Genre Storytelling for Social Change.
Genre Storytelling for Social Change.
My Precious Pictures, Inc. is an award-winning production company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We develop, finance, and produce commercially successful, critically acclaimed films and series that inspire critical conversations. Our projects are character-driven, thought-provoking work in the genre space (thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) with the potential to reach diverse audiences through innovative and purpose-driven marketing, promotion, and distribution initiatives, with the intent to inspire, entertain and connect people locally and globally.
Our vision is to create empathy and ignite passion worldwide through entertaining and engaging storytelling. With our unique go-to-market online platform - The Ignite Universe - My Precious Pictures is well-positioned to become an industry leader in building, engaging and igniting audiences.
When choosing projects, the MPP team follows the axiom: In order to inspire you must first educate; in order to educate you must first entertain.
We are committed to working with award-winning writers and directors as well as top talent who understand that a film can be both critically and commercially successful without compromising creatively. We hire diverse talent at all stages of development and both in front of and behind the camera, and create an environment of positivity, empathy, and inclusion at all stages of production.
Since launching in 2018, My Precious Pictures has proven itself to be a production company to watch. It was one of only six Canadian production companies to be chosen to participate in the Producers Lab at the 2018 Whistler Film Festival; EP mentor was David Gross (ROOM, GOON). MPP was also chosen to participate in the 2nd Cohort of the 2020 Spark Accelerator (Banff World Media Festival), Canada’s 2020 Trade Accelerator Program (World Trade Centre Vancouver) and Telefilm's Producers Without Borders (Coproduction Program at European Film Market 2021).
My Precious Pictures' business model provides a powerful combination of genre storytelling and meaningful engagement, making for an impactful and potentially lucrative investment opportunity for anyone interested in investing in the most influential mediums in the world, TV and film. We are committed to maximizing the return for its investors while creating content of excellence.
Rachelle Chartrand has been involved in the film industry for over fifteen years, first as the creative producer of numerous short films, including a co-production shot in South Korea, then as president of Women in Film and Television Vancouver and now as an award-winning screenwriter, script consultant and producer.
Rachelle was one of six producers from across Canada chosen to participate in the Producers Lab at the 2018 Whistler Film Festival, and a producer on DOWNLOADED, a VR narrative short directed by Ollie Rankin and starring Tiera Skovbye (NURSES, RIVERDALE), which had its world premiere at the 2019 Venice Film Festival and was listed on Forbes' 2019 "Top 50 XR Experiences." Her, and My Precious Picture's, first feature film CHAINED was completed in August 2020 and had its World Premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
As a screenwriter, Rachelle has won numerous wards and has had projects in development with some of Canada's biggest production companies. Theory of Evelyn, a TV Series she co-created with Titus Heckel, is in development with Sepia Films and is a recipient of the highly competitive 2020 Creative BC/CMF Regional Predevelopment Program. The pilot episode “Black F*#King Holes” was a Quarter-finalist in the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition as well as in the Script Pipeline Competition.
She is a cofounder and CEO of Ignite Worldwide Media, a socially conscious media company with an innovative online audience engagement platform, The Ignite Universe. Rachelle and Ignite were chosen for the highly competitive 2020 Sparks Accelerator program put on by the Banff World Media Festival.
In addition to her work in film, Rachelle is a published author. In September 2014, she released her own memoir, CHRYSALIS: A Dark and Delicious Diary of Emergence. She holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in Physics from the University of Alberta. She has taught in South Korea and India, as well as an independent school for at-risk youth and young offenders in Burnaby, BC and a private education centre in Vancouver working primarily one-on-one with FASD, autistic and dyslexic students.
Director of Development and Communications
Sasha Duncan is a brilliant creator and dynamic leader, and awesome addition to the My Precious Pictures team. She is a writer, educator, and independent filmmaker with a background in both the development and production of kids' animation, as well as independent low-budget filmmaking. She is a teacher at Vancouver Film School, one of her alma maters, and maintains her own daily writing practice.
Sasha spearheads the creative development of My Precious Pictures' projects, as well as overseeing the marketing and promotions for both the projects and company. She's passionate about social justice, thrifted vintage finds, and her plant children, as well as stories with strong characters, themes, and twists.
FEATURE FILMS
COMPLETED
CHAINED
An abused boy discovers and befriends a criminal chained inside an abandoned warehouse, but after a violent betrayal the abused becomes the abuser, putting both their lives in peril.
A psychological crime thriller by award-winning writer/director Titus Heckel starring genre favourite Aleks Paunovic (VAN HELSING, SNOWPIERCER, SEE) and rising star Marlon Kazadi (CHILD’S PLAY and GHOSTBUSTERS: Afterlife), along with Canadian Screen Award winning actor Adrian Holmes (star of the Bravo hit series 19-2 and the new Netflix series V WARS).
With its masterfully crafted script that explores the timely issues of abuse and bullying, and how toxic masculinity can be both the trigger and fuel for both, MPP is excited to share this profound, provocative story with the world and to create a conversation around these important issues.
EXPLORE THE CHAINED WORLD
Learn from the rollercoaster ride from script to screen that was *almost* as thrilling as the film in the behind-the-scenes series #CreatingChained found on The Ignite Universe.
SUMMARY OF AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
Six nominations from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, including Best BC Film, Best Canadian Screenplay, One to Watch in Canada (Titus Heckel), Best Canadian Supporting Actor (Adrian Holmes; Aleks Paunovic), and Best Canadian Actor (Marlon Kazadi).
World Premiere at the 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival
- One of only 100 feature films from around the world chosen for the FIRST online iteration of the internationally renowned festival.
- One of only 16 feature films chosen for TWO simultaneous, in-person, COVID-safe screenings, both of which SOLD OUT. The first in 24hrs, the second within a week.
- 82% of online voters gave CHAINED 5 STARS!
The script was a semifinalist in the 2018 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, the most competitive and prestigious competition in the world (http://www.oscars.org/nicholl). )
The project and team were winners of the Telefilm sponsored JETS Program, an international coproduction and pitching competition held during the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival.
The project has received Polish & Packaging development funding from the highly competitive Harold Greenberg Fund (Bell Media - Canada’s largest broadcaster).
Recipient of the Project Development Fund Program grant from Creative BC.
The project, along with producer Rachelle Chartrand, was one of 6 CDN features to be chosen for the Producers Lab at the 2018 Whistler Film Festival. Rachelle’s mentor EP was David Gross (ROOM, GOON).
Recipient of Canada Feature Film Fund, Telefilm 2019.
Broadcast license with Super Channel (first window)
Broadcast license with Hollywood Suite (non-exclusive, second window)
MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
CHAINED had its World Premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival on October 1st and gave it an awesome review, here's a nibble:
"Titus Heckel uses Chained’s high-concept setup as a springboard for an enthralling dive into an impressionable psyche shaped by cycles of abuse. (Marlon) Kazadi is phenomenal in every scene..."
Read VIFF's whole awesome review and the trailer at this link,
To learn all about the rollercoaster journey behind the making of the film along with interviews, clips, the trailer and up to date information about panels, screenings, etc. visit the CHAINED World on the new innovative audience engagement platform, The Ignite Universe.
On February 26th, Rachelle Chartrand presented the teaser and an update at the awards brunch for the Telefilm and CMPA sponsored JETS Program, which takes place during the 2020 European Film Market/Berlin International Film Festival.
To view cast and crew behind the scenes pics and to stay in the loop, follow us on social!
@mypreciouspictures
MEDIA COVERAGE
Hollywood North Magazine:
https://hnmag.ca/review/viff-cycles-of-abuse-unlocked-in-chained/
Playback Online:
https://playbackonline.ca/2019/12/05/chained-buckles-down-in-b-c/
Globe and Mail (Interview with writer/director Titus Heckel)
I'm Here With Magazine Podcast - CHAINED Interview with Vancouver's award winning director, Titus Heckel
Kelowna Now: (includes video interview with Rachelle Chartrand)
A Film Set Took Over the Historic Kaleden Hotel
https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/272158/Another-feature-film-being-shot-in-the-Okanagan
For media inquiries and interview requests for Titus and Rachelle, please contact:
Lilian Sue
CHAINED, Publicist
604-518-6832
IN DEVELOPMENT
9630
A paranormal sci-fi thriller that explores the power of life vs the pull of death for someone dealing with mental health issues. The original script was written from within the Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, BC (https://thecastle.ca ).
LOGLINE
After receiving a cryptic digital invitation, a computer programmer joins six other guests at a castle where their eccentric host informs them they are the sole descendants of a damned Scottish family and that they have until dawn to break the curse or be condemned to 'The Midway' for eternity.
The Shining meets Survivor.
DEVELOPMENT HISTORY
9630 was written from within the Craigdarroch Castle, the legendary (and rumoured haunted) Victorian mansion, built between 1887 and 1890 on a hill overlooking Victoria, British Columbia. Much of the story’s plot was inspired by the layout of the castle as well as actual artefacts within. The climax of the film was written with the intent to be shot on the 2500-foot breakwater at Ogden Point in the Victoria port.
IN DEVELOPMENT
BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN
A brilliantly crafted thriller exploring the power of love in the most unlikely of circumstances written by Greg Melanson. BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN follows THOMAS DOUGLAS, cast out of his small-town crime unit for the mistakes of his recently gunned-down tyrannical father, as he is swept up in a fiery but senseless romance with a poetic traveller.
Ordered to leave town, he is compelled to stay, unintentionally pushed his estranged younger brother into perilous circumstances and facing Thomas with a dilemma: safely abandon-ship, or transcend his brutal history to embrace an unfamiliar path of love, loyalty and courage.
LOGLINE
A young, recently exiled mobster begins a quick escape from town until his brother's troubling disappearance lures him back, and unknowingly into the midst of an elaborate and chilling revenge game.
SCREENWRITER'S NOTES
In these highly polarized times of blurred morals and truth -- this story will challenge audiences to see the darker corners of reality through a more empathetic and hopeful lens.
~Greg Melanson
AWARDS
One of only 6 projects to represent Canada at JETS 2021.
PRESS
HUDDLE TODAY feature on Greg and BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN and their participation in the JETS program: https://huddle.today/n-b-director-pitches-feature-film-in-virtual-competiion/
SERIES
IN DEVELOPMENT
THEORY OF EVELYN
A heightened, comedic drama set in the high-stakes, male-dominated arena of scientific academia while taking a look at the growing physics pop culture phenomenon,
Theory of Evelyn explores many provocative themes facing a young woman in the world of academia. It is a new sandbox from which to explore the issues brought to light with the #metoo and #timesup movements while taking a look at the corruption that exists 'behind the curtain' of the venal world of academics, specifically that of physics.
TAGLINE
Evelyn Arno, the Amy Winehouse of theoretical physicists.
LOGLINE
A rock star physicist struggles to stay on the path to become a historical figure as her moral failings and celebrity aspirations undermine her pure passion for science.
SERIES SYNOPSIS
Theory of Evelyn tells the story of the meteoric rise of a genius theoretical physicist on the cusp of a crucial coveted discovery. Evelyn’s independent and imaginative young mind has her destined for greatness, but her trailer park upbringing, shameful lifestyle and reactive personality endanger not only her theory and legacy, but also her life.
Drawing on the personal passions and experiences of its creators and the growing fascination with physics worldwide, Theory of Evelyn promises to expose what many believe to be the last bastion of purity: science.
AWARDS
Co-created by Rachelle Chartrand and Titus Heckel, the pilot episode Quarter-finalist - 2016 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition and the 2016 Script Pipeline Competition
In development with production company Sepia Films and is a recipient of the highly competitive 2020 Creative BC/CMF Regional Predevelopment Program
IN DEVELOPMENT
THE VIGILANT
The seen and unseen worlds of a quirky cursed coastal town are explored in this TWIN PEAKS meets THE LOVELY BONES mystery thriller where the paranormal interact with the living with sometimes humorous, yet often horrific, repercussions.
As our story unfolds, and it is revealed that the secrets of the characters are more frightening than the occult forces they are unknowingly subjected to, the twists and turns of the plot become darker and, well, more twisted, than the network of oak roots growing underneath the town.
What starts out as offbeat Coenesque dark humor turns King-style sardonic by series end.
Based on The Vigilant: Schism, the first book of a five-part series written by the award-winning Marlayna Glynn Sanders.
TAGLINE
Avenge. Revenge. Till the end.
LOGLINE
A ghastly murder throws an idyllic, yet idiosyncratic, coastal town into a frenzy as its living and non-living citizens attempt to unmask the killer.
SERIES PREMISE
When the decapitated head of town bully and billionaire heir Oren Kniffer is found atop Beetle Oaks’ town square flagpole, the horrific discovery sets Beth, a lingering sixteen year-old ghost, and a slew of other seekers, on individual quests to unveil the killer. Beetle Oaks is no stranger to mystery, but as the private lives of its citizens are investigated, it is soon revealed that no one is who or what they seem.
The assumed culprit is eventually found and the town, seen and unseen, breathes a collective sigh of relief. But when the mutilated body of the charged psychopath turns up, it becomes evident that something far more sinister than a burgeoning vigilante serial killer is at work in Beetle Oaks.
Is this grisly execution just another in the town's history of unsolved disappearances, or has someone or something more malevolent come of age?
READ THE FIRST BOOK IN THE VIGILANT SERIES
As of January 2021, SCHISM, the first book in the five-part series, is available on Wattpad. Check it out at the link below!
https://www.wattpad.com/991071988-the-vigilant-book-one-schism-chapter-one-bully-in
Submit Your Work
My Precious Pictures is currently open for submissions!
We believe that in order to inspire you must first educate; in order to educate you must first entertain, and are looking for strong, interesting, innovative genre feature film scripts to add to our development slate.
If you have not already, please familiarize yourself with MPP and their work, above.
The writers of all submitted content must be Canadian; we are not looking for gratuitous violence/sex or slasher/gore scripts.
MPP is committed to working with diverse writers and directors who understand that a film can be both critically and commercially successful without compromising creativity. Preference will be given to diverse creators and/or stories.
All submissions must meet ONE of the following criteria:
* submitted through an agent and/or talent manager
* minimum quarter finalist in a major screenwriting competition
* accompanied by a reference letter from a teacher or industry professional
SCRIPTS & PITCHES MAY BE FORWARDED TO
We thank all for their interest and applications, however, only successful applicants will be contacted.
**ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RELEASE**
COLLABORATIONS
TITUS HECKEL
In addition to writing and directing CHAINED, the award-winning Titus Heckel is teaming up with Rachelle Chartrand on numerous other projects. Titus is also a cofounder and CDO of Ignite Worldwide Media.
BIO
Titus is a multi-award-winning screenwriter having been a previous Quarterfinalist in the Nicholl Fellowship with his scripts CHAOS THEORY (2016) and HOLY SPIRITS (2014). Other feature and TV pilots have placed at the highest levels of the best competitions in the world including the Austin Film Festival screenplay competition and the LaunchPad Pilots competition.
His recently completed feature CHAINED won the JETS international coproduction/pitch competition held during Berlinale in 2018, was a Semifinalist in the Nicholl Fellowship and received Harold Greenberg Funding.
Titus' directorial debut, WITH CHILD (2014), which he also wrote, was nominated for both the Best World Showcase at the SoHo International Film Festival and the Flash Forward Award at the Busan International Film Festival and was shortlisted for Critics’ Week at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
The Hollywood Reporter described it this way: “[It] displays a refreshing quirkiness bolstered by its clever screenplay, which features a multitude of funny one-liners.”
Titus’ expansive knowledge of story and film along with his wide-ranging education––including a degree in physics and a Master’s degree in theology––gives him a commanding range on the stories he tells.
Projects in Development with My Precious Pictures
Other feature films in development include the multi-award-winning screenplays CHAOS THEORY, HOLY SPIRITS as well as the series THEORY OF EVELYN, which was co-written/CO-created by Rachelle.
INTERVIEWS WITH TITUS
Globe and Mail (Interview with writer/director Titus Heckel)
I'm Here With Magazine Podcast - CHAINED Interview with Vancouver's award winning director, Titus Heckel
MARLAYNA GLYNN
Marlayna originally hired Rachelle to write the pilot for the TV adaptation of her 5 book YA series THE VIGILANT, but the two quickly realized that their connection, mutual respect and creative vision for the characters and storyline were so aligned that they co-created the series together. They are now co-owners of the copyright and have an exciting multimedia plan for the whole IP.
BIO
Marlayna Glynn is an award-winning storyteller on page, film, and in photography and has won multiple awards. Her published journey includes writing and editing 45+ books that span genres including memoir, biography, thriller and business education. Her articles have been featured on Huffington Post, PBS Next Avenue, Elephant Journal, The Good Men Project, and her work has been translated into many different languages.
CONNECT WITH MARLAYNA
You can follow Marlayna on Instagram at @birthrightbooks or visit her site: www.marlaynaglynn.com
GREG MELANSON
Greg and Rachelle first connected at their mutually beloved neighbourhood coffee shop in Vancouver's West End neighbourhood. They struck up a friendship over their mutual love of early mornings and film, and are now working together on Greg's first feature film BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN.
BIO
Greg Melanson is an award-winning writer and director, and the Founder and CEO of Storylance, a story-driven, cinematic commercial production company. He has been hired on contract to direct multiple large and small scale productions within different departments at Vancouver Film School, at which he was also a former directing seminar instructor. Greg hails from New Brunswick, where he got his start in film at the New Brunswick Film Co-op, whose supportive environment allowed him to grow into the filmmaker he is without rules, restrictions, or ego. He believes that is the things that we are most passionate about that are the most important offerings we have for the world.
CONNECT WITH GREG
You can follow Greg on Instagram at @gregomega or visit the Storylance site: https://storylance.com/
CO-PRODUCTIONS
DOWNLOADED
A hybrid live-action/game-engine interactive virtual reality narrative written and directed by Ollie Rankin and starring Tiera Skovbye (NURSES, RIVERDALE, ONCE UPON A TIME).
PREMISE
Inspired by the classic sci-fi film Tron and the recent Netflix series, Altered Carbon on the concept of digitizing the human mind to allow consciousness to be simulated by an algorithm, the virtual reality short film Downloaded explores that very premise.
You, the viewer and your partner Lisa (Tiera Skovbye of Riverdale & Once Upon a Time) have built a machine known as the Atomizerator, but something has gone horribly wrong with the science experiment.
The digitization process has evaporated your body and transported your consciousness inside the computer, leaving you trapped and looking out to the outside world. Working together with Lisa, you must figure out how to reverse the process and go back to the real world. But beware-your actions hold the key to your escape and how Lisa will help you. So tread carefully, or you may not make it out alive.
Downloaded is an immersive combination of cinematic live action with photo-realistic real-time game engine graphics, in a headset based VR experience that gives every viewer a different narrative experience, depending on their actions.
THE TEAM
One of the first-ever VR narrative films, Downloaded is written and directed by Vancouver based VFX veteran, Ollie Rankin, known for his VFX work on The Lord of the Rings and Matrix franchises as well as Alice: Through the Looking Glass and The Good Doctor.
The producing team of Ivan Hayden and Rachelle Chartrand along with executive producer Nancy Basi, Executive Director of Vancouver’s Film and Media Centre at the Vancouver Economic Commission, are dedicated to having Downloaded act as a showcase for Vancouver’s virtual reality, gaming, film and visual effects industries.
INVESTOR TESTIMONIAL
First-in investor and collaborator Daniel Japiassu of YDreams Global explains why he believes Downloaded is the perfect showcase for virtual reality and an ideal investment in the future of Vancouver’s immersive industries:
“This project represents perfectly how Virtual Reality can be a revolutionary media for storytelling. By supporting this initiative we wanted to show that YDreams Global is part of this new movement of creative interactive narratives that allows the public to live an experience, not just watch it. We hope to work in many other projects with the brilliant team responsible for "Downloaded". Our plan is to offer the same format to our clients, as a powerful alternative for their brand´s marketing strategy.”
IN THE NEWS
Listed in Forbes' "The Top 50 XR Experiences Of 2019"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessedamiani/2020/01/30/the-top-50-xr-experiences-of-2019/#6556fd0d14d9
One of the first interactive VR narratives, Downloaded, had its world premier at the Venice Film Festival (2019), the first ever BC-made VR project to be accepted, and was even nominated for the Fanheart3 Award.
Other screenings:
- VR VIFF Immersed - Vancouver International Film Festival (2019)
- Busan International Film Festival (2019)
Here are links to a sample of media coverage:
https://www.bcbusiness.ca/BCB-Roundup-wine-cannabis-movie-magic-and-no-vacancy-in-Vancouver
https://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/putting-the-vr-in-yvr-1.23401775
http://msinthebiz.com/2018/08/31/spotlight-interview-nancy-basi-executive-producer-of-downloaded/