Where it all began
Backstreet Studios, originally an empty shop, was first introduced to Dawne Tomlinson when her principal asked if she could turn the space into a television studio. After a proposal to the school board was accepted and a partnership with Rogers Community was established the studio was on its way, but still lacked sufficient funds. After a tedious amount of work Tomlinson found a Youth Internship Grant from Human Resources Development Canada and was able to set the ball in motion. Slowly the studio was formed and soon Brookswood had a well rounded program that included six courses in video, television and film production. The original courses offered were Video Production 9/10, Television Production 11 and 12, Film 12, Media Performance (acting for screen/ broadcast journalism), Computers and Television (editing, special effects, and animation) and Television Technical Assistance (in which students learned to run a studio and develop leadership skills).
With time, leadership of the studio was passed on to Carl Hofbauer, who had just finished creating a film program at a Maple Ridge Secondary School. Carl brought new ideas and techniques into Backstreet Studios and continued to help it grow as a program and a small community. Carl brought awareness to serious social issues regarding teens and the community, and helped introduce a Film 12 Advanced program for students who wished to learn more. Carl was also one of the founding members of the BC Student Film Festival which allows youth to enter their hard work into a festival of shorts to be adjudicated by industry professionals.
In recent years the studio has had a new program head step in, as Carl continues his work in a new environment. Robert French (IMDb) was introduced to the studio as a student teacher but with time grew to understand the studio routine and eventually took over the leadership. Robert brings previous industry knowledge into the studio and has helped as it transformed into a digital age. New to the position, but educated with past experiences, Robert looks to take the studio above and beyond, educating students as they pursue a career in the film industry.
Parallel to its creation, Backstreet Studios has offered a Summer Video Camp to younger students looking to pursue film in their high school years. The camp offers youth with an early look at creating a film and helps them create their very first. The camp is run by Brookswood Film students and is a great way for older students to share their knowledge with a younger group.
Today Backstreet Studios has flourished with as many as nine blocks of film and television. Although Backstreet has transformed over the years and moved away from traditional television, it still offers students a vast amount of knowledge about the film industry and students continue to be successful in local and provincial festivals. As early as grade 9, students are writing their own scripts and producing short films. By grade 12 students have studied film through the ages, investigated directing styles, watched legendary films and continue to create new original pieces over a large variety of genres.
With time, leadership of the studio was passed on to Carl Hofbauer, who had just finished creating a film program at a Maple Ridge Secondary School. Carl brought new ideas and techniques into Backstreet Studios and continued to help it grow as a program and a small community. Carl brought awareness to serious social issues regarding teens and the community, and helped introduce a Film 12 Advanced program for students who wished to learn more. Carl was also one of the founding members of the BC Student Film Festival which allows youth to enter their hard work into a festival of shorts to be adjudicated by industry professionals.
In recent years the studio has had a new program head step in, as Carl continues his work in a new environment. Robert French (IMDb) was introduced to the studio as a student teacher but with time grew to understand the studio routine and eventually took over the leadership. Robert brings previous industry knowledge into the studio and has helped as it transformed into a digital age. New to the position, but educated with past experiences, Robert looks to take the studio above and beyond, educating students as they pursue a career in the film industry.
Parallel to its creation, Backstreet Studios has offered a Summer Video Camp to younger students looking to pursue film in their high school years. The camp offers youth with an early look at creating a film and helps them create their very first. The camp is run by Brookswood Film students and is a great way for older students to share their knowledge with a younger group.
Today Backstreet Studios has flourished with as many as nine blocks of film and television. Although Backstreet has transformed over the years and moved away from traditional television, it still offers students a vast amount of knowledge about the film industry and students continue to be successful in local and provincial festivals. As early as grade 9, students are writing their own scripts and producing short films. By grade 12 students have studied film through the ages, investigated directing styles, watched legendary films and continue to create new original pieces over a large variety of genres.