by Sydney Black
Hello Arts Lovers!
We are continuing with our series on local pros who are working as artists in a rural setting. This month I had the chance to chat with local film and sound guru Carlo Alcos about his journey in the industry.
What’s your background/training/story as a filmmaker?
I started editing video in 2016 for a large digital publication based in the U.S. I learned a lot of my editing chops doing that. When the pandemic hit I was let go and this steered me into freelance video production. I’m mostly self-taught using resources like online tutorials and books, but I also learned a lot from some local mentors like Alex Botton and Amy Bohigian. In terms of my storytelling, I was a writer and editor from 2009 to 2016 so I was well-versed in the art of crafting story.
Why did you end up in Nelson?
Long story short I went through a divorce in 2010 and needed a place to land. I grew up in the Lower Mainland but left to travel and live abroad in Australia with my ex-wife in 2007, so I was in NYC when we split, then ended up in Halifax for a month to lick my wounds and figure out what was next for me. I was debating between renting a beach hut in Thailand and renting a cheap room from an old friend who bought a house in Nelson earlier that year. I chose the latter, probably because I just needed some familiarity in my life at that point.
What keeps you here?
I was only planning on staying in Nelson for a few months, I never thought I would set down roots here. But I found the community so embracing and the music, food, cafe, and arts scenes were so incredible. The size of the town was perfect for me having grown up and lived in big cities. I relished the relative peace and quiet. And, of course, the easy access to so much wilderness! At times the proximity of the mountains here can feel a little claustrophobic (a little more sky would be nice) but it can also feel like a big hug. I also met my eventual wife here not too long after arriving; we can’t imagine living anywhere else.
How did you score your biggest professional gig?
My biggest professional gig was getting to do Location Sound Recording for an episode of CBC’s The Nature of Things. You know, that David Suzuki guy’s show? Maybe you’ve heard of him? It was an episode called War of the Woods that focused on old-growth forests. I worked with the director and cinematographer of that episode to interview two people in the Koots, one here in Nelson and one in Kimberley. I’m part of a group called the Kootenay Screen Based Industry, which is run by the Nelson Civic Theatre Society as one of their awesome community programs. The director of War of the Woods posted on this Facebook group looking for a sound recordist. At that time I was the only active recordist in town and I replied and got the job! The episode is on CBC Gem, Google it!
Any hot tips for people who want to live rurally but be a professional filmmaker?
To be honest, it’s a challenge to do this rurally as a sustainable living. The supports aren’t quite there yet, so much is focused on urban centres, which is why a lot of people leave when they hit their ceiling here. There are some Hollywood-level professionals who manage to live here and other rural areas, but they travel a lot for gigs.
The Kootenay Film Commission’s mandate is to attract larger scale productions to the region, so we may see more work here in the future. For me, I think just getting to know people laid the foundation and set me up for success. You have to be willing to reach out to strangers and genuinely curious and excited to meet others. When I lost my job in 2020, before I started my production company in earnest, I spent several months levelling up my skills and taking people out for coffee. Obviously you have to have the knowledge and skills to get the job done, but equally as important (if not more) is to be a good person. Be someone that others will want to work with. I also try to diversify my skillset so I can do many things related to film and video. I take on remote editing and sound design/mixing projects when they’re available.
Any new projects that you have in the works?
I’m currently in production of a very personal documentary that I’m writing, producing, and directing. I’m working closely with some collaborators (Sarah Kapoor from Creston is my story editor and Jonathan Ramos and Kristen Sison are associate producers among other things). The doc is called Outsiderness and it will explore the themes of identity and belonging. I’m a Filipino-Canadian, born and raised near Vancouver after my family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 1971.
I grew up in a very (very) white suburb. So there was a struggle with a sense of belonging in that context, but also today — highlighted by the new Filipino community that’s here in Nelson — there’s a struggle with that sense of belonging among other Filipinos. The question at the end of my teaser is, “What does it take to belong?” I’m enjoying learning more about Filipino culture and history, and learning more about my family history.
The plan is to complete the film in late 2024. You can learn more about it at outsiderness.substack.com where I’ll be doing a bit of blogging on the process.
Sydney Black is executive director of the Nelson and District Arts Council. Blank Canvas appears monthly.
