Strangeways Productions was started in October of 2007 when I returned to Vancouver after working in London, UK. I initially used it as a psuedonym while producing an eight minute teaser for a TV series I was developing called 'These Charming Men'. Inevitably, producing became a career path once I decided to take on 'Shark Out of Water' with writer/director Juan Riedinger and so it was, Strangeways Productions became a real production company. 

The origin of the name comes from a drawn out 'Smiths' reference. Since the first project I produced was called 'These Charming Men' which for those of you who are unaware is a twist on the name of a 'Smiths' song entitled 'This Charming Man'. The Smiths were an English rock band from the 1980's through to the early 90's from Manchester and had an album called "Strangeways, here we come". Strangeways is the name of an old, but still in operation prison that is located in the north end of Manchester and that is where the name came from. Ultimately, I liked the name and that's why I chose it. 

A film by Katherine Hill

Vancouver/Vancity Heartbeat is the brainchild of Aleksandra Rea. Alek and I met in 2008 shortly after the completion of 'Shark Out of Water' when she approached me with an idea that she had for local youth-culture lifestyle programme. 

Vancouver's HEARTBEAT is a music/ lifestyle TV show that promotes the growth of the developing electronic music scene in Vancouver. The music portion of HEARTBEAT umbrellas different lifestyles and interests of the young adult population and tackle important issues at the beginning of the 21st century (Aboriginal matters, environment and sustained living, gay and lesbian topics, racism, sexism, animal rights, poverty ext.) with a unique approach: benign reality.  HEARTBEAT will be aired once a week and is coming to a Vancouver TV station near you soon.

The Time Before The Light is a experimental art house film that tells the love story of a moth and a butterfly as they find one another in the woods. The story is told through a mix of modern dance and puppetry. 

The film was shot on location at First Avenue Studio, Burnaby, Canada over the course of two weeks. In order to tell the story, major construction had to be completed, including the building of three stories of scaffolding with a catwalk suspended above a sprung, custom made dance floor. The film was shot on the Red One camera.

Bobby is having a streak of bad luck at the poker tables. Feeling down-and-out, he turns to his friend Abe to borrow more gambling money. This exchange sets off a series of events that provides a glimpse into the often misrepresented world of poker – not only the bliss, but the bleakness. Through the personal stories of these men, and with cameo appearances from poker superstars Brad Booth and Phil Hellmuth, Shark Out of Water sheds light on a game that can profoundly affect the lives and relationships of those who play it.

Awards:

Best Short Drama (Nominated) - Leo Awards 2009
Best Direction in a Short Drama (Nominated) - Leo Awards 2009
Best Performance by a Male in a Short Drama (Nominated) - Leo Awards 2009
Best Musical Score in a Short Drama (Nominated) - Leo Awards 2009