In 2025, Creative Pathways™ at Creative BC celebrated a season of remarkable progress, marked by exciting launches and impactful initiatives that empower workforce development and support career seekers. Highlights include:
Meet 10s sessions featuring the production office and working in commercials
New Updates and Stories section, telling the stories of British Columbia’s motion picture industry
These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive creative workforce. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to deepen collaborations with industry partners and continue creating opportunities that grow talent across British Columbia.
When you step into an old timey Western town, an alien spaceship, or a sinuous cavern, you’re experiencing the craftsmanship of the Construction Department. This team turns drawings into doors you can open, staircases you can climb, and entire environments that are safe, camera‑ready, and built to strike on schedule.
The Construction Department
Construction is where production design becomes physical reality. Working from plans approved by the Production Designer and Art Directors, this department is tasked with fabricating full‑scale scenery on stages, backlots, or on location, using specialized techniques that balance realism, safety, speed, and sustainability.
Construction bridges vision and tangible reality. While some of the magic of filmmaking is created digitally, a lot of productions use a mix of physical sets and VFX. Physical sets give actors real environments to interact with, provide authentic lighting and textures for cinematographers, and create a sense of scale and presence. Even in the era of advanced VFX, practical builds remain essential for scenes where realism matters most.
Key Roles in the Construction Department
The exact amount of crew and scope of the Construction Department on a film set depend on the size and needs of the production. Here are only a few of the possible roles in this department that will give you a sense of the variety of work you can undertake:
Leadership
Construction Manager
Oversees the entire set build from planning to strike
Interprets designer drawings, manages materials, hires and schedules trades
Handles budgeting, timelines, and ensures safety and sustainability
Paint and Scenic Finishing
Charge Artist (Lead Scenic/Key Scenic)
Leads the scenic/paint team and interprets paint elevations.
Sets finishes, textures, and ensures visual continuity across sets.
Construction transforms design concepts into immersive, tangible environments that actors can inhabit and audiences can believe. While digital tools and VFX expand creative possibilities, practical sets provide authenticity: real textures, natural light, and physical interaction. Physicality enhances performances and gives cinematographers a foundation for stunning visuals. This is why even the most visually ambitious films rely on construction. Construction creates world that ground imagination in reality, ensuring that no matter how ambitious the vision, it remains believable and compelling.
For Marjorie Barbe, childhood movie nights were the spark that ignited a lifelong fascination with storytelling and the magic behind the scenes. Growing up in a family where film was a shared passion, Marjorie’s love for cinema only deepened over time, eventually leading her to take the leap and pursue a career in Vancouver’s vibrant film industry with determination and hope. In this interview, Marjorie shared with us how she got started, what diversity and inclusion mean to her as an emerging professional, and why programs like Creative Pathways™ have been valuable in opening doors and creating connections.
Can you tell us about your background and how you began pursuing a career in the film industry? I was born in Vancouver to French parents. Movies were often a family activity growing up, especially with our father whom, as we got older, would let us watch not only Disney films, but action films. He’d explain how no one ever really got hurt, the blood we’d see was ketchup and everything was carefully set up by many professionals. He himself has a film credit for a small speaking role as a Maitre D’ in the BC shot film “Bird On A Wire”.
As I got older and my passion for films and filmmaking grew (I was going every week to see any film on cheap Tuesdays when it was regularly $5 and starting buying DVDs when they started coming out with “Behind the scenes featurettes”), I expressed the interest to my parents of pursuing a career in film. They unfortunately discouraged me from that and instructed me to go to university and get a “real” degree.
My love of movies never ceased and I continued regularly going to mainstream movie theaters as well as art house theaters showing older films and attending various film festivals to discover independent films. As the COVID pandemic was winding down, I began to question if I still wanted to stay in the career I was currently in or if I wanted to try and finally pursue my teenage dream of working in film. Of course, I decided on the later and in the beginning of 2023 started taking the online ActSafe courses. Unfortunately, when I got my TCP in May 2023, we all know what happened and how we’re still feeling the effects. However, I am still hopeful that Hollywood North will live up to its name again and that I can enjoy a fulfilling career on various projects within our beautiful province.
What does diversity and inclusion in the film industry mean to you, especially as someone starting out? For me, it means that I can meet different people of many different backgrounds and learn about the paths they took to get into the film industry. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone can help make a story come to life. It takes more than a village to put a production together, so it also requires great collaboration between many people with different skill sets. The more you work with different people with different ways of creating, the more your own creative skills are expanded, yet also refined because it helps you to discover what you’re really good at doing. There are so many ways to help put a production together that it can be daunting starting out, so having the opportunity to discover that within a space of accepted diversity and inclusion removes the added stress that your gender or cultural background could single you out for stereotypical work instead of being able to try out anything that interests you and find out where your impact will be most made.
What drew you to Creative Pathways™, and what stands out from your time with the Creative Pathways™ Team? I was drawn to Creative Pathways™ because it seemed like a great resource for me to tap into to find work as well as make connections within the film industry. I was fortunately accepted into the Warner Brothers Discovery Access to Action initiative, which helped me to defer the initial 30 days of PA work to register as a Permittee Logbook Holder with the DGC. This was a great step closer for me to find work and something great to add to my resume.
What stands out for me are also the networking opportunities that I am invited to attend. I can meet people who work in different departments and ask them what they do and how they got there. Some of these people I may even would run into on set and they could put in a good word for me if they see that I am actively interested in finding work and serious about learning everything I can.
In your opinion, what impact do Creative Pathways™ equity programs like Meet 10 and Setwork have on early-career professionals in film and TV? It definitely helps early-career professionals develop their networking, communication and collaboration skills that are required for working well on set. You are also introduced to all kinds of people and possible job roles that could interest you. It especially helps to get your face and name known to more people than if you weren’t a part of the programs. The more you put yourself out there and make those connections, the greater chances you have of building a good reputation, which will in turn get you calls for work.
Looking ahead, what kinds of projects or roles are you most excited to pursue? I would love to work on a project that requires some stunt work. Action films remain my favourite genre and projects with elaborate camera shots, practical effects and stuntpeople are something I would love to help put together and see the magic happen in person.
I am aiming for a 1st AD role, but I will need to fill many other roles to get there. If something on the way happens to light me up, I might stay there for a while, but I will eventually keep going just to see if being a 1st AD is right for me or not. That’s what appeals to me a lot about working in the film industry, it’s the opportunity to go back and forth between roles depending on the project, the demand or the experience you have acquired that permits you to move up.
Setwork gave Marjorie the confidence to take the next step in pursuing a creative career. Equipped with hands-on knowledge of production and its ins and outs, she now has the momentum to move forward with purpose. Learn more about Setwork and Creative Pathways™ programs here.
Creative Pathways™ at Creative BC has launched a new mentorship program designed to connect emerging below-the-line technicians and craftspeople with experienced industry professionals. The initiative responds to consistent calls from the industry for mentorship as one of the most impactful ways to build and sustain B.C.’s motion picture workforce.
The three-month, conversation-based mentorship program will run from January to March 2026. Pairing seasoned mentors with early-career mentees, the program offers one-on-one monthly sessions focused on guidance, career insights, and professional development.
Applications are now open for mentors, and applications for mentees will be open this fall.
Mentor Eligibility:
B.C. resident
5+ years of experience in the department/role they wish to mentor in
Willing to volunteer time and expertise to support the next generation of workers
Mentee Eligibility:
B.C. resident, 19+ years old
Some work experience in motion picture production
Clear interest in pursuing a below-the-line department career
This program emphasizes conversation and career guidance. It does not include training, job placements, or access to mentor networks.
Since its launch in October 2024, over 197 British Columbians have participated in Creative PathwaysTM and Elevate Inclusions Strategies’ Professional Development Program. Attendees have represented countless departments and levels of experience in above-the-line, below-the-line, animation, visual effects, and post, and film-adjacent roles, including Producers, Directors, Heads of Departments, Film Commissions, Film Festivals, and more. Lead by recognized industry Leader and Facilitator Natasha Tony (Elevate Inclusion Strategies), these highly interactive sessions build skills and confidence, foster knowledge sharing, and cultivate networking between burgeoning and experienced leaders, new entrants, and allies keen to shift the motion picture industry towards a more inclusive culture. There are two streams on offer:
Inclusive Leadership for Film & Television (2-Day Intensive Online Retreat)
Open to experienced B.C.-based supervisors, leaders and heads of department already working in a leadership capacity or in the process of upgrading.
Inclusive Leadership for Film & Television Attendee Feedback “I’m immensely grateful for all of the guidance, solutions, examples and resources. I’ve received numerous mentorships training in producing, 1st AD’ing and running my production company, this is my first experience receiving mentorship and training for normalizing policies, safer communication, leading crews and projects I work with. Adapting my own thinking of having power with not having power over people makes me feel safer as a producer and CEO of my company, I never knew that was an option before.” “First off I just want to thank Natasha for such an incredible 2 days. The slides with the information, as well as describing them in detail, were exceptional. I learned so much about topics I was familiar with but gained a deeper understanding of every single one during this workshop. I will say, coming from the disability community, you gave me hope on how our industry can change for the better. So for that, I can’t thank you enough. Appreciate you and everyone at Creative BC for putting this on.” “Such an insightful and enlightening course with truly profound impact— I’m leaving equipped with widely applicable skills, strategies, knowledge, and resources that happen to inform leadership conflicts I am actively engaged with. Natasha is a spectacular facilitator.”
Inclusive Workplaces for Film & TV Workers (1-day Online Training)
Open to experienced and new industry workers, students, and B.C.-based individuals getting into, or who are currently working in, the motion picture industry.
Inclusive Workplaces for Film & Television Workers Attendee Feedback “A very empowering tool set to have to speak up for myself and others in an industry that can at times be tense and stressful. I felt supported and encouraged to take accountability for my welfare in my workplace and set boundaries on unacceptable/toxic behaviour.” “I am thankful that there are more trainings like this. It was great to connect with other people in the industry coming from different backgrounds and sharing their stories. I learned a lot and look forward to taking these tools with me in the workplace or when I am in a leadership position.” “It was a wonderful workshop and the supplementary information will help me grow the skills I’ve been looking for to foster a more inclusive and empathetic work environment.” “I feel more certain of the best ways to address microagressions while de-escalating a potential conflict than I have done in the past. I feel that I now have better tools in my arsenal to feel more confident in my ability to do so, while standing my ground, with less fear.”
Register Today
Become a part of the Professional Development Program community and sign-up today! Due to popular demand, additional dates have been added for both Leader and Workers sessions:
Private sessions can be booked with Elevate Inclusions anytime for your crew or organization. Please contact info(at)elevate-inclusion.com. Professional Development Courses that run through Creative PathwaysTM are offered free of charge to attendees thanks to public provincial funding. Professional Development Programs will resume its second season after a brief summer hiatus, July-August 2025.
Stay informed and be the first to know about upcoming sessions:
Meet 10 is an equity stream that connects systemically excluded career seekers in B.C. to experienced industry. Creative Pathways™ recently held its last Meet 10 session of the 2024/25 Season on March 5, 2025 featuring Aryn Mott, Intimacy Coordinator (IC) and Mental Health Coordinator (MHC).
While Intimacy and Mental Health Coordinator roles are newer in the motion picture industry, they are increasingly recognized for their critical purpose in facilitating safe and supportive sets. Intimacy Coordinators advocate, choreograph, and serve as liaisons between performers and production for intimacy and hyper-exposed scenes. Mental Health Coordinators provide psychological support, monitor mental health impacts, and establish protocols to support the cast and crew manage emotional fallout during intense scenes and content.
There are a growing number of resources available for those curious to discover, train, connect and learn more about how to start in these career pathways such as:
Thank you to our attendees and Aryn for such an insightful evening and extend our gratitude to our featured guest speakers this past year:
Allisa Swanson, Costume Designer
Cheryl Marion, Production Designer
Eli Haligua, Sound Design & Re-Recording Mixer
Production Assistant Social panelists Ahmed Sedat, Tawni Duhamel and Valere Hart
Aryn Mott, Intimacy Coordinator and Mental Health Coordinator
In their own words from our participants:
Allisa Swanson, Costume Designer:
“I loved how freely and openly Allisa Swanson spoke. It was really helpful and very heartwarming to see that she cared so much to help us by sharing as much information as possible.”
Cheryl Marion, Production Designer:
“I loved how we chatted about different levels of production and how prepared the presentation was. It was really interesting to see how many departments are required for certain scenes and how closely the art department works with the camera, grip, greens and construction departments.”
Production Assistant Social:
“I really enjoyed hearing from experienced professionals who are working in the industry as well as meeting other people at my own level and making connections!”
“I really enjoyed the panel portion and getting to hear each person’s history and path into the film industry.”
Aryn Mott, Intimacy Coordinator and Mental Health Coordinator:
“I enjoyed learning about the different tools the most. I think I took about three pages of notes.”
Meet 10 is a series of online equity stream meetings that build relationships between career-seekers and industry experts. Join Creative Pathways™ for another season of Meet 10 in 2025/26.
Stay informed and be the first to know about upcoming sessions:
As this year draws to a close, Creative Pathways™ is incredibly grateful for our sponsors, supporters, and champions. Your contributions have been instrumental in supporting our mission to build a dynamic, equitable, diverse, and inclusive motion picture workforce. Here are some highlights and achievements from the past year:
Meet 10: Creating Connections
Meet 10 sessions are small, curated gatherings designed to connect systemically excluded career seekers with industry experts. In 2024, our attendees had the opportunity to learn from and engage with:
Allisa Swanson, Costume Designer
Cheryl Marion, Production Designer
Eli Haligua, Sound Designer and Re-recording Mixer
Tawni Duhamel, Valere Hart, and Ahmed Seedat as guest speakers for the panel: “Pathways to Trainee Assistant Director, Trainee Assistant Locations & Key Production Assistant.”
What our participants are saying: “I really enjoyed hearing from experienced professionals who are working in the industry as well as meeting other people at my own level and making connections.”
Setwork: On-Set Opportunities
We partnered with “Wild Cards” Season 2 to provide below-the-line opportunities in the Locations Department. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand partnerships with more studios and productions to create meaningful on-set experiences.
Professional Development Programs Launched
In collaboration with Natasha Tony and Elevate Inclusion Strategies, we launched two inclusivity-focused professional development programs: Inclusive Workplaces for Film & Television Workers and Inclusive Leadership for Film & Television. Delivered free of charge to B.C.-based participants, these programs empower industry professionals to foster inclusivity. Attendees receive a certificate and social media badge upon completion. Since launching in October 2024, over 70 attendees have successfully completed the programs.
What our participants are saying:
“This workshop gave me a whole new set of tools to approach situations where I usually find myself very frustrated and reactive. With these tools, I can keep the peace while resolving issues and inviting people to think outside the box.”
“The Inclusive Leadership session was both insightful and empowering. It provided a platform to learn from others and connect with diverse peers across the industry. Meeting like-minded professionals broadened my perspective on inclusive leadership in creative industries.”
MBS Illumination Training for Grip and Lighting Watch the highlight video.
Vancouver Post Alliance EDI Mentorship 2024-25 Supporting emerging talent in post-production.
Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society Sharing knowledge and inspiration as guest speakers for their cohorts.
Outreach: Attracting the Next Generation
Our team participated in over 20 career fairs and school presentations to connect with aspiring creatives and grow awareness of career pathways in the motion picture industry. Highlights include:
Career Fairs, Expos, and Industry Events: Langley TV Film & TV Career Day, Reel 2 Real Film Festival Behind the Scenes Expo, DGC BC Spotlight, Career Education Society Conference.
Post-secondary Institutions and Film Schools: Capilano University, BCIT, InFocus, SFU, and UBC.
Workforce Development Organizations: S.U.C.C.E.S.S, SEAN (Supported Employer Advocacy Services).
Looking Ahead to 2025
From the entire Creative Pathways™ team at Creative BC, thank you for making 2024 a meaningful and impactful year. Your support fuels our ability to create opportunities, connections, and a more inclusive future for our industry.
We look forward to collaborating with you in 2025 to build on this success and continue shaping a stronger, more equitable motion picture workforce.
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