Film Director Philip Spink on The Godchild

In this exclusive interview, writer/director/producer Philip Spink discusses the filming and production model his latest work, sci fi fantasy The Godchild.

In Part 1of this exclusive interview, screenwriter, independent film director and producer Philip Spink discussed sci fi TV and films, coming home and filming his indie film, The Godchild. In this final segment, Philip reflects upon his cast, the film music and the filmmaking model used to make The Godchild.

Philip Spink on The Godchild Cast

Casting was critical for the project to go ahead. The audition process was long but gave Philip an opportunity to pick the best actor for each role. “I was so lucky with some of our main actors. Once I had them, I knew that I could do this film.”

The role of Peter was portrayed by Grant Spink (Knights of Bloodsteel). “I needed someone who could spend incredible amounts of time doing special effects with, would always be there, explained Philip. “It worked out perfectly for that. He fit the part perfectly.”

Kari Townsend (The Call, Who Dressed You This Morning?) was cast as Sister Beth Myers. “She brought ferocity to the character,” remarked Philip. “She really empathized with the character who is a strong-willed woman who has had a tragic past.”

“I knew I wanted someone exotic,” said Philip regarding the role of Peter’s doctor, portrayed by Steve Dhillon (Money, ODC, 419: The Nigerian Scam). “I needed someone who could play a brilliant, dedicated doctor who has some guilt about leaving his homeland…When Steve showed up, he was perfect.”

Michael Heltay (Knights of Bloodsteel), who plays Sister Meyer’s friend Bernie, has worked with Philip Spink on several productions. “I wrote the part for him,” he said. Bernie does provide some comic relief in The Godchild. “I knew Mike could pull that off really well.”

Riah Fielding-Walters (The Wizard's Christmas) played Peter’s teacher. “It’s a character who is constantly battling her insecurities and her fears and trying to overcome them,” said Philip. “She brought such sensitivity to the role.”

Hazel Valdez is fairly new to the acting scene. As Sister Valdez, she is a balancing effect on the rest of the teaching staff. “You could really see her commitment on screen,” he said. “She has a very good technique and wonderful comic timing.”

When writing the screenplay, Philip, with help from co-producer and wife Zuzana Novak, kept each actor’s talents in mind. “I was able to hone the script and craft it to their strengths. They did a great job.”

Music Production for The Godchild

The film music for The Godchild was composed by Canadians Peter Jancewicz and James Guttridge. “With the combination of Peter and Jim, I was able to get the music I needed for the film without monopolizing their time.”

The Godchild marks Jancewicz’s debut into film composing. “It’s like having Chopin or Beethoven in the same city,” said Philip. “He brings such a sense of gravitas and sensitivity to his music.” Jancewicz is a Calgary-based composer, music teacher, clinician, writer and adjudicator, whose compositions are published by Alberta Keys and Alfred Music Publishing.

Guttridge has collaborated with Philip on several projects, including Voyage of the Unicornand Knights of Bloodsteel. In the realm of film music, “he’s a real heavy hitter,” he quipped.

Heavy hitter indeed. Guttrridge won a Leo Award for Best Musical Score (Once in a Blue Moon) and an International Television Award (Dinosaur). He also received Gemini, Leo, and Grammy nominations for his work on Voyage of the Unicorn and Kung Fu Killer. Most recently, Guttridge scored the music for Sy Fy Channel's TV drama Riverworld (2010), which stars Tahmoh Penikett (Cold Squad, Battlestar Galactica).

Modeling The Godchild on Quebec Film Productions

“Wouldn’t be nice if we could make our money back in Alberta like they do in Quebec?” posited Philip. “Quebec filmmakers are supported by Quebeckers.” He set out to achieve that with The Godchild. “We can prove that you can make a film in Alberta, make your money back and then start marketing it beyond the province.”

Another goal for keeping a low-budget independent film was to keep costs affordable to viewers. At $5 a ticket, “it’s a pretty good deal,” said Philip “Hopefully it will move you and in the end, you say, ‘I’ve got my money’s worth.’ ”

The Godchild premiered in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, October 9, 2010, which I reviewed on my Stumbling Still blog. This sci fi fantasy film was written, directed and produced by Philip Spink and stars Kari Townsend, Steve Dhillon, Riah Fielding-Walters, Michael Heltay, Grant Spink and Hazel Valdez.

Originally published October 16, 2010 on Suite 101. Updated March 22, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Interview With The Godchild Director Philip Spink

In this exclusive interview, writer/director/producer Philip Spink talks about sci fi TV and films, coming home and filming The Godchild.

Philip Spink is recognized in the North American film industry as a skilled commercial director, as well as for his work on action miniseries and TV fantasy movies such as Voyage of a Unicorn. He is the screenwriter, film director and film producer of The Godchild.

This indie sci fi fantasy film hit theatres on October 9, 2010, his latest work. It explores the space time continuum through one unique boy's journey in search for a lost loved one and universal truths. Independent film director Philip Spink chatted with me when I worked with Suite 101 prior to film’s premiere.

Philip Spink, Leading Canadian Commercial Director

Philip Spink grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. He began his professional career as a classically-trained artist and illustrator. In the 1990’s, Spink relocated to Vancouver, BC and began working in the film industry, working on commercials. Gradually, he gravitated towards film making.

Spink directed various TV series and movies, including KidZone and Ronnie & Julie (1997). The latter work garnered actress Alexandra Purvis a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance in the young actress category.

Spink’s Journey From Commercials to Award-Winning Sci Fi TV

“The genre draws me in,” said Spink of science fiction fantasy. “It takes you to another place.”

Not surprisingly, Spink debuted as a screenwriter/film director with a fantasy film. Once in a Blue Moon (1995). The production earned a Genie nomination for costume design and won a Leo Award for Best Musical Score.

In 2009, Spink directed Knights of Bloodsteel, a fantasy TV miniseries for RHI Entertainment that featured Christopher Lloyd. Some of his other TV series and miniseries have appeared on Showtime TV, Spike TV and the Sy Fy Channel.

Spink earned international recognition with the Hallmark Channel TV miniseries Voyage of the Unicorn (2001), which starred Beau Bridges (Stargate SG-1, The District), Chantal Conlin (Tru Calling, Life as We Know It) and Heather McEwen (Young Blades, The Baby Dance). Voyage garnered numerous awards and nominations, including a Gemini for Best Special Effects and a Leo Award for Feature Length Drama: Best Cinematography, Feature Length Drama. It also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Spink Returns to Alberta

After living on the west coast for over 10 years, Philip Spink returned to Alberta, settling down in Calgary. “I have kids and wanted them to be close to relatives,” he explained.

The move didn’t hamper his work, fortunately. “As a director, it doesn’t matter where you live,” he said.

However, Spink wanted to produce something in Alberta. “I really wanted to work where I lived. I really wanted to get a project of my own off the ground; so I tried to design a project that I could do here with local actors.” This project was The Godchild.

Local Talent and Low Budget can Equal High Quality Film

Philip Spink’s goals in making The Godchild. were three-fold: to develop a high quality movie with a low to mid-range budget, to use local talent and to make it an independent film. Pitching films to networks can be challenging at times, which prompted the decision to work outside the system.

“It’s very difficult to do something unique and original because you have to go through so many hoops,” he explained. Teen comedies and westerns are much easier to sell to networks. As an independent film production, Spink was unencumbered by pressures and politics of network or film production companies.

(In Part 2 of this exclusive interview with film director and producer Philip Spink, he talks about the cast, music and production model of his latest work, The Godchild. This sci fi fantasy film premiered in Calgary on October 9, 2010 and was by me on my Stumbling Still Blog.

Originally published October 16, 2010 on Suite 101. Updated March 22, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

The Godchild Movie Review

Space and time can be altered, but the truth never changes. This sci-fi fantasy film redefines the space time continuum through one unique boy's journey.

“Everyone’s connected,” says Peter as he shares some of his lessons to the audience regarding his travels through time and space. This interconnectedness is displayed in various ways throughout The Godchild.

The Godchild is a 2010 indie film by Canadian independent film director Philip Spink, which stars Kari Townsend, Steve Dhillon, Riah Fielding-Walters, Michael Heltay, Grant Spink and Hazel Valdez. This independent film features an all-Albertan cast and crew. The themes of interconnectivity, love, loss, fear and truth are clearly communicated in this work.

The Godchild Plot

Peter, played by Grant Spink, is a young boy from the Midwest. His godmother (and guardian) has been missing for quite some time. On what seems to be a normal day at school, Peter’s class is discussing Pompeii. When Kate, the teacher, compliments Peter on his drawing of ancient Roman columns, Peter informs her “I am there now.” In this way, the “mystery of Peter” is introduced.

As Sister Beth Myers, played by Kari Townsend, along with Peter’s teachers (Riah Fielding-Walters and Hazel Valdez) doctor (Steve Dhillon) and lawyer (Michael Heltay) attempt to solve the mystery behind Peter’s “episodes,” they are drawn into his world and are forced to face their own inner demons in the process. No character remains unchanged at the end of the journey.

Well Paced and Well Balanced Story in The Godchild

Although Grant Spink (Knights of Bloodsteel) plays the central character Peter in The Godchild, the true “star” of the movie is the story itself. There are four interconnected stories that weave around Peter's story. For the most part, these are well balanced, giving each leading actor a chance to shine, without seeming contrived.

Philip Spink captured the fleeting emotions on each character’s face effectively through lighting and camerawork as they wrestled with their thoughts and fears. The transformation from shock to disbelief to fear was artfully done when Kate is transported away from the school. Riah Fielding-Walters (The Wizard's Christmas) does a spectacular job of projecting those emotions through only her eyes.

The lighting was especially effective when Steve Dhillon (Money, ODC, 419: The Nigerian Scam) as the guilt-ridden doctor faced himself in his apartment. The theatre felt chillier with the dim steel blue lighting and the haunting strains of the soundtrack.

If anything, more information on Kate’s back story would have brought a bit more depth to her character. The doctor’s story did receive more screen time, but also could have been fleshed out just a bit more, although for both characters, the essentials were covered for their stories.

Michael Heltay as Bernie (Knights of Bloodsteel) and Hazel Valdez as Sister Valdez also deliver strong performances in the film. Valdez even injects a bit of Filipino cultural humour into one scene.

The movie soundtrack weaves into the story seamlessly. The melancholy minimalist themes enhance the character's emotions beautifully, from angst to frustration and from sadness to desperation.

The soundtrack is scored by Canadians James Guttridge (Voyage of the Unicorn, X-Files) and Peter Jancewicz. The Godchild marks Jancewicz’s debut in composing for film. His compositions are published by Alfred Music Publishing and Alberta Keys.

Grant Spink and Kari Townsend Shine in The Godchild

Grant Spink and Kari Townsend (The Call, Who Dressed You This Morning?) both delivered riveting performances in this movie. Both roles demanded a wide spectrum of emotions (some work with the blue screen). Their stories are fleshed out the most throughout the movie.

Townsend’s Sister Beth was portrayed as a strong woman trying to keep her world – the school – afloat. As the story progresses and viewers learn of her tragic story, Townsend aptly project’s the good nun’s vulnerabilities and desires.

Grant Spink brings a balance of youthful impetuousness, tempered by sweetness to the role. Both are needed to help audiences relate to his extraordinary character. At his core, Peter is just a child who’s trying to find his godmother. Trying to find the truth.

The Godchild – The Facts

The Godchild (2010) is a sci-fi fantasy movie rated PG. Running time is 83 minutes.

This sci fi film is based on an original screenplay by Philip Spink. Among Spink’s writing and directing credits are numerous sci-fi TV shows and mini-series, including Knights of Bloodsteel, The White Crane Killers, Once in a Blue Moon and Voyage of the Unicorn, which was ranked as Hallmark Entertainment’s highest rated two-night mini-series. His works have also appeared on RHI, SPIKE TV, Showtime TV and the Sy Fy Channel. He runs a production company, Philip Spink Productions in Calgary, Alberta.

The Godchild is available to buy or rent on the movie's website.

The Godchild – More Than a Time Travel Story

The story of The Godchild is well-paced. The development of the characters and the projection of their emotions are not rushed in the least. Although the premise of the story is space time travel, it’s the interconnecting storylines, along with the interaction between all the main characters that make this film enjoyable to watch (the space travel metaphysics is just a bonus for sci-fi fans).

The coin-flipping scene from the trailer and the film's ending? They need to be seen to be fully appreciated.

The Godchild stars Kari Townsend, Steve Dhillon, Riah Fielding-Walters, Michael Heltay, Grant Spink and Hazel Valdez. It had a limited run in Calgary, showing at the Canyon Meadows Cinemas on October 16, 23 and 30, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. Tickets and CD soundtrack were $5.00 each. This science fiction movie premiered Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta.

Rating: 4.5/5

Originally published on October 12, 2010 on Suite101.com. Updated March 21, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.