Get to know Our MPIO Course Facilitators
Allisa M. Swanson
Lower Mainland | Costume Department
Allisa M. Swanson has been in the film industry since the late ’90’s and has worked every position in the costume department, at least once. She has designed, created and consulted for film, television, theatre, music videos, commercials, print ad’s, Halloween Haunts and the 2010 Winter Olympics. She has taught numerous seminars on costuming, been a guest speaker for a miriad of events, and judged costume competitions for ComicCons worldwide. In 2004 Allisa won a Leo Award for Best Costume Design for a Feature Film for The Snow Walker, and has numerous CAFTCAD and Leo Nominations for her work. She is currently the President of CAFTCAD and has served on their board since 2019. You can see some of Allisa’s work on CBS, Thursday’s at 9pm on So Help Me Todd, as well as on Netflix with Firefly Lane, Another Life S1, The 100 S3 & 4, and on Disney+ with Turner & Hooch S1.
Brian Globus
Vancouver Island South | Camera, Lighting, Grip, Locations
Brian Globus has spent the last ten years working in the film industry, both on and off set. A Camera Assistant with ICG Local 669, he works on feature film and television productions, most recently Reginald the Vampire, Seasons 1 & 2 for SyFy Channel. At the Vancouver Island South Film Commission, Brian worked closely with Producers and the community to help bring production to the region. He also regularly coached career seekers entering the industry. An indie filmmaker at heart, Brian enjoys sharing what he has learned about the craft and exchanging knowledge with other creators.
Cheryl Uphill
Lower Mainland | Location and Production Management
Cheryl Uphill (M.E.d), entered the motion picture industry in 1995 as an actor/stunt performer and in 2000 as a Location Scout then upgraded in the DGC to Location Manager and Production Manager. An honors graduate from UFV, Theatre Arts program, VCC Provincial Instructors Diploma Program, and recently obtained her Masters of Adult Education at SFU in instructional design of holistic, curriculums with her thesis in Mind, Body, Spirit education. A black belt in Karate for over 30 years, Cheryl has taught to every age furthering her dedication, focus and determination to her acting and stunt career in Television/Film and Theatre. She has taught, acting, film production, health & safety and photography at; Okanagan School of the Arts, The Actors Foundry, Vancouver Film School, InFocus Film School, Actsafe, North Island College, and CVAG Youth Media Project. Cheryl is based in Port Moody as a Pain/Yoga Therapist with ChangePain & CIRP and the clinic supervisor for Vancouver School of the Healing Arts (VSOHA).
Chris Vautour
Vancouver Island South | Location Manager and Scout
Chris Vautour is a French-Canadian, Hungarian settler living on the territories of the Lekwungen Peoples (Victoria, BC). She has worked in the film industry since 1996 in Vancouver & Vancouver Island, primarily as a Location Manager & Scout but also has experience in set decorating, transportation & camera departments. She was the 2nd Unit Producer/Director on a feature documentary that was long-listed for a 2024 Oscar. In 2023 she was a Field Producer for the unscripted television series “Farming For Love” on CTV. Chris has produced a short film “The Pilgrimage” for CBC Gem. She sits on the board of Cinevic, the Independent Filmmaker Society of Victoria and teaches location scouting at Camosun College on behalf of the South Island Film Commission. In 2024 Chris’s feature narrative screenplay was a finalist for GEMfest International Screenwriting Competition.
David Barritt
Columbia Shuswap | Lighting Department
David Barritt is a dedicated film and television professional with a remarkable 38-year career in Film Production in Vancouver. As a senior member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 891 lighting department, he brings an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience to the MPIO program. David’s expertise extends across on-set and off-set roles, along with management positions in major rental facilities. A recognized industry trainer, he has conducted programs across North America, imparting valuable insights to both novice and seasoned filmmakers. David’s fulfilling journey involves crafting curriculum, workshops, and hands-on programs, shaping the future of film crews by educating the next generation.
Debra Sawarin
Okanagan | Make-up Department
Debra Sawarin began her film career as a film make up artist in 1990 and has worked on numerous series, MOWs and features. Debra became a member of IATSE Local 891 in 1993, and began teaching Set Etiquette courses in 1997. She has also worked as a Business Agent for IATSE Local 295 and as interim BA for Local 891. Debra cares deeply about the people who work in film; and is a committed mentor, advisor, and advocate in B.C.’s film industry, particularly in the Interior – where she has lived since 1995.
Derek Baskerville
Lower Mainland | Production Design
Derek J. Baskerville is a motion picture costumer whose work spans 35+ years. Trained in Theatre Design, Derek transitioned to Television as an Assistant Designer on the Canadian Classic, “Anne of Green Gables”. Career highlights include; “The Diviners”, (Gemini Winner) Margaret Atwood’s “Betty” (Gemini nominee), the P.B.S. mini-series, “African Journey”, and his designs for the cult favourite, “The Kids in the Hall”. The Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms” recent Emmy win, is Derek’s most recent accolade. The Robin William’s film “Jumanji” and 13 other projects are what brought Derek to the west coast. Derek now shares his knowledge as a teacher, mentor, with the next generation of Film Crews at various locations
Jay Page
Sunshine Coast | Production Manager, Rigging Grip
The craft of entertainment production is a time honoured trade that continues to evolve. Page lives and shares what he has learned from the technicians and artists he has worked alongside and from the crew leads he has worked for. As a Rigging Grip and heavy equipment operator he promotes communication, awareness, teamwork, diligence and safety. Page’s career as technician in the entertainment industry has ranged from making video games, to stagehand at clubs, corporate events, music festivals and arena concerts. As a theater production manager, projectionist, and Film Grip, Page has worked on both sides of the lens.
John Penhall
Lower Mainland | Location Manager, Assistant Director
John Penhall has been a member of the BC film industry since 1987 and has worked as a Locations Manager and Assistant Director on over 50 productions and countless commercials.
John teaches Motion Picture Orientation where he shares his vast array of experience to help entry-level workers safely navigate their first days on set, and how to maintain a work/life balance in this challenging industry.
Whether you are taking MPIO to explore a possible career in the film industry, or simply as one of the last steps necessary for joining a particular film union, you will enjoy taking John’s class.
Jonas Quastel
Lower Mainland | Lighting and Camera Department, Producer, Director
Jonas Quastel is from Vancouver, BC. He began his career in the lighting and camera departments. He soon began writing and had a quick succession of films produced. His directorial debut was The Untold (2002), with Lance Henriksen. Over a period of more than 25 years Quastel wrote and directed and produced scores of other projects, He is now the Coordinator of the Langara College Film Arts program.
Kathleen Gilbert
Vancouver Island South | Location Manager, Film Commissioner
For the last 13 years as Film Commissioner, Kathleen Gilbert has been responsible for marketing the CRD to Producers worldwide. Prior to becoming the Film Commissioner, she worked in the Film Industry as a location manager for over twenty years. In 1990 she was a founding member of CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers. Her resume includes shows like Little Women, Intersection, X-Men 2 & 3, Final Destination and a slew of television movies. Kathleen was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, where she ran a small business for several years.
Kelly-Ruth Mercier
Lower Mainland | Actor, Production Manager, Assistant Director and VFX Producer
An award-winning director, writer, producer, working actor and theatre/ film/ tv instructor, K-R began teaching in 1986. She has produced online content for blue-chip clients, including Wynn Las Vegas and Nintendo. Her extensive film experience includes work as an actor, AD, PM and VFX Producer. Her 2009 MPPIA Award-winning film, “MOVE OUT CLEAN”, premiered at Whistler (“Canada’s Best Short Film”: The Shorts Report). “NO ONE KNOWS YOU LIKE YOUR MOTHER” won her the 2010 Leo for Best Screenwriting in a Short Drama and “MEDIC” was nominated for direction & screenwriting, receiving a Directing Award of Merit (Special Mention) at the Best Short Competition in 2016. As producer, both “AFTER” and “ONCE UPON A TIME AT A BEACH” have screened at TIFF, VIFF, and internationally.
Michele Williams
Columbia Shuswap | Assistant Director
Michele received her Recording Arts & Music Degree in 1987 and began working in the music industry as a Sound Tech & Stagehand and in the theatre as a Stage manager & Director. Michele began her Film/TV career in the early 1990’s as a PA and is now a member of the (DGC) in the Assistant Director category & VC of her local Arts Council. Michele has co-produced a winning educational documentary “Picking up the Eagle Feather” also nominated with her colleagues for DGC Team Awards. Michele continues to work in Theatre, Film, Music and anything Arts.
Nancy Hum-Balbosa
Lower Mainland | Set Dresser, Buyer, Assistant Decorator
Nancy Hum-Balbosa has worked with over 27 productions since her first day in 2016. She started as a Set Dresser (moving and organizing the set items), then went to Buyer (purchasing for sets), then to Assistant Decorator (overview of crew and sets). Nancy’s past experience in luxury retail management has developed her ability to train people with compassion and understanding. Co-workers describe Nancy as a patient person and she would be a natural fit as a MPIO facilitator for new industry workers. Nancy’s IATSE 891 involvement includes: the Set Decorating Committee, the Good & Welfare Committee, and the International’s DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Committee.
Wade Pallister
Lower Mainland | Set Decorator
Wade Pallister is a Husband, Dad, Laptop Liturgical DJ, Lead Set Dresser, and a 15 year member of IATSE 891. He loves Set Dec because every day at work is a brand-new challenge. He is honoured to interface with all film departments but especially the talented Set Dec people who tend to be amazing, unique, break-the-mold, wonderfully-weirdo, misfit butterflies… like himself!
Wade likes to cook, eat, and dreams about justice, asian soup & hot wings.
