The Tipping Point a labour of love for local filmmakers
Long days and shoestring budget don’t deter young movie professionals
A group of aspiring actors, cinematographers, producers and more have joined together to prove that good movies can still be made right here in Saskatchewan.
Jacob Stebner is leading the charge by directing the movie The Tipping Point, a romantic comedy that he also wrote. With a team of performers and a skilled, wellequipped crew, Stebner said he wanted to be able to make a good movie on a student budget.
“We want to prove that a group of young people can make a movie,” Stebner said. “We are motivated, professional adults, and we treat each other that way.”
The idea for the movie came from a conversation Stebner had with his longtime friend Ben Thomas. It came down to one simple question: Wouldn’t it be awesome to make a movie?
After that, Stebner wrote the script for the show in a week — 107 pages and more than 12,000 words. He said the show is about perseverance, and the idea that life isn’t as easy or straightforward as some people think.
“You can’t always control what someone else is going to say or do. You can only control your actions, so you might as well do the best you can,” he said of the story.
The entire shoot for the film is just 10 days — but they are long days, with Stebner joking that while most people work nine to five, they’re going “from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m.” to get things done.
Thomas, for whom Stebner wrote the part of Jack, has been helping out as an assistant producer. The’ve contacted businesses around Saskatoon to help get authentic sets, he said, and the support from the city has helped bring the film to life.
“To feel that warm embrace of the community, I think is a really big thing. I think it’s really important,” Thomas said.
As with most of the actors involved in the production, most of Thomas’ experience came on the stage instead of the screen. He’s currently attending the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal, but said being able to come home and be in a different kind of project like this is a great experience.
The process so far has been enjoyable, but far from simple. Stebner and Thomas worked together to cast the movie, and Stebner said once they had started the process some local talent reached out to him to help out on the crew.
Filming has taken place all over the city and at all times of the day. Paige Francoeur, who has the lead female role of Sarah, noted that the best times to shoot at night were between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., which makes for some tiring shooting days. Nonetheless, the self-confessed camera-shy Francoeur said she’s enjoyed every moment of the production, right from the first day.
“I had no idea what this would be like, and I was just super impressed with everybody,” she said, grinning. “Everyone’s just blowing my mind, basically.”
The cast, crew, and community members in the production totals around 60 people, all of whom are volunteering their time.
The film will premiere at the Broadway Theatre in December.