Lifestyle Media, 2020 and Script to Screen – Advanced Television and Film, 2021
With a passion for creative storytelling and an outstanding portfolio of work to match, Enrique Miguel Baniqued has been making incredible strides as a Producer & Director for Explorers Content and Head of Development at Smallaxx Motion Pictures.
We caught up with Enrique in our Where Are They Now? series, where he shares details on his work, experience at the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design (SCMAD), and more.
READ MORE: Script to Screen Grad Enrique Baniqued Produces Film: Village Keeper
“As a new immigrant to Canada, graduating from SCMAD’s Lifestyle Media and Script to Screen programs helped me build a strong base. These programs gave me the network, opportunities, and industry insights I needed to navigate a new career. They empowered me to achieve what I immigrated for.”
– Enrique Miguel Baniqued
Q. Where do you work & how would you describe what you are doing now?
A: I currently run my own creative agency and service production company and, at the same time, work on developing commercial feature films with my creative partner, Karen Chapman.
Right now, I'm directing/producing branded content and commercials, reading scripts and researching top creative talent worldwide.
Q. Tell us about life after school and your career so far. How did you end up doing what you are doing today?
A: Life after school has been an incredible journey of growth and discovery through finding out what I like doing and what I don't like doing. As a new immigrant to Canada, graduating from SCMAD's programs gave me a strong foundation and the confidence to navigate the local creative industry.
During my time at the Lifestyle Media and Script to Screen programs, I began building connections and taking on various roles in film and media production. Honestly, my biggest takeaway from the Lifestyle Media program (aside from the six internship offers I got) was doing 'coffee dates, ' a concept that was very foreign to me when I was living in the Philippines. It made my transition into film much easier, and I still do a bunch to this day, which has opened more doors.
As for film, I did a few Production assistant jobs, but I knew I wanted to contribute more than what the role was. I quickly found a Production coordinating job at the Canadian Film Centre a few weeks after graduation, then worked as a production manager a few months after. I developed a deeper understanding of the logistics of filmmaking while honing my creative skills.
Eventually, I knew I wanted to try producing a feature film and just took the leap to do VILLAGE KEEPER, which had its world premiere at TIFF and will be playing in Canadian theatres this February.
Today, I've had the privilege of working on impactful projects, including feature films, commercial campaigns, and cultural content, while championing stories that reflect underrepresented voices.
It's been rewarding to see how the skills I developed at SCMAD continue to shape my career, helping me create stories that resonate both locally and globally.
Q. What is your favourite part about your career right now?
I can choose what I do and the projects I want to champion.
I feel very blessed that I got to this point fairly quickly, starting from knowing zero people in Canada four years ago.
The network I have grown has excited me to pursue more ambitious projects and push myself even more.
Q. What are some things you learned at SCMAD that you still put into practice today?
The value of coffee dates and cold reaching out to people who do the work I admire. I'm fortunate that people tend to get back to me. I learned that through both of the programs I did.
Q. What advice do you have for those currently in your program who are looking to follow a similar path as you?
Don't be afraid to ask, to try, to fail, or to not hear back. Not being afraid of these things is the key to my success in my early career.
And don’t rely on the "Canadian experience." Tell them about your experience from back home; that has value, and the right person will notice that.
Follow Enrique on Instagram @enriquemiguel_ and check out Explorers Content at explorerscontent.com to keep up with his work.
Want to see more grads in this series? Check out our Instagram @storyartscentre. And if you're an avid podcast listener, you don't want to miss episodes of Storyteller In-Depth, where we talk to students, grads, instructors, and industry professionals on a variety of topics.