ABOUT
ReelAbility was started by two film school graduates who were looking for a way to share their passion for the art of filmmaking. Having both had experience supporting individuals with disabilities, they realized the need for a filmmaking program within that community. This is the first program of it's kind in Western Canada.
ReelAbility's mission is to empower teens with physical and mental disabilities by providing an opportunity to gain a new skill set and express themselves through the art of filmmaking. We are committed to creating a program that encourages creativity, teamwork, learning and friendship.
We are a non-profit program and all of our team has volunteered their time. There is no cost to our participants.
Our Team.
Our team is comprised of a group of dedicated and accomplished film school graduates who have volunteered their time to this cause.
Donna Langille - Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder
Donna is a graduate of the Motion Picture Arts Diploma Program at Capilano University in North Vancouver. She is currently working on a degree in English and Hellenic studies at Simon Fraser University and is on the path to becoming a teacher. Donna has produced and assistant directed many short films and has worked for the Directors Guild of Canada. When Donna is not busy studying or working, you'll probably find her at the softball field or volunteering for the Special Olympics.
Tanya Hauswald - Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder
Tanya graduated from Capilano University's Motion Picture Arts Diploma Program in 2010. Since then, she has been working to finish her degree in Communications and is on the journey to working as a producer in the film and television industry. Tanya also spends her time as a support worker for people with mental and physical disabilities and has been a volunteer at Easter Seals Camp Squamish and Zajac Ranch for Children. Any free time that Tanya has left is spent horseback riding on the hunter/jumper circuit.
Marshall Whitlock - Director of Programming - Film
If you ever need to know anything about cameras or lights, Marshall is your man. Marshall is a graduate of the Motion Picture Arts Degree Program at Capilano University. He is designing the film aspect of our camp and is working hard to make this camp as amazing as possible!
Matthew Busby-O'Connor - Director of Programming - Camp
Matthew is our camp expert here at ReelAbility. He was the Camp Coordinator at Easter Seals Camp Squamish in 2011 and a dedicated camp counselor for several years before that. Matthew's job at Camp Squamish was to make sure everything at camp was done in a safe, effective and FUN manner. Now we're lucky enough to have him do the same for us!