Mercredi shares film knowledge with Fort Simpson youth
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Apr 27/01) - Five Fort Simpson youth have been taking a crash course in filming and production over the past month.
Arthur "Tookie" Mercredi, with assistance from Norma Kassi, has been teaching his students the jargon, how to properly handle the camera and lighting equipment, how to film a story, proper interview techniques, voice-overs and how to work together as a crew.
Mercredi, who has more than 20 years experience in the field and teaches a four-month filming and production course at Capilano College in B.C., said television production can help to build confidence and self-esteem. The business is also about carefully conveying images, and being precise and punctual, he said.
"You go on air at noon, not five past noon," he said.
The students have had to apply their full attention to process the volume of information.
"It's overloading... knowing what button to press or which switch to flick," said Preston McLeod.
"It's a lot of work. It's around-the-clock work," Darren Hardisty added.
Eliza Jane Lafferty said the course has improved her communications skills.
"You learn about yourself, different feelings, different postures," she said. "You know what to say instead of saying the wrong words."
The participants got to film and edit each of their pieces. The topics they chose were: traditional women (featuring Sandra Edda), helicopter pilot Glen Sibbeston, knife maker Dan Quevillon, youth activities, a look back at the Papal visit of 1987 and a story on the training itself.
Mercredi, who was born in Fort Smith and grew up in Hay River and Yellowknife, has encouraged a few of the youth to enrol in the Capilano College course he teaches. He hopes to inspire the same passion he feels for the business.
He can vividly recall seeing his first animated feature as a child.
"And I said, 'That's it, I want to work in the movie industry," he said.
When CBC North was established, he said he "banged on their door" for two years before finally landing a job as a production assistant, rewinding film. Now, two decades later, he has worked on more than 1,200 half-hour programs and owns his own production company. He wants to pass along the skills he has acquired over the years.
"I'm sitting here with a hard drive full of information. Why don't I share it?" he said.
