National Film Board gives Saskatchewan creatives $10K opportunity

The National Film Board (NFB) is offering hopeful documentary makers in Saskatchewan the opportunity to create a short production with help from a highly experienced team.

The organization's North West Studio has launched Doc Lab Saskatchewan, a 10-week intensive program allowing would-be filmmakers to create a five-to-seven-minute documentary.

The program will run from Sept. 4 toNov. 17, with three participants each taking their project from concept to post-production.

The Doc Lab is being run by NFB producer Jon Montes, who will have a handpicked crew in tow.

Taking artists out of their comfort zone

Each film will be completely visual, with no narration, interviews or music.

"We really wanted people to focus on capturing something as it unfolds in front of the camera," Montes said. "So when you're watching the film, you don't need any interviews to give context, you don't need any music to nudge you along to what you should be feeling."

The Doc Lab is open to Saskatchewan-based filmmakers who have made a maximum of three productions. Other artists, photographers and podcast creators can also take a shot at the opportunity to explore a new form of storytelling.

Successful applicants will get two days to shoot their film. Montes said the goal is to develop directorswith a team that can make the production happen.

"The idea is to work with others to do a film that they could never do on their own," he said.

Showing a new side of Saskatchewan

Montes said he's expecting people to dive into local experiences to find ideas.

"Think of those extraordinary people you know or those really interesting places that you've been and what happens in those places? Why are they so extraordinary and what can we watch that communicates that feeling that you have of being there?" he said.

He said they're looking for "local stories that make us see Saskatchewan in a new way and that also help us understand the incredible richness of people's lives in the province and the different experiences you can have."

Participants will each be paid about $10,000 from the NFB as a writer and director fee.

For examples of what they are looking for, Montes suggestedAt the Beach, Hell Runs on Gasoline!, Nippaq or 19 Days.

To apply, submit a short proposal that describes the story you want to tell by 5 p.m. on July 14.