Memories of the Filmpool Dream
Filmpool 20th anniversary cake, 1997. | Photo: Dianne’s personal archive.
For the Filmpool’s 45th anniversary, Splice Magazine approached long-time member Dianne Ouellette, who first joined the Filmpool in 1995, for a personal reflection on the decades since.
It was 1995, and Tobi Lampard and I, 4th-year film students at the University of Regina, decided to venture out and become members of the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative. After all, we were young aspiring film students dreaming of a filmmaking future! I remember a warm welcome as the room filled with smiles and laughter, and the Filmpool became our community.
The Filmpool provided access to equipment and small grants to create independent films, which continues to this day. I shot my first independent 16mm film with Filmpool financing, Srassha (1996). As I was editing the film, I was mesmerized by the motion as it whirled round and round on the flatbed, then it sprang loose! I jumped up and let out a scream: the film was flying off the core, filling up space! Brian Stockton (or was it Brett Bell - memories are fading) came running, most likely wondering if I had injured myself. Calmly reaching down, he turned the power switch off. I have no idea why I wouldn't think to do that! Another story cut short; I sliced my fingers on a reel while rewinding film. Good thing the Filmpool had a first aid kit! Essentially, I not only shot and breathed all things film, but I also bled for it.
Cast & crew of Daisy (Ouellette). | Photo: Dianne’s personal archive
Members supported each other by working on film crews, attending screenings and workshops. There was a time when you would arrive at the Filmpool, walk through the front offices, and into the open space of the warehouse in the back. Cigarette smoke would billow in the dimly lit room as a crowd had gathered; comfy couches and chairs spread out in no organized order, and a large screen stood at the front of the room. There was a free-standing bar in the back. Conversation filled the space as filmmakers gathered.
BTS on Srassha; Dianne applies makeup to Danny Scavuzzo. Jason Britski in background. | Photo: Dianne’s personal archive.
Splice TV, a series about Saskatchewan Filmmakers and production, was born in 1995. This was a video series, unlike the film format used by members during this time. I have many episodes stored on VHS somewhere in a box in my basement. Production continued into 2005 with a few episodes that were added to the series in 2006-2007. Episodes include “Life after Film School” (1995), which I remember creating in my angst of being unsure of what I was going to do with my film and video degree. Gerald Saul, Margaret Bessai, Lesley Farley, Troy Rhoades, Mark Bradley, and the list goes on for members who created episodes from animation, One Take Super 8 events, hand processing, filmmaker interviews, to filmpool happenings. The series had multiple hosts, including Leslea Mair. It is a great historical archive of the Filmpool, rich with memories of filmmaking dreams.
Jean Oser, turned 90 one month after I turned 30. Oser was involved in the setup of the film studies program at the U of R and taught for many years (1970-1989). I remember him surrounded by admirers at my 16mm december (1997) screening, a story about life, death, and turning 30. I only talked with Oser a few times when he attended events before his passing. Still, I remember a thoughtful man who would listen, encourage, and smile as we'd gather around him, telling him about our filmmaking dreams; after all, he won an academy award for a 20 minute film, The Light in the Window (1953).
Dianne in her coveted 20th Anniversary Filmpool bunny hug. Only two were made. | Photo: Dianne Ouellette
In 1997 the Filmpool marked its 20th, the last anniversary to be celebrated at the Broad Street location. I remember only two Filmpool bunny hugs were designed for this, and I still have mine! The pending question is, does Donovan Fraser still have his? I even have the ball cap to match!
When the Filmpool moved downtown, like my hazy memories, smoking indoors dissipated into no more (didn't miss the smoke) along with the comfy couches (damn it!). But the heart of the Filmpool remained. The thriving downtown metropolis brought new inspiration. I felt more mature in my filmmaking capabilities as I had a couple of projects under my belt. The support followed with members like Robin Schlaht, offering copies of grant proposals to help me hone my grant writing skills. At this point, I was involved with mentoring, curating screenings, being a board member, and generally hanging out. I seemed to pour my time into the Filmpool.
I reflect on the hypnotic click click click as I optical printed in the wee hours, making my notes, and correcting the gate when it would jam. Some of the imperfections turned out great and ended up in my films. I remember watching the film fly by on the flatbed as I physically made cuts, taping the film together with fluid motion, unlike that day when the film spiraled into the air. I'd usually visit with the staff and fellow filmmakers during the creating process and sharing ideas. Linda Payeur (past ED) would always bring laughter and thoughtful input. As I synced the mag stock (audio) and readied the edit for the neg cutter (Bert Bush), I would sigh with relief. The tactical process and the smell of film captured my soul. I used to joke that I loved the smell of film, and I still do!
Production polaroids from Ouellette’s short film, Daisy | Photo: Dianne Ouellette
It was Y2K, and the world didn't end, so my days with the Filmpool continued. My 35mm film Daisy (1999), (producers Loreena Weideman, Hildy Bowen), premiered at the Famous Players Theatre in the Cornwall Centre in 2000. It played before Stanley Kubrik's Eyes Wide Shut. Something I'll never forget. Daisy won Best of Saskatchewan at the Yorkton Film Festival, and our table erupted with joy! We won't talk about the fact that we didn't think we'd win and most of us were tipsy! This little independent little film shot on the winter prairie flourished and went on to be screened in more places I've ever traveled to.
Dianne accepting Daisy’s win for Best of Saskatchewan at the Yorkton Film Festival 2000. | Source: Dianne’s personal archive
In 2002 the Filmpool's 25th anniversary included a week-long festival of film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions. Some of the screenings took place at the Famous Players Theatre. It was fun to go to movies at the mall; the smell of popcorn used to hang in the air whenever you would shop at the Cornwall. Sadly, they shut down the Theatre in August 2002.
Time ticks by, and many of my Filmpool colleagues disappear and move on to new adventures. Some pursue MFAs and go on to teach at universities. As the Filmpool recognized its 35th anniversary the SK Film Tax credit (2012) was eliminated by the provincial government. This took many Filmpool members away to follow their filmmaking professions in other locations. Some gave up on the filmmaking quest and followed other passions. Whether we were independent filmmakers or film industry-focused, we were all connected. At one time or another, we worked together and shared space at the Filmpool. The protest for the canceled film tax credit in front of the Legislator feels like it was the last time many of us gathered as one community, fighting to stay together.
Film industry producers and workers protesting at Saskatchewan legislature. | Source: Dianne Ouellette
Dianne Ouellette and actor Kim Coates protesting at Saskatchewan legislature. | Source: Dianne Ouellette
There are so many memories from the Filmpool: BBQs on the roof at the downtown location; the anniversary cakes; 1-minute films to pay tribute to the 30th anniversary; getting locked in the bathroom with no way out only to be rescued by a lone member who happened to come back at the end of a day; pancakes with filmmakers; animation workshops with students; filmmaking frenzies; 24-hour script write-ins; screenings on outdoor walls for the Cathedral Arts Festival; curated screenings at the Yorkton Film Festival, and many other locations; a bad Filmpool screening review at the Edmonton Fringe Festival (never let the critics get to you); the SIFA awards, the movement from film to the digital era, and the fight to resist (another story for another day). Now we are back to film again; or maybe it never left.
A “no stars” review of the Filmpool’s program at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. A petty badge of honour. | Source: Dianne Ouelette
In more recent memories, I received the first annual Trudy Stewart Prize (and SK Arts) in 2020. I think about Trudy and her dear friend Janine Windolph's involvement with the Filmpool. I reflect on the smiles and laughter when we would greet each other at screenings and events and the connection to the Filmpool. I consider how Trudy's loss has affected the film community and how the Filmpool has recognized her memory with the Trudy Stewart Prize, so her legacy lives on. I honour her memory by acknowledging her in my film, lii bufloo aen loo kishkishiw (2022).
L-R: Janine Windolph, Dianne Ouelette, and Trudy Stewart at the Yorkton Film Festival 2016 | Source: Dianne Ouellette
It feels like yesterday when I stepped into the warm office where long-ago colleagues greeted me. 27 years later, I'm wrapping up another Filmpool funded project, which I will remember as my pandemic film. One smiling face has returned from that first day as he recently rejoined the Filmpool staff, Ron Jacobs. I think of the love for the Filmpool and all the people it has impacted. It carries many memories in the hearts of Saskatchewan filmmakers. It has been the film spirit of Saskatchewan for 45 years, with connections to members and community organizations, bringing together a diverse population of artists for collaborations, screenings, and events. All for the love of film.
Filmpool production coordinator Ron Jacobs, circa ‘99. Jacobs returned to the Filmpool as production coordinator from 2020-2022. | Source: Dianne Ouellette’s personal archives
The heart of the Filmpool has always been with its members as it brings communities together to share the joy of Saskatchewan's storytellers through diverse lenses. I smile when I greet members like Don List, one of the original founders (Brock Stevens, Ian Preston, Charles Konowal, Bill Mills, and Gerry Horne) of the Filmpool, and longtime members who hold the Filmpool close and are always up for conversation as we celebrate Filmpool anniversaries and accomplishments. The founders had a dream to bring independent filmmaking to Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative and 45 years later here we are: still creating and gathering to celebrate!
I could write a novel on Filmpool adventures, but this story must end (for now). For all those with connections to the Filmpool, I hope you carry this place in your hearts as I have for all these years.
Filmpool 35th anniversary cake. | Source: Dianne Ouellette’s personal archive.