CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
Local News Weekly
705 - 864 - 2785
Free to Every Household
Vol. 30, Issue 3, September 18, 2025
705 - 864 - 0911
Local Film Premieres at Sudbury Cinefest
I
t shouldn't have worked”, says director Steve Schmidt. He and his youthful cast Logan Taylor, Jeanmarc Robitaille, and Noah Taylor - had been trying to find a window to shoot a short film for the better part of two summers - but their schedules never lined up. And then, suddenly as the 2024 Labour Day weekend approached, it happened. Everyone was available - except that Logan was scheduled to work at Collins Home Long Term Hardware on Saturday. Forecast Thursday The short had High 15 been written by director Low 4 Steve Schmidt's high Friday school friend, John de High 15 Vries. He had seen Low 4 Saturday High 18 Low 9 Sunday High 20 Low 12 Monday High 21 Low 14 Tuesday High 20 Low 12
Schmidt's award winning feature film, The Road to Tophet and wanted Schmidt to direct. The script was perfect for northern Ontario, three kids go fishing, trying to hook the big one. “It was Logan who was the impetus for the project,” says Schmidt. “He was interested in acting and the role - a nervous city kid - was tailor made for him.” With Logan's brother Noah cast as the hockey playing fishing guide and their friend Jeanmarc as the wisecracking sidekick, all they needed was a boat, some fishing rods and a couple of days where everyone was available. Gabe Taylor, Logan and Noah's father, agreed to produce. “We contacted Josh Collins at Home Hardware and explained the situation. He graciously agreed to release Logan for the day.”
The team went into high gear. Costumes and props were quickly gathered. Mitch Beaudry, Jeanmarc's mother, agreed to host the cast and cater the shoot. The film was shot in Sultan over the course of a couple of days. “It was so fast,” says Schmidt, “and last minute that I honestly didn't think it would be anything other than an interesting experience for the kids. But when I started editing over the following winter, it soon became apparent that the performances were solid and the filmmaking, though hasty, held together. We had a film!” With original musical score by Noah Taylor, THE LAKE makes its world premiere at Cinefest Sudbury as part of the CTV Best in Shorts program. It screens at SilverCity Sudbury at noon on Saturday, September 20th. For more information about the film, its cast, and future screenings, look for The Lake - a short film on Facebook.
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