Filmmaking
A 16mm short film by Jimi Fritz. Made in 1995
A piece I made about Virginia's art several decades ago, in a galaxy far away... The transfer is a little rough but you get the idea... (shot on 3/4" Umatic video)
A one hour television documentary directed by Jimi Fritz about the theater program at William Head Prison.
Poem, experimental video and music by Russ T. Fraser. Direction and Editing by Jimi Fritz. Audio and Post-Production by Andrew Dodd Clippingdale of Dodd's Eye Media.
Filmmaking Bio
Jimi Fritz has immersed himself in the world of music, theatre and filmmaking since his student days in England. It was in Brighton, England, that he founded THE EYEBROW THEATRE COMPANY. He wrote plays and music, and acted in, as well as directing, the productions of this touring company.
In 1987 Fritz graduated from an intensive course in professional filmmaking at The Vancouver Island Film School and went on to upgrade his directing skills by taking the Master Seminar in Film Directing with Paul Gray, The Art of Directing for Film and Television with Neil Fearnly, and Screenwriting with Michael Hauge.
In 1989, Fritz created, co-produced and directed the award winning ALTERNATING CURRENTS, a half hour art show for Rogers 11 Victoria. The show received excellent reviews and four awards; Cable Company T.V. Awards- Runner-up Best Entertainment B.C., Poets Eye Award for Television Excellence-Inside Entertainment Magazine, and in the Hometown USA Cable T.V. Awards, the show was a finalist in 1992 and won best innovative show in 1993. In eighteen months he produced sixteen half-hour shows.
He has also produced and directed a number of other productions, including a one hour television documentary, Theater Behind Bars, several short dramas including Fall from Grace, and The Winter Tree. Writing credits include various short dramas and two feature length screenplays entitled ASHES TO ASHES, a mystery-noir-thriller, and THE LOVE ENCYCLOPEDIA, an ironic relationship comedy.
In order to stimulate and assist independent filmmaking on Vancouver Island, Fritz founded the non-profit film co-op, CINEVIC SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS in 1990, and served as president for five years.
In 1991 Fritz established MAGIC CANVAS PRODUCTIONS, and produced and directed corporate and promotional videos for companies like Hamson Engineering and children's entertainer, Kernel Popcorn.
In 1992 he joined with Lloyd Chesley and Jeffrey Fuhr to found BLUE SKY PRODUCTIONS, with a mandate to produce awareness documentaries and information videos dealing with issues of social importance. Fritz served as co-producer, director, cameraman and editor.
His 16mm short film, HOUSE OF CARDS, was invited to Local Heroes International Screen Festival, The Sudbury Film Festival, The Albany Short Film Festival and The World Film Festival in Montreal. It also won Best Short Film Award at the Victoria Independent Short Film Festival, and was broadcast on The Knowledge Network.
In recent years, he has produced and directed 24 music videos of his original songs.
Filmography
HOUSE OF CARDS
(11 mins) 1996 - 16mm
A 16 mm short film. A comedic metaphor for the stresses in modern life creating chaos for the residents of a sleepy harbour community.
A Magic Canvas Production
PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR/EDITOR
TEEN MOM'S TALKING
(22 mins) 1992 - 3/4” video
An educational documentary on teen pregnancy.
A Blue Sky Production.
DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR.
CLEARING THE AIR
(9 mins) 1992 - 3/4” video
An awareness video delineating the causes, effects and cures of the "greenhouse effect" and the depletion of the ozone layer.
A Blue Sky Production.
DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR.
TREASURE HUNTERS
(30 mins) 1992 - Betacam
A half-hour pilot for a children's television series
ASSISTANT TO THE ART DIRECTOR.
FILMMAKING ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
(60 mins) 1991 - 3/4” video
A magazine show and panel discussion showcasing the local film industry.
PRODUCER, CAMERAMAN.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
(30 mins) 1991
A documentary showcasing alternative technologies on Vancouver Island.
CAMERAMAN, EDITOR.
ALTERNATING CURRENTS
(18 x 30 mins shows) 1989-91 - 3/4” video
A series of eighteen half-hour magazine shows, exploring the eccentric soft under belly of the Victoria art scene. Recieved three awards.
CO-PRODUCER, WRITER, DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, EDITOR.
Fritz has also written various short dramas and two feature length screenplays, ASHES TO ASHES, a mystery-noir thriller, and, THE LOVE ENCYCLOPEDIA, an ironic relationship comedy.
KID$ 4 $ALE
(33 mins)1994 - Betacam
Based on interviews with actual teen prostitutes, this docu-drama focuses on the lives of four teen hookers. A Blue Sky Production.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR.
THEATRE BEHIND BARS
(60 mins) 1993 - Betacam
A character driven documentary studying the life of a controversial theatrical production put on by the inmates of William Head Institution.
A Blue Sky Production.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR,
THEATRE BEHIND BARS
(30 mins) 1993 - Betacam
An educational video for correctional institutions promoting the theatre program at William Head Institution. A Blue Sky Production.
DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN
(30 mins) 1992 - 3/4” video
A documentary about adults returning to high school with normal-aged students
A Blue Sky Production.
DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, CO-EDITOR.
INDUSTRIALS AND PROMOTIONALS
(various) 1990-92
Various industrials and promotional videos.
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, EDITOR.
FALL FROM GRACE
(7 mins) 1991 - 3/4” video
A dramatic short about the interrogation of a murderer.
PRODUCER, WRITER, DIRECTOR, CAMERAMAN, EDITOR.
MUSIC VIDEOS
24 Music videos of original songs, available on a YouTube Channel under Jimi Fritz
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, PERFORMER. .