Chrystene Ells

Chrystene is a director, designer, illustrator and animator with 20 years of producing under her belt. She has worked extensively in the world of live performance and puppetry, and creates short independent films, animations and documentaries. A maker and animator in large effects houses, she has worked on many films including The Nightmare Before Christmas. Her feature film Goodbye, Guy Guy screened at festivals in California and New York. Her second feature film, The Making of Toozle and Tinkle, is currently in post production.

Chrystene performed across Canada as part of Calgary’s Nebulous Rebels and Interlude Mime Theatre before moving to San Francisco. She co-founded Bindlestiff Studio, a professional theatre nearing its 20th anniversary, and Riot Act Theatre Company (r.a.t.co.), a theatre program that teaches art and theatre to at-risk youth.

Currently Chrystene is an MFA Candidate in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Regina. Her thesis project, Sisu – the Tom Sukanen Story, is a feature-length digital art film incorporating live action, 2D & 3D animation, and visual effects, scheduled for release in 2009.

Many thanks to the Finnish Canadian Club of Calgary for sponsoring Chrystene’s participation in the Festival, and for supporting Sisu.

Chrystene’s Website

Article on Chrystene Ells in the Calgary Herald.

The Tom Sukanen Story and the Kalevala / 9000 Years Behind the Mask

22 Jan 2009 - 19:00

THE TOM SUKANEN STORY AND THE KALEVALA

Tom Sukanen was a Finnish shipbuilder who immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1910. When the Depression hit, Tom tore down his homestead to build an ocean-going steamship on his prairie farm in which he planned to return to Finland. Chrystene’s research for her film about Tom took her to the heart of the Canadian prairies, as well as to Turku and Finnish Karelia. This talk with selected screenings from the film explores the connections she found between Tom’s dreams and his Finnish roots.

Chrystene Ells The Tom Sukanen Story and the Kalevala / 9000 Years Behind the Mask Jan 22 19:00 Lecture Scandinavian Centre

Artist: Chrystene Ells / Torbjörn Alström
Series: Lecture
Venue: Scandinavian Centre
Duration: 120 minutes
Recommended Age: All ages
Price: $10 or by donation

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