10 with…Corrine Saint

By Monica Virtue (ATVF ’03)

It’s the 10 year anniversary of Sheridan College’s Advanced TV & Film Program, and to commemorate the milestone we’re profiling numerous ATVF grads in a semi-weekly column called “10.” We’ll be throwing 10 questions at ATVF alumni who are working in the television and film industry to see what they’ve been up to since graduating.

Next up? 10 questions with…Corrine Saint.

Above: ATVF graduate Corrine Saint (’04) spends her time behind the camera as a Director at the Score.

Name: Corrine Saint
Current Location: Toronto, Ontario
Graduating Year: 2004
Web Site: http://www.thescore.com

1) First question…Corrine, I know that you’re a Director at The Score. But what in the world does that mean?! What does your day consist of?

I think the easiest way to explain it is that at the Score, producers decide on content for our shows while directors work on the overall look (with the rest of the crew and the creative team) and make all the different parts of actual shows happen. Before any show, everyone gets a lineup from the producer telling us the order of the highlights, scoreboards, on cameras, b-roll, where the music goes, etc., and it’s up to the directors to make it all happen at the right time and in the correct order.

10 with…Jeremy Larter

By Monica Virtue (ATVF ’03)

It’s the 10 year anniversary of Sheridan College’s Advanced TV & Film Program, and to commemorate the milestone we’re profiling numerous ATVF grads in a semi-weekly column called “10.” We’ll be throwing 10 questions at ATVF alumni who are working in the television and film industry to see what they’ve been up to since graduating.

Next up? 10 questions with…Jeremy Larter.

But first, a warning: The following links are for a mature audience only. Viewer Discretion is Advised (NSFW).

Above: ATVF graduate Jeremy Larter (’05) spends time in character for his original Web series, “Ponderings.” Besides being on-screen, Larter also plays the role of producer, director, co-writer, and editor for the series, which was recently filmed in Prince Edward Island.

Name: Jeremy Larter
Current Location: Toronto, Ontario
Graduating Year: 2005
Web Sites:

http://www.ponderings.ca
http://www.profilepei.com
http://www.jiggers.ca

1. Jeremy, just so you know, I officially think your Ponderings episodes are completely rude and offensive (unofficially, I laugh my head off at every one of them…) Where did you get the idea for Ponderings?

I officially accept your unofficial position but hope you weren’t being literal about laughing your head off when you are watching them.

The idea for Ponderings comes from a few different places. The main inspiration for the series probably comes from childhood memories of my brother and I driving around with my Dad on weekends. My father would be running errands as my brother and I would be sitting in the car watching my Dad get into these seemingly endless discussions with people. So, that image of the two men talking in a different place each time always stuck with me.

Recent Festival Screenings

Bread & Kisses, an ATVF film from 2010 was recently screened at the Hamptons International Film Festival.   Director, Katherine Fitzgerald, was in attendance and reports that it was a great experience with a lot of opportunities for networking.

Abra Cadaver, also an ATVF film produced in 2010, recently won the Best Student Horror Short award at the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival in Arizona.  It was also screened in the YoungCuts Film Festival in Montreal in September.

Breaking Point, is scheduled to screen at the London Short Film Showcase on Nov. 6.

If you are an ATVF alumni, and you would like me to post a note about a recent or upcoming festival screening for your film, please send me a note!

10 with…Steve Johnston

By Monica Virtue (ATVF ’03)

It’s the 10 year anniversary of Sheridan College’s Advanced TV & Film Program, and to commemorate the milestone we’re profiling numerous ATVF grads in a semi-weekly column called “10.” We’ll be throwing 10 questions at ATVF alumni who are working in the television and film industry to see what they’ve been up to since graduating.

Next up? 10 questions with…Steve Johnston.

Above: ATVF graduate Steve Johnston hosts “The Film Cynics,” a weekly radio show on Victoria’s CFAX 1070.

Name: Steve Johnston
Current Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Graduating Year: 2003
Web Site: http://www.thefilmcynics.com

1. Steve, you just celebrated an anniversary. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, we just celebrated one year of The Film Cynics on CFAX 1070. After about 2 years of blogging and radio guest appearances, last September we were finally offered our very own show that we do every Sunday afternoon. My co-host Brian and I spend an hour talking about movies, TV and pop-culture with a bit of a focus towards DVDs and blu-rays. Through the miracle of technology, we then abscond with the show and beam it out through our website as an award nominated weekly podcast that’s listened to all over the globe.

Donall McCusker, Co-Producer of The Hurt Locker, Visits Sheridan

Donall McCusker, co-producer of the Academy Award winning film, The Hurt Locker, visited Sheridan last Thursday, October 14.  He presented to a joint gathering of the Advanced TV & Film class and the Media Arts class.  He communicated his insights into the challenges of producing films in the Middle East.

10 with…Vikram Dasgupta

By Monica Virtue (ATVF ’03)

It’s the 10 year anniversary of Sheridan College’s Advanced TV & Film Program, and to commemorate the milestone we’re profiling numerous ATVF grads in a semi-weekly column called “10.” We’ll be throwing 10 questions at ATVF alumni who are working in the television and film industry to see what they’ve been up to since graduating.

First up? 10 questions with…Vikram Dasgupta.

Above: ATVF graduate Vikram Dasgupta (second from left) poses with his team from “The Bee” at the 2010 Toronto Urban Film Festival in September. The film won an “Honourable Mention” and the award for “Best Environmental Film By A Canadian Filmmaker.” For more information visit: http://www.torontourbanfilmfestivalawards

Name: Vikram Dasgupta
Current Location: Toronto, Ontario
Graduating Year: 2002
Web Sites:
http://www.pixelpaletteinc.com
http://www.vikramdasgupta.com

1. Vikram, you just won two awards at the 2010 Toronto Urban Film Festival – an “Honourable Mention” and “Best Environmental Film By A Canadian Filmmaker” for your film “The Bee.” Congratulations! How did you get involved with this project?

Thank you Monica! The core idea behind writing ‘The Bee’ was to make a film that served as a metaphor for creators that never get the due credit for their work. The environmental approach came to it much later on as we started thinking about ‘creation’ on a global scale, and what it means to the creator or in this case the bee. Of course in our story it ends with a total lack of respect for the creator once the process is finished.

The Art of the One Page

When meeting with execs, always bring something to leave behind. That something is usually a one page, and maybe a one sheet (mock movie poster).

Some people will tell you not to bring one, others will say they’re not necessary, but the truth is, a one page is absolutely essential to sell your script.

A one page is a simple concept. Tell me your story on one sheet of paper.

Here’s how to make a one sheet:
Generally, the title’s at the top, followed by a logline – a simple one sentence description of your film – then a synopsis. Your synopsis should be in a act one, act two, act three format, all split into separate paragraphs.

Pitching to the pros

Hi guys,
My name is Robert McCallum and I was in ATVF for 04-05, & 05-06. I focused in writing, producing, design and directing while at Sheridan and it’s all paid off.

So why am I suddenly on this blogpost thing boring you with credentials? I’m hoping to help and lift the curtain on taking meetings and pitching to professionals – the people who can change your life just by saying, “yes!”

In 11 days, I’ll be entering gauntlet and pitching two scripts to about 25 different companies.

The prep process for this event is a long journey unto itself.

So here’s my open invite to email me questions about how I got here, advice for you in your career, thoughts on story dilemmas, and what to expect when taking your material to market or how to market it.

Drop me a line
Rob@pyreproductions.net

Link to Greg Chown’s Blog

I’m attending our ATVF Primer class this morning.  We shuffled things for Primer this year so that each of our ‘Master Class’ instructors gets some time to explain their discipline to the entire ATVF class.  Today, Greg Chown (Production Design), Brian White (Lighting and Camera), and Stephen Barden (Sound Design) are giving presentations.

Turns out that Greg Chown has a WordPress blog now (I thought that grads from Greg’s class might be interested):

http://gregchown.wordpress.com/

Musings after 10 Years of ATVF

September 7, 2010

Sheridan Institute

Oakville, Ontario

Musings at the beginning of year 10.

ATVF is entering its 10th year of activity this semester. This is my 7th year as coordinator and today is orientation day at the Trafalgar campus.  What’s the continuing thrill you might ask? I think that we are always very curious about  what the “next batch” of some 40 “odd” students will bring to the table. Each year’s new student group is different of course.