Early Days
In 1970, G.A. (Sandy) Thomson launched a small film production company, using a 16 mm Bolex camera. His activities were then a hobby, until a respected educationalist inspired Sandy to make the company a commercial venture.
A film shot aboard a lake steamer, on its way to being cut up for scrap, was screened to steam engine enthusiasts, whose positive response and support led to their funding two additional productions.
Several industrial and commercial productions followed including CANUSA, (tracking annual athletic competition between the cities of Flint, Michigan and Hamilton, Ontario) and a corporate film for Canada's largest home electronics equipment company.
In contrast, The Eyes of Memory, marking the 100th anniversary of the city of Burlington, Ontario provided a nostalgic look at a century of history and development.
The Company Today
In 2005, after a long hiatus, Sandy Thomson re-launched Cinema 16 on the basis of creating select, quality film productions of vintage aircraft, warbirds, ships and industrial facility restoration projects.
The organization includes Marianna Thomson who handles location sound and one of the original crew, John Lawrence Reynolds who has come back as writer/director. Following a career as Creative Director with a major advertising agency and time as a Feature Writer/Editor, John turned his attention to books where he won several awards, including the 2002 National Business Book Award.
Once Sandy has completed the rough cuts, the files are transferred to the experienced team of Mike and Laurie McCurlie of MJM productions in Hamilton, who have a full production house at their disposal.
Production Services
Cinema 16 still shoots on film. With our own Super - 16 Arriflex SR2 HS camera package, as well as a Sony XDCAM EX3 HD video camcorder we are shooting in native High Definition quality with a 9 x 16 aspect ratio in both film and video.
With the new HD format and High Definition DVD playback technology, we can offer HD quality for broadcast as well as DVD release. Combining the best in film with the very latest in video technology Cinema 16 produce films that are truly state of the art.
Sandy’s many years in film-making as well as his experience in the air, sea and as an engineer ensures that we can “walk the talk”. Thomson-Gordon also owns a CM 170-6 Fouga Magister Jet and Sandy is the proud owner and pilot of a restored Hawker SeaFury!
