Thank you for entrusting us with your stories. We look forward to more adventures with you this year. We wish our team, clients, audiences, family and community all the best in 2023.
our goals for 2023 – what’s coming up this year?
Happy New Year! Here at Empress, we like to think about our New Year’s “resolutions” as adventures we want to embark on, not just goals we want to accomplish. This is an opportunity to look at the different parts of our lives – creatively, financially, and in terms of health, learning, our role in our greater ecosystem and community – and reflect on what we can improve.
new year goal #1: creativity
Make something everyday! “I think music gives me an ability to face a challenge head on,” says young clarinetist and composer Camilo Aybar. In our upcoming short documentary film, The Sound of a Pandemic, we follow Camilo and the success of his first symphony, which he wrote about the Covid 19 pandemic during lockdown.
If there’s anything we’ve learned from Camilo, it’s to embrace all the imperfections and chaos of life, and make art anyway. We may not always be creating a perfect masterpiece, but the act of creating in and of itself might just be what gets us through.
Stay tuned for more about the short documentary. We started principal photography in January!
new year goal #2: finances
It’s never too early or late to get money smart! Anna Hilberry has been on a mission to bring financial literacy to our fingertips with her YouTube channel. And part of being smart with your money is being secure with all the latest ways we access our accounts online. Check out this important video for steps on how to protect yourself, and be sure to subscribe to Anna’s channel for more helpful tips on taking care of your finances this new year.
For interested viewers in the Calgary area, check out Laurel Hickey’s channel, which she runs with her team at iii Global Wealth.
new year goal #3: health
Get moving! We know it’s a bit cliche to have a workout resolution for the new year. But after seeing all the Polar Bear Plunges happening across Canada, we’ve been refreshed and inspired to get outside and push ourselves to our limits! Do you love the outdoors and feel ready to get outside your comfort zone? The Jen Segger Adventure Racing Program might be just the thing for you!
Not quite ready to commit? Check out Jen’s inspirational videos and get hyped up!
new year goal #4: learning
Learn something new! We’re always looking to expand our horizons and learn new skills. We’re so grateful to have many talented team members, and we like to host a workshop every year, so that our team can exchange their amazing knowledge and skills with each other.
Pacific Rim College is gifting 6 free mini lessons when you subscribe to their newsletter (scroll down to the light green box). We loved helping Pacific Rim College film and edit these, and hundreds of other insightful courses. It’s a joy to learn and create with the team at Pacific Rim College. Between the dreamy backdrops of Ravenhill Farm and the Pacific Rim’s downtown Victoria campus, the exceptional content and material, and especially the outstanding teachers and staff behind the scenes, learning something new has never been more enjoyable.
We can’t help but include this one. Self care can take on many forms. For us, a vital part of our self care routine is getting out and soaking in the beautiful natural world that surrounds us! As Cowichan Valley locals, we jump on any opportunity to get outside, bathe in our beautiful Vancouver Island rainforests, be with our furry friends, observe the wild ones around us, and simply breathe. We know we are better humans, filmmakers and storytellers, when we are connected to the land around us, our community, and ourselves.
And we know that part of taking care of ourselves is to take care of this lovely little slice of Pacific Northwest where we live and work. We love to jump on any chance to show the world the beauty of this land and our community, so we are honoured to connect with local storytellers and change-makers, including Orca Cove Media. Their latest feature film tackles the issue of stolen First Nations artifacts through the creative lens of an action-comedy adventure. The Great Salish Heist is sure to be a must-see. Follow us and Orca Cove Media for all the latest news and behind the scenes sneak peaks.
This year, we celebrated 4 years of storytelling in the Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island. This one may have been our busiest season (and year) ever! We’ve been working on the set of a new indie film, The Great Salish Heist, which officially wrapped on September 30th, on Truth and Reconciliation Day.
This is the first Indigenous heist film that has ever been made. It’s also the 5th feature we’ve worked on that was filmed almost entirely in the Cowichan Valley. The Great Salish Heist reflects our local landscapes, communities, cultures and issues. It follows the story of Steve Joe, a First Nations archaeologist. Joe forms a team of like-minded outsiders to reclaim from a museum the sacred artifacts that rightfully belong to his people.
we’re celebrating 4 years of storytelling on vancouver island!
We’ve created a short video to reflect on another successful year and the completion of some groundbreaking new film projects. Here’s a look at some of our work as a studio so far, and what’s coming soon.
2018 – empress avenue media is born to tell your story
Trouble • Music Video for Decades After Paris
Welcome to Pacific Rim College Online • Advertisement
Ryan Painter for SD61 School Board • Promotional Campaign Video
Against the beautiful wooded backdrop of the Cowichan Valley, Joseph and Emrey formed Empress Avenue Media in 2018. They brought together a team of diverse and like-minded local artists and digital professionals from all over Vancouver Island. We worked together out of a funky heritage-home-turned-production-studio. What began as an experiment has turned into a blossoming boutique agency. Today, the team is busy providing service production for feature films, developing documentaries, promotional videos, and online courses. We also manage websites, commercial campaigns, social media accounts, and more. Interested in our services? Get in touch.
2019 – fueled by local storytelling on vancouver island
Penny Girl • Short Documentary for Telus Storyhive about Frankie Edroff
After growing up as a fundraising celebrity, the ‘Penny Girl,’ a young trans man living with a rare genetic disorder embraces his new identity.
In 2019, we added several talented creatives to our team, including a dedicated graphic designer and a couple of passionate young film editors. Our weekly team meetings included an aspiring writer’s group – a reflection of our mission to tell local stories and raise up the storytellers in our community.
2020 – big dreams, perseverance and relentless creativity
3 Short Documentary films for Cowichan Tribes
This series of short documentaries for Cowichan Tribes we produced showcases the sustainability work the members are doing for their community and beyond.
Making adjustments as we faced new challenges meant some of our big dreams for an improved office space were paused. Our team members started working from home, and our weekly meeting became virtual. Looking back, we’re proud of how our team stayed together and how much we still accomplished despite all the changes.
The remote work technology that became much more accessible during the pandemic was a game changer for us. Constantly split between film sets and office work, our team was able to stay well-connected. Thanks to our incredible hard-working crew and their resourceful use of technology, we were able to continue competing with agencies in hot-spot locations like Vancouver.
2021 – storytelling with feature films on vancouver island
In 2021, Empress’s first independent feature film, Fragile Seeds, arrived on the international film festival circuit. This film was written and produced by our team’s own Development Coordinator Mia Golden, who also starred in the lead role. She was inspired by her real-life career as a social worker, Much of her own experience has been woven into the script and her performance. The drama/thriller explores themes of violence, survival, empathy, and healing.
Helping You Achieve Your Dreams Through Finances • Promotional Video for the Hilberry Group and National Bank Financial
Smoke Alarm & Carbon Monoxide Safety • PSA for Township of Esquimalt
KDC: Year in Review 2021 • Short Documentary for Khowutzun Development Corporation
As Empress grew, we began to specify our focus. We worked alongside local Indigenous communities and organizations who share our passion for environmental sustainability. We tell the stories of local heroes and create independent content driven by our own team’s raw talent and unique voices.
We’re informed by the awe-inspiring place where we live and work: the unceded territories of the Coast Salish people – and specifically of the Cowichan Tribes. We acknowledge the privilege of calling these beautiful lands our home. And we are so excited to work closer with a diversity of community members.
This past year has held space for many amazing projects on our to-do lists. In no particular order, here are some of the highlights: Tied to a Lie, Holistic Nutrition Online, The Great Salish Heist, and New Voices.
Tied to a Lie • Short Documentary for Public School Use (Various) • Excerpt
Mia continues to prove what a force she is, spearheading the short documentary titled Tied to a Lie, which is currently in rotation within middle schools. The film pulls back the curtain on the growing threat posed by human traffickers, and empowers youth to keep themselves safe and access protective resources. Soon we will be releasing a more mature, feature length version documentary film: Tied to a Lie.
Holistic Nutrition Online
Plus, a new program from Pacific Rim College has officially launched. Plus, you can now get 6 free mini lessons by signing up for their newsletter. It’s such a joy to learn and create with Pacific Rim College. The dreamy backdrops of Ravenhill Farm and the PRC online classroom, the content and material, and especially the teachers and staff behind the scenes. It’s always an amazing day when we shoot with PRC. Check out their latest program here, and find more bonus videos on the Pacific Rim College YouTube channel.
The Great Salish Heist (now in post-production)
As well as having offered creative development support, our office served as the local basecamp during filming. Many of our valued team members held key positions on set and behind the scenes, including Empress co-founders Emrey Wright and Joseph Boutilier who served as a producer and cinematographer, respectively. Furthermore, Empress Avenue Media will be handling VFX, colour grading and post-production finishing.
We are honoured to contribute to the telling of Indigenous stories, the future of diverse media, and the inclusion of more authentic characters and voices on the big screen. Thank you and congratulations to Orca Cove Media and the talented Darrell Dennis (director, writer and star!), and of course the whole cast and crew! It has been a pleasure to support this amazing project.
Here’s another notable project to be on the lookout for. We feel it’s integral for every community – no matter how small – to have a chance to tell their own stories. What’s more, we love creating opportunities for folks to do so and for sharing their stories far and wide. Showcasing the diverse and incredible work and lives of our neighbours and friends is exactly what we’re here to do!
Looking forward, we are always looking to add new talent to our team. This year, we’ve been fortunate to have a super-organized bookkeeper, several talented video editors, and a new project manager join our team in key roles! The diverse voices of our team is what sets us apart at Empress Avenue Media. And central to our vision is that our team members each set their own creative goals and feel empowered in the projects they take on. The result is that we are all passionate about the work we do, and it shows! Think you’ve got what it takes? Get in touch, we’d love to meet you.
Our creative lens and love for crafting unique media lies at the root of everything we do. We’re so grateful to be able to find the balance of supporting local businesses – like adventure racing coach Jen Segger, financial advisors Anna Hilberry and Laurel Hickey, Veridis Plumbing and Heating, and Pacific Rim College – and uplifting the voices of local artists, movers, and shakers by creating our own unique narrative content. There are so many important voices to amplify in our little corner of the island, and we’re just getting started.
Now let’s raise our glasses to another incredible year of filmmaking: here’s to 4 years working with a talented team of storytellers, and to a bright future for creativity on Vancouver Island. Thanks for sharing this journey with us!
we’re just getting started telling stories on vancouver island…
thanks for watching, reading and following. happy holidays and happy new year!
We would like to take the opportunity to thank some of the small businesses who have supported us in our recent film projects. It truly takes a village to create a film, and we feel so blessed to have the one we have in the Cowichan Valley and beyond.
a special thanks to all the small businesses who have supported us
the opportunity to create a meaningful and unforgettable digital presence
Not only do we love the work we do, we also love to hear from our clients about how we were able to bring their visions to life. We value the opportunity to transform concept to content on a wide range of projects that inspire our creativity, and allow us to help you tell the stories of our community and clients in meaningful ways. Our mission is to make your digital presence meaningful and unforgettable for businesses across Vancouver Island.
Whether through web development, film production, marketing or something in between, we are always working to combine the skills and expertise of all of our talented team members. We believe the best results are achieved with thoughtful collaboration between our team and our clients. Teamwork makes the dream work!
With full rebranding initiatives, online education integrations, videography, social media management, graphic design, copywriting, search engine marketing, web design, and more, our full-service approach helps our clients create a well-rounded presence online, and beyond.
web development
Veridis Plumbing & Heating came to us to modernize their website, include a new online shop platform, and to expand their reach with SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing). Now we continue to work with them to optimize their reach. Informed by our our ongoing market research and our experience engaging the attention of today’s web user in the fast-paced digital world, we create strategic, high-performing content.
check out the full web video at veridisplumbing.com
film & video production
It’s Anna Hilberry’s job to know risk inside and out as a financial advisor, so you can take her word for it that working with us is an excellent investment in your brand. Anna is a key member of The Hilberry Group in Duncan, which is supported through the parent brand of the National Bank of Canada.
We’ve been fortunate to have also worked with fantastic brand representatives at The National Bank of Canada to make sure all of Anna’s branding speaks to their national goals, while also reflecting Anna’s local priorities and unique voice.. We help Anna edit and distribute weekly social media videos to promote financial literacy, keeping a close eye on trends and updating graphics, SEO and other related content to ensure that her videos are performing at their best.
project development, branding & graphic design
This means a lot, coming from the legendary endurance athlete Jen Segger. We’ll climb social media mountains for you any day, Jen! Our latest project with Jen is her newest online training program: Adventure Racing. With beginner and intermediate options, Adventure Racing is a thrilling combination of trail running, paddling and mountain biking through highly technical outdoor environments. We really pulled this one together as a team, combining video production with graphic design and copywriting to create a complete online course with tutorial videos and comprehensive written training modules and schedules. Working alongside Jen, we made sure that the course had all the content needed to support students of various levels in their adventure racing aspirations.
ongoing creative support
Whether the project is a short-term media campaign, a one-off video ad, or a large-scale project such as a website or company brand, we are here for ongoing creative support throughout the project and afterwards!
Our services include creative branding and graphic design, functional and dynamic web development, engaging and aesthetic video production and photography, product development, social media marketing, project management, consulting, and more. We work with you to develop and deliver effective film, web and social media creations that inspire engagement and foster meaningful brand loyalty.
Running a business is hard enough without worrying about advertising, social media and brand awareness. Let us take care of all your digital media needs and save time and money with our customizable bundles. These strategic packages combine branding, social media marketing, graphic arts, photography, video, copywriting and web design products to tell the world who you are and why you matter. Our mission is to make branding easy and unforgettable for businesses across Vancouver Island.
Have we worked together? We love to hear from our clients how we were able to tell the stories of our community and clients and help you create a meaningful and unforgettable digital presence.
Last week we showed you some of our recent video production projects, and how we’ve helped our clients tell their stories. Today, we’ll tell you a bit more about the three main stages of video production process and what you can expect when you work with our team.
pre-production
This is the critical planning stage, where we consider strategy, budget, scheduling, and create a plan to maximize your investment. Depending on the project, it might also entail anything from a simple treatment and shotlist to a detailed script and full storyboard.
The Strategy:
We will need to work with you to figure out key details by asking questions such as:
What are the subject matter, purpose and objective(s) for the video?
Who is the intended audience of the video, and how will we ensure we reach them?
What is the core message of the video, and what are the expected results or “call-to-action”? What do you want viewers to do or know after they watch your video? Let’s consider your unique selling point, and what helps your brand stand apart from the competition.
How long will the video be? There are suggestions for specific platforms, so we will need to think about where and how the video will be distributed.
What will a strategic launch look like? Is there a budget for advertising? Even the most compelling videos sometimes need an extra boost to gain traction.
What resources will we need (presenters, actors, locations, props, etc.) to ensure the video is able to fulfill its purpose? What are you able to provide, and what will we need to source independently?
Are there any brand guidelines we should follow to make sure this video looks and feels like it has been created uniquely for and by your company? This can include set design that embraces brand colours, and elements we add in post-production.
The Project Plan and Brief:
Once we have some preliminary questions answered about the scope of the project, we begin to build a plan. This plan usually includes a simple budget and a timeline for each step, as well as a description of the intended final product. This framework is critical; however, it is likely that the strategy will evolve as the project progresses, and we always expect to make some adjustments as we go.
The Script:
Your video may or may not require a script, and you might want us to write it for you! It can be very valuable to have an outsider’s view. We usually start with a competitive analysis, to make sure the dialogue and visuals in your video will help you stand out from the crowd. You will have several opportunities to look this over and ensure it reflects your brand.
Even if there are no speaking roles or voice over, we will usually need to write a basic treatment that maps out key participants and messages, locations, actions, and other elements, to make sure that everyone is on the same page on set. This ensures that our shooting schedule is as efficient as possible.
The Storyboard:
Some projects rely on storyboards to ensure a smooth production process. This usually includes more ambitious, larger-scale projects, or concepts that rely on unique visual transitions or special effects. Storyboards are simple sketches of each intended shot in sequence; like a comic book without speech bubbles. The more details we can plan in advance the better, so that we are not concerned with questions like where actors should be positioned or how to light a set for the intended effect. This also paints a clear picture for post-production, and eliminates any potential confusion between production crew members and editors.
production
Amazing, we made it to the production day; this is the point in the process that everyone envisions when they think about creating videos. Obviously, we live for this! All the careful planning, writing, drawing, scouting, casting, and scheduling tasks of pre-production culminate into making this day go perfectly, so that we can capture the best footage possible.
Here’s a look at a production day for us at Empress Avenue Media.
Basic Setup: Loading in gear, setting up staging areas for cast, hair and makeup stations, charging areas for electronics, computers for DIT (to back up and review footage), etc.
Blocking: This a physical rehearsal that focuses on the positioning of the cast, and not the lines or context of the script. It’s helpful for envisioning where cameras will go, what set dec(oration) will be seen, and how lighting might be set up.
Preparing set decoration and props: Now that we know where the actors will be, we can start to anticipate what will be captured on camera and build an aesthetically appropriate environment and prepare the elements that the cast might need to interact with.
Lighting: The lighting team works under the direction of the Director of Photography to paint the set in light that reflects the appropriate tone and context for the scene.
Technical Rehearsal: The cast may have been rehearsing during the rest of the setup process, but now the director has a chance to work with the talent or interview subjects on set, and see how everything looks on camera.
Last Looks: Each department reviews the monitors to make sure every detail is just perfect.
Shoot! The Assistant Director makes sure everyone on set is ready to go, sound is speeding and cameras are rolling, before the talent brings the scene to life.
Rinse and Repeat: These steps are repeated for every new scene and location.
Once the cast or interviewees are released, we usually want to focus on capturing B-roll (for factual shoots) and inserts (for narrative projects). B-roll is basically silent footage to be intercut with interviews or narration to help visualise the concepts that are introduced through dialogue; it often includes candid shots of the interview subjects working or interacting, shots of other people or locations that they’ve talked about, or abstract shots that reflect the emotions they’ve shared.
Inserts are simple shots that can be captured without a full cast crew and usually without audio, but are critical to the storytelling process. For example, in a wide shot we might see our actor pick up a book and read a passage. Once the actor is on break, we can capture a close-up of the text in the book as an insert.
We usually want to take the time to capture various general shots that could be used to help smooth out the editing process, even if we don’t know exactly how they might fit into the final product. The same goes for behind-the-scenes footage that might be useful in future promotion, like posts on social media.
post-production
So it turned out to be a beautiful day and we’ve captured all this wonderful footage. What now? We’re proud of our unique ability to take projects through the entire post-production pipeline to final delivery for on-demand web content, broadcast and theatrical releases. This includes editing, conforming, motion graphics, colour correction, ADR, foley, audio mixing, closed captioning, and visual effects.
This part of the process requires careful review of the best takes and shots, cutting and stitching everything together into a smooth and coherent story. Finally, we will add sound effects, music, and any visual effects or motion graphics we require.
Usually, when the clips are ingested, they don’t follow the story’s natural order, because it may be more efficient to film things out of sequence. Before they begin, the video editor has to label and organise all the footage. Then, they synchronise the different cameras and audio sources, and sort the different takes for each scene. After this, they can begin going into each individual scene and selecting the best shots, labelling anything that is unusable, and generally becoming familiar with the recorded content. Finally, they will begin their first edit of each scene, the rough assemblies.
Once the picture is locked using rough sound, the audio mixing can start, along with special effects and motion graphics.
The sound connected to the video footage is often not the sound used in the edit or the final film. The clean audio is recorded externally by the sound mixer on set, using a combination of shotgun (‘boom’) and lavalier (‘lav’) microphones to minimise background noise. These are later synchronised with the footage in post-production. Depending on the project, we might also need to record a voice over, or have actors re-record their lines (ADR). Sound effects are often recorded during the post production process by a dedicated foley artist; these folks are masters at creating common sounds and unusual, exaggerated effects alike, using a wide variety of everyday objects. If the project has a dedicated music composer, they will also start working as soon as the picture is locked.
Good music that matches the vibe of your story, company, and/or product, is more important than you might think! Music completely changes the tone of the scene, and is crucial for setting the right mood and keeping your viewers engaged. And it can give the viewer information about the emotions the actor(s) may be experiencing.
In the final steps, an audio engineer will combine all the new sound elements, while a colour artist will grade the footage to make sure the colour and lighting looks as consistent as possible between all the shots in each scene, and to enhance the overall look and feel of the finished product.
after all’s said and done
After all the work that was done to create this masterpiece, here are some ways to ensure that the video reaches success out in the real world: Measuring watch times and click through rates, and budgeting for some ads can help ensure the video gets the audience it deserves.
We can render the video in appropriate formats for distribution on as many platforms as desired – the bigger the audience, the better the potential return on investment! It definitely pays to utilise all the social platforms you can: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and wherever else you have an audience for your brand (don’t forget about your email subscribers!). Also consider reaching out to online news platforms to embed the video in new articles, or ask followers, bloggers and influencers to share about it. All of these strategies will go a long way in optimising the success of your video.
tell your story
We hope you’ve found this series of posts helpful in terms of what you can expect when working with us, and what goes on behind the scenes when we produce a video. Have a video project in mind? Get in touch, we can help you tell your story.
There’s no better time to talk about film and video production. We’re proud to offer a huge range of services, but film is the medium that originally brought our team together so it holds a special place in our company’s heart. Our origin story is that of working on the set of television programs here in the Cowichan Valley. That experience is how we became experts at video production. And now, we are honoured to use this expertise to help you tell your story.
Film is the medium that continues to combine all our creative team’s diverse talents, from camera operation to music production to graphic design and animation. Creating stories that engage and inspire is our calling, whether on computer screens (such as the recent looping video for the Khowutzun Development Corporation’s new website), TVs (like our 2019 documentary Penny Girl on Telus Optik), or projected in movie theatres around the world (like our work on the feature documentary Tzouhalem that’s currently touring global festivals).
Filming Tzouhalem on Green Screen
Creating diverse media projects throughout the rural communities of Vancouver Island has taught us to be resourceful and creative in our approach. Our humble headquarters in Cobble Hill boasts a full-service audio suite, green screen, an extensive wardrobe and prop collection, 4K cinema cameras, an LED lighting package and a RAW-capable drone.
Our crew on board a helicopter getting footage of Vancouver Island.
Whether commercials, shorts or entire feature films, the filmmaking process is roughly broken up into four or five key stages: development, pre-production, production, post-production, and finally distribution and marketing. We’ve supported full-scale film productions through every stage of this process. That diverse experience is carried into every project, whether it’s a short YouTube video for a small business or a feature-length documentary.
The process may seem long and laborious in the beginning, but we promise that the payoff is more than worth it. Video is the most engaging and influential type of content that people consume today, and it’s everywhere. Taking the proper amount of time for each stage in the process ensures your video will stand out!
our team
We’re here to make things go as smoothly as possible. It’s our team that really sets us apart, with decades of experience working on everything from viral internet videos to the latest TV movies. Our speciality is using innovation and creativity to overcome budget and timeline limitations. You might be surprised at just how much we can help you accomplish.
We don’t underestimate the importance of the planning stage. Having the entire process mapped out reduces any overwhelm you may experience, so you can rest assured that your project is in good hands. Video production is a huge project to undertake, and our passion for the process is what drives us to create the best end product.
All the steps to this process are in place to ensure that the best possible video is produced in the end. Stay tuned for next week’s blog for a bit more about what you can expect when working with us on a video project. Have a video project in mind? Get in touch, we can help you tell your story.
Change starts at home, and we are working hard to break the bias and elevate women’s voices right here on Vancouver Island.
A recently published (2021) study from Simon Fraser University found that women’s voices continue to be underrepresented in the media. The Gender Gap Tracker continues to track various measures of representation in the media, and you can even enter your own text for real-time analysis.
As the report points out: “Women’s voices are disproportionately underrepresented in media stories. The Global News Monitoring Project has been tracking the percentage of women represented in mainstream media since 1995, when it was 17%. Twenty years later, in 2015, it had increased to only 24%, with a worrisome stalling in the previous decade [1]. At this rate, it would take more than 70 years to see 50% women in the media, a true reflection of their representation in society.”
And of course, it’s not just in film or media. We’ve been reminded of that fact recently by several of our clients, who are drawing attention to the ongoing inequality in their respective fields. For example, finance is another industry lacking gender equality according to The Gender Gap Tracker. Luckily, there are thousands of women fighting for the representation and education that’s required to close the gap in financial literacy and career opportunities in the field. One of them is Anna Hilberry, and we’re so proud to help tell her story and elevate her online presence.
Anna Hilberry is empowering women in finance
Working as an investment advisor (a traditionally male space that continues to be dominated by men), Anna Hilberry courageously advocates not only for getting more women into the industry, but for speaking directly to women about their finances. She says, “You can be successful in our industry… you can have it all!” Anna realises that shifting these demographics in favour of more female representation is no small feat. Bias, misogyny and a lack of opportunities for women continue to plague the industry, and it has taken Anna a lot of hard work and perseverance to prove her value to clients and colleagues, and empower other women to find their place in the industry.
Anna’s YouTube channel is making Financial Literacy and education accessible to all people, especially those who might be hesitant to go into a traditional banking space because they don’t feel seen or heard. As a single mother with diverse life experience, Anna is able to bridge that gap in her social media – and in person – with poise, compassion and pragmatism. Thanks for being a part of the solution, Anna!
Jen Segger challenges us to be the best versions of ourselves
Empowered women empower women! Although you may not think of the fitness world as still presenting barriers for women, there are still many pursuits in which women continue to feel marginalised. There aren’t a lot of stories of women leading the way in extreme sports, especially in the world of Adventure Racing.
Some of the hesitancy women feel about hitting the trails might be around safety concerns. Women also often face greater time constraints, due to family and household responsibilities as well as other expectations. And while there are plenty of training opportunities in trail running and adventure racing, few of them are designed by female athletes to be inclusive and adaptable. Jen is changing all that, with in-person and online training programs for people with diverse situations, goals, experience levels and abilities. She’s an inspiring example for prioritizing our needs and goals so that we can show up in other spaces as the best version of ourselves.
Mia Golden has worked as a producer, director, writer and actor on dozens of independent media projects. She has also directed family and youth counselling and intervention programs for over 20 years. She wrote, produced and acted in the feature film Fragile Seeds, and is also producing and directing the upcoming documentaries Tug of War and Tied to a Lie – sister films that expose the horrors of human trafficking and exploitation of youth. We asked Mia to tell us about her experiences in filmmaking, and what inspired these challenging projects.
Here’s her story:
Tug of War is what resulted from feeling like I couldn’t take it anymore. It’s a strange thing to be immersed in society’s underbelly. Where the abnormal starts to feel regular. A colleague of mine recently said to me that another colleague vomited after a session with a client, having heard the story of the client’s recent sexual assault. She vomited. My colleague said, ‘Mia, you hear these stories every day, how do you do it?’
In a world where you catch yourself becoming desensitized to what you hear just to get through the day, being reminded is both horrible but also critically important. What I have come to realize is that most people have very little awareness that the issue of exploitation exists in our community, never mind that it is thriving.
March 8th is International Women’s Day and the second week of March is Sexual Exploitation of Youth Awareness Week.
It is soul crushing that we continue to be experiencing these horrors as a society: I have counselled children under the age of 12 who are being sexually exploited by men; I have met with young teens who are being sent money in exchange for photos or videos; I have seen the kinds of videos and photos sent to these young teens, videos and photos of adult men performing sexual acts on themselves or other youth. Children, youth, and women are being inundated with demands for sexualized photos and videos by what most would consider your average individual.
When we ask people if they are against the exploitation of children, youth and woman, most will say ‘absolutely’, but in the same breath they will say there is nothing wrong with pornography. I would encourage everyone to think critically about consuming pornography where over 88% of its content includes violent acts, and where the majority of those involved are being exploited in some way. Where the fetishizing of young people has become the norm.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the Sexual Exploitation of Youth Awareness Week, it’s important to note that we do have the power to create change in the world. I wrote Fragile Seeds to highlight the understanding that the decisions we make do impact others, and the decisions we make for ourselves can facilitate positive change.
We have a long way to go, let’s go together.
It can feel harrowing to know how much work there still is to do in closing the gender gap in media. One thing is for sure, we’re so fortunate to have our wonderful clients, supporters and team on our side. You can count on us to tell your story.
Last week we shared some of our favourite accomplishments of 2021. This week we’re following that up with five huge projects that have been under wraps for months and are finally stepping into the spotlight in 2022.
Together, they’re a great representation of just how varied our output is, and the ever-expanding skillset of our diverse team. But, like all our work, they share one important thing in common: the potential to challenge you, provide joy, and foster transformation. So no matter what your New Years resolutions are for 2022, we have a project for you!
To transform your home and garden
Veridis Plumbing & Heating
Our friends at Veridis Plumbing & Heating have not only revamped their sprawling showroom of beautiful home heating, bathroom and outdoor living options, but they’ve also started selling their vast lineup of quality products online. We’re happy to have helped by creating their online storefront, and supplying some of the photos and videos for their entirely new website that will be launching in the New Year! If you have any big renovations planned for 2022, you’ll want to check it out.
You would never know from her modest introductions, but Jen Segger is a big deal in the world of competitive trail running and adventure racing. Besides a number of high-profile podium finishes – not to mention participating in the Amazon Prime exclusive series World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji – Jen is a well known coach for up-and-coming athletes at all stages of competition. Through a growing offering of web courses, we’ve helped Jen bring her years of experience to an online audience, allowing anyone in the world to benefit from her insights as they learn and train at their own pace. And in 2022, we couldn’t be more excited to help Jen launch her first online adventure racing program, creating guidebooks, video content, and interactive web materials. This innovative sprint program will cover strength building, nutrition, injury prevention, mental preparation, gear acquisition, lifestyle tips, and of course a complete, in-depth training calendar. It will also be Jen’s first online course to feature professional training videos to cover key trail running techniques. Sign up for email updates and get started here JenSegger.com. Early sign-ups will get a huge discount, but hurry, that’s only until February 28, 2022!
To edit and colour the film, we had to completely overhaul our post studio to handle the magnificent 6K raw digital footage. Beyond the technical challenges, the film underwent some major creative shifts and revisions under C.R.’s careful direction, and we ended up creating entirely new sequences from scratch using found footage and original motion graphics and animation. We also created all the stylistic chapter headings and title sequences in the film, including its iconic title card.
Through a series of biting, bizarre, hilarious and heartfelt musical vignettes, Victory on East Hastings reflects the changing landscape of Vancouver’s eastside and the alternative communities crushed by gentrification. Check out the official trailer over on our YouTube channel, and book tickets at the Rio while you still can!
To learn more about where you live…
Tzouhalem
Mount Tzouhalem might just be the single most iconic mountain on Vancouver Island, and it’s certainly a defining landmark of the Cowichan Valley. But how much do you actually know about its namesake, Chief Tzouhalem? For the first time, the fascinating history of this larger-than-life figure has been captured on film, in a feature length documentary from Orca Cove Media. The film weaves together oral history from local Elders with academic reflections and creative re-enactments, as directors Harold C. Joe and Leslie D. Bland dive deep into the many interpretations of Tzouhalem’s legacy.
We had the profound honour of directing cinematography for the reenactments, and working on the visual effects needed to bring them to life. By combining original Green Screen footage with manipulated shots of present-day locations, we were able to bring to life various vignettes of Chief Tzouhalem’s life on the actual landscapes where they occurred. We also had the pleasure of creating the original poster art for the movie, featuring Harold Joe as Chief Tzouhalem. (As a fun aside, you can also catch Harold Joe in his other capacity as an Archaeological Monitor in our short documentaries on Cowichan Tribes’ remediation work). Tzouhalem has already played at a number of prestigious film festivals including Whistler. Keep watching Orca Cove’s website and social media for future screenings.
…And the challenges in your community
Tug of War
We’re also still hard at work on two upcoming documentaries exploring the issue of youth exploitation in BC. From gang recruitment, the opioid crisis, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, our films demonstrate that this issue is tragically alive and thriving in Island communities and across the Lower Mainland. We wrapped principal photography in 2021 that will support both projects: a youth-friendly short film called Tied to a Lie, which will tour middle and secondary schools across the province; and Tug of War, a challenging feature documentary for broadcast. Despite delays due to COVID-19, we’re excited for both films to make their respective debuts in 2022.
Follow our social media channels for the latest information on both releases, as well as insightful clips and comments from counselors, resource providers, police officers, experts and youth who are fighting to break – or break free from – the cycle of exploitation and violence.
From gang recruitment, the opioid crisis, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking our film highlights that this issue is very much alive and thriving in our communities.
This is just the beginning
These are just a handful of the projects that are helping us kick off 2022.
We asked our team what their priorities were for the upcoming year, and identified some favourite ‘focus words’. Amongst them: Story, Energy, Alignment, Relationship and Growth. (Also Mantis, because bugs are cool). We’re excited to see these qualities weave into our upcoming films and videos, interactive courses and multimedia art projects as we slowly regroup and regain capacity in the wake of COVID-19.
Thank you again to our amazing team, our clients and all our supporters, without whom we wouldn’t exist. And thanks to you for reading, connecting and following our journey!
We’re looking forward to another amazing year at our little studio in Cobble Hill. But before we ring in the New Year, here are some of our favourite projects we had the pleasure of working on in 2021. Stay tuned for next week when we review even more accomplishments from the past twelve months that we’re excited to finally share in 2022!
In 2021, we wrapped up post production on our first ever narrative feature film! It’s been a labour of love, but we couldn’t be happier with the results. The dramatic thriller follows Ryann Temple, a therapist working with sex offenders, who uncovers haunting secrets in her family’s past through the disturbed men she counsels every day. Mia Golden, our development coordinator, played the starring role, and also wrote the script and co-produced the film with Emrey Wright, Joseph Boutilier and Ana-Maria Butcura. The world premiere took place at the Hamilton Film Festival in November, where it sold out in its original venue in less than a day! But if you missed it, make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram for lots of exciting news on additional screenings in 2022. You can also check out the film’s official teaser trailer here.
Pacific Rim College Online
Filming with our friends at Pacific Rim College Online is always such a wonderful experience! It was great to be back in the gardens and kitchen of the beautiful Ravenhill Herb Farm to film an entirely new online program for the acclaimed school of holistic practices (have you heard about this historical Saanichton farm? If not, definitely have a read about their interesting history!) We’re excited to be working on the post-production for over 50 hours of new content through the first half of 2022. We may be a little biased, but if you’re looking at learning something new this year, we highly recommend having a look at the herbal medicine, health, holistic nutrition, and sustainability courses that Pacific Rim College Online has to offer. And if you haven’t already, check out the teaser we previously created for their incredible Community Herbalist Program.
Khowutzun Development Corporation
You might have noticed a special little sign behind the Duncan Village mall in the heart of the Cowichan Valley. That logo was designed by our graphic design team around the incredible work of local artist, Stuart Pagaduan, who illustrated the iconic “O” within the word Khowutzun. It’s been amazing to work on the branding for Khowutzun Development Corporation, along with their freshly revamped website and tons of new photo and video content. We love using our media skills to support local businesses and initiatives, and working with KDC has been a special honour.
Growing Hope Documentary
Another local project, Growing Hope started out as a Storyhive pitch. The documentary centers around Tracy Parow, the executive director of Providence Farm, a therapeutic farm community for people living with diverse mental abilities, age-related illnesses, brain injuries and developmental challenges. With the help of a diverse care team, Tracy has been coping with her own PTSD while preparing Providence Farm for a second wave of COVID-19 with half the usual staff. Every day is a new struggle, but the community is resilient, and hope grows right alongside the farm’s garlic, squash and apples. Our second short documentary with Telus Optik and Storyhive, Growing Hope will be released in the summer of 2022.
North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society
NVIATS Logo Before and After
Our web development team has been hard at work this year. With COVID-19 and other community challenges, NVIATS recognized the need to bring its skills training programming online. Now, more people can access these services for free, in more ways, from more communities, while learning at their own pace. With the website and branding redesign, we made sure to honour the existing material, while raising the bar in accessibility, functionality and aesthetic design. Now the website includes interactive, online course content for the first time, and a clean, streamlined new appearance inspired by original First Nations design elements. Its dynamic layout is optimized to support all screen sizes, devices and internet speeds. Welcome to the new NVIATS.com.
Anna Hilberry
A financial advisor with The Hilberry Group on Vancouver Island, Anna has kept us informed on financial matters throughout the pandemic via her growing YouTube channel. We edit Anna’s videos and make sure everything looks consistent with her brand and that of her parent company, National Bank Financial (NBF). In 2021 we had the unique privilege of meeting Jonathan Durocher, President of NBF, and other colleagues of Anna while filming a retrospective of her collaborative work with the company. Subscribe to Anna’s channel today – we promise you’ll learn some valuable insights that will help you grow your own financial security in 2022!
Esquimalt Fire Department
Our film production and editing teams also worked on a smoke alarm safety video for Esquimalt Fire Department this year. We worked closely with the department to develop clear, accurate messaging using a combination of candid interviews with experts, an original script and storyboard. Then we filmed live action video, which was combined with original motion graphics in post-production. The video reaches a broader audience, with a memorable, accessible campaign to address some of the most common issues in preventative safety: smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
And So Much More…
In our next post, we’ll be sharing some emerging details on several new films and interactive projects that have kept us busy throughout 2021 and we’ll finally be able to share in 2022.
In the meantime, we owe a huge thank you to our amazing team, our clients and all our supporters this year. Can’t wait for another year full of exciting opportunities and projects. Happy New Year!
Welcome to this exclusive look behind the scenes of Fragile Seeds. It’s been such an amazing experience to work on this feature length film here in Cobble Hill, BC. We are excited to introduce the cast of Fragile Seeds, and couldn’t ask for a better combination of talented, passionate people (with such a strong work ethic!), to breathe life into the script.
Here’s a short video introducing several key people who worked on the film. Read on below for biographies of the cast and crew.
Meet the Cast of Fragile Seeds
As a woman of many talents, she wears many hats: MIA GOLDEN is the writer and producer of Fragile Seeds. She plays the role of Ryann Temple in the film. You can find her on instagram @goldenjamaican.
Mia Golden is a Jamaican-born actor, writer, producer, and director whose background as a counsellor and understanding of human behaviour allows her to delve deep into her subjects. Golden wrote Fragile Seeds based on her novel of the same name. She is a producer on a variety of productions ranging from the award-winning feature comedy Jackhammer (E One Films 2014) to factual series, shorts, and the short documentary Penny Girl (Empress Avenue Media 2019). She has acted in a number of films and television projects over the last few years, including the award-winning comedy feature Open For Submissions (2019) and the upcoming feature thriller Dashcam: Dead Air (2022). She is currently directing her upcoming documentary, Tug of War.
SEAN BAKER plays the role of Gavin Hartstrum in the movie Fragile Seeds. You can follow Sean @coops_tanked.
Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Sean Baker has been engaged with theatre/performing his whole life. Sean has performed on many stages throughout Western Canada as both an actor and musician. As a professional musician, Sean performed with his band Celebrity Traffic as well as his own solo project under the name Sean J.E. Baker. Some of his most recent live theatre credits include the Victoria Operatic Society’s production of RENT and Bluebridge Reparatory Theatre’s production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Sean is currently writing and recording a new solo album as well as writing his first screenplay.
DARREN ADAMS is Jordy in Fragile Seeds. It’s been a pleasure to work with Darren. His social handle is @thederwood.
Born in Cranbrook B.C., Darren has been based out of Vancouver since graduating from the Acting for Stage and Screen program at Capilano University in 2016. He has since made appearances on Supernatural (CW), The Arrangement (E!), and When We Rise (ABC).
We feel very fortunate to have been able to work with none other than STEFANIE DOLAN in the role of Violet Temple. Check her out @stefanie.dolan.
Stefanie Dolan is a Canadian born Actor best known for HomeStay (Telus Web Series-2020), All-In Madonna (Feature-2020), Open For Submissions (Feature-2019), Pile of Corpses (Short Film- 2021), Revel (Short Film-2020), Curse (Short Film-2018). She graduated (2016) from The Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts with a diploma in Film and Television and has since performed in a wide range of lead and supporting roles. When not in front of the camera, Stefanie is the Calian lead supervisor/role play actor contracted by the Canadian Arm Forces.
The very fun, very talented KATE BOUTILIER plays Poppy Temple. You can connect with Kate @kate.boutilier.
When Kate Boutilier was 10 years old, she played a caterpillar in a community theatre production, and she’s been hooked on acting ever since. She grew up on the unceded territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ people (AKA Victoria, BC). Kate moved to Vancouver to pursue her diploma in Acting for Stage and Screen from Capilano University. Since graduating the program in 2017, some of Kate’s highlights have been performing in films The Baker’s Son, V.C. Andrews’ All That Glitters, A Timeless Christmas, Love In Store, and in the CW show DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. She’s also recently voice acted in the short film The Butterfly Affect and Coyote’s Crazy Smart Science Show and has been on stage in both The Vancouver Fringe Festival and the About Love Festival.
In the role of Buddy, we are excited to be re-introducing actor JOEY CRAMER. You can follow Joey @thejoeycramer.
Joey is known for various film and TV from the 80’s including the starring role in Disney’s Flight of the Navigator. Fragile Seeds is Joey’s first return to acting since leaving the business as a child actor. Now living on Vancouver Island, he is reigniting his acting career as an adult. He’s recently released a feature documentary Life After the Navigator (2021) and just wrapped another Canadian indie feature Twelve Step Strangler with an upcoming role in a film in South Africa.
In the part of Hazel, we are happy to have SUSAN KO. She can be found @susanko2116.
Susan is an actor from Victoria. She studied at the University College Drama Program in Toronto. She has acted in local community theatre in Victoria, as well as in local independent films. She has recently moved into producing, writing, and directing. Her short film, In The End, has been selected for international festivals, and has won a few awards. She is currently directing the short film, Coming Home, here in Victoria.
It has been a joy working with actor AMOS MITCHELL, who plays Derek Fuller in the film Fragile Seeds. Visit Amos @amosandmitch.
Amos has been a working actor for the past 10 years in Vancouver. In that time, he has performed in numerous plays such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Blind Date and Film & TV My Mom Robs Banks, Recipe for Love, and Motive, as well as many commercials. Amos’ passion lies in telling powerful stories, and that’s exactly why he signed on to do Fragile Seeds.
The well-rounded CLAYTON NEUWIRTH joins our cast in the role of Carlos. His social handle is @usernameclayton if you’d like to check out his demo reel and give him a follow.
Clayton has performed in various television, commercial, and film projects over the last few years. He openly expresses his love for acting and feels it’s the biggest privilege to be given the opportunity to bring someone’s vision to life. Clayton tackled a character with many layers in Fragile Seeds. He feels thankful for the people he’s met and the roles he’s had. Recent films include All-In Madonna as well as McManus and Sons.
We are honoured to work with CHRISTAPOR YAACOUBIAN, who played the role of Howie in Fragile Seeds. Christapor’s DMs are open @afunnythingcalledlife.
Christapor is an award-winning actor who hails from Sydney, Australia where he honed his craft through numerous appearances in theatrical productions and short films, often returning to work with former collaborators. Christapor made his feature film debut in 2019 with Maybe Tomorrow, directing duo Caitlin Farrugia and Michael Jones. Maybe Tomorrow was the 2020 Gold Coast Film Festival Blackmagic Design winner of Best Australian Independent Feature Film.
Through his appearance in Maybe Tomorrow, he was cast in Help:The Series, by series creator Fabiana Weiner. Following these appearances, Christapor relocated briefly to Vancouver, where he developed relationships with Bream Productions, having worked with them on multiple projects. Christapor is currently writing his debut play in Mexico and researching for a short film that will act as his directorial debut.
The very talented JONATHAN MASON fills the role of Anthony in Fragile Seeds. He can be found at @jon_c_mason.
Jonathan Mason is an actor at the Stratford Festival, Birmingham Conservatory alumni a Masters with Distinction graduate from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. While being based on both sides of the country in Vancouver and Toronto, he has also worked professionally in Canada and abroad in the UK. While specializing in classical theatre, Jonathan’s work in television, voice acting, directing and dance gives him a unique and varied perspective on Vancouver’s performing arts scene. Jonathan uses a mix of his classical training along with more modern Michael Chekhov and Laban techniques, giving his students a mix of the old and new worlds of acting traditions
TOR THOMAS has been a vital member of the Fragile Seeds cast team, playing Justin.
Tor makes his on-screen debut with Fragile Seeds. He is grateful to have had the opportunity to bring this conflicted, sympathetic character to film. He is honoured to have met and worked with the brilliant and beautiful cast and crew. Presently, he is further educating himself on the many techniques of acting.
Jonesy is played by WARREN SHERMAN.
Warren began acting as a regular supporting actor in Jamaica’s most popular soap opera, Royal Palm Estate. He went on to appear in local commercials and being a guest host on a popular travel magazine program, before emigrating to Canada in 2009. Once here, Warren appeared in two short films, grasping the leading role in Motionless (2010), before taking an acting hiatus. Fragile Seeds reignited Warren’s acting passion where he took pleasure in bringing “Jonesy” to life.
Bringing in a wealth of experience and passion, CHRISTOPHER BAUTISTA fits right in as the character Jazz. Follow Christopher @christopherbautistaa
Christopher is an American-born writer, actor, and producer with over 10 years professional acting experience under his belt. With roots that grew out of theatrical training from a very young age and landed him at The University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts, Christopher has had a successful career with lead and supporting roles in theatre, film, tv, and commercials. Some of his most recent acting credits include Warner Bros.’Titans (2021), Theatre Passe Murraile’s Dora award-nominated The Negroes are Congregating (2020), as well as BlackLake’s upcoming short thriller Lonely (2021).
The multi-talented AMBER KENNEDY makes her acting debut in the role of June. Check out her Homelys @semicolonmiddlechild.
Born and raised in Prince George, BC, Amber recently moved to Vancouver Island to start fresh. Her natural comedic style, beautiful singing voice and imaginative hand stitched creations called “Homelys” popularized her, and she quickly became a Tik Tok influencer with a loyal following known as “Amber’s Army”. Fragile Seeds is Amber’s film acting debut, however, we are sure it won’t be her last.
The character of Dr. Andrew Stevens is played by the one-and-only TREVOR HINTON. Trevor can be found at @suretrev if you ask nicely.
Trevor has been a theatre actor working professionally in Canada and Europe since 2007, and relatively recently made the switch to film and tv in 2018. Since then he has worked in the independent film scene as well as with Disney, Hallmark, Hulu, National Geographic and HBO.
Long-time friend and actress PANTA MOSLEH plays the part of Carmen in Fragile Seeds. Find her online @pantamosleh.
Panta Mosleh is an LGBTQ2i+ BIPOC Director, Producer and Actor based out of Vancouver, BC. Made in Singapore, she is a test tube baby born and raised in Middle East/West Asia and Canada. Panta graduated from University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition to working on several bug-budget TV shows, MOWs and commercials as a Production Coordinator, Panta independently produced and shot award winning short films and music videos. Panta currently divides her time between producing, production coordinating and acting, bringing her unique flair to every project. Panta’s most recent projects include the Crazy8s film “BABA”, as well as developing a feature script that is an extension of the short film Pass the Salt. Panta has produced multiple award winning projects such as Pass the Salt and Dama Branca, which have aired on CBC, CBC Gem, Telus Optic TV VOD, Super Channel, Apply TV+ and Air Canada. She has also worked as an Associate Producer on Canada’s first Transgender sitcom, The Switch, airing on OutTV and Revry, LGBTQ+ streaming services.
“Mia told me about the script and novel she was writing 6 years ago. I had the pleasure of reading her first production draft back then and thought it was a powerful story and agreed to be in it then. Fast forward to 2020, Mia said to me, ‘Let’s go shoot a feature.’ I got to read the final production draft and realized that she had managed to make a great script into a PHENOMENAL script! I was so excited to work on this project. And the experience on set was like an absolute dream come true. The cast and Empress Avenue crew were so connected. I’ve worked with Ana-Maria, Joseph and Mia before so it felt like a reunion but better, and to see the words my friend had written come to life was so amazing. I have no doubt this film will resonate with many.”
We’re happy to introduce local actress, TRINA (SWEE-THULT) SXWITHUL’TXW for the role of Michelle. Give Trina some love @trinasweetheart.
Trina is from the Penelakut Tribe and was born and raised in the Cowichan Valley. She has a background in acting for film and TV with credits that include Unnatural and Accidental and a recurring role on DaVinci’s Inquest. Trina has also been involved behind the scenes as an Associate Producer on APTN’s show Warrior Games and was the Project Coordinator for APTN’s Tribal Police Files, both produced by Kwassen Productions Inc.
Trina lives on beautiful Vancouver Island and devotes much of her time to her two children, Mason and Wyatt. Trina’s day job is as the Director of Ocean Resources for the Beecher Bay First Nation, which includes managing many major projects in the marine space.
It’s been a pleasure to work with the amazing DUSTY SMITH, who plays the role of Brian in the film.
He shares, “A lifelong dream of being in a movie came true for me in 2020. A friend on Facebook messaged me saying “I forgot you were an actor. Want to audition for a movie we are making?”, and I said yes. I’d done a tiny bit of extra/background work, and been interviewed on TV, but this was different. And magical.
I have loved acting since I was a kid. In kindergarten, I played Doc in Snow White, and have loved the stage ever since. I was thrilled to get good reviews for my roles in The Laramie Project, The Boys in the Band, and The Normal Heart.
In the role of Jeremy, we are fortunate to have AMBROSE GARDENER lending his acting skills.
Ambrose Gardener is a classically trained actor with over five years of experience. He has co-starred on network television shows such as Project Blue Book, iZombie, Nancy Drew, and Twilight Zone. He is also known for his role as Clark Witchel in Alien Ore, written and directed by The Spear Sisters and presented by 20th Century Fox and the Alien franchise.
With a background in eurythmy and a unique mime influence from his father, Ambrose studied alongside Matthew Harrison focusing on text analysis, scene structure, body language and grounded emotional presence. Once he completed this training, he joined Jeb Beach’s Advanced On Screen Technique, as well as vocal lessons with Clare Durrant.
Ambrose’s first introductory role to acting was his character Aaron in the award winning indie short film with a great festival run, Kids Who Jump Off Bridges (2015), directed by Zoe Neary. You can find him in two upcoming feature films coming soon: Miles Away, written and directed by S.C. Wilson, and Fragile Seeds written and produced by Mia Golden.
Ambrose is currently working on scripting a miniseries of odd short stories and is in pre-production as the director of photography for a 25-minute short film.
JOSHUA KALEF plays the role of Brad. His IG is @kaleforniacation
Classically trained, Joshua has appeared in television and movies over the past two decades. His passion for performance and telling a story drives him in each production. Joshua lives in Victoria, BC with his young daughter Marilyn.
Meet the Awesome Kid Actors Behind Fragile Scenes
Some of the best times on set were working with these awesome kid actors, who truly showed us that talent does not always come with age. Without further ado, we’d like to introduce and thank the talented young actors in Fragile Seeds.
It was especially fun to cast the young Ryann Temple (MIA GOLDEN) who is played by Taliya.
Niam plays Young Carlos.
Diyal plays young Jazz.
Siome plays young teen.
Remy plays young Buddy.
Aila plays young Violet.
Leon plays young Anthony.
Elizabeth plays young Poppy.
Cameron plays young Gavin.
Kairo plays young Jordy.
Tyson plays young Howie.
Keaton plays young Justin.
Thanks so much for lending your talent and presence, and for bringing the theme of the film to an undeniable reality.
Meet the Crew of Fragile Seeds
But what good is a talented cast, if not in good hands. Introducing the stellar crew of Fragile Seeds; they’ve each been a vital part of the telling of this story.
JOSEPH BOUTILIER has been an integral part of the film from day one, in the role of Director. More about Joseph @josephboutilier.
Joseph Boutilier has worked in the film and television industry in a wide variety of roles ranging from 1st Assistant Director to Director of Photography to Production Designer on various series and features including Runaway Christmas Bride (2017), New Year’s Kiss (2019) and Honeymoon in Paradise (2020). He recently directed the short documentary Penny Girl and just completed the feature film Dashcam: Dead Air (2022) which he wrote and directed. He is currently working on numerous projects including serving as Director of Photography on the upcoming documentary, Tug of War.
Another essential member of our team is producer ANA-MARIA BUTCURA. We appreciate you, @ambutcura!
Born in Romania, Ana-Maria fled with her family to Canada as a young child. Her experience living in Communist Eastern Europe is the backdrop to her drive to realize her dreams. Butcura is a talented producer, director and actor who also has a diverse background in corporate management in the restaurant industry. Her business savvy, drive and creativity guide her work. Ana-Maria has produced a variety of short films including the recently produced, Betsy and is in pre-production on her next feature film, as well as a series she co-created based on her Romanian culture.
We couldn’t have made Fragile Seeds without talented producer EMREY WRIGHT of Empress Avenue Media on the site. More about Emrey, @emreywright.
Emrey co-founded Empress Avenue Media, building on over twelve years of experience in the entertainment industry. He has worked on a variety of films in various capacities including Production Manager, Assistant Director, and Producer for theatrical, broadcast and VOD feature films. Fun fact about Emrey, he grew up on a sailboat.
JOSH TERRY-BRAND has been instrumental in getting this film through post-production as the Lead Editor. We feel so fortunate to have his amazing editing skills at work on Fragile Seeds. You can find him @joshterrybrand
Josh is a 21-year-old full-time video editor, born and raised on Vancouver Island. He has spent the majority of his life working on video projects. As a young sailor, Josh entered the industry by using the connections within his maritime family to create dozens of video projects for the Coast Guard and Navy. As Lead Editor of Empress Avenue Media, he has worked on documentaries such as Penny Girl and the upcoming Tug of War, features such as Victory on East Hastings, as well as countless educational and promotional videos. In 2021, Josh completed his debut short film Cool Affections, as well as the feature edit of Fragile Seeds.Outside of work, Josh spends his time with friends, family and dogs, biking and creating within a variety of art forms.
Not only are we lucky enough to have talented composer and musician ADRIAN BENT score our film, but he’s also a such genuinely nice guy to work with and be around. We appreciate you, @abentimus!
Adrian Bent, a well-respected musician and producer, is a multitalented, multi-instrumental musician who has become the go-to talent for live and studio projects for the world’s most relevant musicians. Playing drums, bass, guitar, and piano, he is best known as the drummer for hip hop artist Drake, performing on his live tours and select studio productions. He’s also played for world-renown artists such as Jay Z, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, TLC, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Usher, H.E.R., Florence and the Machine, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Daniel Caesar, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jhené Aiko, and DVSN. Adrian has also served as composer on many tv and film productions, which include Mariah’s World (2017), Steve Harvey’s Funderdome (2017), Making It (2018), and Tournament of Laughs (2020).
Fragile Seeds – The Trailer
We can’t wait to share this film with you. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and to learn more about future screenings.
film & video production
The Project Plan and Brief:
The Script:
The Storyboard:
As the report points out: “Women’s voices are disproportionately underrepresented in media stories. The Global News Monitoring Project has been tracking the percentage of women represented in mainstream media since 1995, when it was 17%. Twenty years later, in 2015, it had increased to only 24%, with a worrisome stalling in the previous decade [
Our friends at Veridis Plumbing & Heating have not only revamped their sprawling showroom of beautiful home heating, bathroom and outdoor living options, but they’ve also started selling their vast lineup of quality products online. We’re happy to have helped by creating their 
We had a blast handling the post-production for this bold, musical art film from visionary musician C.R. Avery last year. 
Mount Tzouhalem might just be the single most iconic mountain on Vancouver Island, and it’s certainly a defining landmark of the 
We’re also still hard at work on two upcoming documentaries exploring the issue of youth exploitation in BC. From gang recruitment, the opioid crisis, sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, our films demonstrate that this issue is tragically alive and thriving in Island communities and across the Lower Mainland. We wrapped 
Our film production and editing teams also worked on a 
We feel very fortunate to have been able to work with none other than STEFANIE DOLAN in the role of Violet Temple. Check her out @stefanie.dolan.
The very fun, very talented KATE BOUTILIER plays Poppy Temple. You can connect with Kate @kate.boutilier.
In the role of Buddy, we are excited to be re-introducing actor JOEY CRAMER. You can follow Joey @thejoeycramer.
In the part of Hazel, we are happy to have SUSAN KO. She can be found @susanko2116.
It has been a joy working with actor AMOS MITCHELL, who plays Derek Fuller in the film Fragile Seeds. Visit Amos @amosandmitch.
The well-rounded CLAYTON NEUWIRTH joins our cast in the role of Carlos. His social handle is @usernameclayton if you’d like to check out his demo reel and give him a follow.
We are honoured to work with CHRISTAPOR YAACOUBIAN, who played the role of Howie in Fragile Seeds. Christapor’s DMs are open @afunnythingcalledlife.
The very talented JONATHAN MASON fills the role of Anthony in Fragile Seeds. He can be found at @jon_c_mason.
TOR THOMAS has been a vital member of the Fragile Seeds cast team, playing Justin.
Jonesy is played by WARREN SHERMAN.
Bringing in a wealth of experience and passion, CHRISTOPHER BAUTISTA fits right in as the character Jazz. Follow Christopher @christopherbautistaa
The multi-talented AMBER KENNEDY makes her acting debut in the role of June. Check out her Homelys @semicolonmiddlechild.
The character of Dr. Andrew Stevens is played by the one-and-only TREVOR HINTON. Trevor can be found at @suretrev if you ask nicely.
Long-time friend and actress PANTA MOSLEH plays the part of Carmen in Fragile Seeds. Find her online @pantamosleh.
We’re happy to introduce local actress, TRINA (SWEE-THULT) SXWITHUL’TXW for the role of Michelle. Give Trina some love @trinasweetheart.
It’s been a pleasure to work with the amazing DUSTY SMITH, who plays the role of Brian in the film.
In the role of Jeremy, we are fortunate to have AMBROSE GARDENER lending his acting skills.
JOSHUA KALEF plays the role of Brad. His IG is @kaleforniacation
JOSEPH BOUTILIER has been an integral part of the film from day one, in the role of Director. More about Joseph @josephboutilier.
Another essential member of our team is producer ANA-MARIA BUTCURA. We appreciate you, @ambutcura!
We couldn’t have made Fragile Seeds without talented producer EMREY WRIGHT of Empress Avenue Media on the site. More about Emrey, @emreywright.
JOSH TERRY-BRAND has been instrumental in getting this film through post-production as the Lead Editor. We feel so fortunate to have his amazing editing skills at work on Fragile Seeds. You can find him @joshterrybrand
Not only are we lucky enough to have talented composer and musician ADRIAN BENT score our film, but he’s also a such genuinely nice guy to work with and be around. We appreciate you, @abentimus!