3 recent alumni share why they chose to do a BFA with UBC Theatre and Film

The Department of Theatre and Film offers three dynamic BFA programs: Film Production, Acting, and Design and Production. We caught up with three recent alumni to hear about their journeys at UBC—what drew them to the department, their most memorable experiences, and their advice for future students. If you’re considering a career in the arts and curious about life in our department, their stories offer a glimpse into the creativity and community that define UBC Theatre and Film.  

Mike Johnston, BFA ‘17, Film Production 

Mike is an award-winning Canadian Producer and co-founder of Studio 104 Entertainment, an independent production company that climbed the Playback’s Indie List in 2023 and 2024. He has participated in the Documentary Lab and Producer’s Lab at the Whistler Film Festival in 2019 and 2021. In 2023, he represented Canada at the European Film Market as a delegate for Telefilm’s Canada Producer Without Borders program. He co-produced I’m Just Here for the Riot (VIFF’23), an ESPN ’30 for 30’ documentary and served as an Associate Producer for The Grizzly Truth, a Crave Original documentary. He has produced Wild Goat Surf (VIFF ’23), financed by Telefilm Canada and Bell Media and released theatrically by Vortex Media in 2024, and Curl Power (HOT DOCS ’24, VIFF ’24) a Telus Originals documentary which will be released theatrically by Sherry Media Group in early 2025.  In 2024, Mike was nominated for the Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Award at the 2024 Indiescreen Awards and named one of the Playback Magazine’s 10 to Watch. 

Why did you choose the Film Production program at UBC?

 I grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and had spent most of my youth there, without ever really seeing Western Canada. Part of the reason that I chose UBC was because it would give me the opportunity to live somewhere I had never lived before, try something, new and study at one of the top universities in Canada. In addition to that, Vancouver is known as “Hollywood North”. Toronto’s film industry growth was not as robust then as it is today, so Vancouver seemed like a better landing spot for me if I was to pursue a degree and career in the film production sector.

What was your favourite thing about your time in the program?

The people I met in the Film Production program were vital to my success and growth and still are to this day. Having spent so much time with them given the requirements of the program, we learned very quickly how to work well together, how to problem solve, and how to support each other in both the high and low moments. My time in the program wouldn’t have been nearly as positive or successful without these people—and these relationships carry on to this day! 

What advice would you give to incoming Film Production students?

A saying that my fellow graduates and I use to this day is: “you get what you put in”.  And that is reflective of the film industry as a whole. We learned early on during our days in the program that we had to make the best of all situations, including the challenges, and push each other to create our very best work. You will get the best experience out of the program if you give it all your best effort. I continue to use this saying to this day and apply it to my work in the business.

What have been some career highlights since leaving UBC?

One of the highlights since leaving UBC is that I co-founded my own production company with three of my classmates from the UBC Film Production Program—Andy Alvarez, Diana Parry and Martin Calvo. Shortly after graduating from UBC, we decided to throw caution to the wind and start our own film production company where we develop and produce our own original and/or adapted IP for distribution domestically and across international markets. Since 2019, we have been making a splash with our feature length films and documentaries that have screened across the world. We are currently in development on our first international co-production project with the country of Colombia which is due to be directed by our own Andy Alvarez. 

Christine Quintana, BFA ‘11, Acting 

Christine is a writer, actor, and theatre-maker living on the unceded ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.  Born in LA to a Mexican-American father and Dutch-British-Canadian mother, Christine is now an East Van resident for life. Christine’s work as a playwright and actor have taken her to theatres across Canada such as Tarragon Theatre, the Arts Club Theatre Company, the Belfry Theatre and Theatre Replacement, and internationally at places like GRIPS Theatre (Berlin) and South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa). Her plays As Above, Someone Like You, and El Terremoto are slated for publication by Playwrights Canada Press in 2025 and 2026. She is a graduate of UBC’s BFA Acting Program. 

Why did you choose the Acting program at UBC?

My very honest answer was practicality—I needed to go to school in Vancouver close to home, I needed to do a program where I could work part-time on top of my classes, and I had some entrance scholarships to UBC. I was very grateful to do Arts One in my first year at UBC before starting the BFA Program, because it gave me a great base of literary knowledge going in—having context and critical frameworks to view the plays and art movements we learned about in the Acting program was incredibly enriching. I was also enamoured with the gorgeous theatre spaces the department has, so I was incredibly impatient waiting through my first year at UBC to audition for the program!

What was your favourite thing about your time in the program?

I had an incredible class, many of whom have gone on to have incredible arts careers and all of whom are bringing so much to their respective communities where they’ve ended up since! We had a can-do and inclusive attitude that made the three years a true joy. From staying late to work on monologues together, to creating our own productions on the side of our mainstage shows, I had so many wonderful adventures with my classmates. 

What advice would you give to incoming Acting students?

Be interested in more than just what’s in front of you. Take your other classes seriously, pay attention to and learn from the other theatrical departments (design, stage management, technical and more).  Most successful artists these days are multi-talented—they act but they also produce, write, do arts administration, or have a practice outside the theatre.  See all the theatre you possibly can, even recorded performances.  Being in the program, it can feel like all that matters is your performance from day to day, but becoming a holistic artist and well-rounded person is actually the key to becoming an excellent performer.

What have been some career highlights since leaving UBC?

I feel so lucky to have co-created a musical with some of my UBC classmates, which toured to Ontario and played at the Cultch. I’ve loved all my outdoor performing gigs, from Caravan Farm Theatre to Bard on the Beach. And I’m currently working on a commission for Manhattan Theatre Club—walking through Times Square to get to my rehearsals for a reading was surreal and beyond what I could have dreamed of as a student starting off my BFA. I’ve been incredibly lucky. 

Samantha Lam, BFA ‘2020, Design & Production  

Samantha Lam earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design and Production from the University of British Columbia. Stationed in Vancouver and Los Angeles, Lam has designed over 45 short films and commercials and is the recipient of the 2022 Persistence of Vision, Best Production Design Award. She served as an art director on the feature film Cold Copy, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival. Lam achieved her full union membership with IATSE 891 working on season one of Alaska Daily and is a union Art Department Coordinator. Lam is currently pursuing her MFA at the American Film Institute as a Production Design Fellow.

Why did you choose the Theatre Design & Production program at UBC?  

I chose to pursue a degree in Theatre Design and Production due to my love for scenic painting and carpentry. I initially discovered scenic painting by participating in my high school’s theatre club. The teachers who ran that club were both UBC Theatre alumni. I found the practicum portion of the curriculum really appealing and with the encouragement from my high school teachers I decided to attend UBC! 

What was your favourite thing about your time in the program?

I really enjoyed the program’s unique combination of academic classes alongside the practical. The program allows you to flourish in whichever direction you choose while simultaneously exposing students to all introductory aspects of theatre production. The classes gave me the knowledge and skills to become a storytelling designer and technician while the productions gave me the experience to apply those skills.  

What advice would you give to incoming Design & Production/UBC students?  

Be brave and have fun! Seize every opportunity that comes your way and don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty and alumni, everyone is very friendly, and these relationships last a lifetime. 

What have been some career highlights since leaving UBC?

There were a few projects that were big turning points in my career. I initially graduated thinking I would pursue a career in props, but I quickly realized I didn’t find it creatively satisfying. That’s around when a UBC Director I was assigned to as a Production Designer the year before reached out to me and asked me to design her thesis film. Through that experience I realized that I wanted to become a production designer! I went full steam ahead and designed various short films and commercials. Eventually, I worked on my first feature film, Love Me, as an Art Department Assistant and Graphic Artist. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and later screened in AMC Theatres across the U.S. Not long after I began working on union shows, primarily in television—I worked for companies such as Disney, Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount. Four years after graduating, I consulted some of my past professors and decided to go back to school to pursue my master’s degree. I’m currently pursuing my MFA in Hollywood to continue my journey to become a production designer.  

Creativity, storytelling, and collaboration are at the heart of UBC Theatre and Film. Ready to turn your passion into a career? Start your journey with us.