Date: September 12, 2024 (5:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
Location: Millennium Library (251 Donald Street, 2nd floor – Carol Shields Auditorium)
Registration: Free – Register below!
This session is exclusively for newcomers and Manitobans of Ukrainian descent. If this does not apply to you, kindly refrain from registering, as spots are limited.
This session is now sold out!
*Please note the location change. You can view the map below to see where to go, how to arrive by bus, and where to park:
About the Panel:
Film Training Manitoba, FRANK Digital, and The Ukrainian Congress of Canada will be conducting a session on jobs and careers in Manitoba’s film industry as a welcoming session exclusively for Ukrainians looking to learn more about pathways into the film industry.
To support members of the Ukrainian community, this first of its kind session will feature a joint panel with five people of Ukrainian descent that will share their personal experiences of entering and advancing in Manitoba’s film industry. The Ukrainian Congress of Canada will provide an introduction and advice about further resources.
Panellists:
Currently the Branch Representative at ACTRA Manitoba, Rea Kavanagh has worked in the arts for 25 years as a producer, writer, actor and musician. She has extensive management experience in the non-profit live entertainment sector, overseeing exponential revenue and patron engagement growth for Theatre Projects Manitoba (TPM) where she produced and presented over 50 productions and live events. A Member of ACTRA since 1999, she has worked in film and television as an actor and stunt performer and served terms as Treasurer & Vice President and Political Action Chair for ACTRA Manitoba. In 2015 she was the recipient of the ACTRA Woman of Distinction Award.
Jack Mykhailov began his career as a cameraman at a broadcast news station in Ukraine in 2009. He then moved on to shooting documentaries, TV shows and films. Working as a DOP on top-tier shows in Kyiv. In 2022, Jack relocated to Winnipeg and joined the FrankDigital team as a cameraman and a gear specialist.
Libby Lea, a seasoned Producer with over a decade of experience, excels in commercials. With a Broadcasting Diploma in 2002, she delved into marketing, communications, and briefly into politics. Eventually, she found her niche at a video production company, refining her interviewing skills and production expertise.
Joining FRANK Digital in July 2017 as Head of Production, she managed operations, client relations, oversaw shoots, and supervised post-production. In 2018, she became Vice President of Production, pivotal in FRANK Digital’s expansion.
August 2023 marked her directorial debut with the CBC documentary “Running for your Life.” Outside of work, Libby cherishes her role as a mother, adores dogs, and maintains a passion for running.
Andrew Yankiwski founded Precursor Productions in 2000 as a recording studio focused on leading-edge digital technology.
Over the last quarter century Precursor has expanded its audio offerings beyond music production, mixing and mastering into audio for: voiceover, post production, fIlm/TV, interactive, audiobooks, online learning, archival and forensics. Precursor has worked with virtually every major entertainment and media brand including: HBO, Marvel, Netflix, Amazon Studios, CBS, PBS, Warner Bros., NBC Universal and many others.
Career highlights include recording Liam Neeson’s ADR for The Marksman, recording Natalia Dyer’s ADR for episodes of Stranger Things season 4 and recording Hilary Swank’s voiceover for the documentary: Becoming Annika.
Charles Konowal is an award-winning filmmaker with over 40 years of experience in fiction and non-fiction production, specializing in cinematography. He has also directed and produced over 20 documentaries and music videos, including the NFB’s first Peabody award-winning feature documentary, “Fat Chance.” He has also worked for the IMAX Corporation and photographed network documentaries in the US, Canada, and the UK. Since 1989, he has been producing, directing, and photographing award-winning documentaries through his own company, KonoFilms.
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.
FTM is a non-for-profit charity and member of the Province of Manitoba’s Sector Council program funded through the Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. FTM builds a highly skilled and adaptable film industry workforce to support the activities of Manitoba production companies. FTM collaborates and partners with members of the film industry to identify training needs to support workforce development.