University of Toronto

Charlie Hoppner

July 19, 2011
By Jessica Lewis

This summer has given Charlie Hoppner's career a boost. The fourth-year cinema studies student received a $3,000 grant through the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation's (OCRI) Entrepreneurship Centre to start his web video production company, Riviera Media.

Hoppner has been employed at Blomeley Communications in Ottawa working on projects such as for a Montreal Canadiens DVD and advertisements for a retirement home company, Nautical Lands Group. His short film The Blizzard was shown at the University of Toronto film fest in December 2010. After he learned about the summer program through friends who had also participated, he decided to give it a go.

"This summer it made sense to me to continue to do this kind of work, but to open myself up to new opportunities by starting my own business," he says. "I applied, looking forward to learning more of the business aspects of video production while using skills that I have."

The OCRI operates the summer program for young entrepreneurs, and Hoppner was one of 30 students chosen this summer. The program enlists help from successful local entrepreneurs as mentors as well as operates meetings and seminars.

"Doing the program has really got me into the habit of organizing my time properly, and there's been a lot of helpful advice," says Hoppner.

Riviera Media focuses on affordable and professional web video production such as corporate videos similar to what Hoppner's done in the past and more artistic ventures such as work he’s done filming musicians for California's Rebel Magazine. He hopes that eventually he can use his resources to do short web films in the future and will make a series next year titled Adjusted Young Men.

"Right now I am more focused on web video," he says. "I feel that with modern technology progressing to the point that most people can stream HD video no problem, there is going to be a huge amount of video content on the internet, more than there already is. Video is more visceral, immediate and quicker than text-based media, and I think on many levels video is really the future of internet media."

Hoppner says he couldn't have done this business without the support of initiatives Summer Company, Hart House, the Saw Gallery and IFCO Ottawa and is excited that OCRI has put money towards an artistic business.

"It bothers me when arts funding isn't taken seriously," he says. "So much of our art in Canada depends on funding or grants. At every level it's good to have this kind of support, because the returns are more than just financial, they make up our culture… I personally think it's worth taking any opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience, especially in an industry like film or video production."

Foxes In Fiction - 15 Ativan (live @ 561 Bloor) from Charles Hoppner on Vimeo.