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Stephen Foster

Hemmings House Pictures is an award-winning film production company that specializes in social change-making. Founded in 2006, Hemmings House and its creative production teams have produced a broad scope of world-class, purpose-driven media.

Mission: Contributing to a happier and kinder planet fuelled by passionate storytelling.

As a certified B Corp, we measure both our financial bottom line and the overall impact we are making on the world around us.

We do this in the following ways:

  • One Percent For The Planet members, donated 1% of topline revenues to environmental non-profits
  • Triple Bottom Line measurement through B Lab auditing as a certified B Corp
  • Carbon offsets via Community Forests International (CFI)
  • $10,000 per year for 10 years donated to the Million Dollar Pledge (United Way)
  • Focus on anti-racist and justice equity diversity & inclusion training
  • Amplifying other business’ stories through our Boiling Point Podcast
  • Member, Social Venture Circle (SVC)
  • Provide at-cost film work for local non-profits
  • Mentor local entrepreneurs

Tell us about yourself?

Steve is an accomplished executive producer and businessperson with over 20 years of experience, leading a variety of productions for some of Atlantic Canada’s most influential brands and advertising agencies, in addition to global entertainment networks. Steve began his career in production in the sound and camera departments. He then moved into directing and assistant-directing, eventually falling in love with producing. Steve is well-versed in developing creative talent during conceptualization, production, and distribution.

Outside of his enthusiasm for all things advertising and long-form content, Steve enjoys mentoring and volunteering. When he’s not working, Steve can be found cooking and gardening with his wife, Lindsay, and their two sons, Francis and Gabriel.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Surround yourself with people who do the things that you need better than you; don’t try to do it all yourself.

What problem does your business solve?

We’re more of a vessel for the solution. We work closely with companies to articulate the answer for their challenge and how it will roll out.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

Honestly, Sigur Ros — an Icelandic band — put out a film over a decade ago called Heima. It changed our brains.

What is your magic sauce?

We focus on risk mitigation for our clients. We know that film production isn’t inexpensive, so we make sure through processes, clear and consistent communication, and stage gating that the investment that corporations make with us is protected. Quality and customer experience is also pretty big for us, too.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

We will continue to grow and nurture the Atlantic Canadian market, but we will also begin to work in New England. We are openly exploring M&A opportunities. We will also revitalize the New Brunswick film and television industry and create a revenue generator for our province. Building capacity through education, on the job learning, unions, ancillary support systems, etc

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Growing too quickly without a capable sales process.

How do people get involved/buy into your vision?

If folks are interested in NB and the video/film/tv industry, they should hit us up at hemmingshouse.com, we’d love to connect!