Interviews

Hey, I'm Aaron Merke! I’ve spent my career blending creativity, humor, and production expertise across multiple industries. As a producer, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, from developing film and TV series to leading comedy shows and live performances. I co-own Royal Awesome Productions with my long-time partner and wife, where we’re bringing exciting new projects to life, including "Megasis," "Advanced Wizards and Warriors," "The Pam Oberman Project," and "Devon Brooks Psychic Medium"—all currently in early development. My background in comedy is a huge part of who I am. From performing and producing at legendary places like Second City and MuchMusic to running live-streamed shows with GO Live Comedy, I love creating moments that make people laugh and think. Improv, sketch, and character-driven comedy have always been at the heart of my work, and I thrive on pushing creative boundaries to deliver something special.

BJ Verot is an award-winning Writer/Director/Producer based in Winnipeg, Canada. Verot has also achieved massive success in the stunt world, in theatrical films such as Violent Night, Orphan: First Kill, Nobody, and The Grudge (all having a $40M+ box office WW) His feature film The Return stars Richard Harmon of the CW's The 100, and received a Best Feature award at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. The film is distributed by Uncork’d Entertainment. Verot’s recent short film, Echoes In The Ice, has screened around the world, most notably as part of the Telefilm: Not Short On Talent At Cannes Program at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and Toronto After Dark. His National Screen Institute - Drama Prize film, Chopin's Heart, also screened at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival with the Telefilm NSOT Program, and he is the winner of the nationally televised CBC Short Film Face Off (2015) for his film Loss Of Contact.

Cam brings over twenty years of experience as a freelance screenwriter, director, producer, and editor into his production company, SoGo Productions. His screenwriting portfolio includes work for Canadian and U.S. producers in both TV and film, and multiple genres from war and thrillers to drama and horror. He is a director who has helmed feature films, music videos, short films, commercials, and documentaries. His feature directorial debut, A Desperate Road, and the long-awaited documentary Aboard the Namao, will both be released in spring 2018. He recently produced the highly anticipated Royal Canadian Air Force music video Coming Home, is currently developing two screenplays with noted author Anita Daher, as well as directing 26 episodes of the true crime series I Knew My Murderer and the pilot episode of In Plain Sight. He is also a professional drummer, having played on numerous albums and television shows, and continues to perform live.

Chad Anderson is a stand up comedian currently based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He performs throughout North America and has appeared at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, JFL Toronto, Odd Block Comedy Festival, Arctic Air Comedy Festival and JFL Northwest as part of CBC’s New Wave of Standup. Chad’s comedy reflects his own personal experiences including fatherhood and tragedy as well as subjects ranging from social media to racism. He’s been featured multiple times on CBC’s The Debaters and was a cast member in Mary Walsh's Canada It's Complicated. His latest album, Live at Luci’s was released in January 2026 and can regularly be heard on SiriusXM.

I admire and routinely obsess over effective content and branding, and get very excited when I can contribute to it. The look, the sound, the feel, the always appreciable addition of alliteration - these are a few of my jams. I like the hilarious and the moving; the trending and the lasting; the calculated and the accidental; the stuff that stands out and gets your friends and family members talking. I'm not one for buzzwords like "synergy" or "edamame". I just enjoy creative, quality products and helping people find them.

Darcy Fehr, a seasoned character actor hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been performing on screen and on stage since 1998. Notable works include 'My Winnipeg', 'Cowards Bend the Knee,' 'Passionflower,' and 'Heaven is for Real.' His recent projects include 'The Porter,' 'Spencer Sisters,' 'Miracle in Bethlehem, PA,' and 'Ordinary Angels.' Fehr is the recipient of two ACTRA MB awards for Most Outstanding Performance by a male artist for Euphoria (2013) and Black Rainbow (2016)

Serving the movie industry since 1991, I'm involved with almost every aspect of creative makeup, from beauty and character to puppets and prosthetics. I credit my mentors for fueling this great passion and for teaching me the most important thing about movie makeup: learn to not only be a great character/prosthetic artist but to be a great beauty/straight makeup artist as well. Character Illusions Inc. is a full-service makeup studio providing prosthetic character makeup, special makeup effects, including blood effects, and dummy heads and bodies.

Finn McCager is known for The Last of Us (2023), If You Give a Chad a Spot (2025) and Nobody 2 (2025)

Jesse de Rocquigny is a Director of Photography and independent filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His work spans narrative films and series, documentaries, music videos and commercials. Recent work includes Serve the Country, a short film that premiered at TIFF 2024. Above all, Jesse’s passion lies in narrative filmmaking. He has and continues to collaborate with directors on narrative films, music videos and commercials of all scales. Jesse has also DP’d and worked on numerous documentary series for broadcasters such as CBC/Radio-Canada, APTN and UnisTV. Jesse is an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers.

Jessica Seburn (she/her) is a Death Doula and Rebel Grief Guide supporting clients in Winnipeg and worldwide. Her work is shaped by profound personal loss and a commitment to transforming how we talk about death and grief. Since 2021, Jessica has guided people through end-of-life journeys, complex grief, practical care, ritual design, and the hard conversations most people avoid. Grounded and honest, she meets people wherever they are—at the beginning, the end, or the messy middle—as a guide, a companion, and a friend.

Being lit on fire or getting in a knife fight in the kitchen is just another day in the office for Kristen Sawatzky. But don’t worry about her, it’s all safe and legal when you’re doing it on camera as a member of the stunt department. Kristen is a graduate of Ryerson University (Theatre-Dance), trained in advanced stage combat at the University of Winnipeg (Rick Skene/Skene Stunts), and a three-time ACTRA Manitoba award nominee for Best Stunt Performance. She’s performed on stages across North America and Internationally with over 80 credits in film and television as a stunt woman, stunt coordinator, dancer, actor, and puppeteer.

Ryan Herdman is known for Run (2020), ATM (2012) and The Haunting in Connecticut (2009).

Shelly Anthis has been a filmmaker and professional crew member since 1999. Working in various capacities, as an Extras Casting Director and Location Scout, has allowed Shelly to work closely with creative teams while growing her skills as a film technician. Working in production has helped Shelly to develop and instill a solid work ethic, while supporting and helping to create a harmonious set where filmmakers can flourish. With a passion to learn all facets of production, Shelly has enhanced her directing and producing skills in the Manitoba independent film scene. Shelly is a Mother and a proud member of IATSE 856 and The Directors Guild of Canada, and currently works for The City of Winnipeg Event andry l Entertainment department, making sure the Manitoba film industry gets what it needs.

Suzanne Pringle is a Canadian actor. She got her start in radio, commercials, and stage when she was 8 years old, and after high school trained at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York, The Company of Rogues in Calgary, and The Second City in Toronto. She has lived all across Canada, working intermittently in film, voiceover, theater, writing, and visual art.