Kahtou 0004
February 2001
Last years Film production in British Columbia was up by 28% over the year before. This is one of the fastest growing industries in the province considering the whole provinceıs production growth is between 2% & 3%. This is the first time in history that film production in BC has surpassed that of Ontario. We used to talk about it 4 or 5 years ago but now itıs true Vancouver is the third largest filming centre in North America next to Los Angeles and New York.
Have you ever wondered how to get into the TV & Film Industry? Have you ever wondered whatıs involved in making TV shows and movies? Have you ever thought about wanting to learn how to or even be involved in making a movie? These are all questions that not everyone can always find answers for, so the First Nations Employment & Enterprise Centre in Vancouver hosted an all-day "TV & Film Information Session" to try and help shed some light for clients & individuals who are asking these questions. With people inquiring on a daily basis about wanting to get into working in TV & Film & wanting to know how to get involved in the TV & Film Industry, the FNEEC called upon representatives from several reputable TV & Film training Institutions from all over Vancouver an the surrounding area, as well as First Nations individuals who are currently active and working in the booming BC TV & Film Industry.
The day started off at 9 a.m. with a pleasant pace, a few smiles and lots and lots of coffee. With people rolling in 2 and 3 at a time, the place soon filled up with between 50 and 60 people, who varied in ages. The morning was scheduled for the representatives of the Institutions to come in and talk about what is accessible in means of training in the "Occupational/Technical" fields of Television & Film. Up first on the batting order for the day was the organizer of the Informatrion Session, Miıkmaq Actor/Director/Musician - Glen Gould with the Opening Commentsı. Glen spoke about the opportunities that exist in the TV & Film Industry and the obstacles that Aboriginal people face when in comes to finding support, whether it is financial support or moral support. He spoke of his own story a bit and importance of determination and how important it is to be persistent and consistent. He also spoke of the trouble some Aboriginal people might have when it comes to having access to the proper resources and the funding, "Not everyoneıs Band will sponsor them to go to Film School, although some people are very lucky".
The rest of the morning had a powerful line-up of people from the various Institutions talking about their Institution and what they have to offer. The session kicked off with Zoe Hopkins B.A. Zoe is very active in the Industry, and is constantly out there working. She also spoke of new opportunities out there especially with APTN now up and running. After a few questions the session moved on into the next speakers, beginning with Janet Cacchioni from the Vancouver Film School (VFS), then moving on to George Harris & Vern Bevis from the Gulf Islands Film & Television School (GIFTS) and a quick screening of Vernıs Short-Film "Punch, Kick, Fight", and then on to Colleen Clandening & John W, Bean from "Movieworks" and a screening of a short film by one of their students, then we broke for a 1 hour lunch break. Lunch and refreshments were provided for the attendees by the FNEEC.
After lunch we had First Nationsı Speakers talk about how they got to where theyıre at and how they got the funding to get the training they needed to do what they wanted to do. The batting order for the afternoon speakers began with Delhia Nahanee Employment and Training Advisor, talking about the Employment & Enterprise Centre and it services to their clients. Followed by Delhia were the First Nationsı Speakers, beginning with Curtis Cameron (Cameraman); Don Howell (Sound Technician); and Kamala Todd (Producer for VTVıs "First Story"). Overall the day went extremely well with an amazing turn out.