Heather Haldane

An interest in storytelling has always been a core passion. Telling personal "based on" true stories has always been a focus. There is often nothing "stranger than truth" - nor more powerful.

A hands-on set savvy creative producer for over 20 years, Heather worked in many areas of the industry after graduating from Toronto Metropolitan's then RTA programme. Early years spanned work in every area building strong foundations from PA to Post assistant editor to AD/LP before becoming a supervising producer/LP, then Producer/ Exec Producer as an independent. Along the way, a diverse skill set was built while crewing in every genre & format from live to tape half hr multi-cam comedies to live events, game shows, and music specials to docs to single camera drama and HD. On location and in-studio.

Co-Owner of Screen Door 1999-2016 an independent Canadian production company, specializing in award-winning dramatic films, event mini-series and series for major broadcasters with strong International sales built new skills in development , budgetting and finance. Screen Door built its reputation producing dramas with human resonance based on authentic characters who often achieved much - despite. Screen Door movies and series won awards across many categories - from Gemini awards in Canada to nominations and wins in International Festivals. MOW's such as: 'Spirit Bear', "Burn- The Robert Wraight story" "Prom Queen' 'Shades of Black' 'Tagged' -- And Big Event mini-series such as 'Shattered City' and 'Everest', PLUS the primetime drama series 'MVP - The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives' and "Committed' for Lifetime US - a thriller distributed by BETA. 'Tati's Hotel', a live action childrens' puppet series - a Canada-UK (Wales) International co-production opened the door wider because of the talents of Director Delyth Thomas and Welsh co-producers: the Janes.

Perhaps tellingly before Screen Door, her producing career began with a groundbreaking 35mm film shot by Rene O'Hashi, titled 'Where the Spirit Lives" (WTSL). WTSL was the first drama to break the silence on "Indian" residential schools in Canada and was scored by the brilliant Buffy St Marie. Canada's beloved Norman Jewison (Director/producer) helped WTSL achieve a theatrical release at TIFF and VIFF before it went on to win (6) Gemini's for BEST TV movie, and for Best performance by Michelle St John and Supporting for Ann Marie MacDonald. A slew of other International awards followed. Filmed on the Blood Reserve near Cardston Alberta, home of the Kainaiwa nation, the truth of the hard story was a gift. Acclamation came and continues to come from many in the Indigenous community because their story was for so long overlooked. Importantly, this is changing.

Also produced by the co-owners of Screen Door/Painted House was MAUDIE released (2017) by Sony Picture Classics in the US and Internationally - and by Mongrel Media in Canada. About the inspiring spirit and determination of Cdn artist Maud Lewis, it stars SALLY HAWKINS & ETHAN HAWKE with notable performances by Kari Matchett, Gabrielle Rose, Zachary Bennet and Billy MacLellan. An International co-production with Irelands Parallel Films Inc (co-producers of BROOKLYN) and with Irelands tirelessly talented Aisling Walsh (Director), Maudie received (7) awards in the 2018 Canadian Screen awards including BEST PICTURE, BEST ACHIEVMENT IN DIRECTING and BEST PERFORMANCES for Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke. After (4) IFTA Awards (for Irish Film and TV) - including BEST PICTURE - Maudie continues to bring festival notice and ongoing critical praise.

Its an ongoing privilege and delight to find THAT voice that can tell that story - and to build around this story a creative team that can produce a compelling film to entertain an audience. Over to Star Trek's Spock for final words. More to come.