Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Students of 2020 above from top left: Faith Gore, Matthew Tenute, Sarah Carrier, Nathaniel Magbanua; bottom from left: Seth Arcand, Janell Henry, AJ Wastasecoot

It seems like only yesterday the newest CBC New Indigenous Voices students began training. On December 10, they officially graduated during a special online ceremony joined by family and friends, faculty, partners and National Screen Institute staff.

The 2020 edition of this 14-week, full-time program – aimed at accelerating the careers of emerging Indigenous creators in Canada – was redesigned for learning during a pandemic. NSI elevated what has historically been a classroom-based learning model to a dynamic, customized online program – which means the students never actually got to meet in-person. That didn’t stop them forming friendships and creating some amazing podcasts with faculty member Kim Wheeler.

We’re going to miss the class of 2020. As program manager Kaya Wheeler told us, “I shared many hours with the students. They were the first thing I thought of every morning and the last thing I thought of every evening.”

On their way out the door, we asked them for a final writing assignment to wrap up their time in the program.

Seth Arcand

CBC New Indigenous Voices has been an incredible experience. I don’t know if we were prepared for how much we were going to learn in the program.

The program was incredibly executed by the team at NSI. Kaya Wheeler [program manager] and Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill [Indigenous programs and administrative assistant] were incredible leaders and I’m proud to have met them, and hope to work with them more in the future.

It was an incredible blessing and honour to meet and work with: Sarah Carrier, Faith Gore, Janell Henry, Nate Magbanua, Matt Tenute, and AJ Wastasecoot, and I look forward to seeing the impact they have in the industry; the creativity and capability of these people is incredible and I know they’re going to be people to watch.

I learned a lot about my own abilities as well. The projects we did through the program pushed me to work harder and take my work more seriously. The mentors we had made everything less intimidating and run so smoothly because of their immense knowledge and ability.

My interests have changed. I found I took more of an interest in the technical aspects of filmmaking, and how you can have a career in any aspect of filmmaking. I still want to be writing, directing and producing, but there is the choice to pursue my career in many facets of filmmaking.

I really enjoyed: getting to know the other students, the mentors and learning more about the industry as a whole. Being immersed in knowledge from people experienced in the industry was a great experience and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Kininaskomitin Kaya, Sarah, NSI, CBC and all the amazing people who took time out of their lives to share their knowledge with all of us.

Sarah Carrier

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who has been part of this program, and my fellow participants. It was a truly valuable experience and I enjoyed every part of it.

When we were starting this program in September, I was excited but also very apprehensive about what the course would look like. I was unsure of the format of online learning, and the prospect of getting to know people through Zoom was very daunting.

I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find inspiration through something so intangible but, as the course continued on, it became such a substantial experience that I wouldn’t change.

I felt a camaraderie as we were overcoming the barrier of not being [together] in person, and I think we became closer as a group because of it. In addition, the course material taught me so many valuable things about the Canadian film industry that I previously had not even considered. I feel like the opportunities we as young Indigenous creators have going forward are endless.

The guest lectures we had the privilege of listening to were all wonderful as well. The coursework and development we were able to do was a great learning experience, and I had fun creating my own podcast. I did not anticipate that the process would be so collaborative and meaningful online, but it exceeded my expectations.

I went into this program primarily interested in editing and camerawork. I also quietly hoped to pursue directing and writing but was not totally confident in my skill set. Now, at the end of this program, I feel as though I can pursue a wide variety of roles in this industry, including and especially writing and directing my own work.

I truly felt like Sarah, Kaya, the guests we had, and everyone at NSI believed in us and our work, and that is what I will take with me and remember the most from this program.

I looked forward to logging onto Zoom every morning and feeling inspired – and sharing that with my fellow participants. Looking back, that is what I will miss the most. I hope we can all meet in person someday, but until then – miigwech.

Janell Henry

I really enjoyed being part of CBC New Indigenous Voices.

Participating online made our curriculum even more interesting. Each of us was able to talk about our own situations from different areas of the city and different areas of the country. We learned how different our respective regions functioned from the classic differing time zones, differing pandemic restrictions and differing resources available to us regionally.

We participated in over 40 workshops over three months learning through an Indigenous lens. Strategically, we met many others working in the industry all to talk about the creative, technical and business aspects of filmmaking and the creative industry.

One of the key things that resonated with me was the power of story. Embarrassingly, for me I will admit, I sometimes forget about how to utilize the elements of creating a strong story.

What I enjoyed the most was with the inclusion of [Traditional] teachings. I felt very comfortable and was able to feel more connected to the content.

Now the program has ended, my interests haven’t necessarily changed, but I go forward with greater understanding. I am able to see differences in responsibilities of jobs in the industry and with this greater knowledge, I see greater possibility. Thank you to all those that took time out of their day to talk to our group.

Nathaniel Magbanua

After completing the program, I can confidently say it has been an exponential stepping stone towards my growth as a filmmaker.

Over the last few months, I learned so many skills and gained knowledge about the film industry that I never knew. After completing the program I can definitely say that it more than met my expectations.

From learning how to pitch a project, producing our own projects, along with all the amazing creative opportunities that were presented to us through the instructors, each and every class was super informative and packed with invaluable skills that always kept me looking forward towards the next thing ahead.

The thing I will miss most is the class time we were able to spend together during the first phase of the program. Kaya and Sarah were amazing instructors and it was an amazing experience being able to meet and connect with everyone in the program during our short time together.

Matthew Tenute

Now that the [CBC New Indigenous Voices] program has come to an end I feel I have a more of a broad understanding of how the film industry operates and how everything comes together as a whole.

Entering into the program I felt like I didn’t know much about the technical side and it kind of intimidated me knowing this. Now, after completing the program, I feel entirely more comfortable and confident with the knowledge I have gained within the film realm.

Through this opportunity, I gained first-hand experience in the film industry, built my capacity in the realm of documentary filmmaking and various other technical skills in film.

Even though we were all separated from one another as a class, I really felt like I built meaningful friendships and relationships with the other students and instructors. It’s hard to believe that we all haven’t actually met in real life but, funnily enough, it almost feels as if we have all known each other for ages.

Without question, I am very excited to one day work (in person) with the program alumni, mentors and anyone else I have networked with and met throughout the program.

The daily check-in over a pot of coffee in the morning with my fellow students and instructors discussing what was on the schedule for the day/week was my favorite way to start the day. We would discuss everything: what was going on in the film world, whether it was to do with life in general during these difficult and unprecedented times.

I’ll be missing the workshops and all the networking opportunities we were given for future work possibilities.

I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to get a head start in the film industry and for the tremendous networking and job possibilities.

Chi-Miigwetch to everyone that I have met throughout this program. I couldn’t have done it without you! Much love. Baamaapii (until later), Gigaawaabamin Miinwaa (see you again).

AJ Wastasecoot

This program was a great experience. I feel so thankful that I got to be a participant, especially in spite of all the new challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us.

I’m also very thankful for the support, patience and encouragement from Kaya and Sarah.

I found the information sessions very insightful and motivating. I started this program with directing as my goal, but as time went on I found myself becoming more interested in cinematography and writing.

I enjoyed practicing skills like pitching and interviewing. I’m thankful I got the experience of sharing my ideas in a welcoming, positive learning environment.

The knowledge shared with me is invaluable. And although it feels like I’m leaving the nest, I’m comforted knowing that at least I’ve got the instructions to fly.

Ekosi!

• • •

CBC New Indigenous Voices is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), Telefilm Canada; Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada; Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, Super Channel; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Supporters IATSE Local 856, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival; Service Sponsors iSplice Films, Final Draft. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

The post Daunted by online learning, the CBC New Indigenous Voices class of 2020 met the challenge and formed meaningful friendships appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is now accepting applications for the NSI New Northern Voices 2021 writers edition – a part-time, online training program designed to strengthen new and emerging writers’ skills and abilities to craft stories told from a northern Manitoba perspective.

Northern Manitoba writers with a great idea for a short film or web series will learn the essential elements of short-fiction writing for the screen with award-winning writer Jordan Wheeler (Arctic Air, renegadepress.com and North of 60).

“The inaugural edition of NSI New Northern Voices in 2019 was the first time NSI had delivered a program in northern Manitoba. We took the training to the region to meet the needs of local storytellers,” said program manager Ursula Lawson. “Building on that success and NSI’s commitment to growing capacity within the screen industry in The Pas, Manitoba and surrounding areas, the NSI New Northern Voices 2021 writers edition was developed.”

“Due to COVID-19 we’ll be delivering the course online, but we look forward to returning to northern Manitoba to produce one of the scripts developed through the program.”

Up to three participants will be selected for the NSI New Northern Voices 2021 writers edition. The course will be delivered part-time, online over six weeks from February 17 to March 31, 2021 and participants will be required to commit to a total of 6.5 hours of training workshops plus two one-on-one story editing consultations.

Training will cover topics such as story structure, proper formatting, character development and other structural devices.

At the end of the course, participants will have a well-developed script ready to pitch to funders, producers and production companies.

Additionally, one participant will be selected to have their script produced by a producer trainee and the National Screen Institute in a future edition of the program.

NSI New Northern Voices 2021 writers edition faculty are writer advisor and mentor Jordan Wheeler, program manager Ursula Lawson and program coordinator Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill.

Find out more and apply for the course by February 1, 2021 at 5 p.m. Central Time.

• • •

NSI New Northern Voices 2021 is funded by NSI Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Strategic Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Stantec, RBC Emerging Artists Project, TELUS Manitoba Community Board, and Super Channel; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Supporter Final Draft and Native Communications Inc. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council. More sponsors will be announced as confirmed.

NSI New Northern Voices is the direct result of the NSI feasibility study and framework for northern training, supported by Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, The Winnipeg Foundation and Manitoba Film & Music.

NSI’s commitment to underrepresented voices

NSI is committed to selecting participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.

Additionally, NSI is committed to training storytellers from outside large urban centres.

All media enquiries

Liz Hover
Director of Communications
liz.hover@nsi-canada.ca

The post Northern Manitoba writers: develop your web series or short film idea online through the NSI New Northern Voices training program appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has selected Sage Daniels (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs) to receive technical services and support through their Filmmakers Assistance Program (FAP).

FAP is designed to help developing, independent filmmakers complete their films/videos by providing technical services and support – with a maximum value up to $5K.

Sage’s project, Broken Glass, is an adaptation of poems about addiction, examining its ripple effects within wider family and community circles.

FAP supports documentaries, animations and short dramas. To qualify, filmmakers must submit proposals detailing their projects and the assistance they need in order to complete it.

The post Sage Daniels selected to receive support from NFB’s Filmmakers Assistance Program appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

The Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) announced Katie Weekley (NSI Features First, NSI Totally Television, NSI Drama Prize) as a participant in their 2021 Scripted Series Lab.

Katie and five other participants are set to begin their 15-week screenwriting training this month with mentor and fellow NSI grad, Will Pascoe (NSI Features First).

PSP named Will as the new showrunner-in-residence for the Scripted Series Lab. Will aims to help these six up-and-coming writers learn about the ever-changing TV marketplace through workshops and collaboration.

The post Katie Weekley chosen for Pacific Screenwriting Program’s Scripted Series Lab appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Season 2 of Transplant – from creator, showrunner and executive producer Joseph Kay (NSI Totally Television) and executive producer Virginia Rankin (NSI Global Marketing) – has been picked up by NBC.

NBC acquired the show in May 2020 and announced it would pick up the second season in late December. With 5.7 million viewers on the US network, NBC noted Transplant as one of television’s most time-shifted shows through its run – ranking no. 1 during its first seven original telecasts.

Transplant follows Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (played by Hamza Haq), a Syrian doctor with battle-tested skills in emergency medicine. Bash decides to flee his country and start a new life in Canada – earning a coveted residency in the emergency department of one of the best hospitals in Toronto, York Memorial.

The show is the most-watched Canadian original series, according to CTV.

The post New season of Transplant set to air on NBC appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).