JEFF KOPAS - Filmmaker, Vitality Media Productions Inc.

Jeff has been working in the production industry for the last seven years. He is an accredited writer, director, and producer. As a teacher Jeff has several years experience with both adults and children of all ages. Jeff attended the prestigious Tisch Film School at NYU and has a BA from Queens University. For the childrens workshops, Jeff has been BACKCHECK approved, and is upto date on his bronze cross and first aid/CPR.

JENNY LEWIS & SARA KAY - Casting Directors, Lewis Kay Casting

Jenny and Sara have been working together for almost 2 years. They most recently won the inaugural Gemini for casting the MOW ‘Heyday’ by Gordon Pinsent. Both Jenny and Sara spent years in the business working as assistants and then associates for other casting directors, before branching out on their own. Recent credits include “The Tracey Fragments”, “11 Cameras”, “Heyday”, “Across the River from Motor City” and “The Robber Bride” to name a few.

ALYSON RICHARDS - Producer, Richards Productions.

Alyson Richards is a Toronto based producer and production manager. Recent
credits include: Line Producer of the feature documentary FIERCELIGHT: WHERE
SPIRIT MEETS ACTION, from executive producer Mark Achbar (THE CORPORATION)
and director Velcrow Ripper (SCARED SACRED) and Production Manager on the three-part series SHADES OF BLUE for Thinkstock Films Inc. Alyson has produced numerous
award-winning short films including SKINHEADS (Special Merit Award,
Euroshorts International Festival of short Film) and DOGASAUR (Best
Children's Film, Mexico International Film Festival). She holds a Bachelor
of Arts in Film Theory from Carleton University and is an alumnus of the
Producers' Lab at the Norman Jewison founded Canadian Film Centre. She has
recently joined The Nightingale Company and is an Associate Producer on "THE
WEIGHT"*, *a television series created by George F. Walker and Dani Romain
(THIS IS WONDERLAND) that will be airing on The Movie Network next fall.

Geoff Ashenhurst - Editor, Stealing Time Post

For the last several years Geoff has been a full time commercial, music video, and short film editor at one of the top post houses in the city, Stealing Time. He is currently editing his first feature film for Peach Arch Motion Pictures.

Rebecca Davies - Professional Actor

Rebecca was a nationally ranked figure skater who, after touring professionally throughout Asia for Disney on Ice, turned her focus to acting. She has studied internationally with Bill Pepper (NIDA-Australia), John Noble (Lord of the Rings-Australia), Lynette Sheldon (New York) and Carter Thor Studios (LA-Toronto). Rebecca has a growing range of experience in commerical, film and theatrical work. Rebecca recently had the experience of working opposite Kevin Bacon in acclaimed Canadian director Atom Egoyan's "Where The Truth Lies" (TIFF, Cannes 2005). She can next be seen in the horror/thriller "Left for Dead" (starring Steve Byers) and the hilarious new comedy/action Canadian independent "Dogs Playing Poker". For the childrens workshops, Rebecca has been BACKCHECK approved.

Emily Hurson- Professional Actor

Emily has been in several short films, as well as had roles in television shows like This is Wonderland, The Associates, and Queer as Folk. She has a degree in theatre and has experience teaching children acting. For these workshops, Emily has been BACKCHECK approved.

David Hyde - Filmmaker

Working successfully as a photographer David embraced moving pictures as a music video director.  Several MuchMusic Video Awards nominations, two wins and many guerilla shoots later he directed his first short film “choke”.  It won Best of the Fest in the biggest short film festival in North America 2004, was nominated for a Genie 2005.  It showed in many international festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival and garnered many other accolades and awards for itself and it’s actors.  In 2005 David directed his next short “leo” which also screened in many festivals including Toronto International 2005, won Best Screenplay at the Canadian Comedy Awards 2006, was nominated for Best Actor - ACTRA Awards 2006. “leo” just won the Grand Prix in the US at the Landmark Cinemas’ Stella Shorts Competition 2006.  David is in development on his first feature film based on a novel adaptation, being produced by one of the most successful production companies in Canada

Michael Baker- Director, Acquisitions and Development, ThinkFilm Distribution

In his role with one of North America's major independant film distribution companies, Michael is responsible for reading scripts, writing coverage and script notes, and working with writers, directors, and producers to develop their scripts for production, as well as screening films and negotiating for their rights. He reviews hundreds of film packages submitted each year. He has also served as Executive Producer and Producer on a variety of films.

Erin Faith Young - Filmmaker, Faith Films Inc.

Erin Faith Young is the producer of the Academy Award and Emmy nominated short documentary, HARDWOOD. Her company, FAITH FILMS recently produced her first dramatic feature film THE END OF SILENCE, starring Canadian folk/rock star Sarah Harmer and distributed by Mongrel Media. Working for several years at The Nightingale Company, with Producer Debbie Nightingale, Erin produced the teen travel series GET OUTTA TOWN! for TVO, SCN and US Broadcaster WAM!; associate produced the MOW CHICKS WITH STICKS; and the feature documentary LIPSTICK & DYNAMITE, PISS & VINEGAR: THE 1st LADIES OF WRESTLING. Erin now has many more new and exciting projects on her slate including lifestyle series, documentaries, feature films and children's programming.

Craig Brownrigg - Commercial Director

Craig grew up in suburban Vancouver as card-carrying member of the KISS Army. In high school his family left British Coloumbia and moved to the natural beauty of Toronto, Ontario.
There, Craig failed math often. And as his mother used to say, “Thank God he can draw at least”. As an artist Craig made the only logical choice and went to the University of Guelph to study Commerce.

After struggling through more math, he finally graduated and enrolled at George Brown College’s Advertising and design program. From there he started a long career in advertising as an Art Director and Creative Director. Working at some of Canada’s top creative agencies, including Ogilvy, Gee Jeffery and Partners, Ammariti Puris, Zig, and GRIP, Craig won numerous local and international awards including Marketing, Communication Arts, Andy International, British DA&D and a Cannes Gold Lion.

Early in his career, Craig realized his true passion was in film after he met the guy who directed the first TV shoot he ever worked on. From there, Craig launched a 10 year plan to get into directing full time. He started shooting most of his own spots he was writing, and spent countless hours picking the brains of the commercial world’s top director’s. And, finally, nine years later, Craig left the ad world for good and signed with Radke Films in Toronto.

He has directed work for clients such as Bell, KFC, Indigo/Chapters, The Canadian Recording Industry, Yard Sale for the Cure, Equal Marriage/PFLAG and Toro Magazine.

will be a guest speaker in this workshop. He has shot numerous national spots in Canada and the U.S.. His clients have included, Coke, Molson’s, AT&T, Saturn, The Discovery Channel and Nestea to name a few.  He studied film at both Queen’s University and The Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.  And currently works through Steam Films in Canada and Bob Industries in the US.

Jennifer St. John - Filmmaker, Faith Films Inc.

In 2004/2005 Jennifer Co-Produced the feature film THE END OF SILENCE, with Erin Faith Young (Academy Award Nominee as Producer for the short documentary film HARDWOOD), Directed by Anita Doran (ELLIOT SMELLIOT , NOT A FISH STORY). THE END OF SILENCE was released on DVD by Mongrel Media in June 2006 and picked up the honour of FEST FEATURE FILM at the Canadian Filmmakers Festival in Toronto. As well as producing ARRIVALS and GUIJIRA SOLA with Director Naomi Jaye, Jennifer is producing the BravoFACT supported short film HOMECOMING, written and directed by Connie Diletti, and produced along side Erin Faith Young. Jennifer and Erin have a number of projects in development, including a feature film directed by Tonya Lee Williams entitled MAKING ROOM FOR LILY, a documentary set in Guatemala entitled LAND OF CIRCUMSTANCE with the support of SCN, and a documentary in development with TVO entitled CORPUS. Jennifer is currently teaching the Business of Film - Producing course through Ryerson University's Continuing Education Program, The Chang School. In the past, Jennifer has worked along side a number of talented producers including Debbie Nightingale at The Nightingale Company, Nicolette Saina of ImagiNation Productions in Edmonton, Randy Bradshaw at Alberta Filmworks in Calgary, and Heather Haldane and Mary Young Leckie of Screendoor (then Tapestry Pictures). Jennifer was awarded an internship through the CFTPA's National Mentorship Program in
2001 and an internship through AMPIA for her work on the award winning television movie 100 DAYS IN THE JUNGLE.

Paul Skinner - Editor, Stealing Time Post

Paul Skinner has been pursuing a career in post production since he was 15. A graduate of Ryerson's Radio and Television Program, Paul has been working at the Toronto based post house Stealing Time for the past 3 years; assisting, editing various commercials and music videos as well as leading the company into the HD revolution. If it's one thing Paul knows, it's editing.

Carolyn Newman - Director of Development, BreakThrough Films & Television

Carolyn works with producers, writers and broadcasters on the development of various projects for television. Her role involves creating and acquiring properties, evaluating submissions, writing proposals, scheduling, budgeting, financing and overseeing the delivery of materials to funds and broadcasters.

Prior to Carolyn's role at Breakthrough, she received a CAB national award for creating the most innovative creative and business concept in Canada called RENEGADZ, a multi-platform for teens by teens for independent news and current affairs communication system. Following that, RENEGADZ TV received a national television license from the CBC. As an independent producer she has developed and sold television properties to CBC, Alliance Atlantis and ChumCity. She also has a background in producing and has worked as a producer for HGTV Canada, YTV, Toronto 1 and CBC. Carolyn was a producer for the 2003 & 2004 production of THIS IS OUR YOUTH with Woody Harrelson in Toronto, and was the lead producer for the Gemini Nominated and world renowned short movie CHOKE, as well as producer for the short film and the ACTRA and Canadian Comedy Nominated short film Leo which played at several festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival 2005

Sarah Adams- Head of Development, BreakThrough Films & Television

As Head of Development, Sarah works with producers, writers and broadcasters on the development of various projects for television. Her role involves acquiring properties, evaluating submissions, writing proposals, scheduling, budgeting, financing and overseeing the delivery of materials to funds and broadcasters. Sarah is a graduate of McGill University (B.A. Political Science). She speaks French, Spanish and Italian.

Annie Bradley - Director

A recipient of the 2005 @Wallace Studios WIDC Alumnae Award and a national 2004 WIFT/KODAK New Vision Award for emerging female directors’, Annie is also an alumni of the 2003 WOMEN IN THE DIRECTORS’ CHAIR program hosted by the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Her award winning performance art film, “TONGUE BULLY” featured two time Dora Award winner Learie E. A. McNicolls, was shot in Havana, Cuba, Having screened at 23 international film festivals since it’s completion including the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2005 and the opening night gala of DANCE ON CAMERA FILM FESTIVAL 2005 at the Lincoln Centre in NYC it continues to screen at festivals around the world. It captured the  2005 Fear No Film Short Festival’s – Most Creative Short,  garnered an Award of Distinction from the jury at the AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL 2004, and won the Grand Prize for Cinematography from the RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2004.  Featured in an article in  American Cinematogrpher, it sold to Atom Films at Sundance, and has aired on the BRAVO! Arts Channel nationally.

Annie has recently completed her next short drama “The End of Never Mind” starring Beatriz Yuste, (Killshot, Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium) and Trevor Hayes (I’m Not There, The Aviator, Dr. Bethune) which is set to enter the festival circuit and will air later this year on the BRAVO! Arts Channel.

She has directed many short films, music videos and commercials and recently taught the Directors’ Master Class for the Advanced Film and Television post-graduate program at Sheridan College. Annie has also helmed 3 episodes of the hit W series “TELL IT LIKE IT IS” and numerous 2nd Unit’s on feature films and MOW’s.
 
ACETYLENE FILMS is currently developing a number of projects which include two features in various stages of development, penned by Annie which include “THE ASTRONOMY OF SELF” and an adaptation of the American novel, “LIKE A HOLE IN THE HEAD” by Jen Banbury, which she is set to direct and is presently out for consideration with a number of companies in Los Angeles.

Ricki Glinert - Producer, Director, Creator, Writer

Ricki Glinert has over 20 years experience producing, writing and directing children’s television shows. She created and produced Crazy Quilt for TreehouseTV, 100% True for Discovery Kids, Santa Watch for YTV as well as numerous shows for TVOntario, including Way Up There!, and World of Nature. While at TVOntario she directed episodes Join In, and Mathica’s Mathshop, as well as various children’s education shows including Science Alliance and We Live Next Door. In addition to her children’s television work, Ricki managed the children’s record company Casablanca Kids which recently won the Juno Award for Children’s Album of the Year for Jack Grunsky’s My Beautiful World. Ricki has been on the Children’s selection committee for both the Juno and Gemini Awards and has been a guest lecturer at secondary schools and colleges, including Ryerson University. She as also written numerous children’s shows as well stories in school readers and articles in magazines. Ricki’s most recent article on Canadian Children’s television will be published in the September Issue of Today’s Parent Magazine.

Richard Raybourne - Professional Actor, Acting Coach, Director, Producer

Richard has been acting since 1985 in feature films and television. He first gained recognition being one of the first Afro-Canadian principals in Canada’s first syndicated soap opera called “Time of Your Life” on CTV circa 1988. “It was the best training and breaking ground for any actor to be apart of at the time, doing 130 episodes from morning to night taught me such discipline and respect for the art. I was fascinated with what it took to put together a show of this genre on the air each day. The dynamics of the crew, the writing, directing and producing.”
From there he went on to make more appearances in films such as Highlander 3, The Dangerous Dreams trilogy, and Sci-Fighters.
Gaining the practical experience being already established in the industry, Richard felt it was important to get some more education on the technical and business aspects of the industry and so he went on to study film and television production at Dawson College in Montreal. Impressed with his academic achievements, the department of communications asked Richard to help create a course with content that merged students of the prestigious Dawson Dome Theater department with the television production department. He became the training director of film and television as he trained stage actors to perform for the camera, directed the short story and taped studio productions. He went on to excel his grade by earning awards for Best Camera and Best Editor in 1991.
Richard continued to keep busy during the quiet periods, as roles weren’t always at his disposal, by directing music videos, pitching TV Pilots to producing industrial videos and working in crews as an AD. “ I believe there is no such thing really, as it is so tough to get in and work in the business particularly as an actor, I believe it is a question of just keeping focus on your goals and explore all the avenues of possibilities out there. I mean, many actors worked gigs in weather reporting or independent shoots before getting a bigger break. It’s all about just getting out there and looking for the work, not expecting the work to come to you just like in other career choices. Apart from that, a thespian must do what they can to survive even if it means get a day job. In my case I decided to share my skills and education with the industry, and what it takes to get “that door” opened.”
Today Richard coaches actors independently on audition techniques and is also a simulator for the Interpersonal Skills Training program at Ryerson University in Toronto. He also is set to produce a musical hip hopera in the summer of 2008.

Michael Thorn - Screenwriter, Producer, Instructor

Michael has an M.F.A. in Screenwriting from York University and is co-writer and
Associate Producer of the feature film "Three And A Half." He has taught film at
York University and will be teaching a television writing and theory course at
Sheridan College this September called "Growing up Degrassi, Dying for Da
Vinci: the Struggle to tell Canadian Stories in an American Dominated Medium."
Currently Michael works as a writer and Associate Producer for the television
documentary company Eureka Media.