TEEN MOVIE GROUP - Chronicle Journal Story!

Damien Gilbert, co-ordinator of the Flash Frame teen movie group, left, is seen with participants Joel Hansen, 17, and Stephanie Philp, 15, during a Sunday afternoon workshop at Thunder Bay’s Finlandia Club. (Brent Linton)

Film fans pumped
Damien Gilbert knows his way around a film set and he‘s passing on that knowledge to young people.
Monday , February 15, 2010

Film fans pumped
BRANDON WALKER
02/15/2010

Damien Gilbert knows his way around a film set and he‘s passing on that knowledge to young people.

Gilbert interned at 900 Films in Vista, Calif., after graduating from Confederation College‘s film program.

He has done freelance cinematography on feature films, commercials and skateboard videos.

Now Gilbert is helping teens explore their dreams of making movies, by hosting a 10-week movie group.

It is for youth aged from 13 to 18 years old.

Gilbert was teaching a group of teens how to use a video camera on Sunday, the first class of the session.

He also shared some of the mistakes he has noticed in movies when it comes to continuity.

“Being in film I‘ve noticed a lot of little bloopers,” he said.

“It‘s pretty funny when you watch movies afterward and notice little mistakes.”

The course will teach the students not to make those mistakes.

Youth will learn how to make movies, act, direct, write scripts, create animation, and make skateboard and music videos.

Stephanie Philp said she used to complain that there was nothing to do in Thunder Bay, then she became interested in filmmaking.

“There‘s finally something that I really like to do and it‘s exciting that there‘s an opportunity for kids my age to get involved in making movies.”

Philp, 15, said she wants to get involved with the local film community.

She said she hopes to one day create films that will make people think about the world in a different way.

“I want them to leave the theatre wanting to change the world,” she said.

Classes are to be held at 314 Bay St. above the Hoito every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. until April 18.

It costs $100 for the 10 weeks. Gilbert said new students are still welcome, even though Sunday was the first class.

For more information, call Kelly Saxberg at 345-0221.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - Bay Street Film Festival

Rhonda Kara Hana, Wins Contest- "Her Sight is Worth it"

Congratulations to Rhonda!

Local Filmmaker, Rhonda Kara Hanah, Wins Contest

Film highlights struggle of vision loss
By Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com

Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com
Rhonda Kara Hanah.

Early last year Rhonda Kara Hanah lost vision in one eye; that vision has since been restored but it made the Thunder Bay woman aware of the struggles for people with vision loss around the world.

Hanah came across the organization Seva Canada that helps restore sight and prevent blindness in the developing world.

"Because I’d experienced vision loss, I offered to be a volunteer to help the organization," said Hanah.

Because of her background in filmmaking, Seva asked Hanah to create a three-minute video on her struggle and the issue of blindness among women throughout the world.

There are 45 million blind people worldwide; two thirds of them are female.

"Females are less likely to get treated," said Hanah. "In many cultures, women don’t have access to same way as we do (to treatment)."

So over a couple of weeks in December, Hanah created her video, which she was unaware would be submitted into the Her Sight is Worth It video contest, which aimed to raise awareness of blindness among women.

Hanah placed third in the competition, an honour that included having the sight restored to one girl and one woman in her name.

"That’s the greatest thing about doing this," she said. "It was all worthwhile."
For $50, someone’s sight can be restored, Hanah added.

"I think ‘Wow, in Canada $50 is a haircut for some people or a meal," she said. "Canadians can help people around the world have their vision restored and it makes a huge difference. I would like people to become aware that for $30, $50 you can cure someone’s eye sight."

Hanah’s video will be screened at the World Community Film Festival in 12 cities and towns across Canada starting in Vancouver Jan 31.

For more information on the Her Sight is Worth It video contest and the film festival visit http://www.seva.ca.

Teen Movie Group Poster

Flash Frame Presents: Teen Movie Group

Hey everyone please post this poster everywhere you can!

Hubert did you know that Nanook of the North premiered here in Thunder Bay? Robert Flaherty's sister lived in town and he went a lot of time in this area where his dad was a prospector. Check out The Thunder Bay Museum's Flaherty photograph collection.

ps. Thunder Bay film Makers: we need your in production news to post!

Desperately seeking Moana

FlashFramers are asked to don their thinking caps and scratch their head (first scratch, then don cap). A T'Bay playwright is desperately seeking the classic "Moana, A Story of the South Seas" (1926).

It's the cinema's first "docufiction" production and directed by Robert Flaherty (yes, the same Flaherty who shot "Nanook of the North) who considered it his finest work. It's also in the US Library of Congress, but somehow doesn't seem to be available on DVD. Maybe as a (bit torrent) download?

Any help is highly appreciated. Please contact Hubert @tbaytel.net or 474-3968 if you have any leads.
Thanks all!