As artists, we are typically overflowing with ideas. Many get scrapped and only a select few will see the light of day. However, if we’re fortunate enough, one or two are such a stroke of genius that its legacy will span decades. The Coen Brothers’ Fargo is a prime example of an IP that has truly stood the test of time. Since its beginnings as an Oscar-winning film in 1996, Fargo has since evolved into an award-winning anthology series on FX, featuring contributions from 22 talented Vancouver Film School alumni!
At VFS, we take so much pride in watching our alumni conquer the entertainment industry and the creative industries as a whole. For these 22 VFS animation, acting, and filmmaking graduates who have joined the cast and crew of FX’s Fargo since its first season, we want to take a moment to celebrate them and their illustrious careers.
22 Vancouver Film School alumni contributed to FX’s Emmy-winning Fargo, which concluded its fifth season earlier this year.The 22 alumni credited on FX’s Fargo are from VFS’s Film Production, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation, Acting for Film & Television, Acting Essentials, Makeup Design for Film & Television, Writing for Film, Television & Games, and Foundation Visual Art & Design programs:
- Matthew Broughton (Film Production)
- Chris Ahrens (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Juliana Wade (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Aslan Zamaev (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Lon Molnar (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Robin Dutta (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Juggy Saggu (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Reza Ghulam Yahya (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Nigel Cutting (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
- Justin Kim (3D Animation & Visual Effects; Foundation Visual Art & Design)
- Priya Ayengar (3D Animation & Visual Effects; Foundation Visual Art & Design)
- Frank Akrong (Classical Animation)
- Guy Christie (Acting for Film & Television)
- Eric Johnston (Acting for Film & Television)
- Tayden Marks (Acting for Film & Television)
- Andrew Moxham (Acting for Film & Television)
- Katelyn Spencer (Acting Essentials; Acting for Film & Television)
- Kristin Breitkreutz (Writing for Film, Television & Games)
- Angela McIntosh (Makeup Design for Film & Television)
- Ashly Mckessock (Makeup Design for Film & Television)
- Jenni Macdonald (Makeup Design for Film & Television)
- Yvonne Cox (Makeup Design for Film & Television)
Season 5 of FX’s Fargo featured a star-studded cast including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Juno Temple, and Jon Hamm, alongside the talents of VFS graduates. An Emmy-winning anthology series, Fargo (as mentioned) is a crime drama inspired by the 1996 Coen Brothers’ film. Although each season contains a standalone story with different settings/characters/timelines, each story inevitably ties back to Fargo, North Dakota, and features a similar tone, humour, and darkness. Over five seasons, the series has featured countless A-list stars, including Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jean Smart, Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Chris Rock, Jessie Buckley, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Juno Temple, and so many more. The series has also scored seven Emmys and three Golden Globes, the cherry on top of what is one of today’s most successful shows on television.
From major Hollywood productions to Emmy-winning shows, Fargo is one of many career-defining successes for our alumni. Our Film and Animation alumni, for example, have worked on other big industry projects including Star Trek: Discovery, Child’s Play, The OA, The Mandalorian, Watchmen, Dune: Part Two, Godzilla, The Hunt, The Handmaid’s Tale, John Wick: Chapter 4, and many more. Meanwhile, you may have previously seen our Acting alumni on your TV screens via The Good Doctor, Maid, Supergirl, Batwoman, When Calls the Heart, The Man in the High Castle, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Finally, our Makeup Design alumni have transformed actors for the screen on The Last of Us, Heartland, Van Helsing, The Magicians, Prey, and more.
From behind-the-scenes to on screen, VFS grads are making their mark in every corner of the entertainment industry. Want to follow in their footsteps? In 1 short year – YOU CAN! Learn about all of VFS’s accelerated, industry production programs in Film, Animation, Game, and Creative Design, how to apply, and more here.
FAQ
- What role did each of these alumni have in Fargo?
- Matthew Broughton – VFX Production Assistant
- Chris Ahrens – CG Supervisor
- Juliana Wade – Visual Effects Coordinator
- Aslan Zamaev – Matchmove/Tracking Artist
- Lon Molnar – VFX Supervisor
- Robin Dutta – Compositing TD
- Juggy Saggu – Compositor
- Reza Ghulam Yahya – Matchmove/Tracking Lead
- Nigel Cutting – Set Designer
- Justin Kim – VFX Compositor
- Priya Ayengar – Visual Effects Compositor
- Frank Akrong – VFX Compositor
- Guy Christie – ‘Roy Floyd Tillman (Man #3)’
- Eric Johnston – ‘Leon 'Buster' Lackey’
- Tayden Marks – ‘Herc’
- Andrew Moxham – ‘Ron Burgle’
- Katelyn Spencer – Casting Assistant
- Kristin Breitkreutz – Art Department Still Photographer
- Angela McIntosh – Makeup Artist
- Ashly Mckessock – Key Makeup Artist
- Jenni Macdonald – Makeup Artist
- Yvonne Cox – Special Makeup Effects Fabricator
- How did VFS’s education and training prepare these Canadian film school graduates for their successful careers in TV?
Vancouver Film School prides itself on THE VFS ADVANTAGE, which sets it apart from all other creative arts schools:
- SUPERIOR CURRICULUM: VFS offers an unmatched 1-year training model, with master instructors pulled directly from the entertainment industry. Full-time instructors provide extensive one-on-one time, while part-time instructors bring current industry experience. Small class sizes optimize training, enhance networking, and guarantee personal attention. VFS’s curriculum is regularly updated and realigned to be in lockstep with the most current industry standards.
- WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES: VFS students have access to cutting-edge facilities across 8 production centres from day 1. This includes film sets & studios, a 64,000 cubic ft. performance & motion capture volume, mixing labs & recording studios, a 180-degree green screen room, makeup labs, screening rooms & theatres, industry-standard software, and more. Students work with the same equipment and software being utilized by professionals across the creative industries.
- A PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO: Students build a powerful, multi-piece creative portfolio that will serve as their industry calling card as they begin their career.
- A NETWORK OF INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: Students forge strong connections with classmates, with students from other VFS programs (for a comprehensive knowledge of the industry), and with working professionals from the creative industries – all of which will last a lifetime.
- How does the success of Fargo compare to the career trajectories of these VFS alumni on previous projects?
The success of Fargo as a series marks a significant achievement for these alumni. When comparing Fargo to their previous credits, it is clear that Fargo stands out as a major career highlight. While many VFS alumni have worked on high-profile productions like The Mandalorian, The Handmaid's Tale, Dune: Part Two, and John Wick: Chapter 4, their contributions to Fargo have brought them recognition in one of the most acclaimed and enduring television series of recent years.
Many of the alumni have been part of large-scale, industry-defining projects across film, television, and streaming platforms, but Fargo's unique blend of storytelling, prestigious awards, and star-studded cast has elevated their careers further. It also provides them with a platform to showcase their range of skills in writing, acting, animation, makeup, and more. Overall, Fargo not only compares favourably to the other projects they've worked on but has become a definitive part of their professional journey.