Movers & shakers A selection from our associate faculty

Shereen Jerrett | Writer/Director/Teacher


Shereen Jerrett has filmed everything from vampire castles in Romania, to Leila’s Hair Museum in Indiana. She has made films about neurotics, nerds, whales, and family members. Working in indies and commercial venues, she has directed award winning documentaries, dramas, TV series, commercials, educationals, and some things that defy description.

"I work individually with participants to realize their own vision of the film, because they need to learn how to make their ideas better, and learn to analyse and defend their artistic and production choices.  They all know what they want to say, what I do is help them figure out why they want to say it."

Jeff Peeler | President and Executive Producer | Frantic Branded Content + Commercials


As a producer and executive producer, Jeff helps big brands establish awareness through internationally-distributed short content and advertising solutions for clients such as Wal-Mart and MTV Worldwide. His long-form projects include work as Executive Producer on the multi-award winning Forever Changed for The Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Gemini Award-winning Peter Jordan’s Grey Cup Adventure for CBC Sports.

"I strive to create a comfortable and creative atmosphere for producer participants in the NSI Drama Prize. They have to take in an incredible amount of information. And it’s a challenging business. Producers must be open to learning throughout their careers and that attitude towards learning has to start here."

Jan Miller | President | Lowenbe Holdings


Jan was instrumental in starting the National Screen Institute, Features First and Drama Prize programs. Her world renowned pitching workshops are in demand across Canada, the Berlin Talent Campus, Cannes, China, South Africa, Cuba and Guadalajara. Twelve years ago Jan presented the first Strategic Partners and continues to direct this globally popular co-production market.

"My style of instruction is interactive, direct, candid and practical because screen professionals need to know the 'straight goods' if a project has potential or not in the marketplace – and if not, why not so that they can continue to move forward."

Andrea Menard | Actor, writer, singer/songwriter


Andrea recently reprised her role as Constable Tara Wheaton in the second season of Rabbit Fall, which airs on Space and APTN. She received a Gemini Award for Best Ensemble in an Animated Series for Wapos Bay and nominations for her leading roles in the film adaptation of The Velvet Devil and on Moccasin Flats.

"The reason I’m involved with the National Screen Institute is because NSI nurtures and trains the next generation of Aboriginal filmmakers and I believe this generation is extremely important for balancing and resurrecting the true voice of Canada."

Dr. Winona Wheeler PhD | Comparative/Native American Studies | Athabasca University


Winona is a member of the Fisher River Cree First Nation in Manitoba. Of Cree/Assiniboine/Saulteaux and English/Irish descent she was raised by artists, writers and political activists. She has been a professor of Indigenous Studies for the past 21 years with specialization in the history of Indigenous-Newcomer relations, Indigenous oral histories, traditional knowledge, colonialism and post-colonial studies.

"I believe that screen professionals need to be honest with themselves about themselves so they can open up and be the best they can be without getting lost or hurt in their work."

Michael Kennedy | Director


Michael has directed 14 feature-length theatrical films/TV movies and over 130 episodes of network drama and comedy including the pilots for 11 television series and the entire first season of the ground-breaking hit comedy, Little Mosque On The Prairie. He has directed shows across Canada as well as in the US, Mexico, Belize, Germany, Hungary, and India.

"The reason I’m involved with the National Screen Institute is because their programs are innovative and practical, and I love the opportunity to work with new ambitious talent. I find it both rewarding and inspiring."

Tim Southam | Director | Tim Southam Films Inc.


Tim Southam’s films include The Bay of Love and Sorrows, The Tale of Teeka, One Dead Indian, Drowning in Dreams, Perreault Dancer and Satie and Suzanne. His work has won critical acclaim and multiple awards, including three best directing Geminis and nominations for the Genie, Jutra and Grammy award.

"My style of instruction is practice because screen professionals need to know how to make their vision concrete with existing production resources."

Karen King | Production Executive,  Drama Content | Canwest Broadcasting


Karen is supervising scripted series for Canwest. She is a member of Canada’s Who’s Who and has won many awards including the International Rockie Award, African-Canadian Excellence in Media Award and Gemini’s Canada Award twice. She was the first black woman in Canada to produce a feature film and is the founder of NFB’s Reel Diversity Competition.

"I try to validate, inspire and empower storytellers to embrace Canada’s diversity in the shows they create because screen professionals need to know that the more inclusive they are, the more likely they will successful in resonating with Canada’s changing audience."

Rob Sheridan | Writer/Story Editor | Back Tooth Productions Inc.


Rob Sheridan’s writing credits include Corner Gas (CTV/Comedy Network), Naked Josh (Showcase Television) and The Red Green Show (CBC). Most recently, he served as a writer and consulting producer on the first season of Less Than Kind (city) and was head writer and co-executive producer of the third season of Little Mosque on the Prairie (CBC).

"The creative personality does not always respond productively to direct criticism or praise - the structure of the NSI program instead allows creative talent to work and talk with other creative individuals in an open fashion to better understand and shape their work."

Daphne Ballon | Writer/Story Editor | Blaikie Films Inc.


Daphne is the creator and showrunner of the half-hour children’s comedy series, Life with Derek, produced by Shaftesbury Films for the Family Channel, which is broadcast in more than 115 countries and translated into 19 languages. She was co-creator and executive producer of two previous tween series: I Was A Sixth Grade Alien and Flash Forward.

"My style of instruction is based on being inspired (either dramatically or comedically) by life, and then crafting those personal ideas and experiences into a commercial and unique product."

Bob Culbert | Independent Producer and Media Consultant


Bob was Vice-President of Documentaries for CTV, responsible for all network documentaries. He ended a distinguished 29-year career at CBC as head of all network and regional news and current affairs. He has lectured on documentaries at Ryerson University and Sheridan College. Bob won the Academy Achievement Award at the 2006 Gemini Awards.

"My style of instruction is very hands-on and practical because young people trying to break into the business need to know the step by step process of converting their ideas to compelling films which will be supported by broadcasters and other funding agencies."

Kirk Shaw | CEO | Insight Film Studios


Kirk's producer credits now list over 100 movies-of-the-week, a dozen independent features, three dramatic series, one sitcom and one reality series, plus at least six documentary/factual series. In 2008, under Kirk’s tutelage Insight delivered 35 movies including several theatrical releases featuring Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeifer and Ashley Judd.

"I’m very much a team builder and would much rather spend extra time at the beginning of a project honing a great team than waste time later trying to manage disjointed egos and failed promises. I know my greatest contribution to the team is strategic thinking – often two steps ahead and outside of the box."

Elke Town | Storyworks


Elke has over 20 years experience in the film and televisions industry as a writer, producer, story editor, script consultant and financing executive. In 2006 she founded Storyworks a company that works with writers, directors and producers to build better stories. She is passionate about movies and the art of storytelling.

"I always assume that the writer knows a lot more about the story and the characters than what’s on the page. It’s my job to help the writer get it on the page within a structure that brings it all fully to life."

Tyler Sigman | Gaming Consultant


Tyler is an award-winning game designer, writer, instructor and reformed aerospace engineer. He was the lead designer and writer on Age of Empires: the Age of Kings DS. He owns Sigman Creative Services LLC, providing contract game design and writing services to game developers. His blog provides commentary into the daily life of a working creative.

"Whether I am working with students on game prototypes or discussing the finer points of game theory, I always try to relate the theoretical to the practical. Entertainment creation is a practical art and science."

Craig McGillivray | Sales Executive | Breakthrough Entertainment Inc.


After completing his education and some worldly adventure, Craig joined Breakthrough in 2007. He is responsible for sales in the Middle East, Pacific Rim, Central and Eastern Europe. While maintaining Breakthrough’s existing relationships in the region he’s fostered new relationships in the Middle East, Russia, Hungary, Asia, Australia, Czech Republic, and Poland with notable broadcasters HBO, TVP, Disney Japan, ABC, and POLSAT.

"My style of instruction is easy going and honest because screen professionals need to know as much as possible about the international marketplace, objectively."

Blake Corbet | President | Anagram Pictures


Blake has produced five features including Mile Zero, The Delicate Art of Parking (also co-writer), Missing in America (Danny Glover) Fido (Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Connolly), and most recently The Thaw (Val Kilmer). Blake also wrote and produced the CTV-movie Elijah.

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