Thunderstone Pictures films drum teachings for cultural communications research project

We were approached by Celeste Pedri, a graduate student in Inter-cultural Communications at Royal Roads University, to help her use film as a part of her Master’s dissertation. Celeste is examining the role of the drum in traditional Anishinabek teachings and regularly works with a group of drummers that spans the generations. She turned to video because she really couldn’t figure out “how to study song on paper” and she required our help not only because she was a full participant in her research (and needed to be in front of the camera) but also because she wanted the technical quality required by outlets that would help her research go public. Not only is she producing research, she wanted to create a lasting gift to her people that can be watched and used to learn from for generations.

That said, because this was research, the challenge for Thunderstone was to capture every word and every song on the first take during the six-hour gathering. Thanks to our great crew and some new technology we were able to document absolutely everything. Now comes the process of working with Celeste to edit the work.

Here are some production stills of the shoot which took place at the Learning Cafe in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Photos by Michelle Derosier.

Some screen shots from role models film

Here are a few screen shots from the soon-to-be completed “Leading the Way: NAN Role Models in Health Care“.

Project ENABLE complete

In November, we were asked to produce a short informational film by Paul Giles of Anishinabek Employment and Training Services and program manager for Project ENABLE. ENABLE is a unique Aboriginal skills and base-level education program that takes in to account the specific needs of the individual in order for them to overcome the barriers they are facing to employment of education.

He wanted something that could be used as proof of the effectiveness of the program to funders as well as something that could show off the program at trade shows and conferences.

A tight budget allowed for only a two day shoot. Day one was spent filming the program in action at Gull Bay First Nation, about 180km North of Thunder Bay. An early rise and some snowy roads added an element of adventure. Day two was spent conducting interviews at Thunderstone’s studio and filming the Little Bear Singers drum at Anishinabek Employment and Training Services.

Here’s the finished product:

Role Models Shoot Nearing Completion

Thunderstone Pictures has been busy over the last month shooting a documentary for Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative on role models for youth. Shooting is scheduled to wrap this evening.

Our team recently returned from Sioux Lookout, ON where we filmed at the brand new Mino-Ya-Win hospital, among other places.  Wow, what a facility!  This place is a real eye-opener to what can be accomplished with a clear vision.  Truly culturally-competent health care that revolves around a purpose-built facility in Northern Ontario can now become a reality for so many. This includes an impressive 100-unit hostel to put up families and out-patients who have travelled from remote communities.

Despite the obstacle of 3 feet of fresh snow our crew managed some great results.  Thanks to our youth host Cassandra Spence who did a great job conducting the interviews and learning the ropes of production.

Thunderstone Pictures Crew on location in Sioux Lookout  (from L to R) Saku Pinta, Dave Clement, Michelle Derosier and Cassandra Spence

Cassandra Spence is the youth host of this film on role models in health care.