You don't have to be Atom Egoyan or James Cameron to get called a filmmaker.
If you make commercials for local TV or websites, you are a filmmaker.
If you make short stories on camera with your buddies, you are a filmmaker.
Even if you make funny family videos with your iPhone, you are a filmmaker.
The important category a filmmaker has to fit into - the only meaningful category - is your own definition. If you think of yourself as a filmmaker, you probably are one, and the National Screen Institute is going to support your decisions and your aspirations.
The NSI is a nationwide agency that stimulates and catalyzes the Canadian film industry. They have partnered with Telus to offer local seminars around Alberta and B.C. to give aspiring, emerging and even veteran filmmakers new information and sharpen their creative edges. Prince George's turn happens on Sunday.
"It's about developing a story and what goes into production, and then some information on marketing and using social media to your advantage," said Angela Heck, one of the experts coming for the seminar panel. Heck will be teaching the marketing component, while screenwriter Brian Casilio and TV/web-series producer Mike Fly get into the nuts and bolts of turning a stardust dream into lights, camera, action.
"Emerging filmmakers and mid-career professionals are encouraged to attend this professional development opportunity to help develop their own projects and network with other filmmakers and content creators," said Heck.
"We do a presentation for the first couple of hours, with opportunities to discuss and ask questions throughout. It's quite informal. Then we have breakout sessions and networking sessions. It's a great way to be in the same room and get into conversations with other people just like you in your community, because you never know how you might be able to help each other on a project, or inspire each other to do better and better work. We've found so far that those networking elements are just as valued by the participants as the workshop content."
This is no attempt to build up expectations, flatter your professional dreams, only to take your money and wave goodbye.
This seminar is totally free, and the NSI and Telus each have their ways of providing ongoing help to people who want to be creative with moving pictures.
To attend the event, even on short notice, just email your name and contact information to [email protected] and then show up. The Prince George event happens Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
