Last Stop for Miles

I’m back at the Banff Centre for Part II of Women in the Director’s Chair and it’s been an intense week of learning.

Today I’m going to be rehearsing with the actors who have been cast in the scene I’m using from Last Stop for Miles and then I’ll be meeting with the Production Team to go over my shot list for the main shoot.

Years ago I graduated from the Playwriting Programme at the National Theatre School of Canada. People often ask me what I got out of going to such a prestigious school. My answer is always the same. “I found my voice as a writer,” I tell them.

In the future, when people ask me what I got out of WIDC, my vision is to be able to say, “I found my style as a director.”

Don’t forget to support our campaign to finance the feature film on IndieGoGo. Thanks for your support!

Tags: banff centre, directing style, independent feature film, indiegogo, last stop for miles, learning opportunities, national theatre school of canada, playwriting programme, style, vision, voice, WIDC

I am trying not to count the days until the second part of the Women in the Director’s Chair Workshop begins at the Banff Centre but I’m not doing a great job. How can I stay in today when I have something like that ahead of me?

The Story Module, which took place in November, was an incredible learning experience. It’s deepened my skills as a screenwriter and given me a whole new perspective on how to approach character. I’m currently in the process of revising a scene from the feature script, which I will direct with a full-size professional cast and crew when I return to Banff in January.

We have also recently launched a campaign on IndieGoGo to raise funds to help us finance the movie. There are some fantastic benefits for you if you make a donation. Please visit the page and help us to make this movie!

Tags: banff centre, indiegogo, women in the director's chair

Heading to the Banff Centre for Women in the Director’s Chair. It’s a huge honour to be a part of this incredible workshop with so many other talented women. I’m ready to be a sponge.

Lots happening, folks!

I recently spent a week in Vancouver meeting with production designers, sound recordists, editors and actors. We are slowly beginning to assemble our team.

We have a meeting with Telefilm Canada at the end of this month to discuss our Low Budget Independent Film Funding Application. So exciting!

I’m heading to the Banff Centre next week for the first part of the Women in the Director’s Chair Workshop. I couldn’t be more thrilled and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Every day brings us closer to making the dream a reality. Wait a minute, it’s a reality now!

I’m at the Vancouver International Film Festival taking part in the Film + TV Forum. I’m meeting industry reps and other filmmakers and talking up our project. Had a brief meeting with Kate and Siobhan, producing partners extraordinaire, and we’re all really excited about the momentum the film has right now. We’ve made huge leaps forward in the last little while and it’s amazing to see the progress. More details to come!

People I’m meeting keep asking me if I have a film in the festival and I say, “Maybe next year.”

I’m in Vancouver for another round of meetings with my producing partners. We’re going to be discussing new time lines and financing strategies. I’ve also got a meeting with a guy I have in mind to play Thomson, the male lead. Still a secret so no names mentioned!

I just saw a film called “HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE” and it wasn’t perfect but it totally inspired me to keep going with this project. Another director/writer/star who made the kind of film that you and I want to see. Great dialogue, interesting characters, beautiful to look at. Yay, indie filmmaking!

I just spent a couple of days in Vancouver meeting with our 1st AD and our DP. Really exciting to be putting a crew together with the stellar producers I’m working with and talking more specifically about the details. Each step taken brings us closer to the reality of making this film. And yet the process is part of it, too, and I don’t want to negate that. I’m soaking it all up right now and it’s a fantastic feeling.

Waiting to hear back from the Canada Council. The results should come any day now. It’s very challenging being this patient! Meanwhile, Kate, Siobhan and I are putting together an application for Telefilm Low Budget Independent Feature Film funding and the work is monumental but worth it!

Had a bevy of successful meetings in Vancouver. Met with a super-talented DP who I really hope to work with on the project. Went into the Telefilm offices and gave an update on all of the forward momentum we’re experiencing right now. They were very encouraging. We’re heading toward a deadline of mid-July to hand in our TF application. The doors continue to swing open!

Things are moving right along. Finished a polish of the script May 5th. Met with the Brown Eyed Girls in Vancouver May 23rd. Handed in a grant application to the Yukon Filmmakers Fund on June 1st. Had a super interview with a potential DP this morning. We’re happening!