Dawson Creek filmmakers seeking funding for feature film

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Dawson Creek film company MacWood Productions is seeking $7,000 in funding for its first feature-length film, Hard Reset. 

Co-founders Grady MacTavish and Ryan Laewood presented the film, budget, distribution plan, and timeline to Dawson Creek city council during the council’s meeting on March 13th.

According to the presentation, Hard Reset will be a mockumentary-style film that follows the “secret life” of a well-mannered and “highly regarded” character named Phil Danielson. 

“The film examines themes such as repression, morality, hedonism, and the predatory nature of media,” MacTavish explained. 

“While dealing with these topics, Reset also features a healthy level of comedy, with a majority of the hilarity coming from Danielson’s wholesomeness and “dorky dad energy”.” 

The production company asked city council for up to $7,000 in funding. 

Councillor Charlie Parslow said he liked the idea of giving artists from Dawson Creek a chance to create and bring economic development to the area. 

“This is enabling some of our local residents who have a love of the arts to do things here, and why not?” Parslow said. 

“Why can’t Dawson Creek be a recognized film center?” 

At the end of the discussion, mayor Darcy Dober said he could “see the passion” the group had and explained the topic would come up at a later date under Mayor’s Business for discussion. 

MacWood Productions was founded in 2016 and has produced 11 commercials and 50 short films that can be viewed on their Youtube Channel. 

The full Hard Reset presentation can be viewed below: