At Thunderstone Pictures, we use our award-winning filmmaking to change the way people see the world around them. We produce a variety of unique media including drama, documentary and institutional films for national broadcast, professional use, therapeutic use, film festivals and Internet applications. We employ our diverse backgrounds to make films about important issues and that tell meaningful stories about the rich history, traditions, and characters of Northwestern Ontario.


At the core of Thunderstone Pictures is the production team of Michelle Derosier and Dave Clement.

Michelle is co-owner of Thunderstone Pictures and works as producer, writer, actor and interviewer. She is originally from MIGISI SAHGAIGAN, (Eagle Lake First Nation) in Northwestern Ontario. With Master's training in Social Work from Lakehead University, Michelle has ten years of front line experience working in mental health with First Nations people. She has delivered workshops on violence in Aboriginal communities and has published in Social Work Readings and Research from Northern and Rural Canada on the topic of Historical and Social Influences on Violence in Aboriginal Communities. Michelle's interests have expanded to include the use film as a vehicle for healing and empowerment.

Michelle worked as researcher, interviewer and the host of our new documentary called "Sharing Tebwewin". She also wrote the screenplay, played a lead role and worked as co-producer for our award-winning drama "Seeking Bimaadiziiwin". Currently, Michelle is directing her first documentary, "The Healing Lens", which explores the healing power of art for Anishinaabe youth.

Film Awards:

Seeking Bimaadiziiwin (2007) - Writer/Co-producer/Lead Actor

- WINNER, Best Live Action Short Film 32nd Annual American Indian Film Festival, San Francisco, California, USA
- Nominated, Best Short Film 2007 Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- WINNER, 1st Place, People's Choice Award Bay Street Film Festival, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Filmography:

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
The Healing Lens (in-prod) documentary, HD

Co-Producer
Seeking Bimaadiziiwin (2007) drama, 31min., 16mm

WRITER
Seeking Bimaadiziiwin (2007) drama, 31min., 16mm

ACTOR
Seeking Bimaadiziiwin (2007) drama, 31min., 16mm




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Dave is a natural scientist and teacher, turned filmmaker. He has directed several award-winning drama and documentary films including "Seeking Bimaadziiwin", "Woodland Spirits", "The Remnant" and "Story of the Grassy Narrows Blockade". "Woodland Spirits", premiered on TVO's program "The View From Here" on May 21st 2008.

His films tend to deal with the relationships between humans, their environment and the institutions that govern this interaction. Issues concerning First Nations people have become Dave's focus over the years for a growing number of reasons. Through vivid cinematography and filming in rugged locations, Dave is quickly establishing himself as one of Canada's truly northern filmmakers.

Dave has taught courses in "Non-fiction Film" at Confederation College and in the past has taught courses in Geomorphology, Aerial Photography and Mapping at Lakehead University.

Education:

MSc. - Geomorphology - University of Calgary
Hons. BA - Geography - Lakehead University
Film Production Diploma - Confederation College

Film Awards:

Seeking Bimaadiziiwin (2007) - Co-producer/Co-director/Cinematographer

WINNER, Best Live Action Short Film 32nd Annual American Indian Film Festival, San Francisco, California, USA
Nominated, Best Short Film 2007 Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival, Winnipeg, Manitoba
1st People's Choice Award (2007) Bay Street Film Festival

Woodland Spirits (2007) - Producer/Director/Cinematographer

2nd People's Choice Award (2007) Bay Street Film Festival

The Remnant (2006)- Producer/Director

People's Choice Award (2006) Bay Street Film Festival

Borealis (2005) - Director/Cinematographer

Nominated for Golden Sheaf Award - Best Non-Fiction Photography , Yorkton Short Film Festival;
Nominated for Golden Sheaf Award - Best Documentary on Nature/Environment, Yorkton Short Film Festival;
Best Documentary (2005) Toronto Student Shorts International Film festival;
2nd at CinéFest, MCTV VideoMaker’s Awards, Sudbury, 2005;
Best Cinematographer (2005) Music and Film in Motion, Northern Arts Awards;
Best Film Editor (2005) Music and Film in Motion, Northern Arts Awards;
Best Sound (2005) FlashFrame Persian Awards;
2nd Best Film (2005) North of Superior Film Association Awards;
Official Selection – Montreal World Film Festival; Yorkton Short Film Festival; Regina Cinema Arts Festival, Bay Street Film Festival, Claremont Film Festival, California, USA

Filmography:

DIRECTOR and DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
To My Son In Spain: Finnish Canadians in the Spanish Civil War (in-prod) documentary, DV
Sharing Tebwewin (2008) 30 min, documentary, DV
Seeking Bimadziwin (2007) 31 min, drama, 16mm
Woodland Spirits (2007) 28min, documentary, DV
Borealis (2005) 13min, doc/experimental, 16mm
Power and Pet-Coke (2004) 52min, documentary, DV
Story of the Grassy Narrows Blockade (2003) 53min, documentary, DV
Thunder Bay Says No to War (2002) 18min, documentary, DV
Opposing the First Nations Governance Act (2002) 24min, documentary, DV
Global Day of Action Against The War (2002) 12min, documentary, DV

DIRECTOR
The Remnant (2006) 20min, drama, 16mm

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The Healing Lens (in-prod) documentary, HD
Greenstone: Tourism and Recruitment (2007) 8min, HD
Wilderness North Promo (2006) DV aerial shots
On The Rails In Red (2006) 23min, 16mm
Bottoms Up: Ivanka and the Finlandia (2005) 8 min, DV
Cat and Mouse (2005) 21min, 16mm

OTHER CREDITS
[Gaffer, Camera Op] Undertow (in prod) 26min, HD, Photoplay Productions
[Gaffer] Free Press (2008) 8min, HD, Photoplay Productions
Juokko Tolonen and Cool Train (in post) 25min, DV [Camera Op]
Action for Neighborhood Change (2006) NFB Doc [Sound Op]
Dorothea Mitchell: A Reel Pioneer (2006), 55min, DV/16mm, [Gaffer/Camera Assist]
Perogy Nation (2006) 25min ea., DV [Camera Op]
Spirit of Shackelton: Antarctic Voyage (2006) 30 min, DV [Editor/Producer]
Destination Nor’Ouest (2006) HD, Broadcast [Props Assistant]
Voyageur Legacy : Our Story (Le Printemps de Voyageurs: La Genese) (2005) 53 min, DVCam [Camera Op]
Morning In The Northwest : The Voyageur Dynasty (Le Printemps de Voyageurs) (2005) 53 min, DVCam [2nd Assist. Director]
Turning Points Series(2005) 300+min, Beta SP/DV [Camera Op / Gaffer]
Finnish Immigrants in the Decade of the Depression (2004) 240min, DV [Camera Op/Editor]