Welcome back ya’ll!

In late August this of this year, we had the sad duty of saying goodbye to the EBM09 class, and watching them sail off into the sunset.  Their graduation was a lovely ceremony honouring their many achievements this year and it was a great way to cap off a crazy year in EBM at VFS — followed by the standard EBM buffet (CUPCAKES PEOPLE!).

I had the opportunity to attend and participate in a few of their final projects, such as : The Patches O’Houlihan Memorial Dodgeball Tournament organized by Carlo, The SweetHearts event by Katrina and Bianca, Dinner & Dance for a Cause by Daisy and finally : Silence Speaks Volumes – Movie, Music & Art — the official launch for MimeSpeak – a brilliant film produced by my two lovely friends Samantha Degagne and Mercedes Colon.

And in honor of Mercedes, this post is loaded with VITAMIN C!

Mercedes and Sam at the entrance to their event!

I keep thinkin’ times will never change, keep on thinkin’ things will always be the same.

So early July this year, those lovely ladies were shooting their film over at the Vancouver Film Studios.  On my first day back from my “Edmonton Vacation” I got a phone call and headed out to Burnaby to meet them on set and work on my craft services skills.

When I got to the set I found a happy cast and crew, and a very calm and collected team running the show.  The atmosphere on set was a relaxed one, everyone was getting along, exchanging stories and having a great time — and in this business, you really can’t ask for more.  (Besides money haha.)  It was really refreshing to arrive on set and now have to worry about anything besides setting up the food, so kudos to them for having a tight running ship.

So I got to work tidying up the table, and unpacking the buns, meats, cheeses and veggies and started setting up.  *Unfortunately I forgot to take pics of the spread, but here are some of the end of the table lol, and some of people ENJOYING the spread *

I keep, keep thinkin’ that it’s not goodbye, I keep on thinkin’ that it’s our time to fly.

They wrapped production in 3 days, finishing their last day on a construction site.  They did everything from searching for a script to auditions, set decorating, location agreements, sourcing a crew, and that list goes on and on.  They did a phenomenal job, and I really can’t express my pride for all of their achievements with this film, I can’t wait to see it make the festival circuit!

So now, onto the evening I attended this last friday — Silence Speaks Volumes.  **FYI Any of the pictures taken with zoom are terrible, and I apologize for that!**

Sam and Mercedes organized a launch party for their film at the VFS Cafe, offering their guests the opportunity to purchase “Silence Speaks Volumes” themed art and prints at the event by An Anomalous Mind, as well as live drawing by David is Digital and performances by three live musical acts : Treebeard, John Jeffery and our C’Thulhu Director and head of VFS Entertainment, Michael Chase.   And of course, can’t forget the premiere of their hilarious film.

Sam and Mercedes introducing the film.

So MimeSpeak tells the story of Clark, who works in a call centre, with a …Mime?  He’s incredibly frustrated with his life, and even more so by the mime who seems to be better at his job than he is!  I was thrilled to see my very talented friend James Swendsen cast in the film, and he was excellent — as usual.  (Check him out in pretty much any and every VFS project this year haha)

These memories are playing like a film without sound. (Or like a mime in a call centre?)

**Check James out in the back in the middle, but don’t forget all of the other lovely actors pictured above — who’s names I will get from Sam & Merc and add to this post, post-haste!**

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now? Can we survive it out there, can we make it somehow?

Here are Sam and Mercedes with Tyler, their writer.  Tyler took the chance to answer a couple audience questions about his script, and received a lot of praise for his wonderful story — again, who would’ve thought of a mime in a call centre?!

First performance of the night — unfortunately I ducked out as soon as he hit the stage cause I had to run and catch up on HW, but I heard that all three performances were fantastic.  (Maybe I’ll have to snag one of the acts to sing at our launch party )

We’d get so excited, and we’d get so scared, laughing at ourselves thinkin’ life’s not fair.

The two Alberta girls at the premiere.  (AKA Best kinda girls.)

Nadeem and Myles enjoying the film — Myles had his first walk-on role in this film, and I gotta tell you, the entire place started laughing when he came on.  If there’s anyone who can relay disgust by one simple glance — it’s that guy!

So if we get the big jobs and make the big money, when we look back now, will our jokes still be funny? (At least the ones made at each other’s expense will be.)

So that’s all for this post, let me tell you, I can’t wait to see the number of marvellous projects that these two very talented ladies embark on, they are both destined for great BIG things, whether it’s in film or marketing, in Vancouver or Texas! (Move back here Merc…) I wish you guys nothing but the best and hope to see your names in lights on day! (And also that you’ll hire me to do your crafty )

As we go on, we remember all the times we had together.  And as our lives change, from whatever.  We will still be…friends forever.

P.♥