Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Recruiting Hell

Posted: 10 Feb 2017 12:35 PM PST

Caught between a visionary director and an impossible-to-please client, our creative director tries desperately to hold everything together while helping the executive demons of Hell LLP – the universe’s oldest, darkest and, possibly, most dysfunctional corporation – try to assemble their own ‘brilliant’ recruitment video.

Creative team

Writer/director: Randy Brososky
Producers: Randy Brososky, Marliss Weber, Chester Sit

Filmmaker’s statement

Corporations are oftentimes the epitome of the word ‘dysfunction.’ Having worked as an executive, artist and consultant in between, I have seen this experience from all sides, and wanted to create a story that gives a brief view into the chaos that can erupt from a group of diverse personalities all trying to make their own mark on a single project.

Setting this story in Hell LLP made sense as a way to frame the events in [a] literal corporate hell while also introducing new viewers to the story world of the Necessary Evil universe.

This was possibly one of the most ‘meta’ projects I have ever been involved with, having an on-camera, demonic ‘crew’ being filmed by an off-camera, human crew, while a behind-the-scenes crew captured footage of the off-camera, human crew.

We also captured the additional footage to create the actual recruiting video referenced in Recruiting Hell (which can be found on the Hell LLP YouTube channel). Keeping crews, scripts, footage and storylines straight was a tremendous, yet rewarding challenge.

There is an entire world of stories to be told in this universe and I hope this film invites audiences to explore more about Hell-LLP.com and the characters within the corporation.

If you have ever worked for a large company, you should recognize the people on screen as the people in the cubicle next to you. With luck, you may even see yourself.

Find out more at necessaryevilseries.com.

About Randy Brososky

Randy has been involved with film, television and stage for over 20 years. He recently wrote and produced Necessary Evil, Recruiting Hell, and the Hellevator Project, three properties in the Necessary Evil universe.

His directing credits include Recruiting Hell, the Hellevator Project and Plight: A Comic Book Rock Opera.

As an actor he has been seen on screen and online in Truckstop Bloodsuckers, Burlesque Assassins, The Pharmacist, Nightmare Island 2 and the short All My Sins.

His television credits include Blackstone, Mixed Blessings, Mentors, Mythquest and voiceover for the cartoons Law of Ueki and Flame of Recca.

Upcoming projects include the lead in Life Undercover, co-producing and performing in the feature length version of All My Sins, and several unannounced projects in the Necessary Evil universe.

Away From Here

Posted: 10 Feb 2017 12:28 PM PST

Trapped in a sleepy, industrial town, angst-ridden teenager Calvin must decide whether to leave home with his best friend Jessie or stay to support his family.

Taking place over one night, this coming-of-age film explores Calvin’s search for freedom, testing his commitment to family, friendship and love.

Creative team

Writer/director: Joseph Covello
Producers: Joseph Covello, Ivan Hutomo. Krystle Ferdinand

Filmmaker’s statement

I was inspired to write Away From Here after graduating from film school when I was confronted with the question, “What should I do with my life?” Drawing on my own experiences I wanted to create a film that honestly portrays the struggle to find one’s self, and the suffocating anxiety that often accompanies it.

From this seed of an idea grew the story of a teenager who feels destined to remain trapped in his small town while watching his best friend do the one thing he wants most in the world – escape.

The film explores the importance of family and friendship as a means of surviving adversity, but at the sacrifice of one’s freedom.

Most importantly I wanted the film to capture the sense of immediacy and angst that plagues many young adults who dream of freedom and adventure. Since the story takes place over one night, all of these feelings are amplified as Calvin’s world is very abruptly turned upside-down.

The film showcases the beauty of Ontario’s natural landscape which, for years, has inspired me as a painter and avid outdoorsman, and contrasts it with images of derelict spaces in a small industrial town. I’m still amazed by the number of locations we filmed at, considering the film was shot in only four days.

We were very fortunate to work with two extremely talented Canadian actors who brought Calvin and Jessie to life, as well as our talented and dedicated crew that made everything possible. I’m also thankful to our Indiegogo supporters from around the world, including Canada, USA, UK and New Zealand, who helped us exceed our fundraising goal.

About Joseph Covello

Joseph Covello is a Toronto-based writer and director who studied film at Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts.

His short film Away From Here screened at Toronto International Short Film Festival and Ottawa Digital Film Festival, and his previous film Alpine Country won the Maximum Exposure Film Festival highlights prize.

He also works as a cinematographer and has collaborated with a diverse group of directors on short films, commercials and music videos. The films he’s shot have screened at festivals including Vancouver International Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand and Montreal World Film Festival.

Joseph is an avid photographer and painter, having exhibited his work at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, as well as created commissioned paintings for private collectors.

W-A-L-K

Posted: 10 Feb 2017 12:25 PM PST

A delightful variation on a road movie, W-A-L-K follows preteen Clara as she embarks on a mission to master the art of walking in high-heeled shoes.

Taking place in Montreal during a hot and lazy summer day, Clara’s ambitions for feminine glory are complicated by the fact that it’s also her turn to take Eddie, the poorly-trained family dog, on his daily w-a-l-k. They set off together on a suburban adventure rife with disapproving adults and the ever-present stress of running into other dogs.

The film explores the transition from childhood to adolescence and how it can be at once both confusing and wonderful.

Creative team

Writer/director: Anna Sikorski
Producers: Hany Ouichou, Annick Blanc

About Anna Sikorski

Anna Sikorski is based in Montreal, Quebec. As a writer and director, she is drawn to fiction and takes inspiration from the themes of adolescence, sexuality and femininity.

After her award-winning student short A Troublesome Desire she wrote, directed and produced Missing, a 24-minute film that has been received at festivals worldwide.

She is currently developing more short projects as well as working on a feature script. W-A-L-K is her third film, inspired by her adolescence.