B. P. Paquette
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Patrick Paquette (born March 17, 1975), is a Canadian film director, screenwriter, producer and academic.
, Paquette spent his childhood and adolescence in Greater Sudbury, Ontario
. He graduated from Concordia University
’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees, respectively, in Film Production. He was then enrolled in the inaugural class of the Ph.D. program in Film Studies at the University of Montreal, the first of its kind in Canada.
, a federated college of Laurentian University
. He was recruited in 2009 to lead the establishment of an eventual film, TV and digital media program, the only one of its kind in Northern Ontario
. Since 2011, Laurentian University offers an Academic minor
in Motion Picture Arts, while an Academic major
is currently in the planning stages.
Paquette started his academic career in the Film & Television Production Program at Trebas Institute
, a private, post-secondary college based in Montreal. From 2001 to 2009, he gave practical courses, including those regarding screenwriting and production. From 2001-2005, he also served as program supervisor. In his capacity as such, Paquette lead the creation, development, and implementation of its current, competency-based, four-session program, which received accreditation from the Quebec Ministry of Education in 2005.
During the 2009-2010 academic year, Paquette taught filmmaking at the University of Montreal.
In 2011, Paquette, fellow producer Jason Ross Jallet
, and entrepreneur Gerry Paquette founded the not-for-profit company Northern Ontario Motion Picture Culture and Industry Development Corporation (NOMPCIDC), whose mandate is to develop and promote the film & television industry in Northern Ontario.
or Guy Maddin
, Paquette’s films aren’t meant to appeal to a large audience. Uncompromising, he seeks in every new film to challenge and unsteady audiences, to muddy the lines of reality. “I just curl up in a ball whenever the term 'target audience' comes up... You can't make a film for anyone but yourself,” said Paquette.
After having directed, written, and produced over a dozen student shorts (including the Cinefest
award-winning An Uneven Scroll), and three student features, Paquette established his Montreal-based film production and distribution company Ourson Films in 1998.
He made his professional filmmaking debut with the international award winning and critically polarizing A Year in the Death of Jack Richards (2004), the first part of his triptych
on "the psychology of romantic love." This was followed with The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming
(2008), and concluded with The Anonymous Rudy S. (2012). He is currently completing his most recent film, the black comedy
(Non)Fiction (2013).
In 2008, Paquette, fellow producer Jason Ross Jallet
, and entrepreneur Gerry Paquette founded the Greater Sudbury-based production and distribution company Nortario Films.
Background
Born in London, OntarioLondon, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Paquette spent his childhood and adolescence in Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Greater Sudbury is a city in Ontario, Canada. Greater Sudbury was created in 2001 by merging the cities and towns of the former Regional Municipality of Sudbury, along with several previously unincorporated geographic townships...
. He graduated from Concordia University
Concordia University
Concordia University is a comprehensive Canadian public university located in Montreal, Quebec, one of the two universities in the city where English is the primary language of instruction...
’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, a division of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University, is a film school located in Montreal, Quebec. It is informally identified as MHSoC, and accepts 200 students a year, for study in the fields of animation, film production and film studies...
in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees, respectively, in Film Production. He was then enrolled in the inaugural class of the Ph.D. program in Film Studies at the University of Montreal, the first of its kind in Canada.
Academia
Paquette is the supervisor of, and a professor in, the Motion Picture Arts curriculum within the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at Thorneloe UniversityThorneloe University
Thorneloe University is a federated school of Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada, the university offers programs in fine arts , religious studies, classical studies, women's studies and theatre arts...
, a federated college of Laurentian University
Laurentian University
Laurentian University , was incorporated on March 28, 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada....
. He was recruited in 2009 to lead the establishment of an eventual film, TV and digital media program, the only one of its kind in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
. Since 2011, Laurentian University offers an Academic minor
Academic minor
An academic minor is a college or university student's declared secondary field of study or specialization during his or her undergraduate studies. As with an academic major, the college or university in question lays out a framework of required classes or class types a student must complete to...
in Motion Picture Arts, while an Academic major
Academic major
In the United States and Canada, an academic major or major concentration is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits....
is currently in the planning stages.
Paquette started his academic career in the Film & Television Production Program at Trebas Institute
Trebas Institute
Trebas Institute is a private, bilingual, post-secondary college specializing in the recording arts with campuses in Montreal, and Toronto.- Faculty :...
, a private, post-secondary college based in Montreal. From 2001 to 2009, he gave practical courses, including those regarding screenwriting and production. From 2001-2005, he also served as program supervisor. In his capacity as such, Paquette lead the creation, development, and implementation of its current, competency-based, four-session program, which received accreditation from the Quebec Ministry of Education in 2005.
During the 2009-2010 academic year, Paquette taught filmmaking at the University of Montreal.
In 2011, Paquette, fellow producer Jason Ross Jallet
Jason Ross Jallet
Jason Ross Jallet is a Canadian film producer, and entrepreneur.-Producing:Since 2005, Jallet co-manages all affairs artistic and business at Ourson Films, which he joined the year previous as a producer’s rep for the international award winning film A Year in the Death of Jack Richards...
, and entrepreneur Gerry Paquette founded the not-for-profit company Northern Ontario Motion Picture Culture and Industry Development Corporation (NOMPCIDC), whose mandate is to develop and promote the film & television industry in Northern Ontario.
Filmmaking
Often criticized for being too complex, cerebral, and unpolished, Paquette’s films receive extremely mixed reviews. Yet like the films of Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard
Jean-Luc Godard is a French-Swiss film director, screenwriter and film critic. He is often identified with the 1960s French film movement, French Nouvelle Vague, or "New Wave"....
or Guy Maddin
Guy Maddin
Guy Maddin, OM is a Canadian screenwriter, director, cinematographer and film editor of both features and short films from Winnipeg, Manitoba...
, Paquette’s films aren’t meant to appeal to a large audience. Uncompromising, he seeks in every new film to challenge and unsteady audiences, to muddy the lines of reality. “I just curl up in a ball whenever the term 'target audience' comes up... You can't make a film for anyone but yourself,” said Paquette.
After having directed, written, and produced over a dozen student shorts (including the Cinefest
Cinéfest
Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, also known as Cinéfest is an annual film festival in Sudbury, Ontario. It is the fourth largest film festival in Canada....
award-winning An Uneven Scroll), and three student features, Paquette established his Montreal-based film production and distribution company Ourson Films in 1998.
He made his professional filmmaking debut with the international award winning and critically polarizing A Year in the Death of Jack Richards (2004), the first part of his triptych
Triptych
A triptych , from tri-= "three" + ptysso= "to fold") is a work of art which is divided into three sections, or three carved panels which are hinged together and can be folded shut or displayed open. It is therefore a type of polyptych, the term for all multi-panel works...
on "the psychology of romantic love." This was followed with The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming
The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming
The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming is a 2008 dramatic comedy from Canada by filmmaker B. P...
(2008), and concluded with The Anonymous Rudy S. (2012). He is currently completing his most recent film, the black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
(Non)Fiction (2013).
In 2008, Paquette, fellow producer Jason Ross Jallet
Jason Ross Jallet
Jason Ross Jallet is a Canadian film producer, and entrepreneur.-Producing:Since 2005, Jallet co-manages all affairs artistic and business at Ourson Films, which he joined the year previous as a producer’s rep for the international award winning film A Year in the Death of Jack Richards...
, and entrepreneur Gerry Paquette founded the Greater Sudbury-based production and distribution company Nortario Films.
Filmography
- A Year in the Death of Jack Richards (2004)
- The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria FlemingThe Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria FlemingThe Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming is a 2008 dramatic comedy from Canada by filmmaker B. P...
(2008) - The Anonymous Rudy S. (2012)
- (Non)Fiction (2013)
Awards and nominations
- 2005, Won 'Best Independent Feature Award' at Festival of Fantastic Films (UK)Festival of Fantastic Films (UK)The Festival of Fantastic Films is an annual non-profit celebration of cinema fantastique, held annually in central Manchester, England. It was created by Tony Edwards and the late Harry Nadler , together with their fellow enthusiast Gil Lane-Young.Past...
for A Year in the Death of Jack Richards - 2005, Won 'Grand Jury Award' at The Dead Center Film Festival for A Year in the Death of Jack Richards
- 2009, Won 'Bronze Palm Award' at Mexico City International Film Festival for The Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria FlemingThe Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria FlemingThe Woman of Ahhs: A Self-Portrait by Victoria Fleming is a 2008 dramatic comedy from Canada by filmmaker B. P...
External links
- B. P. Paquette at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...