T he expertly- choreographed film captured the nuances and and Rodgers’ screenplay held it all together. Still The Water premiered in FIN Atlantic International Film Festival - located in Halifax – last September, and this led to the selection of Rodgers’ NFB-backed short, Then Sings My Soul , to be brought to FIN for 2021. majesty of the Island and wrapped it in a family drama, It follows Islander Chad Matthews, his difficult journey, and his life as a part-time fisherman and Stompin’ Tom Connors tribute artist. “The inspiration for this film was Chad himself, someone who I felt was a lot like me in the sense that we are both creative people with big dreams, dreams that are tough to realize in a remote geographic area like Prince Edward Island,” says Rodgers. “We met on the set of my feature, Still The Water , and chatted over lunch that first day. I realized that he, like me, sometimes feels like a square peg in a round hole.” Rodgers – author of the Drifters series and new Dallas White paperback series – says she knew Matthews’ story might help others. “People might realize they, too, can make tough choices and still follow their dreams. In particular, I believe Chad’s vulnerability in the film will encourage other men and perhaps fathers to let down their guard and share the truths of their own difficult situations,” she says.
“I also wanted to share Chad’s music with the world and introduce him to a new audience. He makes a great Stompin’ Tom but he has other music to offer as well.” With the backing of the National Film Board, Rodgers felt support from an outfit meant entirely to distribute and promote important Canadian content. “Working with the NFB was an absolute dream. After doing so many of the jobs on Still The Water , it was an amazing experience to just hand the producing entirely over to someone else,” she says. “Producer Rohan Fernando was terrific to work with. He allowed me the creative freedom I craved, and yet he carefully nudged me when I needed it. Everyone I met on my NFB journey was absolutely supportive and wonderful.” Her debut feature, Still The Water , found its red carpet premiere and hope for in-person screenings marred by COVID-19, but hit streaming mid- year 2021. She said the experience of making Then Sings My Soul was far different. “I loved being able to focus on just the creative aspects of the film. Still The Water was a wonderful project but I was, and still am, so caught up in the administrative, producing, and paperwork aspects of the film that it’s sometimes draining. First and foremost, I love to write and tell stories, and the producing side, while very rewarding, can deplete me rather quickly,” she says. “Also, Then Sings My Soul is a documentary, a real life story, and so there were responsibilities in ensuring that I told Chad’s story in a sensitive
way, in a way that supported him and his family honestly and authentically.” However, she does say "the thrill of filmmaking" was the exact same, regardless of the differences in the projects. “The thrill of filmmaking is the thrill of filmmaking. I truly love telling stories, whether it’s through novel-writing or scripted or unscripted filmmaking. It’s just magical to see any project come together, and I’m very grateful to express myself through so many mediums,” she says. “The filmmaking community now has access to a PEI Film Production Fund, and the community is growing stronger and stronger as more voices emerge. FilmPEI has done so much to grow and strengthen our creative community. Opportunities for training abound, and the results are apparent.” She says people within PEI are incredibly supportive of artists in the area. “Film is still new, so the audience is growing, and in particular independent film is likely a new idea for those used to big budget Hollywood movies,” she says. “In terms of making my films, I’ve always had incredible support on the production side, and I’m so grateful.” Rodgers is now prepping for the next step in her professional journey, and has plenty on the horizon. “I’m publishing my newest book, When I Needed You , this fall, and am also attending film markets with pitch decks for new projects in hand, in search of producing partners and opportunities,” she says. “Film is addictive, and I cannot wait to make more movies to share with the world.”
FALL 2021/WINTER 2022 www.pei-living.ca
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