Students
Philippe-Olivier Contant - Graduated in 2003
Post Champlain: Concordia University – Communication Studies
Currently: National Manager of video training for Sun Media and Canoe.ca, Réalisateur WebTélé pour Canoe.ca
“I’m so glad I went to Champlain! As a francophone it helped me become fluently bilingual, which is a huge advantage in the work world; it made it possible for me to get a rewarding job in which I travel the country. Also, the “hands on” approach and the practical skills that we learned made it possible for me to begin working in my field as I was getting my University degree. This also gives me an edge because now I can boast more years of experience.”
Check out his demo reel at www.contant.biz
Amber LeBrun – Graduated in 2006
Post Champlain: Traveled for a year, then Concordia University for Journalism
Currently: Finishing studies and working for Astral Media Radio (Virgin Radio, CHOM, CJAD). She is also co-hosting and co-producing the Irish Show on CJAD. Check it out here.
“Champlain was the best two years of school I’ve had so far. I remember how close I became with the people in the program and how I made some really great friends. The teachers really cared for each student and each student’s work. Everyone was truly there to help and you had no choice but to pull your weight with each project and work hard to get the results you wanted. This program helped to open my eyes to discover that there’s more out there after school and not to be afraid to go after it. It also taught me that rejection is inevitable but to not let it get you down, because another door is always open.”
Maude Michaud – Graduated in 2003
Post Champlain: Concordia University – Communication Studies
Currently: Finishing M.A. in Media Studies at Concordia and directing a feature length documentary about women, feminism & horror films; promoting many short films she independently wrote, produced & directed; working as a photographer; and putting the finishing touch on her first feature length screenplay.
“I can’t stress enough how the quality of the classes surpassed any expectation I had. At Champlain I learned & tested all the rules of filmmaking, broke most of them and learned from my mistakes. Thanks to the program, when I started my university-level filmmaking classes, I felt I was a step ahead of the other students because I had a strong filmmaking experience under my belt. That way, I got to focus on the content of my work rather than the technical aspects, which helped increase the quality of my films.”
Jordan Crowder – Graduated in 2005
Post Champlain: The University of Texas at Austin – Radio, Television & Film
Currently: Working as a freelance video producer primarily for the web. Co-created and now writing for a popular web series that is in development with a major television studio in Los Angeles. He is also in the process of releasing his first independent feature film on DVD.
“Champlain’s program rivals the best film schools around. Not even at the University level did I experience the freedom with my projects as I did at Champlain. The faculty encourages students to experiment and grow, and in a field of study (like creative arts) that is generally competitive, Champlain provides an open environment for sharing and collaborating. Champlain Creative Arts’ program is like a close-knit family where the teachers are genuinely invested in the students’ progress. Almost 5 years post-Champlain, and I still feel my best work was created in their program. The school provides a practical groundwork in film production and history, and I continue to use the tools that the program equipped me with in all my work today.”
Visit Jordan’s website to see what he’s up to- www.jordancrowderfilms.com and see his latest short film here.
Andrew Noble – Graduated in 1986
Post Champlain: Concordia University – Communication Studies
Currently: Vice-President – Distribution, Filmoption International
He has produced six feature films and numerous documentaries and videos. Andrew has worked for a number of distribution companies in Canada including Alliance Vivafilms, Behaviour, Film Tonic and currently Filmoption International. He is the head of domestic distribution where he oversees all theatrical releases as well as home video, television and internet sales for Canada and feature film sales internationally.
“Champlain Creative Arts was a tight knit community of teachers and fellow students. It was an opportunity to discover my creative side and to explore the media. It fostered my sense of leadership and helped to focus my talents in the right place. I loved the teachers, the classes and the facilities. Also, the social life was absolutely fantastic. I made my first films, fell in love with photography, learned to write and learned to express myself. While I was at Champlain, I worked as a DJ in the Bandring, acted in plays, hosted film presentations, ran for student government and was editor-in-chief of the Champlain Bugle – which was one of the highlights of my schooling.”
Eric Angelillo: Graduated in 2005
Post Champlain: One year at Concordia University – Film Animation, then Sheridan College – Animation
Currently: In final year of study at Sheridan, working on a short animated film that will be submited to festivals worldwide upon it’s completion next April. For the past three summers Eric has been working on small animation contracts in Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City for studios such as C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures, Bonzai Films & Ubisoft.
“I honestly look back at Champlain as the funnest school years of my life. Champlain Creative Arts gave me lots of freedom to explore myself artistically and ultimately helped me find my way into a field I liked. I was strongly encouraged to explore different mediums and styles, which, although I was reluctant at first, in the end I found it very rewarding. Even though I always knew I wanted to be an animator, doing painting, sculpture & photography helped me greatly in gaining perspective. Champlain allowed me to gain a greater view of the world, which today I relish.”
You can check out what Eric is up to here on his blog.
Jocelyn Michel: Graduated in 1995
Post Champlain: Dawson College – Professional Photography Program
Currently: Professional photographer – freelance in editorial & advertising. Hoping to publish a book with his Admission series.
“I took Photo 1 with David Miller in my last year of Pure and Applied – which lit a fire under my @$$. In turn, it led me to abandon my studies in science to become the photographer I am today. I developed the passion for photography at Champlain – I enjoyed the projects and enjoyed “thinking out of the box”. Final portfolios & vernissage is always a very exciting time – my first one was at Champlain, and it made everything very concrete in my mind so far as what it was that I wanted to do with my career.”
Have a look at Jocelyn’s amazing photography here.
Caroline de Koninck: Graduated in 2006
Post Champlain: Concordia University – Film Animation
Currently: Finishing up her bachelor’s degree and working on a Warner Brother’s home video/National Film Board production as a compositor and assistant editor. This film is packed with Oscar winners and nominees!
“I loved studying at Champlain College! Those two years were spent with an amazing staff who really care about their students, and teach you everything they know. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and as a result the students became very involved in their projects. It’s a time I’ll never forget.”
Follow Caroline on her website at www.carolinedekoninck.com
Fanny Berthiaume: Graduated in 2006
Post Champlain: Concordia University – Film Animation
Currently: Fanny is finishing her BFA in Film Animation at Concordia University and completing her final student film that will be sent to various festivals around the world. She has worked as a prop and set maker on Higglety Pigglety Pop, a short film produced by the National Film Board in collaboration with Warner Bros, and has also worked on a few low-budget music videos and short films produced by local artists.
“Champlain Creative Arts was a fantastic experience for me. The two years I have spent there not only became the foundation of who I am as an artist, but also as a student and individual. The Creative Arts program gave me the opportunity to explore several different means of expression and discover and confirm the direction I wanted to follow. It gave me a solid base to pursue my passion for animation in my university years. Some of the students and teachers I have met there have become a major source of inspiration in my work and in my everyday life. When I look back at Champlain Creative Arts, what I miss most is definitely the feeling of being part of not only a program, but a family.”
