Actors being sought from Northwestern Ontario

Submitted by
Lee Chambers

When Greg Jacobsen, Peter Pasqualino and Sarah McArthur graduate from Thunder Bay’s Confederation College in May their first professional job will be working with Academy Award winner, Paul Haggis (‘Crash’) on the second annual MAKE IT SHORT MOVIE PROJECT. Jacobsen (28) won the chance to direct the workshop film by writing a hilarious romantic comedy script, entitled ‘CHASING MASCOTS’. Pasqualino (23) will shoot the 16mm film, with McArthur (25) taking on editing duties.
“The film is a romantic comedy about a guy that falls for the team mascot, during the middle of the championship baseball game”, says Jacobsen. “The search is now on to find people to take on starring roles in a fun weekend that will also provide a hands-on introduction to filmmaking”.
Haggis will be executive producing the film with Thunder Bay producers, Lee Chambers and Suzanne Plesh. “The event will offer people a unique opportunity to get involved in creating a professional short film and will also serve as a launch pad for graduates to advance their studies and future careers,” claims Chambers. “The great thing is - there’s no experience necessary and you don’t have to be from Thunder Bay to get involved”.
Last year the event produced the award-winning short film, ‘LOST & PROFOUND’ that featured support by Denys Arcand, Atom Egoyan, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg and music from 5440 and Bryan Adams.
“I’m happy to be able to lend my support to the 2006 MAKE IT SHORT MOVIE PROJECT. The only way to really learn how to make movies is to make them,” claims Haggis. “We have a great need for unique voices in this business. I look forward to the next wave of great film makers hailing from Northern Ontario”.
The Make It Short Movie Project will be shooting June 3rd and 4th at the Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, with SilverCity playing host to the world premiere in early September. Paul Shaffer from ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ will be supporting the bursary program for the three winners. All funds raised at the screening will donated to the Arthritis Society.
Applications available online at www.makeitshort.ca.