2021 graduate Enrique Baniqued and 2022 graduate Jared Valkki began working together this year at the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) – an accredited film, television, and digital media organization in Toronto. Having graduated from our Script to Screen – Advanced Television and Film program in different years, the two hadn’t previously met, so how did this opportunity arise?
Let’s flashback to 2020, when Enrique first graduated from the Lifestyle Media – Content Creation program. “I had no intention of working in film before moving to Canada in late 2019; I was set to work in travel and tourism, but because of the pandemic, I noticed the film industry didn’t stop, and it just made sense to grab that opportunity."
Upon graduating, he enrolled in the Script to Screen program, where he says “networking, self-confidence, and working smart” are three key lessons he developed during his time in the program that he still utilizes today. Immediately after graduation in 2021, Enrique obtained a job at the CFC. “I started as a coordinator but got promoted to production manager. My responsibilities are a mix between a line producer, production manager, and production coordinator outside of the CFC,” he says.
As a student, Enrique was always interested in volunteer opportunities that would provide valuable experience. So after some time at the CFC, he sent out an email to the professors in the Script to Screen Program seeking anyone interested in being an on-set volunteer at the CFC, something he shares would have been valuable to him as a student in the program.
This is how Jared became aware of the opportunity, and their initial connection was made. “I managed to get in touch with him and get on set with the CFC as a production assistant (PA). After that, I was asked to come back on a separate series of shoots in the summer as an assistant production coordinator. After that, I received the full-time production coordinator opportunity,” Jared explains.
Like Enrique, Jared is also a two-time Centennial graduate, as he completed our Broadcasting – Film, Television, Digital Media and Radio program in 2016. He shares, “Before deciding to come back and take the Script to Screen program, I was working at a company for five years as their video producer. It was a company that designed and manufactured retail displays and store designs, and I was in charge of their media department. However, my goal was always to work more in the film industry, and I felt trapped in the world of corporate video. I remember hearing about the Script to Screen program in my previous program at Centennial and felt it made sense for my next step."
Jared adds, “Honestly, my favourite part of the program was meeting a great group of people. I'm still in contact with 10-15 of my classmates regularly, and some have already become very close friends. I also really enjoyed the ‘directing’ aspect of the program and our instructor, Jeremy Lalonde. His classes were very practical, in-depth and eye-opening when it came to the role of a director on set and how to work with actors.”
He shares that his main takeaway from the program is communicating and inspiring a team. “I'm an aspiring film producer, and rallying your team behind a creative idea is a difficult and daunting task to undertake. I think being able to create a lot and shoot a few films in the program helped me develop those skills.”
Now at the CFC, Jared works as a Production Coordinator with a team of five to six people who are also part of the CFC Production team. “Day to day, I'm helping email cast and crew, sending out deal memos and paperwork, and organizing schedules and logistics. I've also become an on-set rep for the CFC, meaning that I will sometimes be asked to attend film shoots to ensure the cast and crew are following the CFC policies and industry guidelines,” he explains.
Still working together, both Jared and Enrique point out that they enjoy the passionate professionals around them at the CFC. Jared says, “After working at the CFC, I have been able to network and meet many talented and creative people. Also, as an aspiring producer, I'm getting the chance to build up my roster of connections and learn from more experienced people how film shoots are planned and completed.”
Script to Screen’s Program Coordinator, Steve Lucas, has expressed his delight in the two graduates working alongside each other. He shares, “The program is in its ninth year. We’ve had 159 graduates and some great success stories, but the whole idea of a 2021 Script to Screen grad hiring a 2022 Script to Screen grad to come work with him at the top film and tv training facility in the country? That’s pretty great. It says good things about the program, the college and Enrique and Jared. If you spend time doing what I do, it’s the kind of learning outcome you hope to see.”
We are thrilled to see two Centennial graduates together in the workplace, and we congratulate both Enrique and Jared for their hard work and dedication to this industry.
Article by: Alexandra Few
Check out and subscribe to our Storyteller newsletter to read all the other great stories happening in and around the Story Arts Centre.