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Johnny started out as a dance instructor at a resort in the Catskill mountains teaching the Mambo and the Pachanga to the guests. (And Lifts. Lots of lifts.)
Sadly, he was wrongfully accused by management then fired. “You just can’t win Johnny” they said.
But before he left he did His kind of dancing, His way… With a great partner. When asked he said “I’ve had the time of my life”.
After that he needed to find some other kind of work and, being a lazy person, he looked around at different options and thought “Film & TV… that looks like a lazy business… I’ll try that”
And he’s been doing that ever since.
Don has been with Dept.9 since the beginning. As President & COO of Dept.9 Studios, Don is responsible for making things happen and bringing our Founder, Johnny Mac’s short and long-term vision to life.
Don’s experience in music publishing and negotiating sync deals makes him an asset to the Dept.9 Studios leadership team. Don also tells some great stories – and even better jokes. You should ask him to tell you one some time. You won’t regret it!
Dagmar (Dee) is responsible for looking after the building and is Dept.9 Studios’ Health & Safety Representative. Dee learned all about structures while building the pyramids (just kidding); she’s not that old, but says that some days feels like it!
She comes from a Construction Administration background and is a National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO), PMP and CAPM. If there is a plumbing problem, she is also the unofficial D9 Spray Park Operator. Dee is owned by three cats and a Rottweiler, who let her out Monday through Friday for her daily work exercise. She says that when she grows up, she wants to be an artist.
With over 25 years experience, Gemini Award-winning editor Dean Evans has credits in feature films, television drama, commercials, music video and documentary. In 1997 Dean was first nominated for a Gemini for editing the national CBC series Utopia Cafe. Dean has also had success as a Director with credits including the Gemini-nominated Dirty Money, a half hour action-drama for Global Television, and Prank Patrol, a top rated children’s series for YTV. Dean spent over five years with Spotlight Productions editing short and long form documentary. Recently Dean was the editor on the pilot for APTN’s action/thriller series Wynter.
Check out Dean Evans IMDb here.
Stew is our jack-of-all-trades – a music producer, audio engineer, mixing engineer, and mastering engineer. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, published songwriter and performer. In Stew’s spare time you can find him collecting and restoring vintage musical equipment, and studying the history of music. He also loves cooking, Vespas, and Forensic psychology.
Michael works on the production company side of the business developing original film and television IP. As a development manager, Michael evaluates pitches on a creative and project suitability level as well as works with writers and creatives on projects that are in development. Prior to joining Dept.9 Studios, Michael completed an MBA in Arts, Media, and Entertainment Management from Schulich School of Business as well as a Certificate in Entertainment Law.
You might recognize Michael as that guy whose Halloween costume went viral on social media. One year Michael dressed up as the Talus Dome, a piece of public art in Edmonton purchased from LA artists – the pictures of his costume spread across news stations and social media. He also kissed Katy Perry once, but that’s a whole other story.
Fara’s diverse role consists of overseeing the marketing department and managing the day-to-day office environment. Fara has been involved in the Marketing world for many years and through her time with Dept.9 Studios, she has also developed a passion for operations. She loves that her role allows her to be very hands on.
Fara is also a self-proclaimed cat lover… in fact, she believes that they are her spirit animal due to how much they have in common… sleep, food, and the right amount of attention, what more could you need? Aside from loving cats, Fara also loves kindness and wants to see more of it “in a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Jim is Dept.9 Studios VP of Operations and prior, was the owner’s agent for design/build of Dept.9 Studios. For almost a decade before joining Dept.9 Jim acted as VP of Production for a North American entertainment company focused on live theatre and concerts. Jim designed and developed 10+ Casino and entertainment venues across North America as well as numerous movie studios across the east coast of the USA. He also has many years experience in Business Development and Marketing for two of the top five construction companies in Canada.
Jim is a great cook and a big sports fan – he loves anything with a motor. He’s known to crack a few bad jokes every now and then and his goal in life to be the best ‘bad’ grandpa.