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’ll share 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 Brendon Sawatzky who, in 1999, developed Inertia through NSI Features First alongside director/writer partner Sean Garrity.

Brendon has produced a number of feature films, television movies and specials, a television series, a couple of documentaries, a few short films and music videos.

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

Without taking my first feature through development in NSI Features First, the film most likely would not have been made and I would not have become a producer.

What was most memorable or helpful about NSI training?

Realizing I was in over my head, but NSI Features First gave me the knowledge, network and confidence to finish development and take the film through production to release.

Did you make enduring connections with peers and industry folks?

Yes.

Have you continued to work with any of those people?

Yes. Canada is geographically enormous but the film and television community can sometimes feel small, which is not a bad thing. It doesn’t take long to build a great network across the country.

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

Apply with the best proposal you can put together. Deliver it on time and as professionally complete as possible. Have someone read it and critique it before you submit it. Follow the program guidelines for submissions to the letter. The proposal is a reflection of you as a filmmaker.

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

I’ve produced my career more than I’ve produced individual projects. I’ve stayed open to opportunities and followed them. You’re never done training.

What was the most transformative part of your learning experience?

Being instilled with the confidence to know I could follow through from start to finish.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

A few feature films being positioned as potential international co-productions.

Where can people find out more about your work online?

Google me and all sorts of stuff pops up.