Doug Berquist - Producer & Director
D. Berquist studied film theory and film and television production at York University and Sheridan School of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, Canada. He has been producing independent film and Television programs since 1973 a 30+ year career.
During his early career in Alberta he was instrumental in capitalizing the DB Entertainment company, acquiring a major studio-backlot management deal, opening up an Independent Props House business, and financing 10M in production capital.
The roster of films he has produced and directed through his production companies reads as follows;
" Death in the Family" TV MOW , broadcast on BRAVO and A&E - written by internationally acclaimed writer Sharon Pollock and Produced & Directed by Berquist;
"Hugo Pool" a feature, Theatrical release in the US by BMG Classics, plus independent releases in 23 countries-starring Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr., Alyssa Milano, Richard Lewis, Cathy Moriarty & Malcolm McDowell-D. Berquist Executive Producer;
"Ebenezer" a TV feature based on the classic "A Christmas Carol", airing in the US on TNN and A-Channel in Canada-- starring Jack Palance, Rick Schroeder and Amy Locane, Produced & 2nd Unit Directed by Berquist;
"The Claim", a feature film co-produced and 2ndUnit directed by D. Berquist stars Sarah Polley, Peter Mulan, Wes Bentley (American Beauty), Mila Jovovich (The Fifth Element), Nastassja Kinski was released by United Artists/MGM, Alliance Atlantis, and Pathe worldwide. It received 3 Canadian Genie nominations.
"The War Bride" also produced and second unit Directed by D. Berquist stars Anna Friel, Molly Parker, Brenda Fricker (Academy Award winner) and Aiden Young, this film received 7 Canadian Genie nominations including Best Picture (it won 2 Genies) and also won Best Picture of the Year (The Crystal Heart Award) at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis USA;
"Decoys: Rebirth", co-poduced a teen horror film for Sony Pictures and Science Channel with Bobine Entertainment;
"Scar" co-produced a 3D Thriller using the latest NHK 3D technology out of Japan.
About DB Entertainment
DB Entertainment (DB Ent) is a Canadian based company out of Calgary
specializing in international film and television production
co-ventures. Founded in 1989 by Douglas Berquist the company has
produced over 60 million in motion pictures and developed a studio
backlot business complete with props and set facitlity.
In early 2000 DB Ent expanded its executive base and added Tom Benz
to the business team. Mr. Benz brings over 25 years of experience as
a professional line producer and production manager who in the last
15 years alone has managed and line produced well over 300 Million
dollars in dramatic productions.
By 2006 DB Ent had developed off shore financing and production
models in 5 countries bring new and lucatrive opportunities to its investors.
Currently DB Ent has recognized the new and exciting direction film
and television are taking toward 3D digital imaging. DB Ent and its
principles have ventured into this new and exciting area of digital
3D production and have 5 projects slated for 2010.
Tom Benz - Producer - Line Producer
As a senior player in the Alberta film industry his role has been always to be accountable to the business interests of the visiting producers while providing the connection from the budget to the work of art. The budgets of the projects on his credit list range from $200,000 to $85,000,000 US. Tom's task at hand has always been to provide the visiting producers with the best choice of seasoned strategies and tactics and put the budget's best value on the screen. To accomplish this he has needed the endorsement and collaboration from directors, actors, bankers, guarantors, lawyers, film commissions, foreign/federal/provincial/municipal governments, and the public adding resulting in a 25+ years of extensive professional network of contacts.
The primary skill that executive producers and studios have found in Tom has been his understanding of; scheduling and budgeting, union contracts and labor standards, industry networking, studio relations, public relations and the procurement of all logistics including crew, equipment, facilities, travel, locations, etc. and applying this understanding to the design of the project at hand. Above all the primary attribute that the industry has valued in Tom has been his ethical and effective management of the project.
His extensive career includes projects with companies such as: Levinson Productions / Hallmark Ent., CBC, Focus Features, Columbia Tri-Star, Spyglass Entertainment, MGM. Miramax / Dimension Films, HBO NYC and project titles such as; Brokeback Mountain, Resurrecting the Champ, Shanghai Knights, Johnson County War, Texas Rangers, The Claim, Lonesome Dove TV Series, T-Rex (IMAX) Cool Running's.
