New Lea Thompson TV show brings film jobs to Manitoba
A new television show starring Back to the Future's Lea Thompson shooting in Manitoba this month is fueling careers, as the local film industry booms post-pandemic.
The Spencer Sisters, a joint production between Entertainment One and CTV, is shooting in various locations across southern Manitoba. Described as a "lighthearted Canadian procedural," the show also stars Stacey Farber of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Farber plays Darby Spencer, a hot-headed former police officer, while Thompson plays her estranged mother who is also a mystery novelist. The show depicts the two solving mysteries and their differences together while running a private detective agency.
Rod Bruinooge, interim CEO and film commissioner for Manitoba Film and Music, is excited about the show.
"Just a huge star in Lea Thompson, everyone from my generation idolizes her in all the roles she had throughout the '80s," said Bruinooge. "We're super excited to have her talent here in Manitoba and we hope the series just does really well."
Production on the show's 10-episode first season has begun, with Thompson posting photos and video from the shores of Lake Winnipeg to her Instagram feed recently.
"Back to the Future" star Lea Thompson posts video and photos of Lake Winnipeg to Instagram while filming "The Spencer Sisters" in Manitoba.
It's one of ten film and television productions currently shooting in Manitoba, which Bruinooge says is great for the economy.
"It's a huge impact, especially when they're shooting a portion of the show in the rural economy," he said. "There's hundreds of folks that get hired to make a production like this happen, and so every time a production is greenlit in Manitoba it has a big impact on our local economies."
However, Bruinooge notes that, as in many other fields post-pandemic, the local industry is experiencing a labour shortage. He says there are not enough qualified workers to fill the needed positions.
Answering that call is the Digital Film and Media Production (DFMP) program from Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech). This one-year diploma program specifically trains students to work in the local film industry.
"The whole program really focuses a lot on the fundamentals," said instructor Aaron Zeghers. "We're really trying to give students as many tools, with as much cutting edge technology and equipment training as possible."
Zeghers teaches introductory courses in the DFMP program, giving students an overview of the film industry. He says the coursework is well-suited for modern filmmaking.
"A lot of the courses in the program focus on things like learning how to fly a drone, or use a gimbal, using the cameras, or doing motion graphics," said Zeghers. The DFMP program will start its next intake of 20 students in the fall.
Zeghers has been working to build connections between students and industry by bringing in relevant guest speakers on a regular basis.
"Independent filmmakers, editors, people running production companies, people representing the various unions," said Zeghers, "(I'm) really trying to provide as many connections as possible to these students, so that they can decide which path they want to follow."
There are many career paths for Manitobans wanting to work in the local film and television industry, according to Zeghers. "It's really a 'choose your own adventure' situation, there are so many different opportunities and different paths that you could take."
Bruinooge says Manitoba's film industry is doing better than it was pre-pandemic, with more than $300 million in production dollars being spent here this fiscal year. He adds the numbers only took a "minor dip" in 2020.
"I have to hand it to the producers and the local crews, they really solved all of their COVID issues in an incredibly innovative way," said Bruinooge, "they had closed sets, they had testing done every hour and just really kept the show going."
Though the star of this new show is a well-known Hollywood actress, he says there will be plenty of Manitobans in front of and behind the camera.
"Much of the rest of the cast will be local actors and actresses … I expect the bulk of this crew will be Manitoban."
Bruinooge says it’s a great field to work in, and says anyone interested in becoming a filmmaker should check out On Screen Manitoba's website for more information.
"Anyone who's looking for a fun career, who might be unemployed or thinking of switching professions … there is an incredible opportunity in the film sector right now."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.