Headspinner is an award-winning creative production company spearheaded by industry veterans Michelle Melanson and Ken Cuperus headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 
We are committed to creating and executing great content for the international market. From kids and family to drama and genre, Ken and Michelle are driven by an unparalleled passion for the creative industry.

Michelle Melanson
President

Emmy and Bafta Nominated, Michelle has over 25 year’s experience in the production business with hundreds of episodes produced and over 50 awards and nominations. Prior to starting Headspinner, Michelle was President of Radical Sheep Productions, executive producing such shows as the worldwide hit The Next Step, as well as Fangbone!, The Bagel & Becky Show, Tee & Mo, Stella and Sam, The Yup Yups and Ollie The Boy Who Became What He Ate. Michelle has won the Canadian Screen award, the Grand Prize of the Youth Media Alliance, multiple Kidscreen Awards and Cynopsis Awards. She also has a Juno Award for producing the Stella and Sam Album. Michelle is Founder of the Free Group Women Drawn Together which fosters learning, mentorship and networking for those in the Animation Community. In 2019, Michelle was named to the Ryerson RTA Wall of Fame.

Ken Cuperus
Chief Creative Officer

​Ken Cuperus is an Emmy nominated writer/producer/showrunner with over one hundred hours of produced television credits, on such series as Carter, Stargate: Atlantis, The Listener, Frankie Drake, My Babysitter’s a Vampire, Mr. Young, Berenstain Bears, and Total Drama Island.
Ken is also the co-creator/showrunner of award-winning multi- cam sitcom, The Stanley Dynamic, which enjoyed a run of 52 half-hour episodes. Currently, Ken is the Showrunner on City TV’s hit drama procedural HUDSON & REX.
Along with his Emmy nomination, Ken has also been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, two Canadian Screenwriter awards, and two Canadian Comedy awards. Ken was co-writer on a Leo Award winning episode of Mr. Young.

Shabnam Shahin
Development and Production Coordinator

Shabnam Shahin is a Development professional with 10+ years of experience in the film and television industry. She earned a Master of Arts degree from Ryerson University in 2014 and is also a graduate of Ryerson’s Radio and Television Arts program as well as Tarragon Theatre’s Young Playwrights Unit. With a holistic approach to learning, she has had the wonderful opportunity of working within a variety of fields in the industry including development, distribution, programming, marketing, interactive entertainment, production, and law. She has trained with Oscar-nominated producer - David Permut, played a key role as Toronto International Film Festival’s Production Manager, and directed a comedy for LuminaTO Festival in its second year.

Chantal Saab
Development Assistant

Chantal Saab is a 4th-year student of Ryerson University’s RTA Media Production program, concentrating in TV/Video and Screenwriting. As an ACTRA actor, her recent credits include a recurring lead in Cardinal season 4 and a guest star on Burden of Truth. Looking towards a career in screenwriting and development, Chantal is dedicated to authentic inclusivity in her work.