The Art Institute of Vancouver believes in learner-centered instruction that is measured by each student's success. Our faculty, many of whom are working professionals, achieve this by sharing their professional knowledge in the classroom. Faculty strive to provide value and service for each student's investment by helping students to strengthen their skills and cultivate their creative talent through curricula that is carefully designed to prepare graduates to seek entry-level positions in their chosen fields. Instructional methods at The Art Institute of Vancouver include lecture, demonstrations, labs, one-on-one tutorials, and periodic examinations. Except for internships, field trips, online courses and occasional independent studies, all instruction is conducted in a classroom or laboratory settings. Faculty arrange study trips to local cultural and commercial sites as an integral part of each student's training. These trips, along with scheduled out-of-town seminars and visits, offer valuable exposure to places and events relating to the student's field of study. The costs related to optional study trips are not included in regular tuition or fees.
Marc Aubanel, Academic Director for GAD & VDP
Marc, originally from Montreal, took Communication Studies at Concordia University, On relocating to Vancouver in 1992, the lifelong hockey fan channeled this passion as Online Editor for the Canucks magazine, Winning Spirit. At an exciting, up and coming time for the gaming world, Marc found himself drawn to the industry and joined Electronic Arts Canada (EA), the largest 3rd party games publisher in the world. Marc spent 13 years and worked his way to vice president / executive producer, working on such video games as chart breaking FIFA and Need for Speed Underground producing over 50 SKU’s for revenues generating more than a billion dollars.
Marc left EA around the same time as Damien Kindler left his role as co-executive producer on the hit show Stargate and they formed Vancouver based production company and full service visual effects house, Stage 3 Media. Deciding that there must be a better way of making entertainment in the new, emerging electronics market, they set about creating the first broadcast quality, High Definition dramatic series designed specifically for the internet, combining live actors and CG sets and backgrounds. In 2006 the web based series Sanctuary was born.
The success of the series led the show to be picked up by The Sci-Fi Channel in the US and it premiered at the start of October 2008 to critical and popular acclaim. The show was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for "Highest Budget Television Production Direct to the Web”
A combination of work opportunities and an interest in travel have taken Marc all over the world, to cities such as Tokyo, Korea, New York, London, Paris & Milan to name but a few. He also has a passion for driving, which he indulges by taking epic road trips through such destinations as San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In his new role at The Art Institute of Vancouver, Marc is especially driven towards “helping students to find great positions in the industry and to pushing the art form forward.” He remains engaged with and intrigued by his chosen field, “Gaming is still in its infancy compared to other industries; it’s hard to predict, and there are many more incredible breakthroughs to come – that’s what makes it so exciting.”
Eric Belanger, Editor - Digital Compositor - Motion Graphics
As a professional in the broadcast, film and Game industries with over 17 years of experience, Eric has accumulated a broad knowledge base, and considerable technical depth. Eric has edited and managed hundreds of projects, from music videos to broadcast episodics.
Eric’s career has evolved from editing into motion graphics, compositing and graphic design. As a lead compositor, Eric recently enjoyed crafting the gothic, moody environments for the online dramatic series Sanctuary at Stage3media (S3M). On this unique project 90% of the scenes were shot on green screen which required many digital backdrops and a great deal of compositing. While at S3M he also had the pleasure to work on Stargate: Atlantis.
Prior to Stage3media Eric worked for Electronic Arts Black Box, where he created 2D elements in 3D space (motion graphics). Eric's also composited and edited exciting in-game cinematics and pre-visualizations at EA on some of their biggest games including Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Need for Speed: Carbon.
Mel Best
For a decade Mel has expanded her knowledge and experience in multimedia and VFX, and has become a leading practitioner in the field. In her current role at Frantic Films, Mel enjoys working with artists and providing supervision as a Senior Compositor.
An overview of Mel’s work experience includes compositing on the feature films Live Free or Die Hard, Superman Returns, Scooby Doo 2, Catwoman and the television drama Battlestar Galactica.
As an educator Mel has provided instruction to students and industry practitioners alike in the compositing software Fusion. She is a learning centered instructor who enjoys helping students achieve their true potential
Andrew Czink, Academic Director - Recording Arts
Andrew Czink is a composer and pianist, and the co-director of Earsay Productions. His education was heavily rooted in the contemporary avant-garde, with compositional studies taking place at Simon Fraser University. Andrew's music has been performed and broadcast throughout the world. In Canada, he has received numerous awards, grants and commissions and, in 2002, completed a successful 12 city Canadian Tour with Structural Damage. Other highlights include his electro-acoustic piece Shadeless, Peopled which received honourable mention at the Bourges International Festival for Electro-acoustic Music in France, and presenting his music at the Symposium of the International Musicological Society in Melbourne, Australia. Andrew also received a Canada Council Explorations grant to create (music & photography) and produce the large-scale electronic multimedia music-theatre project Kalends: Early Spring in Vancouver. In addition to his role as an instructor and as Academic Director for Recording Arts, he produces the radio program Musica Nova on Co-op Radio CFRO 102.7 FM in Vancouver.
Bert Dennison, Instructor - Animation
A classical and digital animator with many years of professional experience, Bert Dennison is fluent in the skills and techniques of the animation industry. His talents include traditional skill sets such as life drawing, storyboarding, film structure, layout and design, as well as advanced software used in high-end digital animation. Before joining The Art Institute of Vancouver, Bert worked for some of the biggest names in the animation industry, including Walt Disney Animation Australia (Peter Pan II, Lady and the Tramp II), Walt Disney Animation Canada (Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Pocahontas II), Delaney and Friends, Carbunkel Cartoons (Ren & Stimpy: At the Beach; Fire Dogs 2; Ren Seeks Help; Onward and Upward), Bardel Entertainment Inc., Natterjack Animation Co., and Studio B (Yvon of the Yukon, Eek the Cat and The Thunder Lizards). His work has aired on MTV Nickelodeon, Nelvana and Disney Interactive, and many other broadcast networks. Most recently, Bert worked for Nitrogen Studios Inc., as a character and special effects animator on projects for AOL and the History Channel.
Jason Elliott, Instructor - Gaming
Jason Elliott is a veteran of Vancouver's game industry, with more than 10 years of experience in using 3D graphics packages, including 3D Studio Max and Maya. He chose to pursue a career in 3D graphics in order to marry his love of computers with his passion for art. By 1996, at the age of 20, Jason was already working as a game artist and designer for Konami Computer Entertainment America. While at Konami, he took on the Bottom of the 9th games, before becoming lead artist on the seminal game Spawn for Gameboy Color. By 2002, Jason had joined Radical Entertainment as a game designer and performed a number of key projects, including research, development and implementation. His credits at Radical include Hulk and Hulk 2, Simpson's Hit & Run, and Dark Angel. Jason is also well versed in many other art forms such as Web design, film and graphic design.
Steve Feindell, Instructor - Recording Arts
Steve Feindell began his career in 1985 when he joined Ocean Studios and Wave Productions as an assistant engineer. Steve refined his engineering and client relations skills, becoming second engineer and establishing a client base as a successful freelancer. In 1989 he was nominated for Engineer of the Year by the BC Country Music Association. In 1990, he relocated to Nova Scotia where he joined Solar Audio as studio manager and head engineer. He was again nominated for Engineer of the Year by the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia in both 1991 and 1992. Upon returning to Vancouver in 1994, Steve joined Post Modern Sound as staff mixer and recordist, doing audio post production for television and film. He also worked as music researcher and editor for the series Madison. In 1996, Steve shared a Leo Award for best overall sound in a dramatic series. After leaving Post Modern, he continued to freelance as a recordist for feature films and animation series', as a broadcast music mixer at Vancouver Television, and as a consultant to Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver and Dallas Sound Labs in Dallas, Texas. Steve joined The Art Institute of Vancouver in 1998 as an instructor for audio post-production and recording studio operations while working as an engineer at The Sound Kitchen. He has, with his students, recorded and mixed album projects for Theater Under the Stars and the Capilano College Big Band, in addition to recording and mixing hundreds of song demos.
John Gajdecki, VFX Supervisor - Industry Affiliate
During a visit to Ai in the summer of 2008, Canadian VFX pioneer and 3 time Gemini winner John Gajdecki remarked to Ai students ‘the key to your success in the industry is to make your supervisor look good. If your supervisor looks good, the production looks good, and then your supervisor can hire you again." He shared many other salient points with Ai students about the industry and what it takes to be successful, and encouraged students to follow in the footsteps of other successful Ai graduates including Charles Lai and Kelvin Yee from the VFX program.
Gajdecki talks with Ai Vancouver VFX and Film Students PDF
Ted Gervan, Academic Director for VFX
Ted has an impressive list of work experience, awards and education. His skills span from 2D and 3D VFX, to project bids and conceptual design. Recent film credits include conceptual design work on television series The 4400, compositing for the feature film Just Friends, Lead VFX Design for the The Muppets - The Wizard of Oz at Technicolor Creative Services Vancouver.
His experience is varied and complementary and includes Art Direction, VFX film bids, establishing new business, VFX design, and animation. He also has set experience and has had his work on display through numerous fine art exhibitions and commissions. As a practicing fine artist Ted showed his work at Art galleries and venues in Canada and the US including a variety of mediums.
Ted is now pursuing his educational doctorate at SFU in the area of leadership.
Anthony Grieco, Instructor - Digital Film and Video
Filmmaker Anthony Grieco has worked for numerous film industry players, including the post-production facility Rainmaker Digital Pictures. He currently teaches screenwriting and production courses in the Digital Film & Video program at The Art Institute of Vancouver. To date, Anthony has crafted stories for leading industry organizations, including New Line Cinema, The Movie Network, Movie Central, Showcase, CHUM/CityTV, W Network, and the Comedy Network. He was also a producer on Wrestling with the North, an hour-long documentary for Global Television. His short film, Helena's Hex, screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival and was also nominated for Best screenplay and Best Children's Film at the 1999 Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival. Anthony's first feature length drama, titled Marker, was produced by Brightlight Pictures and Creative Engine Pictures for CityTV.
Ryan Mintenko, 3D Effects – 3D Generalist
Ryan has been a VFX professional since 2002 and is an Ai alumni as a graduate of the Center for Digital Imaging and Sound (CDIS) Visual Effects & Digital Animation Masters Program.
In his career Ryan has honed and expanded his skill sets to become a 3D artist with considerable talent and technical capabilities. Ryan’s numerous credits include work on major feature film productions including most recently, The Watchmen at the Motion Picture Company (MPC), Night at the Museum and Blades of Glory at Rainmaker Entertainment, and XMEN 3 at Kleiser – Walczak.
Ryan enjoys giving back to the future of our local VFX community in the classroom at Ai. His teaching specialty includes senior portfolio courses.
Brodie Smith
Born and raised in Calgary, Brodie graduated from the University of Calgary in 1997 with B.Sc.’s in Zoology and Psychology. He then studied audio engineering at The Centre for Digital Imaging and Sound in Vancouver. After completing his studies in 2001, Brodie became the staff engineer and studio manager of the Smilin’ Buddha Enjoyment Complex in Vancouver - working with such artists as 54•40, The Be Good Tanyas, Jets Overhead, John Mann and Danny Michel. In addition to producing numerous artists himself, he has had the opportunity to work along side such talented producers as Warne Livesey, John Ellis and Neil Osborne. His fine ear and digital audio skills have cast him into a multidisciplinary role in the world of film – engaged as the audio engineer and installation technician for Vancouver multimedia artist Stan Douglas. In this capacity, Brodie has mixed audio for five films, and installed works at the Venice Biennale and numerous other galleries across North America, Europe and Asia. In addition to being an accomplished photographer, Brodie works with the artists’ collective Copperspine Records and teaches Psychoacoustics and Digital Studio Systems at The Art Institute of Vancouver.
Scott Swanson, Instructor - Animation
Scott Swanson received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin - Madison where he earned a double major in political science and communication arts and directing. While still a student, Scott became a member of the group "Colonel Zucker's Kentucky Fried Theatre", whose best known alumni are David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams. Following university, Scott spent three years working as a copy writer for a small radio station in Ontario. During his tenure he wrote over 8,000 commercials and voice character spots. In 1974 he moved to Vancouver to attend the Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of British Columbia. He works most frequently in non-fiction, but recently wrote several agented screenplays. Scott is a founding member of the Kitsilano Theatre Company and the Green Thumb Theatre for Young People. He became a professional actor in 1976 and a member of Equity and ACTRA in 1977. Over the past 30 years, he has been involved in more than 150 stage productions, co-hosted a half-hour television show, worked extensively in industrial films, had principal roles in over 70 feature films, movie of the weeks and TV series, including a regular role on the CBC drama series Northwood.
Jerry Tung, 3D Rendering and Lighting
Jerry Tung grew up in Los Angeles, California. As a teenager, he learned the basics of animation and background painting from former Disney assistant animator Jerry Ha. In 1998, he moved Vancouver, where he branched out into 3-D animation and further strengthened his drawing skills with a retired professor from the Central Academy of Arts in Beijing, China.
Most recently Jerry has worked as a CG Artist and Lighter with Rainmaker Entertainment on major feature productions including Blades of Glory for DreamWorks, Night at the Museum for 20th Century Fox and the hit game Need for Speed Carbon for Electronic Arts. His extensive resume also includes CG work on Garfield 2, Doctor Dolittle and Amped 3 for Microsoft / 2K Games.
Rob Wenzek, Instructor - Digital Film and Video
Rob Wenzek is a professional editor with two major documentary credits (Inside Boystown and Dirt Divas) and an on-going contract to edit HD videos - such as like Blast Off! and the Challenger Eulogy Video - for NASA. He has also edited numerous short dramas and music videos and Neil Every's digital feature High Incentive. To date, Rob has directed six short independent films, a short CBC pilot and four Web TV shorts. Rob finds particular satisfaction in helping add professionals to the talent pool in Vancouver's bustling film industry and enjoys collaborating with alumni on new projects.