NeilBurns
20 Wyndham St. Toronto M6K 1R7 416 435 0405 neilburns@windup.ca www.windup.ca ____________________________________________________________
Education
MFA in film production at York University (2016)
Graduated from the Intermedia Studies Department at the Emily Carr College of Art & Design. Worked extensively in video, film, sculpture, drawing, painting, and performance. (1991) Included one year exchange at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.
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Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant in undergraduate program in film production at York University conducting and marking final exams, instructing the use of cameras and certifying students ability to operate equipment (2014)
Visiting Lecturer at Sheridan College Animation Program and the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design presenting talks on creating independent films
Senior Animator on numerous productions training and instructing young animators in a professional setting
Workshop Instructor in Stop-motion Animation at York University
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Professional Experience
Writer/Director Cheddar Island, (in development). Feature length film, (Perfect Circle Prod.)
Director Edison and Leo, the first stop-motion animated feature produced in Canada. Received Best Animated Feature award at the Bangkok International Film Festival (2009) and Honorable Mention at the Bologna Fantastic Film Festival.
Director of a number of independent short animated films, music videos, TV commercials, and TV station I.D.s and interstitials.
Production Designer on numerous short animated films, as well as television commercials, music videos and TV station I.D.s. Clients include TVO, YTV, Noggin TV Network, MuchMusic, and Copperheart Entertainment. Received Broadcast Design Award, and Art Director’s Club Award.
Animation Director on various projects, including the CBC series, What It’s Like Being Alone (CBC), and Jojo’s Circus (Disney).
Story Artist on a number of short films and series including My Big, Big Friend, and Julius Junior.
Lead Animator on a large number of commercials, series, and feature films, including Suck (Capri Entertainment), Rhinoceros Eyes (Madstone Films), Glenn Martin D.D.S., Henry’s World, The Wrong Coast, Snowden’s Christmas (Cuppa Coffee Animation), What Its Like Being Alone (CBC), Twisteeria (Bowes Productions).
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Independent Films
Amanda, (2016) 8-minute stop-motion animated film shot in stereo 3D.
The Nose, (2008) 18-minute stop-motion animated film based on the Nikolai Gogol short story, The Nose. Winner of best film at Le Festival du Film de Stop-motion de Montreal, 2009.
Parkdale Rhapsody, (2001) 3-minute live-action experimental film commissioned by the Rehab Film Festival.
Grace Eternal, (1997) 9-minute live-action and animated 16mm film. Award of Merit at Chicago International Film Festival.
Fettered, (1991) 5-minute live-action and animated 16mm film.
Bread (1990) 3-minute live action super 8 film.
Crack in the Sky (1989) 3-minute experimental animated film.
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Honours and Grants
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2014 Cinespace Production Grant.
2010 Career retrospective, Student and Youth film festival, Chuncheon, S. Korea.
2009 Le Festival du Film de Stop Motion de Montreal, 2009 Winner.
2009 Bologna Fantastic Film Festival. Honorable Mention
2009 Bangkok Animation Festival, Best Animated Feature
2005 BRAVO!Fact Grant
2004 Canada Council A Grant
2004 OAC Media Arts Grant
2004 Toronto Arts Council Grant
2001 Broadcast Design Award
2001 Art Director’s Club Award
1998 Chicago International Film Festival, Award of Merit
1996 Ontario Arts Council Film Production Grant
1994 Canada Council B Grant
1990 Emily Carr College Tuition Scholarship
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