Season 1, Episode 15

Bonnie Thompson: Prolific Producer

Bonnie Thompson has over 80 producer credits. She worked for more than three decades at the National Film Board of Canada out of the north west studio in Edmonton. And as a creative producer, she has been the third eye behind projects like the interactive documentary Bear 71.

She was one of the producers on the feature documentary Angry Inuk, and she also was a producer on the Oscar-nominated animated short Wild Life.

Producing is in Bonnie’s blood. Even though she’s now retired from the National Film Board, she is still actively producing films, and helping young Alberta filmmakers find their way in the industry.



In this episode:

We hear about Bonnie’s start in the film industry, her experiences working on her first project, and some of the things she’s learned from working with others. Next, we hear about her experiences producing the Oscar-nominated animated short Wild Life, the role and importance of the producer, and Bonnie’s advice for emerging producers. Finally, we finish off with Bonnie’s three tips for starting out in the industry.


Links

Credits:

Executive Producers: Elise Graham, Ava Karvonen, Samantha Quantz, Theresa Wynnyk; Senior Producer: Sheena Rossiter; Associate Producer: Shayna Giles; Host: Sheena Rossiter; Audio Technician: Sheena Rossiter; Social Media Coordinator: Shayna Giles; Original Storylines theme composed by Aaron Macri and Laura Raboud. Produced with support from Alberta’s Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women. Special thanks to FAVA for it’s support in this production.

This episode sponsored by:

GIFT (Girls In Film & Television) is committed to giving girls hands-on instruction and experience in filmmaking, giving them an opportunity to tell their stories. Taught by professional women in the film and television industry, GIFT’s fun and engaging educational programs give girls the tools and knowledge to create their own scripted video content while learning the steps and protocols of a professional film or television production. More GIRLS behind the camera leads to more WOMEN behind the camera.  More women behind the camera leads to better representation of girls and women ON SCREEN. Our vision is a worldwide media landscape of gender parity behind the camera and on the screen with a diversity that represents the world in which we live.