Running alongside the Ottawa International Animation Festival, The Animation Conference includes face-to-face business time, industry panels, one-on-one talks, and pitching opportunities.
Moving into its 11th edition, major broadcasters and producers will be in Ottawa September 17-19 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier to find the next 'big hit" at The Animation Conference (TAC).
TAC runs alongside the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), North America’s largest animation event, which draws in some of the world’s most talented and sought after animators and creators. Taking advantage of this unique position, TAC 2014's program focuses on content creation and exploring the connections between the artistic and business sectors. The conference includes face-to-face business time, industry panels, one on one talks, and pitching opportunities.
“Networking is at the core of The Animation Conference and it has become the 'go to' event for industry professionals to find new ideas and meet emerging creators,” states TAC Director Azarin Sohrabkhani. “TAC has also become an important place for Canadian animators to sell their projects to a broader market.”
One of the most important sessions for attending producers is Fast Track, a speed-pitching event, where they have the opportunity to meet privately with dozens of highly desirable executives in one shot. Close to 40 major companies, including Cartoon Network, CBC, Corus Entertainment, PBS and Teletoon, will be attending Fast Track.
Another key event of TAC is Art+Biz day, which Sohrabkhani started last year as a way for featured OIAF filmmakers to connect with industry professionals who are always eager to see fresh talent and innovative projects. Vincent Waller, Creative Director of SpongeBob SquarePants, is the featured keynote speaker of Art+Biz, following a networking brunch.
The one-on-one sessions give delegates the chance to hear respected industry professionals engage in informal chats about animation, life, and whatever else they feel like talking about! This year Tom Warburton, creator of Codename: Kids Next Door, opens with a discussion with Chris Robinson, Artistic Director of OIAF, followed by Social Deviant’s Marc Landsberg discussing how the explosion of social media content is driving consumer engagement. Then Mercury Filmworks President Clint Eland sits down with Eric Coleman, SVP of original series, and Mike Moon, Vice President of creative to explore how Disney Television Animation has been creating hit after hit. Closing the day is a chat with Melissa Wolfe about one of digital media's more innovative companies, Amazon Studios.
Seminars, panels and other TAC sessions explore the practical aspects of animation development and production, including turning ideas into pitches, alternative financing, legal matters, family feature films in Canada, and juggling co-production relationships. Case studies are a popular way for producers to examine issues and to discuss solutions. This year two cases will be highlighted; the first, will look at the multiple screen/multiple format Chop Chop Ninja and the second, will chart the evolution of Dora the Explorer to Dora and Friends: Into the City.
The TAC Boat Cruise is back by popular demand. This 2-hour sightseeing cruise is a great opportunity for delegates to get up close and personal with industry executives, who have nowhere to run to! It also provides the opportunity to explore the beauty of Ottawa and other popular sites in the scenic Capital.
Source: The Ottawa International Animation Festival
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
