Our Mission

Or mission is to entertain, however that may be. However audibly or visually we interpret the world, we strive to showcase the absurdity of it. We value the world, it’s people, and how we interact amongst the chaos. Utilizing a broad range of creative minds, expertise with video and audio equipment, and a determination that never wavers, we are able to create engaging productions.

Our History

Thunder Lizard Collective had its humble beginnings in 2016. Following their graduation from SAIT Polytechnic’s Film and Video Production Program, Christian Kostyniuk and Lucas Groeneveld wrote and produced “In The Trees”. A short film following the uncomfortable reunion of two half brothers and their search for a paranormal creature. Upon its completion, the groups members grew and a series of sketches were created and released on our YouTube Page. Eventually, Christian, Lucas, and Liam McGinnis created the ThunderCast, yet another podcast about movies (and all other things pop culture). The success of this show maintained the collectives growth and led to the creation of Thunder and Dragons (starring Christian, Liam, Lucas, and their friend Dan Cleghorn).

Recently Thunder Lizard Collective has started working on a series of editorials and other information based exploration on our YouTube Page.

We look forward to what is a head of us, and learn from what came before.

Our Members

Lead Lizards

Christian Kostyniuk
Lucas Groeneveld
Liam McGinnis

Joel F. Gardiner
Connor Krushel
Isiah Williams
Austyn Van de Kamp
Tanya Armes

Bios

Christian Kostyniuk
Co-Founder

Christian was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta (Moh’kinsstis) on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3).

After years of interest in film, Kostyniuk enrolled in The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (SAIT) Film and Video Production Program in 2013. Following his time at SAIT, Kostyniuk wrote and directed the short film, In the Trees. Christian is also a Podcaster, Cartoonist, and Musician (albeit a mediocre one).

Follow Christian’s Solo Efforts

• Instagram
• Instagram
• Bandcamp

Lucas Groeneveld
Co-Founder

Lucas is one of the founding members of Thunder Lizard Collective, a co-host of the Thundercast, and the Dungeon Master and creator of Thunder and Dragons.

He attended SAIT Polytechnique’s Film and Video Production program with Christian where they bonded over a shared enjoyment of Bo Burnham’s “what.” and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. He later met Liam, who at the time was cosplaying as Dr. Horrible, at the Calgary Expo.

He spends his time in his home, plotting new ways to try and kill the players in his D&D campaigns and overthinking whatever movie/TV show/video game/book he’s recently consumed.

Liam McGinnis
Producer

From his humble beginnings as a punk teenager with a bad habit of questioning everything and not keeping his thoughts to himself, Liam often had a hard time fitting in or relating with others. One day he met Christian, and they became best friends after extensively bonding over a shared love of cinema.

While finishing high school and deciding not to pursue a post-secondary education, Liam would assist Christian on various shorts and productions. This led him to eventually meet Lucas, who shared the same love for story analysis and its intersection with reality, despite sometimes endless debates. After a writing session Lucas and Christian started discussing the idea of doing a podcast and asked Liam if he would like to co-host, which was an opportunity he quickly jumped on and has actively been involved ever since.

When he’s not working or recording for the show, Liam often spends his free time out at the cinema, at home sketching, or immersed in a good comic book.

Follow Liam’s Solo Efforts

• Instagram
• Twitter