Fourth-Year CapU MOPA Student Wins Music Video Contest Benjamin McGregor highlights hometown in Craig Cardiff ’s song “Yellowknife” DAVID EUSEBIO Contributor
While many absorbed content during lockdown, fourth-year Motion Picture Arts Program (MOPA) student Benjamin McGregor found an opportunity to create content while living in Yellowknife. Canadian folk singer Craig Cardiff wanted to create a music video for his latest single “Yellowknife,” but couldn’t travel to the Northwest Territories due to the pandemic. As an alternative, Cardiff collaborated with Western Arctic Moving Pictures and NWT Film Commission to launch a 48-hour music video contest for local filmmakers. Three winners received cash prizes, with McGregor taking home first prize. “It was nice to be recognized because not that many people from up there are going into this field,” said McGregor. “It’s pretty cool to have the support from my friends and my family and my friend’s families and my friends of friends’ families.” This isn’t the first 48-hour contest he’s entered. He’s participated in the Vancouver Blood N Guts festival, a 48-hour indie horror film contest, where he won best student film. He’s also participated in an unrelated annual 48-hour music video contest in Yellowknife. “It’s a lot of fun,” said McGregor, as he shuffled around his living room to find a spot with the best lighting, as any film student would. “There’s a lot of pressure to make it, but it’s nice to have something complete by the end of two days. You can spend a ton of time on prep for projects, but nothing will get you a product as fast as something like this, and it’s usually better than you think it will be given the time that you have.” McGregor discovered the contest through his internship at Western Arctic Moving Pictures. “It kind of felt like a no-brainer to do it because I’m always looking for film-related stuff up there,” said 10 10
