At the National Screen Institute, we’re blessed to see firsthand the difference training makes in the lives of storytellers. On our website throughout December we’re sharing impact stories from many of our talented alumni who’ve told us how NSI training transformed their lives and careers.

Today’s featured alumnus is producer Angus Swantee who, in 2010, made The Fiddler’s Reel through NSI Drama Prize alongside writer/director partner Marc Almon.

Angus is a filmmaker living on the east coast. His films have screened at over 100 festivals around the world and won a number of awards, including the Canadian Comedy Award for best short film.

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How did your training through NSI help you get to the place you’re at in your career today?

I learned things at NSI that were ahead-of-the-curve, and that I hadn’t experienced before.

Completing NSI training opened doors for me. By adding it to applications for other programs or for funding, it gave decision makers the reassurance I had the skills to complete larger projects.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

I found the training to be an all-encompassing, immersive experience. I learned so much about all aspects of filmmaking from telling better stories, to finding funding sources, to marketing, to directing actors.

One of the most memorable moments was the opportunity to run auditions. This process was new to me but it’s an activity that’s crucial to the film. Learning how to work with actors in that moment has been helpful many times since and, most importantly, has helped me to create better films.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

Yes. The NSI Drama Prize program was intensive and everyone quickly got to know each other. We all worked together to improve each others projects; it was a very supportive environment.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

Geography (and tax credits) made that difficult but I’ve got a regular team I work with on most projects.

What advice or encouragement would you give a prospective applicant considering NSI programs?

Start preparing your materials as early as possible to enable you to provide your best work. But, most importantly, complete and submit the application. Don’t let things slip by! Persistence and tenacity will get you far.

What has your career trajectory looked like between when you completed training and now?

I completed two more programs. The first was the (now defunct) CBC-Film Nova Scotia Bridge Award where I produced the short film Game with writer/director Josh MacDonald. The other was Film5 with the Atlantic Filmmaker’s Cooperative (AFCOOP) where I directed the short Torturous. The films screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide and won a number of awards including the Canadian Comedy Award for best short. After that I was a producer for the Independent Production Fund web series Everyone’s Famous which was broadcast on CBC television.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

It gave me a new approach and mindset for filmmaking. I learned things at NSI that I had not been aware of prior, and it drove home to me how organizations like NSI can fill gaps in the learning and growth process, as well as the need for content creators to continue to learn and adapt.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Most recently, I co-wrote/co-directed a short film called Grave Sight that screened at Toronto After Dark Film Festival and is in the midst of its festival run. Currently, I’m working towards that elusive feature film deal while refining another draft of a horror/comedy. Wish me luck!

Where can people find out more about your work online?

You can find some of the shorts I’ve worked on at my YouTube channel.