By Dianna Leighton
Each day, I receive about a dozen e-mails from librarians throughout the state VIA the Maine State Library listserv. Being a tech-savvy bunch, the message topics can range from 3D printers to digital archiving to tablet computers during story time programs. Or, there might be one from Nancy Troeger, director of Abel J. Morneault Memorial Library in Van Buren, that reads: “This young man has been making videos for several years now. He even made one to advocate for our local library. Check this one out: http://thecreativechallenge.org/pdetail/the-ad-effect” What’s this? A well-produced film about ad-blocking software that somehow manages to be completely engaging and also seems to be produced by some sort of teen filmmaker wunderkind? Who is this dude? Meet Van Buren’s Nicholas LaJoie.
LaJoie’s entry in the Adblock Plus Creative Challenge would eventually place fourth against 76 competitors from around the globe. Not too shabby for the 17-year-old filmmaker, who began his creative journey four years ago by posting LEGO animations and other funny short films on the video-sharing website YouTube. As time went on, LaJoie found himself innately interested in the mechanics of filmmaking and would go on to build his skills. Later in 2009, he entered his first edited film in the Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge, where he was selected as one of only 10 finalists from across the country to compete for a $50,000 grand prize in New York City. In a recent interview, he explains, “Although I didn’t win the prize, this was a life-changing experience that actually pushed me further into the filmmaking world.”
Today, the SpudNIC Studios’ YouTube channel has received over 1 million views and showcases a remarkably diverse range of short films. Viewers will find the LaJoie Growers crew participating in their own version of the Harlem Shake, slapstick humor in short films like “The Hallway,” and clever visual/editing effects in “Locker Rhythm.” Through this array, one can clearly see the personal and technical growth of LaJoie’s talent: “Since filmmaking is a creative medium, such as painting or creating music, I am constantly trying new genres and techniques to broaden my portfolio and experience.”
To further develop this expertise and expand the SpudNIC brand, LaJoie also takes on any local media production jobs he can, from producing wedding videos and commercials for small businesses to documenting life on the family farm. But perhaps his biggest gig to date would be as a full-time production assistant/stills photographer for the locally-produced studio film, “Beneath the Harvest Sky.” LaJoie describes working with directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly (best known for their critically-acclaimed work on the 2009 documentary “The Way We Get By”) as a “a dream come true … a truly awesome experience and a perfect learning opportunity.”
While many high school seniors are still exploring their career aspirations, it is clear that LaJoie is well on his way toward his goal of making feature films of his own someday, perhaps even here in Aroostook County! With his natural curiosity, a willingness to take on new challenges, and support from his family, community, and friends (online and offline), he clearly shows that vision can come at any age. And I think we all look forward to seeing what happens next.
To check out Nicholas LaJoie’s films, visit the SpudNIC Studios’ Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SpudNicStudios/ or the SpudNIC Vimeo channel at http://vimeo.com/spudnicstudios. For more information about “Beneath the Harvest Sky,” including updates on official release dates, visit http://beneaththeharvestsky.com/. To contact Nicholas about Spud-Nic Studios, please visit https://www.facebook.com/spudnicstudios.
Dianna Leighton is youth librarian at the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle. Her regular column “Breaking Trail” appears in the Star-Herald. She can be reached at (207) 764-2571 or via e-mail at diannaleighton@presqueislelibrary.org.
