Special series spotlighting Canadian animators with Robert Valley, Bruce Alcock, Danny Antonucci, Cordell Barker, Theodore Ushev and Janet Perlman runs July 8 through December 9 at Vancouver Film School.
Robert Valley’s ‘Pear Cider and Cigarettes’
VANCOUVER -- Only a Canadian knows that a Mickey isn’t just a mouse, that there’s a bigger chair for two to curl up in, and that the National Film Board of Canada is a glorious government institution proudly supporting animators. As animators, there’s only one thing that Canadians love more than animation, and that’s their home and native land, Canada. This summer, SPARK CG is bringing these two loves together for a special series entitled Canada 150: Celebrating Indie Animation in Canada.
Running July 8 through December 9, SPARK CG will be celebrating the love and pride of Canadian Indie Animation with some of the greatest animators from Bonavista to Vancouver Island, and from the Arctic Circle to the Great Lake waters, or, as they like to say in Canada, “From Eh to Zed.” This special series includes such great Canadian animators as Robert Valley, Bruce Alcock, Danny Antonucci, Cordell Barker, Theodore Ushev and Janet Perlman. Get ready to experience six months of exciting and entertaining events as SPARK CG highlights Canadian animation like never before, eh!
- July 8: Robert Valley
- August 12: Bruce Alcock
- September 9: Danny Antonucci
- October 14: Cordell Barker
- November 11: Theodore Ushev
- December 9: Janet Perlman
This Canada 150 Special Series is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an intimate afternoon with some of the country’s most legendary animators. These up-close and personal presentations will allow attendees to learn the behind-the-scenes, learning the how-to of animation, as well as networking with other like-minded producers, directors, animators and other creatives. SPARK CG invites all experienced professionals and students to discover the craft and innovation that defines the medium of animation in Canada today.
CANADA 150: CELEBRATING INDIE ANIMATION IN CANADA
July 8 – December 9, 2017
Vancouver Film School
420 Homer Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Regular: $10 CAD // Groups (5+): $7 CAD
Saturday, July 8, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
FROM GRAPHIC NOVELS TO ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEOS AND SHORT FILMS
With Robert Valley
From writing to animating to directing, Robert Valley does it all. His latest independent film, Pear Cider & Cigarettes, oozes coolness and is a very personal story about Robert and his friend Techno, was recently nominated for an Oscar. How did he do it? Find out about this and much much more about this amazing artist and his distinctive stylings in this very special presentation.
Saturday, August 12, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
THE COMMERCE OF ART & THE ART OF COMMERCE
With Bruce Alcock
Is there anything Bruce Alcock can’t do? Music, painting, TV shows, independent films, commercials, apps, video games and multimedia art projects, he has done it all. Alcock’s work has been recognized by numerous awards including the Academy and Emmy Awards. Join us as Bruce discusses the balance of art and commerce, how they affect one another and how you need both to succeed.
Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
EAST VAN RULES! THE ORIGINAL BAD BOY OF ANIMATION
With Danny Antonucci
Danny Antonucci has made a career of drawing on his childhood influences of life on the Eastside of Vancouver. From the cult classic Lupo the Butcher to The Brothers Grunt and the longest running original Cartoon Network series, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Danny Antonucci continues to influence and inspire a generation of like-minded independents.
Saturday, October 14, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
ANIMATION HEARTLAND: A FIELD OF REAMS
With Cordell Barker
As an independent animation filmmaker, who focuses on pacing, action and narrative, Cordell Barker is one of Canada’s brightest lights. With a distinguished career that has garnered two Oscar nominations and almost 50 awards from every major film and animation festival in the world, Cordell Barker has brought worldwide acclaim and attention, not only to Canada, but to its animation heartland, Winnipeg.
It is our greatest pleasure to have Cordell Barker present and discuss his multi award-winning short films.
Saturday, November 11, 2017 @ 7:00 pm
EAST MEETS WEST: THE ANIMATION OF THEODORE USHEV
With Theodore Ushev
Montreal is the most un-Canadian of Canadian cities. That’s why we love it. It’s Europe without the jetlag, Paris without the exchange rates, but with all the great things we’ve come to expect from the EU Continent. Including animation. Theodore Ushev helps keep the Eastern European sensibility alive in Montreal. Growing up with a rich cultural heritage, mixed political landscape and cross border influences, Ushev has transformed his graphic designs into animated films that at once, entrance, shock and enthrall us. By the dark subject matter, the graphic textures and the European atmospheres, Theodore Ushev takes us on a cinematic journey of dreams and nightmares.
Saturday, December 9, 2017 @ 1:30 pm
BREAKING OUT OF THE CEL. JANET PERLMAN RELEASED.
With Janet Perlman
Janet Perlman has carved out an impressive career in animated shorts, television commercials, educational films and children’s books. Alongside her independent work, her NFB films have earned international acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin. Perlman’s films are humourously funny, and yet, always convey a message. Animation has allowed Janet to incorporate all her artistic musings, drawing, storytelling and humour, dance and movement and music together. Entertaining and educational, these are the qualities that are equally important to Perlman and found in her many films.
A partnership of Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH and Spark CG, SPARK ANIMATION is sponsored by Creative BC, Bardel Entertainment, Bron Animation, Capilano University, DLA Piper, DHX Media, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Campbell River Creative Industries, CMPA, Scalar Decisions, MetaPipe and Vancouver Film School with community support from ACM SIGGRAPH and Women in Animation.
Source: SPARK CG
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.
