In my time as the Community Arts Programmer for the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, I have had the pleasure of working with The Vancouver B-Movie Factory, who are the current residents of the Moberly Suite Fieldhouse. Together, we have organized free public B-movie screenings in the Moberly Centre and have filmed a video together using a 360-degree camera, highlighting the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, it’s performance space features, and its wheelchair accessibility. The organization provides unique opportunities for the South Vancouver neighbourhood and fills a gap for those who would like to learn how to make films, but don’t know where to start. My experience working with Jimi and the B-Movie Factory has been very positive. Cheers! Imagine parks + recreation: vancouver.ca/vanplay Oliver McTavish-Wisden | Community Arts Programmer Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre 7646 Prince Albert St, Vancouver, BC V5X 3Z4 t. 604.718.6521 [email protected] Hello Parks Board Commissioners;
My name is Vanessa Gibeau and as an attendee of the Vancouver B-Movie Factory's Field House I am writing you to say that I greatly appreciate the Field House you granted them and to ask that you please renew their organization for a second term. They are a very community minded and generous organization built almost entirely on helping people pursue their dreams in self expression through film making as well as providing a space for individuals with a love of film to gather and meet. A second term for the Vancouver B-Movie Factory would help Vancouver B-Movie Factory continue to connect people with eachother and be a great way for the Vancouver Parks Board to continue being a part of enriching the lives of Vancouverites. I think the Vancouver B-Movie Factory is a great use of the parks board's wonderful program, and truly hope that you extend them a second term. Thank you so much for your time, please have a great day. - Vanessa Gibeau < 3 Dear Sir or Madam, My name is Jordana Delgado. I am a musician and I have always loved everything around set design and production design. I am from Barcelona and relocated to Vancouver 2.5 years ago. I had some previous experience in set design and decoration for theatre, and I wanted to get experience on the cinema side. Vancouver is the perfect place for that but, of course, it is really difficult to get in, specially when you are new to the city, you donʼt know anyone and you have zero experience in a movie set. When I first heard about the Vancouver B Movie Factory, I had been here for only two weeks and my English wasn't very good but, scary as it was, I went to my first meetup with them. What I found there was a group of passionate people sharing ideas and putting them together to shoot a short movie just 4 days later! That is how it works, they meet on Wednesday, decide on the plot of the movie together, and on who is going to do what. Then, during the next few days, someone writes the script and they shoot it on Sunday (or Saturday). I was truly amazed! My role in my first movie with the Vancouver B Movie Factory (Card Game) was taking care of continuity. I knew that existed, but I knew nothing about what to do! I remember going to the library the day after the first meeting to borrow a book about it, just to have an idea of what I was expected to do. The shooting day arrived, my first experience in a movie set ever! I was nervous but Jimi Stewart was there guiding my steps. Everything was fine! We shot the movie in about 7-8 hours and I went back home bursting with excitement and knowing a great deal more about movie sets. After that movie, I kept going and many more came. I was mostly doing continuity and some set decoration. The movie I have the best memories of is Speed Dating. For some reason I connected very well with the director. We were in contact during the week talking about how to set the scenes and what props were needed. We even did some drawings of the set! On the shooting day, we both ended up bringing lots of props from our homes and we were able to transform the clubhouse into a little restaurant! That was for me a very remarkable day and experience. Also during Speed Dating, I met who is now one of my best friends. At the time he was preparing for shooting one of his independent short films. He was impressed by my work and asked me to join his crew as the production designer. Wow! That was big! I joined that project and it was a great experience for me. After that project, I became part of a different film crew and so on. Those projects were outside the Vancouver B Movie Factory but, obviously, I wouldnʼt have been able to do any of them without having had the Vancouver B Movie Factory experience first. The Vancouver B Movie Factory was very important for me and it IS important for different reasons: - It is the place where anyone wanting to work in the film industry can get the required experience, in a safe environment. No matter how green you are, no matter what big mistakes you do, Jimi is there to pick up your pieces and to teach you every step of the way. - It is also the place where you can meet lots of passionate people like you, and what is more important: in a work environment. It is not only about networking, you can actually see them hands-on. That makes a big difference. - It is a place where knowledge is shared unselfishly. All these people come from very different backgrounds, all of them with very different levels of experience in the film industry. You get to learn from some of them, and you also get to teach others. It is a very enriching experience. In the end, life got very busy for me and with a very heavy heart I had to stop going to those meetings and shooting days with the Vancouver B Movie Factory. Unfortunately, I had to stop participating in other independent short films too. However, despite my current situation, I keep reading about production design and I am hoping to go back to the film production world soon. If you can save the Vancouver B Movie Factory, please do! It has been important for many people working now as professionals in the film industry. It is important for people who are part of it right now. And hopefully it will be important to many more that will come in the future. The Vancouver B Movie Factory is UNIQUE, there is no other place like it in Vancouver, and only you have the power to preserve it. Thanks in advance! Yours faithfully, Jordana Delgado I am sad to know that VBMF is losing its base at the Moberley's Park.
When I found the Vancouver B Movie Factory I was thinking of going to school and getting into the film industry. I attended some of the groups and found it to be fun and awesome. I learned lots and had a great time. I was able to operate real life equipment and work on a real set. It gave me an idea of what it would be like in the industry. It was the Vancouver B Movie Factory that had lots to do with my decision to move forward and look for a school. I decided on Capilano University and took the one year Documentary film program which I just graduated from with a B+ average. I used the Vancouver B Movie Factory's films as examples while at school and talked about it all the time. I started applying for work and was just offered a full time job at an international film company based in Burnaby just weeks out of school. I am now on my way to a new start an looking forward to providing for my new family. if the Vancouver B Movie Factory was not around, I could have just sat in my shared house with roommates that I despised and became a miserable old man and went crazy. I used the Vancouver B Movie Factory as a stepping stone and found a new career for myself. I believe that funding should be given to you and support from the City of Vancouver should be given to you so you can open a new non profit society encouraging adults and youth to enter the film industry that actually really needs to fill seats. Thanks for all your hard work! -- Randall Alexander [email protected] Prasad Kamalanabha
May 26 at 2:32pm I came into contact with Vancouver B Movie factory in May 2016. (Two years ago). I came to Surrey as a visitor but attended a few Meet Ups before I went back to Hyderabad,India a few months later. I am visiting Surrey once again and went to a few meet ups . The B Movie Factory gives anyone the opportunity to experience movie making, from script writing, to acting, to make-up artistry to editing and more. It is an endeavour that allows people with no experience in the industry to gain relevant skills in a fun and supportive environment. Aida Vi
Dear Jimi, Two years ago I was at a few of VBMF (B Movie Factory) meets you organize. I had no particular skill. About an year after retuning to Hyderabad (India), I made 4 or 5 primitive attempts to make mini-documentaries / interviews /conversations using some basic equipment. I am glad to say that I made a beginning and thanks to you. Because of those attempts, I became acquainted with a few young short-film makers who invited me to play a role in a couple of short films. I am visiting Vancouver again and I hope to meet you soon.
Regards, AKN Prasad “ It's getting me into production and allows me to talk to People in the Inustry ”
— James Woodland on May 11, 2017. “ jimi stewart is a great teacher and is there to help our dreams come true. he sure has been a huge help, thank you ”
— joshua on Sep 12, 2016. “ I always have a crazy amount of fun! Jimi is awesome! The group is awesome! Can't wait for the next film :) ”
— Richelle on Aug 2, 2016. “ I watched the rehearsal for a short while. I liked what I saw. I liked the people I met there. ”
— Prasad Kamalanabha on May 25, 2016. To Whom It May Concern,
It’s my absolute pleasure to recommend Jimi Stewart and The Vancouver B Movie Factory to anyone contemplating being on their show or having any production done. Jimi Stewart invited Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to be on the TV series “The Vancouver B Movie Factory”. Jimi and I worked together and created a fantastic film with the garden being the inspiration. His knowledge of TV production and expertise in leadership was a huge advantage in creating a wonderful, thoughtful film and TV episode that raised a great deal of awareness to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Without a doubt, I confidently recommend Jimi Stewart and his crew. If you are being asked to be an inspiration on his show, jump at the chance. It was fun, respectful and, in all respects, a great experience. The Vancouver B Movie Factory is a great way to get your message out to many people in the lower mainland and it helped others live a movie making dream. It worked for us and it will work for you. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] should you like to discuss Jimi Stewart’s qualifications and experience further or if you have any questions regarding The Vancouver B Movie Factory. I’d be happy to expand on my recommendation. Best wishes, Mirjana Galovich Director of Marketing and Communications Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5K2 “ Went to my first meeting tonight, not sure what to expect, left with a warm and fuzzy feeling really glad I went, first shoot this weekend !!! ”
— Andrew P Winn on Feb 17, 2016 |