306-798-9800 iconClick to email GMS Login Production Directory Login
Follow Us:
SUBSCRIBE

Megan Folden

Cuthand Pitches Private Gig in Whistler

by

Shawn Cuthand is a man of many talents. The writer, actor, stand-up comedian, and producer is currently working on a horror comedy feature film called Private Gig about the life of a stand-up comic during the pandemic.Shawn Cuthand

Cuthand had the opportunity to work on Private Gig through the Whistler Film Festival 2023 Saskatchewan Market Accelerator, a new, unique program funded by Creative Saskatchewan in partnership with the Whistler Film Festival. One of just six producers chosen for the program, Cuthand experienced an intensive multi-phase project development program designed to accelerate the careers of Saskatchewan-based producers.

In Whistler, Cuthand pitched to Neon Pictures and Raven Banner. He received great feedback and encouragement to finish his script and was able to push the project further.

After his time in Whistler, Cuthand received an Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) grant to help finance Private Gig‘s development. Cuthand notes that having the experience of participating in the Saskatchewan Market Accelerator program on his resume assuredly helped him receive the ISO Development Grant.

Cuthand knew about Creative Saskatchewan and all the great things they were doing for a while, but he never thought he would be eligible for funding from them. But after applying for and receiving a travel grant to attend the Yorkton Film Festival, he met with Creative Saskatchewan staff who really encouraged and helped him apply to go to Whistler.

“Starting the application for a grant is the hardest part,” Cuthand says. “But after you apply once, you get in the habit and applying for more grants becomes easier.”Shawn Cuthand - Comedy

In addition to Private Gig, Cuthand is preparing for the Vancouver Fringe Festival where he’ll be performing as part of the Full Metal Comedy stand-up comedy show this September, and is working on Season 2 of The Feather News with Danny Knight, Ryan Moccasin and Muskwa Lerat.

Book Publishing Grant Helps Marc Rousseau Launch New Career

by

Marc Rousseau was successful in applying for a Book Publishing Production Grant (author-funded stream) for his book A Miserable Guide to Saskatoon 2: It’s Just More of the Same.

Marc Rousseau
Marc Rousseau

After leaving his life in California for a new one in Saskatoon, independent comic author Marc Rousseau noticed some quirky things about the Bridge City. Documenting these observations through a collection of comics, anecdotes, and stories, he self-published his first book, A Miserable Guide to Saskatoon to poke fun at his new home.

The book became a big hit and continues to sell well years after its initial publication. A Miserable Guide was so popular that Rousseau decided it needed a sequel. With a plan in place for a second book, Rousseau submitted a successful application for a Creative Saskatchewan Book Publishing Grant through the author-funded stream.

A Miserable Guide to Saskatoon 2: It’s Just More of the Same was published in October of 2023. Like its predecessor, it is printed locally and sold in stores and shops throughout Saskatoon. Less than a year after publication, the book is already over 50% sold out of its initial print run of 1,500 copies.A Miserable Guide to Saskatoon 2: It's Just More of the Same

The timing of the grant approval couldn’t have been better for Rousseau. After getting laid off from his part-time office job, Rousseau used the Creative Saskatchewan grant as an opportunity to pursue comic creation full-time. “It wouldn’t be possible to be where I am, at this scale, without the Creative Saskatchewan grant,” he states.

As sales for his Miserable Guide books continue to roll in, Rousseau is hard at work on his first graphic novel. The successful launch of A Miserable Guide to Saskatoon 2 has allowed him to take on this much bigger project. With regular income coming in and a strong foundation underneath him, Rousseau is able to work on the next big thing.

“It’s been a fun journey,” Rousseau reflects, “but it feels more solid now than ever.”

Showcase or Sell Travel Grant Helps Knottily Fibrearts Thrive at Fringe Fest

by

Jill Siever was a successful grant recipient of our Showcase or Sell Travel Grant for her participation in the Saskatoon Fringe Festival, where she was able to sell her work.

Jill Siever of Knottily Fibrearts loves to create. “If it’s handmade, that’s what I do.”Jill Siever - Knottily Fibrearts

Whether it’s knitting, sewing, crocheting, or beading, it doesn’t matter. Getting to sell her creations to happy customers at tradeshows, craft sales, and festivals brings joy to Siever’s heart.

As a local business in small-town Saskatchewan, it can be hard for companies like Knottily Fibrearts to market and sell their products to a wider audience. When Siever came across the Showcase or Sell Travel Grant from Creative Saskatchewan, she was thrilled. “It’s really expensive to travel to a ten-day festival. Especially for a small startup business,” she says.

The opportunity to attend and sell her products at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival was a game changer. Siever was blown away. “I met lots of people, made lots of sales, and did lots of networking,” she says. “The atmosphere was just incredible.”

Though applying for grants can sometimes seem intimidating, Siever had a lot of help through the process. “Being able to work back and forth with Creative Saskatchewan really helped,” she says. “With their support, it was a really positive experience. They went above and beyond throughout the whole process to make it easier on me.”

In addition to helping Siever succeed in Saskatoon, the money she spent on lodging, dining, and payroll stayed and flowed throughout the province.

With such a positive experience behind her, Siever has since applied for another grant from Creative Saskatchewan and is excited for the future.

Jill Siever - Knottily Fibrearts - landscape
Jill Siever – Knottily Fibrearts

Market Accelerator Program Helps Van De Woestyne Grow in Whistler

by

Kaitlyn Van De Woestyne is telling an important story.

Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuvialuit hamlet in the Northwest Territories, is on track to be the first Canadian community forced to relocate due to coastal erosion. Van De Woestyne’s film, On the Edge, is a documentary that follows a team of scientists as they work alongside the community to study the erosion and find mitigation strategies.

Kaitlyn Van De Woestyne
Kaitlyn Van De Woestyne

Van De Woestyne was able to pitch On the Edge at the Whistler Film Festival 23 as part of the Saskatchewan Market Accelerator, a new, unique program funded by Creative Saskatchewan in partnership with the Whistler Film Festival. She applied for funding to attend the festival after seeing an ad on Facebook and wanted to take advantage of the great networking and mentorship opportunities the festival had to offer.

One of just six producers selected to take part, Van De Woestyne enjoyed many networking opportunities, allowing her to connect with like-minded filmmakers and industry experts. “I was able to pitch my project to various broadcasters and executive producers, fostering potential collaborations,” she says.

“Attending the Whistler Film Festival has significantly supported my career as a filmmaker,” Van De Woestyne points out. “The festival provided a platform not only for showcasing my work but also for gaining invaluable insights from industry leaders. The feedback I received has significantly shaped the direction of my project, making it more impactful and refined.”

Being selected for this opportunity has helped move the needle forward in Van De Woestyne’s career. The support from Creative Saskatchewan has helped bridge the gap between On The Edge‘s development and realization.

Sound Recording Grant Helps Close Talker Release Fourth Album

by

Chris Morien was a successful recipient of our Sound Recording Grant (LP stream) for Close Talker’s “The Sprawl”.

Close Talker, an indie rock band from Saskatoon, just keeps building momentum. The band has gained the attention and praise of notable publications such as NPR, Billboard, Clash, Spin, Q Magazine, and Consequence of Sound.

With their fourth album, “The Sprawl” in pre-production, Close Talker’s Chris Morien applied for a Sound Recording Grant (LP stream) to produce and promote the project. “Our goal was to create an album we are proud of and music that people can appreciate and connect with,” says Morien.Close Talker

Close Talker has always explored ideas around growing up and how our lives shift over the years. There are references to time and change across their entire catalogue. Finding love, losing it again, making friends, getting married, rejecting your past self, and having kids are all themes that etch their way into Close Talker’s writing style as they attempt to understand their identity.

Inspired by Close Talker’s time leaving home for the first time and touring Europe, “The Sprawl” builds on these themes. There are numerous references in the album lyrics to elements including cathedrals, saints, and European cities.

“The Sprawl” was released on March 22, 2024, and while the full impact of the album will be realized over the next few years, Close Talker has already realized many positive outcomes from it. With the few singles already released, the band has seen support on streaming platforms, with editorial placements such as Spotify’s Indie All Stars, and Fresh Finds: Indie, along with Apple Music’s “Today’s Indie Rock,” in addition to airplay on SiriusXM ‘The Verge’ and CBC Radio 3.

“We are thankful to be a part of a community and province that prioritizes and supports the arts within our diverse and vast culture,” states Morien. “It’s truly a pleasure and a privilege for us to take part in.”

Marketing Grant Fuels Billingsley’s Expanding Audience

by

Alyssa Billingsley received a Marketing Grant (Micro Stream) in 2022 to create high-quality marketing materials for her artistic work and services.

Alyssa Billingsley does a little bit of everything.

The multi-talented creator is an alumna of Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program in Edmonton, École de Clown et Comédie Physique Francine Côté in Montréal, and the Manitoulin Conservatory of Creation and Performance.Alyssa Billingsley landscape

In 2022, Billingsley applied for a Market and Export Development Grant (now referred to as the Marketing Grant) from Creative Saskatchewan to create high-quality marketing materials to promote her diverse artistic work and services. Included in these materials was a professional-grade video of her singing used as an audition submission for regional theatres. “Actors now primarily market themselves through audition self-tapes and digital content,” Billingsley says. “This grant enabled me to produce professional-grade marketing materials essential for this new era.”

The impact of the grant is evident — Billingsley’s social media following grew significantly and she’s busier than ever. Her marketing efforts have increased her visibility and opened doors to new creative collaborations and opportunities in the theatre and music scenes. “The support from Creative Saskatchewan has been invaluable,” she reflects. “It has allowed me to elevate my work and reach new audiences.”

Billingsley’s experience and education can be seen on full display through her latest solo show, Identity Crisis, a dark physical comedy combining music, clown, and elements of neobouffon. The show received four stars in both the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Winnipeg Free Press and has been described as “terrifyingly whimsical” and “Beckett in cosplay.”

Contact us

Quick Links

GMS Login Production Directory Login

© 2024 Creative Saskatchewan. All rights reserved.

Subscribe

Website by OmniOnline.