On Friday, March 28, the new 25,000-square-foot film soundstage located on the corner of Highway 311 and Wallace Road was alight with activity.
The event? None other than the studio’s much anticipated grand opening of Jette Studios.
The festivities kicked off at 11:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from within the vast 40-foot-high concrete building.
By special invitation, dignitaries of every stripe came to celebrate the occasion, alongside virtually everyone who had a hand in the creation of the soundstage, including the studio’s president and founder, Juliette Hagopian.
The ceremony kicked off with a message and prayer offered by Anishinaabe elder and activist Gramma Shingoose.
Shingoose shared hope for the studio’s success and the many good and educational stories that might be created there.
She’d recently been contacted by an Indigenous filmmaker, she said, who hoped to create a documentary about Manitoba’s landfill search for the bodies of the four murdered women, a story which has been all over the news for several years now.
Project facilitator Gord Daman emceed the morning event.
Daman publicly acknowledged the importance that the provincial government has played in terms of rolling out the red carpet for the film industry.
As for Jette Studios specifically, Daman credits Niverville’s town council for being proactive in helping to make the project happen.
“It’s the local government that knows how to get things done,” Daman told the crowd. “[I’ve] witnessed firsthand the support Niverville council has provided to Jette Studios and the hours of work town staff have contributed to facilitating Juliette’s passion, vision, and dream.”
Mayor Myron Dyck took a moment to cite the economic benefits he believes the studio will bring to the community. He also shared his vision of a collaboration between the studio and the local high school.
“I dream about having the performing arts and other trades and support services to the film industry taught at our high school,” Dyck said. “And that one day a high school grad would walk across the stage and receive the highest marks in the field of film… And then, with that training completed, he’s able to come with a resume and ask Juliette for a job, thus fulfilling their dream of being able to live and work in their hometown.”
Chuck Davidson, CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, also shared words of encouragement and support.
“The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce represents 65 Chambers of Commerce in Manitoba and close to 10,000 businesses,” Davidson said. “I’m not sure what’s in the water here, but I spend more time at announcements in Niverville than any other Chamber in the province.”
Close to $435 million dollars is spent by the movie industry in Manitoba on an annual basis, he said.
“Juliette is one of Canada’s premier film producers,” Daman added. “Her production excellence has been recognized by the Canadian Screen Awards numerous times. Juliette is known in the film industry not only for her passion but her ability to cultivate relationships industry-wide, along with a deep commitment to sustainability and the betterment of the film industry as a whole.”
This brand-new facility represents only the first phase of what’s to become a fully integrated filmmaking campus.
In the spirit of supporting local industry, Hagopian applauded the efforts of Niverville resident Kyle Bially, who worked as consultant and general contractor on the project.
Local companies Forgotten Flavours and Negash Coffee were also represented through the croissants and coffee being served to guests.
Hagopian couldn’t help but recognize her long-time friend Henok Negash Gebre of Queen Sheba Coffee Roasters.
“Thank you, Henok, for inviting me to Niverville and for introducing me to all these people who have made a difference,” she said. “The future goal of the Manitoba film industry is to grow. I am looking so forward to this building allowing Manitoba to grow even bigger in the film industry. Build it and they will come.”
The event continued into the afternoon with a public meet-and-greet, giving curiosity-seekers a chance to peek inside and rub shoulders with Hagopian and her crew.
As for the high-tech LED screen and state-of-the-art production equipment, all that is still to come. Hagopian is so far unable to offer any insight as to its arrival or when the first film shoot would take place.
