Megan Folden

Last year Creative Saskatchewan piloted the first Music Video Production Grant program, and the results are finally in!

A huge congratulations goes out to the filmmakers, musicians, and mentors who participated in the program and now have a high quality marketing asset to showcase their skillsets. Take a look at their work below.

Francois deNysschen (Prehistoric Productions) for Il Creatura “Miles Away” – Mentors Stephen Trivieri and Scott McCuaig with Breathe Entertainment

“Creative Sask did a great job aligning local talent with a panel of talented filmmakers who were dedicated to the process! The detailed approach sets them apart from many other grant programs” – Stephen Trivieri and Scott McCuaig, Breathe Entertainment

“The Music Video Production Grant is a great opportunity for musical artists, as well as aspiring filmmakers, to create a high-quality video production that may have otherwise been out of reach or budget when starting out. Access to industry professionals and mentors is also an invaluable resource for a creator at any stage! Truly an excellent one-stop solution for those who don’t know where to start.” – Ryan Schultz, Il Creature (The Pistolwhips)

Lee Chambers for W3AP0NS “Hope on the Radio” – Mentor Lindsay Thomas Robinson

“The Music Video Production Grant is a great opportunity for filmmakers and musicians alike to learn and grow in a space that is encouraging for emerging artists. For artists to advance in their career it is essential to have opportunities like this available, and I think Creative Saskatchewan has put together a program that can help achieve this” – Lindsay Thomas Robinson, Producer/Director

Blessing Alasan for Davy Sage “Let Me Know” – Mentor Farideh Olsen

“The Music Video Program is such a powerful experience for the musician and filmmaker. I hope many folks apply” – Farideh Olsen, Musician

Josiah Maningas (Studio D) for Kendal Schendel “Don’t Act Like You Care” – Mentor Chris Triffo with Wavelength Entertainment

“I had the good fortune to act as a mentor for Creative Saskatchewan’s new Music Video Production Grant program and found it invaluable for emerging filmmakers. I wish this type of program had existed when I started in the industry” – Chris Triffo, Wavelength Entertainment

“This experience has been life changing for me, I was able to create a high-quality music video that I would not have been able to achieve on my own. Along with the new connections made by working with a team, the value of this opportunity is immeasurable, and I would definitely encourage artists to apply!” – Kendal Schendal, Solo Artist

“I think one of the best takeaways from this program was the ability to collaborate with different creatives who are all at different levels of experience, and to take different perspectives and ideas and combine them to create a complete vision. Also, to be able to produce a high-quality product that may not have been done without the financial aid of the program. I would encourage anyone that is looking to get experience leading a bigger production to apply for this grant. At times in this industry it can be very difficult to get real world experience on bigger projects, especially if you are relatively new in the video world and this grant really provides creatives in Saskatchewan a very unique opportunity.” – Josiah Maningas, Studio D

Aaron Sinclair (Aaron Sinclair Film Ltd) for The Pxrtals “She’s Gone” – Mentor Erin Mussolum with Chickadee Creative Works Inc.

“Providing emerging filmmakers and musicians the opportunity to collaborate, while supporting them through the business lifecycle of creating a music video, all combines to create solid foundations for further artistic advancement” – Erin Mussolum, Chickadee Creative Works Inc.

Saul Chabot for Katelyn Lehner “10 Bucks” – Mentors Dylan Hryciuk and Brianne Janex with Versa Films
Video to be released soon!

Thanks to your feedback, this year’s new and improved Music Video Production Grant program has been very popular and we have received some stellar applications. The applicant assessors meet in the near future to determine this year’s successful grant recipients, who will be announced here when awarded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regina, Saskatchewan
December 5, 2022

Creative Saskatchewan announces new multicultural TV series filmed in Regina, Saskatchewan: Total estimated economic output $3.5 million

Creative Saskatchewan is pleased to announce a new production, Our Big Punjabi Family, filmed in Regina. This female led, South Asian comedy series has an estimated spend of over $1,867,000 on Saskatchewan labour, goods, and services with a total economic output of $3.5 million for Saskatchewan. Creative Saskatchewan has committed $746,818 via the Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program.

“A production of this caliber will inject more than $1,019,000 into local labour alone,” says Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan. “Never mind the countless opportunities for Saskatchewan’s hospitality and services sector,” to the tune of over $278,000, according to production estimates, “productions need accommodations, food and beverage services, costumes, props, skilled trades labour to build sets, legal and accounting support, and so much more.” The far-reaching economic impacts of the project also include 18 production days, with training initiatives and hiring at least 40 Saskatchewan crew.

“We’re very excited to see the snowball-effects of investment,” adds Dean. “Once we announced that Saskatchewan was open for film and television business, the phones have been ringing off the hook. It’s amazing to see local producers leveraging the opportunities, and to connect with new producers who may not have considered Saskatchewan as a film location before now.”

Delivered in English and Punjabi, the hilarious, quick-witted writing by South Asian showrunner Leena Manro offers a unique, diverse take on Indo-Canadian family life. The story follows a big South Asian family forced to live together due to the high cost of the Canadian housing Market. Hilarity ensues as four generations try to balance tradition with modern life, amidst cultural misunderstandings and meddling aunties. The show is also directed by women, including award winning director Agam Darshi (Donkeyhead), with consulting producers Sara B. Cooper (The Porter) and Scott Smith (Call me Fitz).

The series is produced by Kelly Balon and Anand Ramayya of Karma Film Inc., who are well-known in the local film scene for their work on Donkeyhead and the upcoming series, King of Killers. “I’m always looking for opportunities to bring productions home and thrilled to be a part of Saskatchewan’s economic growth, especially with content from underrepresented creators,” says Balon, “the more productions we can bring into the province, the stronger the industry becomes in this renaissance of screen-based opportunity. This is just the beginning.”

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About Creative Saskatchewan
Creative Saskatchewan is the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries. Creative Saskatchewan unlocks the potential of the creative industries and fuels the economic engine of homegrown talent, converting creativity into cashflow. The agency’s investments propel creative entrepreneurs as they create, perform, innovate, and export in their pursuit of commercial success.

For more information or to provide commentary, please contact:

Megan Jane, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Creative Saskatchewan
C: (306) 529-7377 | megan.jane@creativesask.ca | creativesask.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Regina, Saskatchewan
October 20, 2022

Creative Saskatchewan celebrates additional $7.5 million investment into Feature Film and TV Production Grant Program

Creative Saskatchewan applauds the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport’s increased investment of $7.5 million into the Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program. Creative Saskatchewan utilizes Ministry funding to support productions with local expenditures on Saskatchewan labour, goods, and services, in addition to administering and supporting the program.

“An investment of this caliber is estimated to result in approximately $32 million in economic activity for Saskatchewan,” says Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan. “This includes significant opportunities for Saskatchewan’s hospitality and services sector; productions need accommodations, food and beverage services, costumes, props, skilled trades labour, legal and accounting support, and so much more.”

The far-reaching economic impact of the increase is also projected to create more than 140 new jobs for Saskatchewan residents. This increase stems from the overwhelmingly positive reception of the previous increased investment to the program, announced on the 2022 Budget Day.

“We’re very excited to see the snowball-effects of that initial investment,” adds Dean. “Once we announced that Saskatchewan was open for business for film and television back in March, the phones started ringing off the hook. It’s amazing to see local producers leveraging the opportunities presented in our programming in new ways, and to connect with new people and opportunities who may not have considered Saskatchewan as a film location before now.”

Local producer, Kelly Balon with Karma Film Inc. is pleased with the announcement, “I’m always looking for opportunities to bring productions home and thrilled to be a part of Saskatchewan’s economic growth.” Chris Triffo of Wavelength Entertainment adds “the more productions we can bring into the province, the stronger the industry becomes. This is just the beginning.”

As a direct result of the increased investment, Creative Saskatchewan will open the door to even more production applications, strengthening Saskatchewan’s growth plan by answering the high demand calls for content creation. Since April, Creative Saskatchewan has committed $10.5 million to 13 projects, including two dramatic series, a feature film, and several documentary and children’s series. These projects project spending nearly $27 million on labour, goods and services in Saskatchewan.

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About Creative Saskatchewan
Creative Saskatchewan is the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries. Creative Saskatchewan unlocks the potential of the creative industries and fuels the economic engine of homegrown talent, converting creativity into cashflow. The agency’s investments propel creative entrepreneurs as they create, perform, innovate, and export in their pursuit of commercial success.

For more information or to provide commentary, please contact:

Megan Jane, Manager of Marketing and Communications, Creative Saskatchewan
C: (306) 529-7377 | megan.jane@creativesask.ca | creativesask.ca