Art Attack

A few years ago, a couple of local horror filmmakers entered a Quentin Tarantino contest with a fake grindhouse-inspired trailer. The entry ended up winning, and that honour scored financing and development for one of Halifax’s most well-known film productions, 2011’s Hobo with a Shotgun.

This year, a couple of local horror filmmakers entered the 2015 CineCoup challenge, a 12-week genre-film contest with a one million dollar development deal for the winning trailer. This week, the Nicole Steeves and Struan Sutherland joint, Namas-DIE, placed in the Top 30 of over 120 entries. It’s the only trailer from Atlantic Canada still in the running, but in order for Namas-DIE to win, it needs your votes!

Produced by Sahar Yousefi and André Pettigrew, Namas-DIE is a horror-comedy with an all-female cast that features a group of old friends who treat themselves to a yoga weekend, but here’s the sick twist: the last yogi alive wins $20 million bucks. Soon, quaint female friendships turn into yoga-mat blood-baths, in keeping with Sutherland’s dark, absurdist humour and the expressive performance of Steeves and company. It’s a starkly styled, gross-out horror with layers of satire that could be Sutherland’s first directed feature (just yesterday, his AFCOOP Film 5, The Hold Up, was nominated by Screen Nova Scotia for Best Short Film). Using skills from both of their experiences in the Film 5 program, Steeves and Sutherland have been nailing their routine CineCoup “missions,” which are mini-projects that demonstrate all dimensions of the film’s mood and concept, from silent scenes to promo materials.



All of the missions so far can be viewed online, and Namas-DIE’s continued success in the contest relies on votes and shares. It’s an opportunity that could bring film jobs to Nova Scotia (#NSFilmJobs) and could create a genre cult-classic like Hobo with a Shotgun or last year’s CineCoup winner, Wolfcop. And I don’t know about you, but yoga sure makes me want to kill people. Plus, the all-female focus is much-needed. Even films like The House on Sorority Row or the thousands of strong female horror leads still defer to male perspective. Finally, female-focus has become deliberate (and welcome) in genre films; director Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon, for example, has been waving that flag since its conception. 



But what makes Namas-DIE well-suited for a win is the scope of project in relation to the budget, which isn’t a huge amount for a feature film. But Namas-DIE has been designed for that budget line, and a million bones can get you an awful lot of fake blood and rubber skin. And, one more time: #NSFilmJobs.



Along with helping local filmmakers achieve something amazing, this is a good chance to check out the rest of CineCoup’s indie film competitors. It’s also likely that entries placing in the Top 15 will be positioned to option scripts for further development, so every single vote and share counts! Namaste.

• Mr. D

Lights, camera, action! The nominees are in for the inaugural Screen Nova Scotia Awards Show. The show will take place Saturday, May 2 at Casino Nova Scotia. The event will be hosted by Jonathan Torrens, Canadian personality and sharer of my birthday.

“It has taken twenty years to build the depth of talent our membership enjoys today, and believe me, they are taking that talent to screens across the world,” says Jamie Bradley, President of ACTRA Maritimes in a press release. The event will be a huge celebration of all the Nova Scotian talent we’ve been seeing, and also a nice change from all the negative press of the NS Film Tax Credit.

"The past three weeks have been very challenging for the film and television industry in Nova Scotia, for reasons that everyone is well aware of," said Scott Simpson, vice chair of Screen Nova Scotia. “But let’s be clear about one thing – the quality of work that is done by people in this industry is second to none. We have much to be proud of and on Saturday night, we will celebrate some of the best film and television projects in Canada.”

The nominees were presented by Screen Nova Scotia, the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

ACTRA AWARD NOMINEES



Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role:

Mary-Colin Chisholm - Cast No Shadow


Alexis Milligan - Some Things Won’t Sleep 


Andrea Lee Norwood - Lure 


Jennie Raymond - Sex & Violence 


Jackie Torrens - Sex & Violence


Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role:


Pasha Ebrahimi - Lord of Chaos


Glen Matthews – Lure


Mike McLeod - Forgive Me


Gharrett Paon - I Am Syd Stone


Robb Wells - Trailer Park Boys


Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role:


Bette MacDonald - Mr. D


Candy Palmater - Forgive Me


Carol Sinclair - Sex and Violence


Shelley Thompson - Trailer Park Boys


Jackie Torrens – Heartbeat


Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role:


Richard Donat – Lure


John Dunsworth - Trailer Park Boys


Pasha Ebrahimi - Sex and Violence


Michael McPhee - Sex and Violence


Jonathan Torrens - Mr.D



FILM CREW EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINEES

Christopher Ball – Director of Photography

Matt Likely – Art Director

Brian Power – Re-recording Mixer



SNS AWARD NOMINEES 




 Best Feature Film:


Heartbeat


Lure


Relative Happiness


Trailer Park Boys – Don’t Legalize It



Best Short Film:


Kreb


Some Things Won’t Sleep


The Hold Up


The Toll



Best Documentary Film:


28 Feet – Life on a Little Wooden Boat 

Arctic Defenders 


Bounty – Into the Hurricane 


Edge of East


Wild & Dangerous – The World of Exotic Pets



Best TV Series:


Forgive Me


Haven


Mr. D


The Candy Show

• Daniel Crowther and Megin Peake, in front of the very daunting schedule of their past year

Sitting with Megin Peake and Daniel Crowther in the slightly unkempt student lounge (what student lounge isn’t?) of the NSCAD Academy Building, it’s clear they’re super stoked about something. Surprisingly enough, it’s because of a goddamned Monday. Specifically, this Monday (April 20).

Peake and Crowther are two of six NSCAD students showing their thesis films at Park Lane Monday evening. And you should go. First, because it gives you something to do on a Monday, and second, because these films sound awesome. Having been working on these films since September, it’s not only been a hell of a school year, it’s been a personal journey.

“I didn’t really know I was afraid of the ocean, because I wouldn’t have said I technically am,” Peake says. “I swim in it, I do like to surf, but I do know there’s always something holding me back.” Peake’s film, Rowan, is about a girl (named Rowan) who is afraid of the ocean, and Peake draws from her own insecurities to tell Rowan’s story.

“It’s interesting to be able to admit it now because I wouldn’t have admitted it before because I felt kind of embarrassed by it. I didn’t really understand it and the more I work shopped the idea and talked it out I knew deep down I was afraid. I didn’t really want to admit to others around me. There’s no specific reason, just becoming vulnerable I guess.” (No spoilers here, I won’t tell you how Rowan deals with that fear, go to the screening!)

• A still from Megin Peake’s film, Rowan

Peake’s film is also very specifically Nova Scotian; “I love landscapes and the Nova Scotia landscape is very unique to where we live in Canada. So I wanted to kind of focus on that and bring that out in my artwork; wanting to focus on cinematography as well as the landscape.”

Crowther’s film, 37:7, is a film of a different nature. To put it very generally; “a lot about the trauma of living in the modern civilised world.” Say what? “I think the only way to really know what this film is about is to watch it,” Crowther says, laughing. “Words can only say so much, that’s part of the reason I made it, I feel it’s an expression of something that I couldn’t put into words. That’s what I love about film. It’s a way to express things that I can’t necessarily talk about.”

• This still from 37:7 still doesn’t help me get it, so I’ll see you guys at the screening

Both films were a journey, both creatively and emotionally, and like every journey, there were roadblocks. Generally small, from forgetting gear and having to pick up their professor on a Saturday morning for keys, to learning to work with other people, to a low budget. Budget, you say? As in, the NS Film Tax Credit cut? Why yes, that.

“It’s fucking awful,” says Crowther. “It butchers the industry.”

To complete their films this year, fourth year students are required to create a pitch. If that pitch goes successful, then five films get a $2400 budget from Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia. Oh right, that doesn’t exist anymore.

Without that budget, “this year wouldn’t have been able [to happen],” says Peake. “Some of us are leaving, some of us are staying, but knowing that it’s not even perhaps an option is sad.”

That being said, both Crowther and Peake have tentative future plans that mostly include “life out of a dark cave.”

So, this Monday gather up your friends and head to Park Lane Theatre. Doors open at 5:30pm, $10 dollars for humans, $5 for students.

The complete roster:
37:7 – Daniel Crowther

Gurney For Two – Haley Durkee

Rowan – Megin Peake

A Country Surrounds Us – Geoffrey Vincent

Dérive – Isabella Weetaluktuk

Salt Stains – Keith Whyte

• Gabby Peyton

If there’s one thing the film industry knows how to do, it’s put on a good show. Yesterday, thousands of supporters surrounded Province House, while film industry types, from local celebs to costume designers took the stage to talk about the shrunken tax credit. In a matter of days, Screen Nova Scotia put together a pretty fancy-looking event, with a stage on Granville Street flanked by two giant screens, a live stream, and even porta potties. Between media coverage, smart phones and independent filmmakers capturing every second of the rally, the production value of the event was definitely worth a shitload of money.

The rally, which officially began at noon, was well underway by 11:30am with drums beating and supporters marching the square block around the legislature. Jonathan Torrens emceed the event and kept the well-controlled ruckus going all day long.

Mike Smith, Robb Wells and Patrick Roach from the Trailer Park Boys were some of the first to take the stage. They were emphatic about the importance of the tax credit and how the production of the show supports local businesses.

“I can’t even wager how much was spent at the bars,” said Smith.

• Gabby Peyton

Zealous signage and pops of bright yellow brightened up the already sunny day with ACTRA flags, crew shirts, balloons and babies with yellow headbands. Bubbles were floating through the air, and the smell of fresh popcorn wafted over Granville Street as thousands, young and old and costumed, attended the event. As advertised, it was a family friendly affair, with kids being pulled from school to support the industry, and students pressing pause on exam study to come out in droves wielding paper mâché bleeding hearts with quippy jabs at Premier McNeil.

Janel Heighton, a 3D modeler at DHX Media, said 90 percent of her office was out in support; most of them walked over together in solidarity. Heighton left Dalhousie after two years of architecture school to pursue a career in film because she believed it to be a more solid industry in the province. She says rallying isn’t about being angry, but sending a message that is “less of a dark and grim one and ‘please come and talk to us’ message.”

She wasn’t alone in the sentiment. Mark Austin, who worked on the Ivany report, took the stage emphasizing the industry’s willingness to work with the government to fix the credit. Austin says even though the credit is still there, “It’s still there the way a balloon is there after it’s popped; it’s lifeless and empty because of one prick.”

The noise was deafening at quitting time for the people inside Province House as supporters crowded the sidewalks of Hollis Street. With trumpets blaring and drums setting the beat for the chants, it was pretty clear the film industry has a lot more fight in them, even after six hours of impassioned demonstration.

As Jay Dahl, Screen Nova Scotia board member said during his moments on stage; “They’re expecting us to move, and guys I’m not going anywhere…We’re not going anywhere.”

• Gabby Peyton

• Scott Simpson of Playmaker Films talks to reporters
• Jessica Flower

It seems Diana Whalen finally figured out what everyone else already knew—the budget sucks. Whalen and various members of her cabinet met this morning with a delegation of nine Nova Scotia film industry professionals in an effort to quell the shitstorm that has been brewing since the budget was announced. Members of the film industry group spoke with the media after a two-hour meeting at the finance department offices, and they were cautiously optimistic.

"The progress made is that they've agreed the proposed budget is not workable...We recognize there will be some change, but we still have concerns, especially the implementation date and the numbers," said Marc Almon of Screen Nova Scotia. Almon said the rally scheduled for tomorrow will occur as planned and the delegation will meet again with Whalen later on in the week.

Scott Simpson of Playmaker Films said it was difficult to say if the McNeil government will change, but they seem willing to meet at some middle ground. The delegation submitted a counter-proposal to the government but was unable to discuss it, saying only that it's leading to discussion. So, all is not lost? *Knocks on wood a thousand bajillion times*

It’s lights, camera, reaction for film industry folk in Nova Scotia. Filmmakers across the province are stepping into the spotlight to speak out against the drastic changes to the Film Industry Tax Credit.

The Atlantic Filmmakers Co-op (AFCOOP) put out the casting call to anyone who wanted to talk about their connection to the Nova Scotia independent film industry yesterday at their Cornwallis Street offices.

Nelson MacDonald, AFCOOP’s festival coordinator, says a steady stream of supporters including film students, co-op members and others who benefit from the industry have been filmed giving testimonials about the importance of filmmaking in this province. “We were really upset at first, now it’s time to do what we do best: make films,” says MacDonald about the industry’s reaction to the cuts. He believes the reduction of the tax credit as well as the elimination of Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia is “an attack on creativity in Nova Scotia.”

Many filmmakers have their cameras rolling including Megan Wennberg, independent filmmaker and AFCOOP alum. Yesterday at Neptune Theatre, Wennberg filmed countless people in the film industry taking a bow on the stage in solidarity at her "Take A Bow" shoot.

Macdonald says they will be editing through the night to have it ready for public viewing tomorrow. The films will be screened all over social media and he has high hopes for their impact.

“This is far from over as far as we’re concerned.”

• Savage dishes.
• BIANCA MÜLLER

In a blog post published today on mayormikesavage.blogspot.com, the mayor spoke in a diplomatic way about the Liberal budget. In the nicest way possible, he said that the plan to cut to the film industry tax credit in particular need adjustment. Read the post below.

The provincial budget of 2015 was projected to be tough, and it was. People lost jobs, departmental spending is set to be well below inflation, and an entire department was eliminated. These are tough measures, and I think it is a time for tough measures. The government did, however, also make some important new investments that show they are sensitive to the needs of people who are facing significant challenges. All governments at all levels are facing financial and productivity challenges, and failing to respond to those realities – as painful as they might be - can hurt more people in the long term.

And then there is the restructuring of the Film Tax Credit (FTC). The changes that have been made are quite dramatic and will have a disproportionate impact on film production in the Halifax region. Since the introduction of the FTC in the 1990's the industry has grown significantly, and benefits our Province in a number of ways. It leads to jobs in the industry, and has deeper impacts in supporting other industries and entrepreneurs across the community. I have been on sets locally and seen how many local companies benefit from the film and animation projects.

The financial impact of restructuring the FTC depends on who you ask, but people in the industry and other observers are more than worried about the net result. So am I.

I am reticent to challenge the decisions of other governments as they grapple with tough action. I know from my own political experience, and particularly that of my father who governed in challenging times, that there isn't an easy route out of deficit and debt. And I know that most people are inclined to urge restraint and serious action to reduce government spending, until it has an impact on them or their projects. I also know that Premier McNeil and Minister Whalen are good people who are focussed on doing the right things, even when they are not popular, and they are on the right track. But I think this plan needs to be adjusted.

I am pleased that Minister Whalen is meeting with representatives of the film industry, and I urge reconsideration of the dramatic changes to the film tax credit.

• The NS film industry is looking at one hell of a death scene.

Sadly, it turns out that comments made by finance minister Diana Whalen last week denouncing the Nova Scotia film tax credit weren't just woefully off script, the Liberal government did indeed decide to cut the Nova Scotia film industry tax credit from 100 percent refundable to 25 percent, beginning July 1, as announced in today's 2015/16 budget reveal. Despite Whalen happily accepting a petition with over 25,000 signatures just yesterday, the cut went ahead as planned and people are none too pleased.

Now the tax credit will depend on how much film production companies pay out in taxes, meaning some companies can retain the 100 percent tax credit if they pay enough in provincial taxes.

Despite extensive warnings from industry professionals that a change in the tax credit will result in a mass exodus from the province, taking with it millions in revenue for local workers, restaurants, equipment, car rentals, hotels and effectively gut the industry, the Liberal government seems to be playing chicken, choosing instead a $18 million reduction in payouts next year, dropping the expected amount of payouts to be $6 million. In addition, Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia has also been axed and will be absorbed by Nova Scotia Business Inc. No one is learning the important lesson that refusing to invest in creative culture is a huge mistake. The Liberal budget sounds short-sighted, but don't take thousands of industry professionals' word for it, why not ask Saskatchewan how their tax credit cut went?

Here's the budget if you want to have a read, you'd better believe there are some gems in here.

• Kung Fu Elliot

Here's the complete lineup, start penciling in your dayplanners now and if you still have a dayplanner that's really cute.

The Creeping Garden - 2014 |United Kingdom|Documentary
"An absolute must ‐ see." - Voir
November 27th | 7pm | Halifax North Memorial Library (2285 Gottingen Street) The Creeping Garden is a feature length documentary exploring the work of fringe scientists, mycologists and artists, and their relationship with the extraordinary plasmodial slime mould. Presented with short film Palimpset.

What We Do In The Shadows - 2014 | New Zealand | Comedy
"An instant classic..." - Flicks.co.nz
November 27th | 9pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street) Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi (Eagle vs Shark, Boy) write, direct, and star in this outstandingly fresh mockumentary that follows a trio of New Zealand vampires—ranging from 183 to 8,000 years old—as they struggle to adapt to contemporary society. Presented with short film Day 40.

Fateful Findings - 2014 | United States | Fantasy
"An oddball, lunatic, masterpiece..." - Austin.com
November 27th | 11pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street) Fateful Findings is a truly odd and wonderful cinematic experience that The Seattle International Film Festival called, “David Lynch meets Tom Wiseau."

The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears - 2014 | Belgium | Horror
"...a gorgeous movie..." - Blu-Ray.com
November 28th | 6:30pm | Museum of Natural History (1747 Summer Street) In The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears, Belgium co-directors/writers Helene Catlet and Bruno Forani have crafted a psychological horror as much inspired by ‘60/’70s Italian giallo films as it is entirely original. Presented with short film Elsewhere, the Survivors.

R100 - 2014 | Japan | Comedy
"A delightful collision of humour and self-reflexive philosophizing" - Twitch
November 28th | 8:40pm | Museum of Natural History (1747 Summer Street) Director Hitoshi Matsumoto’s latest feature is an avant-garde BDSM flick about a furniture salesman who grieves for his wife through sexual escapism. Presented with short film Burnt Grass.

Wetlands - 2014 | Germany | Comedy
"Crass, vulgar, and brilliant." - San Francisco Chronicle
November 28th | 10:50pm | Museum of Natural History (1747 Summer Street) Wetlands artfully blends shock with sweetness. Adapted from Charlotte Roche’s bestselling and controversial novel of the same name, the film follows the story of Helen, played by the mesmerizing and wonderfully uninhibited Swiss-born actress Carla Juri. Presented with short film ((NULL)).

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau 2014 | United States |Documentary
"...a must-watch." - Topless Robot
November 29th | 4:00pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street) A behind the scenes chronicle of how clash of vision, bad creative decisions, lack of interest, and really bad weather plagued the disastrous production of the infamous 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau. Presented with short film FANFARE for MARCHING BAND.

Kung Fu Elliot - 2014 | Canada | Documentary |
Featuring Q & A with driectors Matthew Bauckman & Jaret Belliveau
"...the film catches lightning in a bottle..." - High-Def Digest
November 29th | 6:30pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street) Elliot "White Lightning" Scott plans on becoming Canada's first action hero with his low-budget karate epic, Blood Fight. This surreal documentary captures two years in the lives of a passionate amateur filmmaker, his supportive partner Linda, and their outrageous cast as they all try to realize their dreams.

TV Carnage
November 29th | 9:15pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street)
For over 12 years, TV Carnage has been at the forefront of incredibly humorous video collages. It is the innovator of a popularized movement that arranges glimpses into brilliant and hypnotic stories that examine and satirize media’s involvement in today’s evolution of popular culture. TV Carnage's creator Derrick Beckles also currently hosts Adult Swim's Hot Package, is a producer and correspondent for Vice TV, and recently appeared on Comedy Central's Drunk History.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead - 2014 | Norway / Iceland | Horror/Comedy
"Dementedly enjoyable..." - Entertainment Weekly
November 29th | 11:50pm | The Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street)
If the worst day of your life consisted of accidentally killing your girlfriend with an axe, chainsawing your arm off, and watching in horror as your closest friends were devoured by a zombified Nazi battalion, you'd have to assume that things couldn't get much worse. In Martin's case, that was only the beginning. Presented with short film Saving Face.

For more information on Outlier, see outlierfilmfestival.com