begun to make his mark on both the small and big screen.

Bermudian writer/director Vanz Chapman is emerging amongst some of Canada's top talent.

Mr. Chapman was featured recently in the June issue of Playback magazine.

Playback is Canada's journal of Broadcast and Production and listed Mr.

Chapman as "one to watch''.

"With any accolade it feels good just to be recognised,'' Mr. Chapman told The Royal Gazette from his Toronto home.

"But you realise that you have to take these things with a grain of salt, there are so many variables that figure into who gets chosen for that type of recognition.'' Having just completed his film "Karma'' this past January, Mr. Chapman found the experience of developing the story from script to film a rewarding one.

"Films are a real test of resilience,'' he said. "They take a lot of resources, both financially and emotionally, to get off the ground and even more to get it done, to see it to the end.

"But if you feel that you have something worthwhile to say, making a film is both an enjoyable and learning experience.'' Presently Mr. Chapman is a story editor for a Canadian television show called "In Tha Mix''. The show centers around two friends, one who goes onto university while the other becomes a hip hop producer. Three years later the two reunite to host their own hip hop show on a college campus.

"The show focuses on the trials and tribulations of friendship while working together on a radio show,'' Mr. Chapman explained.

Shooting of the show will begin this month and it has been picked up for 13 episodes by the Canadian Broadcast Commission and Alliance Atlantis.

Getting the job on "In Tha Mix'' could not have come at a better time.

Mr. Chapman said: "I had just finished my film and I was dead broke from putting my money into doing the film. So when I was offered the job on Tha Mix it was a God send.'' Aside from his film and current work, Mr. Chapman has also completed a novel entitled -- Afrotripper. It took him nine months to write the novel which caught the attention of a literary agent in New York who wanted to represent it. The book has been published and has been reviewed in the Quarterly Black Review.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Mr. Chapman said: "The biggest influence coming from Bermuda was my mother, next was the top rate education that you get there.'' "Though Bermuda is a tiny place, it's a place where people from all over come, so there are constant cosmopolitan and worldly influences around you everyday -- that helps a lot.'' Mr. Chapman does not see Bermuda as being different than the rest of the world. Bermuda will attract people to its base of operation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chapman has been kept busy with the show in production and a number of other projects.