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JONATHON JOFFE Jonathan Joffe began in film and television as a volunteer in a community television station in 1994. Since then he has continually developed his creative and technical skills. In 1999 Jonathan Joffe was hired as technical coordinator for the NUTV, a non-profit community television program at the University of Calgary. While there he transitioned the station from analogue to digital, and oversaw the spending of $200,000 in broadcast equipment. While working at NUTV, Jonathan Joffe wrote and directed his first major short film Young Rocket Samurai. The film was a huge success, earning him a national broadcast license on Canada’s Space Channel. After Young Rocket Samurai Jonathan Joffe co-founded a workshop known as “The Actor’s Lab” in conjunction with Actra Calgary. Each week he directed local actors in performing scene studies for the camera, from either existing works, or short scenes written by him specifically for the program. Over the course of two years, Joffe worked on over 60 scenes, with approximately 100 actors. Using the writing and directing lessons he learned from the Actor’s Lab, Jonathan went on to write, direct, and produce Cost of Living, his second major short film. Within months of its release, the film won international recognition with 15 awards and over 45 festival screenings worldwide, including the 2006 Ampia awards for Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Film in the Drama under 60 minutes category. January 2007 saw the release of his first ever series Have Guide Will Travel, a 3 part half hour travel show about backpacking in Mexico. The show, on which Joffe worked as producer, director, host, and editor, is currently airing nationally on Canadian Learning Television. Jonathan Joffe has recently brought back the Actor’s Lab under the new title Upstart, with the guidance and support of Ampia through their professional development committee. As program creator / coordinator Joffe is bringing together Alberta writers, actors, and directors to create an ongoing training program which will give local talent a place to practice, thrive and grow. Jonathan is currently working on an original script for a feature length Science Fiction film, commissioned by Canadian producer Noah Segal. He also works as a freelance cooperate video writer and director, with clients such as The Calgary Health Region, Bentall Real Estate, Ellis Don Construction, White Iron Video, Highwood Communications, The Calgary Food Bank, and many more. Jonathan is a black belt in Wado Kai Karate, and avid skier and sport climber, and has backpacked through 10 countries on 3 continents. |