Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Trio is a compilation of three otherworldly visions performed by three dancers entitled Sense, Attention and Inflection.

These three metaphorical characters intersect in stories told through gestures, body and sound.

Creative team

Director/producer: John Graham

Filmmaker’s statement

Much of contemporary culture denies [the] mythical nature of dream visions even though these phenomena are ever present in the unconscious.

Conceived as a poetic laboratory, this short video interrelates conscious awareness and the enigmatic realm of the subconscious. This work is inspired by the notion that dreams know the truth of the world.

The experience of this work is not intended to appease the conscious mind, but to challenge it.

About John Graham

As a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, John’s art practice spans many visual art media.

His six independent short films have won awards and screened at over 100 film festivals in 24 countries worldwide.

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Jodie is an aspiring young stage actress who will do whatever it takes to prove she is more than just a background performer when her drama teacher casts her in the role of Jew Girl #2 in her high school’s Jewish rendition of Hairspray.

Creative team

Writer/director: Adam Singer
Producers: Adam Singer, Robert Murdoch

Filmmaker’s statement

I made this film as a tribute to my cousin Jodie who passed away tragically just over two years ago.

This film encapsulates a moment in her life when she realized she was destined for the stage, but it would not be an easy journey. Her strength, determination and kindness made her who she was.

I am grateful to be able to share Jodie’s memory with the world through this film.

About Adam Singer

Adam Singer was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has always been passionate about the film industry and has wanted to make movies for as long as he can remember.

In 2011, he moved to Toronto where he studied at York University in the film production program. Adam focused on directing, screenwriting, editing and producing during his time at York.

Adam’s final [student] film, which he made as a tribute to his late cousin who passed away in 2014, was awarded best screenplay at York University’s annual CineSiege Awards.

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Cynthia and Amy have been asked to scatter the ashes of a dear friend, Barb.

Cynthia wants it done right – whatever that looks like – and Amy is sure she knows what Barb would have wanted. Neither are prepared for what they experience in the forest.

Creative team

Writer: Audrey Martin
Director: Ellie Harvie
Producers: Harrison Houde, Debra Sears, Heather Hawthorn Doyle

Filmmaker’s statement

When you hit a certain age you start to lose people. Cremation and scatterings are no longer sacred events in your imagination. They become a part of the nitty gritty of life. I remember buckling my father’s urn into the front seat of my car, which he had sat in a thousand times.

What appealed to me about the script was normalizing the experience of scattering ashes. Because it is normal. We hold death at such a distance in this culture.

Like a part of life, death and all its rituals are imperfect, flawed and finite.

About Ellie Harvie

For the past 25 years Ellie Harvie has made a living as a TV and film actress in Vancouver.

She came through theatre (Vancouver Playhouse School) and with strong roots in local improv (Vancouver TheatreSports League) and the stand-up scene (Yuk-Yuks, Lafflines), comedy is her forte.

From playing Morticia in The New Addams Family to Candace/Mrs. Bubkes in Some Assembly Required and the 100 other titles in between, she is a pro in front of the camera. In that time she has learned, watched and waited to make the transition to directing, backed with a huge wealth of knowledge and experience.

A director on the board of UBCP/ACTRA, Ellie has huge regard for all the members of the sister unions, as well as the producers. Together we all make up this thriving, growing industry.

Having achieved her goal of being a well-respected actor in the city, her goal is now to be one of Vancouver’s best-looking directors. Scattered marks her directorial debut.

The post Scattered appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

After an incident that leaves the world around him silent, Kurtis discovers what it means to communicate in a technologically consumed society.

Creative team

Writer/producer: Justin Kueber
Director: Shannon Hunt

Filmmaker’s statement

I Phub You is a story that really stands out to me as being increasingly important in this society that we live in. In this technology-driven world who doesn’t long for a simpler time? Harnessing that nostalgia for the silent-film era, and then stamping it with a powerful and contemporary message about communication – it’s a win.

The distinction between the real world and the silent world is most important to me. Not only do I want the worlds to look and sound different, I want them to feel different. So, the biggest thing I impress upon my actors is stylization. Contemporary film acting is subtle, naturalistic; it is meant to represent the way most people act in real life, where emotions and inner thoughts are not apparent from the outside.

Silent film-era acting is the opposite. All the characters emotions and thoughts ARE apparent from the outside; they are made big and obvious, like in theatre. What the actors are not given in dialogue has to be made up for in physical expression.

I have to admit, it’s been fun inciting my cast to do exactly what they’ve always been told NOT to do in film acting: be melodramatic and campy.

This Female Director Storyhive thing was a good thing. I can only speak from my own experience, but I too often have been in a situation where I don’t apply for something because I think I am not skilled/experienced enough. It was a great initiative to enable aspiring female filmmakers to have an opportunity to direct and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

We had such an amazing team – I can’t imagine finding a better group of people to work with to bring this film to life.

About Shannon Hunt

Shannon has a degree in music composition and is also an experienced actor and aspiring screenwriter.

Shannon has studied and performed music her whole life (voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, percussion) and has a BMus in composition. She takes a special interest in film scoring, recently interned under Hans Zimmer, and has written music for over 10 commercials and two independent films in Edmonton.

She has acted in over 20 live shows and musicals in Kelowna and Edmonton. She has also recently acted in a few local commercials and an independent film.

Shannon is an aspiring screen/script writer, producing content here and there over the course of her life. Currently she is working on a feature-length script entitled Turnaround and her most recent work is a 20-minute period piece that’s performed weekly at F.E.P.

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