Undressing the stigma surrounding pole dancing by exploring the lives of three women as they use it for fitness, performance and competition.
This documentary listens to three stories of three different women, presenting different forms of pole dancing and what it means to each of them. Inspiring, sad and heartwarming stories of how they deal with society's misconceptions and prejudice, like rejection from family, struggle in relationships and outsiders' trying to stop them . The audience can feel like close confidantes of the subjects, empathizing with the fact that in the end they’re doing something that they love.
The Pole Team
Jenna Pothier Co-director and Writer
Jenna is a third year student in the Honours Bachelor of Film & Television program at Sheridan, specializing in picture editing and writing. She grew up always having an interest in storytelling, from writing short stories for fun to creating music videos and sketches for high school projects and Youtube. Diving straight into college after high school, Jenna has gone on to use these skills to edit TV skits, short films and write screenplays, including “Age Rewind”, which won two for two categories at the Sheridan Screen Arts Awards. As a pole dance enthusiast herself, Jenna was passionate about pitching a doc that embodies the positive experience she had with pole dancing and the pole dance community. Jenna hopes to further continue on in her film career creating more empowering and uplifting content. Akil McKenzie
Editor Akil a is film student in third year at Sheridan College. Akil loves projects of different varieties. He is attracted to films that have different outlooks from the typical way people think about things. He also love working on projects involving dance because editing it is always a fun time. Playing with both slow motion and camera movement that matches that of the dancers always keeps me on my toes. This is a project that he has been interested in for a long time and is glad to be a part of this documentary and will be giving nothing but creativity to all ideas brought forth! |
Carlos C. G. S. P. de C. Gama Director
Carlos is a international student from Brazil currently in his third year of the Honours Bachelor of Film & Television program at Sheridan College. He specializes in writing and directing, but his work for the Sheridan Student Union made him want to learn more about camera, lighting and editing. At an early age his parents gifted him with a film camera, and that blossomed into a passion for photography and later on filmmaking. His experience of travelling and living abroad deepens his work in unimaginable ways and he’ll use that to make meaningful films that affect people. Shane Nguyen
Transmedia/DMT Shane is a third year student in Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Film and Television. They grew up in a small town in Southwestern Ontario where their favourite pass time was watching television shows and movies. When they entered high school they attend their first film class. After this class they fell in love with the process of film making films and their mother and sisters has supported them when pursuing this passion. They have voiced great enthusiasm in becoming an editor but recently have also been engrossed in the transmedia aspect of projects. |
Ananta Sharan
Producer Ananta is a third year student studying film at Sheridan College. She went to Cawthra Park Secondary School in Misissauga, ON. There she participated in the regional arts program at Cawthra, and was a music major playing the flute. Cawthra gave her a good dose of what it was like to be working in a field of art, and from there she decided she would like to work in film. Ananta is currently exploring different aspects of film, and can’t wait to see where it will take her in the future. Sophy Pollak
AC/BTS Sophy Pollak, 23 years old, is a film student in her third year at Sheridan College. She has always had a passion for cinema and hard work, and looks forward to pursuing a career in filmmaking. Born in Toronto, Sophy was raised amongst a wide range of eclectic characters and artists, and was a victim of art school herself. Sophy took a few years after high school to travel, spending time in San Francisco, Cuba, and the Burning Man festival. She enthusiastically applies these experiences to her work as a film student, and hopes to create dynamic stories, forging the way for female filmmakers. |
Kevin Santos
D.O.P Third year student of Sheridan’s Bachelor of Film and Television. His passion for filmmaking started early. In grade eight, he and his friends would create small skit videos for the fun of it. In high school, he would always advocate for making a video instead of writing an essay or doing a presentation. In grade 12 he competed at the provincial level for the Ontario skills competition for video production. Since coming to Sheridan, has expressed a great interest in lighting, camera and visual effects. He has worked on Owl Always Love You, Endearment and The Hand that Feeds You as a Gaffer and a few other smaller projects as assistant camera and grip. Out of school, Kevin has his own personal wedding videography service that he started in 2014. He is adamant about learning more about lighting and camera and is eager to test the waters as a Director of Photography. Jason Byrne
Sound Recorder/ Sound Mixer Jason is a 26-year old VFX artist with a passion for human sciences. Jason attends Sheridan College as a third year student in the bachelor of film and television program, where he has focused on sound and visual effects. Jason is excited to gain insight into this world of fitness he never knew existed. |
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