You can find out more about Brad and his company
Frame River by checking out his Website, and LinkedIn
How many years have you spent working or studying in the Vancouver post production industry? About 1820 weeks.
Where did you get your start in our community? I started in Los Angeles as a security guard at Universal Studios and soon after they assigned me to work at Steven Spielberg's new offices for Amblin Entertainment. A few months later Amblin hired me as a Production Assistant. I eventually took a position in the Post Production Department where I worked my way up to Post Supervisor.
What do you see as the biggest asset to your sector, relative to the Vancouver industry? A few things. Lots of talented people to start. Proximity to LA and Seattle is huge. Other assets include the enthusiasm of the up and comers in this town, a thriving technology community, the ability for needed talent to work and immigrate to Canada (compared to US) and government support for the M&E sector in general. Quality of life here is also very high.
What do you see as the biggest hurdle for your sector, relative to the Vancouver industry? The lack of investment in post production training and infrastructure. It's one of the reasons I started FrameRiver, which is a hybrid post production management and creative services company located in Mt. Pleasant. Also, like Los Angeles and New York, the Lower Mainland is an expensive place to live. Wages and benefits need to better reflect the cost of living in BC, otherwise talent will leave or go to work in other sectors.
What support does the Vancouver post community need most now? It's needs more support from the organizations that promote production and VFX. It seems that if production and VFX are thriving that everyone thinks post production is as well and that is false. Remote collaboration has made BC a post production destination for everyone and it should be promoted as such. Finally, the VPA needs it members contributing a little time to the organization. Even if it's just getting a colleague to join. There is strength in numbers!
Why did you join the VPA? I previously helped create a community for Post Supervisors in Los Angeles. When I came to Vancouver I found like minded people working on the plan for the creation of the VPA. I was honoured to be asked to be a founding member. The VPA has allowed me to network faster than if I had to go it alone. It also allows me to give something back in terms of mentorship.
Who was/is your mentor/inspiration/idol? An inspiration of mine is my friend Jenni Gold, Director/Producer of the film "CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion". She's pretty amazing.
What is your favourite project that you've worked on, and why? I've had many awesome experiences in this business, from working on ground breaking films like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "Twister" to helping "Far From Heaven" get an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography. "Borat" was also special, every screening was just insane. I also have a fond place in my heart for Neill Blomkamp and his film "Elysium" because it allowed me the opportunity to relocate to Canada and ultimately become a dual citizen.
In one sentence, what advice do you wish someone had given you five years ago, relative to your career today? Prepare for a pandemic.
What is your favourite pastime outside of work? Day trips out on the bicycle, pickleball and tending to my community garden plot in Rogers Park.
Cindy Au Yeung is a Chinese-Canadian editor and filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. She has worked in post production for the past 7 years and has been a 1st Assistant Editor on various documentaries such as I AM JOHNNY CASH and scripted television series such as DATE MY DAD, HIT THE ROAD, LOUDERMILK S3, and DAY OF THE DEAD.
Most recently, she has edited an APTN Lumi webseries SHADOW OF THE ROUGAROU, produced and edited a stand-up comedy series COMEDY INVASION, and is currently editing her first feature-length film, JONAH. On the side, Cindy also makes her own documentaries involved with #Elimin8hate, an organization dedicated to eliminating anti-Asian racism through the power of film, arts, and media. Nevertheless, documentaries will always remain as Cindy’s first love into filmmaking!
Originally from Nova Scotia, Gregor moved west with music as his main passion.
Following a BA in jazz studies from Capilano University, playing and touring with bands segued into composing which eventually lead to an interest in sound design and post production for film.
In 2010 Gregor started Cinescope Sound, a boutique facility that serviced a broad array of feature films, TV series and documentaries.
In 2020 his company merged with Bionic Audio to form Maverick Post Group, a new facility built from the ground up to serve the needs of the Vancouver industry and beyond.
As a re-recording mixer and supervising sound editor Gregor is also involved in the day to day operations of running a full service post facility.
Vancouver has an incredible wealth of talent and Gregor welcomes the opportunity to play a role in advocating for this community as we continue to grow and push for new opportunities.
Caleb is a composer and musician. With an aptitude to create music that reaches diverse audiences, his range of work spans from independent projects and short films, to televised series and theatrical features. Frequently writing with his brother Brian, their work has been featured on many notable animated and live-action projects, including recent series with DreamWorks and Netflix.
Caleb has called Vancouver home since immigrating from Hong Kong in 1997 and holds a Master of Music Composition degree from the University of Toronto. He is pleased to join the VPA board to serve the growing industry in the city.
A native Canadian with an early interest in television, Keri began her career as a PA on the sets of productions shooting in Vancouver. Connecting with Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation led to a focus in animation, and a move to Los Angeles, where she landed on the pilot of The Simpsons and began a diverse career in producing and supervising post production and visual effects. With over 200 hours of network and cable television credits, career highlights include four seasons of Ugly Betty, The Outer Limits, 12 Monkeys, The Crossing, and more recently Ted Lasso and Big Sky.
Keri has developed many relationships working both on the creative and technical side of production and post, and is happiest when connecting talented people with others who share her passion for storytelling. She recently settled back home in Vancouver with her daughter Emelia, and joined the exceptional team of artists at Barnstorm Visual Effects.
Keri is a proud member of the Vancouver Post Alliance Board, Women in Animation, The Producers Guild of America, The Leo Awards Board, The Visual Effects Society and the Animation & VFX Alliance of BC.
Don’s Post Production experience includes work as a Facility Owner/Executive, Post Supervisor and Editor for over 30 years with Finale Post (Picture Shop Vancouver) and its related companies. His credits include a wide range of feature, television, commercials, music videos, and cutting-edge documentaries.
He is actively involved in the Production and Post Production community in Vancouver, and frequently travels to LA for industry relations, marketing and sales initiatives with the major studios, networks and production companies.
Don currently sits on the Board of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association (MPPIA), the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of British Columbia (Leo Awards), is a Founding Director of the Vancouver Post Alliance (VPA), Founder of the Vancouver Creative Lounge, and past Chair of the Whistler Film Festival.
He is also proud of the recent work he is doing as a member of the BC Motion Picture Industry COVID-19 Best Practices Coalition and as Chair of the BC Post Production Health & Safety Task Force.
Don is passionate about seeing Vancouver’s post production community reach its full potential, and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the success of its workforce and facilities.
Michelle has been working in Vancouver’s Post Production division for the past 18+ years. She started her career working in Master Control at a local television network which threw her into the fast-paced live on-air world. After 8 years she moved onto Senior Project Management at Finale Post (Pictureshop Vancouver) and Encore (Company 3). She is currently working on the client side as a Post Coordinator/Supervisor.
Michelle prides herself on her strong work ethic and excellent management skills. This array of roles has given her a top down view of her surroundings and allows her to work in all departments of a post-productions pipeline.
Michelle’s passion is raising her 4 year old son and seeing the world through his eyes.
Buket is a Post Coordinator/Supervisor who draws on her experience from working across multiple departments of Post Production for over 15 years.
Her interest in post started in the first year of university, when she followed her passion in picture and sound editing as well as post supervising. After freelancing and managing an award-winning sound studio in her hometown of Istanbul, she moved to Vancouver in 2013, where she has since worked on a wide range of projects both in management and editorial teams. Her most recent work is the first season of Snowpiercer.
Buket’s journey with the VPA began in 2015 when she volunteered for the Events Committee and joined the VPA board in 2018. During her time as a director, she continued to work with events, support the Membership Committee, and was an integral forming member of the Mentorship Committee as well as the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Buket understands that the VPA provides a much-needed platform for our community to stay connected. As our growing community is becoming more and more diverse every day, she believes it is important to create equal opportunities for all genders, ages, ethnicities and abilities. She has a passion for promoting engagement with a more diverse community and giving voice to those who deserve greater representation.
Kelsy Wittmann has spent the past 20 years immersed in the film and television industry. She has had the privilege of working across the broad spectrum our industry has to offer; as a producer for live action, animation, and VFX projects. She is proud to have collaborated with clients such as Netflix, Marvel, EA, HBO, Paramount, and the local Atomic Cartoons. Her credit list includes high profile film projects such as Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Fast & Furious 7, 50 Shades of Grey and TV favourites such as Johnny Test, The Mist, The Order S2, and Wu Assassins. She is currently working hard at Animism Studios; where she is the Head of Production. Kelsy is a proud enabler of creative talent and technical innovators.
When Trevor isn’t finding the magic in film footage from other film projects, he’s filming his own. Trevor is an award winning filmmaker who has vast editing experience in both feature films and television. He continues to shape his editing style through genre, action and drama films. Wherever you are located, Trevor can execute your project while keeping collaboration intact. Among his many career highlights Trevor has worked with editor Dede Allen (Breakfast Club, Dog Day Afternoon, Bonnie and Clyde). In addition to working on the membership committee with the Vancouver Post Alliance, Trevor also serves as the British Columbia chair for CCE (Canadian Cinema Editors).
A native of Toronto, Sabrina moved out to Vancouver to attend UBC’s film production program. After earning her BFA, she landed her first job in the industry working in Post Production back in 2006 and has since risen to become an established, award-winning Picture Editor within the film community.
When she’s not glued to her computer, she sidelines as a voice actor for cartoons as well!
Kerry McDowall has been involved in Vancouver’s post-production sector for almost 20 years, working closely with Netflix, Disney, CBC, AMC Studios and NBCUniversal. As an Associate Producer, she leads post production departments on both series television and feature length movies, overseeing everything from budgets to final deliveries (and everything that occurs in between).
She currently dedicates her time and energy at the VPA to uniting and promoting our talented post production community and advocating for equity and inclusion in the broader film industry.
Eli started his sound career at an independent radio station in Istanbul and forged an international career in audio post-production over a decade. He has been honoured with 5 awards and 4 nominations. He worked as a Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer on films that screened at international film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Montreal, SXSW, and Sitges International Film Festival.
Eli holds a Diploma in Sound Engineering from SAE Sound Engineering School and a Master’s Degree in Sound Technologies from Bahcesehir University.
Besides his sound experience, he has been a part of grassroots organizations and advocacy groups about human rights and climate change for more than 15 years. He is the co-founder of a platform that aims to combat anti-Semitism. He believes in the importance of a collaborative community and has been volunteering with the VPA for 3 years.