(Paul Pope, via Hudson and Rex Twitter.)
The funeral of Paul Pope, a man known as a giant in the local film and television industry, will take place tomorrow.
Papa died Thursday after a short illness. He was 63.
Pope was a founding member of NIFCO, the Newfoundland Independent Film Cooperative.
Leo Fury, a former executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, says the Hudson and Rex producer had the exact type of qualities needed to promote a successful film and television career.
Fury says he could spot a great script that “not everyone can do,” he could explore places for the right kind of light, geography, and topography, “he was a little gadget man going back to Ryerson’s days,” and he had a business understanding to put together a perfect budget and a good team in a short time. These are rare qualities that can be found individually, not to mention all in one person, and “Paul had them at his peak,” says Fury.
Fury says Pope has mentored many in the industry.
Paul Pope’s Secret Nation was my first job as an extra in the film. His anchor area was my first starring role in the film. Many people got their first job in film and television from Paul. Then their 2nd, 3rd and even 100th. Thanks to his work with CNA, they will learn a lot more about the craft. RIP Paul Pope.
– Mark Critch (@markcritch) April 14, 2022
He says Secret Nation was Pope’s first production in 1992 and was an introduction to the film industry for many people in the province. Fury quoted Mark Creech as tweeting that many of the local industry had gotten their first, second and hundredth jobs with Paul Pope.
The funeral, which will take place at Gower Street United Church in St. John tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., will be broadcast live.
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