Artists in the Film Industry

2009-01-15T21:41:00.008-05:00

The 2008 Off Camera Exhibition

In October 2008, a group of film workers from I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 873 and The Director’s Guild of Ontario joined together at FILMPORT, a 360,000 sq. ft. Toronto studio complex, to exhibit their art to the public. The exhibition, ART AT FILMPORT STUDIOS, revealed a formerly lesser known side to the skill set of this creative group.

Usually only a name is highlighted in the credits of a film once it is completed by the talented people who enliven the cellulose in the motion picture industry. The skills of these artists are employed in creating the illusion of reality on film. At Off Camera’s latest offering, we caught more than a glimpse of people deeply committed to expressing their perceptions beyond the formality of the silver screen. This exhibition of works by film technicians, directors and designers was the largest of its’ kind ever held in Toronto, and perhaps North America to date. It was a formidable show to say the least. It crossed creative boundaries and cascaded into levels of professionalism that each presenting artist was proud to reveal.

It was Toronto Scenic Painter Patricia Chard who initiated the first exhibitions of this kind in 2006 and 2007. To pull off an exhibition of the magnitude and quality of the 2008 show took a lot of “hut spa” from the exhibitors and organizers of this show. Scenic Artists Frank Perna and Scott Donais, who were also exhibitors, carried the ball even when the going got tough, to drive the shows’ concept and planning. Add to this mix Scenic Artists Erin Leslie and Marina Reshetnikova, again also exhibitors, to co-curate the hanging of art, along with many other tasks. The large cross-section of members from the categories within the film industry delivered their work prior to the opening with many also volunteering to help hang the show. The variety of artwork presented was wonderfully extensive. Carpenters with camera skills mirroring the fabric of rapidly changing cultures, Set dresser’s with painterly ideas letting the colours speak and Grips with an eye for multi media installation, to name a few. All from a talent pool within the Toronto film industry. Also presented were ink drawings and abstractions, original prints, photography, subtle and skilful acrylic and oil on canvas and mature sculptural works. Scenic Artist Derek Stephenson gave these works a website at: http://offcameraatfilmport2008.blogspot.com/

The size of this exhibition was beyond what most had anticipated, with a total of 58 artists involved! Temporary hanging canvas walls were constructed diagonally in the 18,000 sq. ft. studio space. This provided more than adequate room for the works of the many artists’ to be seen. Grip Mark Manchester, also a participating artist, looked after the derigging. Lighting was generously donated and installed by Electrician wizard Ian Foulds. Opening night turnout was impressive, with over 1000 attending. Viewers expressed their comments and kudos while enjoying the music of Mark Stafford of the Paint Department with his small but savvy Blues Ensemble. Several artists sold work on opening night. The event received media attention, both in print and on television.

Off Camera thanks I.A.T.S.E. local 873, The Director’s Guild of Ontario, and Ontario Paint and Wallpaper for their generous sponsorship as well as the Filmport people for the use of their fabulous studio space. This event could not have been such a success without the level of help we received.

So, Can we expect another Off Camera exhibition in 2009? Lookout Toronto! Yes we can!

By Heather Rigby

Art at Filmport

2008-09-09T22:30:00.008-04:00

Off Camera has created a new site which will be dedicated

to the upcoming Filmport showing.

Initially, this is a guide to the works presented at the exhibit.

It will remain in place as a link to this collection of artists.

Check it out and feel free to send me your thoughts

Regards

Derek

http://offcameraatfilmport2008.blogspot.com/

Tatjana Hutinec

2008-07-23T09:36:00.001-04:00

Dear Filmmakers and Members of the Film Community,
The second meeting of our Toronto Women's Film Group is being held Tuesday Aug. 19th at 7pm The idea of the film group is to have on-going film screenings and discussions of women's work in a casual and supportive setting. If you would like to present one of your films/videos or a work in progress (e.g., rough cut) please feel free to bring it with you. Any genre and form is welcome. Just let us know in advance so we can plan the evening accordingly. Screening formats are VHS and DVD only. The movie theatre has seating for 35 people. After the screening/discussion we will move onto the outside bar patio.
We will meet in the movie theatre of the The Summit, 701 King Street West (Tatiana Hutinec's condo building). If you have trouble accessing the theatre call Kathleen's cell number 416-270-7844.
We hope you can make it! Please RSVP to Kathleen Cummins (kathleen.cummins@rogers.com).
Warm Regards,
Tatiana, Kathleen and Elizabeth

Tatjana Hutinec

2008-06-24T08:42:00.002-04:00

Luminat'eau at Harbourfront
June 14, June15, 2008
Theme of Luminat’eau 2008 art festival was water:
Artwork reflecting water mythology, music coming from musical water instruments, dance performances and rituals celebrating water ….and rain did its début…
It was very appropriate to rain during the water-art festival. Nobody seemed to bothered, but got immersed (literally) into the watery scene with smiles on their faces.
The Rain Gods applauded in a form of rain showers during each performance !
I would like to thank everyone who came o Harbourfront and showed interest in support of the arts .
Mythological Water Creatures, commissioned by Harbourfront were mounted on the canoes in the pond (skating ring) .
Canoe figureheads, created by Tatjana Hutinec are stylized sculptures of Mythological Water Creatures, featuring: Poseidon - Greek god of sea and thunderbolt, Yemanja Afro- Brazilian goddess of the living ocean, Naga -water serpent form Hindu and Buddhist mythology , Atlaua - Aztec lord of the waters, Chinese Dragon - ruler of the storms and waterfalls, Ika-Roa -from Polynesian mythology, fish who gave birth to the Milky Way
Textures created in mixed media technique in combination with bright colours reminiscence folk tails about ancient galleons and illustrations form children's story books
Tatjana Hutinec is sculptor, painter and costume designer. Her work has been commissioned for numerous commercials, music videos, independent movies and big Hollywood productions .

Some Famous Players

2008-06-23T08:29:00.001-04:00

Contact Photography Festival 2008

2008-06-22T18:33:00.001-04:00

Mike Shocrylas, ArtDept.

2008-06-20T09:24:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone: I had invited Mike to our Contact reception but he was unable to attend. Mike has left the Big Smoke for Calgary to return to his profession as an architect. Here is an excerpt from his return email:

I am really blown away by the quantity but not surprised at the quality of the work in the exhibition you are curating. It really shows the type of professionals and the true eye of the artist that we are dealing with on an everyday basis when we work all together on sets. The whole film community should be very proud and I would really like to better promotion nationally amongst our professionals in film.I hope the show goes well.
It is not good to hear that the film work is still dodgy in Toronto. I am sure that it has lost many talented people to other industies. Say hi to Derek- and Cameron and Charles- the list goes on! Heck, say Hello to everyone you see! I miss them all, and especially the feeling when spring comes around and the new shows come in and the doors to the shop are opened up for the first time since the fall.
Mike

You can email Mike to say hi at miroschoc@gmail.com

WorldWarII

2008-05-31T09:33:00.003-04:00

It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.
He did this because he said in words to this effect: 'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some b*stard will get up and say that this never happened'
'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' Edmund Burke
This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving in to it.
These photos were taken in Germany by James Emison Chanslor, an Army Master Sergeant who served in World War II from 1942 until 1945.
Source: Photos courtesy of John Michael Chanslor.
It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way!Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets. This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide! Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.

One response to this email: I deemed it sensitive, articulate and important enough to share with everyone who reads this site:

....Thanks for this. My Vet friend had sent me a similar email not so long ago.I don't know if you have ever seen A Band of Brothers....There is a large segment in this incredible production that deals withthe troops discovering the death camps and the Locals being made to bury the dead.I cried and when I found out that the Muslims are trying to disallow documented History,I got very angry indeed. Eisenhower was a pretty smart cookie.We must never forget and we can't give up our determination to honor the men and women who fought and died to end this shameful period in human history.Distinct societies are a good thing and unique to Canada, but we all need to be vigilant aboutcensoring our culture and place in history... because it offends New Canadians with different views?Religious, cultural and historical differences should be celebrated...not used to to shackle others, or rewrite history because it offends somebody who reads a different version of why we are all here.It is after all.... literature and a selective version of truth at best. Unlike documented and gut wrenching history which we can't take back....only learn from and try not to make the same mistakes again. D.S.

Off Camera Photographers

2008-04-23T02:24:00.006-04:00

Derek d-rox@rogers.com

Off Camera

2008-01-16T15:27:00.000-05:00

This was the premiere art show in conjunction with the Toronto Film Festival and the Queen Street Art Crawl in September, 2007.
This event was made possible by the generosity of IATSE, Local 873 and of the art patrons Eduardo della Foresta and Alfred Martinelli from the It's Not A Deli Art Gallery.

OFF CAMERA

2008-01-11T17:26:00.014-05:00

In association with the Toronto Contact Photography Festival

WENDY AKERBOOM

HENRY BENVENUTI

BRIAN CARSON

SCOTT CHALMERS

PATRICIA CHARD

VERONICA CIANDRE

SCOTT DONAIS

SOUX ELLIS

ANDREW EVANS

SUSAN FOTHERGILL

DOUGLAS GANTON

LISA HERRERA

DAN HOUCK

HALINA LEWANDOWSKI

LINDA MCCLELLAND

TIM MOGG

IAN NELMES

FRANK PERNA

DEREK STEPHENSON
SUSAN E. TANTON

ADRIANA VAN DRUNEN

DAVE WATTS

GARETH WILSON

MARY BIRKETT

DAVID GOLDEN

MAY 2 - 31, 2008

OPENING MAY 2, 7:30PM - 1AM

A group show by scenic artists working in the film industry.

Curated by Patricia Chard

NO REGRETS

42 Mowat Ave, near King & Dufferin St, Toronto M6K 3J6 MapQuest

Restaurant/Cafe, King West Village

T 416 535 0050

Mon-Wed 10:30am-10pm

Thurs 11:30am-11pm

Fri 11:30am-1am

Sat 7-1am

Sun Closed

info@no-regrets.ca venue website pc47@rogers.com exhibition website