Film writer and director Jonathan Hayes, far right holding the microphone, hosts a question and answer session after screening his first feature film, Algonquin, at Galaxy Cinemas on Thursday night. The majority of the film was shot in North Bay and the surrounding area during a three-week period in 2012. PHOTO BY LIAM BERTI
The explosion of colours during the autumn transition paired with large open water bodies and tranquil tributaries is enough to draw anyone to the North Bay area.
But what better way to capture that incredible display of nature than for a silver screen production?
If you want to see what North Bay’s surroundings look like on the big screen, look no further than Algonquin, the story of an unhappy schoolteacher who sets off to help his absentee father write a book about Algonquin Park.
Members of North Bay Film were treated to a screening of the acclaimed film at Galaxy Cinemas on Thursday night, which was shot in some of their backyards and surroundings.
The film’s writer and director, Jonathan Hayes, was on hand to introduce the film and host a question and answer session following the screening.
Hayes and his film crew filmed the 100-minunte drama in the North Bay area back in 2012.
“The decision to come here was based solely on location and proximity to the park and it’s baked in the DNA of the script,” said Hayes. “It’s called Algonquin, so I didn’t want to fake it, I wanted to do it as real as we could.”
The movie’s protagonist, Jake Roulette, agrees to write a book about Algonquin Park with his father, Leif Roulette, a travel writer and absentee parent. But after losing his father, it’s up to Jake to return to the park to finish the book.
Jake follows the call to adventure and sets off to the family’s neglected cabin in the woods to tie up the lose ends left by the relationship with his father.
“North Bay was the perfect location for us to film parts of this production,” said Hayes. “The beautiful landscape pairs perfectly with the majesty of Algonquin Park.”
But beyond the obvious on-screen allure of North Bay’s natural surroundings, it’s the behind the scenes effort that drew Hayes and his team to the area in the first place.
Everything from location scouting to accommodation was made easier with the help of the warm welcome from people in North Bay, Hayes said.
“We were just treated so well by the Mayor’s office and the staff there; they gave us a real indication from the start that they were dead serious about helping out and doing whatever they could,” Hayes explained after the screening on Thursday night.
“That initial connection made a real impression on me and led me to believe we could do it here; that was really important.”
Hayes was also quick to call attention to his partnership with the faculty and students of Canadore College’s digital cinematography program. Professor Yura Monestime and 10 of the students from the program helped coordinate the shooting sites, wardrobe logistics, prepare scenes and assist with filming.
The college also helped with accommodations for the crew of over 25 from Toronto. At the time, the school was building new residence facilities, which allowed the production team to stay on campus.
“There wasn’t just a willingness to help, but a willingness to recommend and direct you to where you might best be served,” Hayes said of the school’s hospitality. “I do think there’s a small town ethos there.
“The response was really, really positive.”
North Bay resident Beth Reeves, who attended the viewing on Thursday night, had the pleasure of seeing her very own cottage and home on the big screen. Her two properties on Northshore Road doubled for the neglected cabin and in-town home in the movie.
But it wasn’t the first feature film appearance her lakeside properties have had. The cottage was also a part of Warner Bros. 1942 production of Captain of the Clouds, featuring James Cagney. The film was the first Hollywood picture to be filmed entirely on location in Canada.
“It’s exciting to see it and to recognize it, even through they changed things around quite a bit,” said Reeves. “The scenery and the sunsets are gorgeous out there and I think it showed.”
Hayes estimates that almost half the film was shot at Reeves’ properties, while the majority of the canoe trip shots were filmed on Lake Kiosk, a one-hour drive southeast of North Bay in Algonquin Park.
Beyond Reeves, Hayes said he feels the hometown crowd made a unique connection to the film on Thursday. Throughout the screening, the capacity crowd could recognize different local locations and could be heard whispering at almost every scene change.
“People who were watching the movie were recognizing places in North Bay. When the film plays elsewhere, people don’t recognize it like that,” said Hayes.
“It’s really gratifying, I think everyone gets a kick out of seeing their home on the big screen.”
Hayes said the film was shot for under $1 million, which challenged the crew and cast enormously. He said that having the film crew come together along with the warm local support helped bring the project together.
The cast and crew were on location for three weeks when they shot the film in 2012, squeezing every last opportunity they could out of the rapidly changing scenery this time of year.
On Friday afternoon, Hayes also hosted a question and answer session with the digital cinematography and theatre arts students in Weaver Auditorium at Canadore.
He also took the time to meticulously dissect two different scenes from the film and explain the ambitious undertaking that each shot offers.
The movie is currently available for purchase or rent on iTunes and Hayes says his distribution company, A71Productions, tells him a DVD is forthcoming.
To purchase or rent the movie on itunes, click here: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/movie/algonquin/id890546912
For more information on the movie, visit: http://www.algonquinmovie.com/
