User:MitchGans

Brian Belefant is an American director, producer, writer and camera operator. Belefant has directed hundreds of commercials and developed a proprietary camera filtration system allowing him to photograph subjects through liquids of particular significance to the subjects. Belefant was named 2006 Photographer of the Year by The International Color Awards.

Filmography

 * 2005 Dust to Glory (camera operator)
 * 2002 Le Mime (director, producer)
 * 2001 Vengeance (director, producer, writer)
 * 1999 Burning Passion (director, producer, writer)

Other works
Belefant developed a proprietary camera filtration system allowing him to photograph subjects through liquids of particular significance to the subjects. He shot Canada through maple syrup, Turkey through Turkish coffee, Mexico through Coca-Cola, and the South through Luzianne Ice Tea. Belefant was named 2006 Photographer of the Year by The International Color Awards.

Early years and education
Gans graduated from Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1981, and has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Florida State University.

Halloween Costumist career
Gans has constructed Halloween costumes and competed in Florida Halloween costume contests since 1984.

Halloween Costumes
 * 1981: Watermelon
 * 1984: Telephone Booth, "Big Choice" Claw Game
 * 1985: Haunted House, Airplane
 * 1987: Coke/Pepsi Machine, Rocky Horror Picture Show Virgin, Crossing Guard (with Dave the Cat)
 * 1988: Refrigerator
 * 1989: Energizer Bunny
 * 1990: Man from Mexico
 * 1991: Headless Horseman, Headless Monster, Classroom Instructor
 * 1992: Guillotine
 * 1993: Marie Antoinette
 * 1994: Duracell Man
 * 1996: Choo Choo Train
 * 1997: Bill Clinton
 * 1998: Headless Monster
 * 1999: King Love
 * 2000: Lighthouse
 * 2001: Pinball Wizard
 * 2002: Bob the Builder
 * 2003: Spongebob Squarepants
 * 2004: Fire Hydrant
 * 2005: Witching Well
 * 2006: Windmill
 * 2007: Polly and the Popcorn Machine
 * 2008: State Fair

Catman career
Gans is known as "The Catman" for having rode a bicycle with a cat named Dave on his shoulders in public from 1988 until 2004, until Dave's death at sixteen years of age. They participated in parades in Tallahassee and Monticello, Florida, and in Birmingham, Alabama. Gans and Dave the Cat led the 1988 Springtime Tallahassee Parade with U. S. Senator Bob Graham.

Gans and Dave the Cat have been featured in two books, "Tallahassee: A Capital History", by Julianne Hare, and "Florida's Famous Animals", by J. G. Annino.