The Colonie, Chicago's award-winning creative editorial, visual FX and postproduction 

boutique, continues to expand its roster of talent with the addition of assistant editors Emily Hayes and Stephania Dulowski to its creative team, and Ben Pokorny's move to the 

company's VFX/finishing department.

Ben Pokorny exited Red Car in 2012 and began working with The Colonie as editor Keith 

Kristinat's assistant, first as a freelancer and then joining the staff in 2013.  A graduate of Columbia College, Chicago (2010) where he studied computer animation, Pokorny's new position as assistant to visual FX artist, Tom Dernulc, builds upon his training, while his editing experience brings a cutter's eye to his new role. His recent work includes a spot for Nintendo Super Smash Bros. 3DS for Leo Burnett.

Emily Hayes joined The Colonie's collaborative collective of talent as assistant to editor Tom Pastorelle.  Hayes received her B.A. from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and went on to study postproduction at Chicago's Tribeca Flashpoint College. She graduated in 2013 and came onboard at The Colonie after working at Beast/Chicago. Emily Hayes was 

the winner of the Tent City division of AICE's Chicago Camp Kuleshov Editing Competition in 2014. 

Stephania Dulowski signed with The Colonie as assistant editor, and works with partner and 

creative editor Brian Sepanik and editor Brian Salazar on a variety of projects. Dulowski's recent projects include the open for The London Business School's 2015 'TEDx' Conference and a spot for Google, both cut by Sepanik.  Prior to coming onboard she freelanced as assistant editor on Kris Swanberg's feature-length indie film, 'Unexpected,' which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.  Stephania graduated in 2014 from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received a BFA in Photography and Film/Video/New Media.

"Part of The Colonie's philosophy is to handpick young, innovative assistant editors and 

visual FX artists - like Emily, Stephania and Ben - and pair them with accomplished 

senior talent committed to helping them develop their skills, which has been key to the 

ongoing expansion of The Colonie's multi-disciplined collaborative team," says Sepanik, "It's 

also essential to continuing to create the caliber of work that has established The Colonie as 

a high-end turnkey creative resource for national and regional broadcast spots and digital 

commercials, as well as media content for a mix of platforms." 

About The Colonie: 

The Colonie is an award winning Chicago-based creative editorial, motion design, visual FX 

and finishing boutique with a seamless, full-service approach to creating spots and cross-

platform content that engage, entertain, inform and move audiences.  

A multi-disciplined collective of creative, technically skilled storytellers work as a creative partner with clients, following a shared vision - from rough-cut through completion. A wide range of national and global clients, such as Nintendo, McDonald's, Pepisco and Bayer, rely upon The Colonie's accomplished team of talent to consistently deliver compelling creative content that elevates the viewer's experience and connects them to brands. 

For more information about The Colonie and its services, visit www.TheColonie.com, contact 

executive producer Marry Caddy at 312-225-1234, or Sonia Blum or Hillary Herbst at Hilly 

Reps, 312.944.1100.