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About - Dept Heads

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VanArts’ stellar faculty are second to none. Their credits include work with such prestigious studios as Disney, Dreamworks, Weta Digital, Pixar, Electronic Arts, Industrial Light and Magic and many more.

We have hand-picked those who have an exceptional capacity to transfer their success to others -- a gift for drawing out peoples’ creative best, for mentoring the next wave of unforgettable talent. If you share this passion and dedication to your own art, this same commitment to the pursuit of excellence, then you have come to the right place!

Wayne Gilbert - Head of Animation

Wayne Gilbert’s animation career spans 35 years; he has two Clio awards and has worked on productions ranging from commercials, television to feature films like Star Wars, Mummy 2 and award-winning video games. Wayne has worked for Disney, Industrial Light & Magic and Electronic Arts where he worked as Senior Animation Director on the award-winning games Skate and Skate II.

Dave Smith - Co-Head of Broadcasting for Radio & TV

Dave Smith has been on the air and music directing since 1987 in stations from Victoria to Thunder Bay, Ontario, and holds a broadcast degree from Humber College.

Sam Zipursky - Co-Head of Web Development & Interactive Design

Sam works as a partner in three online companies, and with a wide range of traditional and online companies from around the world. His experience lies in the fields of design, branding, the internet, marketing and business development.

Chilton Crane - Head of Acting for Film & Television

Chilton has been a professional actor for over 20 years with many lead, recurring and guest star credits including X-Files, Supernatural, Outer Limits, L Word, Cold Squad, Beggars and Choosers, and many other series and feature films. She has directed for both film and stage, is very passionate about acting and teaching, and has always been lucky enough to find a balance of both crafts.

Ian McGuffie - Head of Digital Photography

Ian McGuffie is one of the leading members of the Vancouver photographic community, with over 40 years of professional experience. For the past 19 years he has been director/curator of Exposure Gallery, and is also President of the Vancouver Association for Photographic Arts, a society for the promotion of photography as a medium of creative and artistic expression.

Bill Dwelly - Head of Visual Effects/Game Art & Design

William (Bill) Dwelly’s film credits include multiple Oscar-winning Avatar as Lead Technical Director at Weta Digital; I Robot & King Kong as Senior Animation Technical Director and Oscar-winning animated short Ryan. Bill has worked in the film and entertainment industry since the late 1980’s and is the author of two books; Modeling in Maya and Character Rigging in Maya.

A.J. Junop - Co-Head of Broadcasting for Radio & TV

A.J. Junop has been in radio since 1986, serving as a Music Director, Program Supervisor, Promotions Director, and Creative Director for stations all across Canada.

Caio Prezia - Co-Head of Web Development & Interactive Design

Caio is an internet entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience, and the founder of Canada para Brasileiros, the biggest online portal in Portugese about Canada.

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