I have over 30 years of professional experience in the Canadian film industry, excelling in high-pressure business environments with superb multitasking and extensive logistical and management talents. I have held various hands-on roles related to film and TV production, including producing, production and location management, scouting, studio management, and consulting. My strengths include being organized, focused on deadlines, patient, and diplomatic with excellent conflict resolution skills. I have worked as CEO and General Manager of The Ridge Studios, contributing to numerous TV movies, series, feature films, and indie productions. Throughout my career, I have gained expertise in creative development, Canadian producer representation, production budgeting and scheduling, securing optioning of original materials, grant applications, and legal contract execution with private, corporate, and government sectors. I possess strong technical skills across multi-platform software and specialize in outdoor and mountain locations with experience in climbing, helicopter, rigging, and stunt coordination. I am also an active member in various professional and environmental organizations and have received awards recognizing documentary film production excellence.

John Wittmayer

I have over 30 years of professional experience in the Canadian film industry, excelling in high-pressure business environments with superb multitasking and extensive logistical and management talents. I have held various hands-on roles related to film and TV production, including producing, production and location management, scouting, studio management, and consulting. My strengths include being organized, focused on deadlines, patient, and diplomatic with excellent conflict resolution skills. I have worked as CEO and General Manager of The Ridge Studios, contributing to numerous TV movies, series, feature films, and indie productions. Throughout my career, I have gained expertise in creative development, Canadian producer representation, production budgeting and scheduling, securing optioning of original materials, grant applications, and legal contract execution with private, corporate, and government sectors. I possess strong technical skills across multi-platform software and specialize in outdoor and mountain locations with experience in climbing, helicopter, rigging, and stunt coordination. I am also an active member in various professional and environmental organizations and have received awards recognizing documentary film production excellence.

Available to hire

I have over 30 years of professional experience in the Canadian film industry, excelling in high-pressure business environments with superb multitasking and extensive logistical and management talents. I have held various hands-on roles related to film and TV production, including producing, production and location management, scouting, studio management, and consulting. My strengths include being organized, focused on deadlines, patient, and diplomatic with excellent conflict resolution skills. I have worked as CEO and General Manager of The Ridge Studios, contributing to numerous TV movies, series, feature films, and indie productions.

Throughout my career, I have gained expertise in creative development, Canadian producer representation, production budgeting and scheduling, securing optioning of original materials, grant applications, and legal contract execution with private, corporate, and government sectors. I possess strong technical skills across multi-platform software and specialize in outdoor and mountain locations with experience in climbing, helicopter, rigging, and stunt coordination. I am also an active member in various professional and environmental organizations and have received awards recognizing documentary film production excellence.

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Experience Level

Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate

Work Experience

Former Film Commissioner at Kootenay Region
January 1, 2024 - August 29, 2025
Served as the Film Commissioner for the Kootenay Region, overseeing film industry activities and supporting productions within the region.
CEO/General Manager at The Ridge Studios
January 1, 2023 - August 29, 2025
Led studio operations as CEO and General Manager, liaising for 50 TV movies, 4 TV series, 4 feature films, and numerous Canadian indie films. Managed film production studio, marketing, and represented Canadian producers in creative development across commercials, animation, and internet markets.
Director/Sponsor at Maple Ridge Festival of BC Film
December 31, 2019 - August 29, 2025
Directed and sponsored the Maple Ridge Festival of BC Film from 2016 to 2019, facilitating film festival operations and promotion.
Location Manager at Various Production Companies
December 31, 2018 - August 29, 2025
Managed location scouting and coordination for numerous TV movies, feature films, commercials, and TV series including projects for Hallmark, Odyssey Films, Nasser Entertainment, Lifetime, and others from 1991 through 2018. Specialized in organizing outdoor and mountain locations as well as coordinating complex logistical needs involving climbing, helicopter access, rigging, and stunts.
Producer at Various Productions
January 1, 2019 - August 29, 2025
Produced documentaries and commercials including 'D.T Suzuki – A Zen Life' (documentary) and 'Yamaha Impressions' (commercial). Represented producers in commercial productions and acted as segment producer for Japanese media productions.

Education

at University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1987
at Evergreen State College, Olympia WA
January 1, 1974 - January 1, 1976

Qualifications

Location Management Course
January 11, 2030 - August 29, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Government, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization