spaces across Canada and internationally.

Woykin's recent collaboration is The Stairs, a feature documentary he contributed to as cinematographer. The project won the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award, Canada’s richest arts prize, which is presented annually by the Toronto Film Critics Association.

NB FILM CO-OP JOB OPPORTUNITY - SUMMER JOB FOR A STUDENT WITH SEED FUNDING

Summer job for a student with SEED funding

Job will start: May 21, 2919

Program Assistant

The NB Film Co-op Program Assistant will be responsible for assisting the Membership Services Director in implementing new and ongoing activities, programs, communications and marketing including promotion of members. 

The Program Assistant will assist with the creation and distribution of press releases; updating social media and researching and connecting with other organizations and groups under the direction of the Film Co-op staff. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

The candidate should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as good people skills. The candidate should have experience with and knowledge of social media platforms, and office and design tools such as Word, Indesign, Excel and, Photoshop. A background and/or interest in the film community would be excellent. Communications experience will also be good but is not required.

Job Summary

The successful applicant for this position will be able to work independently and show initiative in learning about the organization's activities and in identifying ways to tell a story on social platforms, will have the creative chops to take exciting photos and videos, discover and curate user content, write snappy captions and clear content to keep the public effectively informed and engaged. This position requires someone outgoing, creative and organized; someone who will work under the supervision of the Membership Services Director. 

The successful candidate will work out of the NB Film Co-op, an engaging environment with ample support.

Requirements

The successful applicant will:

Have strong knowledge and technical skills for dealing with social media platforms 

Display strong photography and video skills

Bring project management and organizational skills 

Be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker and an effective, proficient writer

Apply to:

https://www.nbjobs.ca/seed/seed/listing

CHECK TO SEE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS JOB: https://www.nbjobs.ca/seed/seed

info@nbfilmcoop.com

UPDATE YOUR CAST AND CREW PROFILE TODAY!

So you've joined the NB Film Co-op. You've taken a bunch of workshops. You've gone to networking events. But you're still unsure how to actually get involved with a film shoot.

One way to get your name out there is to register for the NB Film Co-op Cast and Crew Profile. It's a database where filmmakers can see a list of members who are able to fill in various cast and crew positions. It's simple to fill out and in no time your name will be made available to all filmmakers who are looking for cast and crew for their upcoming projects. It has recently been modified to allow new members with little or no experience create a profile, and it also allows members to fill in a more complete resume if they wish.

It's also beneficial for our more experienced members too. It is a place where commercial filmmakers can go to search for people to hire for paid shoots, and it gives members a platform to self promote themselves and their work.

So please, take a few minutes to fill out your profile and help the Co-op promote you!

This benefit is for Film Co-op members in good standing with their dues paid up. Email info@nbfilmcoop.com to find out more info.

Note: If you want to get calls from outside production companies and local production companies looking for creative crew, please ask Cat to be put on her film job short list. She can't refer you if you don't let her know.

NBFC PROJECT SUPPORT LINKS

ONGOING! - Member Production Support Programme: http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/member-production-support-program

UPCOMING! - imagineNATIVE/NBFC Incubator Program: March 15, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/imaginenative-mentorship

UPCOMING! - Telefilm Talent To Watch Program - PAST! - February 12, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/talent-watch-program

UPCOMING! - Bolex Film Scholarship: April 13, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/bolex-film-scholarship

UPCOMING! - Errol Williams Filmmaker Award: April 13, 2019 - http://nbfilmcoop.com/programs/errol-williams-filmmaker-award

PAYPAL LINKS ARE UP FOR NBFC MEMBERSHIP AND RENEWALS FOR 2019 

Membership renewals are due in Jan/Feb annually. The paypal links for memberships for 2019 are up on the co-op website for renewing members - http://nbfilmcoop.com/content/renew

Welcome back to the following members who have renewed recently for 2019: Matthew Gorveatte, Michelle Chlow, Glendon McKinney, Corena Walby (Fredericton), Cayman Grant (SJ/LA).

Our member list is on our website: http://nbfilmcoop.com/members/listing

Jane LeBlanc Filmmaker Award Winner and member Cori Brownlee is shooting the first part of her film project, Distortion this weekend, we wish her the best!