Laurence is the President of Utopia Pictures and the writer/director of several feature films in development including  TAZED THE PATHFINDERS, THE OLD CON, TAKING STOCK. 2.0 and THE GOLDEN THREAD

He has written 14 screenplays and moonlights as a script editor/analyst for BC Film and indie filmmakers.

In a parallel universe, Laurence produced, co-wrote and co-edited the low budget sci-fi musical comedy feature BIG MEAT EATER, distributed by New Line Cinema in the US and Palace Pictures in the UK - and recently re-released on DVD  by Koch Vision/Koch Lorber.

BIG MEAT EATER was hailed as one of the best pictures of the year by British critics and has become an underground cult classic. Alas, it failed to make Laurence rich.

 On the set of SAMUEL LOUNT

Laurence directed, co-wrote, and executive produced the $2 million 35 mm dramatic feature film SAMUEL LOUNT, the story of his partner Elvira Lount's ancestor who migrated from the United States to Canada and became one of the leaders of the Canadian Rebellion of 1837. Unlike the American, the Canadian Revolution failed, and this pacifist who had embraced revolution was hanged for treason. Alas, it also failed to make Laurence rich. 

SAMUEL LOUNT was produced by Moonshine Productions in association with the CBC.  The film premiered at the Toronto and Seattle Film Festivals. It received five Genie nominations (Canadian Academy Awards) and  has been sold worldwide.

Laurence and his partner Elvira founded Moonshine Productions Ltd in 1983., the first publicly traded Western Canadian entertainment company. They sold the company in 1986 and used the prceeds to set up Utopia Pictures in 1987.

In a previous life, Laurence wrote, directed and edited documentaries, TV pilots, and short comedies, including CAMPUS CARNAGE,  ROOF MAN and THE CAR SHOW. 

To supplement his lifestyle, (ie pay the rent), Laurence has been known to moonlight as a  script editor, newspaper publisher/ photographer and a book editor.

After graduation from the Simon Fraser film workshop he also gained valuable experience washing Ventian blinds as a production assistant at the National Film Board of Canada.

Laurence has a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of British Columbia, is a graduate of the Simon Fraser University Film Workshop and was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Business and Production from the University  of Southern California's School of Cinema in Los Angeles. Much to his amazement, he graduated in 1977 at the top of his class, on the Dean's List.

Laurence was born in London England in 1950 of an Irish father (Limerick born Frank Keane), and a Londoner, June Acland. The Keane family moved to Canada in 1955, moved back to England in 1956 because June couldn't stand the winters! And  strangely enough, the family came back for more sleet and snow in 1957. Laurence  grew up  in Toronto cheering for the Leafs until he  moved to Vancouver in 1967 and became interested in girls.

By the age of 21, Laurence had obtained  black belts in judo and jujitsu, helped pave the Alaska Highway, spent four months hitchhiking around Europe on $3 a day, and bought and sold revenue properties in Kitsilano, Vancouver and generally lived a full life. It's been downhill ever since.

Majoring in Political Science, Laurence has naturally had a continuing interest in the political process and the use and abuse of power. 

He briefly assisted with Vancouver Mayor Mike Harcourt's successful candidacy for Premier of British Columbia in October 1991. And  spent much of 1992 as a volunteer on former California Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown's US Presidential Campaign as a grassroots co-ordinator for the states of Washinton, Oregon, Idaho and New Mexico.