Silverthorne Uses Feature Film and Television Production Grant to Share Perspective on Stuttering

Judith Silverthorne is a successful grant recipient of our Feature Film and Television Production Grant for her documentary, Echoed Words.

For Judith Silverthorne, receiving the Feature Film and Television Production Grant made all the difference while filming her documentary Echoed Words. “I was able to secure broadcasters and to film without being on a shoestring budget that limits potential fluidity, particularly in documentary production where sometimes opportunities to shoot additional material arise to give you those amazing results that garner award nominations and wins. I was able to expand my business capacity as well.”

Silverthorne’s half-hour documentary, Echoed Words, aims to give a first-person perspective on the impact of being a person who stutters and how those who stutter find ways to manage and ease their lives. At the end of three days of treatment, audiences see improvements made and how it feels for someone with a stutter to be able to improve with everyday life and speech fluency.

“[Saskatchewan has] so much going for us, from the funding support of the provincial government through Creative Saskatchewan and also the support of SMPIA and their training programs, plus the already talented people living and working here, our varied landscapes, and opportunities yet to be tapped into with the soundstage and attracting more productions to be filmed here all the time.”

Not only was the Feature Film and Television Production Grant beneficial for Judith, but it also created a wonderful ripple effect for Saskatchewan’s economy. “I was able to hire primarily Saskatchewan people and work in Saskatchewan which provided economic spinoffs in the service industries and for organizations and businesses that supplied our materials and other needs such as accommodations, meals, and transportation. My projects also attracted other broadcasters to consider working with people from Saskatchewan.”

Silverthorne is grateful for Creative Saskatchewan for their support and encourages other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the programs available. “Consult with the Creative Sask program staff to see if your project is a good fit, learn all you can about the process, and ask questions when you are not clear about what is required. Being able to ask the advice of the Creative Sask staff in understanding the process, clarifying meanings and requirements, and appreciating the objectives of the film commission. The film commission is professional, efficient, and helpful, open to suggestions and improvements and great assistance is available.”

Judith stresses that grants from Creative Saskatchewan provide so many opportunities for growing your business. “Profit is what artists want. I consider myself an entrepreneur and am willing to try new and different things, try different perspectives, and although I often do things for sheer creative expression, I do want to make a profit so I can continue my artistic endeavours.”