STEPHENVILLE, NL – When it comes to her work, Gill Dawe says there is never a dull moment, whether it’s through her own projects or since she began working with one of Canada’s most well-known comedians, Mary Walsh.
Dawe, a graduate from CNA’s Digital Filmmaking program, is currently producing her first film called
Dad in the Fridge Box, a short film based on the poem of the same name by poet laureate, Agnes Walsh.
The Churchill Falls, NL native also received the great news that her film has recently been named an official selection at Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival that takes place in New York City in late September.
“It has been so meaningful to me,” said Dawe. “It’s a big step in my career.”
She echoes this sentiment regarding her work with Walsh over the past four years.
“It’s been a wild ride,” said Dawe. “I’ve learned so much more than I have in any other job.”
Walsh is known for her versatility when it comes to entertainment. From her early days in the sketch comedy show
CODCO to
This Hour has 22 Minutes, Walsh has directed, produced, written, and acted in a myriad of television shows and movies throughout her career.
Walsh was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada, has won 18 Gemini Awards and wrote a book called
Crying for the Moon, which was critically acclaimed.
Dawe says it’s this variety that makes for an interesting day at the office with Walsh. Whether it was working on set with her hit movie,
A Christmas Fury, or listening to her read excerpts from her book,
Crying for the Moon, Dawe says it’s all in a day’s work.
To date, Dawe says one of her favourite projects has been
Broad Appeal on CBC Gem network. She is the Associate Producer on the show and is heavily involved behind the scenes.
“This project is very close to my heart,” she said.
Broad Appeal has Walsh touring around Canada interviewing some of Canada’s most noteworthy people including Margaret Atwood, El Jones and David Suzuki, to name a few.
“I got to witness it all,” said Dawe.
Impact on the industry
Brenda Tobin, Dean of the School of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism, enjoys hearing the many success stories of CNA graduates, and the fact they also receive recognition among their peers in the industry is an added bonus.
“Our students have the opportunity to develop their skills, passions, innovation and confidence during their time at CNA,” said Tobin. “We know that when they leave us as graduates, they are prepared to develop their crafts into productive careers. To hear about artists, such as Gill, receive the experience through her work with a well-known celebrity, while also gaining recognition for her artistry in film, is certainly something we are proud of. Gill is definitely making her mark. Our Digital Filmmaking program is built on industry expectations and input, and with our committed instructors who work very hard daily, we love to see our students/graduates succeed with their knowledge, skills, talents and work ethics.”
Peter Buckle, Digital Filmmaking instructor at CNA’s Bay St. George campus, says he is happy to hear his student is doing well.
“We are so proud of Gill and all our grads on what they have been able to accomplish since their time with us,” he said. “We are confident in their skills and talent and know they will have an impact on the future of the film industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Buckle says it’s the diversity of the Digital Filmmaking program that allows graduates to pursue careers in a variety of fields.
“Our program gives students a well-rounded knowledge of the entire industry from understanding how to work on a film set to how to manage a film set,” he said. “Each student must produce a number of their own short films, taking a production from a concept through to a final product ready to be delivered to an audience.”
The instructor had some words of wisdom for students who are starting out in the film industry.
“Be proactive! The work is there and if you look for it you will find it. A good work ethic and an understanding of how the industry works will almost always lead to success.”
For more information about the Digital Filmmaking program, visit
www.cna.nl.ca.
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Media contact:
Ryanne McIsaac
Content Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7870
Ryanne.mcisaac@cna.nl.ca