Belle Auteur
is an indie film house.
Established by Christopher Oliver, a writer and producer with over 15 years experience developing content for a multitude of industries, Belle Auteur is a vehicle to explore compelling stories and ideas in a variety of genres. We are working with emerging talent locally and abroad to produce short dramas, comedies, and documentaries for digital platforms.
We are also developing ambitious full and half hour series concepts for North American and UK television markets. Check out what we’re working on below.
PIPELINE
In this eight hour politically-driven murder mystery anthology series, an RCMP homicide detective and her rookie American partner traverse the country to investigate the homicide of a former Prime Minister and its link to the construction of an oil pipeline.
GENRE DRAMA
RUNTIME 1 HOUR EPISODIC
Pipeline hinges on the contentious politics of the Canadian energy sector intertwined with the social, cultural, and socioeconomic hardships that still exist in rural and Indigenous communities. These overlapping and often conflicting subjects are frequently covered in the news cycle making them familiar to the average viewer and a compelling vehicle to drive the story.
A narrative built around these complex issues is timely and gives a voice to an underserved demographic in terms of primetime storytelling through the widely popular crime/thriller genres. With Canada and the United States facing many of the same cultural, environmental, and economical problems, Pipeline can easily be adapted to either market.
DR. BRETT – RACETRACK VET
Dr. Brett Racetrack Vet follows the day to day tasks, duties, and challenges of Dr. Brett Anderson, the official racetrack veterinarian of Ajax Downs in Ajax, Ontario. The series will provide an in-depth look at the world of horse racing from a veterinary perspective and focus primarily on how Brett’s best practices combined with a profound passion for his patients ensures the health and safety of every horse.
GENRE REALITY / VET
RUNTIME 42 MINUTE EPISODIC
WATCH REEL
The series will cover a myriad of stories and encounters with colourful characters from horse owners, to jockeys, trainers, outriders, and other veterinary specialists.
Brett’s veterinary clinic will play a secondary role as the backdrop for a variety of small animal stories and feature the personalities of the clinic’s veterinary assistants. Together with Dr. Brett, the team will navigate the daily challenges and successes of running a busy practice in rural Ontario.
The series is part educational, part drama, and accessible for all ages and animal lovers.
ARTIST ABROAD
American painter and printmaker Daniel Kelly recounts how he found success as an artist working and living in Kyoto for over 40 years. Daniel’s work can be found in museums around the world including The British Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, and The Metropolitan Museum. Follow Daniel on his journey from rural Montana, to San Francisco, New York, and Japan whilst learning about the culture, history, and sights of Kyoto.
GENRE ARTS, CULTURE, & TRAVEL
RUNTIME 32 MINUTES
WATCH NOW
Artist Abroad evolved as a proof of concept for a series featuring creative expats— painters, sculptors, musicians, dancers— and the places they’ve chosen to call home. We believe there is something inherently interesting about people who live and work successfully in a creative field outside of their country of origin and wanted to explore how a different culture influences an artist’s work. This film has a little something for everyone: art, food, culture, and travel.
CALL ME RICHARD
Call Me Richard is the story of a passive English teacher unable to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic childhood event who becomes entangled in an escalating conflict with a narcissistic teenager, who also happens to be the Principal’s daughter.
GENRE DRAMA
RUNTIME 42 MINUTES
The film was shot on location in Port Hope, Cobourg, and Peterborough, Ontario, Canada with a talented cast and crew from the Greater Toronto Area. Henry Hawkes brings a stellar performance as an emotionally stunted beat-down teacher who is pushed to the end of his rope.
Produced by Stewart Richardson and Chris Oliver.
Somebody’s Cheating
Somebody’s Cheating is a one-location short film revolving around a group of seedy poker players and their dealer, host, and waitress. Taking place in 1964, it’s something of a mystery who, if anyone, is cheating, and who is consequently killed after a series of escalating events.
GENRE DRAMA
RUNTIME 20 MINUTES
SUBMISSIONS
We are currently accepting video auditions only. Any auditions shot on a mobile device should be filmed in landscape / widescreen. Please submit a video file (under 20mb) or a Youtube or Vimeo link to [email protected] or send a wetransfer (wetransfer.com) download link or Dropbox (dropbox.com) download link with your video submission to [email protected].
Actors will be paid a flat rate to be determined. Actors will be required for 3 days. Shooting will take place at one location over 2 days with 1 additional day for the table-read and costume fitting in Port Hope, Ontario (1 hour east of Toronto). We do not guarantee a response to every submission. Shooting dates are to be determined.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Steven (Male 45 to 65)
Steven has a prickly personality and a short fuse. His involvement in organized crime means he has a penchant for violence if he feels he’s been wronged.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD STEVEN SIDES
Robert (Male 35 to 60)
Robert is a sarcastic misogynist who believes himself to be more clever than he actually is. He’s a loud mouth intent on annoying his fellow poker players to capitalize on their lack of concentration.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD ROBERT SIDES
Marty (Male 35 to 60)
Marty is a terrible poker player, easily antagonized by Robert. He’s frequently tired, agitated, and self-pitying.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD MARTY SIDES
Sophia (Female 30 to 40)
Sophia is a bright, albeit disillusioned, waitress-for-hire who seems equally nervous as she is exhausted by her job. Despite her apprehension, she often speaks before thinking, challenging those around her.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD SOPHIA SIDES
Wes (Male 35 to 55)
Wes is an upbeat criminal. He’s viewed as a bit of a dunce by the other players, especially Quentin, but remains blissfully unaware.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD WES SIDES
Quentin (Male 35 to 50)
Quentin is an actuary by trade and thus precise in everything he says and does. He is somewhat reserved as he quietly questions the idiots around him.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD QUENTIN SIDES
Host (Male 45 to 65)
The Host controls the poker game but his focus is split between the game and his newspaper. He’s firm with the players and belittling toward Sophie.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD HOST SIDES
Interested in a project? Looking to collaborate?
Contact us using the form below.
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