Lance Kenneth Blakney
Lance is a Producer with Strike Pictures that is based in Fredericton along the banks of the beautiful Wolastoq river. Strike Pictures has been producing films for 8 years. Founded in 2015, the company has garnered many awards nationally and internationally.
Lance, who makes up one third of Strike, is a videographer, marketer, and editor. As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Lance is passionate about championing the stories of equity-deserving groups that are often under-represented in visual medium.
Lance is a member of the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative.
What drew you to filmmaking?
I fell into film by accident. While I was working on my honours thesis at UNB, I was focused on photography as my main method of storytelling. One of my professors at the time invited me to be a stills photographer on the set of a film they were working on. It was the first set I had seen in real life, and it was such magic to watch the production process.
What do you enjoy most about filmmaking?
Film is such a powerful medium. It can make you feel happy, sad, and every other emotion imaginable. I enjoy creating films that can make people feel something they did not expect - opening up a a door to a new possibility for them. Often, to the dismay of those who experience my scripts, catharsis is not a feeling I explore often. I greatly enjoy stories that are grounded in real emotion and relatable experience.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist living in New Brunswick?
Filmmaking on the east coast - in New Brunswick especially - is often looked down on. I love creating here because we have such unique combination of skills and resources. Because the film industry is so small, it makes people eager to contribute - and our skill lies in bringing those people together. We are growing the local industry through sheer passion and dedication.
Describe what you are most proud of as an artist.
I have been fortunate to have had a number of meaningful experiences. Through my art, I have interacted with so many individuals I wouldn’t have otherwise crossed paths with. After all of these years, the thing I am most proud of is what I am working on currently. A few years ago, producing a feature-length film was something that I would never have imagined was feasible. It has only been made possible by the friends and family that surround me and lift me up.
What advice would you give to young, emerging artists?
It is important to find your people - the people who will support you, encourage you, and lift you up. Luckily, in New Brunswick, the filmmaking community is a close knit group of creators. It is something very unique to this province, the willingness to champion the people around you.
