ST. JOHN’S, NL – It’s the night television and film creators all dream of – seeing their hard work come alive on the big screen.
Such will be the case tonight for approximately 30 graduates from the inaugural year of College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) TV & Film programs (Technical Production and Post-Production) launched in St. John’s this past September. The invitation-only capstone project premiere of
After will take place Wednesday, July 5 at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Theatre in the Avalon Mall in St. John’s.
The premiere of CNA’s TV & Film students and graduates inaugural production, After, is set for the big screen at Scotiabank Theatre in the Avalon Mall in St. John’s. The programs launched in September 2022 as a collaboration with the provincial government and industry to fill skilled labour gaps in Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing entertainment sector.
The evening will also include a showing of the Bay St. George campus Digital Filmmaking program’s intersession project –
Shanawdithit: A Beothuk Story.
Among the guests attending the premiere
are: Minister of Education, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell; Minister of Health and Community Services and former Minister of Education, the Honourable Tom Osborne; Jason Rolls, CNA Vice President, Academic and Applied Research; and, Lisa Porter, President of Pope Productions, founded by her husband and business partner, the late Paul Pope, who played a significant role in the development of the new CNA programs.
Minister Howell extends congratulations to the very first graduating classes of CNA’s Film and Television programs.
“This program is part of our government’s ongoing commitment to the film and television industry, and we are so excited to see you build your careers right here at home. Tonight, your hard work and perseverance will culminate in what is sure to be a polished big screen experience. I wish you the best of luck as you embark on the next phase of your professional journey.”
Rolls says he is delighted to see the result of the hours of labour and dedication from CNA’s TV & Film students in this production.
“This group of students are the pioneers of this new suite of programs offered at CNA, which were developed in collaboration with government and industry to meet skilled labour gaps in the growing entertainment industry,” he added. “Delivering these programs was in response to the growing demand for technical and creative people right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are looking forward to seeing more of this talent for many years to come.”
The president of Pope Productions says her late husband, Paul, was a fiend for training and this program was very close to his heart.
“I am thrilled to congratulate the inaugural graduating class from the CNA Film and Television Program,” said Porter. “The industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is growing in leaps and bound and these young people now have a gateway to entering this burgeoning sector. Paul would be so proud of the students and their instructions for their initiative, passion and commitment.”
Films’ synopses: After is a story about a daughter as she struggles with her relationship with her mother and crossing over, after her life is lost.
Shanawdithit: A Beothuk Story is a short film about the life of the last-known member of the Beothuks. It explores the culture and traditions of this once-thriving nation and the impact colonization had on their way of life.
For more information about the TV & Film programs and others at CNA, visit:
www.cna.nl.ca
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Background:
- The provincial government announced in April 2022 that its budget included investments in the TV & film industry in NL, including approximately $10 million for a new centre to house CNA’s new suite of programs: Story HERE
- Currently there are approximately 1,500 jobs in the TV and film industry in this province, with significant growth expected year over year.
- CNA developed and delivered several programs in September 2022, including Creation – a two-year diploma; Post-Production and Technical Production – each is a one-year Certificate.
- Starting in September 2023 is the Production Management program, a one-year Certificate.
- Work is currently ongoing to renovate a facility that will house these programs, and it is expected to be ready for occupancy later this year. The facility is also expected to be renamed at that time.
Media contact:
Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca