The Movie Maker: Linda Schuyler Profiled in The Expositor (1979)

Source: The Expositor
Author: Wayne Roper
Published: December 11, 1979
Section: Feature Article
Document Type: Newspaper Feature
Source Link: View original newspaper scan (Degrassi Vault Gallery)

The Movie Maker (1979)

In the December 11, 1979 edition of The Expositor, reporter Wayne Roper profiled Linda Schuyler under the headline “The movie maker,” highlighting her early success in film production just as her career was beginning to take shape.

The article centers on Ida Makes a Movie, a short film produced by Schuyler and her Toronto-based production company, Playing With Time. At the time of publication, the film was being distributed and had already received attention for its educational and creative approach. The story underscores Schuyler’s background as an educator and her commitment to using film as a tool for storytelling and learning.

Schuyler, originally from Paris, Ontario, is described as transitioning from teaching into media production, blending classroom experience with visual storytelling. The piece also references the collaborative and educational roots of her work—elements that would soon define the emerging Degrassi franchise.

Published just months before The Kids of Degrassi Street began gaining national traction, this feature captures a pivotal pre-Degrassi moment. It documents Schuyler’s early public recognition as a filmmaker and educator, offering rare insight into the foundational period of what would become one of Canada’s most influential television franchises.

Archival Note: This article was originally published in The Expositor on December 11, 1979. The newspaper scan has been preserved and formatted for presentation on Degrassi Vault.