February 2025 Newsletter

From the Producers’ Chair

Hello Reader,

Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to start before you’re ready.

The same mindset is driving The Quiet Canadians. We’ve set the course: our first stunt sequence will be shot this spring/summer! This is a parachuting sequence that will set the tone for the film’s high-stakes tension. Our full production is locked for October/November 2025. We’re pushing forward with funding, assembling our team, and crafting a lean, ambitious production strategy that makes every dollar count.

We’ve worked with lean budgets before and we know how to build something great with fewer resources than the industry typically expects. Because filmmaking—like any creative pursuit—isn’t about waiting for permission. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting that the momentum you create will carry you forward.

This year, we’re doubling down on that philosophy. No waiting. No hoping someone else will make the call. We are making it happen.

Reach out to chat about life, anything you read here, or just say hello. Let us know what's inspiring you this month.

- Helena & Anthony

Pssst! If you like what you read here — pass it on to a friend by hitting "Forward" in your inbox.

The Parachute Sequence

Some movie moments exist to move the story forward. Others drop you straight into the deep end.

This is one of those moments.

The parachuting sequence in The Quiet Canadians is a calculated move. It’s not a desperate last-second leap or a chaotic freefall—it’s part of a carefully planned escape. Jim Bains knows exactly what he’s doing, and he’s trained for this moment.

The audience, however, doesn’t... Until the second he steps off the edge.

A Nod to the Greats (With a Twist)

If you’ve ever seen The Spy Who Loved Me, you know the moment. Bond, chased by gunmen, skis off a cliff… hangs in the air for what feels like forever… and then—boom—a Union Jack parachute unfurls. It’s iconic, over-the-top, and the kind of cinematic magic that made 10-year-olds everywhere believe in spies.

We’re doing something different.

Bains’ cliff jump isn’t a stunt for show—it’s a maneuver. Executed with precision, designed to keep him invisible. No flashy parachute reveal, no slow-motion theatrics. This is about vanishing. It’s about not being seen.

It’s a moment where preparation meets execution, where the audience realizes Bains isn’t just reacting—he’s ahead of the game.

Big Scope, Lean Budget – How Do We Pull This Off?

Hollywood would spend tens of millions on a sequence like this. They’d build a giant rig, CGI the sky, and throw a green screen behind Tom Cruise. That’s not us.

We have to do it the indie way—smarter, leaner, and real.

That means:

A stunt team that understands storytelling. We’re not just looking for pros who can jump out of a plane—we need people who know how to shoot it in a way that puts the audience in the fall with Bains.
A location that does half the work for us. The right landscape makes every frame look cinematic without extra VFX. We’re scouting places that give us real danger, real scale, and real beauty.
Practical effects > digital tricks. We want this to feel visceral. The kind of sequence where your stomach drops and you can't look away.

Why This Sequence Matters

Bains isn’t jumping because he’s out of options. He’s jumping because this is the next step in his plan.

That’s the energy of The Quiet Canadians. Not reckless, but precise. Not luck, but skill. It’s about knowing exactly what’s required to get out alive—and executing it with absolute control.

This sequence is one of the biggest set pieces in the film, and it’s going to be a masterclass in indie action filmmaking—lean, effective, and unforgettable.

We’ll be sharing more behind-the-scene details as we build it—how we plan the shots, the safety measures, and how we make every dollar count.

For now, just know this: When Bains jumps, you’re jumping with him.

Behind-the-Scenes / Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It…

Filmmaking is a lot like a parachute jump.

You plan, you prepare, you check every detail. But at some point, you have to step off the edge.

We’re stepping off that edge this spring.

🎬 The Quiet Canadians – The First Leap

Before we roll cameras on the parachute sequence in The Quiet Canadians, we need a team on the ground.

This April, we’re launching a fundraising campaign to help bring this scene to life. But a campaign doesn’t run itself. A great campaign needs a great team.

That’s where The Quiet Canadians Diplomats come in.

Who are they?

They’re our insiders, our advocates, our ground crew. They’re the people who believe in the story before it’s made and help spread the word. Their mission? To share the campaign and the project with their community.

What do they get?

• Insider access to behind-the-scenes updates.

• Exclusive perks and rewards (details coming soon).

• A front-row seat to the making of a Canadian indie spy thriller.

For now, we’re gauging interest and building our team. If you’re interested in joining us, reply to this email and let us know. You don't need to be in the movie industry to participate. You just need to want to be a part of this journey with us. More details coming soon.

Independent films aren’t made in isolation. They’re built by people who believe in the story before it exists.

"Made In Canada" / Boosting Canadian Businesses

There's all this talk about tariffs and trade wars these days. Do you know what’s tariff-free? Supporting a 100% Canadian-made spy thriller!

With The Quiet Canadians, we’re not just making a film in Canada—we’re making a film with Canada. That means working with Canadian businesses, featuring homegrown brands, and creating opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs to be part of the story, both on and off-screen.

Whether you have a product, a service, a platform, or a marketing reach that aligns, we’d love to collaborate. No hard sell, no pressure—just an open invitation to explore what’s possible.

Interested? Let’s talk. Fill out this quick form or reply to this email.

Because great films—and great businesses—are built together.

In the Works / Xing’er – Building the World in a New Way

Right now, our biggest discussions around Xing’er are about how we build the world itself.

If you’ve seen The Mandalorian, you’ve seen the power of virtual production environments—massive LED walls that create hyper-realistic, fully immersive backgrounds in real-time. What was once a groundbreaking tool for major studio projects is becoming more accessible, and we’re deep in conversations with industry pros who specialize in this technology.

What does this mean for Xing’er? It means we’re exploring a way to craft expansive, visually stunning environments without the limitations of traditional set builds or remote location shoots. It means we can merge cinematic martial arts choreography with an immersive, highly controlled visual world—giving us the best of both classic filmmaking techniques and cutting-edge innovation.

This is new territory for independent film, but the potential is massive.

Right now, we’re:

Talking to virtual production specialists about how this could elevate Xing’er’s storytelling.
Exploring how this approach could let us create dynamic, immersive settings while keeping the production lean and efficient.
Studying how martial arts choreography interacts with virtual environments—and how to make the fight sequences feel seamless, real, and powerful.

This is a huge step forward, and while we’re still in the early stages of exploring what’s possible, one thing is clear: technology is changing the way indie films get made.

More updates soon. For now, we keep building.

A New Project / Off The Lot, A Podcast Born Over Coffee

On January 3rd, Anthony met up with Ken Kabatoff—a local writer, producer, and director—for coffee. They talked about filmmaking, the industry, and the challenges indie filmmakers face. And then they asked, why aren’t we recording this?

Fourteen days later, Off the Lot was live.

No over-planning. No waiting for the perfect moment. Just an idea, some conversation, and the decision to make it happen.

Since then, we’ve released three episodes, with four interviews recorded and three more already scheduled. We’re talking to writers, directors, producers, and creatives about what it really takes to build a career in film—especially outside the studio system.

You can listen to Off the Lot on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

This podcast is an open conversation about the realities of independent filmmaking. The lessons learned, the things no one tells you, and the stories from people making it happen.

The State of Film / Understanding the Role of a Producer

Independent filmmaking isn’t just about creativity—it’s about knowing how to turn an idea into a finished film. A big part of that process? Producers. They’re the ones making sure a film actually happens, from securing financing to assembling the right team.

Daren Smith, founder of Craftsman Films, has written extensively on this topic. Here are two articles that break down what producers do and how supporters of indie film can be involved.

1. What Does a Producer Do?

Producers are the engine that keeps a film running. They secure financing, manage budgets, hire key crew, oversee production, and make sure the movie actually gets finished. There’s no single “producer” role—there are many, from line producers who handle logistics to creative producers who help shape the story.

Read the full article here.

2. How to Visit a Film Set as an Executive Producer

For those interested in supporting indie film through investing or helping secure financing, sponsorship or distribution, visiting a set as an Executive Producer can be a unique experience—if done right. Smith outlines how to be an engaged supporter while respecting the fast-moving environment of a film set.

Read the full article here.

Why This Matters

Indie films are built by collaborators who understand how film production actually works. Whether you’re a filmmaker, a backer, or just love independent cinema, learning the roles that shape a film’s success helps make independent filmmaking stronger.

Your Turn / Join the Journey

Filmmaking is never a solo mission. Every great film is built on collaboration—between the people making it and the people who believe in it before it even exists.

So, we want to hear from you.

What’s one Canadian story you think deserves to be told on screen?

What’s your favourite hidden gem of a movie you'd recommend?

Want to be a Quiet Canadians Diplomat? Help us spread the word about the film and our upcoming fundraising campaign. Perks and details are coming soon, but if you’re interested, just reply to this email and let us know.

Reply with your thoughts. Your voice matters in independent film. And who knows? Your insight might just inspire the next great story.

END CREDITS /

Thanks for following along on this month’s Beyond the Frame. Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes stories, industry insights, or just curious about what we’re building, we appreciate you being part of the journey.

Next month, we’ll be sharing more details on the Quiet Canadians Diplomat program. We’ll also dive deeper into the pre-production process for Xing’er as we explore how cutting-edge virtual production could shape the film’s world.

In the meantime, stay connected with us:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes content.

Catch up on Off the Lot on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.

Get real-time updates by joining The Quiet Canadians Insider Intel

Donate to the Making of The Quiet Canadians!

Independent filmmaking thrives on community, and we’re grateful you’re part of ours. See you next month!

Helena & Anthony