Stephen Low (born 1950) is a Canadian film director and
screenwriter
A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based.
...
who works extensively in the
IMAX
IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (approximately either 1.43:1 or 1.90:1) and steep stadium seating.
Graeme F ...
and IMAX 3D film formats. Based in
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...
, over his 30-plus year career Low has directed numerous award-winning film documentaries including ''
Challenger: An Industrial Romance'' (1980), ''Beavers'' (1988), ''Titanica'' (1991), ''
Super Speedway
''Super Speedway'' is a 1997 documentary racing film chronicling one man's quest to get his new Champ Car Lola chassis up to speed, and another's goal of rebuilding an old 1964 roadster once driven by the legendary Mario Andretti. The film was ...
'' (1997), ''Volcanoes of the Deep Sea'' (2003), ''
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag'' (2004), ''Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D'' (2010), ''Legends of Flight 3D'' (2010), ''Rescue 3D'' (2011), ''
Rocky Mountain Express
''Rocky Mountain Express'' is a 45-minute IMAX film released in the fall of 2011. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Stephen Low, it features the Canadian Pacific Railway’s restored 4-6-4 H1b Hudson steam locomotive 2816. Shooting began in 200 ...
'' (2011) and ''Aircraft Carrier'' (2017).
Biography
The second son of
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB; french: Office national du film du Canada (ONF)) is Canada's public film and digital media producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary f ...
animator, documentary and IMAX filmmaker
Colin Low, his eldest brother is Benjamin and his younger brother is Alexander, Stephen Low was born in
Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...
and raised in Montreal. In his youth he showed no interest in the family business although his varied interests — painting, photography, auto racing, aviation, scuba diving, trains, travel, history — would all eventually show up in his future films. "As a child," he recalls, "filmmaking seemed like extremely boring stuff. Everything just took forever."
He moved to
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is a city in and the seat of Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. It is the most populous municipality in Northwestern Ontario and the second most populous (after Greater Sudbury) municipality in Northern Ontario; its population ...
, Ontario, where he studied political science at
Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a public research university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Lakehead University, shortened to 'Lakehead U', is non-denominational and provincially supported. It has undergraduate programs, grad ...
and also worked as a brakeman for the
Canadian Pacific Railway
The Canadian Pacific Railway (french: Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique) , also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is owned by Canadi ...
.
Despite his childhood resistance to filmmaking, he began his directorial career with the
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB; french: Office national du film du Canada (ONF)) is Canada's public film and digital media producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary f ...
(NFB) around 1979 after four years spent in
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
as a cameraman and editor. A brief dalliance with Hollywood filmmaking convinced him to stick with documentaries: "Hollywood plays with toys," he says, "they never get close to the real thing."
Among his projects as a director at the NFB were ''Challenger: An Industrial Romance'' (1980), produced by Imax co-founder
Roman Kroitor
Roman Kroitor (December 12, 1926 – September 17, 2012) was a Canadian filmmaker who was known as an early practitioner of ''cinéma vérité'', as co-founder of IMAX, and as creator of the Sandde hand-drawn stereoscopic animation system. H ...
, and ''Next Generation'' (1982) (both films are about the Challenger aircraft), and ''
The Defender'' (1988).
He wrote a short film, ''Acting Classes'' (1980), directed by
John N. Smith
John N. Smith OC (born July 31, 1943 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian film director and screenwriter.
Career
Smith graduated with a B.A. in political science from McGill University in 1964. He joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1 ...
. He was hired by Kroitor to direct ''Skyward'', his first IMAX film, which was released in 1985. Since then, Low has worked exclusively in IMAX and IMAX 3D. His diverse giant screen filmography reflects his fascination with the world at large as well as his ability to find an off-beat, interesting story in any subject. He says that, in fact, the most important thing he learned from his father had nothing to do with filmmaking techniques; it was "a fascination with everything. There are a lot of things out there that are really interesting and through filmmaking I could participate in them."
Filmography (director)
* ''The Defender'' (1988)
* ''Next Generation'' (1982)
* ''Challenger: An Industrial Romance'' (1980)
IMAX and IMAX 3D
* ''Train Time'' (2022)
* ''Secrets of the Universe'' (2019)
* ''The Trolley'' (2018)
* ''Aircraft Carrier 3D'' (2017)
* ''
Rocky Mountain Express
''Rocky Mountain Express'' is a 45-minute IMAX film released in the fall of 2011. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Stephen Low, it features the Canadian Pacific Railway’s restored 4-6-4 H1b Hudson steam locomotive 2816. Shooting began in 200 ...
'' (2011)
* ''Legends of Flight 3D'' (2010)
* ''Rescue 3D'' (2010)
* ''Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D'' (2010)
* ''
Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag'' (2004)
* ''Volcanoes of the Deep Sea'' (2003)
* ''
Super Speedway
''Super Speedway'' is a 1997 documentary racing film chronicling one man's quest to get his new Champ Car Lola chassis up to speed, and another's goal of rebuilding an old 1964 roadster once driven by the legendary Mario Andretti. The film was ...
'' (2000)
* ''Mark Twain's America'' (3D) (1998)
* ''Across the Sea of Time'' (3D) (1995)
* ''
Titanica
''Titanica'' is a 1992 IMAX documentary film about the RMS ''Titanic''. The film was directed by Stephen Low and narrated by Cedric Smith, Anatoly Sagalevich and Ralph White. The film mostly focuses on footage taken at the wreck of the RMS ''Ti ...
'' (1995)
* ''Flight of the Aquanaut'' (1993)
* ''The Last Buffalo'' (3D) (1990)
* ''
Beavers
Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents in the genus ''Castor'' native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are two extant species: the North American beaver (''Castor canadensis'') and the Eurasian beaver (''C. fiber''). Beavers a ...
'' (1988)
* ''Skyward'' (1985)
The Stephen Low Company
The Stephen Low Company was established in 1985 and is based in Dorval, Quebec. The members of the SLC team include Pietro Serapiglia, producer and vice-president, distribution; Alexander Low, vice-president, development and marketing; and Dougal Caron, vice-president, finance. The company produced and distributes many of Low's films, including ''Beavers'', ''Flight of the Aquanaut'', ''Super Speedway'', ''Volcanoes of the Deep Sea'', and ''Rocky Mountain Express''. In recent years, The Stephen Low Company has worked in partnership with executive producer and distributor K2 Communications to produce and distribute five films—''Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag'', ''Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D'', ''Rescue 3D'', ''Legends of Flight 3D'' and ''Aircraft Carrier 3D''.
Honours
* Inducted as honorary member, Directors Guild of Canada (2012)
* Member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences —"Accepted for demonstrating exceptional accomplishments in the field of theatrical motion pictures." (2004–present).
* Kodak Vision Award, Lifetime Achievement; Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA), Los Angeles, California (2004)
* Alumni Honour Award, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario (2005)
* Giant Screen Consortium Award – In honour of Stephen Low for his contribution to the Canadian Large Format Industry, Giant Screen Consortium, Canada (2002)
Awards
* 2012 Best Film – Rocky Mountain Express – Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA), Sacramento, California
* 2012 Best Cinematography – Rocky Mountain Express – Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA), Sacramento, California
* 2012 Best Sound Editing: Special Venue – Rocky Mountain Express – MPSE Golden Reel Awards
* 2012 First Prize – Current Affairs – Rescue – 22nd International Military Film Festival, Bracciano, Italy
* 2011 Maximum Image Award – Titanica – IMAX Hall of Fame
* 2011 Best Aviation Photography Award - Fighter Pilot—Fly Film Festival. Poland
* 2011 Best Short Documentary – Legends of Flight – Skyfest, Asheville, North Carolina
* 2011 Golden Sheaf Award: Documentary Arts and Culture – Ultimate Wave Tahiti – Yorkton Film Festival, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
* 2011 Silver Palm Award – Legends of Flight - Mexico International Film Festival
* 2011 Bronze Palm Award – Ultimate Wave Tahiti - Mexico International Film Festival
* 2011 Jury Lycéen Award – Ultimate Wave Tahiti - Festival Les Toiles de Mer
* 2010 Golden Palm Award – Fighter Pilot – Mexico International Film Festival
* 2010 Best in Show – Fighter Pilot – Skyfest, Asheville, North Carolina
* 2010 Best Sports Category – Ultimate Wave Tahiti - Blue Ocean Film Festival, Savannah, Georgia
* 2010 Outstanding Achievement in Action Sports Filmmaking – Ultimate Wave Tahiti - Newport Beach Film Festival, Newport Beach, California
* 2009 Official Selection – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea – 6th Annual Montana CINE International Festival, Missoula, Montana
* 2009 Honorable Mention for Educational Value – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea - 6th Annual Montana CINE International Festival, Missoula, Montana
* 2009 International Finalist – Marine and Earth Sciences – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea - Blue Ocean Film Festival, Savannah, Georgia
* 2009 Honorable Mention – Ocean Exploration and Adventure – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea - Blue Ocean Film Festival, Savannah, Georgia
* 2009 Honorable Mention – Marine Animal Behavior - Volcanoes of the Deep Sea - Blue Ocean Film Festival, Savannah, Georgia
* 2009 Golden Wheel Award – Super Speedway – International Reel Wheel Film Festival, Knoxville, Iowa
* 2007 Best Scientific Exploration Film – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea – The Explorers Club Documentary Film Festival
* 2006 Golden Reel Award - for Outstanding Achievement in the Motion Picture and Television Industries – Fighter Pilot, Operation Red Flag – Motion Picture Sound Editors
* 2005 Lakehead University Alumni Honour Award
* 2005 Scientific Literacy Achievement Award – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea – Association for Biomedical Research
* 2004 Grand Prize – Best Film of the Year – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea – La Geode Film Festival, Paris
* 2004 Kodak Vision Award for Lifetime Achievement– Stephen Low – Giant Screen Theater Association
* 2004 Special Achievement in Film Award – Volcanoes of the Deep Sea - Giant Screen Theater Association
* 2004 Maximum Image Award (Hall of Fame Award) – Beavers – IMAX Corporation
* 2004 Member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science – Accepted for Having Demonstrated Exceptional Accomplishments in the Field of Theatrical Motion Pictures
* 2002 Giant Screen Consortium Award – In honour of Stephen Low for his contribution to the Canadian Large Format Industry
* 1999 Best Entertainment DVD – Super Speedway – European DVD Awards, Dublin Castle
* 1997 Northern Nevada Motion Picture Award – Mark Twain's America / Low Films International – 1997 Distinguished Business of Nevada
* 1993 Board of Directors IMAX Award for Best IMAX Film – Beavers – Hawaii International Film Festival
* 1993 Genie Award nomination for Best Feature Length Documentary – Titanica – Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
* 1990 Gemini Award nomination for Best Writing in an Information / Documentary Program or Series – The Defender - Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
* 1990 Gemini Award nomination for Best Director in an Information / Documentary Program or Series – The Defender - Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
* 1990 Selected for Screening Certificate – The Defender – Red Deer International Airshow's 1990 International Aviation film/Video Festival
* 1989 Best Picture – The Defender – Golden Sheaf Awards, Yorkton Film Festival (Saskatchewan)
* 1989 Best Director - The Defender – Golden Sheaf Awards, Yorkton Film Festival (Saskatchewan)
* 1989 Best Script – The Defender - Golden Sheaf Awards, Yorkton Film Festival (Saskatchewan)
* 1989 Jury Prize for Best IMAX/OMNIMAX Film – Beavers – 2nd International Film Festival de la Geode, Paris
* 1989 Public Prize for Best IMAX/OMNIMAX Film – Beavers – 2nd International Film Festival de la Geode, Paris
* 1989 Super Channel Award – The Defender – Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival
* 1981 Best of Show – Challenger: An Industrial Romance – Cindy Competition / Audio Graphics Films and Information Film Producers of America (Cindys)
* 1981 Gold Cindy Award - Challenger: An Industrial Romance – Information Film Producers of America (Cindys)
* 1981 Gold Camera Award (for outstanding creativity in the production of audio/visual communications in international competition) - Challenger: An Industrial Romance – US Industrial Film Festival
* 1981 The Chris Award - Challenger: An Industrial Romance – 29th Annual Columbus Film Festival
* 1980 Silver Award – Challenger: An Industrial Romance – San Francisco International Film Festival
References
External links
Stephenlow.comNfb.ca*
Giantscreencinema.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Low, Stephen
1950 births
Canadian documentary film directors
Living people
Film directors from Ottawa
Lakehead University alumni
National Film Board of Canada people