Sheridan grads earn Emmy award nominations

Four alumni from Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design have received nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards. Craig Henighan (Media Arts ’95) and Jill Purdy (Media Arts ’96) have earned nods for their work in sound, while Matthew Whelan (Animation ’03) and Brodie McNeill (Media Arts ’05) are recognized in special effects categories. 

“Our alumni make stunning contributions across the film and television sectors,” says Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor of Sheridan. “Their talents are essential to the storytelling that brings rich experiences to audiences worldwide. Sheridan is immensely proud to see their work honoured with Emmy nominations.”

Henighan and Purdy received two nominations each. They share one in the category of Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (one hour) for their work on the Netflix series Stranger Things. Henighan received another nomination for Stranger Things in the category of Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (one hour). Purdy received a second nomination in the category of Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special, for her work on another Netflix original titled Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities.

A five-time Emmy award winner and an Oscar nominee, Henighan has cemented himself as an expert in the field of sound editing and mixing.  Purdy, meanwhile, was nominated for an Emmy in 2015 and 2022. She received wins for sound editing in 2022 from the Directors Guild of Canada and Motion Picture Sound Editors for her work the feature film Nightmare Alley.

Whelan’s Emmy nomination is in the category of Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode for his work as VFX Supervisor on the Apple TV+ mini-series Five Days at Memorial. He has already won a Visual Effects Society Award for his work on the series, and he was previously nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for achievement in visual effects.

McNeill is also nominated for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode for the Netflix smash-hit Wednesday. This Emmy nod marks the first of his visual effects career, which includes work on several notable films and series such as The Boys, Creed II and The Shape of Water.

The Emmys are scheduled to be presented on September 18. Sheridan’s award-winning alumni from the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design have a long history of success at the Emmys and in other top awards competitions including the Oscars and Canadian Screen Awards—recognition that inspires our learners and the broader community.