For his thesis Creating the Audience: Developing Monster Mashup Televison, James Robert Caswell has taken the 2010 Innovative Storytellers Award from Corus Entertainment and marblemedia.

The educational initiative launched in 2008 in conjunction with Ryerson University’s Master of Arts in Media Production program. A total of $20,000 will be awarded to the annual winners over five years, all of whom are outstanding Ryerson grad students whose theses explore the connections between content, new tech and audiences.

Caswell’s thesis looks at a website prototype that will enable entrepreneurs to develop video content with free web tools that are also cost-effective. It operates on a user-generated content model, getting audiences to create and shape content for all media platforms.

Caswell has been running a freelance production service for more than 25 years, creating effects for animation and live-action. He’s worked on projects for companies such as Nelvana, Cuppa Coffee and Walt Disney Television Animation.

Award recipients receive a grant, along with mentoring sessions with Corus and marble execs, offering guidance on the thesis and insight into content creation.