Scream Your Dreams

2006-10-17T23:39:00.000-04:00

62 minutes on the timeline, does that mean anything......maybe not, especially when there is so much wonderful material to work with. We could make at least half a dozen great documentaries with each youth.

The film is going well, at least I think so, just don't mind the bald spot when you see me.

I wish someone would bring Shawn and I lunch so we could work through it........we're at the NFB if anyone has a sudden urge to pop by.

Thanks for stopping in. I'm also trying to start a Myspace account, so keep a watch for that.

g

2006-10-10T22:46:00.000-04:00

CAMBRIDGE BAY

Cassandra in her room

Camille in the games room

David at home

2006-10-10T22:30:00.000-04:00

BEAUVAL

Chad with his guitar

Derek with the antlers of his first deer at 10yrs old in the background

B.J. with her painting

2006-10-06T23:49:00.000-04:00

I forgot to mention that the National Film Board of Canada has extended my time in the edit suite to November 20th and I didn't have to beg too much.

Great news, eh!?!

Take care,
gail

2006-10-06T23:36:00.000-04:00

It was so exciting today. I love it when things start to fall into place - knock on wood!

I'm feeling like I want to share pictures of the participants with you, what do people think of that?

Watching, staring and hearing their voices for 8hrs a day makes me want to share them with you all.

It gets quite intense in the edit suite but Shawn and I always have room for laughter, thank goodness for that. I'll have a few stories to tell once this is all over.......or will it ever be over.

I was asked what kind of sound equipment I used during filming; I used a preamp mic for our DVX100 camera, so I used both lav and the camera mic. We also used minidiscs for ambient sound for our film footage.

2006-10-05T00:10:00.000-04:00

Shawn and I are motoring along.

We've put what I want to say on the timeline, now it's just organizing it; everyone has so many insightful things to say, the elimination process is tortuous.

I bet you all can't wait to see the finished product, eh.

Feel free to let me know if there are things you want to know about the edit process.

I'm using an Avid system and have 5 more weeks of edit time.

You all be well,
gail

2006-09-23T21:28:00.000-04:00

The dynamic duo......

or so we like to think.

2006-09-23T21:11:00.000-04:00

Shawn doing what he does best.

We're 37 mins in; Cambridge Bay is on the timeline.

I have to think, think, think, how the heck to organize the material!

Shawn saw my wheels spinning today, lucky guy, it's just the beginning.....he can handle it.

Okay, got to get back to work.

Gail

2006-09-18T19:18:00.000-04:00

I've just had two days off now I'm ready to get back to work and really let the creative juices flow.

Shawn and I watched the 16mm film images on Saturday. As I sat watching them, my mind was racing, I was getting excited with all the possibilities -where to place them with which voice over. Sun, trees, tundra, snow, dogs, gigantic ravens, children, snow bugs, musk ox, ski doos, deserted streets, panoramic views of Beauval and Cambridge Bay.

The time lapse sunrise and sunsets that John worked so hard to get look amazing!

I pick up my super 8mm images tomorrow.

You all take care,
gail

2006-09-14T22:25:00.000-04:00

Shawn and I are so excited to the point where I burst into spontaneous song - it's good for the soul.

We have so much to work with so many options, it's mind boggling, but we take it a step at a time and it comes together.

Shawn's quick and so easy and wonderful to work with, which I'm thankful for being in an inclosed space together for 7 hours a day.

Scream Your Dreams is coming together; keep sending me the postive vibes.

2006-09-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

I found an editor! His name is Shawn Henry.

Shawn, has just finished editing Rez Blues with Aaron Goldman and Elaine Bomberry. I saw his work, his demo, talked to him for a couple hours and knew he was the right person for the job. He saw the vision and we've been working great for 2 weeks already, how time flies.

I forgot my password which is why I haven't posted in awhile, but I'll keep you informed of my edit progress.

Watching all the footage and interviews is so exciting; Cassandra, David, Camille, BJ, Chad, Derek, Chris and Jennifer - I can't wait for you to meet them on screen. Their stories and world will move you.

I look at the images and think back to the people who opened their homes to us, it was truly an honour. They allowed us to 'barge in' and take over their homes with our cameras, sharing their personal stories......I was truly blessed.

Shawn and I have 80hrs of footage to edit into a feature length documentary.

The Toronto International Film Festival is going on right now too. I act in one of the films selected this year but it won't take me from my edit.

It's full steam ahead now, 6 days a week. Poor Shawn we worked for 7 days last week, basically, we've had 1 day off......I told Shawn we'll be bringing in the sleeping bags in a few weeks. I'm hoping to complete the edit in 8 weeks, has that even been done before?

I hope you are all well, and stay posted, I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress.

I can't wait to take the film back to Cambridge Bay and Beauval to show it the people!

2006-07-17T17:03:00.000-04:00

Time sure flies there's no doubt about that.

I still have some shooting to do in Toronto and am in the process of finding that perfect editor, the one that sees my same vision.

I've also been busy with my short documentary "Smudge" which was one of 5 films from Canada invited to this year's Sundance Film Festival, now it's being screened at Michael Moore's Second Annual Film festival in Traverse City, Michigan. I'll be there from August 3rd to the 7th. I'm so excited about that.

Documentary filmmaking is all about having a clear vision, an open mind, compelling characters and a camera that is always ready for anything and everything.

More on that later.

I hope you are all well.
gail

2006-05-09T13:01:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,
It's been a long and slow process in Toronto. I'm beginning to realize that things operate a little differently in the city, I thought it would be just as easy to get Aboriginal youth in grade 12 but I'm finding out, that is not the case.

Scream Your Dreams has been full of revelations in so many ways. It is again turning and twisting before my eyes and all I can do is go with it, part of documentary filmmaking is being open and allowing events to unravel before your eyes and hopefully the lens, so that's what I find myself doing.

My personal story wants to weave its way through the film but I'm still assessing to see if this is the right thing.....there is still so much to do.

I need to find a space where I can just watch the footage I have and begin the editing process.

The youths' stories are so inpsirational and they Drive me to get this story done.

2006-04-10T00:10:00.000-04:00

Mark Calliou just sent me these pictures from Cambridge Bay. It's their sunset at 8:30pm and it's -23C outside. I wish I was there again.

I want to take this time to say "hi" to all the people of Cambridge Bay, especially to the youth who participated in Scream Your Dreams; thank you.

I will do my best to honour your words and your voice in Scream Your Dreams.

2006-04-07T11:22:00.000-04:00

The interview with the Mayor of Toronto went well, he gave us a half hour of his time, which I utilized to the fullest. I barely gave him time to breathe. Then John and I took some images outside city hall.

It was great to see symbolisms and juxtaposing images as we stood in the middle of the "plaza" surrounded by buildings of every size and shape - a kissing couple in front of us, sea gulls squawking in their own world, children on roller blades - such a variety of people, sounds and scenes before us.

It's great to be back at it.

2006-04-05T16:39:00.000-04:00

Waiting for something to happen on the streets of Cambridge Bay.

Camera bag in foreground.

Notice all the ski-doos outside the house on the right, that is a very common sight. It was actually very interesting to see people driving their ski-doos down the streets and stopping at stop signs like "regular" vehicles.

Ahh, the adventure, the eye-opening experiences we had all in the name of filmmaking. I feel truly blessed to be in the profession that I'm in.

I wish everyone to find their true bliss and enjoy the world for it.

2006-04-05T16:33:00.000-04:00

Yes, ski-doos can get stuck, how embarassing when it happens though. Who am I to talk, I had a van that "slipped" into the ditch, but lets not go back there.

This is the main street into Beauval.

It's outside the village office and the health centre.

That's John being a good samaritan; I'm taking the picture.

2006-04-05T16:26:00.000-04:00

The three of us in Marie's Career 30's class.

2006-04-05T16:17:00.000-04:00

Gisele & John totally passed-out from our long journey from Cambridge Bay. This is in the van on our way to Beauval after only a 3hr sleep in Edmonton and a 6:00am flight!

Poor things, I think I ran them ragged.

Have I told you how amazing Gisele and John were. They were absolutely wonderful and I couldn't have asked for better people to be part of my super tiny small crew. John did things beyond the call of duty and Gisele did the same, even getting to the point where I thought I'd have to send out a search party for her - all in the name of 'great sound'.

Thank you both for the hours of work, the compassion, the understanding and most of all, for your input and pure professionalism that you gave me on my first feature documentary. You are the perfect pair to have helped me on this crazy wonderful journey.

And guess what, the fun doesn't stop here! :)

2006-04-05T16:05:00.000-04:00

Yes, this little dog has to be included because it was our little mascot. She/he was everywhere we turned.

We called her "mutant" because she was freakishly short in length and her legs were almost too short to keep her belly from touching the ground.

Too cute, I'm sure someone from Beauval will recognize their dog.

2006-04-05T15:58:00.000-04:00

There's something very serene about driving along an isolated stretch of Northern Saskatchewan road, seeing the sun's muted orb behind a haze of dense crisp air.

The Jack pine lining both sides of the road, sentinels in our wake.

Okay, I'm getting poetic here, or attempting to. I guess, I'm glad to be back blogging.

Keep coming back, it ain't stopping here!

Can you hear me howling.

2006-04-05T15:53:00.000-04:00

This is the march home, or the trek out of Cambridge Bay.

Cambridge Bay has a gravel runway so the planes have to be modified to be able to land and take-off with spewing gravel. Maybe spewing is a strong word, but it does look like a heavy cloud when it's landing and I wouldn't want to be standing anywhere close.

The flights are very relaxed and the service is excellent; hot meals, unlike Air Canada - but I digress.

2006-04-05T14:18:00.000-04:00

Hayley, Diana, Owen & Donna played the traditional Inuit drum for me. They were amazing to watch, to listen to and to learn from.

Owen is a little super star! Interesting that the two male vocals I use from Beauval and Cambridge Bay are both named Owen......things that make you go "hmmmm".

That huge round black/grey thing is a drum, for those of you that can't tell from the angle; Owen is holding it with his left hand and believe me those drums are heavy.

I had a go at the drum, you have to try things at least once in your life otherwise what's the point - I lasted for 2mins - that drum is hard on the wrists.

Drumming, singing, chanting, dancing, sponaneous howls at the moon are all miraculous for the soul, try it!

2006-04-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

On a break during filming to visit with my granny in her bedroom.

Pelagie, 91 year old extraordinaire.

Everyone needs cuddles from their grannies. My grandma raised me & I am truly blessed to have her in my life.

2006-04-05T12:24:00.000-04:00

I interview Mayor David Miller tomorrow and I'm trying to organize the central principal for Aboriginal education, Cathy Pawis, as well.

The hand developed super 8 film looks amazing, I can't wait to begin editing. All in due time.

I will be heading to Omaha, Nebraska, from the 12th to the 16th to be part of a panel on Aboriginal filmmaking at the university; thanks to Beth Ritter, William Blizek & Michele Desmarais whom I all met at the Sundance film festival - they were at Sundance with The Journal of Religion & Film. The journal wrote an article about my film SMUDGE.

The week I'm there the university will be having a powwow, I can't wait. Jacquie will be coming with me, she got along great, obviously, with everyone she met at Sundance.

Okay, I've booked more equipment for my shoot tomorrow; more on that later.

2006-04-05T11:51:00.000-04:00

Me, John & Gisele hard at work.

Owen sure let the horse hair fly!

It was hard to keep the cameras steady because you just wanted to jig.

If anyone out there hasn't heard a Metis fiddle then you are missing out on something, so run out to your nearest store and get one....your spirits will thank you.

Metis music has some similarities to Cajun music. The Creole, half French influence, I guess.

2006-04-05T11:44:00.000-04:00

These are a couple of the Metis, Jans Bay, fiddle players who treated us to a festive afternoon.

Scream Your Dreams will feature their music.

Notice the Metis sash.

The women wear it across their shoulders while the men tie it around their waste. I prefer to tie it around my waste, so I do.

I also have a fiddle that I have yet to learn to play. Let me tell you, after hearing these kids play I was very inspired to pick it up and try a few strings.

I did tear up the rug with a jig.........John out did me though, I must say, much to the kids delight.

2006-04-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

The eagle that gave us a "bon voyage" on our way back to Saskatoon and the Big Smoke, as Toronto is often called.

I mentioned before that this eagle soared above our van then landed on this isolated tree just for us, so I got out and shot it on tape. "Thank you".

The eagle regally waited until I was done before it spread its glorious wings and flew into the air.

2006-04-05T11:34:00.000-04:00

A tiny snow storm Jacquie and I had to drive back through on the way to Saskatoon.

There's ice underneath the snow, just to paint the picture more treacherous :).........but we're safe and "not so" sound at home.

2006-04-05T11:12:00.000-04:00

Breath-taking that's all I can say.

Sunset's golden orb blessing us at the end of the day.

2006-04-05T11:04:00.000-04:00

Trying to get that perfect shot.

That interesting looking white snowball in the background is a satelite system for the DEW Line. Shhhhh......I don't know if that's classified information; don't tell anyone.

John and I were trying to anticipate where the sunrise was going to come up so we could set up the camera. We are overlooking Cambridge Bay trying to visualize the "beauty shot".

Notice the camera all cozy in its little blanket and hotshots around the motor.

Those are Canada Goose jackets by the way (rented from Wotever in Toronto, that place has everything you could ask for). Notice the plastic envelopes on the chest and sleeve areas - that's to identify each other when we are all bundled-up because everyone looks the same when the hoods are up and the fur is over our faces. I've also heard its for identifying eachother when we've frozen somewhere along the way....name tags....

I hope you've enjoyed the visuals, and again, my apologies for the delay.

Beauval photos will be next.

2006-04-05T10:44:00.000-04:00

2006-04-05T10:37:00.000-04:00

John's crazy 4hr sunrise in -50C! Poor guy has a battery pack strapped to his waist to keep it and the camera from freezing.

He wouldn't have to stand there, in one place for 4hrs, if Air Canada hadn't lost our bags! Grrrrr Our precious, custom built, thermal battery warmer box never made it to Cambridge Bay until 4 days after our arrival and it was BROKEN!

I was trying to stay warm in the truck with no heat. Ahhhhh, the memories.........I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

2006-04-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

I just had to show you the sleds they use. It sure brought back memories of my childhood.

My grandpa used to have one of these.

I would love sitting in the box all cozy in blankets to soften the jarring affect one experiences over bumps - at least with blankets cushioning the blows the brain doesn't feel so rattled.

These types of sleds are common in Cambridge Bay. John and I saw a half dozen of them coming back from a "hunt" of Muskox. Each sled carried at least 3 or 4 Muskox. We asked them if we could film them unloading, they allowed it.

They told us they would kill over a 100 Muskox by the end of hunting season. That day, they brought back 16. I guess Muskox aren't as rare as I thought they were, then again, just because we don't see them south of the 69th it doesn't mean they are rare. They informed us that there are huge heards, they even come to the outskirts of the Hamlet and stay for days. They are within eyesight.

Like I said, that Arctic hare I saw was the size of a medium sized dog, which I guess is a common sighting but when John and I saw it we were shocked and almost fell over- it doesn't mean they are rare.

I woke-up to snow covering the ground in Toronto this morning. Isn't it supposed to be Spring!

2006-04-05T10:21:00.000-04:00

Cambridge Bay is on the bottom of Victoria Island. You can only get to it by plane or in the winter by ski-doo and vehicles on the ice road.

You all have to try and get there at least once in your life. It's beautiful beyond words.

There's something about the landscape, a serenity that stays with you forever and the laughter of the people.

You can tell, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic looking back at the pictures.

I hope you have all been well & thank you for staying posted.

2006-04-05T10:18:00.000-04:00

These pictures are a long time coming, I'm just now getting to them. I'm still new at this blogging business so bear with me.

This picture was taken the first morning in Cambridge Bay. It was so cold that every body part exposed froze within seconds.

That's the DEW Line & tundra in the background.

2006-03-14T15:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to an alternative Native school in Toronto and again I was touched and inspired by the warm reception I received. Alex, the elder of the school agreed to be interviewed - thank you. I interview him tomorrow. I also spoke with a youth who is interested in being part of Scream Your Dreams, I'll be having a tea with her to discuss the project, which is in itself exciting because schools in Ontario are on March break right now.

I just called Mayor Miller's office, they were really helpful. They told me to email him and see if he'll agree to an interview - they also said that he's quite keen on helping in special projects so I hope he is available to do one with me as I've interviewed the mayors from Cambridge Bay and Beauval.

I have to try and arrange an interview an RCMP officer now - wish me luck.

Since the schools in Ontario are on their March break, I'm hoping that the tripod and camera will still be available for an extra week to get the interviews. That tripod could have a story of it's own.

Okay everyone, you all take care and thank you for staying posted.

2006-03-13T14:23:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting back in Toronto, the sky is very grey and we just had a tiny thunder storm. I have to go out into it in a moment to start preparing for my next set of interviews, I know they will be as amazing as all the rest.

I took yesterday off, relaxed with mint tea handpicked from Beauval, Saskatchewan courtesy of Marie. Thank you for your comments, the drive back on the 11th had me on icy roads again but I somehow felt safe.

I have to tell you about my experience on the drive back from Beauval to Saskatoon on the 11th. I just finished asking Jacquie to shoot some of images of the blowing snow across the road because it was almost like a "whiteout" - very beautiful; a few minutes later I saw ravens circle above the road flying next to them was an eagle. I asked Jacquie to get the eagle on camera as it was the first time I had ever seen one so close without it flying away.

The eagle landed on a barren treetop covered with snow and seemed to sit there allowing me to pull over to the side of the road so I could get out of the car and video tape it. It took my breath away, it sat there for quite a few minutes before flying away. I wondered what it meant.

A few miles up the road by Big River, three horses ( a black, painted and white one) galloped in their fenced-in area, they galloped in a circle then came full stop by the side of the road to look straight at me. Their three heads leaned over the fence and they just stared. They took off again and galloped in a wide circle in the deep snow (in a line) then suddenly halted again by the side of the fence to look at me parked in my rented van. It was quite something to see. Again, I wondered what it meant.

I saw it as a blessing.

Okay, I'm getting out the door to start this leg.

I hope you are all well and thank you for watching.

I'm downloading pictures and will attach them as soon as I can so you can see what the environment looked like.

2006-03-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

I'm back in Beauval for the night. I took John and Gisele to Saskatoon, a 4hr drive south, so they could catch their flight back to Toronto then I decided to surprise my mom and granny by driving back to Beauval. I love it! We saw 2 deer on the road but that was it.k

It's strange having a day-off today but I'm making the most of it by visiting my granny, Pelagie, and mom, Maggie. It was hard leaving them yesterday especially because I only get to see them once a year and it always pains my heart to leave.

I fly back to Toronto tomorrow and start the 3rd leg of Scream Your Dreams the following Monday. The filming will be complete on the 20th of March then the editing begins.

The youth were inspirational in their openness and willingness to give of themselves. Cassandra, David & Kamile in Cambridge Bay and B.J., Derek & Chad in Beauval......lets see who Toronto brings.

I want to say that all the youth were beautiful, creative, unique and intelligent and it was extremely hard to only choose 3 from each community to be part of Scream Your Dreams - if I could I would never have decided and picked all the youth! Every single one had something special to offer and I wish I could have heard all their stories, maybe another time, when I'm not limited to a feature documentary.

Thank you to south of the 49th for informing on the Northern Lights - I don't think I'll see them tonight, it's snowing lightly.

May all of you see the Northern Lights at least a dozen times in your life. Take care.

2006-03-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

As I have said, the people have all been amazingly helpful but I have to say that Marie Mihalicz has been super extraordinary and I would like to take this time to thank her so much for all her help; her family have bent over backward (contortionist style) to help with Scream Your Dreams. She took me and John out on a ski-doo ride and she shivered and froze in the middle of the river to get our time lapse shot of a sunset over Beauval - an hour ride went into 4hrs - she never complained once even when John and I had to pry off her jacket and exchange it with John's huge Canada Goose. She also arranged a music day this afternoon; we had a jam session with a band that her son Jordon is in - the same one that Chad is a part of.............it wouldn't be a jam session without some jiggers, yeeehaw! She's also been the one that helped introduce me to the grade 12 students - her and Kim Stewart - thank you so much again for all that you've done.

Marie's parents moved to Beauval and never left, they were my high school teachers and principal. See, everyone, it truly is a beautiful place.

We got the last of our interviews today. BJ, one of the youth we chose is currently playing hockey against Buffalo Narrows (a Metis village an hour outside of Beauval). Chad is cheering her on and I'm sure Marie is skating right next to her.

I rented the CIPI truck so John could get some "moving" shots of the streets of Beauval and also some shots from the highway, yes he was standing in the back of the truck the whole time; at least it wasn't -50C it was a balmy +1C.......don't worry Lea I'll make sure he gets back to you safe and not-so-sound.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning at 8:00am and I'm putting Gisele and John on the plane back to Toronto; Jacquie and I will stay an extra two nights in Saskatoon. I hate to leave my home, it always tears at my heart, but I have to finish Scream Your Dreams and the next leg is just around the bend. Toronto or bust - the "big smoke" as it's otherwise called.

I will write more tomorrow if I can find a computer.

You all be well and smile because it's better that way. :)

2006-03-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

We went to Jans Bay yesterday, a Metis community 20mins away from Beauval. We got some beautiful footage along the way, the poplar trees and Jack pine were gorgeous, especially snow covered and set against the backdrop of the baby-blue sky.

We were in Jans Bay shooting 11 & 12 year olds playing the fiddle, Metis style; it was so much fun, we even got a couple of girls doing the jig for us - too cute!

Oh yeah, shhhhh, I slid into the ditch - wait, wait - before panic sets in.........it was those damn ABS breaks! I was following a "trail" into the bush trying to find Chad's grandma for an interview. Chad told me I could find her along this road that she likes to walk on almost daily. I have to say again, the beauty in this part of the country is astounding (pine tree lined road), John and Gisele were very quiet and I can only assume it was from the setting sun on the tree tops, not because we were in a little bit of snow. Anyways, Viviene came along a few minutes after we put ourselves into that predicament (I guess I shouldn't say "we" since it was my driving). In all fairness, I have to say, I was driving backwards at the time because the trail didn't have room for me to even do a 2-point turn and when I had to turn a corner I gently and I repeat gently I applied the brakes and that was it, the weather was so mild that the snow was like ice and we slid into the ditch.....oops......this road is not a well traveled road but Viviene's sister had a cell phone so I called my mom and she came to the rescue with Perry and Jacquie. Ryan and Brian helped too since they both know what it was like, they had just gotten unstuck too - muscle power and shovels! My mom has amazing muscles. As it was such a beautiful setting we proceeded to interview Viviene there. Now, I only have BJ's parents to interview and I'm done my interviews for Beauval.

I'm taking my grandma, Pelagie, into Meadow Lake today to see the doctor. She's the eldest in Beauval at 91yrs old. She's shared some stories with me for the camera, although grudgingly, she did it because she loves me so much :). My mom, Maggie, hasn't stopped feeding us - it's to keep us going on our very long days. Yesterday, we were out from 10:00am to 6:30pm and we rode in a snow-bug!

My first snow-bug ride ever! I've seen these vehicles since I was a child but have never ridden in one so Ryan and Brian, yes the same ones that helped push the van out of the ditch, took me and John for a ride; we also shot images of it going through town and onto the frozen river. Children were toboganning by the idling snow-bug and a ski-doo drove past me - it was the quintessential Beauval scene.

To end the day of shooting we listened to my cousin Deryk's original music; he has quite the voice. If anyone of you want to hear him, he'll be on the soundtrack of Scream Your Dreams. Oh yes, while we were being serenaded by him Jacquie fell in love with a couple of white tabby kittens, shaded like white tigers! They better take one good look around the house to see if they are missing any felines before we leave.

My documentary is going wonderfully! All the people have been absolutely amazing, friendly, open and so inviting. Being in the school is so inspiring for all of us! The students are great!

I love talking with the youth and being with them. They are all so keen to learn and hear more about the world and I know they will all be a success in their own way.

Success and happiness to all of you.

2006-03-05T15:10:00.000-05:00

Again, I have to say, it's tough not having regular computer access but being in Beauval has been great for all of us - Jacquie, John, Gisele and myself. This is our first "day off" since beginning our trip on the 16th. It's funny watching Jacquie, who's from New Zealand, make her first snow angel under the northern stars with local residents showing her how to do it; I saw a falling star above us. She also saw her first individual snow flake and was amazed that it was a "star".

John and I went on a ski-doo ride into the forest, the same trail that "snow bugs" take to go commercial ice fishing. John shot on super 8, quite the bouncy ride. We had a thermos of pepperment tea (hand picked from the surrounding forest) and we were ready to make a fire out on the trail then cookup some bannock on a stick, yummy, but time was running out because we wanted to get a sun set over Beauval. We drove back over the frozen river, the river with fresh fallen snow (50cm deep), up to our knee caps, to get a timelapse of the setting sun over the village - it was breath-taking.

We have been blessed with amazing and wonderful people throughout this whole trip. For those of you who have never experienced the North of Canada, you HAVE TO..........it's a land full of beauty in all facets.

The Northern Lights are still to be seen but I know I'll get them before we leave. Tomorrow we're driving 20mins out of Beauval to Jans Bay to get 11 & 12 year olds playing the fiddle for us, Metis style!

We all went into a sweat lodge, a first for the gang; it was refreshing for the soul and mind.

It was a very tough decision picking only 3 students out of a graduating class of 22. My head felt like it was going to explode by the time I chose them; every single youth is a unique and beautiful soul how could I choose but I had to,
Scream Your Dreams is only 80minutes. Maybe, I'll do a series.............

I've finished my interviews with the youth. I just have a couple of parents to do then I'm done with my interviews.

I've fed the Jacquie, John and Gisele traditional foods - fish livers, fish stomach, moose, dry moose meat, lots of bannock and lebein, fresh picked blueberries called kapeneputehk, blue berry pie, smoked white fish, now I'm trying to find them rabbit and prairie chickens (yummy!).

The tranquility of being in Beauval is rejuvenating the soul for all of us. The sense of 'time' that exists here is making us realize that life is to be enjoyed and savoured not rushed. In savouring time we begin to see and feel the important things in life - kids on a snow bank, a raven's cry, dogs frolicking, granny's laughter, joy, freedom, life.......................all is so good.

I hope you are all well.

2006-02-27T19:32:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, it's been awhile since I've been on because I've been in transit and I had no access to a computer the few days before leaving Cambridge Bay but let me fill you in on what went on the couple days before departing the Arctic.

John and I got up at 6:00am to get the timelapse sunrise over the Tundra and guess what?!?! We got it! John went back the next day for another 3 hours to make sure we really did get it, hence the nickname I will reveal to you.

We froze our butts off standing on the Tundra for 4 hours but we got it; I'm so happy. That night John, the crazy maniac, otherwise known as freak-boy (in the most endearing way possible) got into the back of the truck we rented - the truck without heat - with a tripod and bolex and faced the wind head-on, literally shooting "life" on Cambridge Bay streets. I think by the time we finished our shots it was another 4hrs after the start of the adventure. John's fingertips are still numb.

The temperature when we were doing these amazing feats was only -50C, so you can imagine how our extremeties felt by the end of the "adventure". At one point my whole body was like a block of frozen ice, my hands were burning from the cold and my feet were beyond warmth - at that point I looked out at John standing diligently by the bolex bent into the wind and a slow realization hit me..........I really love what I do.

We shot Inuit men coming across the frozen ocean with ski-doos pulling wooden sleds on the sleds were 41 musk ox - it is the start of the musk ox harvest.

We shot images of Arctic games, we entered the arena to experience the wild wonderful frenzy of fans cheering the local hockey team during a hockey tournament.

On our last day at Cambridge Bay we had a tour of the DEW Line; it was our first real "feed" we almost didn't know where to begin, needless to say we sat and ate our fill for an hour. Yes, I starved poor Gisele and John; there was just so much to do and so little times that we ate on the run.

I got amazing interviews with three equally amazing youth - I was so honoured and touched by their sincerity, openness and utter candidness - I hope and pray that Scream Your Dreams will be something they can be proud of. I would like to thank them again for everything they have shared and given to me.

Everyone was truly giving and open - Thank you Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot but before I begin, "don't panic", John's nose is still attached it's just minus a bit of skin.......................at one point in -45C I noticed the tip of his nose bleeding, I asked him about it, but in his "crazy" way he says "naw, it's nothing, I'm fine" so I said "are you sure, it looks like you're freezing your nose"......"no, no, I'm okay really"..............need I say more? (big smile) Crazy Southerners, eh!

We left Cambridge Bay on the 25th landed in Edmonton, Alberta got into bed after midnight and were back at the airport at 4:30am for our flight to Saskatoon and onwards to Beauval, Saskatchewan - I am currently writing from Beauval, Saskatchewan. I've already interviewed the mayor of Beauval, into the school tomorrow.

We arrived in Beauval yesterday after an almost 2hr flight and a 5hr drive North, but I have to get off this computer so more tomorrow.

I hope you are all well, wonderful and wild.

Oh yeah another thing, a beautiful kiwi joined our company in Saskatoon. I am a happy human being and I hope you all are too. Life is full of beauty.......I am thankful for the life that I have.......and to have someone wonderful to share it with.......peace to you all.

I have people breathing down my neck now and they are teasing me for what I just wrote. They are also reminding me of the delicious smoked fish my mom just cooked for us, accompanied by moose meat and potatoes.

We've already shot film - it's snowing here, it's very beautiful and serene. John and Gisele can't believe how quiet it is here compared to Cambridge Bay.

2006-02-22T23:25:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, before I start, I have to send a big "Birthday greeting" to Jimbo - he's one of the greatest dad's I know, all the way on the other side of the world. I hope you have a fantastic day filled with everything you've dreamed of and wish for, may your future be filled with all that you want. One day you'll get your dream boat to sail the world with the love of your life.....okay, I'm going on, I know, but I had to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Today, we awoke at 6:00am - total darkness. All we could do was hope and pray for our ever illusive sunrise........guess what...........we made it to the "DEW Line" but didn't get a sunrise (smiling now). I'm beginning to wonder if we'll get it but I have faith and we will prevail! I've rented a truck to get us out there again because walking across the Tundra with a tripod, film equipment and a few extra bags in boots that weigh 10lbs, jackets that are just as heavy is not an easy task - think of mule and you'll understand how we feel. Oh yeah, I forgot, the Tundra is filled with snow, snow banks, snow drifts, hard-packed snow, deep snow, fall in your face to your knees snow.....I think you might be beginning to understand why a truck comes in handy now (don't worry we'll stick to the roads).

We interviewed the Deputy Mayor today and our first participant so we are pretty happy. The RCMP were hard to track down for an interview. We also went into the really cool and funky local radio station to interview Reggie - the station is filled with amazing graffiti, you have to watch the final product to see how amazing the little station is. I can't download pictures on this computer which is why I haven't been sharing images but as soon as I can find a computer that allows me to download what I have you'll be getting an eye feast.

Did I mention we interviewed a 90yr old local resident a couple of nights ago; well we did and the stories that came out of his mouth mesmerized John, Gisele and myself.

I love shooting on film. We shot super 8 today and some 16mm. Scream Your Dreams is using 16mm film, super8 film, miniDV and hi8 - it's going to be a 'kick-ass' film. The youth here are so talented, so many wonderful surprises - throat singers tomorrow and tonight we saw the Arctic games.

The people are so giving, so full of laughter and smiles - I have to say it again.

The DEW Line in case you're wondering is an early warning system from invasion over the Arctic; it was a military base installed after the cold war all along Canada's North (holy jeez, I hope I didn't just give away classified information). Distant Early Warning.......hence, the siren that goes off every noon and 10:00pm - John and I had a heart attack when it first went off while we were exploring the Tundra, we thought we tripped a wire and ignited a world wide alert.

Okay, I have a full blown cold and have to try and sleep; tomorrow is another exciting and beautiful day. I hope you are all well. God, I love this!

2006-02-21T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's 7:22pm and I'm home from a fabulous day. We got permission to climb the diesel tanks today - it meant a panoramic view of Cambridge Bay as the sun was beginning to set. John was a bit worried because the tanks are 12-15 metres high and it was as slippery as kamiks on hot butter (according to John - not the biblical one); I was as calm as nails and did a jig up on top of the world! For those of you that can't picture the tanks, imagine oil refinery tanks - John is reiterating as I write this that it was a "BAD IDEA" but the shot was worth it and I think someone amongst us is a scaredy cat and I'm not naming any names......

We got our participants for the documentary; sat down with each individually and gave them the cameras to do with as they will. We spent the most of the day at the school and a few hours about the town taking images on film.

Kiilinik school has been so accommodating, the whole town has been absolutely wonderful, each person and organization has bent over backward to do whatever they can. We found youth who were strumming the guitar - excellent stuff.

We're getting up at 6:00am tomorrow to try and get that illusive sunrise - the waiting is suspenseful isn't it.

That's all for now, I have to go and make a citrus bomb - yup, a cold is coming on strong.

2006-02-21T10:26:00.000-05:00

Good morning, we're up late, it 8:25am and the day is white, all white, sky and land blended into various shades of white; I can't help but talk about the landscape and dawning day "up" here because the weather is so much a part of daily activity - it dictates to many if they can go out on the land - I found out through interviews yesterday, YES I DID INTERVIEWS, that people still go out on the land to hunt and fish.

I went into the Kiilinik High School yesterday and spoke with the grade 12 students. I went to the Hamlet office and spoke with Mark and Joey. Joey then took us out onto the ice road for a different point of view. We drove out about a mile, it's a 30 mile ice road over the ocean that connects Victoria Island to the Mainland, not too many vehicles fall through.

Okay, computer leaving gotta run.

2006-02-20T09:50:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, I haven't been able to get my sunrise yet but I have hope and know I'll get that shot! I just have to get it...and the sunset, yes, if you have one you gotta get the other. The sky is a uniform colour upon awakening, all a greyish white - it's still beautiful - this land is like a desert with snow (that same look and feel). Yesterday morning, John and I were out of the house by 7:30am to try and see which area of the sky the sun came up; I think we found it.

Along the way, we saw such amazing things; we captured it on film, yes! We saw kids playing street hockey with women and children walking by in tradtional parkas and kumuks. We saw dogs and more dogs, of course most were gorgeous huskies; they stay outside here and are fed frozen caribou; we got an amazing shot of this scene - caribou hind portion with the hooves still on it - and I think the dog chased me as I got closer to his food, but 'Coco' was a big suck as it turns out.

Kumuks are like my (Cree/Metis) mukluks, but the Inuit use seal skin instead of moose hide like we do.

I haven't been able to get any interviews yet which is a bit on my mind but everything is very, very relaxed and informal up here. I'm going into the school today to try and have an hour with the grade 12 students. As coincidence would have it, I've already met the youth I think will be one of the participants for Scream Your Dreams; I met her on the first night at the teen dance.

Today is the day that everything begins!

Oh yeah, back to the weather for a moment but first a lesson in geography so you can grasp where exactly I am the world.

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut - 69 degrees 07' North, 105 degrees 03' West 960km NE of Yellowknife on Victoria Island in the Arctic - Canada's far North. Population 1500.

The sky, as I said ,dawns grey the colour of the earth but by 10:00am the sun is low on the horizon and never gets too high this time of year - it leaves long shadows on the ground, perfect for filming - not too much glare from a "high noon sun". The sun sets around 3:45pm right now but is dusky until around 4:15pm.

We don't go out of doors without our HUGE Canada goose parkas, our "moon" boots, two thermals and Snow Goose snow pants, toques (Canadian style - if you don't know what a toque is you have to google it) and sometimes goggles.

John and I also took a walk along the perimeter of the hamlet and walked out onto the Tundra and prayed we wouldn't get a 'whiteout' because supposedly people have been known to freeze to death in sudden whiteouts because you can't see a foot in front of you.

2006-02-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday February 18th and I've made it to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (69 degrees) but my bags didn't come and they are nowhere to be found. John Price, my DOP, is ingenius and we'll figure a way to get those beautiful cinematic sceneries that we need. Actually, we were out with the bolex until 2:30am this morning, the wind was blowing at 100km/hr which looked so wild and beautiful that we "had" to get those shots.

On our way to Cambridge Bay, we stopped in at Kugluktuk and I got on the ground with my video camera to shoot the drifts of snow and catch the sun through the clouds; it was absolutely breath-taking....I think it will be the first of many on this trip.

The people here are amazing, kind, generous and always laughing. We met Bruce and after talking with us for a few minutes he went home and returned with a tripod for us to use as long as we needed, that's what John and I were walking around with in the wee hours of the morning.

Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you we saw a HUGE Jack rabbit hopping merrily along the hamlet streets at that hour and a few young people as well. We looked like such city folk in our "get-up" - moon boots, Canada Goose parkas, fur hats and goggles (goggles were very necessary yesterday with the wind whipping at our faces).

We went to a school dance and got interesting shots of that. The kids are all so adorable and so open and accepting. We also picked up groceries - cabbage $8.00 a piece; milk $6.00, a bag of apples $10.00 - next week we go shopping for Muskox - can't be vegetarian here.

I'm hoping and praying that by some miracle our tripod and battery pack arrive today! Air Canada has been very unhelpful thus far, no information whatsoever and no compensation for missing our flight or the hotel room we had to stay in overnight.

I'm digressing.........on to the day! Bring it on.

We're off to the "Quick Stop" to see if we can talk to one of the potential participants who coincidentally, was the first youth who we talked with at the dance at 12:30am.

I've been so lucky to meet great people thus far (minus AC of course, but don't get me started). Ronda is housing us - 2 bedrooms, 4 people, 2 dogs, thundra view - perfect.

2006-02-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

It's 6:55am Yellowknife, North West Territories, yes, you read correctly. It took a grueling 15hrs from start to almost-finish to get this far. Okay, the story is - we sat on the tarmac at Toronto International airport for almost 2hrs, missing our only connection from Edmonton directly to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.....so......8hrs later we board the plane from Edmonton to Yellowknife, minus 2 CRUCIAL baggage - our tripod and battery pack for the cameras!

It's the next day and the bags are still no where to be found; I'm quite concerned as I think filmmakers out there can relate.

In case you haven't got the scope of my predicament, let me paint a clear picture of the situation. I(Gail) director, writer & producer of Scream Your Dreams am stuck with my sound recordist, Gisele Gordon, in Yellowknife a day behind schedule without our tripod or battery pack. We are hoping to connect onto another flight into Cambridge Bay this morning - there are only a few times a week Cambridge Bay has flights.

John may be doing a lot of hand-cranking on the bolex. I think he rigged-up something to tap into the battery of a ski-doo.

Oh yeah! FREAZING, I had to get fleecy long johns in Edmonton and Edmonton is just Alberta, not even North of 40; it was -32C.

I have to get off this computer. You'll be hearing from me again when I, hopefully, make it to Cambridge Bay today.

I did see the Northern Lights from our plane; an angle I've never seen before - they were mesmerizing and I met a woman who has a daughter in grade 12 so the day can always have a positive twist remember that when you think it's so bad......:)

I LOVE THIS!
What a life, I couldn't think of doing anything else.

2006-02-16T05:26:00.000-05:00

It's 5:25am! I'm pumping coffee into me as I take one last look over all my gear; luggage for a trip that's on average anywhere from -20C to -56C is not an easy task. I hardly slept a wink - all 3 hours of it. I've made my phone calls. We're getting picked up in Cambridge Bay, Nunuvut which is our first stop - 10hrs after departing from Toronto. Okay, I have to get moving, more when I get to the Arctic.

2006-02-16T00:42:00.000-05:00

It's 12:42 am and I'm still scanning my brain to see if I have everything for my upcoming Arctic trip! Oh my god! I'm so excited. My cinematographer is already on his way, we meet tomorrow to continue the journey together. I guess I should get to bed soon - 5:00am comes early. More tomorrow.