December 15, 2021 4:37 pm
Published by Jimena Romero
What’s your role at the NFB and what are your responsibilities?
I’m a writer with the Communications and Public Affairs team. I write a variety of texts in French, both about the NFB and the projects we produce here: press releases, web content, letters, invitations, speeches, press kits—everything, really, and that’s what I like. Whether it’s for festivals, theatrical releases, commemorations, national or international events, it’s always something different. I work closely with my colleagues in Linguistic Services on editing and English translation, because all NFB communications have to be available in both official languages. I also have an English copywriter counterpart, so we typically divide the work based on the language used when the project first goes into development, whether it’s a film or another type of project.
How long have you been with the Film Board? Tell us about your journey.
I started at the NFB in February 2007, in the same position of copywriter. It’ll be 15 years soon; time flies! I’d previously worked in communications for Vélo Québec and at an ad agency, after studying literature. I’ve always loved writing and that’s why I chose it as a career, although I’d long considered becoming a teacher. And to be able to write about arts and culture is such a privilege! The doors opened much wider for me once I decided to be a copywriter, and I’ve never regretted it. I’ve kept the same position at the NFB over the years, but my work is always evolving to keep pace with the organization’s changing needs.
What makes the NFB unique in your eyes?
I would say the amazing diversity of points of view, backgrounds and ages. We have creators from ages 20 to 90! I’ve learned so many things here, for example about Indigenous Peoples, different parts of Canada that I’ve never visited, worlds that I never even knew existed. That’s very valuable and incredibly rich, and I feel really fortunate to have access to it all.
What aspect of your craft brings you the most pride?
Having the feeling that I’ve found the right words to showcase our artists’ work and their voices. It’s very important to respect their ideas and their way of expressing them. You have to really listen—and watch, of course!—to avoid shortcuts and formulaic expressions, and avoid distorting their words. It’s a great source of pride to see that reflected in the media, for example, and feel that the message is being conveyed clearly.
Are you more a fan of animation, documentaries or interactive works?
Honestly, I like them all, for different reasons. In terms of animation, I’m fascinated by the variety of techniques and the emotion that a drawn line can produce. I love documentary, whether it’s exploring the past or the present, because I think it’s important to chronicle what we experience. And what I like about interactive works is the diversity of the approaches to storytelling, the fact that they’re never unoriginal or mundane.
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This post was written by Jimena Romero