Posted on Monday, September 15, 2008.
News release: Sept. 15, 2008
Six directors from Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia have been chosen for
NSI Storytellers director phase – a training program run by the National Screen Institute — Canada (NSI) in association with the
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) to develop above-the-line Aboriginal talent.
The NSI Storytellers – director phase participants are:
Adam Garnet Jones (Toronto, ON)
Michelle Latimer (Toronto, ON)
Tracey Deer (Kahnawake, QC)
Cameron Lizotte (Saskatoon, SK)
Marie Clements (Galiano Island, BC)
Lori Lewis (Quathiaski Cove, BC)
The participants will develop their television directing skills through
an intensive training week with industry experts including Canadian
director
Tim Southam in Winnipeg, September 15-20.
The second phase of the program will see three of them placed in an
internship on a western-based television series destined for broadcast
in Canada.
Tim has served as director on the television mini-series and series
Heartland,
‘da Kink in my Hair,
Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making,
Moose TV,
jPod,
The Dead Zone,
Naked Josh, and
Blue Murder. His film work includes
The Bay of Love and Sorrows,
The Tale of Teeka/ L’Histoire de l’oie, and
One Dead Indian, and documentaries
Drowning in Dreams,
Satie and Suzanne and
Perreault Dancer. He has written scripts for the series
Traders and
North of 60, as well as for the features
The Bay of Love and Sorrows and
Kiss of the Fur Queen, the latter currently in development.
Training for writers and producers under NSI Storytellers has been
underway since last November. Six writers are working with renowned
show runner Peter Lauterman on a six part half-hour series for
development and broadcast on APTN, while three producers underwent
training in March.
"We are delighted to welcome these six outstanding directors to NSI
Storytellers,” said Liz Janzen, NSI Director of Programming. “It has
been a delight to work with talented Aboriginal writers, producers and
directors from across Canada and provide training to take their skill
sets to the next level.”
"We are pleased with the training that NSI is providing Aboriginal
content creators and proud to partner with them to develop this unique
program,” said Jean LaRose, APTN Chief Executive Officer. “The program
addresses three critical areas of television program development from
writing to directing to producing, and is nurturing the talent of
Aboriginal people working in film and television from across the
country.”
NSI Storytellers 2007/08 is made possible through the generous funding
of Presenting Sponsor Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN),
Program Partners
NBC Universal,
CTV/CHUM and
Manitoba Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport and Provincial Sponsors
British Columbia Film and
MANITOBA FILM & SOUND. Additional funding from Telefilm Canada.
About the National Screen Institute
The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is widely known for its
prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and
producers working in the film, television and digital media industries.
Most programs are part-time so students keep their day jobs while they
train. Participants do not have to relocate – intensive training
happens in one place and participants return home to work with a mentor
for the rest of their program. All training is delivered by senior
industry experts
About APTN
September 1, 2008 marked the nine-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite (DTH), telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862.
Media enquiries
National Screen Institute
Glynis Corkal, Marketing & Communications Manager
Direct line: 204-957-2995 | Email:
glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca
APTN
Sylvia Kolopenuk, Manager of Communications
Direct line: 204-947-9331 x339 | Email: skolopenuk@aptn.ca
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