Sarah Parker came by her love of all things film naturally.
She grew up next to Batman, Willy Wonka and Beauty & the Beast working in her mom’s video store in Crossfield. It was her job to review all the movies and see what age they were appropriate for.
“I feel like production is in my blood,” says the Airdronian of 15 years.
These days, her day job is in early learning and child care, but she has dabbled in film and TV production as a hobby for years and has been on the set of a number of local films and shows including Highway Patrolman, Rental Rewind (seasons 1 and 2), Father Robin Hood, Come to Me and Papa.
“Although I didn’t work on the set, the coolest experience I had by far was Brokeback Mountain,” says Parker.
“I was able to meet Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal — it was magical! That was one of the experiences that really solidified the fact that this is something I want to do.”
Sweet Deal
Parker was recently selected to receive production funding for her original video Podcast, The Sour Chat Kids, as a part of the new TELUS STORYHIVE video podcast program.
TELUS STORYHIVE gives communities across B.C. and Alberta an opportunity to share their stories. Through innovative programs for filmmakers, video podcasters, digital-content creators and live streamers, it provides production funding, training, mentorship and distribution on TELUS Optik TV, Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
“We are dedicated to the ongoing mission of supporting underrepresented and diverse communities, helping empower the next generation of content creators and storytellers,” says Shaun Cathcart, TELUS STORYHIVE program manager.
The STORYHIVE video podcast program has selected 70 projects since launching at the end of 2023, each receiving $12,000. The projects are selected by a committee made up of community members, filmmakers and TELUS team members. Parker was one of the first funding recipients.
“Sarah pitched a video podcast where their host will engage in hilarious and insightful interviews with kids from various backgrounds in the city of Airdrie, a fantastic example of the types of stories we want to help amplify,” says Cathcart.
Candy & Conversation
Parker says she came up with the idea for her show from Hot Ones, an American YouTube talk show, created by Christopher Schonberger and Sean Evans. The show involves celebrities being interviewed by Evans over a platter of increasingly spicy chicken wings.
“It’s so entertaining to watch them try to keep it together as the heat increases,” says Parker. “What better way to get kids to sit still and talk to me for a bit than with a big bowl of candy?”
She plans to import the candy from all over the world and will speak to inspiring Airdrie kids like Addyson Lescard, a16-year-old boxer, and Anna Kelsberg, an aspiring actor.
“There will definitely be awesome stories about what the kids are interested in, but it is really about young people who are doing amazing things for their community,” says Parker.
The show will also feature a lively puppet cohost named Miss Fizz, who will bring a bit of pizzazz to each episode. The season will have eight 25- to 30-minute episodes and other topics will include soccer, coding and gaming. The shows will air in 2025.
Something Bigger
Parker has built a studio in her garage and says she has great pride in the hard-working team of people she has put together to help her make this show a reality.
“I like working with people who have the same goals and are interested in production,” she says. “I love the creativity involved. Most people don’t realize how much goes into something like this. You’ve got casting, a producer, director, set design, lighting, camera work, editing, sound tech and more.”
That’s why she is so thrilled to have received the TELUS STORYHIVE video podcast grant.
“You don’t have to go to Hollywood anymore to get these kinds of opportunities,” she says. “Production is not easy, it takes a long time and there are a lot of moving parts but, if you are patient, believe in yourself, do your research and build a good team, you can be a part of something bigger than yourself.”
Cathcart says you don’t need to be from an urban centre to access STORYHIVE’s resources as an emerging creative.
“While the film industry is growing, it can often be difficult for content creators in more-rural communities to access support and funding to create content,” he says.
“We’ve had storytellers from Airdrie, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie and other communities create amazing content and kick-start their content journey with STORYHIVE.”
Parker hopes the first season of The Sour Chat Kids is successful so she can create a second and branch out to interview interesting Airdrie adults who also are making an impact in the community.
