Above: Shelby Manton (left) on set filming a commercial for St. George’s University.
Originally published in the summer 2019 issue of Business Class magazine.
Actors may be the film industry’s most visible performers, but it’s the crew behind the camera that makes these performances immortal. Business Class caught up with Shelby Manton, BCom ’13, partner and executive producer at Vancouver-based Boldly Creative and 2019 BCBusiness Top 30 Under 30 winner, to learn about her path from business school to film making. Here she weighs in on the art of production, work she’s proud of and why a business degree makes a more logical partner for the film industry than one might think.
Business Class: What was your favourite film to work on? Why?
Shelby Manton: We are a content studio helping to create visuals and tell stories for some of Canada and the USA’s coolest brands. I love the work we do in the commercial world, but every so often we get the chance to produce independent narrative content. Everything from music videos, to short films and web series. In this day and age of advertising, those two worlds are starting to blend more seamlessly. And this is extremely exciting for us.
In 2018, we had the opportunity to work with an amazing Vancouver ad agency, 123w, on a spot for St. George’s University in Grenada. Filming in the Caribbean was a surreal experience and definitely the highlight of my career so far, but the most exciting part about this project was the creative approach.
It is technically a commercial, but the final product feels like a mini short film. It’s raw, gritty, fast-paced, shot in black and white, and — for all you film buffs out there — we were able to film on Panavision C-Series Anamorphic lenses. This is the same set that lensed the original Star Wars films. I am particularly proud of this project because it was the product of true creative collaboration.
BC: Are there any advantages to being a business grad in a creative industry?
SM: Definitely. When I graduated from Gustavson, my brother Geoff and I decided to join forces. He has a film degree from Simon Fraser University and I always loved pursuing film projects outside of my business studies. Partnering with our third co-founder, Sebastien, we decided to open a production company. Geoff brought the film experience and I brought the business plan. We needed each other. BOLDLY would not be what it is today if we had not initially had diversity in our skillsets and education.
Business and creative industries go hand in hand. You can work hard every day creating art, but if you do not know how to sell it or get it out into the world, how will you ever make a living doing what you love?
BC: What is one existing film you would have loved to be part of?
SM: My favourite films are those that give you a “slice of life” view into a situation that feels intimate. Ones where you can get so wrapped up in the characters and their struggles that you are constantly on the edge of your seat — even when the scenes are seemingly slow. I would have loved to have been a part of Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name, as I find it to be masterful in this style.
BC: What’s your favourite part of your day-to-day work?
SM: Nothing beats a long day on set, surrounded by a talented, passionate, hard-working crew pulling together to bring a scene to life. I’m lucky to work in an industry that focuses so heavily on collaboration and teamwork — it’s an inspiring environment to experience.
BC: And most importantly: what’s your go-to movie night snack?
SM: There’s nothing better than the classic — popcorn with butter. I prefer the unhealthy movie theatre kind.
Photo: Albert Law
