A film crew from Nova Scotia was in Hazelton last week to work on a documentary.
The film is about a Hazelton man who coaches an aspiring actor from Vancouver.
Producer and director Cheryl Hassen said she came up with the idea after reviewing Scott Sawchuck’s portfolio.
“I had heard from Scott’s mother who asked me to review his demo reel and in that conversation she said that Scott was getting really down on himself and was having a hard time getting into the business.”
Hassen gave Sawchuck some pointers but thought there was more she could do for him.
“This concept of acting naturally came to me, his acting coach told him he needs to relax and come from the inside. I thought if he got out of Vancouver, where it is so busy and it feeds that competitive pressure in him, that if he got out and into an environment where he could relax, that would help.”
She then started looking for a mentor, that understands nature and what the environment was all about. In her search, she found Roy Henry Vickers, who lives in the Kispiox Valley.
“It sounded like something I should be involved in when Cheryl asked if I was interested in working with a young man who was struggling with his life and wondering which way to go,” Vickers said.
Vickers is a sweat lodge leader and has had his lodge for the past 20 years which is a place of healing and prayer, where people can ground themselves.
However, he has never mentored someone one on one before and never in front of cameras.
“There is always fear on board when you are communicating and letting your guard down and being vulnerable. You can’t have a meaningful conversation without putting down your shield and allowing them to come in. Fear gives us wisdom when we process why we are afraid.”
Sawchuck said this documentary is coming at a good time in his life.
“In my early twenties, I was naive getting into this industry and thought things would just work out. Things didn’t go according to plan and I got really down on myself. There is a lot of learning in the dark side of things. I am much more understanding of Roy’s wisdom, because his lightness came from darkness and I can relate to that.”
They filmed scenes with Vickers at his beautiful house along the Skeena River.
“Instead of people being our audience, or the camera being the audience, the birds, the bees and the trees are the audience. It is all about grounding myself,” said Sawchuck.
Sawchuck is hoping to learn more self knowledge and clarity about who he is and what happiness is.
“I have no expectations, I am just open to the experience and whatever comes of it. I am not expecting this documentary to take off, it is just the whole experience with Roy and I’ve already taken away so much and I think I have a really good friend. He’s awesome, so open, and so vulnerable.”
Filming with Vickers wraps on June 19.
“Even if we are only in each other’s lives for this documentary, I’ll be forever grateful,” said Sawchuck.
Hassen is hoping to have the film released in November.