Pathways into the Industry: Industry Training Session
This training session is for emerging film workers who are interested in starting their careers in the film industry. The topic of discussion will center around jobs, careers and pathways into the industry from four experienced film professionals.
This session is now sold out!
Panellists:
Daniel Quesnel started his career in 1999 when he embarked on the IATSE 669 camera trainee program in Vancouver. Throughout his 25-year career, Daniel moved up the ranks from a 2nd assistant camera technician working with film stock to a Digital Imaging Technician (DIT), assisting the Director of Photography with the look and quality of the latest state-of-the-art digital media capture.
Daniel has been a member in good standing in the International Cinematographers Guild since 2001 and has worked on 85+ feature films and TV series for the likes of Paramount, Universal, Amazon, MGM and Lionsgate Films. Most recently Daniel has completed work on the Universal Studios feature film, “With Love” for 87 North Productions, and is set to begin prep on the action movie sequel “Nobody 2” with Bob Odenkirk returning in early August 2024.
Daniel is a passionate supporter of independent film and when he’s not working on high-budget features, he can be found operating the camera as a Director of Photography on smaller projects within the vibrant Winnipeg film community.
Zachary Girard has spent the last seven years in the Manitoba film industry working within the Accounting department. He is a strong advocate for industry recruitment and education for new and veteran crew alike.
Over the past two years, he has worked jointly with Red River Polytechnical College to develop several Film Accounting micro-credential courses, which will be open for enrolment later this year.
This year he began full-time employment with the Director’s Guild of Canada Manitoba District Council as their Assistant Business Agent.
Prior to becoming the Assistant Business Agent at I.A.T.S.E. 856, Manitoba’s film technician’s union, T’ai Pu had a lengthy and varied experience as a technician in the world of special events, theatre and dance production in BC which culminated in an over fifteen year career in film production in Manitoba. An advocate for safety, sustainability and equity, T’ai Pu has enjoyed three years in his current position fostering relationships with employers, industry partners and the general public on behalf of his members. He also remains active as a multi media performance artist and continues to engage in community outreach and events.
Sydney Sabiston is the Training and Partnerships Manager at FTM. Sydney has a distinguished film and television career and is both an actress and filmmaker.
She started developing her career in the film industry after having received her Bachelor of Arts in Acting in Theatre and Film from The University of Winnipeg’s Theatre & Film program by working on set as an Assistant Director.
With a special interest in acting in and producing horror films, she then made her way on screen and has notable acting credits, including: All Fun and Games, Time Cut, Psycho Killer, Acting Good, Levels, Under the Christmas Sky, Etc.
While Sydney continues to pursue her passion and growing career as an actress and filmmaker, she works at FTM as their Training and Partnerships Manager.
Sydney is passionate about building strong relationships with Manitoba’s local crew and talent here in the province’s growing film industry and tries to support and champion those around her who share her same love for cinema.
Moderator:
Adam Smoluk has been with Film Training Manitoba since 2006 and was promoted six times to the senior executive position. Adam graduated with a Business Administration diploma from McMaster University and with honours from Red River College Polytechnic’s Human Resource Management and Management Development programs. He earned a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) Senior Certified Professional designation. He completed micro-credential certificates in career and employment coaching from the University of Winnipeg and Leading Through Conflict, Emotional Intelligence, and French Essentials from Western University.
He currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the Advisory Board for Essential Skills Manitoba, The Manitoba Construction Sector Council’s Educators Working Group, and the board of directors for the Westland Foundation, which provides post-secondary scholarships for inner Winnipeg students. He also currently serves on the Advisory Committee for REEL Canada, which promotes Canadian Cinema.
His debut film, HORSETHIEVES was awarded the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Winnipeg International Film Festival. His second feature film, FOODLAND was acquired by Shaw and premiered on the Independent Film Channel (IFC). The film was broadcast on Super Channel and designated to the Gem selections for critically acclaimed films. He served as a director for the Frantic Films and Discovery Channel’s true-crime series IN PLAIN SIGHT. Adam contributed profiles of the Right Honourable Edward Schreyer and Manitoba Film & Music’s former CEO Carole Vivier for THE HEART OF WINNIPEG, a book that profiles community leaders.