University of Saskatchewan Student Launches Film Club to Spark Creativity in Saskatoon
University of Saskatchewan student Onyinyechi Okoro, who prefers to be called Nyechi, is bringing cinematic dreams to life through the creation of a new film club called The Second Take Collective. This initiative aims to provide fellow students with opportunities to explore their creative potential through filmmaking while building a lasting artistic community in Saskatoon.
Building a Creative Legacy
"I want to do as much as I can in this city while I have it," said Nyechi, who aspires to become a professional filmmaker. "I'm someone who wants to do film full-time as my career, so I was looking for ways to do that while I was still in Saskatoon before I graduated."
The film club has already generated significant interest, with approximately 38 people submitting sign-up forms. What makes this response particularly remarkable is the diverse backgrounds of those expressing interest:
- University alumni and established film professionals
- Students from various academic disciplines including engineering, nursing, and chemistry
- Complete beginners with no prior film experience
From Vision to Production
Nyechi plans to have the club fully operational by early February, with initial meetings in January focused on explaining different film roles and preparing for production. Her goal is to have everyone identify the stories they want to work on by the end of the month.
The student filmmaker has been particularly drawn to horror and psychological thrillers recently, citing influences like Jordan Peele's acclaimed films Get Out, Us, and Nope, as well as recent releases like 28 Years Later.
Resourceful Beginnings and Future Goals
Outside of her academic pursuits, Nyechi works as a photographer and is currently using her own equipment for club activities while encouraging members to bring their own gear. The club aims to secure equipment funding through University of Saskatchewan club resources once officially ratified.
Nyechi's vision extends beyond her own graduation. She hopes to establish The Second Take Collective as an enduring institution that could potentially lead to scholarship opportunities at established film schools like Vancouver Film School.
"I encourage anyone without film experience to join the club too," Nyechi emphasized. "They can work as production assistants and learn all the different roles necessary to make a film."
Supporting Saskatchewan's Film Community
The initiative aligns with broader support systems for filmmakers in Saskatchewan. Creative Saskatchewan, established in 2013, provides crucial support for emerging filmmakers across the province.
Remi Dufour, Director of Film Finance at Creative Saskatchewan, explained that the government agency supports creative entrepreneurs across six different sectors, with his team specifically assisting filmmakers.
Grant funding is available for various phases of film production, including:
- Covering expenses during filming
- Supporting post-production work
- Providing marketing assistance
"We can support filmmakers at various stages of either their professional career, or where their project is at," Dufour noted, highlighting the comprehensive support available for Saskatchewan's growing film community.
Through The Second Take Collective, Nyechi is not only pursuing her own filmmaking dreams but creating pathways for other students to discover their creative voices while contributing to Saskatoon's cultural landscape.
