Press Release for US AND THEM

Homelessness Costs Canadians $7 Billion Annually (But it Doesn’t Have To!)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[24 August 2016 – CANADA-WIDE] Homelessness isn’t just a municipal issue; it is a national epidemic. Not only is the life expectancy of homeless people almost half that of non-homeless Canadians, our homelessness epidemic costs tax payers an estimated $7 billion every year (as shown in a report by the Look Out Society). Switching from reactionary measures to preventative measures and providing homes to those that need it would save billions. Even to those that believe in a bootstrap mentality, it is difficult to argue the numbers.

US & THEM, filmed by Krista Loughton and Jennifer Abbott (The Corporation), shatters misconceptions about why people end up on the streets, and reveals why the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" narrative is heavily flawed. As one such interviewee, Dawnella Gautherier, reveals, leaving the streets is not as simple as going to the neighbourhood shelter. In the late 2000s, Dawnlella found herself banned from multiple shelters because of violent night terrors that she was afflicted with, caused by the death of her son.

In order to explains the deep connection between emotional trauma and homelessness, US & THEM features insight from such experts as addictions specialist and author, Dr. Gabor Maté. As Dr. Maté explains, the environment that a baby is exposed to shapes the development of the brain. Those that "were traumatized and abused in their childhood simply [did not] have the right conditions for healthy brain development. ... Later on when [abuse survivors] come across substances which activate or sooth these circuits," such as a homeless person turning to an opiate for comfort, "they're prone to become addicted on first contact because finally they're getting what life should have given them in the first place."

Although filmed around downtown Victoria, US & THEM could take place in any Canadian city or town. Through her compassionate style of documentary filmmaking, Krista Loughton lends a familiarity to all that she interviews. Krista's subjects aren't "just homeless." They are not faceless apparitions wandering the streets. These people are the friends and family that we all know in our communities, who need our support.

To learn more about US & THEM, or to organize a screening in your town, go to usandthemthefilm.ca or email krista@usandthemthefilm.ca.

Social Media:

Facebook.com/usandthemmovie

Twitter.com/_usandthem

Instagram.com/usandthemfilm

Happy Medium Release Announcement

Originally posted on Happy Medium's Facebook Page on 13 August 2016. 

Well, it's time -- the pilot is ready! But first, a bit of a novel...

As most of you know, I am a writer – not an experienced filmmaker.

My goal is to share my stories and to make people laugh, but it's not always easy as a Canadian to get your work produced, unless you live in Vancouver or Toronto.

When you live in a smaller city like Victoria, you’ve really got to hustle. It was out of necessity and sheer ambition, that I decided to direct and produce this pilot episode of Happy Medium.

To those of you unfamiliar with the term a pilot episode “is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show. … The pilot is meant to be the testing ground to gauge whether a series will be successful … [and is] an early step in the development of a television series. … Pilots [are used] to discover whether an entertaining concept can be successfully realized. ... They are best thought of as prototypes of the show that is to follow, because elements often change from pilot to series.” – Wikipedia

While the pilot episode is 20 minutes long, and formatted like a traditional sitcom, I am hoping to film a 10-episode (10 minutes each) web series, based on this. While the editing and sound is a little rough, I believe that with funding and a proper lighting and sound team, we will make something really great!

As someone with zero camera, lighting, or editing experience, filming this episode was a crash course in filmmaking. I probably saved 20k in tuition filming this thing… Surprisingly enough though, I found myself relying on skills that I learned during my management and customer service roles the most. Who would have thought that my experiences in tech support, or even at Tim Hortons, would help me to be a better producer? My past jobs taught me not only how to write query emails that would appeal to many different readers, but also taught my how to delegate tasks, how to deal with all sorts of people, how to speak strongly in order to accomplish my goals.

I wrote the first draft of the feature length version of Happy Medium about four years ago now. It was relegated to sit in my documents folder until summer of 2015, when two members of my screenwriting group (shout out to Piper and Tanya!) showed interest in reading it. If my friend Tanya hadn't said that she loved the characters and could see it being a series, none of this could have happened.

Thank you so much to the actors (who all doubled as crew!) (Jaymie Chudiak, Sarah Elizabeth Katy, Bret A. Newton, Joel D. Montgrand, Randy Justis, Kristopher Tyson Koniczek), to my friend Becca for encouraging me to write five more pages, and to my husband who told me that he was proud of me for just going for it. Thank you as well to all of the extras, and to Smiths Pub, the Greater Victoria Public Library, and the Chemainus Fuller Lake Motel for allowing us to film at your locations. A special thank you to Beaver Buzz Energy as well for keeping our crew caffinated!

And finally, a thank you to everyone who has liked this page and invited their friends. Your actions keep the local arts alive! As cliché as it sounds, your continued support through likes and shares is what is needed to make the Happy Medium series a reality.

And now, with out further ado, our super low/no budget pilot of Happy Medium!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272ovx1i1TI

Please show your support by sharing this page, and inviting as many people to like us as you can. Let’s make the Happy Medium series a reality!

P.S: To any of you out there that have always wanted to film something, but couldn’t afford to go to film school, don’t let money stand in tour way. Network like crazy, volunteer, or just shoot something on your phone. I have no idea if Happy Medium will become a success, but just trying has been one of the best feelings ever. You can do this!

P.P.S: Please also support us on Indiegogo! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/happy-medium-the-series/

Why I Support Product Placement, if it Supports Local Businesses.

While I take my work seriously, I am realistic about what it is that I am trying to produce. I want my shows to be funny and appealing to as many people as possible, not to only appeal to those with a degree in film studies.

I guess you could say that my work is about inclusivity; I want to promote a cohesive and supportive film community in Victoria.

Representing local brands in my projects is a way to not only support the island's business community, but is also a way to make my characters more believable. In Happy Medium, Beth is a fan of Beaver Buzz energy drinks because I am a fan of them myself. She is a twenty-something hustling to get by. It's realistic to assume that she relies on a little caffeine motivation. To me, having Beaver Buzz featured in Happy Medium felt more realistic than intentionally not having a visible brand. That being said, I want to help the "little guys." There is something that feels inauthentic to me about having the entire cast drink Pepsi, or wear something with a giant logo on it.

The pilot, and future episodes, will contain other non-paid shout outs as well. The goal will be to make every addition as tasteful as realistic as possible, while still showing support to our small local brands.

And that's why I support local product placement! 

For updates on filming, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @blkframes

Marketing to Filmmaking?

Well, I've got some exciting news... Black Frames is going to be filming a comedy pilot for a show called Happy Medium this summer!

Tag-line: Beth discovers that faking psychic abilities isn't as easy as predicted.

You're probably wondering... how the heck did this come about?

I founded Black Frames Communications Ltd (originally Elevate Professionals Marketing Ltd) in 2014, because I was (and am) passionate about helping small businesses to succeed. As I have found out though, I am definitely not alone in my ambitions. Ironically, while it has been my goal to help businesses stand out in Vancouver Island's market place, I have struggled to make Black Frames stand out. I have helped many eclectic and awesome individuals to promote their businesses, but it hasn’t been enough to make Black Frames a self sustaining company.

When I realized that I have been spending more time working on my screenplays than helping clients, it hit me -- Black Frames should focus on local film production. I love writing, and helping small businesses. What better way to combine the two than to produce my own scripts with entirely local casts, locations, and product placement. Why not start a production company aimed at promoting Victoria's burgeoning film scene from within? Films made for locals (and everyone else ;) ), by locals.

I am excited to announce that this summer, Black Frames will be filming it's very first production. It's an exciting time for everyone involved, and I hope you'll support us by sharing our posts and updates as they are released.

For updates on Happy Medium's production, follow Black Frames on Instagram and Twitter @blkframes, or Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/blkframes!

Originally posted on LinkedIn.

CineVic Press Release

CineVic Launches Classes for Burgeoning Filmmakers

[Victoria, British Columbia - 9 May 2016] Thanks to grass-roots organizations like CineVic, Victoria’s film scene is growing faster than ever before. If you’re interested in seeing what all of the buzz is about, but are new to the independent filmmaking scene, then check out CineVic’s Absolute Beginners classes this June!

Taught by Bryan Skinner, a graduate of Vancouver Film School with twenty years of film making experience, Absolute Beginners is a perfect place to learn the basics about film making in a supportive atmosphere.

Absolute Beginners is a four-day workshop, which will be delivered over two weekends:

June 18/19 and June 25/26, 2016
12:00pm - 4:00pm
CineVic (1119 Fort Street)
$175 members / $225 non-members

Spots are limited, so sign-up fast! Pre-register online at cinevic.ca