There are a lot of amazing talented individuals in the Film and Television industry. Madison Stenner is one to watch. She has vast experience in the industry. Madison is a Vancouver-based writer, director, producer, art director, set director, and production designer.
Here is our conversation with Madison.
HNMAG: Are you originally from Vancouver?
Madison Stenner: No, I’m actually from California.
HNMAG: Wow, when did you come to Canada?
Madison Stenner: In 2016.
HNMAG: What part of California were you from?
Madison Stenner: Sacramento and the Bay Area? My parents got jobs with a University here, so I came for a “free degree”. My last semester was when Covid hit. I kind of got stuck here and then started working in the industry.
HNMAG: It must be an adjustment from living in Northern California to then live in British Columbia.
Madison Stenner: Definitely, I love where I grew up, and I was incredibly lucky to grow up there. Being an American, living in Canada was a challenge. Especially when it was the beginning of Trump, and everyone puts their opinion of Americans on you. It was like all of American culture got solidified into one terrible human being.
HNMAG: Is your new script a feature or a short?
Madison Stenner: It’s a proof of concept for a feature. I’m super excited about it. I have some good opportunities to show it to bigger producers and get it made.
HNMAG: Did you have a strong background in Film and TV before you moved to Canada?
Madison Stenner: No, but I knew I wanted to go into filmmaking. After high school, I worked in a movie theatre. Before I graduated from University, I got my first job in set decoration. It was a non-union Movie of the Week (MOW), but now I’m a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). After that first job, I hopped around to a few different departments. I gained a lot of skills that helped me with directing and producing.
HNMAG: What job did set decoration lead to?
Madison Stenner: Production designing, which I really enjoy. I worked on a lot of shows that way and sustained myself with that work.
HNMAG: Have you worked on anything that was set in Canada?
Madison Stenner: I worked on a Crazy 8 short, I Can’t Go On, which was set in Vancouver and won four Leo Awards.
HNMAG: You were the executive producer on that.
Madison Stenner: The director is now expanding that into a feature.
HNMAG: Was that the first movie you produced?
Madison Stenner: No, I produced my own short the previous spring. This was the first project I worked on purely as a producer. It’s nice to shine a spotlight on another creative vision.
HNMAG: Is there a big difference between producing someone else’s project to doing it all yourself?
Madison Stenner: It hurts less being just the producer. When you have a creative tie to a project, it’s deeply personal. I was stoked at the gala screening. It’s a lot more heart-wrenching when it’s your own vision.
HNMAG: Are you still working on I Can’t Go On?
Madison Stenner: I have moved on. I am producing a feature out of Atlanta. I am also working on a Disney show as a director’s assistant. It’s a new era.
HNMAG: What is the Atlanta feature about?
Madison Stenner: It’s called Othermor. It’s a sci-fi horror, about a girl who wakes up trapped in a Victorian-style chamber with AI. She has no memories. She has to trick information from the AI to retrieve her memories.
HNMAG: How did you get involved in that?
Madison Stenner: I reached out to the filmmakers and met with them. They offered me the lead producer position.
HNMAG: What is your feature script about?
Madison Stenner: It’s called Nome. It’s set in 1925 Alaska. It’s a murder-mystery western. At that time, the weather made Nome inescapable. At the same time, there was an epidemic. They had to figure out how to get the community the anti-toxin, and the best dog sled team raced across frozen tundra for life or death. This is commemorated with a dog race every year. The movie is based on a true experience, but there is my own story set inside this historic event.
HNMAG: As an American, living in Canada, do you find it puzzling that we don’t make more movies that are set here?
Madison Stenner: Absolutely! I was offered to produce a telefilm-funded movie that was perfect for showcasing Vancouver and was fundamental to the story. It also had a wide universal appeal. I was banging my head against the wall, trying to figure out why are these movies not being made. Why aren’t we telling Canadian stories? I wish these projects got produced that are true Vancouver experiences that are not twisted to be more American. Truly authentic.
HNMAG: What could be done to make that happen?
Madison Stenner: The opportunity I see is with established producers. They find that it’s easier to make money sticking with the formula they know. The culture and great stories get left behind. During the strike, I was hoping that indie Canadian stories would flourish and it was really disappointing to see that not happening.
HNMAG: What is something positive that has happened for you in film and TV recently?
Madison Stenner: Coming off of I Can’t Go On, the Leo’s, the festival run, it was so fun for the entire team to get such recognition.
It was different to speak with an American who moved up to Canada to start their Film and Television career. Madison has a strong work ethic. She’s smart, creative, and ambitious. It’s nice to confirm that we are on the right track with projects being set in Vancouver. International audiences want to see authentic movies and TV shows that tell stories that are new and from places like Vancouver. There is enough talent here with unique voices. We just need to be allowed to express that.