about Neat.

Neat Film Lab is an independent film lab run by local artists, Louie & Haley Villanueva-Eyre. Neat is located in East Village, on Moh-kíns-tsis, Treaty 7 territory — also known as Calgary, Alberta. 

We at Neat believe in film as an artistic medium. The physicality of the old gear and process enables play and mindfulness — much like driving an old car or putting on vinyl. We’re the mechanics that keep film running, here to contribute to the community of film photography.

neat team

Haley

(she/they) Haley works in the lab full-time (plus some) and makes her team call her The Big Boss. She enjoys short walks on the beach and chit-chatting. She consists entirely on sweet treats & stimulants.

The Big Boss
The Dev Guy

Danny

(he/him) Danny is our Lab Tech of the month every month. His favorite activity is not touching grass and he loves eating eggs.

Joey

(she/her) Joey is the best Lab Assistant in existence. She keeps Haley in line and the lab running smoothly. Joey spends her time playing video games and eating beef - preferably Korean BBQ.

The All-Rounder

David

(he/him) David is the guy who will keep this analogue lab in the present. When he’s not updating our systems, he’s growing orchids and cutting gemstones.

The Consultant

Connor

(he/him) Connor studies Film and Video Production at SAIT and uses his knowledge to help us in the lab! His favorite activities are watching movies and taking photographs with his girlfriend.

The Volunteer

Rein

(she/her) Rein writes for our blog! And thank goodness, cause she’s great at it. Rein loves Snorlax (Snorlax is a girl btw), Mr. Noodles brand instant noodles, and reading about horses.

The Writer

Louie

(he/they) Louie works at a university art department and runs lab errands for Haley. He enjoys warm bread pudding and vanilla ice-cream. Plucking his chin hair and vacuuming remain his chief hobbies. 

The Husband

Milo

Milo is the lab puppy. He’s afraid of everybody, but if you bring chicken and don’t look at him he might approach. 

The Stinker

want to volunteer?

While we don’t have any in-lab volunteer opportunities at the moment, we’re happy to work alongside community members to organize and host film events and gatherings. If you’d like to have your name added to our volunteer list, we’ll reach out if we need support!

  • A woman with short dark hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a leopard-print coat and a backpack, standing outdoors at night near a chain-link fence.
  • Colorful bowling balls in a bowling ball return unit.
  • A person holding a small camera waiting on a subway platform with a modern train arriving, in an underground station.
  • A person seated at a table with torn Canadian currency, while a small dog standing on the table looks on. The scene is in black and white.
  • Grocery store aisle with large bottled water, red fuel containers, and purple boxes on the floor, with refrigerated display case on the right.
  • Person wearing a leopard print coat, dark pants, and boots on a snowy sidewalk, bending forward with hands behind head, wearing a white mask with pom-pom details, in an urban setting with buildings, cars, and power lines in the background.
  • A person walks their dog outside a parking garage in sunlight, with parked cars and landscaping nearby.
  • A caution wet floor sign in a dimly lit cafe with brick walls and wooden floors.
  • Stack of metal chairs next to a potted tree inside a room with dark walls and window.
  • A yellow car parked next to a pile of black trash bags and discarded furniture in an outdoor area.
  • A white, fluffy dog with a happy expression, being petted by a person, surrounded by people wearing striped and patterned clothing.
  • A person wearing glasses and a blue striped shirt sitting at a table in a cafe, holding a smartphone. There is a drink with a straw in front of them on the table. The cafe has warm lighting, with a wooden ceiling and blurred background of other people.
  • A person with a short hairstyle, wearing a dark jacket, is partially obscured by colorful autumn leaves, standing amidst trees with yellow and green foliage.