GDC Canada plans to serve this fast-growing region by providing a forum for Canadian developers to share best practices for fostering ingenuity and quality within their globally distributed games. Unique to GDC Canada's content lineup is an emphasis on the production cycle of game development, with tracks focused on: Concept/Preproduction, Production, Finalling and Post Launch/Analysis. By organizing the conference tracks according to the stages of development rather than specific fields, participants can better understand production cycle efficiencies and their teammates' point of view. The Game Developers Conference Canada is taking place May 12-13, 2009 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Don Mattrick, SVP of Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, will deliver the keynote address. Mattrick leads the Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows businesses at Microsoft. The advisory board for GDC Canada is composed of expert industry veterans throughout Canada including: -- Brenda Bailey -- Deep Fried Ent. -- Steve Bocska -- Pug Pharm -- Ron Clement -- Bioware -- Howard Donaldson -- Disney Interactive Studios -- Derek Elliot -- Ubisoft -- Dave Elton -- EA (Blackbox)/IGDA -- Tabitha Hayes -- EA -- Dan Irish - -Threewave -- Jerome Kashetsky -- National Research Council of Canada -- Matt Robinson -- Bioware -- Gerri Sinclair -- Great Northern Way Campus -- Douglas Tronsgard -- Next Level Games -- Tarrnie Williams -- THQ Canada (Relic) -- Kelly Zmak -- Radical Ent. To address the growing talent, demand and opportunities within Canada, the Game Developers Conference Canada will play host to a one day Game Career Seminar. Additionally, for developers looking to address the emerging challenges of game development, the Future Play Conference @ GDC Canada, an annual conference hosted by Algoma University, will enable academic, industry and government interests to present and promote research in the area of video game development. To register for GDC Canada, learn about sponsorship opportunities or to view conference information, visit www.gdc-canada.com.

2 p.m.: An Into to Forrest J Ackerman. Rare VHS documentary film. 4 p.m.: The Best SF Convention ever. More rare VHS documentary footage. 6 p.m.: The Sons Of Famous Monsters Interviews with the some of the folk influenced by 4SJ and the 8mm films they made as kids. 7 p.m.: THE SCI-FI BOYS (2006) Written, Produced and Directed by Paul Davids. (http://www.pauldavids.com/sci_ficomp.html) Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, John Landis, Dennis Muren, Ray Bradbury, Rick Baker, Roger Corman, Ray Harryhausen and other legendary all-stars of cinema bring to life the evolution of science-fiction and special effects films from the wild and funny days of B movies to blockbusters that have captured the world's imagination. This is the story of the Sci-Fi Boys, who started out as kids making amateur movies inspired by Forrest J Ackerman's Famous Monsters magazine and grew up to take Hollywood by storm, inventing the art and technology for filming anything the mind can dream. 9 p.m.: FAMOUS MONSTER: FORREST J ACKERMAN (2007) Directed by Michael MacDonald. Written by Ian Johnston. With Forrest J Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, Bobbie Breese, Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Ray Harryhausen, Reg Hartt, Del Howison, George Clayton Johnson, John Landis, Ib Melchoir, Fred Olen Ray, Daniel Roebuck, David J. Schow, Scott Spiegel, Tim Sullivan, Jovanka Vukovic, Elwy Yost. Famous Monster takes a fast-paced, colorful look at the life of science fiction's greatest fan - Forrest J. Ackerman, whose 85 year love affair with the genre helped bring it into the mainstream and shape the way we view science fiction today. Special Guest: Ian Johnston. The Cineforum, 463 Bathurst, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 416-603-6643.

Canada's first digital 3-D film festival is set for a classic movie house in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Askew's Foods and Pepsi are proud to present the world's largest digital 3-D film festival It Came From The 3d Dimension on the shores of the Shuswap Lake in the interior of British Columbia. The festival will feature 11 digital 3D films over a two-week period playing at the Salmar Classic Theatre, March 13-26, 2009. Making their way on to the digital 3D screen will be HANNAH MONTANA/MILEY CYRUS: BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT TOUR, FLY ME TO THE MOON, U2 3D, MONSTER HOUSE, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, CORALINE, BOLT, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, MONSTERS VS ALIENS, BEOWULF and CALL OF THE WILD. Making a Canadian debut is the modern adaptation of Jack London's classic novel CALL OF THE WILD, an innovative, live-action family film starring Christopher Lloyd (TAXI, BACK TO THE FUTURE). American Director Richard Gabai will be in attendance for the opening of the festival. "The old style of 3D was a gimmick, but digital 3D really does bring the audience into the picture and gives filmmakers a new set of tools to work with" Gabai said. "I'm excited to share the movie with Canadian audiences and hope that they have a fun, exciting, and touching family experience." The world's first "24 Hours In 3D", where all films will play back to back, wraps up the festival and is the ultimate treat for the dedicated fans of 3D technology. It Came From The 3rd Dimension will play at the historic Salmar Classic Theatre, a single-screen gem built in 1949 by the Salmar Community Association. Celebrating 60 years in the movie business, they may be the only non-profit organization in North America to own and operate a traditional, first-run multiplex -- the Salmar Grand. Over those 60 years the Salmar has invested its profits back into the community to support the arts, health care, and education. Tickets go on sale Feb.20, at the theatre or online at www.salmartheatre.com.

Celebrate Joeseph Gilland's groundbreaking special effects book ELEMENTAL MAGIC: THE CLASSICAL ART OF HAND-DRAWN SPECIAL EFFECTS ANIMATION with food, drink, live entertainment and a presentation of some of the book's artwork. 6 p.m. to midnight at The Ironworks, 235 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC, 604-681-5003. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.

Algonquin College Animation Program in Ottawa, Canada is hosting its annual Grad Show on Monday April 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Observatory Pub on campus at 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. Graduates of the three year traditional drawing and 3D digital streams will be showing their films and demo reels. Students from both streams are also trained using flash and Toonboom's Harmony software. Studio copies of the "Fine Tooning" graduate art book are available to HR personnel upon request. For more information, feel free to contact Neil Hunter at huntern@algonquincollege.com or 613-727-4723 ext 5821 or check out their Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60535589181.

TORONTO, ONTARIO — Following the success of The Road, DIVE Visual Effects Supervisor Mark O. Forker will be the featured speaker at the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO) Visionary Lunch on January 8, 2010 in Toronto.

The visual effects veteran will discuss his artistic vision and dissect the workflow of his latest project, The Road—the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. 

The Road director, John Hillcoat, turned to Forker and Philadelphia-based effects house DIVE to create the ethereally bleak landscape of the novel. Forker led the DIVE team as they transformed the film’s setting with the skill and authenticity that has been praised by fans and critics alike following its November 25th domestic release.

Forker is a visual effects innovator with 25 years of experience in the field. Credits include Academy Award-nominated Apollo 13, Academy Award-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Titanic and others.

Forker’s discussion will be followed by a Q & A session.

The Visionary Lunch will be held at the National Film Board Of Canada Theatre, 150 John Street, Toronto, Ontario, 416.973.0904. Seating is limited. For more information or tickets go to the CASO web site.

CASO (www.casont.ca) is a non-profit trade association representing the digital animation and visual effects community in Ontario, Canada.

 

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About DIVE:

Based in Philadelphia, PA, DIVE (www.the-dive.net), is the visual effects and film finishing division of Shooters Post & Transfer, led by veteran Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Forker most recently Visual Effects Supervisor at Digital Domain, Los Angeles. As one of the east coast’s premier post production facilities for film finishing services, DIVE offers filmmakers the opportunity to complete Visual Effects, Digital Intermediates and Titles by coupling creative continuity with an integrated workflow. For more information contact DIVE VP Business Development, Bob Lowery or Executive Producer, Andy Williams at 267.514.7700. 

 

CG CON — The White Conference

"The White Conference" will be held April 24-25, 2010 and is projected to host more than 500 professionals and recent graduates from visual effects for film, game and broadcast graphics.

The conference will take place in Montreal and it will bring together renowned experts, top professionals and cutting edge students from around the globe for a thrilling two day event that will make an impact throughout the industry.

Three programs, each featuring a total of 8 lectures in Digital Animation, Digital Modeling, and Digital Painting/Concept Design.

SPECIAL OFFER (Now until January 24st, 2010) Regular & Student Registration $199

From February 1st 2010 to March 28th: Regular Registration $299 Student Registration $249

After March 28th, 2010 and On-site: Regular Registration $399 Student Registration $329

No refunds or exchanges are available on ticket orders. If you require assistance please email info@cgcon.net or phone (310) 774-0207.

Special rates are available to groups of 10 or more. For more information call us at (310) 774-0207 or email us at info@cgcon.net

 

Pixar Artists Masterclass coming to Toronto!

VanArts is presenting a Masterclass in Animation & Story Development, with instructors Andrew Gordon and Matthew Luhn, both from Pixar Animation Studios.

The 2-day event takes place in Toronto, Canada this summer on June 18/19th.

MORE INFO:
http://www.vanarts.com/events/pixar-artists-masterclass-toronto

Thanks & see you there!

 

From storyboard to screen, the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) brings it all together at a conference dedicated to previsualization and virtual production -- two innovative processes that are changing the face of film and TV production. Hosted by SIRT at its Pinewood Toronto Studios facility, the conference will look at how digital technology and live on-stage computer graphics are allowing film, television and gaming professionals to become more creative, collaborative and efficient.

Panels, presentations and technology demos delivered by industry experts, including:

Ron Frankel, Founder of Proof Inc. (The Green Hornet, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)Aaron Weintraub, Visual Effects Supervisor for Mr. X Inc. (Resident Evil: Afterlife, TRON: Legacy)Brian Pohl, Co-Founder of POV Previs (Star Trek, Star Wars: Episode I and II)Darren Cranford, President and Director for Keyframe Digital (X-Men, Driven, and Zombieland)Jason Walter, Virtual Production Team Consultant, AutodeskJim Laird, CFO, Bedlam GamesLui Francisco, Artistic Director, Bedlam GamesSteve Hoban, Founder/Producer, Copperheart EntertainmentDavid Footman, Scripted Event Director, Ubisoft Torontoand others...

 

Conference registration fee is $350 or $150 for partner members with a discount code. To register, go to http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=926463

THE TORONTO ANIMATED IMAGE SOCIETY PRESENTS:
ELEMENTAL MAGIC WORKSHOP – An Organic Approach to Special Effects Animation with Joseph Gilland


ELEMENTAL MAGIC WORKSHOP
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 10 AM - 5 PM
NFB MEDIATHEQUE, 150 JOHN STREET
$15, $10 TAIS/NFB members
Pre-registration suggested in order to secure your spot
See online payment option at www.tais.ca/elementalmagic.html or contact the office directly at tais@bellnet.ca


In this inspirational, full-day workshop with master special effects animator and Disney veteran, Joseph Gilland, and based on his ground-breaking book, Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation, the author brings a fresh perspective to understanding the underlying energy behind elemental special effects such as fire, water, smoke, explosions and magic.

Drawing on a life-long mission to capture the essential energy of the elements, Joseph urges his workshop participants to explore the natural world around them and inside them, to tap into the true nature of the elements and thus bring fresh, dynamic energy to the visual effects that they create. Traditional and digital artists, technical directors and computer programmers alike will discover fresh new ways to approach visual effects animation.

About Joseph Gilland:
In his long and storied animation career, Joseph has utilized his traditional and digital animation talents at such studios as Walt Disney Feature Animation, Don Bluth Animation, and the National Film Board of Canada. At Walt Disney Feature Animation, Joseph served as Supervisor of Visual Effects for the Disney classics Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear. Joseph also served as Head of Florida Special Effects Unit for the features Kingdom of the Sun and Tarzan, and was Special Effects Animator on such notable titles as Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, James and the Giant Peach, Hercules and Mulan. His broad experience also includes animating video games, several short film projects at the National Film Board of Canada, and directing dozens of television commercials as an independent director. From 2003 to 2005, Joseph headed up the world renowned animation program at the Vancouver Film School.

Joseph is currently writing a follow up volume to Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation (Focal Press, 2009) so expect some sneak peeks of his new book at this workshop.

Presented in partnership with the NFB Mediatheque and with funding support from The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.

For more info, visit www.tais.ca