Meet Our Team

Markella Markella

Executive Producer

Founder, Producer, Writer and Director, Markella is best known for diverse background and knack for understanding the best story to tell. With a background and studies that began in journalism (Grant Macewan University) her career has spanned business (Thompson Rivers University), finance, marketing and finally converging into video and film production where her vast background is put to use. 

Having run her own small businesses including, The Red Palette, and marketing agency, she understands first hand the challenges businesses face and to that end, what stories to tell the public and better yet, how to tell those stories. Clients working with Markella on their productions are involved in the creative process as if they were part of the team.

Markella owns and operates the group of Creative Companies including MyMM Inc., Cake By The Ocean Films and acts as the Marketing Director for Griffin Animation Academy and Griffin Animation Studios.

She has written, produced and directed countless commercial productions and ads and has both feet in creating documentaries, shorts and other creative works with Cake by the Ocean Films. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival and is passionate about creating outdoor films, ads, and stories that tie the natural world to humanity. 

Eddie Chew

Co-Founder, Lead Animation Director and Animator

Eddie Chew is the founder and primary educator at Griffin Animation Academy. He has a background in Media Arts from Curtin University and has been in the VFX / Animation industry for nearly 20 years. Eddie has worked on over 50 animated projects ranging from TV shows, Game Cinematics to Hollywood productions including Godzilla vs Kong, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies, Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse, Diablo 2: Resurrection, Halo Infinite and most recently the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. 

Eddie founded Griffin Animation Academy with the hopes of helping other animators reach the next level in their careers which he finds incredibly rewarding. The next phase for Griffin Animation Academy will be introducing its Animation Studio in 2022.

Ali Hodayi

Cinematography / Post Production 

Ali Hodayi hails is originally from Iran where he earned the reputation as one of Iran’s best colourists and became one of the industry’s most sought-after colourists. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies, Ali brings not only brings technical expertise but has the creative aptitude to support it. As a Cinematographer, he has worked on several films, episodic TV and commercials throughout Iran and in Canada. Ali brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a creative eye like no other. 

Ali Hodayi hails is originally from Iran where he earned the reputation as one of Iran’s best colourists and became one of the industry’s most sought-after colourists. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies, Ali brings not only brings technical expertise but has the creative aptitude to support it. As a Cinematographer, he has worked on several films, episodic TV and commercials throughout Iran and in Canada. Ali brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a creative eye like no other. 

Caitlin Parker

Junior Post Production 

Caitlin Parker is a filmmaker and video editor from Vancouver. She graduated from LaSalle  College Vancouver with an award for Outstanding Achievement. Caitlin has worked as an Assistant Editor on the unscripted reality television shows “Highway Thru Hell,” “Heavy Rescue 401,” and a new ‘undisclosed’ HGTV series. In addition to her filmmaking career, Caitlin is also a digital photographer.

NORTHERN BC AND THE TERRITORIES

Cinematography / Pre-Production /Post-Production 

We are thrilled to have studio headquarters in Northern BC between Prince George and Smithers. Our Northern location has allowed us to serve the Northern Communities. With our proximity to the Territories and other Northern BC locations, we have been able to reduce the common exorbitant travel costs associated with productions.

METRO VANCOUVER AND FRASER VALLEY

Cinematography /Pre-Production/ Post-Production 

With clients in the Fraser Valley we understand how important it is to have a team ready and accessible. We are proud to serve Metro Vancouver including Whistler, Squamish, The Okanagan, and the Thompson/Cariboo.

TEAM BIOS COMING SOON

EASTERN CANADA

Cinematography / Post Production / High End Events

Our Eastern Canada Headquarters services Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Provinces and International Clients. We are excited to work in the creative commercial space, film and high-end events space.

TEAM BIOS COMING SOON