Finding work and making films from the countryside
Graeme Bachiu’s documentary ‘Making Things Count: Pandemic Postcards’ was a PBS success
Graeme Bachiu didn’t hesitate when the pandemic hit last year.
The Canfield-based filmmaker made a film.
He got financing from Bell TV-1 and went to Grandview Lodge in Dunnville, a café in Cayuga, arts groups, mask makers, a school bus driver and others to ask how they were coping with the COVID-19.
The result was a three-part documentary series called “Making Things Count: Pandemic Postcards” that was eventually shown in November on the PBS channel in Buffalo.
The program was so well received Eastlink Community TV has asked for a fourth episode.
It is one of five projects Bachiu is working on from his home, a former church built 130 years ago, on Windecker Road where he lives with his wife and twin sons (the name of his company is called Windecker Road Films).
Bachiu is part of a small film colony in Haldimand Norfolk. He believes there are pluses in being off the beaten path.
“From my perspective, there’s just as many advantages out here as in the city, maybe better,” says the former CHCH cameraman and editor.
“Over the last two years, I have hooked up with people who were out here before me. There are a lot of great ideas. It’s just a collaborative environment. And there’s money in it. It’s not huge. It’s viable,” he said.
“I’ve got kids. I need to put shoes on their feet and food in their bellies.”
Bachiu, 42, grew up in Owen Sound and was interested in filmmaking at an early age. He worked at the local cable station to get experience.
“It just spoke to me. It’s just the way I saw the world.”
He graduated from Broadcasting at Niagara College in Welland in 2004 and went to work for CHCH. He remembers his first day when he was greeted warmly by news anchor Dan McLean. He worked at the station for about 12 years.
TV shows have filmed out in Haldimand-Norfolk, including “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Murdoch Mysteries.” The latter program filmed at the historical Ruthven Estate outside Cayuga.
Like his pandemic documentary, Bachiu believes one thing burgeoning is interest in telling local stories.
He cites colleague Tanya Van Rooy of Simcoe, who is making a documentary on migrant workers and their struggles through the pandemic. Her company is called Howl At The Moon Films.
“There’s interesting trends coming together,” Bachiu said. “There is more attention on these rural stories. It’s neat to be in the middle of it.”
Others in the film colony include: Carole Aeschelmann, Port Dover. She created “Fish ‘N’ Chicks.” It is shown on Fibe TV1. Two female fishers fished in Hamilton, Port Dover and Niagara.
Chris Atkins, OneMedia, Port Dover. He has been working in TV and video production for two decades and his work has appeared on
National Geographic, Smithsonian Channel, CNN and Vision TV. He and Bachiu worked on a TV cooking show pilot.
Dean Ramey, Ramey Media, Waterford. He is a producer, director, writer and editor of TV programs.
Craig Watkins, Dehi. He has worked on TV shows and in horror films.
Bachiu believes the next step for local filmmakers is to get their work shown on broadcast channels or networks like CHCH or the CBC.
“If Eastlink and Bell Media see some value, why not others?,” he asked
He cites a project he is developing about Black people who settled around Canfield after escaping slavery in the United States in the 19th Century.
A recognized Black community existed until about the middle of the 20th Century when the decline of the railways caused many to move away, says Bachiu. This has taken him to such places as Windsor to film descendants of the original settlers.
Bachiu says one of Harriet Tubman’s nieces is buried in a cemetery in Canfield.
“There are interesting stories about their lives in Canfield,” says Bachiu. “To me, it’s remarkable we’ve got this neat, little rural story.”