National Screen Institute
Encyclopedia
The National Screen Institute of Canada (NSI) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
. The organization describes itself as "Canada's national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers." The NSI was created in 1986 as a renaming of the "Canadian Screen Institute" (CSI), and originally functioned as part of the University of Alberta
, and is Canada's oldest nationally recognized film and television training school.
, Alberta
, Canada at "Symposium 84 - Local Heroes", held during the first Local Heroes Film Festival
which showcased independent Canadian short films and features from around the world. In 1985, discussions on stategies resulted in "DramaLab" as a hands-on development program for producers, directors and writers to have the opportunity to learn the film industry and develop their skills. One of the 1985 artistic directors was film director
Allan King
who recognized that the program filled a void, as at that time there were no filmmaking courses being offered in Canadian universities or technical schools.
In a decision to further meet a need for film and television training outside larger metropolitan centers, the "Canadian Screen Institute" (CSI) was formed on April 7, 1986, adopting both DramaLab and Local Heroes as its two flagship program
s. By the end of 1986, the organization's name had been changed to National Screen Institite. Originating as part of the University of Alberta
in Edmonton, the institute began with an annual operating budget of $360,000 a year, one-third of which was provided by the Alberta government.
In 1990, the NSI's Board of Directors
introduced another program evolved from DramaLab called "NSI Drama Prize", in which filmmaker participants would work to build their skills in a format that combined production incentives, mentorship and professional development workshops.
In 1997, "NSI Features First" isa professional development program introduced for writers, directors and producers working on their first or second feature film, to provide training opportunities, an enhancement of knowledge base and skill sets required for production of a firat or second feature film.
In 1998, the NSI opened a second office in Winnipeg and in 1999 introduced a second Local Heroes Festival to Winnipeg that screened exclusively Canadian film and videos. In spring 2001 the NSI consolidated its operations in Winnipeg, transferring the Edmonton Local Heroes Film Festival
to the Edmonton International Film Festival Society
and refocused and renamed the Winnipeg Local Heroes Festival to NSI Film Exchange Canadian Film Festival
.
In completing early plans of the organization to develop stories for the big and small screens, "NSI Global Marketing" was introduced in 2001. Participants are required to have a show that has aired on national television and have a project in development to qualify for the program intended to equip participants with the tools to succeed in a distribution marketplace.
"NSI Totally Television" was begun in 2002 as a program to help individuals working in the television industry sharpen their skills, tune their concepts, and work toward getting a broadcast development deal.
and Winnipeg Arts Council, with benefactors including Shaw Media
, Telefilm Canada
, CTV
, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation
, NBC Universal
, Women in Media Foundation
, the Government of Canada
, and the Government of Manitoba.
, "NSI New Voices" was introduced in 2005 as a program for young Aboriginal adults interested in a career in film and television. Skills development begins with a "Spirit Day", including spiritual leaders and participants speaking about personal goals, and a traditional feast and pipe ceremony.
In the Fall of 2010, NSI began "NSI Aboriginal Journalism" as a pilot program designed for Aborigine candidates interested in journalism, to train individuals in the skills necessary to pursue a career in journalism.
In November 2010, through collaboration with the High Commission of Canada to Ghana and the Goethe Institut-Ghana, NSI premiered short films in Accra, Ghana as part of Ghana’s first-ever Canada Film Week, marking the first time NSI short films have been screened by the Canadian Government in an overseas location.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The organization describes itself as "Canada's national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers." The NSI was created in 1986 as a renaming of the "Canadian Screen Institute" (CSI), and originally functioned as part of the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, and is Canada's oldest nationally recognized film and television training school.
History
In 1984, Canadian filmmakers met in EdmontonEdmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada at "Symposium 84 - Local Heroes", held during the first Local Heroes Film Festival
Edmonton International Film Festival
The Edmonton International Film Festival is a nine-day film festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hosted at Empire Theatres at Edmonton City Centre....
which showcased independent Canadian short films and features from around the world. In 1985, discussions on stategies resulted in "DramaLab" as a hands-on development program for producers, directors and writers to have the opportunity to learn the film industry and develop their skills. One of the 1985 artistic directors was film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Allan King
Allan King
Allan Winton King, OC was a Canadian film director.-Life:During the Depression, King attended Henry Hudson Elementary School in Kitsilano, Vancouver...
who recognized that the program filled a void, as at that time there were no filmmaking courses being offered in Canadian universities or technical schools.
In a decision to further meet a need for film and television training outside larger metropolitan centers, the "Canadian Screen Institute" (CSI) was formed on April 7, 1986, adopting both DramaLab and Local Heroes as its two flagship program
Flagship Program
The Flagship Program is a series of NASA missions to explore the Solar System. It is the largest and most expensive of three classes of NASA Solar System Programs – the other two being the Discovery Program, which is the cheapest in cost, and the New Frontiers Program, which is...
s. By the end of 1986, the organization's name had been changed to National Screen Institite. Originating as part of the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
in Edmonton, the institute began with an annual operating budget of $360,000 a year, one-third of which was provided by the Alberta government.
In 1990, the NSI's Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
introduced another program evolved from DramaLab called "NSI Drama Prize", in which filmmaker participants would work to build their skills in a format that combined production incentives, mentorship and professional development workshops.
In 1997, "NSI Features First" isa professional development program introduced for writers, directors and producers working on their first or second feature film, to provide training opportunities, an enhancement of knowledge base and skill sets required for production of a firat or second feature film.
In 1998, the NSI opened a second office in Winnipeg and in 1999 introduced a second Local Heroes Festival to Winnipeg that screened exclusively Canadian film and videos. In spring 2001 the NSI consolidated its operations in Winnipeg, transferring the Edmonton Local Heroes Film Festival
Edmonton International Film Festival
The Edmonton International Film Festival is a nine-day film festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hosted at Empire Theatres at Edmonton City Centre....
to the Edmonton International Film Festival Society
Edmonton International Film Festival
The Edmonton International Film Festival is a nine-day film festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hosted at Empire Theatres at Edmonton City Centre....
and refocused and renamed the Winnipeg Local Heroes Festival to NSI Film Exchange Canadian Film Festival
NSI Film Exchange Canadian Film Festival
The NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival was a film festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating Canadian film achievement. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada it was hosted each winter. The festival was organized by National Screen Institute, Canada's oldest nationally recognized film and...
.
In completing early plans of the organization to develop stories for the big and small screens, "NSI Global Marketing" was introduced in 2001. Participants are required to have a show that has aired on national television and have a project in development to qualify for the program intended to equip participants with the tools to succeed in a distribution marketplace.
"NSI Totally Television" was begun in 2002 as a program to help individuals working in the television industry sharpen their skills, tune their concepts, and work toward getting a broadcast development deal.
Funding
It currently operates with funding provided by Manitoba Culture, Heritage and TourismMinister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport (Manitoba)
The Minister of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport is a cabinet minister in the government of Manitoba. The position can be traced back to 1966, when Attorney-General Sterling Lyon was named as Minister of Tourism and Recreation. The newly-elected government of Edward Schreyer added a separate...
and Winnipeg Arts Council, with benefactors including Shaw Media
Shaw Media
Shaw Media is the television broadcasting division of Shaw Communications. Shaw Media owns the Global Television Network, which broadcasts via 11 television stations, as well as various specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Showcase, Food Network Canada, and History Television.Despite also...
, Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada
Telefilm Canada or Téléfilm Canada is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of Canada.It is the primary federal cultural agency dedicated to the development and promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry....
, CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation
Brian Linehan
Brian Richard Linehan was a Canadian television host from Hamilton, Ontario. Linehan was best known for his celebrity interviews. Linehan was one of seven children...
, NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
, Women in Media Foundation
International Women's Media Foundation
The International Women’s Media Foundation , located in Washington, DC, is a network of thousands of left-wing women journalists working internationally to elevate the status of women in the media. The IWMF has created groundbreaking programs to help women in the media develop practical solutions...
, the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
, and the Government of Manitoba.
Outreach
As part of its outreach programs for Aboriginal peoples in CanadaAboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, "NSI New Voices" was introduced in 2005 as a program for young Aboriginal adults interested in a career in film and television. Skills development begins with a "Spirit Day", including spiritual leaders and participants speaking about personal goals, and a traditional feast and pipe ceremony.
In the Fall of 2010, NSI began "NSI Aboriginal Journalism" as a pilot program designed for Aborigine candidates interested in journalism, to train individuals in the skills necessary to pursue a career in journalism.
In November 2010, through collaboration with the High Commission of Canada to Ghana and the Goethe Institut-Ghana, NSI premiered short films in Accra, Ghana as part of Ghana’s first-ever Canada Film Week, marking the first time NSI short films have been screened by the Canadian Government in an overseas location.
Online Short Film Festival.
In 2008, NSI began the NSI Online Short Film Festival as a year-round online short film festival for films that are of 100% Canadian content to encourage new Canadian talent and give them a venue to share their films, gain experience, and promote their talent. New films are continuously added to the website and are available for viewing at no cost. Four times a year, a jury selects winning entries and awards the A&E Short Filmmakers Award and a cash prize of $2,500.Notable alumni
- Adam SmolukAdam SmolukAdam Smoluk is a Canadian screenwriter, director and actor. His work often explores themes of alienation and isolation. He has cited Jim Thompson, James M...
- Bill DowBill DowBill Dow is an actor, director and writer in theatre, film, and television. He is best known for playing Bill Lee in the Stargate franchise. He also had a recurring roles as Russ Hathaway in the Canadian drama series Da Vinci's Inquest, as Mr. Parkman in Pasadena, and Dr. Charles Burks in The X Files...
- Brad FraserBrad FraserBrad Fraser is a Canadian playwright, screenwriter and cultural commentator. He is one of the most widely produced Canadian playwrights both in Canada and internationally. Fraser's plays typically feature a harsh yet comical view of contemporary life in Canada, including frank depictions of...
- Corey MarrCorey MarrCorey Marr is a Canadian film and television producer. He used to be the Minahel of Camp Massad of Manitoba.-Filmography:* Passenger Side * Making Who Loves the Sun * Who Loves the Sun...
- Gary Yates (director)Gary Yates (director)Gary Yates is a film director from Winnipeg, Manitoba.Yates has worked on Canadian television since the early 1990s and recently completed a number of feature films starring actor Kevin Pollack, including Niagara Motel and Seven Times Lucky , which was nominated for five Genie Awards.Gary Yates...
- Marie ClementsMarie ClementsMarie Clements is a Métis playwright, performer, director, producer screenwriter, and founding artistic director of urban ink productions and fathom labs highway. Clements lives on Galiano Island British Columbia Canada...
- Michael DowseMichael DowseMichael Dowse is a Canadian film director.Born and raised in London, Ontario, he was trained as a film editor. His first full-length movie, FUBAR was shot on a digital camera with a tiny budget, but was selected by the Sundance Film Festival and screened on the prestigious midnight slot, which had...
- Robert CuffleyRobert CuffleyRobert Cuffley is a Canadian film director and screenwriter . He co-wrote the screenplay and directed Walk All Over Me , Turning Paige , Soother , and Eyes for You .-External links:...