Moving Slowly

Following the death of his father, a young man tries to reconcile his attachment and estrangement from the place and people that have framed his memory. Moving Slowly is directed by Tyler Hagan.

Tyler says, ”This film is a very personal project, and one that spent several years percolating before it was anywhere close to being made.

In short, the film is about the loss of my father who died of a stroke in 2006 and how that affected and continues to affect my family. He was 51. I was 19 at the time. My sister was 21 and my brother 16. So, as one would expect, this was a catastrophic event for us. It has changed everything in my life to this day.

However, the film isn’t just about expressing that this happened to me or us. It’s about how a family deals with an event like this. How does it – if at all – hold itself together? How do we relate to each other now? It’s about how an incredible loss like this makes you feel hopeless at times and [the desire to] want to shut off from everything. And that’s where Marke is in this film. He’s separated himself from anything that could hurt him while at the same time growing increasingly nostalgic about what was.

With cinematography by Ryan Flowers and Lisa Pham as camera operator, the film explores this self-alienated space, not with the simple goal of ‘getting out’ of it or overcoming a negative feeling, but instead we hopefully reveal something unique and gain a little self-awareness.

Thank you for watching.

In Memoriam R.C.H.”

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Shaw Media, Program Partner Telefilm Canada, Comedy Award Sponsor Blue Ant Media, Female Director Award Sponsor Shaw Media, Overall Best Film Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks, and Supporting Sponsor Netflix.

NSI New Voices is our course for young Aboriginal adults aged 18-35 with a desire to work in the film and television industry.

Students train with professionals such as actor Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas), producer Laura Milliken (Moccasin Flats) and writer/director Sean Garrity (My Awkward Sexual Adventure, Blood Pressure) to develop their industry skills and undertake a full-time internship to put those skills into practice.

Read: week 1 | week 2

Jamie McKay

Jamie is a creative communications graduate from Red River College. She was born and raised in Winnipeg and was adopted at the age of three. She is the youngest of 10 children in her adoptive family. She loves writing, reading, taking photographs, editing film and watching movies.

“For me, the third week of the course can be broken down into three thoughts: rejection, coffee and youth.

Rejection
All nine of us pitched our film ideas this week and three of the pitches were chosen. That meant six of us had to congratulate two of the winners and listen to the third one gloat.

To be completely honest, it was super annoying. The gloating, I mean. But it was also an important lesson. As both winners and losers, we can all learn from this experience. We have entered into an industry where we’re going to get shot down all the time. There will be winners and there will be losers. There will be humble winners and ones that rub your face in it. There will be losers who are happy for you and ones who never will be.

And now that some of us have had a taste of what rejection will feel like in this industry, we have a better idea of how to move on and keep doing the best work possible. We still have class as a group but are now divided into three production teams, one for each film idea. I get to work on Charlene’s [Moore] film and I’m really excited to help her vision come to life.

Coffee
The weeks are going by fast, yet the days are sometimes long and squirmy.

I’m not a morning person so, although I get enough sleep, I am slugglish and yawny and bleary in the mornings, even with coffee. To keep from yawning, I drink coffee. And to get the coffee taste out of my mouth, I drink water. And lots of coffee and lots of water equals a bit of squirming in my seat and then lots of trips to the bathroom.

I was often jealous of my classmates in my previous program who were bright-eyed, alert and pumped for school at 8 a.m. Not only that, they looked good too – somehow finding the time to straighten hair (or curl it) and put makeup on their shining faces. Clothing, for people like this, is not just to cover up the naughty bits.

Youth
I realize quickly when I’m the oldest one in the bunch.

It was like that in my last program and here it is again. I’m the oldest one! The age range for NSI New Voices is 18 to 35. I’m at the top of that range and most of my classmates are at the lower end. Now that means, without turning myself into a granny, I’m almost twice as old as the person across the table from me. Well, geez, if I had gotten started extra early I could be yo mama, kid!

However, I almost never feel old around people who are younger than me. And why am I pointing out just how pruned I am? I have no idea! Maybe it’s because I want to say you are never too old to start again. I am in my 30s and right now I am at the same starting point as these talented young people, only 10 years late.

But most interesting is my classmates are young but I would still rather be old. Sometimes the young don’t understand that time and experience far outweigh the constraints of dewy, unmarred skin.”

Charlene Moore

Charlene Moore is a film student at the University of Winnipeg eager to take on any job offers or learning opportunities

“The beginning of this week was pretty hard.

I realized that life is made of choices. Every day you have to decide on something. Whether it’s what to eat, where to eat, how much to eat and whatever else. I am constantly having to choose between film and something else. I’ve always wanted to get into the industry but have always put that want away, simply because ‘you have to think realistically.’ These words really bug me but, lately, they just push me to do better.

Anyways I have been having a few issues with school and money lately. This is something that I’m not used to and I’m very grateful that I didn’t have to be used to it, but now it’s something I have to deal with and that’s fine. It’s just a little stressful.

I also found out that the indigenous studies degree I’m planning to start will leave me in school for another three years.

Now, I love school. But the first thing I thought of, the first thing that popped into my head, was ‘What am I going to do about film? How am I going to keep making movies?’ With school and work, I don’t know if I’d be able to, and that scares me.

I had also worn the wrong shoes and I had to walk everywhere that day and felt like my feet were going to fall off.

When it was time for our [short film] pitches I just felt miserable. So I watched The Exorcist to help myself realize that if I’m not possessed or dying then I’m doing pretty well.

Going in for my pitch, I didn’t think my idea would get chosen. Everyone’s stories were really good and they had all gotten a lot of reaction and positive feedback. I’m also not the best at trying to express my ideas or how I feel (I feel like I often come off as either stupid, rude or just plain wrong).

When Trinity [Bruce - course coordinator] said that Aubrie [Bruyere] was picked and then that Chad [Anderson] was picked I was like ‘I’m definitely not getting picked now.’ But then he said my name and I was so completely shocked and really, really excited. I had to refrain from squealing and yelling. I didn’t want to be rude or anything, so I waited until I got home to completely freak out.

I guess my week ended great. My short film idea got picked and we all went out together for the first time afterwards. It was a lot of fun. I’m really glad we went out. Despite my school and money troubles I have a lot more confidence and faith that I can get my film career going after this week.

And hopefully I don’t blow my chance with this movie.”

Randy Sutherland

Randy was born in Winnipeg Women’s Hospital. His parents Randy Sr and mother Eleanor brought him up on the Peguis First Nations Reservation. Randy’s passion for the arts came from a long line of artists in his family and reservation – he comes from the Elk Clan which loves and preserves the arts. He painted logos and murals for many companies and received awards for practicing his love of arts. He was told by an elder “The passion is there, you just have to find it.” Knowing this lit a flame in his spirit to follow his passion for film.

“We are in our third week of hands-on training and it’s been a good three weeks.

This week was so fast and we had a lot of information to take in.

At times, I noticed myself drifting off and thinking of the films that we’re about to make. I was thinking to myself, ‘How can I help The Wolf Pack?’ [Ed: see Aubrie's post below about team names.]

With these thoughts going through my head I would have panic attacks but I would just tell myself to ‘smarten the hell up and get over it.’

Also, I hope nothing but the best for the people who got their pitch approved. But I still think my pitch was the best … LOL!”

Andrew George

Andrew makes things look cool

“We’ve reached the halfway point in our classroom sessions. As everyday passes, I grow more excited, and nervous.

We get a lot of solid career advice from each speaker but I can’t help feeling that I’m in a strange place trying to break into the industry.

I’ve already created a short film that has played in festivals and won awards. The concept behind the film A Good Indian (how a ‘white Indian’ reacts to racist comments in a bar setting) was interesting enough to get me featured in an MTV news story [Ed: and it was also accepted into the NSI Online Short Film Festival some time back]. This coincided with an award for best short drama at Dreamspeakers Film Festival.

Instead of pushing my film, and film career, harder, I invested my time and energy in a new job with a marketing company. In hindsight, it’s easy to think that maybe I made a mistake. But perhaps my path would not have led here if I didn’t make that decision at that time.

I have six years experience working with video, either telling stories with the medium or promoting products and companies. Until now, I’ve been completely self-taught. NSI New Voices has taught me so much. I feel like I’ve improved more as a storyteller and technically in the last three weeks, than any one- or even two-year period in my short career.

My film pitch wasn’t selected. As I wrote last week, I knew it would be a challenge to push it through. The competitive side of me was disappointed but the artistic side was intrigued. I’ve never worked on someone else’s project before. It’s a new role, and new challenge.

I’m hoping that my experience helps me contribute to this project, and more projects after the NSI course finishes. I feel like I can offer a lot to any project, no matter what the role.”

Aubrie Bruyere

Aubrie is a third year university student excited to be a part of NSI New Voices 2013

“Lately I’ve been feeling extremely discouraged to continue on with NSI New Voices.

I am a mother of two, university student and I also work a part-time job at Foot Locker. I’ve been away from my family so much, I feel like I’m home sick. I miss spending time with my two beautiful daughters. I miss going out with ‘the baby daddy’ and I feel like all I’ve been hearing from my mother is judgement because I’m not at home taking caring of my six month old during the day.

I wish she would realize that it’s not like the ‘olden days’ anymore, and just support me with my decision to not only provide for my family but to start my career. This is my dream. She shouldn’t judge me for chasing my dreams. LOL.

It’s not as if I’m out partying my life away. I feel like all of this is strange to feel because I go home to family every day. I spend all my free time with them when I am at home. It’s just being away from them ALL day long and then going on to work at my other job. I feel like there’s not enough time in the day. That’s exactly it. Not enough time.

I know I am in the most amazing course there is. I get that. I love every single moment of NSI New Voices. The instructors are amazing! The staff is amazing! Every single moment is amazing! I’ve learned so many new things. I’ve met so many great people. I am definitely going to continue with NSI New Voices. I am so grateful for this opportunity.

Wow – even my film idea was selected! Three films out of nine were selected to be made and each group leader named their team. The greatest team of all time (mine) is named Team Juice. Charlene’s team is called Super Great and Chad’s [Anderson] is called The Wolf Pack.

Holy smokes was I ever nervous pitching to the panel of judges. I always bomb on my pitches. I even got a quick freelance gig from my film pitch. CBC’s Definitely Not the Opera is going to do a piece on my family’s experience with homelessness. So that’s the hint about my film. I just pray that I don’t let my nerves get the better of me. Hopefully I can kill the butterflies beforehand. LOL!

That has been the past week. I know this week will be better (cause it’s a short week).

#TEAMJUICE”

Tanner Trudzik

“Tanner Trudzik on why lemon spray is sour and oranges will just burn.

I breathed in the fresh air today. The sun had just risen and the clouds were done raining. I loved this queer feeling, like a brand new tank of freshwater fish. It was time for me to look at myself. What colours am I liking?

To turn a new leaf, to look at what has been working, and what has made my world look crummy. My mistakes make me feel like quite the dummy. I breathed in the air again.

Watching the school kids across the street, I believe they think of me as a weirdo. I wear bright shorts almost every day, and occasionally I find I’m embarrassingly glaring. Kids are so blissfully content. You can tell that they don’t know it. It hurts in a weird nostalgic way. What have I become?

Turning a new leaf, somewhat erratic, is actually not too surprising for me. I end up doing it every one or two months but every time there’s a tinge of malaise.

To start anew is a way to get back on track but if you get off that track as often as me, you start looking at renewal as a hopeless endeavour.

It’s hard for me to see what my goals are because it’s hard for me to decide what is important. Nothing is really important to me, and that’s why I feel angry after I try to be cute.

So burn all my bridges, unnoticeably so, it really is time for a different approach.

A different approach, hah, now let’s talk about cute! I’m really not angry but confusingly sad.

My thoughts drift about once again it would seem. I wish I was composed, distracted, directed, just like the watcher who stands with sunglasses.”

Chad Anderson

“Another week has gone by and although the initial excitement of being accepted has long worn off I am still very much enjoying myself in this course.

I am very pleased to say that my pitch was selected and that my short film will be one of the three films made at the end of the course. I am both very excited and very nervous about this.

On one hand, MY PITCH WAS SELECTED! On the other hand, now I actually have to put in a ton of work to make it happen. I look forward to the challenges that are coming my way in making this film work. I know that I’m going to be spending a lot of nights this week perfecting my script and trying to cram all my ideas into a five minute piece.

Luckily I have music to calm my nerves.

Music is a big part of my life – not that I’m a musician. I can’t play any instruments. But listening to music has always helped me deal with stress. I could spend hours lying in my bed listening to my favourite songs while contemplating life and getting lost in thought.

Throughout my life I have always found solace in music during stressful times. Music has helped me get through break-ups, losses of life, losses of friendship, early sobriety, etc. I really find that it’s a great relaxation tool and is my form of meditation.

The beautiful thing about music is that even when the song isn’t about your exact situation, if you’re into the music, you can find a way to relate to it.

Example: when I was in early sobriety one song that got me by was A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke. The song is about the segregation of African Americans in the 1950s and the struggles they faced. But just the words alone – a change is gonna come – brought me hope and helped me get through my own struggles.

Music is also, obviously, a great tool to get yourself excited and pumped up for something. Any time I’m going to do a big show, I’ll put in my headphones before my set and listen to songs that are inspiring and high energy to get myself in to a high energy, fun mood. Most days you can see me walking somewhere listening to music and if you look close enough, you’ll notice that the way I walk changes with each song. There’s just something about music that gets inside me.

So I know that throughout the next few weeks, while I am preparing my script and getting ready to shoot, if I’m feeling down or up, I’ll always have music to help me get through whatever challenges lie ahead.”

Rannon Wilson

Rannon is 21 years old from Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. He is a recent student of the Aboriginal multimedia program offered through Interactive Design

“We are reaching the one month mark of the course which is amazing because it’s going by way too fast.

The week was a good week, minus the rain and cold weather.

Production meetings start soon and I’m super excited to begin making an awesome documentary with Team Juice – the group name Aubrie, Andrew and I gave ourselves. I really want the weeks to slow down. I don’t want the course to end. We are all having a lot of fun getting to know one another.

Hope everyone in the NSI community has a beautiful week. I know I will.

Until next time. CHEERS!”

Jordon Fish

“Okay. Something brief about myself. Hmmm. I was raised by six or seven women: my mom Terrie; granny Eleanor; and five aunts Linda, Pauline, Karen, Rhonda and Brenda. Also my late grandpa Gordon Olson – who I was named after – and my late uncle Tony, a history teacher and the best shortstop baseball player in Peguis – they both died when I was young but I still remember them. I miss them but I don’t talk about them much.

What was I talking about last week? Oh yes! Marvel and DC Heroes.

I really got into the TV show Smallville about Superman in his teenage years. I liked it because I thought that I wanted to be like him. Not the powers – although that would be awesome – but the way he acts towards his family and friends: protective, always being there when they need him. I look up to heroes. They inspire me in a way I guess. The same goes for movies.

I remember my auntie Linda always saying that I was the easiest kid to babysit. All she had to do was put Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on and I would sit there watching movies until bedtime. I can talk forever about why I like heroes and comic book movies but I’m going to stop. [Ed: phew!]

I guess I’ll talk about the pitches.

I think I messed up mine but I’m not upset that it didn’t get picked. We all had good ideas. I’m just looking forward to the shooting day. I always find it so much fun.

I am getting kind of nervous about my internship [which takes place as part of the course] because I don’t know where I’m going yet. I hope I do good and maybe make an impression and find a job. That’s my only ticket to stay in the city after this course is over. If I can’t find a job then I have no choice but to go back to Peguis which puts a shiver up my spine just thinking about it.

Peace, love and fried-bread grease.”

NSI New Voices is funded by Presenting Sponsor Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism; Program Partners Telefilm Canada, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD); NSI Aboriginal Training Programs Partner Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; Strategic Sponsor Shaw Media; Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

One Last Cigarette, a short film produced through the NSI New Voices training course by writer/director Cheyenne Rae, screens at the 1st Break Film Festival this week.

Last Time, another short by Cheyenne, will also screen at the festival.

Find the online submission form and details here.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round Canadian short film showcase with new films online every week.

Films that meet award criteria are eligible for the $2,000 Shaw Media Fearless Female Director Award, $1,250 A&E Short Filmmakers Award, and the $750 Bite Comedy Award. Awards are presented four times a year. Read more about the awards.

The shorter the film, the better – entries must not exceed 30 minutes in length. Drama, comedy, animation, short documentaries, sci-fi, horror, music videos and experimental films are all eligible genres and must be Canadian. There is no submission fee. Films must be available online for viewing by the selection committee. DVD submissions will NOT be accepted.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Shaw Media, Festival Partner Telefilm Canada, Comedy Award Sponsor Blue Ant Media, Female Director Award Sponsor Shaw Media, Overall Best Film Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks, and Supporting Sponsor Netflix.

Media enquiries

Lauren MacDiarmid, Communications & Programs Coordinator
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: lauren.macdiarmid@nsi-canada.ca

The inaugural year of the course was fully funded by participating production companies, proving that the training fills a need for more unscripted series producers in Canada.

“We were impressed with the quality of training and mentoring that our candidate received. The course helped focus an exceptional candidate’s natural experience and ambition with clear, targeted and achievable goals,” said Kim Bondi, VP, programming and production, Cineflix.

The NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer training course is an advanced initiative which teaches specific skills required to produce lifestyle and reality series through an intensive six-day training week and eight-week internship on an existing unscripted series. Production companies enroll qualified candidates from within their company ready to take the next step in their career.

“The NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer course was a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the development of a highly talented individual. It was an immediately rewarding experience for all involved,” said Mike Sheerin, president, Architect Films.

Enrollment in the course is now open, with a deadline of Thursday, October 3, 2013.

2012 students interned on award-winning, top-rated Canadian series including Big Coat Productions’ Love it or List it, Cineflix’ Property Brothers, Architect Films’ Decked Out, Cellar Door Productions’ Chef Michael’s Kitchen and Paperny Entertainment’s Yukon Gold.

Al Magee (Design Rivals, Smart Woman Survival Guide, Love by Design) is the program advisor working with Brandice Vivier (NSI Totally Television, NSI Features First), senior program manager at NSI.

NSI Lifestyle Series Producer 2012 was made possible by Program Partners Shaw Media, Corus Entertainment and Bell Media; Supporting Sponsors Cineflix Media, Paperny Entertainment, Frantic Films, RTR Media Inc., Big Coat Productions, Cellar Door Productions, Architect Films and Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA).

Course enquiries

Brandice Vivier, Senior Program Manager
204.957.2992 or email: brandice.vivier@nsi-canada.ca

Media enquiries

Lauren MacDiarmid, Communications & Programs Coordinator
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: lauren.macdiarmid@nsi-canada.ca

The uber-profilic Karen Lam (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television) is among our NSI alumni with films screening at Cannes.

Her short film The Meeting screens as part of Short Film Corner at the festival, along with another of her shorts entitled Stalled. 

In addition to the screenings at Cannes, Karen directed a full-length music video for the song Black is the Colour by the band Didges Christ Superdrum using footage from her feature film Evangeline.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Karen was recently commissioned to co-direct The Pit, a short experimental film for Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society and the Tomorrow Art Collective. The commission was part of a joint venture which pairs filmmakers with artists. Karen’s artist/partner for the collaboration was Lauren Marsden, a performance and video artist.

Writing a blog post isn’t easy. Opening up and sharing personal things about yourself is even harder. Some of our students have shared their innermost thoughts this week. For that, they deserve enormous respect.

NSI New Voices is our course for young Aboriginal adults aged 18-35 with a desire to work in the film and television industry.

Students train with professionals such as actor Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas), producer Laura Milliken (Moccasin Flats) and writer/director Sean Garrity (My Awkward Sexual Adventure, Blood Pressure) to develop their industry skills and undertake a full-time internship to put those skills into practice.

Read: week 1

Jamie McKay

Jamie is a creative communications graduate from Red River College. She was born and raised in Winnipeg and was adopted at the age of three. She is the youngest of 10 children in her adoptive family. She loves writing, reading, taking photographs, editing film and watching movies.

“This week I realized all of the things I’ve been doing as hobbies my whole life are actually the things I should have been doing to earn a living.

Can I be totally clichéd and say that I wanted to be a writer my whole life? And that I loved reading and music and watching movies and eventually reached a point where there were less and less people to talk to about all of it?

When I was just a tot of 18, someone told me I could never do those things and make enough money to support myself. And I believed them. So I spent a lot of time fumbling around in university and getting nowhere. It started with thinking I wanted to major in English and got out of control when I convinced myself that I wanted to become a doctor.

‘Yes, that’s it,’ I told myself. I will become a doctor and then I will be happy. But perhaps along the way I will take this medical lab course and apply for nursing.

I finished the medical lab course but the job it gets me isn’t what I want at all. And even though I got into nursing, I suspect that it won’t be what I want either. I can’t keep lying to myself. What am I gonna do?

For a start, be truthful.

Why did I veer so far away from what I really wanted? In part, because the careers I chose were 100% parent approved. You can’t be a writer! But a doctor? Of course you can do that. A nurse? Fo sho! And then there was the prestige of getting to tell people that I was a doctor or a nurse, oh my!

Choosing a career that way is nonsense. And obviously it doesn’t work.

So here I am, back where I started. I am surrounded by people who can talk about movies from an artistic point of view and also a technical one. I had previously learned basic lighting techniques in my program at Red River College but in this course we learned how to light a scene using math … math! The nerd in me is totally swooning.”

Charlene Moore

Charlene Moore is a film student at the University of Winnipeg eager to take on any job offers or learning opportunities

“This week we met a lot of people and learned a lot. I feel so blessed to have all of these opportunities.

All of the workshops have been fantastic. We got to learn how to run auditions and talk to actors. We learned how to be better cinematographers and how to produce. We learned a lot.

We also had a lot of fun.

We got to play around with the camera and come up with a little story to shoot. I got to (pretend) to beat up someone and that was great.

Throughout this process we have also learned a lot about each other.

I can’t wait for next week and to see who has the winning pitches. Good luck everyone!”

[Ed: as part of the course all students pitch a short film idea to a panel of industry experts. The top three film ideas get made.]

Randy Sutherland

Randy was born in Winnipeg Women’s Hospital. His parents Randy Sr and mother Eleanor brought him up on the Peguis First Nations Reservation. Randy’s passion for the arts came from a long line of artists in his family and reservation – he comes from the Elk Clan which loves and preserves the arts. He painted logos and murals for many companies and received awards for practicing his love of arts. He was told by an elder “The passion is there, you just have to find it.” Knowing this lit a flame in his spirit to follow his passion for film.

“The second week of class was so awesome.

Learning from these educated professionals is so inspiring and makes me want to get to where they are in their career. Knowing this gives me the inspiration to try with my all. Learning with the other students and trying to get to where we want to be is so cool.

Toastmasters is also cool. The first day of Toastmasters was really exciting and, like a loser, I decided to make a two-minute speech, ended it in one minute and was just about ready to fall over and faint.

I am looking forward to pitching our five minute film idea. OMG! I hope I don’t faint.”

Andrew George

Andrew makes things look cool

“Finishing off the week knowing that we’re pitching our [short film] projects this coming Tuesday didn’t make for a relaxing weekend.

We’ve pitched our projects to our peers enough times that we could likely pitch each other’s projects.

‘Raise the stakes.’

I’ve heard that line almost every time I’ve pitched my project to one of our guests. At one point, I talked myself out of my idea, did a one-hour rewrite, and pitched the project immediately after. I added the element of death to my story, an easy way to raise the stakes.

After class, we went out for a beer and talked about our pitches. My classmates agreed unanimously that my original idea, where the stakes were lower, was a far better story. I appreciated their input. It was valuable as the week went on.

I had a moment of realization this week.

Yes, my practice pitches failed to excite. But if I can just get people to understand my story’s character (Barnaby), to understand where he is in life, and what he has gone through, they’d understand that he must reach his goal.

As simple as it sounds, Barnaby’s goal is important to him. I realized that a complete rewrite of my story won’t solve anything. What I have to do is stand up for my character and clearly demonstrate to my audience (for the pitch) that he is indeed worthy of screen time.

Great storytellers have a knack for this. I always thought concepts won people over but concepts aren’t relatable to us as individuals, and a good concept is rarely the basis of a great story.”

Aubrie Bruyere

Aubrie is a third year university student excited to be a part of NSI New Voices 2013

“I was sleepy all week especially when the fan was blowing on me. It almost put me to sleep but I had so much fun when Andrew Forbes took us out to shoot with the camera.

It was so funny. I couldn’t stop laughing at Doug the thug (played by fellow-student Charlene Moore) and George (played by fellow-student Tanner Trudzik) and their back alley fight scene and stalking scene.

All in all it was an awesome fight scene. The two of em’ have the potential to give Bruce Lee a run for his money!

I am really starting to get comfortable with my classmates. I feel like as if we’re building strong relationships with each other. I especially feel bonded with them because we went out for happy hour before we went to Toastmasters. It helped because I don’t think I would have gone up in front of the entire group to talk about this course otherwise.

It has been a great week. Can’t wait to see what this week has in store for us.

Aubrie Bruyere is tired.”

Tanner Trudzik

“Tanner Trudzik on why watchers with sunglasses stare at the sun

I am infamous for misinterpretations.

My last post may have had you contemplating just that: brief and uninformative as it was. I really wish things weren’t so serious but it can’t be helped I guess.

Perhaps this post is deeper and more insightful. I’ve realized this is one of those few chances to show who I really am. Enjoy.

I feel I have lived a bland life, it holds me like a cage.

I don’t live on the streets and never fear for my life. I have many possessions – way more than I need. Not once have I faced starvation, war or disease. Can I say then that I’ve lived a good life?

I have never faced anything – even somewhat – traumatic but sometimes I wish for it. Sometimes I do.

I always feel empty where I should feel excitement. It’s as if my lack of great burdens has created a lacking for my values of living too. I can’t take anything seriously anymore but I try my best because I want to feel human, not to be shamed.

These kinds of thoughts fly by me from time to time making me question my perception, re-creation or illusion of reality. Yet I look at them, these thoughts, and I realize it’s me. Just me trying to feel more important again.

Escaping this cage of blandness has made me feel powerless yet thoughtful and humble. I want to create panic but comfortably so. I want you to scream then realize you shouldn’t. These thoughts, I want to be hugged then pushed far away, then I want to be hugged and pushed and hugged.

I need this variety, need a larger spectrum of being. A spectrum of distraction is what everyone needs. Only then can you feel true sympathy. Purpose is simple with focused distraction.

I don’t want to read what I’ve written. Probably 82.7% of it is confusing, unfocused and cringe worthy. So take what you want, piece together the puzzle. I only want you to question because it’s fun. That’s why life is celery. Oh! And why life is broccoli. It’d be less fun if you question me on that.

Have a good day and good life and remember: stay frosty.”

Chad Anderson

“The second week is done.

I missed Friday because I fell back asleep while I was waiting for my roommate to get out of the shower in the morning, and I feel like an idiot.

I’ve been given a second chance to do all the things I want to do in life and I sleep in like a moron.

Sometimes I wonder about how I even survive in the world on my own but I know I just need to do better and keep pushing forward.

The funny thing with chasing a dream is that it’s not easy and I of all people should know this. I’ve been attempting to make a career out of stand-up comedy for a few years now and, for the most part, have pushed myself through all the bullshit and politics surrounding the performance world.

I’ve looked in the faces of the people that didn’t want me around when I was starting out because I wasn’t very good and I proved them wrong. I get to work with a childhood hero, Don Burnstick, and even went golfing with him this past Sunday.

I’ve been a hopeless addict/alcoholic, been homeless, broken, thought about suicide and turned it all around to get sober and turn my life around.

So after being through these things I feel terrible about screwing up even if it’s something as minor as missing one day of school for no good reason.

I know deep down inside that I just need to get my head out of my you-know-what and do better. It just seems hard to do sometimes. I often feel like giving up but then I think about what I would throw away and it all makes sense again.

I’m not doing these things to gain recognition; I’m doing these things because they are what make me happy. I really hope that I can get myself together this coming week and put my best effort into the course. That said, I’m still really enjoying the course and am learning a ton of useful information.

This past week I changed my short film idea from a documentary about stand-up comedy to a short drama. I mainly changed it because everything I do in my life of late has something to do with comedy.

I write for a local late-night comedy show and perform stand-up comedy three to four times a week. So why not take this opportunity to bring out my serious side? I want to be a diverse writer and step outside my comfort zone and for me that would mean writing a drama. I feel great about my new idea and I look forward to pitching it and hope that it gets picked as one of the three.

Well it’s 1:06 a.m Sunday, or Monday now I guess, and I should get to sleep so that I am up and ready to start this week with a fresh and positive outlook.”

Rannon Wilson

Rannon is 21 years old from Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. He is a recent student of the Aboriginal multimedia program offered through Interactive Design

“Hello, hello, hello.

Week two is officially over, waaah :(

This was a very good week for me. I felt a lot more comfortable in class.

I consider the classroom to be my second home and my classmates my second family. We are all getting along so well. We’re not just classmates we’re a big group of friends – a fighting force of filmmakers as I like to think of it.

I really felt the creative juices flowing for sure this week, learning so many more skills and getting knowledge passed on from industry professionals. I am very thankful they have the time to come and share with us.

Week three is well underway. Bring it on! I’m looking forward to it.

Keep it classy Canada. Cheers!”

Jordon Fish

“What else can I tell you about myself? My legal name is Jordon Fish but everyone knows me as Jordon Olson. Funny fact: if I go by Jordon Lee Olson my initials are J.L.O. That still makes me laugh.

How do I feel? I hate when people ask me that. I usually just say ‘It’s none of your business,’ but if people really want to know I guess I can.

I am scared but not of anyone. It’s just that I feel small in the big city. I’ve never lasted more than two weeks in the city. I did go to Penticton, BC for two years but that was scary too. It was the first time I’ve lived away from home and I just wanted to have fun.

I wish I could get rid of all these negative thoughts in my head. Things like, ‘Can I do this?’ ‘Am I smart enough?’ Does anyone really care what I have to say?

Growing up on the reserve I held back a lot of stuff always biting my tongue because I didn’t want to say the wrong thing and get in trouble. After doing that for so long I honestly don’t know what to say anymore so I guess I’m trying to find my voice again.

I really liked the camera and lighting workshop this week with Andrew Forbes. Being a camera operator is my main interest, I guess because I want to show people how I see things though my eyes.

I’m not used to telling people how I’m feeling. I guess you can say I have trouble trusting people. I am a very private person.

If you want to know who I am and who I want to be like I will tell you in next week’s blog post. (Here’s a hint: I love Marvel and DC Heroes.)”

NSI New Voices is funded by Presenting Sponsor Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism; Program Partners Telefilm Canada, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD); NSI Aboriginal Training Programs Partner Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; Strategic Sponsor Shaw Media; Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

Congratulations to NSI grads and their projects – and also to NSI board member Prem Gill – with Leo Award nominations. The 2013 Leo Awards will be given out June 7 and 8 in Vancouver.

Best Motion Picture

• Lucille’s Ball – Karen Wong (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television) c0-producer

Best Screenwriting in a Dramatic Series

• Arctic Air ‘Secrets and Lies’ – Sarah Dodd (NSI Features First)

Best Short Drama

• Shadowplay – Kate Green (NSI Totally Television, NSI Lifestyle & Reality Series Producer) co-producer

Best Feature Length Documentary Program

• High Five: a Suburban Adoption Saga – Julia Ivanova, Boris Ivanov (NSI Global Marketing) co-producers

Best Documentary Series

• Battle Castle – Maija Leivo (NSI Global Marketing) co-producer

Best Information or Lifestyle Series

• Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag – Heather Hawthorn-Doyle (NSI Global Marketing), Sheona Mcdonald (NSI Global Marketing) co-producers

• Get Stuffed – Heather Hawthorn Doyle (NSI Global Marketing) co-producer

• myVancouver – Prem Gill (NSI Board of Directors) co-producer

Best Performance in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series

• Less Than Kind ‘Liars‘ Benjamin Arthur (Less Than Kind was developed through NSI Totally Television)

• Less Than Kind ‘Best Men‘ Lisa Durupt

Best Screenwriting in an Animation Program or Series

• Animism: The Gods’ Lake – A Wanderer No More – Tony Sekulich (NSI Totally Television)

Room 303

In Room 303, directed by Manny Mahal, a bullied teenager finally decides it’s time he takes revenge. He heads to the bully’s apartment ready to execute his methodical plan.

Manny Mahal says, “The idea of the film came to me at a time where there was a lot of bullying issues hitting the mainstream media, especially bullying over sexual orientation.

A large number of suicides were happening in high schools across North America and I began to wonder what it was like in the minds of the tortured teens. Was suicide really the only choice left? Was there nothing else that could be done? It was then I began to ponder if any of the teenagers every considered revenge first, or possibly both.

I immediately scribbled down pages and pages of script and after attending film school I had learned that to make this film a reality I needed a crew and money. I began saving up, asked for favours to get a crew together from the young people I met at school. I even had to plead with a local college to use their locker room.

The other segments of the film were shot in my own bedroom as well as my aunt’s home.

The film is a truly collaborative process and couldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for the amazing work that my crew was able to do, and so I thank them very much.”

Daddy’s Little Girl

In Daddy’s Little Girl, directed by Shawn Gerrard, eight-year-old Katie struggles to protect the secrets of her white supremacist father as police investigators search their home. Little does she know the dark secret she is helping conceal.

Shawn Gerrard says, “When I began work on Daddy’s Little Girl, I wanted to tell a story that put at odds two opposing ideas and values. On the one hand we have the right of a family to hold hateful and socially harmful views if they are so inclined and to raise their children as they see fit. On the other hand, we have the right as a society to live in safety and to be free of fear, violence and hatred.

While these larger ideas informed the development of early drafts of the script, as we continued to work on the story we quickly discovered that the film is about much more than that. It’s about a little girl struggling to protect her father, who she unconditionally loves, and whether or not she should. And more importantly, it’s about the beginning of a decision on her part as to what sort of world she wants to live in, and what sort of person she will become.”

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Shaw Media, Program Partner Telefilm Canada, Comedy Award Sponsor Blue Ant Media, Female Director Award Sponsor Shaw Media, Overall Best Film Award Sponsor A&E Television Networks, and Supporting Sponsor Netflix.

Aubrey Arnason (NSI Totally Television), a TV host, writer and producer, is one of 14 recipients of the 2013 Bell Media National Fellowship.

The program encourages professional development in the television industry by enabling emerging creative talent to attend the Banff World Media Festival and benefit from the opportunities the festival has to offer.

Congratulations Aubrey!