Launching WIDC 2003

VOLUME 7 JUNE 02 I SSUE 1

WHERE TRANSFORMATIONS HAPPEN!

CANADIAN WOMEN SCREEN PHASE ONE, participants examine the DIRECTORS hone their directing skills in elements of story telling during one-on-one INSIDE and group sessions about script break- Mentor Director’s Chair this critically acclaimed program that takes down, casting, acting skills, blocking for 2 director participants through all the com- camera, rehearsing and communication WIDC Personnel ponents of a professional dramatic media through scene studies and other exercises 2 production with professional (ACTRA) with the actors, crew and work studies Production Values actors and (DGC, IATSE) crews. (volunteer senior film students). 2 PHASE TWO, with the emphasis on Led by award-winning Canadian writer/ Director’s Chair & process over product, each participant Scholarships 3 director, Patricia Rozema, (I’ve Heard the directs a Beta cam MAIN Scene shoot, Mermaids Singing, Mansfield Park) partici- followed by editing in Beta SP suites. Actor Scholarships 3 pants can take risks, develop their own Keeping the learning goals of the directors unique style and test original material in a in the forefront, all participants benefit Crew Scholarships from the support of peers and staff, as 3 safe educational environment. The program well as coaching and mentorship from The Success Stories builds confidence and releases creativity Women In The Director’s Chair Workshop’s 4 by taking a holistic, team-spirit approach (WIDC) seasoned faculty. Application Form insert to dramatic storytelling for screen. PHASE THREE, participants leave the Transformations happen as participants workshop with a VHS copy of their work develop and practice the art of directing, for personal analysis, a variety of new con- tacts, and applied knowledge of industry communicating, leading teams, and cap- practices. Director graduates are supported turing the imagination. DID YOU in their short and long-term career plans KNOW? and all participants become part of the WIDC Alumnae Network. ➧ The WIDC Workshop jump starts careers and transforms lives. ➧ The WIDC Workshop is WHEN, WHERE, HOW not offered anywhere else. January 23 to February 9, 2003 APPLICATION DEADLINES: ➧ WIDC Alumnae are The Banff Centre, Alberta, Director Participants: September 30, 2002 winning awards, but more importantly, Fill out the application form inside or visit Actors: October 31, 2002 they’re telling their these Web sites for more information: Professional Crew: November 30, 2002 stories! www.creativewomenworkshops.com Work Study Crew: November 30, 2002 www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi www.actra.ca

PROVIDING MAJOR SUPPORT SINCE 1997

WIDC 2002 Participants TOP TO BOTTOM: Director, Patti Henderson • Director, Maureen Bradley and actor, Shaker Paleja • Crew member, Christina Kasperczyk and director, Andrea Mann • Director, Annie Bradley and actor, Tammy Bentz MENTOR DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

SPONSORED BY A virtual bridge for the director participants between the significant international attention and in 1999 she curriculum and the practical application of the directors’ released her Jane Austen adaptation, Mansfield Park. skills, the MENTOR DIRECTOR provides an Her latest work Happy Days is part of The “This excellent overview of all the components of the course. Samuel Beckett Project, which involved other program is so directors including David Mamet and Atom Patricia Rozema, is an acclaimed Canadian essential.” Egoyan, and was nominated for a 2002 Banff writer/director of feature films. Her first Nanci Rossov, Rockie Award. Rozema is no stranger to feature I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing 2002 MENTOR DIRECTOR other areas of production, having early expe- with Sheila McCarthy was voted one of the rience as a theatre actress and as a producer, AD and top ten Canadian films of the century by Maclean’s and is picture editor for feature films and television series. scheduled to be re-released by Miramax. Her award- winning original feature, When Night Is Falling received For a more complete bio visit: www.patriciarozema.com

WIDC PERSONNEL

SPONSORED BY A team of seasoned professionals awards to his credit, leads technical Susan Shipton (MENTOR EDITOR), a offers individual and group sessions sessions on camera, lenses, blocking Genie award winning picture editor on a variety of topics tailored to each and camera choreography. (The Sweet Hereafter, Possible Worlds), participant’s individual learning plan. leads discussions about the theories Carol Whiteman, Creative Women and traditions of picture editing and Peg Campbell (MENTOR STORY Workshops, President & CEO, WIDC how to bend the rules in new and EDITOR), an award-winning docu- co-creator and two-time Governor creative ways. She also provides men- mentary and narrative / General’s Award nominee, produces producer, associate professor of and facilitates the workshop, conducts toring to the editors at the workshop. advanced film production and script one-on-one meetingswith participants, Sandra Richmond, Partner, McMillan writing at Emily Carr Institute of Art as well as post-workshop follow-up. Binch, conducts a session about the and Design, and a WIDC co-creator, Sara Diamond, The Banff Centre, issues of Ownership, Copyright and Campbell leads sessions on story Artistic Director, Media and Visual General Entertainment Law. structure and character analysis, Arts (MVA), Executive Producer, funding and career planning. A Mentor Production Designer (TBA) Television, New Media and Research, works with the participants to develop Gabrielle Rose (MENTOR ACTOR), Bell Canada Award winner and WIDC the production designs for the WIDC an award-winning Canadian actress co-creator, conducts one-on-one ses- MAIN Scene shoots and will lead whose extensive credits include star- sions with participants and presents specific sessions on Production Design. ring roles in The Rhino Brothers, The sessions on new media content cre- Sweet Hereafter, The Five Senses, Da ation, funding and career planning. An Independent Producer (TBA) Vinci’s Inquest, is a WIDC co-creator offers constructive feedback on the Debra Prince, The Banff Centre, and leads sessions on working with director participants’ work and a per- MVA Special Events and Work Study actors and how to coach dynamic spective on current production trends Coordinator, curator of The Iskwew and credible performances. in Canada in a session on: The Festival: The Feminine in Indigenous Landscape for Canadian Women Roger Vernon (MENTOR DIRECTOR Film and Video and co-founder of Directors. OF PHOTOGRAPHY), an internationally Urban Shaman Inc., Manitoba’s only respected cinematographer (Unforgiven, Aboriginal artist-run centre, is the Representatives of film and television The Vertical Limit, Dream Catcher), liaison with The Banff Centre support unions and guilds are invited to conduct with numerous nominations and staff and facilities during the workshop. a session on: Communicating With the Unions.

Personnel may be subject to change.

PRODUCTION AND PARTICIPATING SPONSORS

The WIDC Workshop could not achieve such high WIDC is also produced with the participation of: educational standards without the facilities and equipment contributed in kind by:

Per Asplund Mark “Woody” Woodgate The M. Cutler Family

2 DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

ELIGIBILITY TUITION AND OTHER COSTS SPONSORED BY The directing ensemble will include qualified In order to make the program (valued at candidates from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, $100,000 per director participant), more ages, and regions of Canada. You could be accessible, this year: one of the eight director participants selected • Tuition has been set at $3,500. by a nationally representative jury of film, tele- vision and video professionals, if you are a • Accommodations and meals at The Banff Canadian woman with: Centre will cost approx. $1,100. • a recognized track record directing low- • Travel costs are the responsibility of the budget dramatic films, television or video participant. projects (long or short form), or SCHOLARSHIPS • a recognized track record directing documen- Scholarships are available to help participants tary, experimental video, television specialty format, cover these costs. Separate from these scholarships, etc. or Director’s Chair Fellowships are being created to provide • some directing experience, crossing over to directing program support for the other costs related to director Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc with a recognized set of highly transferable skills (a participation. Contact Creative Women Workshops for Directors Guild of Canada, performer, producer, writer, AD, etc.). more detailed scholarship information Saskatchewan Any combination of these skills and attributes will be SASK Film considered. Nova Scotia Arts Council

ACTOR SCHOLARSHIPS

The WIDC Workshop leave the program with a with the assistance of pro- ways of communicating SPONSORED BY creates a safe place where deeper understanding of fessional casting personnel with actors. actors can interact with their craft and a the acting The WIDC Workshop Calgary Maritimes directors as well as other new set of pro- provides an invalu- ensemble con- Actors’ economy return creative personnel and ele- fessional able experience sists of as broad travel, accommodations ments that can influence contacts. a representa- for everyone and meals at The Banff Montreal National the actor’s craft. Actors give involved. tion of regions, Centre, plus a $75/work- and receive feedback, learn Ten actors are ethnicities and shop day honorarium are from each other, and share selected, primarily based backgrounds as possible provided by the workshop. information about what’s on the casting needs of the and is dedicated to helping You must be an ACTRA going on for actors region- MAIN Scenes being shot director participants member in good standing ally and nationally. Actors by the directors. Selected develop new and better to be eligible.

CREW SCHOLARSHIPS

The crew is made up of profes- Crew members are selected by SPONSORED BY sional technicians and craftspeople, the organizers with the assistance as well as volunteer senior film stu- of the sponsoring craft and techni- dents who fill apprentice/assistant cal unions/guilds and institutions. positions. Professional crew can Positions available include: 1st ADs practice their craft in a supportive and Trainee ADs, Directors of environment where they can Photography, Camera Operators, stretch their creative muscles. 1st and 2nd Camera Assistants, Providing mentorship for senior Editors, Electrics, Electrics/Swing University of Calgary film students, professional crew Crew, Grips, Make Up/Hair Artists, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design members also practice their lead- Production Sound Technicians, Script ership and communication skills. Supervisors and Set Decorators. Student volunteers receive hands- Professional crew’s economy return on production experience, as well as one-on-one and group instruc- travel, accommodations and meals tion. With access to a variety of at The Banff Centre, plus a $75/ levels of production, all crew workshop day honorarium are IATSE 669 members Christina Kasperczyk (camera) & Tamara Jones members leave the program provided by the workshop. Student creatively charged and revitalized, volunteers’ travel, meals and shared with new professional connections. accommodations costs are covered.

3 WHAT 2002 PARTICIPANTS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: HAVE SAID ABOUT THEIR

CREATIVE WOMEN WORKSHOPS WIDC EXPERIENCE... 1243 Duchess Avenue West , CANADA V7T 1H3

TELEPHONE 1.604.913.0747

FAX 1.604.913.0747

TOLL FREE 1.877.913.0747

EMAIL [email protected]

DIRECT [email protected]

CONTACT Carol Whiteman, Workshop Producer

THE BANFF CENTRE TELEPHONE 1.403.762.6624 FAX 1.403.762.6665 WIDC 2002 Director Participants: Shirley Cheechoo, Shandi Mitchell, Patti Henderson, Andrea Mann, Maureen Bradley, Annie Bradley, Jacqueline Samuda, and Susan Duligal TOLL FREE 1.800.565.9989 E-MAIL [email protected] “I have experienced two and a half weeks of solidly being in the ‘flow,’ the ‘zone.’ I don’t DIRECT [email protected] want it to end. This is what it is all about. I feel focused, passionate about directing and CONTACT Debra Prince, BNMI Special Events confident – I have never had this type of focus in my work before.” and Work Study Coordinator – Maureen Bradley, REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN ACTRA NATIONAL “I doubt very much that I will encounter such a profound learning experience, again. I TELEPHONE 1.416.489.1311 ext. 4045 cannot recommend this program highly enough. To be so immersed in the study of one’s FAX 1.416.489.8076 art is a gift I will always be grateful for. ” TOLL FREE 1.800.387.3516 E-MAIL [email protected] – Shandi Mitchell, WELLINGTON, NOVA SCOTIA DIRECT [email protected] “Intensive, soul searching, vision reawakening, voice confirming … a journey of creative CONTACT Kim Hume, Public Relations Officer transformation and affirmation.”

– Patti Henderson, NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALUMNAE SUCCESS STORIES

WIDC 1997 Annie Frazier Henry – won Aboriginal Veronica Tennant – Canada’s Walk of Fame Writer, Director, Producer of the 21st Century, Inductee, Emmy Award winner (Karen Kain: Aboriginal Voices, BC Dancing In the Light), Banff Rockie Award (The Four Seasons), directed/co-produced Ines Buchli – Genie nominee, Best Short, Words Fail and AMPIA Award-winner, Trio Foxy Lady, Wild Cherry, is developing the feature length version WIDC 2000 Mieko Ouchi – is writing and directing a documentary with the NFB and CBC’s The Katie Tallo – directed animation, TV series, Nature of Things, working title Minor Keys the mock-umentary, Juiced, and in 2001, wrote and directed a dramatic feature film Betty Thomas – directed for TV series, Mentors WIDC 1998 Pepita Ferrari – directed for the TV series Dogs with Jobs and completed the docu- Glynis Whiting – directed Pink Card Club, an mentary Joseph Giunta: A Silent Triumph off-beat faux documentary premiering June 2002 Naomi McCormack – directed a number of biographical documentaries on artists WIDC 2001 Sharon Cavanagh – launched the Internet drama, Chet Baker Stephanie Morgenstern – co-wrote and directed award-winning short, Remembrance Alison Reid – is in development with action TV series successfully pitched at the Banff TV WIDC 1999 Michele Boniface – AMPIA Award winner, Festival 2001 Best Direction, Mentors, co-produced Trio and Words Fail with Veronica Tennant WIDC 2002 The entire graduating class is developing an Gerry Rogers – wrote and directed the auto- anthology series that will see each of the biographical multiple award-winning (including eight women in the director’s chair!!! Gemini, Best Documentary), My Left Breast ALL PHOTOS BY DON LEE DEVELOPING CANADIAN TALENT IN FILM, TELEVISION AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA