There are a lot of amazing talented individuals in the Film and Television industry. Jason Bourque is one of the busiest ones. He has been in the business for twenty-five years. He is a Vancouver-based writer, director, and producer. He currently has over a dozen productions in development.
In June, he won a Leo Award for best direction in a television movie for Game of Love.
Here is our conversation with Jason.
HNMAG: Where do you grow up?
Jason Bourque: I’m originally from St. John, New Brunswick. I love it back there.
HNMAG: When did you move it to BC?
Jason Bourque: I was always making feature-length films on VHS in New Brunswick. When I was seventeen, I made one called Interview with the Hitman. After that, I came out west because I wanted to go to a visual arts school. I went to the University of Victoria (UVIC). I majored in Visual Arts with a minor in film studies. I joined a film co-op in Victoria, and I ended up making a lot of 16mm shorts and music videos on a Bolex in the late 90s. After I got my degree, I ended up going to the Vancouver Film School (VFS). In 2002 I was able to do my first long-form movie called Maximum Surge.
HNMAG: Did you write and direct that narrative feature film?
Jason Bourque: Yes. CBC had an amazing program at the time called Zed. I entered a comedy short contest for them with something self-financed called Below the Belt. It got chosen. They financed another three episodes. I also worked in the industry any way I could in all kinds of productions on set.
HNMAG: What happened after Maximum Surge?
Jason Bourque: That led to a cheeseball Movie of the Week (MOW) called Fireball Seven. I forged a lot of great relationships in film and television out of that. At the same time, I made documentaries. I did one called Shadow Company about mercenaries. After that, I went to South Africa and the UK to make Music For Mandela, which was about the music in Nelson Mandela’s life, struggle, and triumph.
HNMAG: Did Mandela have a musical background?
Jason Bourque: A lot of people don’t know about it but he always knew how to use music as a tool. In film school, I was given the best advice to write what you know. I did that with a film called Blackfly. That came out of my experience of growing up in the Kingston Peninsula. I grew up next to Noel Winters, the serial killer. It’s a beautiful place not far from St. John. It’s a bit more rural. Blackfly was dusted off in 2012. I sent it in and got Telefilm funding. That got me back into narrative features.
HNMAG: Later you made more Hallmark.
Jason Bourque: It’s funny how it evolves. I wear three hats. I’m a writer, director, and producer. As a director, I initially did more disaster movies. I transitioned into lifetime thrillers with strong female leads then that transitioned into romantic comedies and now transitioned into an interesting niche of Christmas movies. I’m starting my third one this year up in Kelowna. I cover a large spectrum of genres. The last movie I produced was called When Time Got Louder. It was a first-time LGBTQ+ director, Connie Cocchia. Very much inspired by her own experience.
HNMAG: Was Game of Love a Christmas movie as well?
Jason Bourque: No, it wasn’t. I was brought on board by Timeless Pictures. It’s a niche that has to do with board games. I loved it. We found locations that look like board games. We found parks that look like Snakes and Ladders. Our location manager, Christina Olsen, is wonderful. With everyone plugging themselves into VR, I love board games. It connects people in real life in a fun way.
HNMAG: Do you have a preference for making a film that is set in Canada?
Jason Bourque: I don’t think it matters. I come from the school of hard knocks. Although BlackFly won awards and critical acclaim, it didn’t make a lot of money. I didn’t have a name actor. I’m now very cognizant of packaging a movie. I have an idea for a movie about growing up in the Maritimes that I’ve been playing with. I’m up for doing a story that is set anywhere. I did a mockumentary in India called BirdCo. It’s about two Canadians who come up with a crazy advertising scheme using pigeons. That idea gets banned at home and they can only do it in India.
HNMAG: If we can come up with a film set in Canada that stars Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds that could work.
Jason Bourque: Yeah, that would be huge. I’m working on a vertically shot film up in Kelowna and that will be a new huge market.
HNMAG: Where will that be exhibited?
Jason Bourque: There’s an app for it to watch on your smartphone. It’s gone huge in Japan and China. That wave is going to hit!
HNMAG: Is there a project that you are directing that you are looking forward to?
Jason Bourque: I have one called Vineyard, which I’ve been dying to do. The Thing and Alien were the reasons why I got into filmmaking. Vineyard is about a wine Goddess at a vineyard. It’s a wonderful idea and it will gain some momentum. It will be easier to shoot because the location is contained.
HNMAG: Where do you teach?
Jason Bourque: I make the rounds. I love working with up-and-comers. I love to share my experience. I work with several acting schools. Tri-Cities is one of them. I just did a weekend workshop and actors go through the sides and then we shoot the scenes on the Sunday. It really helps them. I’m an open book. I like to teach. I live to mentor.
HNMAG: Congratulations on your Leo Award.
Jason Bourque: I didn’t expect that. I was going up against so many incredible people. I was the Susan Lucci of the Leo’s. Always a nominee, never a winner.
Jason Bourque is a very talented writer, producer, and director. He is one of the busiest and most generous filmmakers in Vancouver. We are very fortunate to have Jason who loves producing exciting content and collaborating with up-and-coming filmmakers. We wish him all the continued success.