Gary Thomas
Gary Thomas is a VFX designer and creative director with over 40 years of experience. Since 1987 he worked around the world in Hong Kong, Sydney and Toronto. In 1998 he founded the highly respected post and graphics studio Crush Inc., serving as its Creative Director, Director, and President. His award-winning work spans The One Show, Cannes Lions, ADCC, Marketing Awards, and Bessies. His award-winning work spans The One Show, Cannes Lions, ADCC, Marketing Awards, Clios and Bessies. Since 2024 Gary has focused on independent creative projects, working extensively with AI to create short films, and increasingly advertising and documentaries.
Guillermo Castellanos
Guillermo Castellanos is an AI Director and filmmaker specializing in next-generation visual workflows for brands, agencies, and cultural spaces. Originally trained as an engineer in Mexico and later as a filmmaker in Canada, he blends technical approach with cinematic storytelling. His recent work includes collaborating on national advertising campaigns and developing AI-driven visuals for Music and live performance experiences as the one showcased on Rebel’s massive 6K screen in Toronto. He is part of the emerging wave of creators redefining commercial production in Canada through Gen AI, hybrid filmmaking techniques, and fast visual prototyping.
Scott McPherson
Scott McPherson is a Canadian creative and art director based in Paris, France. With 15+ years leading visual productions, his focus has always stayed on the craft of dynamic visual concepts and execution. A path that took him through various agencies and studios before he formed his own, Wove Collective, a boutique art and animation studio crafting visuals for the music and commercial worlds. Most recently, that journey has led Scott into the world of AI, where he now works as an independent creative and art director. Here he brings years of production experience and client-facing strategy into the execution of campaigns built with generative tools.
Manuela Balk
Manuela Balk is a twice Emmy Awarded visual artist and creative with over 15 years of experience in the film industry, working on major feature films and TV productions across Europe before continuing her career in Canada. Her background in visual effects, design, and storytelling has given her a strong eye for composition, mood, and the details that bring an idea to life. Alongside digital work, she also enjoys creating with her hands through a variety of traditional crafts, always looking for ways to blend technical precision with creativity. She is a lifelong fan of comic books, illustration, and the visual worlds of classic sci-fi - especially Alien - which continue to inspire her aesthetic and creative approach. Whether leading a concept or refining the smallest detail, she's driven by curiosity, craftsmanship, and a love of memorable visuals.