Superior Filmworks
brings over 40 years of photography and filmmaking experience to work for all of our clients. Our education and training in these fields is unparalleled. We use the latest technology together with classically proven production techniques and aesthetic principals to create outstanding still and moving images.
Shooting in the Rocky Mountains, 1979 - Photo by Caren Stephenson
Bio
Superior Filmworks is owned and operated by Brad Stephenson. Brad was born and raised in Thunder Bay and has been a professional filmmaker and photographer since his teens.
Since then he has completed hundreds of projects for a diverse range of clients including large corporations, government departments, economic development agencies, television networks, independent rock bands and musicians, non-profit organizations, and countless individual and family clients.
Brad established SUPERIOR FILMWORKS in 1989. He is an award winning filmmaker, photographer and screenwriter.
All photography by Brad Stephenson - Superior Filmworks unless otherwise credited
News Photographer - 1978 Beverly Hills, CA - 1978 Thunder Bay Regional Hospital - 2004
Photo - Caren Stephenson Photo - Doug Steele
HISTORY
Prior to establishing Superior Filmworks in 1989 Brad gained valuable experience at various photo labs in Thunder Bay. He was a news photographer at CKPR-CHFD Television, shooting, processing and editing daily news segments on both 16mm film and 3/4 inch Umatic videotape. Brad spent a number of years as the cameraman, director and editor at Confederation College’s Audio/Visual Production Centre where he created dozens of educational videos, some of which were distributed across Canada.
From 1979 until 1989 Brad owned and operated Stephenson Photography where he photographed scores of weddings in Thunder Bay and other locations around North America. Stephenson Photography also did portraits, family gatherings and events, pet photography, and commercial and industrial assignments.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Brad’s formal photography training began when he was only 16 years old in an Art class at Selkirk High School in Thunder Bay. When those first images appeared in the red glow of the Kodak safety light in the class darkroom, Brad knew he had found his calling. Fell in love with photography. Also made a narrative short film in English class based on an urban poem, filled with violence and fire escapes. Kodak got our reel mixed up so we never saw the finished work (fruit of our labours) alas. Graduated from Confederation College with two diplomas, Photographic Arts and Film Production.
Worked at CKPR-CHFD Television which was in the midst of making the transition from shooting film to video. Learned video shooting and editing techniques
USC School of Cinema-Television, widely regarded as the premiere film school in the world. Harder to gain admission than Harvard. Graduates include George Lucas (Star Wars), Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump). USC Cinema is consistently named the No. 1 film school. Brad had the opportunity to be taught by a number of legendary Academy Award nominated filmmakers. Many more Oscar winning screenwriters and directors came to USC as visiting lecturers or presented seminars. While studying at USC Cinema Brad was granted and Internation Scholar Award, a Phi Beta Kappa scholarship, and a Graduate School fellowship.
USc cinema-television grad
Brad holds a Master of Arts degree from USC School of Cinema-Television, widely regarded as the best film school in the world. USC grads include George Lucas (Star Wars) and Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump). Brad’s USC instructors included Academy Award nominated filmmakers. While studying at USC Cinema Brad received an International Scholar Award, a Phi Beta Kappa scholarship, and a Graduate School fellowship.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Best Editing - Confederation College Film Night Awards
Braun Award - Scenario Division, CNE National Student Film Awards
Print Accepted for Exhibition - 32nd Annual Print show, Professional Photographers of Canada
Print Exhibited at Juried Photography Show - Canadian National Exhibition Centre
Best Screenplay - 2006 Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards
Best Screenplay (Finalist) - 2010 Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards
Semi-Finalist - 2013 Kairos Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenplays
Semi-Finalist - Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, 1992
Quarter-Finalist - Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting, 1995, 1999, 2003
Brad with 16mm Eclair ACL Camera, 1978 Photo - Doug Steele
CLIENTS = PARTNERS
SUPERIOR FILMWORKS has worked with a wide variety of outstanding clients, both large and small. We consider every client a partner and work closely with each one of them to ensure top quality content is delivered to meet their specific expectations.
We listen! Each project, whether it is a quick photo shoot or an epic film production, receives the utmost care and attention which is the defining hallmark of every SUPERIOR FILMWORKS production.
