Biography

Neil Colango is a Vancouver-based Production Designer, Art Director, and Props Master in the entertainment industry. He specializes in props as his primary role in feature films and television productions. Born and raised in Bacolod City, Philippines, he was mentored during his formative years by legendary Filipino filmmaker Maurice "Peque" Gallaga, theatre director Gabriel Fernandez, and renowned production designer Rodell Cruz. Their influence helped shape him into one of the leading young art directors of his generation, with a specialization in advertising and feature films.

Because of his diverse background in production and the performing arts, Neil is a hybrid film industry technician working in both the Properties and Art Departments. He is recognized by his peers for his speed, creativity, and resourcefulness under pressure. Neil is an accomplished member of the Properties and Art Department under the jurisdiction of IATSE Local 891 in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. He also holds a sister local membership with IATSE Local 212 in Alberta, Canada.

As a member of the Properties Department, he has worked alongside senior prop masters such as David Dowling, Spencer Louttit, D. Martin Myatt, Haida Harper, Dean Goodine, Santino Barile, Kenny Gibbs, Jason Hedley, Stuart Handley, Robin Stooshnov, and Michelle Hendriksen. His credits include high-profile projects such as New Line Cinema's Final Destination, Universal Pictures' The Bourne Legacy, HBO's Peacemaker, Apple's Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Netflix's Voir, The Mother, and Midnight Mass, The CW's The 100, as well as Survivor USA and Survivor Philippines.

He is passionate about mentoring emerging film technicians and engaging with art students through hands-on projects, sharing both his practical experience and education. He has designed several short films, including Alien: Ore, Parabola, Sol, In Loving Memory, Gemini, The Day We Met, Karaoke Mamas, and Jane, among others.

As of 2024, his recent work includes production design for the Japanese-Canadian feature film Akashi, which was filmed in both Japan and Vancouver, Canada. He also served as Propmaster for filmmaker Lawrence Le Lam's Vancouver-based hip-hop opera feature film, The Chinatown Diner. He's been busy supervising Second Unit work for high-profile shows in Vancouver like Apple TV's "Smoke", Final Destination 6: Bloodlines, Disney's Percy Jackson Series and AMC's The Audacity. Neil spent a lot of years working as an Onset Art Director during his time in Asia, which helped him transition properly to the Properties Department for IATSE 891 shows in Western Canada.

When he's not working on film sets, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and loved ones or travelling solo to explore new places.
- IMDb mini biography by: Michael Nevada (Writer, Bucketheads)