Creators

Alec Pronovost: the places, people and stories that inhabit us

Text -

Marie Charles Pelletier

With a degree in cinema from UQAM, Alec Pronovost carved out a place for himself in the world of cinema by directing his first short film, which led him to create web sketches for comedians such as Arnaud Soly and Rosalie Vaillancourt. He went on to write and direct his first series, Le Killing, followed by projects such as Complètement Lycée and Jeep Boys. His semi-autobiographical short film Piscine Pro was selected for over 70 international festivals, including Sundance. He recently launched the series J'adore le jus, and is currently working on a feature film and two other TV series.

“I was lucky enough to find love - and my calling - when I first touched a camera at the age of 9. The world of possibilities opened up for me through this medium. I've been thinking about film projects ever since, never really looking back.”

For him, creativity is awakened when an idea persists over time. He particularly likes the stage when an idea becomes concrete, and feeds on the inspiration he finds in simple moments, such as long wanderings and long walks punctuated by music. His creativity is also fueled by concerts, films or series that he consumes without necessarily having any expectations, and which end up staying with him for 3-4 weeks. 

Places, as well as distinct atmospheres, play a key role in his projects, acting as a starting point. Alec observes the environment around him until he develops a kind of fixation on a place, which then leads him to imagine the characters and stories that would unfold there. He enjoys exploring both familiar and atypical spaces. His latest obsession: pharmacies.

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The director admits that nature holds an important role in his life, and that he has a particularly romantic perspective on it. That of an old man, for example, tugging on his pipe as he writes at his desk, while a dog snores at his feet. And although he's no old man, the idea of going off into the woods is always evocative of a refuge, a landmark. “I'm always more productive in nature, without the distractions and hubbub of the city. The air seems fresher, life more relaxed. A day's writing at the cottage is the embodiment of a good life, in my opinion,” he confides. 

And it’s in fact in nature that he feels he's the best version of himself. If he could, he'd spend his life on foot, climbing mountains or riding miles on a bike.  

“One of my favorite feelings is that moment when you get to the cabin, get out of the car and take that first puff of air. THAT air is unbeatable.”

The purpose of his retreat to BESIDE Habitat was to continue developing and conceiving a new TV series project he's working on with his friend Samuel Cantin. While their stay was the cradle of discussions, musical discoveries and good bottles of wine, the environment, and the large windows overlooking the snow-covered trees, will have been a source of inspiration that still lives with him.

Alec Pronovost is currently writing a feature film to be shot independently this fall. The film is a personal project, which will require him to break open his piggy bank, but one that is particularly close to his heart, and which will be brought to fruition thanks to the people he surrounds himself with, whom he describes as a “hell of a great bunch of generous and talented individuals.” To be continued...

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Cultural recommendations

I recently rediscovered the Mexico album by Jean Leclerc/Leloup and I can’t stop blasting it, driving everyone around me nuts. On the rock n roll side, the Dark Superstition album by Gatecreeper. CINEMA-wise, try to get your hands on the following 3 short films: Hello Stranger by Amélie Hardy, Les Fleurs Sauvages by Rodolphe St-Gelais and Thierry Sirois and Municipal Relaxation Module by Matthew Rankin. Also, make sure to go see Vil & Misérable — it’s still screening in theatres. It's based on the comic strip by a damn fine writer (Samuel Cantin hehe)!

Cozy up this winter
Warm your soul and your toes at BESIDE Habitat while the cold sets in outside. Heated floors, a sauna, and a wood-burning stove are ready for you.
BOOK NOW
Creators

Alec Pronovost: the places, people and stories that inhabit us

Text -

Marie Charles Pelletier

With a degree in cinema from UQAM, Alec Pronovost carved out a place for himself in the world of cinema by directing his first short film, which led him to create web sketches for comedians such as Arnaud Soly and Rosalie Vaillancourt. He went on to write and direct his first series, Le Killing, followed by projects such as Complètement Lycée and Jeep Boys. His semi-autobiographical short film Piscine Pro was selected for over 70 international festivals, including Sundance. He recently launched the series J'adore le jus, and is currently working on a feature film and two other TV series.

“I was lucky enough to find love - and my calling - when I first touched a camera at the age of 9. The world of possibilities opened up for me through this medium. I've been thinking about film projects ever since, never really looking back.”

For him, creativity is awakened when an idea persists over time. He particularly likes the stage when an idea becomes concrete, and feeds on the inspiration he finds in simple moments, such as long wanderings and long walks punctuated by music. His creativity is also fueled by concerts, films or series that he consumes without necessarily having any expectations, and which end up staying with him for 3-4 weeks. 

Places, as well as distinct atmospheres, play a key role in his projects, acting as a starting point. Alec observes the environment around him until he develops a kind of fixation on a place, which then leads him to imagine the characters and stories that would unfold there. He enjoys exploring both familiar and atypical spaces. His latest obsession: pharmacies.

‍

The director admits that nature holds an important role in his life, and that he has a particularly romantic perspective on it. That of an old man, for example, tugging on his pipe as he writes at his desk, while a dog snores at his feet. And although he's no old man, the idea of going off into the woods is always evocative of a refuge, a landmark. “I'm always more productive in nature, without the distractions and hubbub of the city. The air seems fresher, life more relaxed. A day's writing at the cottage is the embodiment of a good life, in my opinion,” he confides. 

And it’s in fact in nature that he feels he's the best version of himself. If he could, he'd spend his life on foot, climbing mountains or riding miles on a bike.  

“One of my favorite feelings is that moment when you get to the cabin, get out of the car and take that first puff of air. THAT air is unbeatable.”

Alec Pronovost is currently writing a feature film to be shot independently this fall. The film is a personal project, which will require him to break open his piggy bank, but one that is particularly close to his heart, and which will be brought to fruition thanks to the people he surrounds himself with, whom he describes as a “hell of a great bunch of generous and talented individuals.” To be continued...

‍

Cultural recommendations

I recently rediscovered the Mexico album by Jean Leclerc/Leloup and I can’t stop blasting it, driving everyone around me nuts. On the rock n roll side, the Dark Superstition album by Gatecreeper. CINEMA-wise, try to get your hands on the following 3 short films: Hello Stranger by Amélie Hardy, Les Fleurs Sauvages by Rodolphe St-Gelais and Thierry Sirois and Municipal Relaxation Module by Matthew Rankin. Also, make sure to go see Vil & Misérable — it’s still screening in theatres. It's based on the comic strip by a damn fine writer (Samuel Cantin hehe)!

Cozy up this winter
Warm your soul and your toes at BESIDE Habitat while the cold sets in outside. Heated floors, a sauna, and a wood-burning stove are ready for you.
BOOK NOW
Creators

Alec Pronovost: the places, people and stories that inhabit us

Text -

Marie Charles Pelletier

With a degree in cinema from UQAM, Alec Pronovost carved out a place for himself in the world of cinema by directing his first short film, which led him to create web sketches for comedians such as Arnaud Soly and Rosalie Vaillancourt. He went on to write and direct his first series, Le Killing, followed by projects such as Complètement Lycée and Jeep Boys. His semi-autobiographical short film Piscine Pro was selected for over 70 international festivals, including Sundance. He recently launched the series J'adore le jus, and is currently working on a feature film and two other TV series.

“I was lucky enough to find love - and my calling - when I first touched a camera at the age of 9. The world of possibilities opened up for me through this medium. I've been thinking about film projects ever since, never really looking back.”

For him, creativity is awakened when an idea persists over time. He particularly likes the stage when an idea becomes concrete, and feeds on the inspiration he finds in simple moments, such as long wanderings and long walks punctuated by music. His creativity is also fueled by concerts, films or series that he consumes without necessarily having any expectations, and which end up staying with him for 3-4 weeks. 

Places, as well as distinct atmospheres, play a key role in his projects, acting as a starting point. Alec observes the environment around him until he develops a kind of fixation on a place, which then leads him to imagine the characters and stories that would unfold there. He enjoys exploring both familiar and atypical spaces. His latest obsession: pharmacies.

‍

The director admits that nature holds an important role in his life, and that he has a particularly romantic perspective on it. That of an old man, for example, tugging on his pipe as he writes at his desk, while a dog snores at his feet. And although he's no old man, the idea of going off into the woods is always evocative of a refuge, a landmark. “I'm always more productive in nature, without the distractions and hubbub of the city. The air seems fresher, life more relaxed. A day's writing at the cottage is the embodiment of a good life, in my opinion,” he confides. 

And it’s in fact in nature that he feels he's the best version of himself. If he could, he'd spend his life on foot, climbing mountains or riding miles on a bike.  

“One of my favorite feelings is that moment when you get to the cabin, get out of the car and take that first puff of air. THAT air is unbeatable.”

The purpose of his retreat to BESIDE Habitat was to continue developing and conceiving a new TV series project he's working on with his friend Samuel Cantin. While their stay was the cradle of discussions, musical discoveries and good bottles of wine, the environment, and the large windows overlooking the snow-covered trees, will have been a source of inspiration that still lives with him.

Alec Pronovost is currently writing a feature film to be shot independently this fall. The film is a personal project, which will require him to break open his piggy bank, but one that is particularly close to his heart, and which will be brought to fruition thanks to the people he surrounds himself with, whom he describes as a “hell of a great bunch of generous and talented individuals.” To be continued...

‍

Cultural recommendations

I recently rediscovered the Mexico album by Jean Leclerc/Leloup and I can’t stop blasting it, driving everyone around me nuts. On the rock n roll side, the Dark Superstition album by Gatecreeper. CINEMA-wise, try to get your hands on the following 3 short films: Hello Stranger by Amélie Hardy, Les Fleurs Sauvages by Rodolphe St-Gelais and Thierry Sirois and Municipal Relaxation Module by Matthew Rankin. Also, make sure to go see Vil & Misérable — it’s still screening in theatres. It's based on the comic strip by a damn fine writer (Samuel Cantin hehe)!

Cozy up this winter
Warm your soul and your toes at BESIDE Habitat while the cold sets in outside. Heated floors, a sauna, and a wood-burning stove are ready for you.
BOOK NOW

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