Great Five Lakes

Great Five Lakes is the current home of documentary director and motion graphics artist Susan Armstrong. After years of working in New York City on award-winning projects for broadcast, commercials and music videos, I returned to Toronto to begin my own production company. Great Five Lakes has produced various short docs on topics ranging from the loss of rooming houses in South Parkdale to more personal stories about family members. My feature film 'Doormat' co-directed with Christy Garland won the Grand Jury choice for the BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AWARD at The South Asian International Film Festival. It was also screened on the CBC as part of their documentary channel. My doc shorts have been featured in the Globe and Mail. I am particularly interested in the human story behind larger political, social and cultural changes in my own neighbourhood of South Parkdale and of Canada in the world. My motion graphics work has been the recipient of many awards including AICP Gold, Mobius Gold, MTV awards Gold and Addy Award Gold. I worked for 10 years as the special effects supervisor and Flame Artist to renowned director Floria Sigismondi. Our work together includes music videos for Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Sigur Ros, Sheryl Crow, Tricky, Amel Larrieux and Amon Tobin.