Computer Animation Studios of Ontario

CASO Industry Forum Post Report - Shirlyn Antonio

2011-01-31T13:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Members and Non-Members:

CASO is pleased to advise that our forum held on Wednesday, January 12th at the OITC was well attended by all invited guests and was very successful in reaching a consensus as a unified group on how to promote the industry. It was a pleasure and honour having so many representatives from various studios, colleges, government officials and freelancers who all wanted to hear and participate in the discussion on the recommendations listed in the industry strategy report, commissioned by CASO, prepared by Tom Wesson Consulting and generously funded by the OMDC.
The meeting scheduled at 9:30am was excellently moderated by Neishaw Ali (President of Spin) who sits on the CASO board as Chair Standards and consisted of a handful of panellist who were selected based on their knowledge and expertise of the industry, their previous involvement in gathering stats and working on such reports, or their contributions and dedication in assisting/preparing the report. The combined efforts of the panellist who consisted of Tom Wesson (Tom Wesson Consulting), Ron Haney (CEO/Executive Director of DCG Ontario, Board Director of FilmOntario), Nick Gray (Board Executive and Founding Member of Seventh Man Films, Board Director of FilmOntario) and Ron Estey (2009 Past President of CASO) were exceptional in answering questions, providing recommendations and feedback on the report and sharing their knowledge of the industry on what strategies should be implemented to help our industry in the future and how we should continue our efforts to establish Ontario as a stable and thriving Film and Television Community.

The forum centered around the recommendations as outlined in the report and was presented by Tom Wesson, who touched based on how the recommendations were gathered, the rationalization behind the findings and what should be the next steps in achieving our objectives of promoting our industry.

Once each recommendation was addressed, the discussion was opened to the Panel, as well as to the floor for any feedback or analysis on the stated recommendation. Overall, the consensus from all present was that the recommendations and findings were concise and accurate, and “we” as one body should work together to achieve our goal of keeping our industry a viable market, staying competitive, creating high quality work, achieving effective communications amongst ourselves and to attract investments, and fine tune the tax credits making it payable to the producers and modifying the residency requirements.

It is clear that our members and invited guest present at the forum spoke as one “Voice” and represented ourselves as a community ready to see change to our OCASE tax credit. There is no division or boundaries amongst ourselves from what we would like to recommend to the OCASE tax credit. In fact, we are all in agreement that to be competitive and to stay in the game, we have to follow suit with other markets and offer incentives to producers that would attract more work to Ontario. In promoting and marketing our industry competitively, we need to focus on quality, infrastructure, communications and team work, along with the recommended changes to our tax credits.

The Computer Animation Studios of Ontario will continue to promote the Ontario Animation and Visual Effects industry with the support of our Government, our private sector and others within the industry to promote and advocate change for the overall benefit of our industry. We hope the outlined recommendations for the OCASE tax credits will be reviewed and accepted by the government especially since we are lobbying as one “Voice”.

Shirlyn Antonio
CASO

Heenan Blaikie and the entertainment industry

2011-01-30T15:16:00.000-08:00

Heenan Blaikie’s Entertainment Law practice has been representing the legal interests of the entertainment industry for over three decades. Our internationally recognized group is the largest in the field in Canada. Based in Canada, the United States and abroad, our clients are involved in all areas of entertainment, including film, television, new media, video gaming, communications and music. They include major studios, broadcasters, independent producers, distributors, financial institutions, Internet service providers, software publishers, video game developers and publishers, special effects and post-production houses, as well as multimedia and animation studios. Many well-known directors, writers, producers, performers and other successful artists are also long-standing clients of ours.

The lawyers in our Entertainment Law practice are counsel to some of the most significant players in the entertainment industry. Some of our representative work includes:

• Acted as legal counsel for Electronic Arts in their establishment of operations in Canada.

• Represented Lions Gate Entertainment in connection with a $210-million slate financing deal led by Goldman Sachs.
• Represented Canada Film Capital Limited Partner-ship[CFC],an affiliate of Rainmaker Income Fund, in connection with a $33-million revolving credit facility with Royal Bank of Canada.
• Counsel to Vice Magazine and its sub-sidiaries Vice Records and Vice Films. We represented Vice Magazine in the launch of the magazine in Japan, Australia, the U.K., Sweden, Italy, Germany and New Zealand, and represented Vice Films in their partnership with MTV Networks

Heenan Blaikie provides its entertainment clients with fully integrated areas of corporate financing, international co-productions, labour and employment, intellectual property, merchandising and licensing, media and communications, litigation support, competition and trade, and other areas of law that assist Canadian and international clients to establish and carry on business in the Canadian media and communication sectors.

For more info:
http://heenanblaikie.com/

CASO Launching New Website February 1st!!!!!

2011-01-30T14:39:00.001-08:00

What better way to start the new year with a little bit of remodeling.
On Feb/1/2011 CASO will be launching their new and improved website www.casont.ca. As a member of CASO you'll be able to have your very own profile page. Here you'll be able to post videos, pictures and blogs about what amazing stuff you're up to. The monthly newsletter will also be available, along with webcasts, events and resource links and much more!

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter on the new site. We will be integrating the new system and don't want anyone to be missing out on the scoop!

Here's a sneak peak of what's in store.

4th Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum

2011-01-29T12:07:00.001-08:00

4th Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum
Rio Content Market
March 16 – 18, 2011
Windsor Barra Hotel, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

The Rio Content Market is an international market place where multi-platform content will be given prime visibility. Over 500 national and international decision makers are expected to attend and discuss the creation and distribution of digital media and multi-platform content. More details about the program and speakers can be found at www.riocontentmarket.com.

On its 4th edition, the Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum will take place inside the Rio Content Market and it will be organized by two local industry associations with full support from the Canadian Consulate in Sao Paulo. This event is designed to allow content producers (digital media/TV/Film) from both countries to understand each other's business environment and markets and discuss potential opportunities for co-production.

1. Main activities

a) Keynote, Panels and Case Studies presentations – Both the Rio Content Market and the Coproduction Forum will bring keynotes, panels and case studies presentations dedicated to address the opportunities offered by international partnerships in all genres and platforms, be it documentaries, drama, format concepts or current trends in television business and new media.
b) One-on-one meetings – There will be a prescheduled agenda of one-on-one meetings for the Canadian delegates of the 4th Coproduction Forum. Participants that wish to meet individually with potential partners will have to submit their bio/company information by February 11th so the organizers work on the matchmaking process.
c) Networking activities - In addition to a Brazil-Canada cocktail, there will be plenty of networking opportunities during the Rio Content Market. There will be a large contingence of Brazilian and international television/feature film/digital media producers, broadcasters, telecom operators, etc.

2. Estimated Travel Expenses

• Return ticket (Toronto/Rio de Janeiro/Toronto): from C$ 1400
• 4-night accommodation: C$ 700 (quoteJan20 - Promenade Paraiso, near the Windsor)
• Conference Registration: complimentary (must register online before Feb. 4th)
• Coproduction Forum / Business meetings: complimentary (must submit bio by Feb 11th)

To confirm your participation, submit your bio or to obtain more information, please contact:

Fernanda Whitaker
Trade Commissioner, New Media & Cultural Industries
Canadian Consulate General - São Paulo - Brazil
Email: fernanda.whitaker@international.gc.ca

MIFA 2011

2011-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

For over 25 years, the International Animation Film Market (Mifa) has been encouraging synergy between professionals, helping to get projects off the ground and contributing to the circulation of works.

Meet up with all the players in the animation industry from TV, movies, video, VOD, internet and mobile phones.

For dates and to learn more about MIFA 2011 follow the link below;

http://www.annecy.org/annecy-2010/mifa/mifa-presentation

Sheridan Pilot Training

2011-01-10T21:07:00.001-08:00

Spaces are filling up fast! Our first pilot program, Building Leaders, has almost filled to capacity - have you and your studio secured your place yet?

Sheridan College and SheridanCorporate in partnership with the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), have developed a series of groundbreaking day-long learning programs designed to deliver insights and skills in management leadership, entrepreneurship, employee training and pipeline efficiency within the animation, digital media and VFX industry.

As a result of our OMDC funding, Sheridan is pleased to offer animation, digital media and VFX professionals a one time opportunity to participate for free in this exciting pilot training before we launch this training to the community at large.
Spaces are still available in the following programs:
• Building Leaders: Leadership Skills Development (February 26 - April 30, 2011) Over the course of 5 separate days, participants will learn techniques and insights towards effective leadership, strong communication, building and managing high- performing teams and much more.
• Career Portfolios: Entrepreneurial Skills Development (May 14 - June 25, 2011) Over the course of 4 separate days, participants in this program will explore a variety of techniques designed to enhance their access to opportunities, contribute more effectively to the studio environment and, most importantly, increase their personal brand and influence in the industry.
• Employee Onboarding: Studio Training Development (Fall 2011) Over the course of 2 days, participants in this program will learn tried and true techniques for assessing new employee learning styles, setting up an effective training process and creating clear channels for feedback and communication, all with the intent to enable new hires to become successful contributors in new environments.
• Understanding the Pipeline Workflow (Fall 2011) Particpants in this one day program will explore the broader ecosystem of their industry, including how productions are brought to studios, the key stakeholders and influencers in the production process, as well as discuss current and future trends of the industry both locally and globally.
• Diagnosing the Pipeline Workflow (Fall 2011) Participants in this one day course will explore a variety of these techniques and their effective application to their own studio environments, with the intention of developing new methods of diagnosing and overcoming bottlenecks and issues within the pipeline and workflow.
What next?
We are looking for a broad range of professionals from the animation and VFX industry to participate in our pilot programming. Please note that enrollment in these exciting programs will be limited in each course on a first-come first-served basis. To find out how you or your staff can become involved, or for more information, please contact:
Ben McEvoy, Project Manager / Animation Learning Consultant ben.mcevoy@sheridanc.on.ca / ben@benmcevoy.com / 647.886.5236
© SheridanCorporate, 2010. All Rights Reserved. 1

Vortex 2011

2011-01-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

The Vortex competition begins this year on January 19th, 2011 with Boot Camp, to be followed by 2 rounds of Competition on February 2nd and February 24th, and culminates with the finals on March 30th, 2011 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Now in its sixth year, the Vortex Videogame Conference and Competition has evolved into a full-blown, multi-day, competition and conference. Here, emerging game developers can gain skills, knowledge, and networking experience by learning about the industry and submitting their ideas to the top movers and shakers in the Canadian videogame world. The goal of Vortex is to provide business development opportunities for videogame entrepreneurs in the digital media industry. New this year Boot Camp offers Tips from the Trenches case-study sessions from experts in each platform.

http://www.vortexcompetition.com/

MEDIA CONTACT
Glenda Fordham, Fordham PR
T: 416-966-2049
E: fordhampr@rogers.com
Follow Vortex at www.twitter.com/vortexcomp

GENERAL ENQUIRY
T: 416 944 8105
E: info@vortexcompetition.com

Keynote Announcement for GameON: Finance 2011

2011-01-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

Keynote Announcement for GameON: Finance 2011
North America’s Premier Investment Forum for Digital Games welcomes top investors and speakers

January 4, 2011 – Interactive Ontario (IO) is pleased to announce that Rémi Racine, President and Executive Producer of Behaviour (formerly Artificial Mind & Movement) will be a keynote speaker at GameON: Finance 2011. Don Carmody, President of Don Carmody Productions, and Dino Patti, Co-Creator of LIMBO, and co-founder of Playdead Games will also be featured keynote interviews at the conference, taking place on January 20 & 21 at the Design Exchange, Toronto.

For the past 18 years, Racine has positioned Behaviour as a world leader in the video game industry. Under his leadership, the company has ranked simultaneously amongst the Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ and Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies™ from 2006 to 2008.

Carmody produced feature films Silent Hill and Resident Evil: Afterlife, which recently topped worldwide box office receipts of over $280 million -- making it the most successful production in Canadian feature film history, surpassing previous box office champion PORKY’S, also produced by Don Carmody. In November 2010, Boondock Saints was released on the iPhone, iPad & iTouch.

Patti is co-creator of the critically acclaimed title, LIMBO, which has now received several international awards including two awards at the Independent Games Festival in San Francisco and 3 Milthons for Game of the Year, Best Indie Game and Best Visual Art at the European Games Awards.

GameON: Finance offers advice on transmedia digital game projects, and funding strategies on how to create a game or app that expands screen-based creative. GameON: Finance offers delegates the insider business and market knowledge needed to understand how to budget, build and finance your mobile, online, social, or ipad, game. Through one-on-one meetings, GameON: Finance fosters partnerships and connections needed to get a game financed, developed and distributed.

Keynotes, panel discussions and interviews will cover boot-strapping, venture capital, government programs and alternate funding models.

For a full list of speakers, the schedule and tickets visit: http://www.gameonfinance.com/
By registering with this code CASOGOF11, you will receive a 15% discount off regularly priced tickets!

PREVISUALIZATION 2 Day Conference

2011-01-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

Confirmed speakers include:
Ron Frankel, Founder of Proof Inc, and co-chair of the joint Committee on Previsualization of the American Society of Cinematographers/Art Directors Guild/Visual Effects Society, and Brian Pohl, co-founder/previsualization supervisor at POV Previs. Both Ron and Brian are co-founders of the Los Angeles-based Previsualization Society, and their companies are two of the global leaders in the previsualization field. Other confirmed speakers include Aaron Weintraub, Visual Effects Supervisor for Mr. X Inc., experts in previsualization and visual effects for both 2D and stereoscopic 3D feature films (Resident Evil: Afterlife, TRON: Legacy, and The Three Musketeers, currently in post-production); Darren Cranford, President and Director for Keyframe Digital, one of Canada’s first companies to concentrate on previsualization for films including X-Men, Driven, and Zombieland; and Jim Laird, Managing Director and CFO, Bedlam Games Inc., a Toronto-based developer of next generation video games (Scratch: The Ultimate DJ).

Production practices and workflow will also be demoed and discussed by a variety of companies including: motion capture industry leader Vicon; Jason Walter, Autodesk Media and Entertainment Consulting, presenting a virtual production test case project. Additional local and international presenters to be confirmed in the next two weeks include a mix of individuals active in previsualization and virtual production from a variety of fields including directing, cinematography, production design, visual effects and producing, as well as from film, television and game sectors.
Speakers list subject to amendments.

Registration fee:
Public fee: $350
Member fee: $150 for event co-sponsors and SIRT partner members with a discount code.
Discount code instructions:
Members of partner organizations will receive a discount code in correspondence from their organizations.
On the Registration Start Page click on the drop down list "Select registration type".
Select option "SIRT Partner Discount".
In the field "Partner Identification Number (If Provided)" enter the code your member organization has provided to you.
Select "Continue" button.

Venue:
SIRT Studio and Pinewood Toronto Studios.
Pinewood Toronto Studios is Canada's largest studio complex with more than a quarter million square feet of production space, including 7 state-of-the-art, purpose-built soundstages ranging from 10,000 to 46,000 square feet. Localized support facilities include office space, mill shops, lock-ups, craft rooms and wardrobe suites.

Day 1: PREVISUALIZATION

A general introduction to the history and current state of previsualization and virtual production within film, television, and gaming will be followed by a focus on previsualization practices. Previsualization has been described as “a collaborative process that generates preliminary versions of shots or sequences, predominantly using 3D animation tools and a virtual environment. It enables filmmakers to visually explore creative ideas, plan technical solutions, and communicate a shared vision for efficient production.” *From ASC-ADG-VES Joint Technology Committee on Previsualization

The process is designed as a immersive and interdisciplinary one, whereby directors, cinematographers, production designers, visual effects artists and others are engaged in working through both technical and creative aspects of production planning, with cost savings as a benefit. But with changes come challenges and opportunities that can only be dealt with effectively through informed application of technology by our industry’s creative, technical, and management professionals. How can you best become a part of the international group of professionals shaping the present and future application of these processes within production?

Panels for the day will focus on:
• The current state of the art and practice of previsualization and its relationship to virtual production. How is previs impacting traditional production practices and what are its implications for creative choices, production efficiency, and potential new business models?
• How these changes affect your role within the production process, whether an artistic, technical or financial professional. How do you best utilize the technology in your work and in your relationships with other professional categories involved in a production? How do you take control of the technology instead of just riding the wave?
• Actual production examples of the use of previsualization within a variety of forms of production;
• the additional importance of previsualization within S3D production – as a general learning tool but also within the production process. What are the options and the processes professionals are adopting to make sure they get it right on their S3D projects?

Day 2: VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
The second day’s panels will focus on emerging trends in virtual production which were given significant impetus by the technological developments and publicity surrounding their use in Avatar. “As a starting point, virtual production is defined as ‘computer graphics on stage’, or the process of shooting a movie with real-time computer graphics, either for all-CG movies (such as Christmas Carol) or visual effects movies with live action (such as Avatar).” * From Virtual Production Committee (a joint effort of the American Society of Cinematographers, the Art Director's Guild, the Visual Effects Society, the Previsualization Society, and the Producers Guild of America).

The panels will consider what this means in terms of the technologies and business models for production of both animated and live action/visual effects projects. They will consider how this development is being both driven by and fosters the integration of film, television, and game content production. Discussions will also centre on how technological developments can impact the roles and interaction of those in front of and behind the camera within the production.

Panels for the day will focus on:
• State of the of the art of virtual production and the convergence of virtual production business models as used in film, television and gaming; How are these changes affecting the dialogue and collaboration among film, television and game practitioners?
• Virtual Production options and production examples in an Animation Pipeline
• Virtual Production options and production examples in a live action/visual effects pipeline
• The impact of virtual production practices on the role of the actor and their relationship with the director and other production keys

Your New CASO Board Members

2010-11-26T07:27:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to the 2010 - 2011 CASO board members!

The CASO Annual General Meeting came to a close with these names now on the CASO Board!

Wes Lui,
President, Government Relations, Finances

Chair

Neishaw Ali, Standards
Darin Bristow, Membership
Marianne Culbert, Communications – Animation
Juan Lopez, Marketing Animation
Lon Molner, Marketing VFX
Alex Olegnowicz, Membership Services
Tom Turnbull, Communication VFX

Michael Carter,
Past President

Shirlyn Antonio,
Business Affairs

From The Desk of Wes Lui, 2010-2011 CASO President

2010-11-26T07:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Members,

Being apart of CASO for the past two years I have been fortunate to collaborate with Studio owners, executives, government officials and delegates aboard. As my involvement in our industry and with CASO grew, I better understood the passion each past Board Member and President had for our industry. CASO offers a unified presence to support the marketing and viability of our industry. Through the mentorship and integrity of the Board Members before me, I look forward to continuing the successful programs set in place while developing new initiatives with the 2010-11 Board of Directors. There are many new faces to the board, all of whom are very successful in their own right. I look forward to their contribution and experience as we approach the new Board year.

Our mandates for CASO will be to provide a community based marketing approach while developing specific strategies for VFX and Animation. Through this, we have also dedicated separate roles for communication in both respected fields. This will create a concentrated approach and allow for quicker feedback from our members to our clients and governing bodies.

All levels of government have been gracious supporters to CASO; their relationship is critical to each studios success. As such, the board has divided the varying government sectors to allow for focused communication and attention to each relationship.

Each Board of Director's have been assigned a primary Chair and will sit on a secondary Chair Committee to meet the demands of our roles and objectives. All of these steps are to ensure opportunities for membership participation. Whether members collaborate together on projects or with CASO initiatives to develop a growing vibrant community, participation from our members will be what drives our industry. Get involved with the various committee's, programs and trade missions - We want to hear your voice.

Wes Lui,
President, CASO

All In

2010-11-23T18:36:00.000-08:00

For the past two years I've had the pleasure of sitting on the Board of CASO to represent our Industry and be apart of the community at large. The Board consists of all studio owners and executives alike with over 250 artists to smaller twenty person shops. It's never easy making money through artistic creativity nor is it easy balancing the need to express creative output with a strained budget. Listening to studios find new ways to reach higher levels of quality while keeping costs low is an all too familiar regime. Studio owners want the best for their artists and their clients. As the manner in which people digest content through a whole host of platforms, studio owners are constantly changing they way they do business. It is the speed of change that I feel CASO is most important. It's developing a community where owners and executives can share ideas and reach out to more people, clients and their employees. Ontario has the best in software development, world-class education system and seasoned professionals in all aspects in VFX and Animation. With the support of the Ontario Government, Sponsors and our members, I'm excited to act as President of CASO for the upcoming year and create strategic initiatives with the new Board of Directors.

We've got much work to do and look forward to the challenge.

Wes Lui

Previs and Inception Newsletter Summary

2010-11-23T09:46:00.001-08:00

The Previsualization Breakfast with Panelist Rob Morgenroth (Previsualization Society) Darren Cranford (Keyframe Digital Production), Justin Denton (HALON Entertainment LLC), Jericca Cleland (Twenty One Inc), Bret Clup (Starz Animation) and David Morin ( Joint Technology Committee on Virtual production) was well attended with about 40 people from within the Industry, including College and major Studio representatives. The Previsualization video conference touched based on quite a few topics including the history of Previsualization, a documentary on what Previsualization is today, how the panelist use Previs, Production Challenges, Workflow/ Software/ Hardware/ Experience with Panelists (i.e. Converging Roles, Cohesive Production Environment) with video clips and images to enlighten the attentive audience. The interactive conference allowed the panelist and audience to interact with each other and opened the floor to any Q/A or feedback.

Previsualization is a collaborative process that generates preliminary versions of shots or sequences,
predominantly using 3D animation tools and a virtual environment. It enables filmmakers to visually
explore creative ideas, plan technical solutions, and communicate a shared vision for efficient
production.

CASO would like to acknowledge our sponsors OMDC, HP, SIRT and Previsualization Society for their steadfast contributions and support.

CASO is also very proud to report that the Inception Lunch held on October 7th at the Scotia Bank Theatres with Paul Franklin and Rob Hodgson was another huge success with over 80 people attending from Colleges such as Sheridan, Humber, Seneca, various studios and film representatives and Government officials. The discussion with these key visual effects creatives, centered around how key software and techniques were used on the set, some of the methods and insights used to create and execute the stunning visual effects in the movie and how collaboration and thought created not only a dynamic movie but outstanding visual effects.

Again CASO would like to acknowledge our sponsors OMDC, DFAIT and HP for their steadfast contributions and continuous support.

Cure for 3D Viewing Motion Sickness in the Works in Canada

2010-11-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

TORONTO -- A cure for nausea or headaches from 3D movie or TV viewing is in coming from Canada.

Starz Animation Toronto has teamed up with Canuck academics to ease or even end motion sickness that movie and TV audiences experience in a virtual world.

The fault, says York University film professor Ali Kazimi, lies in 3D stereoscopic cinematography.

"The reason people feel nauseous or have discomfort, headaches or eye strain is when there's something being done improperly or incorrectly in the Stereoscopic 3D process," Kazimi explained.

The challenge, adds Rob Burton vp of technology at Toronto-based Starz Animation, is controlling stereoscopic camera parameters to generate comfortable 3D images, where possible.

Discovering a more viewer-friendly stereoscopic film language and camera work is especially important as 3D audiences increasingly move from stationary seats in a cinema to watching stereoscopic content in homes, where neck angles and sight-lines vary greatly as viewers move round a 3D TV set.

"Unless you shoot multiple versions for different viewing venues, it's difficult to make a one-size-fits-all model for stereoscopic 3D production," Burton said.

To produce stereoscopic 3D imagery that leaves viewers less queasy, Starz Animation has pacted with Kazimi to make Lovebirds a 3D live action/animated short.

Burton explained Starz Animation already had a stereoscopic 3D unit in Toronto, but tended to put storytelling first before considering how the 3D production process helps tell a story.

With Lovebirds the Starz Animation crew talked extensively with Kazimi, the live action director, at the rough story-boarding stage to consider how stereoscopic 3D camera parameters might impact the story-telling, and what were the format's potential caveats and pitfalls.

"Being able to simulate what you would get with a real stereoscopic camera in a CG environment before stepping onto a live action stage was really invaluable," Burton said.

Love Birds, created and directed by Gary Dunn, portrays a hapless romantic bird and his first experience with dating, is conceived in a CG environment, and set against a live action background.

Stereoscopic 3D imagery helps viewers appreciate the physical size and scale of characters in a movie or TV show through the use of binocular vision.

So the Starz team and Kazimi had to consider how they wanted an audience to perceive their position in relation to a tiny 3D bird.

"Do we want the viewers to feel like their chin is on the ground looking at a bird that's four inches tall, or do we want the viewer to feel they are on-par in terms of scale with the bird?" Burton questioned.

The decision was making the bird larger in scale in all the stereoscopic 3D camera shots to get viewers more into the two-legged animal world, starting with the opening scene.

"We chose stereoscopic camera parameters that convey the appropriate physical size and scale and, as we get into the story over the next few shots, we slowly bring the viewer down to this smaller size by manipulating the stereoscopic parameters," Burton explained.

Kazimi adds that calculating how best to place the animated birds against the live action background when producing Lovebirds offered vital clues to the relationship between stereoscopic 3D live action and animation integration, and scaling and eye vergence.

Easing or eliminating discomfort of viewers experience with 3D content is vital, the Canadian academic insists, before stereoscopic 3D possibly gets a "bad name, and audiences get frustrated with it.

The Lovebirds shoot is part of the Toronto-based 3D Film Innovation Consortium, which has brought a host of private and public sector partners together to research stereoscopic 3D perception and provide best practices for 3D cinematography.

Original Source http://ca.movies.yahoo.com/news/usmovies.thehollywoodreporter.com/cure-3d-viewing-motion-sickness-works-canada

Jump Start Breakfast Series

2010-11-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

nextMEDIA 2010

2010-11-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Running November 29 & 30 at the Design Exchange in Toronto, nextMEDIA 2010 will be brings together the highest growth areas of the converging next-generation entertainment marketplace, including content production, broadcasting, advertising, music and publishing. As a member of ACCT you are eligible for a discount of $220 off of the regular registration rate. Learn, strategize and collaborate through facilitated meetings, networking, high-level keynotes and sessions, and an exclusive invitation to the Canadian New Media Awards on Dec. 1, 2010. Click here to access your discounted registration.

https://registration.achillesmedia.com/delegate_registration/collect_info?product_id=1087&product_code=9PrfG5ynW7

Board Nominee - Neishaw Ali

2010-11-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Neishaw Ali - President /Executive Producer

SPIN has been creating VFX, Animation, Matte Painting and Motion design for the feature film, television series, commericial and broastcast markets with facilities in Toronto, Vancouver, Atlanta and Los Angeles. They bring over 20 years of visual effects and animation experience to your Production in the areas of Onset Supervision through to Digital Matte Painting, 2D/3D Animation and Title Design. As your VFX Production partner, we are committed to creative excellence and sensitive to your budgetary constraints.

Board Nominee - Tom Turnbull

2010-11-01T06:43:00.001-07:00

Tom Turnbull
President
Rocket Science VFX

Although Tom Turnbull started his career in film in 1982 as freelance cinematographer; his first work in visual effects began at age 10, assisting his older brother in creating a claymation sci-fi epic. It was not long afterwards that he graduated to his own trick cinematography, creating back yard miniature exploding space ships and beams of death, eventually winning the Vancouver Planetarium’s best fake UFO photo contest.

In 1992, Tom began working for GVFX as a freelance effects cinematographer. As the company grew from five employees to fifty, Tom soon became one of the company's senior Visual Effects Supervisors and Motion Control specialist. In 2003, Tom co-founded Rocket Science Visual Effects, a boutique facility specializing in photo real visual effects for features and high end television.

Tom is one of the Canada's veteran Visual Effects Supervisors whose worldwide credits include commercial, documentary, television and feature production. He has extensive experience with Motion Control as well as Motion Capture, Miniatures and VFX plate photography. He is the recipient of three Gemini Awards for Best Visual Effects for Terry (CTV 2006), Shattered City: the Halifax Explosion (CBC 2004), and The Arrow (CBC, 1998) and has been nominated for a Prime Time Emmy for the Haven (CBS , 2000), Path to 9/11 (ABC) and Fringe (Fox Television). He recently won the BAFTA for Best Visual Effects for his work on the BBC’s adaptation of John Wyndham’s Day of the Triffids. Tom's recent credits include Warner Bros. features License To Wed and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Atom Egoyan’s Adoration, BBC’s Day of the Triffids and Screen Gems’ Resident Evil: After Life 3D

Board Nominee - Juan Lopez

2010-10-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

Juan Lopez
Managing Director
Pipeline Studios Inc

Juan Lopez, President and Co-founder of Pipeline Studios Inc., is responsible for the business development, production finance, tax planning and management of the studio operations. Juan is certified by the Canadian Securities Commission, is a Sheridan College graduate in Business Administration – Finance and a Degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Western Sydney, Australia.

Juan has led the development of the company’s global business in order to become a key service player in the animation industry. Under his leadership Pipeline Studios Inc continues to produce internationally renowned and award-winning children's animated content such as The Backyardigans, Babar, Grossology and Guess With Jess.

Before founding Pipeline Studios, Juan directed and managed another start-up company in the Entertainment industry. This software development company grew to a leading position in the online entertainment environment.

Board Nominee - Michael Carter

2010-10-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

Michael Carter
President

theskonkworks builds turn-key studios, market intelligence and award winning teams. We create solutions for clients looking to establish short or long term film, broadcast or gaming production internationally and within Canada. By combining over 15 years of international production management and pipeline creation experience with exceptional financial, governmental and technical ingenuity, theskonkworks creates the right environment to creatively service produce any project on-schedule and on-budget.

Michael currently sits on the board of directors as President of CASO, and represents CASO as a member of the OMDC's (Ontario Media Development Corporation) Screen-Based Industry Advisory Committee.

Board Nominee - Wes Lui

2010-10-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

Wes worked in commercial lending and personal finance at TD Canada Trust, the Bank of Montreal and CIBC Wood Gundy. Wes then moved to VFC Inc. where as Area Finance Manager he helped grow the company to become Canada’s largest sub-prime lending institution, completing an IPO on the TSX and eventually being acquired by TD Canada Trust.

In 2004, Wes left VFC to found House of Cool with longtime friend and business partner, Ricardo Curtis. Since then, Wes has acted as the studio’s Director of Operations and has been the producer on all House of Cool productions. In these roles, Wes has led negotiations with major studios such as Disney, Universal, Fox and Blue Sky Studios. Wes also played an integral role in structuring the acquisition of high-end computer generated animation studio, Red Rover, in 2008. With Ricardo’s immense talent in the arts, Wes looks forward to developing House of Cool Inc. and Red Rover initiatives creating a dynamic culture and workplace. Wes is the acting President of Red Rover.

Board Nominee - Alex Olegnowicz

2010-10-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Born in Mexico City, Alex Olegnowicz moved to
Toronto in 1995 searching to expand and utilize his
background in graphics and animation and apply it
to the Film & Television industry in “Hollywood
North”. Dedicated to the post production, vfx and
animation process, Alex has established a renowned
boutique facility, not only assisting producers in the
post-production of their projects, but also giving
insight to the pre-production and production
process, ensuring the successful completion of
quality programming.

Mr. Olegnowicz, has been nominated for an Emmy
and the RTS award for producing the visual effects for
the Discovery Channel documentary Planet Storm,
currently sits at the forefront of the post-production
industry in Toronto.

Mariane Culbert

2010-10-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Media Tree Entertainment Inc.

Executive Producer / Supervising Producer

With over 20 years of experience in television on both the broadcast and independent production side, Marianne has shepherded over 700 episodes of television programming. Throughout the course of her career, Marianne has lived in both Canada and the United States working as an Executive Producer & Supervising Producer on both 2D & 3D animated series as well as and complex hybrid productions.

Also a Creative Producer, Marianne has been successful in combining her in-depth production expertise with the creative production process that is put in place from the creative development stage to ensure a smooth path from script to broadcast delivery. Marianne’s approach to any project is with the philosophy that setting up the building blocks properly from the outset is what will guarantee success.

Marianne has overseen series for many major networks including ABC, Disney, Fox, MTV, HBO, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Noggin PBS, Sony, Oxygen, Paramount, New Line Television and Discovery US, CBC, CTV, Global & Treehouse. She is a Gemini Award winning producer and four time Emmy Nominated Producer.

Board Nominee - Lon Molner

2010-10-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

It takes leadership to co-found and build a successful visual effects company, just as it takes leadership to guide a team of creative yet diverse animators on such successful projects as the Oscar-winning feature film Chicago (2002). Whether as CEO of Intelligent Creatures or as a leading Visual Effects Supervisor, Lon shows leadership in spades.
Lon began his career in graphic design but then caught a particularly virulent strain of a well-known bug—a passion for making pictures move. After cutting his teeth in computer animation at the Vancouver Film School, Lon worked on a dizzying array of projects across North America, developing a profound expertise in animation and visual effects. Commercials, MOWs, television series and feature films have all fed his inexhaustible appetite for professional growth and achievement.
Over the last decade he has been blazing a path of creative contributions on high profile Features Films such as Watchmen (2009), The Game Plan (2007), Babel (2006), Mr & Mrs Smith (2005), and supervised a team of artists on the stereoscopic 3D film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl (2005) with director Robert Rodriguez.
Today, Lon is a leader in Toronto's Visual Effects community with a reputation for achieving filmic excellence by working with creative people, especially filmmakers, who share the same passion for detail and design.
Lon’s innovative leadership extends well beyond the Company itself. Convinced that today’s leaders share an obligation to develop the leaders of tomorrow, he makes significant contributions in guiding aspiring youth at various educational facilities.

Board Nominees - Darin Bristow

2010-10-29T11:24:00.000-07:00

Darin Bristow
Senior Technical Producer, Corus Kids
Corus Entertainment Inc.

Darin Bristow is a 17-year veteran of the animation industry and has lent his variety of skills to over 20 animated TV series in both the 2D and 3D realms. His creative passion lead him to start his career as a designer on such notable series as Eek the Cat, Ace Ventura and Sam & Max. Bristow then took his design skills into the 3D side of animation to work as a modeller on Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends, The Santa Claus Brothers, and the multiple Emmy Award®-winning Rolie Polie Olie. Bristow's next move further expanded his range as he became a technical director on Rescue Heroes, Nickelodeon's Emmy®-winning Backyardigans and eventually became the technical supervisor for Disney's popular Handy Manny. In 2006, Bristow helped in the retooling of Nelvana's 2D digital pipeline as technical supervisor on Ruby Gloom.

Bristow has also storyboarded and designed numerous national television commercials, an award-winning NHL logo, and posters for Van Halen's 1998 world tour. Bristow is also a fan of classic television, and is very proud to be the illustrator of 30 Years of The Rockford Files, an in-depth book about the iconic TV detective show. Bristow also spent time in Hollywood working on such feature films as Dr. Dolittle 2 and Planet of the Apes. More recently, Bristow completed directing an animated music video for the hard rock super-group Chickenfoot.

Bristow currently works for Corus Entertainment, one of the world's leading animation companies, and serves as Nelvana Studio’s senior technical producer. In this position, Bristow oversees the production for all Nelvana's 2D digital series. While in this position, Bristow also managed to co-direct Celebutards, the outrageous primetime animated series for adults. In addition to leading the technical aspects of Nelvana’s 2D division, Darin is currently the Technical Producer of the new 3D series Chuck The Truck.

DUE DATE Screening November 3rd

2010-10-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

You and a guest are invited to attend the advance screening of
DUE DATE
Please RSVP to Jeff Pinto-Lobo - Jeffrey.pinto-lobo@warnerbros.com

DATE: Wednesday November 3rd
TIME: 7:00pm
LOCATION: Scotiabank, Richmond St., Toronto

www.duedatemovie.com

From director Todd Phillips, “Due Date” stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis as two unlikely companions who are thrown together on a road trip that turns out to be as life-changing as it is outrageous. Downey plays Peter Highman, an expectant first-time father whose wife’s due date is a mere five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan—on what turns out to be a cross-country road trip that will ultimately destroy several cars, numerous friendships and Peter’s last nerve.

Todd Phillips directs from a screenplay by Alan R. Cohen & Alan Freedland and Adam Sztykiel & Todd Phillips, from a story by Cohen & Freedland. “Due Date” also stars Michelle Monaghan (“Made of Honor”), Oscar® nominee Juliette Lewis (“Cape Fear,” “Whip It”) and Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx (“Ray”). The film is being produced by Phillips and Dan Goldberg, who previously collaborated on “The Hangover.” Scott Budnick, Thomas Tull and Susan Downey are serving as executive producers on the film.

The behind-the-scenes creative team from “The Hangover” returns, including director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Bill Brzeski, editor Debra Neil-Fisher and costume designer Louise Mingenbach.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, A Green Hat Films Production of A Todd Phillips Movie, “Due Date.” The film will be released on November 5, 2010, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The National Film Board of Canada presents  GET ANIMATED!   October 26-31, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St.

2010-10-15T07:48:00.001-07:00

The National Film Board of Canada presents

GET ANIMATED!

October 26-31, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St.
Get Animated! is a Canada-wide series of FREE screenings, master classes and activities marking International Animation Day. The NFB Mediatheque is excited to present adult and family animation workshops, working with pixillation, as well as a special presentation of 3D Hothouse films, and screenings of new NFB animated shorts such as Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or There Must Be More to Life, by Academy Award®-nominated directors Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski (Madame Tutli-Putli). Join us and GET ANIMATED!
Tuesday, October 26
7 PM - Get Animated for Halloween! - Animation workshop for adults

Thursday, October 28
7 PM - Hothouse in the Third Dimension!
Special presentation of the Hothouse 6 series in 3D with special guests
9 PM - NFB New Releases Program

Friday, October 29
7 PM - NFB New Releases Program

Saturday, October 30
10:30 AM Get Animated for Halloween! – For children ages 3 to 5
Animation workshop followed by a screening of Fairy Tales for All.

Saturday, October 30 & Sunday, October 31
12:30 PM Get Animated for Halloween! – For children ages 6 to 13
Animation workshop followed by a screening of Fairy Tales for All.
Don't forget to come dressed in your Halloween costume!
Registration is required for all animaton workshops as capacity is limited.
Call 416-973-3012 to register.
Follow the NFB Mediatheque on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter! Sign up for the new NFB Mediatheque newsletter by email here.
NFB MEDIATHEQUE | 150 John St., Toronto | 416-973-3012 | NFB.ca/mediatheque

CASO's Upcoming AGM

2010-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Members,

It is my pleasure to announce the 2010-2012 CASO Board Elections and AGM. It has been an extremely busy year with over 5 International Trade Missions, highly successful member events, a new strategy survey and increased awareness domestically, internationally and with various levels of Federal and Provincial governments. Some members have closed shop due to the economy and many more have started. Membership in CASO has increased and there is a real desire to participate in further developing a strong, stable and strategic Animation and VFX industry here in Ontario.

With that, CASO is looking for the next round of leaders to sit on it's board. Visionaries looking to increase our ability to enhance this very important part of the Film and Television business in Ontario. I encourage all members, those considering joining CASO to volunteer their time to sit as a board member or special committee member to further our goals of a mutually beneficial production industry.

I look forward to seeing all CASO member and our non-member guests at the upcoming AGM and once again encourage all of you to participate in building a strong Animation and VFX industry here in Ontario.

Cheers,

Michael Carter
President, CASO

In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Canada and China

2010-10-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Join us October 8-13 for a FREE screening series

In celebration of the
40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
Between Canada and China

NFB CINEMA - 150 John St.

Enjoy award-winning films from China from October 8th through October 13th. Highlights include Academy Award® nominee Chen Kaige’s Forever Enthralled, starring Zhang Ziyi (House of Flying Daggers; Memoirs of a Geisha), and Mei Hu’s Confucius, starring Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Hard Boiled). Also enjoy the CANADIAN PREMIERES of The Dream of Jinsha, Walking to School and Go Lala Go!

All films will be screened in their original versions, subtitled in English.

Friday October 8th, 6:30pm – Forever Enthralled
Saturday October 9th, 1pm – The Dream of Jinsha
Saturday October 9th, 3pm – Walking to School
Saturday October 9th, 7pm – Confucius
Tuesday October 12th, 7pm – Bodyguards and Assassins
Wednesday October 13th, 7pm – Go Lala Go!
Wednesday October 13th, 9pm – The Message

For more information about the program, visit NFB.ca/mediathequeevents

Jointly organized by the Film Bureau of State Administration of Radio, Film & Television of China, the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

Follow the NFB Mediatheque on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter. Sign up for the new NFB Mediatheque newsletter by email here.

NFB MEDIATHEQUE | 150 John St., Toronto | 416-973-3012 | NFB.ca/mediatheque

If you no longer wish to receive NFB Mediatheque emails, please reply to this email and add "unsubscribe" to the subject field.

VISIONARY LUNCHES V.05 - INCEPTION - LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE

2010-09-27T07:39:00.001-07:00

"Join us for an engaging discussion with the key visual effects creative on the contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind"
CASO is proud to introduce Paul Franklin and Rob Hodgson as the speakers for Visionary Lunches V.05 on Thursday October 7th 2010 at 12:00pm - 2:30pm. There is limited seating so be sure to RSVP at rsvp@casont.ca

Location
Scotiabank Theatre

Advanced Tickets (+HST)
$25 Members
$40 Non-Members

At The Door (+HST)
$40 Members
$55 Non-Members

Guru Studio rocks the 'Mudpit'

2010-09-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Guru Studio is gearing up for MUDPIT, a new animation series in association with Cookie Jar Entertainment and TELETOON.

September 16, 2010 (Toronto, Ontario) – Guru Studio begins animation production on Cookie Jar’s new half animated, half live-action series MUDPIT in Toronto. Four teenage friends form a band and hit the virtual road in the online world of Muzika where they compete to win in the world’s wildest rock and roll adventure game. MUDPIT is a TELETOON Original Production scheduled to premiere in 2011.

The 26-half hour series follows the lives of Reese, Geneva, Liam and Mikey and their online personas, Dodge, G, Lamb and Booch, as they sing and play their hearts out, battling other bands for dominance and avoiding the game's nefarious ruler and MC, Slime.

“This is a great opportunity for Guru to step outside our preschool comfort zone and flex our production muscles on an ambitious show that has all the things we love: big action, smart humour and great musical performances,” says Frank Falcone, President and Creative Director at Guru, “it takes our experience on The Backyardigans to the next level!”

Guru Studio Production Manager Lisa Brodie joins the crew with a strong background in both animation and video game production management. Falcone comments, “She is the perfect fit for an animated show taking place inside a video game world – she’s seen both – so she understands the aesthetic considerations.”

Cookie Jar's Jamie Waese, the Head of Current Programming, is pleased to have the opportunity to work with Guru Studio and commented, “Guru has made a name for themselves in the animation world and we are excited to be working on this cutting edge project with them.”

Guru will be looking to hire new talent for this upcoming project, including Leica Editors, Riggers, Modelers, Storyboard Artists and more.

For employment opportunities please visit www.gurustudio.com/employment

About Guru Studio

Toronto-based Guru Studio celebrates 10 years as an industry leader in animation. Founded in 2000 with a mandate to create the best character-animated entertainment, guru has expanded their services beyond commercial design for broadcast television, advertising, film and new media into content development and creation, full production, financing, marketing and distribution. Guru earned its reputation producing animation on the Emmy and Gemini award-winning pre-school series THE BACKYARDIGANS for Nick Jr. and Corus/Nelvana, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF BABAR, as well as the new hit series GUESS WITH JESS for Corus/Nelvana and Classic Media. Guru is now in production on its first original series, JUSTIN TIME, for Family Channel Canada and retains worldwide distribution rights. With 5 new properties in development, Guru is poised to create an ever increasing impact on the television, new media and film business. To view our work please visit www.gurustudio.com.

About Cookie Jar

The Cookie Jar Group of Companies is one of the world's leading independent entertainment, consumer products and educational publishing companies with 16 offices around the globe. Cookie Jar Entertainment is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of animated and live-action programming. Its library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes of television features some of the world's most recognizable series including Caillou, Inspector Gadget, Arthur, The Doodlebops and Johnny Test. The company operates Cookie Jar TV, which furnishes the weekend morning block on CBS, and has a one-third interest in international children's television channel KidsCo. Cookie Jar Entertainment's Jaroo.com is the premiere web video destination for kids with the largest independent selection of full-length children's TV series and movies online. Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), Cookie Jar’s full-service international licensing agency, represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands such as Strawberry Shortcake, Richard Scarry, St. Andrews Links, Lucha Libre AAA and Skelanimals. Carson-Dellosa Publishing is one of North America's largest providers of supplemental education materials and reaches nearly 2,000 teachers across the United States. For more information, please visitwww.cjar.com.

For more information please contact:
Tanya Beach
tanya@gurustudio.com

TANYA BEACH | MANAGER OF STUDIO OPERATIONS | 416 599 4878 | WWW.GURUSTUDIO.COM

CASO Animation and VFX demo reels, 2010

2010-09-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't seen the CASO VFX and Animation reel for 2010, here it is. Thanks for all the studios that participated. It's great to show the talent and quality of work we do here in Ontario.

Korea Is Open For Business

2010-08-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Recently CASO was invited to participate at the Seoul Promotion Plan (SPP) which is a market dedicated to cartoon, animation and related contents run by Seoul Animation Center of the Seoul Business Agency. Along with the market, an International Animation Film Festival and Licensing fair also took place. It was an excellent venue for local and international property holders to show their latest projects and creatives.

Korea has been making great efforts in developing partnerships in Europe and North America to develop and distribute International and Korean based properties. Being able to witness first had at the spirit and energy of the market I believe there are many advantages in developing Korean/Canadian partnerships and co-productions. Many Korean companies appear to have access to capital and working with producers from around the world to produce universally relatable animated projects. There has been a large concerted effort to understand market trends outside their country and down the barriers of doing business abroad.

I was one of three speakers to present at the conference. My topic was trends in VFX and Animation in Ontario. I touched base on CASO responsibilities of:
• International Promotion and Marketing
• Industry Statistics and Competitive Advantage
• Education and Organizational Relations
• Government Relations
It is an excellent conference to attend, especially if you have never been to an Asia based market. Trends are quite different then in Europe or North America and many opportunities exist between continents.

If you would like to know more about my experience in Korea or would like to be introduced to reputable Korean companies in regards to a project, please feel free to contact me at wes@casont.ca.

Special thanks to Jinsook Park, Executive Programmer of SPP 2010

Here are some pictures from the conference.

The Talent Pool – CASO Jump Start! Executive Breakfast Series

2010-08-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

Last week’s Jump Start! Executive Breakfast was a great success and stirred much discussion on the state of digital animation and visual effects labour pool in Ontario.

The well attended event was lead by moderator and President of CASO, Michael Carter. Present were studio executives and producers along with representatives from Seneca, Centennial and Sheridan colleges, who shared their views on the current state of our sector’s labour force.

The topics discussed centered around domestic and international labour touching on costs and skill set; the school system in Ontario and the preparedness of their graduating students entering the workforce; as well as the current market economy and the competition that directly effects Ontario labour – we need the work to get the talent and the talent to get the work.

It was agreed that the skill sets and artistic talent of artists are the backbone to a successful studio. Particularity in Ontario, we have multiple streams to foster talent through our post-secondary educational system, ensuring that the level of artists graduating are of a high standard. It was also agreed it is imperative that the labour community and the colleges work together to continue to build this new talent base through these post secondary streams. This will ensure a strong and vibrant VFX and Animation labour pool that remains in Ontario which will enable us to meet market demands.

During the discussion the participants focused on and analyzed other animation communities. In particular, the success of the UK based community that collaborates through Soho Net. Also discussed was Ontario’s competitive advantage due to our excellent school system, the Ontario tax credits, seasoned artists and experienced studios. In contrast, the area touched upon as needing improvement was mainly the industry unified-technological standards in software, hardware and the overall pipeline.

There was mutual agreement amongst the participants that Ontario had the expertise and capacity to work on the higher budgeted 60 million dollar features.
They also felt that it was imperative that the studios needed to find a way to efficiently work together to both attract these types of budgets into the province and to support the level of work demanded by these higher profile films.

CASO thanks all the participants who attended, Ira Weiss, Category Business Manager and Hewlett Packard for their gracious support of our full roster of programming and the OMDC for their continued support and unwavering enthusiasm for the continued growth of our community.

We look forward to continued discussions and involvement of the whole community to build Ontario as the premier destination for innovative visual effects and animation, globally.

Final Call For The "Canadian - European Co-Production Forum"

2010-08-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Final call for Cartoon Connection Canada-EU
Animation producers have one last chance to register for this Canadian-European co-production forum.
Join 40 European delegates in Ottawa for three days of meetings, panels and networking.
Register at www.animationfestival.ca/tac

Greater Toronto Region - GameInc - Stakeholder Consultation Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (ET), and it's FREE

2010-08-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

The Ontario Digital Games Business Incubator Network (GameInc) is a network of startup resources that serve the Province's digital games development community. It connects related incubators, organizations and institutions to leverage each group's assets for the benefit of all.

The purpose of this meeting is to gain a better understanding of opportunities that may exist for GameInc to serve the needs of stakeholders in the Greater Toronto Region.

This meeting will be of interest to:

* Digital games developers
* Technology companies that are selling, or that want to sell, products/services to game developers
* Digital media incubators/accelerators
* Investment community members; i.e., angles and VCs
* Colleges and universities that offer digital game development related programming

Registered attendees will be sent the agenda by email.

For those that are unable to attend in person, a teleconferencing line will be available. Dial in details will be sent via email in advance of the meeting.

Please address any questions regarding this event to: Kathleen Webb, 416-878-8876, kathleen.webb@me.com

Check out the website for more information http://gameinctoronto.eventbrite.com/

"The Talent Pool" Tomorrow, don't forget!

2010-08-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder "The Talent Pool" happens tomorrow! RSVP to shirlyn@casont.ca.

Tax aid, local talent help Canadian film compete

2010-07-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Canada, News
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100725/entertainment/cda_film_production

Sun Jul 25, 4:00 AM

By Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press

HALIFAX - While a higher dollar and increased competition continue to challenge Canadian film and television production, some provinces say they see signs of stability thanks to enhanced tax credits and a strong stable of domestic producers.

Nova Scotia, which typically ranks fourth in film production behind Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, moved in 2007 to boost its film tax credit to 50 per cent from 35 per cent.

The change was made as several provinces, including neighbours P.E.I. and New Brunswick, introduced increased tax credits when many in the industry were ringing alarm bells over the impact of a higher loonie and fierce competition from the United States.

Ann MacKenzie, CEO of Film Nova Scotia, said the benefits of that increase were noticeable within the next fiscal year.

"It really kick-started 2008-09. That year ended up being our highest on record ... with $150 million in production," said MacKenzie.

Recent numbers released by the province show business declined in fiscal 2009-10 to $97 million, but that is still well above the $75 million registered in 2007, which was the lowest figure in a decade.

MacKenzie said that was largely due to the recession, which led to a drop in commissions from major broadcasters such as CTV and Global.

However, she believes the most recent figures also reveal the strength of Nova Scotia's production capacity because well over half, at $54 million, was generated by local producers.

"I think we're lucky in that we have a critical mass of local production that carries the industry even when we can't attract the foreign stuff," said MacKenzie. "Normally our local production is well over 50 per cent of the total and sometimes it's been as high as 70 or 80 per cent."

MacKenzie said the current calendar year has seen increased activity with the shooting of five feature films since February and two more are ready to go into production in the fall. There are also two larger budget television series that are shot in the Halifax area.

Independent filmmaker John Wesley Chisholm, who is based in Halifax, believes the province has created the conditions for local producers to compete, but the challenge will be to produce stories that will "interest the world."

Chisholm's company, Arcadia Entertainment, specializes in ocean-related documentaries and specials. He says a proliferation of specialty channels has created more opportunities than ever before.

"The market just keeps getting bigger, it's growing at over 10 per cent per year. So we have steady customers and a steadily increasing list of potential customers."

Production giant Ontario also saw a boost in its fortunes when the province enhanced its tax credits to cover any cost film productions incur for equipment, studio rentals and labour costs.

"The dollar is important, but now that our tax credit is more attractive the less we live and die on where the dollar goes," said Donna Zuchlinski, film commissioner with the Ontario Media Development Corp.

She said at $946 million in 2009, Ontario's film production approached the $1.1 billion registered in 2000, when the Canadian dollar was significantly lower than it is today.

But Zuchlinski said a solid core of diversified local companies accounted for the majority of the production figures at $674 million — a number that also includes visual effects, animation and post-production work.

However, in smaller production centres such as New Brunswick, the challenge remains to drum up enough business so local producers can thrive.

Tim Hogan of Fredericton-based Dream Street Pictures said he doesn't see much potential for growth for the province's English-language companies, which currently aren't getting enough business from Canada's large private broadcasters.

Hogan contends that's in contrast to the province's French-language companies, which can access a special federal fund for productions shot outside Quebec. He said the extra help is key in an increasingly competitive landscape.

"There needs to be more money poured into development. The ratio is, for every 10 projects you put out there, one gets made," he said.

The Talent Pool

2010-07-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Australian Effects & Animation Festival - Awards (AEAF)

2010-07-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

AEAF Awards 2010, 11 August 2010, Sydney
Seminars and screenings plus the AEAF Awards screening and presentation.
The AEAF Awards Entry Form

The Australian Effects & Animation Festival Awards - AEAF Awards - is an international competition and screening now in its 13th year and attracts entries from around the world. The Awards recognize and reward excellence and creativity in 10 categories of competition.

Commercials Animation - Commercials VFX - Titles, Idents & Stings - Short Film - Student - Music Video - TV Series - Flash Animation - Feature Films Animation - Feature Films VFX

The AEAF Awards finalists and winners will be screened on 11 August 2010.
The panel of judges will select the top ten entries in each category for screening and the top scoring entry will be named winner and receive the award.
The AEAF Awards are open to all digital content creators and motion graphics, digital video, animation and effects professionals and students.

Digital Media Online Festival For the first time, all entries will have the opportunity to be shown online at www.digitalmedia-world.com prior to judging by the panel.
If you want your peers in the filmmaking community to view your projects, and believe you deserve industry recognition, then enter your work now. If you choose, it will be shown online straightaway.

Previous winners of the AEAF Awards are among the world's premier post-production companies, effects houses and film studios. Past winners include:
Weta Digital - Animal Logic - Industrial Light & Magic - Beeps - Complete Post - Digital Pictures - Fuel - Iloura - Rising Sun Pictures - Fin Design & Effects - Sony Pictures Imageworks - Passion Pictures - The Mill - Box Communications - John Rowe Animation - Framestore CFC - Nectarine - Bigfish Design - Pixar Animation Studios - Students from AFTRS - QUT - VCA - and many others.

Don’t miss out on your chance to be involved in Australia’s leading competition for the creation of animation and effects and digital content creation. Make sure to enter your work in the AEAF Awards 2010. Simply fill in the Entry Form and send it to us with your entry, no later than 30 June 2010.

All finalists’ entries will be screened at the AEAF Awards night on 11 August 2010. Winning entries receive the specially commissioned Award and, most important, exposure through a screening of the entries, press coverage including the Showcase issue of Digital Media World Magazine and the recognition of the digital content creation, animation and VFX communities

Please see the Entry Form to enter online or download an entry form. We look forward to receiving your entry.

Need Artists? Ramping Down?

2010-07-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

CASO is developing an online data base system to help identify studio who are looking to ramp up in production and studios who are looking to do temporary layoffs between productions. This will be a new feature on our CASO website and we look forward for everyone's involvement and feedback when we launch.

For the time being, if you are looking for artists for a production coming up or have some artists who are sitting idle and can assist other production, please contact Shirlyn@casont.ca. We'll do our best to match up studios.

Current Studios looking for Artists and production personnel:

Imarion Studio: Generalists & Senior Designers/Directors
Specifics: Generalists would need to know everything (modeling/rigging/animation/lighting/rendering/compositing) working with software such as Maya 2011, Photoshop, AfterEffects and or other comp softwares. Our Senior Designer/Director should also know the inner workings of Maya- however, if they are more of a motion gfx person working with 3D max is fine but again, Photoshop, AfterEffects and or other comp softwares are a must.
Please contact: info@imarion.com

Guru Studio: modelers, riggers, texture artists, animators, TDs, lighters
Please contact: lisa.brodie@gurustudio.com

House of Cool: Flash Animators
Please contact: christina@houseofcool.com

CASO and The Queen

2010-07-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

One of the primary functions of CASO is to market the many talents of our VFX and Animation studios in Ontario. With the support of the OMDC, Christa and I had the pleasure of presenting CASO Studios to LA Production Executives at Pinewood Studios. We presented with the capacity and capabilities studios in Ontario have to offer touching on point such as:

- Efficient, viable production solutions and on going creative innovations
- Healthy, experienced companies with proven track records
- Availability of Tax Credits and other economical benefits
- Availability of talented, trained artists and technical workers
- Collaboration - Ability to work with many studios on a large scale productions

We handed out the CASO USB's and screened the Animation and VFX compilation reels. Many of the executives had excellent production questions regarding what studios have to offer, level of talent, and cost benefit in Ontario. It was a good interactive conversation and CASO was presented in a professional manner focusing on our creative talent pool in the region.

Another exciting moment Christa and I participated in that day was watching the Queen of England roll in for her tour of the facilities and luncheon; one of the perks of being on the Board - which I hope to see CASO members wanting to be apart of in the upcoming fall elections.

We hope to develop more valuable relationships and do more presentations about our industry. To better market what our VFX and Animation community has to offer, we encourage all CASO members to tell us some of the great projects or innovations you are working on. CASO takes pride in promoting your work through our website and marketing material, bringing you up and coming projects that may fit your studios pipeline and sending you to international countries to develop foreign strategies and company growth.

Special thanks to the OMDC and Edith Myers at Pinewood Studios for making this possible.

Wes Lui
VP of CASO

Registration Now Open for IN 2010 - Receive 15% off

2010-07-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Registration Now Open for IN 2010 - Receive 15% off

IN 2010 – the INteractive Exchange - explores the visionary ideas, creative excellence and technological innovations that generate truly engaging interactive experiences. From games to film, from social media to mobile, IN 2010 will bring together International industry leaders for 2.5 days of networking, ideation and business in downtown Toronto.

By registering with this code INDP15, receive 15% off Regular Rates. Visit www.inexchange10.com to register.

The conference will be divided into the following streams:

Mobile:
In partnership with Mobile Innovation Week, the IN Mobile stream will present sessions from case studies to discussions about the latest and greatest key developments, the current status and future development trends in wireless technology.

Social Media:
Social Media at IN will focus on the creative and business opportunities in a sector which is continuously reinventing itself through user-generated content. Showcasing leading-edge projects and discussions about the newest communication platforms, these sessions will explore marketing, collaboration, information sharing, and experimental crossovers.

Games:
The video games industry continues to be one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. With an eye toward intellectual property, which is exploitable along multiple entertainment verticals, this stream brings creative, production and business perspectives to the table at IN 2010. Industry veterans will discuss current trends, explore leading-edge projects and examine the challenges and opportunities that exist in crossover projects.

X-Platform:
This stream focuses on the opportunities that lie in the digital media content space as it continues to grow by showcasing the interconnectedness of various interactive sectors within cultural and digital media industries. This stream highlights the potential creative and business opportunities that exist between platforms.

Visionary:
The visionary stream is dedicated to showcasing thought-leaders. Made up of the innovators, originators, inventors and explorers of big ideas. These forward-thinkers share their vision and in turn, incite new ways of thinking about business models, interactivity, and technology.

www.inexchange10.com

IN 2010 – the INteractive Exchange – is presented by Interactive Ontario (io).

"WEEKLY UPDATE" From Kelly Graham-Scherer, Los Angeles Marketing Agent

2010-06-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Michigan Film Commissioner Janet Lockwood resigned last week amid continuing controversy over how film and television tax credits are administered in that state. Lockwood has been an enthusiastic and high-profile booster of Michigan's industry and a familiar face to me at LA marketing events over the last several months. Her resignation, along with that of an aide to a state representative announced yesterday, has reiterated for me the continued importance of highlighting Ontario's record of stability and reliability with regards to its tax incentives. I spoke to many of you last week about how these qualities are swiftly becoming our jurisdiction's greatest asset as newer and flashier incentives programs are facing increasing scrutiny in competing jurisdictions. You can read more about the scandal in Michigan below in the Michigan Messenger, which continues to identify film and television tax credits as an election issue in that state...

http://michiganmessenger.com/38665/director-of-michigan-film-office-announces-retirement-amid- controversy-over-tax-incentives

With regards to film and television tax credits, another interesting issue is emerging in several US jurisdictions and I think it is one to watch: the New York Times reports below that states are increasingly reviewing the content of the projects that are applying for tax credits. The piece talks at length about how Michigan's Janet Lockwood recently rejected an application from established filmmaker Andrew van den Houten due to the violent and graphic nature of his script and reports that film offices from Texas to Florida to Georgia are grappling with whether to apply content restrictions to their incentives.

Over the last several months I have heard time and time again that tax credits are the soft money that gets pictures made. I have heard state film commissioners refer to themselves as equity partners and I heard one ask a panel of production executives if they considered her a co-producer: that state film offices are starting to flex their muscles with regards to content does not surprise me. Although Canadian jurisdictions are not immune (Bill C-10 anyone?) I sense that this is an issue poised to gain traction in the US, especially in conservative jurisdictions...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/movies/15credits.html?emc=eta1

An addendum to the above: Andrew van den Houten said in the Times that he will move his picture to Massechusetts where the "subsidy program has no apparent strictures on extreme horror". Just one day later a story about his pending application appeared in the Boston Herald and referred to his project as "taxpayer-funded cannibalism"...

http://www.bostonherald.com/track/hollywood_in_boston/view.bg?articleid=1261853

The Los Angeles Times reports that booming business in Georgia has resulted in the opening of a new 30-acre studio complex. Since beefing up its incentive in 2008 Georgia has emerged among the top five states in the US for film production, attracting such movies as The Blind Side, Zombieland and the fifth installment of Universal's Fast & Furious franchise...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/06/atlanta-studio-opens-as-filming-in- georgia-booms.html

Also from the Los Angeles Times, despite opposition from the major Hollywood studios, federal regulators voted 3 to 2 on Monday to approve an investment vehicle that will allow professional traders to bet on the ticket sales that a movie generates during its opening weekend...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0615-ct-futures-20100615,0,6162556.story

And finally Canadian Business reports that Telefilm Canada and the OMDC congratulate Splice, a Canada-France co production supported by both organizations, for exceeding the million dollar mark after just one week in Canadian theatres. Opening Friday, June 4, Splice generated box office sales of $1.12 million across 170 screens in Canada in its first week. At time of writing the US box office for Splice was more than $14.3 million...

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/cnw/article.jsp?content=20100611_144501_1_cnw_cnw

You will find the full text for linked articles below my signature. Please feel free to distribute this widely and contact me with feedback. Have a great weekend.

Warmest regards,
Kelly Graham-Scherer
Los Angeles Marketing Consultant

For The Full Article: http://www.casont.ca/files/WEEKLY_UPDATE_June_18.pdf

The Consulate of General Invites You to The "2010 NHL Entry Draft"

2010-06-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

You and a guest are invited to join the Los Angeles Kings as they host the "2010 NHL Entry Draft".

Date: Friday, June 25, 2010
Time: 4:00 - 7:00pm (doors open at 2pm)
Place: Staples Center 111 South Figueroa St, LA, CA 90015

For more information please visit www.123signup.com/event?id=mbvrb

Budgeting Visual Effects Seminar

2010-06-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

A streaming video Webinar on Budgeting Visual Effects for Feature Films.
Topics to be covered include:

•Defining the Role of the VFX Supervisor and VFX Producer
•The VFX Chart of Accounts
•Globals Fringes
•Production Support: from pre-production through post

Seminar leaders:

Susan Zwerman, VFX Producer, (DGA, PGA and VES Member)
Charles Finance, VFX Producer, (VES Member)

For full details and registration please visit: http://vfxpartners.eventbrite.com

PipelineFX, Shotgun Software and Tweak Software Announce Global Roadshow to Showcase Integrated Product Line

2010-06-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

PipelineFX, Shotgun Software and Tweak Software Announce Global Roadshow to Showcase Integrated Product Line

Three companies announce 8-city worldwide tour
Los Angeles, CA – June 1, 2010 – Tweak Software, makers of RV, the next generation image and sequence viewer for VFX and animation artists, PipelineFX, makers of Qube!™ - the leading render farm management software for digital media creation, and Shotgun Software, makers of Shotgun, a customizable web-based project management and collaboration system, announced today an 8-city world tour showcasing their latest integrated products and discussing integrated pipelines with the digital content creation community.

Shotgun Software, PipelineFX and Tweak Software develop flexible tools for high-end production environments that allow their customers to focus on creating content rather than managing infrastructure. The three solutions work together to facilitate render farm management, production management and media review/playback and are built on open standards to provide the hooks for extensive customization.

For more information and to RSVP to the tour stop in your city, click on this link: http://www.shotgunsoftware.com/roadshow
• Los Angeles June 16, 2010 (Wednesday, 7pm) Digital Domain
• Vancouver June 17, 2010 (Thursday,7pm) Rainmaker Entertainment
• Toronto June 21, 2010 (Monday, 7pm) Starz Animation Toronto
• New York June 23, 2010 (Wednesday, 7pm) Offhollywood
• London June 30, 2010 (Wednesday, 7pm) Framestore
• Mumbai July 2, 2010 (Friday, 7pm) To Be Announced
• Singapore July 5, 2010 (Monday, 7pm) To Be Announced
• Beijing July 7, 2010 (Wednesday, 7pm) Xing Xing

About PipelineFX

PipelineFX is the leading provider of renderfarm management solutions for digital content creation. PipelineFX has more than 400 customers worldwide including BBC, Digital Domain, Electronic Arts, Fisher Price, General Motors, Herman Miller, Imagemovers Digital, Laika Studios, Lockheed Martin, MTV, NBC, NHK, Proctor & Gamble, Rainmaker Animation, ReelFX, Smoke & Mirrors, Sony Computer, South Park Studios, Starz Entertainment, Technicolor and Telemundo. PipelineFX is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Las Vegas. For more information, please contact Richard Lewis, CEO of PipelineFX: richard@pipelinefx.com.

About Shotgun Software

Shotgun Software was founded in January 2006 by a group of visual effects professionals to build production tracking and pipeline solutions. The founding members worked together on a major studio animated feature, and are developing Shotgun to fill the mounting industry need for a commercially viable system for managing complex projects spread across multiple locations. Shotgun is actively developing the system with more than 100 industry studios including Digital Domain, Framestore, Rainmaker, Playstation, Blizzard, Zoic Studios, Dr. D, and Laika. For more information, and an online demonstration, visit www.shotgunsoftware.com.

About Tweak Software

Tweak Software was founded in 2007 to develop tools that address real-world production needs of VFX and animation professionals. The Tweak partners Jim Hourihan, Seth Rosenthal and Alan Trombla spent many years at Industrial Light and Magic where they developed tools and techniques still in use at that facility today. Jim Hourihan is the recipient of two Sci-Tech Academy Awards and is best known for developing Dynamation, the first commercial particle system that was subsequently incorporated into Autodesk’s Maya software. For more information, visit www.tweaksoftware.com

BAICAA - International Animation Film Festival "Golden Kuker" 2010

2010-06-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

The International Animation Film Festival “Golden Kuker” 2010, which aim is to continue the tradition of the World Animated Film Festival, held from 1979 to 1989 in Varna, Bulgaria, will take place from 13 to 17 October 2010 in Sofia, at the National Palace of Culture. It is been organized by the Bulgarian Association of the Independent Cartoon Animation Artists (BAICAA).

We kindly invite you to enter the festival by submitting your films. The selection for the Competitive and Information Program will be performed by an international Selection Committee, and the prizes will be awarded by the International Jury.
This year special emphasis will be given to children's films and to the works of authors from the Balkan countries.

Panoramas of classic Bulgarian animated films as well as different thematic programmes and retrospectives will be proposed to the audience's attention. The authors of films in the competition will meet every day with professionals, journalists, colleagues and students and will discuss their creative work and the animation art's actual problems. Round tables will be organized to debate the place of the art in the education process, as well as the measures and forms of state's support for the artists / animators in our country. Children will enjoy a special Children Feast, a whole day full of plays and entertainments, concerts and films for them.
The day Festival Club and the night one will provide space for personal meetings and for spending pleasant time with pleasant people.
We are waiting for new films and festival guests. Information about accommodation will be published later on.

You can find the Regulations and the Entry Form on the Festival's site: http://www.animationfest-bg.eu/
Deadline for submission of Entry Forms: July 15, 2010, deadline for receiving animation works (on DVD or videotape): July 30, 2010.
Send Entry Forms to: office@baicaa.org
Please provide also a professional CV and photo (300 dpi, min 4х6 cm) of the director, as well as 3 stills from the film (300 dpi, min 6 х 8 cm) - by e-mail or on a CD to office@baicaa.org.

Ontario Multimedia Mission to France and Italy 2010

2010-06-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ontario Multimedia Mission to France and Italy 2010 October 24-29, 2010
The Ontario Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada invite you to participate in the Ontario Multimedia Mission to France and Italy. The program will enable Ontario companies to meet with key decision-makers of companies and stakeholders from two world-class multimedia centres: Imaginove (Lyon, France) and Think Up (Turin, Italy).
The program includes:
• Matchmaking with French and Italian companies organized through the expertise our international partners.
• Site visits to animation studios, gaming software companies and other businesses with relevance to the companies participating in the mission.
• Presentations at View Conference 2010 (Turin): a key international stage for business on computer graphics, interactive techniques, digital cinema, 3D animation, gaming and VFX (http://www.viewconference.it/).

Why participate?
The Imaginove cluster, centered in Lyon, brings together over 200 multimedia companies of the Rhône- Alpes region. Rhône-Alpes has over 650 companies and 23 research centres devoted to different multimedia sectors. The region is home to the world famous Game Connection and the Annecy Film Festival. http://imaginove.fr/ .
Think Up is a project of the Chamber of Commerce of Turin (Piedmont region) to promote internationally 80 IT companies in multimedia, ITS, ERP, finance, industrial automation and telecommunications. The Think Up’s multimedia companies have gained an international reputation for their expertise in virtual reality, web design, multidimensional graphics, e-learning and IPTV. Piedmont, with its strong IT tradition, is home to over 8,000 IT companies. www.thinkupict.org

For further information, please contact: Victor Miranda, Area Director, France Benelux and Southern Europe, International Trade Branch, MEDT
T. 416-314-8231, victor.miranda@ontario.ca To apply, please fill in the enclosed form and return it via e-mail to Victor Miranda. A registration fee of
$125.00 (cheque payable to “Minister of Finance”) will apply upon application.
The mission is limited to eight companies. Early registration is advised.
The Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) Export Fund provides eligible Ontario companies with funding to pursue export development activities that correspond to a strategy for company growth. Please consult: http://www.omdc.on.ca/Page3222.aspx .

Precis of Bill 168

2010-06-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

From the desk of Brian Simpson, Keyframe Digital Animation

Bill 168 is Ontario Provincial Legislation adding further mandatory duties on Employers within the Occupational Health and Safety Act to cover violence and harassment in the workplace.

This act will significantly impact all workplaces, employing five or more employees, within the province of Ontario. It is apparent that the Provincial Government is quite serious in ensuring compliance with the bill, as it has hired some 200 inspectors to audit workplaces and enforce the act.

Effective June 15, 2010, all Employers must

- prepare policies with respect to workplace violence and workplace harassment; and post such policies in conspicuous locations within the workplace.

- in addition to the policies, the employer shall assess risks in the workplace and then develop and maintain programs to implement each of the policies with respect to workplace violence and harassment, which shall then be fully communicated to employees.

- once implemented, the Employer shall monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the policy and the programs on a regular basis.

As a result, Employers must develop procedures to investigate and resolve complaints of violence and harassment; and to develop safety plans in the event of occurrence.

Please note that there is a further requirement under the act which makes the Employer responsible in to ensure safety of employees and workers with respect to domestic violence; if an employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that domestic violence would likely expose a worker physical injury in the workplace, the employer shall take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker (safety plan)

It is important that Employers recognize that it should formally go through all the steps as indicated in the legislation, and ensure that it has a paper trail of its efforts.

For further information on the Bill and recommendations for its implementation, it is recommended consulting the information at the following links
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/workplaceviolence.php

http://www.iapa.ca/Main/Articles/2009_workplace_violence.aspx

Employers now have only a short period of time to get ready for the new Workplace Violence Prevention law. Bill 168, an Act to amend the OHSA to prevent and manage workplace violence and harassment comes into effect on June 15, 2010 and is enforceable as of that date. The amendments explicitly set out a duty for every Ontario employer to take specific steps to proactively prevent and manage workplace violence. Legal compliance starts with a risk assessment.
The tragedies of the Lori Dupont workplace murder in Windsor and the Pierre Lebrun shootings in Ottawa highlight the seriousness of workplace violence.
Bill 168 contains definitions for workplace violence and workplace harassment. Workplace violence means the exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury to the worker. It also includes an attempt to exercise physical force or a statement or behaviour that a worker could reasonably interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the worker in a workplace. Workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.

Risk Assessment
Employers must conduct a risk assessment of workplace violence that may arise from the nature of the workplace, type of work or conditions of work. For example, the activities workers perform, whether workers are required to travel, work alone or work late at night as well as access security and surveillance systems. The risk assessment must also consider circumstances common to similar workplaces – the activities or work conditions that certain sectors have in common and circumstances specific to the workplace such as layout and design and geographic location. If an employer has multiple work locations, each location should be assessed for its own unique risks of workplace violence in addition to the common risks.
Employers must prepare, and review at least annually, a policy with respect to workplace violence and harassment. The policy is required regardless of the size of the workplace or the number of workers. If more than five workers are regularly employed at a workplace, the policy must be in writing and posted in the workplace. Employers may prepare separate policies on workplace violence and workplace harassment or they may combine their workplace violence policy with an existing workplace harassment policy.

The employer must also develop a program to implement the workplace violence and workplace harassment policy. The program must include measures and procedures to control the risks identified in the workplace violence risk assessment; measures and procedures for workers to report incidents of workplace violence and harassment to the employer, for summoning immediate assistance when workplace violence or harassment occurs or is likely to occur; and identify how the employer will investigate and deal with incidents or complaints of workplace violence and harassment. The Bill also places a duty on an employer to take every reasonable precaution for the protection of a worker, if the employer knows or ought to reasonably know that domestic violence may occur in the workplace and likely expose a worker to physical injury.

The employer must also provide information and instruction to its workers on its workplace violence and harassment policy and program. In particular, the employer will be required to disclose to its workers the risk of violence from a person with a history of violent behaviour who they may encounter in the course of work and if the risk of workplace violence is likely to expose the worker to physical injury.

There are also minor amendments to the work refusal provisions contained in section 43 of the Act and the incident reporting provisions contained in section 52(1) of the Act. The Ministry of Labour recently released a guidance document titled ‘Workplace Violence and Harassment: Understanding the Law’.

Enforcement
The Ministry of Labour is committed to enforcing Bill 168. Employers who have not completed their Risk Assessment, policy, program and training by June 15, 2010 are at risk of enforcement actions including orders and prosecutions. Directors and officers must ensure their organizations are in full compliance or risk personal liability. Corporations may be fined up to $500,000.00 and individuals may be fined up to $25,000.00 or jailed for 12 months or both. Compliance with Bill 168 is not only the law, it is also the right thing to prevent workplace viol

NASSCOM Game Developer Summit 2010- Call for Speakers !

2010-05-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

“NASSCOM Game Developer Summit focuses on development of games on various platforms like console, mobile, online and PC. Last year’s summit was India’s first of its kind Game Developer Summit organized to nurture and encourages the community to network and share knowledge.

The Summit is scheduled on 12-13 November 2010 in Hyderabad will attract more than 300 attendees worldwide and provides game development professionals educational, networking, and business opportunities that help drive the game industry. It is a forum where programmers, designers, producers, writers and others involved in the development of interactive games, gather to exchange ideas, and ultimately shape the future of a thriving industry.

This year the event would have more than 20 sessions will address the most pressing development challenges for games.

We are now soliciting session proposals from speakers with deep industry expertise and a fresh and unique perspective on the state of the games industry. The last date to send in your entry is 18 June 2010.”

Speaker Expectations
Conference attendees expect excellence from our speakers. They will evaluate your talk based on delivery, knowledge on the topic addressed, and the visuals presented. Please consider the following when proposing to speak:

The proposed outline must match the talk you present at NASSCOM Game Developer Summit.

You may be required to submit your presentation slides for review prior to acceptance.

We strongly encourage that you rehearse the delivery of your session for it to be effective; preferably in front of your peers.

Your presentation materials must be completed and submitted to us four weeks before the conference.

Have adequate visual accompaniment to your speech.

Allow NASSCOM Game Developer Summit to record and sell copies of your presentation.

For an opportunity to showcase Ontario's expertise in the area of gaming (digital media), by way of a speaking opportunity, please contact:

AJAY RAMASUBRAMANIAM
Trade Advisor - Ontario
Ontario International Marketing Centre
Consulate General of Canada
Fort House, 6th Floor
221, Dr. D.N Road
Mumbai - 400 001
Maharashtra State
INDIA

Mobile: +91-9867-345-292
Tel : +91-22-6749 4444 extn. 3395
Telephone no. (Dir) : +91-22-6749 4495
Fax: +91-22-6749 4415

Final Reminder or CASO Discount for Banff World Television Festival

2010-05-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

LAST WEEK to use your CASO Discount and attend the Banff World Television Festival and nextMEDIA Banff - June 13-16, 2010.

For the price of one ticket, you will have access to BANFF, the world’s largest multi-platform production and development marketplace and nextMEDIA, Canada’s premiere digital media trending and technology conference. Engage with emerging digital content creators and distributors as well as top programming and development executives, producers, broadcasters and dealmakers from Canada and abroad. Create innovative partnerships that will help you build your business in this new era, and benefit from new funding models like the Canada Media Fund. Track the trends shaping animation and connect with the most influential players during our Kids & Animation Program. BANFF is the next step in the evolution of media – and the only conference that is designed to grow your business by combining the expertise of traditional television and the in-demand innovation of digital media.

Use your CASO Discount Today and Save 30% off the ticket price.
Discount ends May 14, 2010.
Visit us at www.banff2010.com

SPECIAL PRESENTATION ILBC & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2010-05-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

All CASO members acknowledge as GTMA partners and will recieve the rate of $30.00 if interested in attending the event on May 21st. For full details please visit the website www.gtmailbc.com

Gemini Awards - Digital Media Category

2010-05-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is now accepting entries in the new Digital Media categories for the 25th Annual Gemini Awards.

This notice is being sent to keep you apprised of the additions to our Digital Media categories so that you might help spread the word to your associates.

The new Digital Media awards are designed to:

• recognize and celebrate the achievements of craftspersons responsible for creating the interactive digital media projects
• focus on content creation and different genres

Three of the five new annual award categories are based on the previous Best Cross-Platform Project award category and recognize interactive Digital Media projects that relate to television projects, whether or not the related television project has been entered into the 25th Annual Gemini Awards, in the following genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Children and Youth.

Two of the new categories recognize original productions, the first broadcast of which is intended for a medium other than television, in the following genres: Fiction and Non-Fiction.

The 2010 Rules and Regulations and official entry form can now be found online at www.geminiawards.ca.

Please see fee schedule below.

Deadline for entry is Tuesday, May 18.

Peer juries will adjudicate the five new award categories. The Academy’s Gemini Special Award Committee will adjudicate the new Special Award.

The following will give you further information about these categories.

1030. Best Cross-Platform Project - Fiction
An interactive project that enhances the user’s enjoyment of a television program/series through such platforms as mobile, the Web and other portable devices. Entries must be associated with a specific program or series that meets the eligibility requirements for the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. The TV partner, however, does not necessarily have to be entered in the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. Projects that are primarily promotional and corporate entities’ interactive works are not eligible in this category, nor are projects entered in the category of Best Cross-Platform Project – Children’s & Youth. This award is intended to honour up to 5 individuals responsible for the work. Eligible credits include Executive Producer, Producer, Website Producer, Site Producer, Creative Producer, Senior Web Producer, and Interactive Producer. The entrant must include either a short video or a text description with screen shots as visual support to demonstrate
the user experience and how their project works.

1031. Best Cross-Platform Project – Non-Fiction
An interactive project that enhances the user’s enjoyment of a television program/series through such platforms as mobile, the web and other portable devices. Entries must be associated with a specific program or series that meets the eligibility requirements for the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. The TV partner, however, does not necessarily have to be entered in the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. Projects that are primarily promotional and corporate entities’ interactive works are not eligible in this category. This award is intended to honour up to 5 individuals responsible for the work. Eligible credits include Executive Producer, Producer, Website Producer, Site Producer, Creative Producer, Senior Web Producer, and Interactive Producer. The entrant must include either a short video or a text description with screen shots as visual support to demonstrate the user experience and how their project works.

1032. Best Cross-Platform Project – Children’s and Youth
An interactive project that enhances the user’s enjoyment of a television program/series through such platforms as mobile, the web and other portable devices. Entries must be associated with a specific program or series that meets the eligibility requirements for the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. The TV partner, however, does not necessarily have to be entered in the 25th Annual Gemini Awards. Projects that are primarily promotional and corporate entities’ interactive works are not eligible in this category. This award is intended to honour up to 5 individuals responsible for the work. Eligible credits include Executive Producer, Producer, Website Producer, Site Producer, Creative Producer, Senior Web Producer, and Interactive Producer. The entrant must include either a short video or a text description with screen shots as visual support to demonstrate the user experience and how their project works.

1033. Best Original Program or Series produced for Digital Media – Fiction
An original video program or series, the first broadcast of which is intended for a digital medium other than television. Programs that are primarily promotional are not eligible in this category.

1034. Best Original Program or Series produced for Digital Media – Non-Fiction
An original program or series, the first broadcast of which is intended for a digital medium other than television. Programs that are primarily promotional are not eligible in this category.

Note: Eligibility requirements for these awards:

1. The cross-platform project or original program produced for digital media must be produced by a Canadian company.
2. The cross-platform project must be related to a television program that is eligible for the Gemini Awards competition. The television program does not have to be submitted to the Gemini competition.
3. The original program produced for digital media must first be made available to the public on a digital medium other than television.
4. The cross-platform project or original program produced for digital media must not be dedicated primarily to promoting a program or be a promotional program.
5. The cross-platform project must have gone live and the original program produced for digital media must have been made available to the public, in Canada, during the eligibility period.

Special Award - Outstanding Technical Achievement in Digital Media
(Deadline for Entry July 15, 2010)

This award may, but need not, be presented on an annual basis to honour a recent worthy technical achievement in the Canadian digital media industry. Any device, method or invention of exceptional technical value used in production, distribution or display of content and less than three years from initial implementation may be entered for this special award. The technical achievement may relate to any digital platform.

Nomination Process: Nominations are received from members of the Academy and the industry at large. Recommendations should be sent to the Gemini Special Awards Committee, who will convene to recommend a winner. The recommendation will be passed on to the Board of Directors for approval.

Please provide the following information for the Committee’s consideration:

1. The name of the device, method or invention.
2. Date of first private showing.
3. Date of actual industry use.
4. How the device, method or invention serves to enhance the content.
5. Impact of this technical achievement on the industry.
6. Extent that the technical achievement has been accepted by the industry.
7. Patents (pending) considered for this achievement.
8. Please state why recognition should be received for this technical achievement.
9. Contact information for the submitter.
Contact information for the recipient.

Please note that the entry form can be filled out online and sent in electronically.
Visit www.geminiawards.ca for all applicable forms.

Cost of Entry

Categories 1030 through 1034:

Member.....................$350.00
Non-Member.............$500.00

Note: Entry costs are significantly lower once the entrant is an Academy member.

For more information about Academy membership, please visit: http://www.academy.ca/membership/

ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP COSTS

Voting Membership……....$150.00 + Applicable Taxes
Non-Voting Membership…$100.00 + Applicable Taxes

Tweet For Your Ticket

2010-04-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

Want to attend BANFF 2010? Tweet for your Ticket!

This year the Banff World Television Festival and nextMEDIA Banff are joining forces to offer you the opportunity to attend the world’s largest multi-platform production and development marketplace and Canada’s premiere digital media trending and technology conference. Whether you are a producer, broadcaster, multi-platform content creator, tech developer, or advertiser - we want to know why BANFF 2010 is your must-attend television and digital media conference.

Using the #Banff2010 hashtag start tweeting the number one reason why BANFF 2010 is for you. We will be keeping track of the tweets and will pick the most original and interesting explanation as our winner. Any reason is fair game! Participants may choose to highlight speakers, sessions, and networking opportunities or their own experiences and ideas.

Make sure to follow our twitter account @BanffTVFest as we will be contacting the winner by direct message.

Contest starts Monday April 26th will close Friday April 30th 2010. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 4th 2010 and will be awarded a complimentary ticket to BANFF 2010.

For rules and regulations please visit the website http://www.banff2010.com/tweet.for.your.ticket.contest.php

Portfolio Launches "In Toon With Tweens" Animation Contest

2010-04-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PORTFOLIO ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE
“IN TOON WITH TWEENS” ANIMATION CONTEST

Option & Development Deal Prizes Totaling $10,000 CDN
Awarded To Top Two Winning Entries

Toronto, Canada (February 8, 2010) – Portfolio Entertainment Inc. unveils its inaugural “In Toon With Tweens” animation contest, an initiative designed to encourage creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking by throwing the doors open to new voices within the global animation community. Portfolio Entertainment invites animators and creators with serious comedy chops to submit their original projects - television or multiplatform - for a chance at $10,000 CDN in cash as part of Option and Development Agreements. The call for submissions officially opens today, entries must be received by June 15, 2010 and winners will be notified on September 15, 2010. The contest was announced today by Portfolio Entertainment’s Co-Founders & Presidents, Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen.

The challenge is to find original comedy submissions that are fresh, surprising and utterly new for kids 8 to 12 years old. A first prize of $7,500 CDN will be awarded as part of a two-year Option and Development Agreement and a second prize of $2,500 CDN as part of a one-year Option and Development Agreement will go to the runner up.

“Our approach at Portfolio is to break the mold with each new project we develop,” said Lisa Olfman, Co-Founder and President of the company. “What better way to nurture emerging talent and encourage established talent to be fearless, than by throwing open our doors with this animation initiative.”

Through “In Toon With Tweens,” the top 15 finalists, as selected by Portfolio Entertainment, will also gain unprecedented exposure to industry decision-makers in kids’ television and new media. The distinguished panel of Judges will be comprised of Portfolio Entertainment executives, broadcasters and prominent industry veterans who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eligibility requirements include some professional industry experience. Complete guidelines and instructions for submission can be found online at www.portfolioentertainment.com/contest. Winning entries will be selected by the panel of Judges based on the most entertaining, innovative and bold concepts.

ABOUT PORTFOLIO ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Founded in 1991, Toronto-based Portfolio Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent producers and international distributors of award-winning television programs for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Co-Founders Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen’s commitment to creative excellence and solid domestic and international relationships have propelled their programs onto the world’s most prestigious television networks. The partners have won numerous television industry awards internationally and they consistently rank in Profit Magazine's W100 list of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs. Portfolio Entertainment’s newest series is, The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!, based on Dr. Seuss’ iconic Cat character. Portfolio Entertainment’s distribution division has an ambitious, eclectic catalogue of over 2,000 episodes of programming as well as access to some of the world’s most established broadcasters and emerging new players.
Portfolio Entertainment is located on the web at www.portfolioentertainment.com.

For further information about Portfolio Entertainment, to arrange interviews or to request images please contact Davis Public Relations:

Kat Garcia Stacey Levy
kat@davispr.com stacey@davispr.com
818.986.0323 818.986.0323

For questions about “In Toon With Tweens” submission guidelines please contact:

Anna Mele
portfolio@portfolio-ent.com
416.483.9773

Industry Night

2010-04-21T06:05:00.001-07:00

Recognizing CORE

2010-04-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Here is an article recognizing the talented people from CORE.
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1697&Itemid=316

Herzing College - 3D Artistry Presentation, Thursday April 15th, 2010

2010-04-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

Herzing College is hosting a Galleria night for family, friends, and various representatives of the 3D industry at the Eaton Center, level 2 of the Galleria. Come check it out.

Canadian effects whiz whips Clash of the Titans into 3D

2010-04-08T09:22:00.001-07:00

How do you turn a 2-D film into a 3-D money tree?

Having just talked to Hollywood’s go-to guy at the moment, your guess is as good as ours. He won’t say.

He also won’t directly take on his biggest critic (and former boss) Avatar director, James Cameron. At this point, Chris Bond is still a relative minnow. But come Sunday morning, he could be something else entirely.

Winnipeger Bond has created a software package called View-D that converts 2-D straw to 3-D gold quicker and cheaper (read: a reported $5 million (U.S.) per feature) than anyone else. He recently won the contract to rework blockbuster sword-and-sandal epic Clash of the Titans. Eight-and-a-half go-go-go weeks later, ta da. You’ll see the results beginning Friday.
So, how does it work, Chris?

“It’s artist-driven,” Bond says from Los Angeles, where he’s taking a few days off.
Uh-huh.

“There are a number of different phases and stages.”

Alright.

“Basically it’s ..... a ha ha ..... basically it’s patent pending.”

Gotcha.

Followed by a long, determined silence.

And, seriously, that’s all Bond will say. Prior to View-D, there were two main ways to render a live-action film shot in 2-D into 3-D, or what Bond calls “stereo.”

There is a number-crunching geometric method that replaces objects in an imaginary three-dimensional space, as in a video game.

Then there is rotoscoping, an animation technique in which objects are cut out and reframed using a collage effect. View-D uses neither geometry, rotoscoping or a third method, frame painting.

According to Bond, everybody else’s tools are primitive, costly and, most importantly, time-consuming when compared to View-D.

“We can do in minutes what other people need weeks to do,” he says.

Bond, 39, has worked in visual effects for a decade. He says that it was during a 2009 Las Vegas trade show – while he was sharing pre-dawn calls with James Cameron on Avatar, but before that film had changed the market – that he had his eureka moment.

“I just looked around at all the 3-D stuff, and it was all really complicated and really difficult,” Bond said. “So I started working on weekends, evenings, my own time, and I came up with a process to convert images to 3-D.”

Eventually, Bond brought the software package to work at post-production and visual effects (VFX) multinational, Prime Focus. He smoothed out the kinks by converting films that his company was doing the effects for. Somebody important noticed.

“The reason we got (Clash) is that last summer we were doing some tests for Harry Po ..... um, I won’t say which movie for Warner Brothers,” Bond said.

I think you just did.

“Um, right. Well, I’m not allowed to say that.”

So what’re you working on now? Besides Harry Po ....., I mean.

“I can’t say.”

Of course.

Whatever he has in the pipeline, everything rests on this weekend, when Clash is released.

“It’s ..... ha ha ..... it’s ..... let’s just say I am watching with great interest,” says Bond. Did we mention that the View-D patents are held in his name, not his employer’s?

Among Bond’s most recent VFX credits are G.I. Joe and the aforementioned Avatar, tortuously and expensively shot using 3-D technology.

Since he built the bandwagon, Avatar director Cameron has spent a lot of time knocking off people like Bond, who’d like to climb on via conversion. He’s been particularly spiteful about Bond’s yet-to-be seen efforts on Clash.

“They ignore the fact that we natively authored (Avatar) in 3-D, and decide that what we accomplished in several years of production could be done in an eight-week conversion with Clash of the Titans,” Cameron told USA Today three weeks ago. “If people put bad 3-D in the marketplace they’re going to hold back or even threaten the emerging of 3-D. People will be confused by differences in quality.”

Bond is careful in responding. There’s a long preamble about Cameron’s achievements (“I’ve loved, um, enjoyed his projects”) and a slightly tortured allusion about different still photographers preferring different cameras.

But it boils down to this: “It’s a little frustrating for everybody that’s worked so hard on the (conversion) project to have people who haven’t seen it make derogatory comments. I’d prefer that they’d wait until they saw the material.”

And there is the small issue of Cameron, conversion’s main hater, wanting to convert and re-release Titanic.

“That’s the irony,” says Bond. “On the one hand, it’s terrible and on the other, (he) may choose to do it (him)self.”

And if he gets a load of Clash and decides to call you up, you’re happy to help out, right?

“Happy!” Bond says. “I think Avatar was a fantastic achievement and I think that Clash looks great. But I don’t want to suggest that the five years of effort he put into the technology on a movie like Avatar is in any way overshadowed by anything we’ve done.”

No, no. Perish the thought.

CASO Visits India

2010-04-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

CASO, with the vital financial support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, sent a small delegation to attend India’s premier entertainment industry business conference (FICCI-Frames) in mid-March. The delegation comprised of Andrew Harvey (Guru Animation), David Steinberg (Starz Animation) and me (Side Effects Software). Our mandate was to recommend whether or not a larger delegation from CASO should be attending next year’s conference, on the basis of there being sufficient business opportunities in India for CASO member companies beyond the less-appealing outsourcing of Canadian work to Indian companies.

The week-long trip was comprised of two parts: the 3-day convention in Mumbai followed by a trip to Pune, a prospering city of 6.5M people, which is placing significant focus on animation/vfx/gaming.

This was the eleventh anniversary of the Frames conference. The program featured many familiar topics found in other geographies such as film piracy, co-production opportunities, developing profitable IP content. With the help of Ajay Ramasubramaniam and Sachin Balpande, both trade advisors working within Mumbai’s Canadian Consulate, we were able to meet with a variety of studios during the conference. While this wasn’t as insightful as actually visiting the studios themselves, it did allow us to get a broader sense of the players because of the all-under-one-roof convenience of the meetings. Unexpectedly, we garnered a lot of value from our impromptu conversations with foreign delegates who were experienced with doing business in India’s animation industry. Ajay also organized an interview with Animation Express - the most popular on-line news source dedicated to our industry and a visit to Crest Studios – one of the larger studios in India, soon to release the country’s first stereoscopic feature animation Alpha and Omega for Lionsgate.

In Pune, we visited four studios and had a constructive meeting with members of their animation/vfx/gaming committee in their chamber of commerce offices. Again part of the greatest value was had through our informal discussions where we had time to delve deeper into the workings of their industry, their own aspirations and ideas, and what they saw as opportunities in working with Canadian companies.

Sachin is currently organizing a trade mission of Indian companies to visit Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto in late May anchored by Vancouver’s Digi Week. We know a number of the facilities participating in this delegation who will want to do business with Canadian companies, in a flavour other than outsourcing.

We submitted our report to Michael and hope to have the opportunity to share our impressions and findings with those CASO members that are interested in India beyond outsourcing.

Richard Hamel

nextMEDIA's Digital Hot List

2010-04-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

nextMEDIA's Digital Hot List

"What a rush! The Digital Hot List Rocks! Being nominated, attending nextMEDIA Banff, and ultimately winning the Award, took the Bitchin' brand to the next level of exposure and opportunity. I'd say that our network of interested industry partners - from ad agencies to tech companies - grew five-fold that weekend. You gotta be hot to win, but things really start heating up when you do."
- Digital Hot List winner Josh Dorsey, Bitchin' Kitchen
The 30 second spot is dead. The market for advertising is changing, and you are on the cutting-edge of this change. Your digital property is the hottest thing online – all you need now is the chance to show off!

nextMEDIA - Canada’s premier digital media trending and technology conference, is on the hunt for the next hotshot ready to make their mark on the digital universe! The Digital Hot List completion is open to Canada’s best developers, content producers, and digital superstars looking to be discovered and change the face of digital media.
The Digital Hot List competition has expanded this year to include 4 categories:
• Media (Does your website stand out amongst the rest?)
• Talent (Are you a proven online superstar with millions of followers?)
• Content Proposal (Got the best new idea for online content and branded entertainment?)
• Technologies (Are you creating the coolest apps, games and digital ad solutions?)

Finalists will be promoted at nextMEDIA and showcased in front top agencies like Taxi, Henderson Bas, Proximity, Mclaren McCann, Lowe Roche, and Trapeze looking for new sponsorship opportunities, brand integration opportunities and new creative partners during the event.

Get your name out there and make your mark! The Hot List is your chance to showcase your new, innovative properties and grab the attention of advertisers, looking for exciting brand integration opportunities.
Contest closes May 3rd, 2010

Click here to learn more, and take your hot properties to the next level!
Want to learn more about nextMEDIA Banff? Visit us at www.nextmediaevents.com/banff
CASO Members - click here to use your CASO Registration Discount!

Enhancements to the Film & Television Tax Credits (OCASE, OPSTC & OFTTC)

2010-04-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Enhancements to the Film & Television Tax Credits (OCASE, OPSTC & OFTTC) OCASE:
We are pleased to inform you that the enhancements to the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE) which were announced in the Provincial Budget of March 26, 2009, were passed into law by Regulatory amendment on March 16, 2010.

The enhancements, which apply to expenditures incurred after March 26, 2009, consist of the following:

• eligible labour expenditures (qualifying remuneration) increased to 100% from 50% of amounts paid to arm’s-length unincorporated individuals and partnerships providing freelance services;
• eligible labour expenditures (qualifying remuneration) expanded to include 100% of amounts paid to arm’s-length incorporated individuals (personal services corporations) providing freelance services;
• if the animation or visual effects are completed after March 26, 2009, the removal of the requirement that an eligible animation or visual effect be created “primarily” with digital technologies

OPSTC:
The enhancements to the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC), which were announced by the Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance on June 30, 2009, were passed into law on December 15, 2009. Effective for expenditures incurred after June 30, 2009, the OPSTC has been expanded to include all qualifying production expenditures, being qualifying labour as well as qualifying service contract and tangible property expenditures.

OFTTC:
Please note as well that an amendment to the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC) relating to the regional bonus was also passed into law on December 15, 2009. The definition of a “regional Ontario production” has been amended to allow wholly animated productions which perform no more than 15% of key animation outside of the Greater Toronto Area (“GTA”) to qualify for the regional bonus. Previously, all key animation for the production had to be performed outside of the GTA to qualify for the regional bonus.

New Administrative Policy :
As announced over the past few months in our OMDC newsletter, in our continued effort to decrease overall processing time on files, as of April 1, 2010 we will be implementing a new policy. The OMDC Tax Credits & Financing Programs department will only review complete applications received in our office as of April 1st and onwards. It is our hope that by limiting the amount of incomplete applications received and prioritizing the complete applications, we can deliver a higher level of customer service and ultimately have certificates issued sooner.
If you have any questions regarding any of these changes, please call the OMDC at (416)314- 6858.
Jennifer Blitz Director Tax Credits & Financing Programs

LA Trade Mission

2010-04-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Digital Effects Mission
February 24th to 28th

Representatives from Ontario VFX Studios’, Authority FX, C.O.R.E., Guru Studio, Imarion, Invisible Pictures, Keyframe, Mr. X, Optix, Rocket Science and SPIN attended CASO’s 2nd Digital Visual Effects Mission to LA at the end of February. Sponsored by The OMDC and the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Ontario, delegates were introduced to major studio players as well as independent Producers, Supervisors and larger LA based visual effects and animation facilities. Studios offered insight into their needs and valuable intellectual recognizance.

The Business of Producing Visual Effects in Ontario panel was well received and offered valuable insight to potential clients. Working with the VES, an international organization for digital artists and visual effects technicians, as a branded sponsor for the event has opened the doors for future co-marketing opportunities.

Ontario delegates also attended the VES awards Gala, held at The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. Honored guests of the night were Avatar Director, James Cameron and Dr. Ed Catmull, President Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar, a renowned industry pioneer. The event provided targeted networking opportunities with key VFX Supervisors, Producers, Post Supervisors, Designers, Consultants and Studio Representatives. Delegates were able to capture current creative intelligence and get a feel for who’s who in the visual effects industry.

We want you to be heard

2010-04-01T07:03:00.000-07:00

Working on a cool project that you want to share? Have some important news members should know about? Have suggestions that CASO can do for it's members?

We want to hear from you. Our members make our association and CASO represents studios of all sizes. Our board consists of independent studios and producers along with some of the largest studios in Canada. Together, the board works tirelessly to support the industry in a wide range of functions. Since 2004, CASO has grown working with studios, producers, Education system, governing bodies and delegates from around the world to continue to grow our VFX and Animation community. Please send us suggestions and comments as we seek membership involvement at all levels. With the industry continually changing, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on how CASO can best serve it's members.

Brazil Trade Mission - 2010

2010-04-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

March was a very busy month for CASO. Thanks to the OMDC and the Ministry of Culture, we were able to commission a trade mission to LA, Hong Kong, India and Brazil. I was lucky enough to be apart of the Brazil Trade Mission where the Consulate General of Canada in Sao Paulo organized several studio tours and valuable meetings with broadcasters and Brazil Television Producers Associations (BTVP). The attendee's learned the inner workings of developing joint ventures, the legalities in co-productions and and number of financing models each country may come across. CASO is fortunate to be able to bring 8 studios heads to Brazil to develop relationships abroad. It is with the support of government agencies and CASO members to participate in such events that will continue the growth and profitability of our industry. CASO would like to especially thank Fernanda Whitaker, Elise Raciot, Jaqueline Aguilar and the many others that at the Consulate General of Canada in Sao Paul who organized such great meetings and tours.

Toronto, March 16, 2010 - C.O.R.E CLOSES IT'S DOORS

2010-03-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

CASO is sadden to hear of the closure of C.O.R.E, a founding member studio of CASO and a cherished institution within the Canadian and International Animation & VFX industries.

C.O.R.E. was established in 1994 and attracted some of the industry's top talent The studio was a full production and output facility offering a broad range of services such as C.O.R.E. Visual Effects, C.O.R.E. Toons, C.O.R.E. Film Productions and C.O.R.E. Feature Animation. C.O.R.E. was also the creator of ground breaking visual and animation techniques and became the gold standard for production in Canada.

CASO is working closely with C.O.R.E. to help transition existing projects and former staff quickly and effectively where needed.
Although a great loss to our industry and community, Ontario Animation & VFX studios continue to be the best in the world offering unparalleled creative, technical and production management.

Established in 2005, CASO is a non-profit trade association representing the digital animation and visual effects community in Ontario, Canada. As an advocate for the industry, CASOs primary areas of operation are: International Marketing and Promotion, Industry Statistics and Competitive Advantage, Education and Organizational Relations, Government Relations and Member Services. www.casont.ca

New Media - Brazil and Canada Chamber of Commerce

2010-03-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

The Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce has an amazing event on March 31st that would be ideal for those that deal in new media or international partnerships.

Canadian games, mobile and animation companies need international markets. Brazil has 150 million cell phone subscribers but estimates suggest that just 11 million use mobile internet regularly. Opportunities abound when touch screen devices are brought together with mobile marketing companies.

Leverage Brazil the largest market in Latin America. It’s partnerships that will win!

Learn from expert speakers including Ubisoft from Brazil and RIM in Canada.

Date: Wednesday March 31, 2010
Location: Ontario Investment and Trade Centre
35th Floor, 250 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5B 2L7
Time: 8:00am to 11:00am
Tickets:
Member of BCCC, CASO or IO: CAD$35.00
Non-member: CAD$55.00

http://newmediabrazil.eventbrite.com/

Brigitte Grossmann Cairus
Vice President - Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce - BCCC - Toronto
PhD Candidate - History Department - York University - Toronto
Executive Member - Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean - CERLAC - York University - Toronto
Contact: bcairus@iecanada.com

NEWS RELEASE TORONTO, ON, March 10, 2010 - CASO Receives Funding Support from the OMDC’s Entertainment & Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund.

2010-03-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

CASO is pleased to be one of this year’s recipients of the Entertainment & Creative Cluster Partnerships fund (the Partnerships Fund). This funding will enable CASO to revitalize their existing website in order to support a suite of web-based social networking and marketing tools which aim to strengthen the links between CASO members; improve membership outreach and recruitment; and provide a centralized marketing platform for new business & employment opportunities in the digital animation & effects realm.

“With this financial assistance, computer animation and visual effects studios in Ontario will be in a much stronger position to better showcase the cutting edge work of our members. Ultimately this will contribute to more innovation and jobs in Ontario.” states Michael Carter, President of CASO.

The Partnerships Fund is co-administered by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) & Ministry of Culture. The Fund was designed to help Ontario’s entertainment & creative industries invest in smart ways to grow and increase their competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Established in 2005, CASO is a non-profit trade association representing the digital animation and visual effects community in Ontario, Canada. As an advocate for the industry, CASO’s primary areas of operation are: International Marketing and Promotion, Industry Statistics and Competitive Advantage, Education and Organizational Relations, Government Relations and Member Services. www.casont.ca

For more information, please contact:
Marianne Culbert
Chair, Communications
CASO
416-214-9911

OMDC Launches New Online Application Portal

2010-03-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

TORONTO, February 22, 2010 – Ontario Media Development Corporation (www.omdc.on.ca)
is digitally transforming the way it does business with the launch today of a new paperless, secure online application portal (OAP).

The OAP will make it easier for OMDC’s stakeholders to apply for tax credits and other programs, by allowing them to track the status of their applications online (including uploading and storing corporate documents), as well as enabling them to communicate directly with OMDC staff via the portal.

The new service will be available to both OMDC stakeholders and to the juries who adjudicate many of OMDC’s funding programs. The online application portal will be phased in as follows:

• All OMDC clients may register now by filling in their corporate profiles.
• Applications may be made online immediately for the following tax credits: Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit (OSRTC), Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit (OBPTC) and Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (OIDMTC).
• On March 22, 2010, applications will also be accepted online for the following tax credits: Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit (OFTTC), Ontario Production Services Tax Credit (OPSTC) and Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects tax credit (OCASE)
• Applicants to OMDC’s Industry Development Programs will be able to apply online as the respective programs roll out during the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Ontario Media Development Corporation is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture responsible for stimulating jobs and investment in six cultural media sectors: the book and magazine publishing, film & television, music and interactive digital media industries. OMDC achieves its mandate through a variety of programs, funds, services and tax credits, and by providing support for festivals, markets and events. The entire entertainment and creative cluster produces $15 billion in revenue and over 200,000 jobs, contributing $12.7 billion to the province’s GDP.

For further information, please contact:
Sharon Wilson - 416-642-6616
swilson@omdc.on.ca

CASO Registration Discount for the Banff World Television Festival and nextMEDIA Banff – One Ticket, Two World Class Media Events, June 13-16, 2010

2010-03-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

For over 30 years, the Banff World Television Festival has offered television professionals the chance to pitch ideas, discover new talent, connect with top executives and make career-changing deals on an international scale. This year, Banff is taking TV to new heights by joining forces with Canada’s premier digital media conference, nextMEDIA. Connect with the interactive talent that will take your content properties to new and growing audiences. Partner with digital media leaders and explore new funding opportunities that will place your business at the forefront of the emerging media ecosystem. See your ideas go from pitch to program while networking with over a thousand of world’s top entertainment and digital technology executives.

NEW! Banff 2010 Kids & Animation Program will feature invaluable sessions, workshops, face-to-face meetings and networking opportunities where you will have the chance to interact with - and learn from - the most influential leaders in the Kids & Animation industry.
Take the next step – Register Now and Save 30% off with your CASO Discount!
Discount ends May 14, 2010.
Visit us at www.banff2010.com

CASO is excited to invite you to meet Pixar's Supervising Animator

2010-03-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Mike started working at Pixar Animation Studios in September 2000 where he showcased his considerable animation skills in characters from a number of Pixar’s acclaimed feature films, including Monsters, Inc., the Academy Award-winning features such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Up. Venturini is currently working on Disney•Pixar’s
Toy Story 3, scheduled for release on June 18, 2010.

Prior to Pixar, Mike was a 2D animator at Warner Bros, working on a variety of films including Space Jam, The Iron Giant and Osmosis Jones. He also spent some time at DreamWorks where he animated on Road to El Dorado. At a young age Mike was already a big fan of the Goofy shorts, Masters of the Universe and the classically animated Disney films in general. But it was only after seeing a Disney special about how people made cartoons by drawing all day, that Mike decided to pursue a career in animation.

Raised in Paso Robles, California, Mike graduated from the Vancouver School of Animation (VanArts) in Vancouver, BC in 1995.

Ricardo has over ten animated feature films to his credit, such as Monsters Inc. and The Incredibles (Pixar), The Iron Giant (Warner Bros.) and Horton Hears a Who (Blue Sky Studios) as an animator, story artist and head of story.

Friends and collaborators for years, they will cover Mike’s artistic work and experience, paired with some shared stories. Q&A session to follow.

Members Tickets:
$25 + GST (RSVP - rsvp@casont.ca)
$30 + GST (At the door)

Non-Member Tickets:
$40 + GST (RSVP - rsvp@casont.ca)
$45 + GST (At the door)

PORTFOLIO ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE “IN TOON WITH TWEENS” ANIMATION CONTEST

2010-02-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

Option & Development Deal Prizes Totaling $10,000 CDN
Awarded To Top Two Winning Entries

Toronto, Canada (February 8, 2010) – Portfolio Entertainment Inc. unveils its inaugural “In Toon With Tweens” animation contest, an initiative designed to encourage creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking by throwing the doors open to new voices within the global animation community. Portfolio Entertainment invites animators and creators with serious comedy chops to submit their original projects - television or multiplatform - for a chance at $10,000 CDN in cash as part of Option and Development Agreements. The call for submissions officially opens today, entries must be received by June 15, 2010 and winners will be notified on September 15, 2010. The contest was announced today by Portfolio Entertainment’s Co-Founders & Presidents, Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen.

The challenge is to find original comedy submissions that are fresh, surprising and utterly new for kids 8 to 12 years old. A first prize of $7,500 CDN will be awarded as part of a two-year Option and Development Agreement and a second prize of $2,500 CDN as part of a one-year Option and Development Agreement will go to the runner up.

“Our approach at Portfolio is to break the mold with each new project we develop,” said Lisa Olfman, Co-Founder and President of the company. “What better way to nurture emerging talent and encourage established talent to be fearless, than by throwing open our doors with this animation initiative.”

Through “In Toon With Tweens,” the top 15 finalists, as selected by Portfolio Entertainment, will also gain unprecedented exposure to industry decision-makers in kids’ television and new media. The distinguished panel of Judges will be comprised of Portfolio Entertainment executives, broadcasters and prominent industry veterans who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eligibility requirements include some professional industry experience. Complete guidelines and instructions for submission can be found online at www.portfolioentertainment.com/contest. Winning entries will be selected by the panel of Judges based on the most entertaining, innovative and bold concepts.

ABOUT PORTFOLIO ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Founded in 1991, Toronto-based Portfolio Entertainment is one of Canada’s leading independent producers and international distributors of award-winning television programs for kids, tweens, teens, and adults. Co-Founders Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen’s commitment to creative excellence and solid domestic and international relationships have propelled their programs onto the world’s most prestigious television networks. The partners have won numerous television industry awards internationally and they consistently rank in Profit Magazine's W100 list of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs. Portfolio Entertainment’s newest series is, The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That!, based on Dr. Seuss’ iconic Cat character. Portfolio Entertainment’s distribution division has an ambitious, eclectic catalogue of over 2,000 episodes of programming as well as access to some of the world’s most established broadcasters and emerging new players. Portfolio Entertainment is located on the web at www.portfolioentertainment.com.

For further information about Portfolio Entertainment, to arrange interviews or to request images please contact Davis Public Relations:

Kat Garcia Stacey Levy
kat@davispr.com stacey@davispr.com
818.986.0323 818.986.0323

For questions about “In Toon With Tweens” submission guidelines please contact:

Anna Mele
portfolio@portfolio-ent.com
416.483.9773

WEB ExpoForum Brazil 2010

2010-02-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

The Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo is pleased to invite Canadian companies to participate at the forth edition of WEB ExpoForum, one of the leading events on the Internet Market in Brazil, which will take place in São Paulo from March 17 to 19, 2010. This three-day event brings together key Brazilian executives that use the opportunities created by Web 2.0 in a broad array of areas: Technology, Creativity, Communication, Innovation, Education, Business and Digital Marketing.

This year 8 CASO company members will be invited to attend WEB Expo in Brazil.
The trip will include:

Economy Class Airfare from Toronto to Brazil

Ground Transportation

Accommodations for 4-5 nights

Daily per diem

*Full Mission Agenda to Follow*

All other expenses including VISA permits, will be paid by the participant companies. Each company will be required to submit a post trip report and then provide a follow-up report 3-6 months after.

Each CASO participant must provide a head shot and a 75 word company description.

VISA permit requirements:
www.consbrastoronto.org/visas_business.php

You can also visit their website:
www.webexpoforum.com.br/2010/home.asp (it is only in portuguese)

For any other inquireies please contact Shiryln: shirlyn@casont.ca

FRAMES 2010 Mumbai, India

2010-02-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

FRAMES 2010 will take place this year in Mumbai, India, from March 16-18. Over 2000 Indian and 800 foreign delegates are expected to attend the event. Sessions will cover the entire gamut of entertainment - Films, Broadcast (TV & Radio), Digital Entertainment, Animation, Gaming, Visual Effects. Industry leaders from the international and domestic arena will address all sessions.

This year exclusively for CASO members only, FRAMES 2010 will be fully funded for 3 invited CASO companies.
Trip Includes:

Economy Class Airfare from Toronto to Mumbai

Ground Transportation

Accommodations for 4-5 nights

Daily per diem

*Full mission agenda to follow*

All other expenses including VISA permits, will be paid by the participant companies. Each company will be required to submit a post trip report and then provide a follow-up report 3-6 months after.

For more info about FICCI FRAMES 2010 please visit their website:
www.ficci-frames.com

VISA permits should be completed ASAP, and will be at the companies expense. For information about VISA permit requirements please visit:
www.india-visa.com/toronto-info.htm

All other inquiries please contact Shirlyn: shirlyn@casont.ca

Enterprise Ireland and Animation Ireland invites you to their Networking Event at Kidscreen

2010-02-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

Tax Tips of the Month!

2010-01-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

Tax Update from OMDC
In a continued effort to decrease overall processing time on files, as of April 1st 2010 we will be implementing a new policy: the OMDC Tax Credits & Financing Programs department will only review complete applications received in our office. It is our hope that by limiting the amount of incomplete applications received and prioritizing the complete applications, we can deliver a higher level of customer service and ultimately have certificates issued sooner.

Tax Tip From PWC
This tax tip for the month comes from Price Waterhouse Coopers. Many thanks to Tracey Jennings and her team @ PWC!
Follow the link below for a full list of "Entertainment and Media Tax Clip".

http://www.pwc.com/ca/en/entertainment-media/tax-clip/index.jhtml

Canadians invited to participate in WEB ExpoForum in São Paulo

2010-01-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo is pleased to invite Canadian companies to participate at the forth edition of WEB ExpoForum, one of the leading events on the Internet Market in Brazil, which will take place in São Paulo from March 17 to 19, 2010. This three-day event brings together key Brazilian executives that use the opportunities created by Web 2.0 in a broad array of areas: Technology, Creativity, Communication, Innovation, Education, Business and Digital Marketing.

There are no costs associated to the participation, however participants are responsible for their own travel costs and logistics.

This might be a good opportunity for companies in this sector who have shown interest in the Brazilian market and were looking at a chance to visit and develop their local networks. The Canadian Consulate will have a "meeting point" type of booth where participants will be able to introduce products and services to the Brazilian market as well as to meet key influencers in the internet sector. In addition, we will be happy to provide assistance to arrange other activities and meetings tailored to the participant's needs, during their stay in Brazil.

For more info please contact Shiryln: shirlyn@casont.ca

Interested companies are invited to contact us directly (fernanda.whitaker@international.gc.ca) before February 5th , 2010.

2010 DIGITAL VISUAL EFFECTS TRADE MISSION - LOS ANGELES, CA - February 24 – March 1, 2010

2010-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

CASO, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Ontario and the OMDC, is pleased to offer our Member Companies the opportunity to participate in a Digital Visual Effects Trade Mission into the key production center of North America - Los Angeles, CA - February 24 to March 1, 2010.

MISSION PACKAGE & REGISTRATION
The mission package for one (1) company representative includes:
1. Up to $ 1000 CDN reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses, pending receipts and cost statements.

2. One Day “Business of Producing Visual Effects in Ontario” Panel and Afternoon of One to One Meetings with over 50 Visual Effects decision makers, including Producers, Supervisors and Studio Executives

3. Group participation and networking opportunities with pre-arranged meetings at the studios, (possible options include, Paramount, Lakeshore Entertainment, Dark Castle, Summit Entertainment) and selected LA Based Visual Effects Facilities *PLEASE NOTE: meetings will be based on availability and time permitting.

4. One (1) Ticket to the VES Awards Gala - Sunday, February 28th, 2010 @ The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, honoring James Cameron and Dr. Ed Catmull
Registration deadline is Friday, January 29th, 2010
Space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, please submit the attached Registration Form.

TRAVEL DETAILS
Mission participants will be responsible for booking their own flights. Group transportation between meetings on Friday will be provided.

ACCOMODATION
A block of hotel rooms will be pre-negotiated for the best rate. Once your participation has been confirmed, hotel contact information will be provided. At that time you must guarantee your reservation directly with a credit card.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions and/or require further information, please contact: Shirlyn Antonio, Manager, Business Affairs
Tel: 416.207.9142 Email: shirlyn@casont.ca

Generously supported by:
“Ministry of Culture of the Government of Ontario” and the “Ontario Media Development Corporation”

History Makers 2010 is only two weeks away!

2010-01-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

History Makers 2010 is a conference geared towards the History and Current Affairs television industry, and is the ideal place to meet the Commissioning Editors and producers from around the world. Participants from 20 countries are expected to attend in order to learn, listen and network with the best in the their field.

Register now, and take advantage of the opportunity to sign up for History’s Decision Makers Lunches – a chance for delegates to meet one-on-one with top Commissioning Editors, pitch their ideas and receive valuable feedback in a relaxed setting. Space is limited, we encourage you to reserve your meeting today.

Whether it is the History Makers Award Ceremony, which celebrates the best and brightest in History and Current Affairs programming, a master class with the production team behind the ever popular The People Speak, or one of History’s prestigious keynote addresses, like Daniel Goldhagen’s “Worse than War”, History
Maker 2010 promises to a memorable conference that will shape the way you view
history.

Visit www.historymakers2010.com view our latest schedule, or register online.

Toon Boom Makes Harmony Available for Pilot Production

2010-01-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Montreal (December 16, 2009) – Emmy Award-winning Toon Boom Animation Inc. today announced the launch of its unique Pilot Production Program. This program is ideal for anyone who has a concept and wants to pitch it to broadcasters, producers, investors at industry gatherings such as Kidscreen, Cartoon Forum, MIPTV or any others.

With the Pilot Production Program, Toon Boom offers professional animators a unique opportunity to create their TV, Web or Film pilot using the most advanced animation software solution available on the market.

Why should you embark on the Toon Boom Pilot Production Program?
• Produce a high-quality pilot using the world’s best animation production software
• Create assets that can be reused once the project gets the green light
• Rely on Toon Boom’s extensive expertise in animation techniques and production

What Toon Boom provides to you:
• Free access to Toon Boom Storyboard Pro and Harmony stand-alone licenses for up to 3 months
• Access to an in-house expert dedicated to your animation project. Certain conditions apply.

"We are honoured to support the creation of pilots for TV, Film or the Web that will become excellent programming for the small and big screens" shared Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer at Toon Boom.

Detailed information about the Toon Boom Pilot Production Program can be found online at: toonboom.com/pilot-production-program/

About Toon Boom Animation Inc.
Toon Boom Animation Inc. (toonboom.com) is the worldwide leader in animation software solutions. Toon Boom carries user-friendly animation applications for all and develops new geographies to make the animation community as global as can be. In that market segment, Toon Boom caters to the needs of children, home users, creative professionals as well as students, educators and schools.

As importantly, Toon Boom is fully dedicated to the needs of independent animators and studios, offering a wide product range from powerful pre-production tools to leading-edge animation production solutions. Relying on its extensive expertise in animation production, Toon Boom provides consulting services in the fields of optimization, pipeline integration, production assistance and custom development.

In 2005, Toon Boom was granted the Primetime Emmy® Engineering Award by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its significant contribution made to the animation industry targeted for television. In 2006, the IT Federation of Quebec (FIQ) awarded an OCTAS 2006 in the Multimedia – educational and cultural sector category, for Toon Boom Studio. In 2007, FIQ awarded an OCTAS 2007 in the Technological Innovation category, for Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. In 2008, Flip Boom was granted a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and a New Canadian Media Award in the Excellence in Children’s category. In 2009, Flip Boom was selected as Editor’s Choice by the prestigious Children’s Technology Review for excellence in design.

Toon Boom's client base ranges from major studios creating Hollywood blockbuster animated films to individual animators creating their first masterpieces. Market-leading studios using Toon Boom's products include Nelvana, Warner Bros., Mercury Filmworks, China Central Television, Toonz Animation India, eMation, Rough Draft Korea, Alphanim, BKN, Cromosoma and Enarmonia, to name a few. Some of the prestigious productions done with Toon Boom’s technology include Les Triplettes de Belleville, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, The Rugrats, SpongeBob The Movie, Hanuman, Curious George, Go West: A New Lucky Luke Adventure, Simpsons The Movie and The Princess and the Frog.

CASO wants to take you to Kidscreen!

2010-01-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

With the generous help of OMDC, we are thrilled to announce that CASO will be providing airfare, travel and accommodations to 6 CASO members to attend Kidscreen Summit held on February 10-12 in New York.
We would like to invite CASO members who have NOT attended Kidscreen Summit before to experience this great conference and meet Industry Professionals from around the world. A CASO boardmember will be attending along the group to field any questions and make your experience as informative as possible. This is a great opportunity for member who have never attended Kidscreen to gain valuable insight in the global animation and intellectual property community.

Please contact Shirlyn@casont.ca by January 22nd to book your expense paid trip.

All CASO members can apply for this initiative after January 22nd and before January 31st.

Please note that CASO members are still required to purchase a Kidscreen Summit Pass.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

2010 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for the Animation and VFX industry here in Ontario. Although the CDN dollar is strong, there has been an increase in production and there is a strong indication that this will only continue over the year. VFX has rebounded and the Series Animation business continues to maintain slow and steady growth.

CASO has been extremely active in identifying project leads and in developing long term relationships with Government branches; the City of Toronto, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, Economic Development and Trade, Ministry of Culture as well as Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Working together we have secured over $125,000.00 in research, marketing, and organizational development support for the 2009/2010 year. As part of the funding, CASO will lead two Trade Missions in February; one to Kidscreen Summit in NY and one to Los Angeles, CA, with additional missions with international exposure scheduled for March and April.

Most importantly, the pre-Christmas approval of two very important OMDC programs, will only strengthen our businesses and attract more production to Ontario. The OPSTC tax credit on 25% of non-Labour and the pilot IP Development Fund of a 30% repayable grant on development costs, clearly provides a distinct competitive advantage over other animation and VFX centres in Canada.

I encourage all members and non-members to participate in the various programs that CASO has worked hard to provide.

Sincerely Yours,

Michael Carter,
President, CASO

Send us your BIG news, and see it on our next CASO newsletter!

2010-01-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

Another year has past and we want to know what you've been up to.
Win any awards? Working on something awesome? Or Maybe you just have an interesting story to share. Send us an email and let us know and we'll put your tale in the next CASO newsletter. We'd love to hear about it!

Send your big news to:

Shirlyn@casont.ca
Business Affairs Manager

CASO commissions Wesson Consulting to perform a strategic study of the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Industry

2010-01-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

In November, Wesson Consulting was commissioned by CASO to perform a strategic study of the Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Industry. The study is being funded with a grant from the OMDC Research Office. The goal of the study is to analyze the Ontario industry’s strengths and weaknesses and then develop a strategic plan based on these findings. They are looking not only at how the Ontario studios can improve their current operations serving existing markets, but also at whether alternative markets offer new opportunities to sustain and grow the industry.

At this point, they have conducted extensive interviews with opinion leaders inside and outside the industry. Working with the CASO project team, they have developed a good understanding of the current state of the industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces. In the New Year they will be conducting a focus group of industry participants and a short survey of CASO members.

Wesson Consulting has been overwhelmed by the cooperation and enthusiasm they have encountered from everyone they have talked to in the industry. They are looking forward to working with more industry members over the coming weeks. If you have comments or questions about the project or want to share your thoughts about the industry, please feel free to contact Tom Wesson at twc_tom@rogers.com.

CASO 2010 EPK - Call For Submissions

2010-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

CASO is producing our 2010 Electronic Press Kit profiling member companies. This EPK will be professionally packaged and authored on Memory Stick for Domestic and International Marketing Distribution. Last year’s EPK made it onto the desks of over 500 animation and visual effects decision makers!

All interested members are asked to submit a company demo reel as well as 5 shots of your best work to be used in the opening montage. (Note: No priority will be given to member companies for the opening montage. Shots will be chosen and edited in randomorder by the editor.

Submission Requirements

• 1 Company Demo Reel – Maximum duration 3 minutes
• Best Of – submit 5 of your best animation and visual effects shots in their entirety
• Completed Submission Form with contact information and 50 word company description
(Please see attached)
• Completed Legal Clearance (Please see attached)

Technical Specifications

Best of 5 Shots
• To be supplied “bugless”. Note: supply full frame image sequences, HD 10 bit
uncompressed DPX files, 1920 x 1080, 24fps (*NTSC 30fps can be supplied if
necessary and upconverted to HD at our post facility)
• Bugs should be supplied separately as high resolution JPEG or TIFF files with separate alpha channels
• Letterboxing will be completed in the online stage
• Footage to be submitted on DVD or drive

Company Demo Reel
• To be supplied as a 3 minute edited piece. HD 10 bit uncompressed QT 1920x1080,
24fps (*NTSC 30fps can be supplied if necessary and upconverted to HD at our post
facility) or as footage on tape.
• Company logo burn in, in lower right hand corner is required
• Footage to be submitted on HDCam, HDCam SR videotape or digital files supplied on a
drive.

Please note:
*All shots/work displayed on reels must have been completed by the participating company. Submissions completed by staff members before their employment at participating companies will not be accepted.
*Entrants are responsible for their own quality control and legal clearance. CASO accepts no responsibility for material distributed without legal clearance or for work submitted with technical issues.

Entry Fees

The total fee for each company entry is $ 400.00 + GST
Payment must be received by CASO with submitted materials and forms.
Cheques can be made payable to: Computer Animation Studios of Ontario

Deadline for Materials:

Best of – 5 shots - Monday, January 11th, 2010
Company Demo Reel – Monday, January 25th, 2009

Please ship to:
ATTN: Paul Moyer
OPTIX Digital Pictures
157 Princess St.
Toronto, ON M5A 4M4

CASO will also accept additional IN KIND donations from member companies, consisting of editorial, graphic design, DVD authoring, DVD replication or similar production contributions.

For more information please contact:
Christa Tazzeo at the CASO office, 416.207.9142 or christa@casont.ca

Mark O. Forker - Visionary Visual Effects Supervisor

2009-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

Launch of New Intellectual Property Development Fund

2009-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

We are delighted to inform you that Minister Carroll today announced the launch of the new Intellectual Property Development Fund. We know you have looked forward to this with great anticipation. Detailed guidelines and FAQ’s about the IP Development Fund are now available on OMDC’s website www.omdc.on.ca.

Application forms will be available on the website by December 14th. OMDC will begin accepting applications at that time for development expenditures incurred from April 1, 2009 and up to March 31, 2010.

Information sessions will be scheduled for January 19, 25 and 28 in Toronto, and February 17 in Ottawa. Further details about how to register for the information sessions will be posted on our website, sent by email to stakeholders and featured in our monthly newsletter.

If you have any questions regarding the Intellectual Property Development Fund that are not addressed in the guidelines or FAQ’s, please contact the OMDC at IPFund@omdc.on.ca or (416) 645-8524.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Blitz
Director Tax Credits & Financing Programs

Objet : Lancement du nouveau Fonds pour le développement de la propriété intellectuelle

Nous sommes ravis de vous informer que la ministre Carroll a annoncé aujourd’hui le lancement du nouveau Fonds pour le développement de la propriété intellectuelle. Nous savons que vous attendez ce moment avec trépidation. Vous trouverez ci-joint le communiqué de presse et le document d’information sur le Fonds pour le développement de la PI. Par ailleurs, les lignes directrices détaillées et une FAQ sur le Fonds pour le développement de la PI sont maintenant disponibles sur le site Web de la SODIMO à www.omdc.on.ca.

Les formulaires de demande seront affichés sur le site Web d’ici au 14 décembre. La SODIMO commencera à accepter les demandes à ce moment-là pour les dépenses de développement engagées entre le 1er avril 2009 et le 31 mars 2010 inclus.

Des séances d'information seront organisées les 19, 25 et 28 janvier à Toronto, et le 17 février à Ottawa. De plus amples renseignements sur les dates et le mode d’inscription aux séances d’information seront affichés sur notre site Web, envoyés par courriel aux intervenants et publiés dans notre bulletin mensuel.

Si vous avez des questions concernant le Fonds pour le développement de la propriété intellectuelle qui ne sont pas couvertes dans les lignes directrices ou la FAQ, veuillez vous adresser à la SODIMO à IPFund@omdc.on.ca ou en composant le 416 645-8524.

Cordialement,

Jennifer Blitz
Directrice, Programmes des crédits d’impôt et de financement

DigitalMediaCamp Invitation

2009-11-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

Join us for DigitalMediaCamp Toronto on Saturday, December 12th. Save the date and register at the link below.

DigitalMediaCamp Toronto
Saturday, December 12th
9:30 to 4:30
OCAD Auditorium
100 McCaul Street
Toronto, ON
Register: http://guestlistapp.com/events/8148

You will join other emerging leaders in Toronto's digital media community in an intense and interactive set of conversations around this central question:

How can we work together to propel Toronto's technology, content and design communities into the future and make Toronto a globally competitive hub of digital media entrepreneurship and innovation?

The day is structured as an unconference. The participants create the content of the day. There is no pre-set agenda. Your ideas, your needs and your voice will have the platform and the content of our conversations will be shared online in real-time and will be used beyond the day of the event in a number of forums, including at the Canada 3.0 2010 conference which will take place May 10-11, 2010.

This is the first of a series of DigitalMediaCamp events to be held across Canada, hosted by the Canadian Digital Media Network, and designed to help shape the agenda for Canada 3.0 2010. The series is intended to engage emerging leaders and the talented and passionate creators in Canada's digital media industry, to identify great ideas and new voices and to spur creativity in Canada's digital economy.

For more information about the Canadian Digital Media Network, visit www.cdmn.ca and see what's in store for Canada 3.0 2010 at www.canada30.ca

CASO ELECTS 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2009-10-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

TORONTO, ON, October 28, 2009 – Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Association (CASO) is pleased to announce the newly appointed members of the 2010 CASO Board of Directors.

As newly appointed President of CASO, Michael Carter brings over 16 years of business, creative and technical expertise to the Association. Having served as Acting President for the latter half of last year’s term, Michael will continue to provide vision and direction towards building a strong collaborative animation and visual effects community within the region.

Carter states, “It is my objective to work for the common good of all CASO members through personal, governmental and international alliances, to position Ontario as the best place to invest and produce animation and visual effects production in North America.”

For the upcoming 2010 year, CASO plans to continue work in the area of international marketing and government relations, further enhancing over 40 years of animation and visual effects production in Ontario. Our focus will be strengthening our region’s ties to all major domestic and international markets while providing future insight and planning for our sector through an Industrial Strategy. This Strategy will be the platform on which we develop digital animation and visual effects strategies to build our sector over the next 5 to 10 years. Member services such as The Visionary Lunches program, the Jump Start Breakfast series as well as the continuance of highly successful trade missions to Los Angeles and Kidscreen NY, will progress to bring Internationally and Domestically acclaimed talent, investment, job creation and production to Ontario.

CASO 2009 Board of Directors

President Michael Carter, President, Executive Producer, theskonkworks
Vice President/Secretary Wesley Lui, Co-Founder, Director of Operations, House of Cool
Past President Neil Williamson, Partner, CEO, Invisible Pictures

Directors
Mark Ainslie, Director of Creative Operations, Guru Studio
Marianne Culbert, Executive Producer, Media Tree Entertainment
Candice Day, Executive Producer, C.O.R.E Digital Pictures
Christa Tazzeo, Visual Effects Producer, Invisible Pictures
Sheldon Wiseman, President and CEO, Amberwood Entertainment
Jeff Young, Vice-President Finance, STARZ Animation Toronto

CASO Members receive a 15% discount off Early Bird Registration for History Makers 2010!

2009-10-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

History Makers 2010 presents the latest ideas and trends which inspire the world's best programs and program creators. We take pride in producing original sessions featuring provocative thinkers and top program makers.

History Makers 2010 is truly international in its scope and delegate mix. With representation from over 16 countries including UK, France, Italy, Germany, USA and Canada, History Makers is the ideal place to meet the key Commissioning Editors and producers from around the world.

Our intimate atmosphere and 2:1 producer to broadcaster ratio makes it easy to gain access to the decision makers you want to meet with. Please visit our website for more information and schedule of events.

CASO members receive a 15% discount on Early Bird Registration! Click Here to get your 15% discount, registration until November 27th, 2009. History Makers takes place January 27th-29th, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt New York, New York City.

Baylea Mahoney - Marketing Communications Co-ordinator
Achilles Media Ltd. | Tel: 416-921-3171 x 239 | bmahoney@achillesmedia.com
nextMEDIA Toronto | November 30 - December 1, 2009. |www.nextmediaevents.com/toronto
The Canadian Innovation Exchange | December 2, 2009. |www.canadianinnovationexchange.com
History Makers 2010 | January 27-29, 2010. | www.historymakers2010.com

GameON:Finance 2009 – CASO members receive a 10% discount

2009-10-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

On October 27th and 28th in downtown Toronto, industry experts will explore strategies surrounding funding opportunities including venture capital, angel investment, project financing, public and private equity. GameON: Finance offers great networking opportunities, exceptional value and unmatched industry insight into the world of video game financing and investment. Please enter coupon code: IOGOF2009

www.gameonfinance.com

CASO Fund Brazilian Trade Mission to Ottawa for Members

2009-10-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

CASO would like to invite 4 studios to join them at the Brazilian Trade Mission at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Members will get a chance to collaborate with Brazilian Studios to discuss co-production opportunities.

Please contact Christa Tazzeo to join us, christa@casont.ca

Each member will receive $700 to pay for airfare, 1 night hotel accommodations, per Diem and taxis to and from the airport.

Date of Trade mission is Tues. Oct. 13 @ 1:00.

This is CASO's first attempt at International Sales from a non-North American perspective. We have a good mix of industry representatives and the number of Brazilian companies participating is amazing. The line up is as follows:

Tanya Kelen - Independent Executive Producer who help trial blaze the Animation Co-Production interest between Brazil and Canada.

Brian Simpson - Well established Series and VFX Animation production Studio, outside of the GTA limits.

Wes Liu - House of Cool co-founder with a medium sized commercial, feature film and series animation studio.

Jonathan Wiseman - A large Ottawa based Animation and Producing company with a long history of developing and selling animated productions.

David Steinberg - Head of STARZ Animation Toronto, one of the largest CGI Animation Facilities in the country.

Monica Szenteszky - Part of the OMDC Tax Credits Department.

Michael Carter - CASO VP & Moderator.

For the Panel discussion, which I would characterize as 1hour of Panel members talking and then 30Min's of Q&A, the need here is to provide a solid foundation to our Brazilian counterparts on the business, production and technical skill that Ontario and Canadian companies such as ourselves, provide in Co-Production and Co-Venture opportunities. Then, after a 20-30min break, we would have a breakout session, in which each panel member will take a table of 4-5 Brazilian companies and talk for about 20Min's. In about 1-1.5hrs, we'll try to rotate the tables every 20Min's so everyone has some exposure.

Basically, this is really a "nuts & bolts" discussion on how and why animation production in Ontario and Canada is so successful and how that might be translated to Brazil to further enhance their industry, while benefiting our future growth strategy.

nextMedia - Member Receive 20% off

2009-09-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

nextMEDIA is Canada’s leading digital media production and development marketplace, taking place Nov 30- Dec 1 at the Design Exchange, Toronto. Executives working in the digital media space can expect executive briefings, competitions and social events for executives working within the digital media space. nextMEDIA is your best opportunity to get the critical new business partnerships you need for national and international success as well as meet an international line-up of Online Broadcasters, Advertisers, Games Gurus (and Game Changers), Social Media Experts and more.

Furthermore, this year nextMEDIA has partnered with the Canadian New Media Awards - a spectacular night honouring the crème de la crème of Canadian new media talent. Join us as we recognize, celebrate, and give all out props for the accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Canadian digital media industry, in 19 prestigious award categories. Join us in Toronto at the Design Exchange on November 30 – December 1 (the CNMAs taking place on the evening of the December 1st, 2009)

Baylea Mahoney - Marketing & Communications Co-Ordinator
Achilles Media Ltd. | Tel: 416-921-3171 x 239 | bmahoney@achillesmedia.com
nextMEDIA Toronto | November 30 - December 1, 2009. |www.nextmediaevents.com/toronto
The Canadian Innovation Exchange | December 2, 2009. |www.canadianinnovationexchange.com

--

Please see below for your discount on registration for your members to nextMEDIA - Toronto 2009 (20% off) as indicated in your agreement.

Registration Discount –nextMEDIA - Toronto 2009

1. To register, please click on this link: CASO - Discounted Registration - nextMEDIA - Toronto 2009

2. Follow the instructions on screen under “Create a New Account”* to complete your registration.

3. *Please create a new profile, even if you have attended an Achilles Media Event before.

4. You will receive an email message as verification of your online registration.

If you have any problems registering online, please contact our Registration Department at 403-678-1216 x 107 or email to registration@achillesmedia.com.

We appreciate your support for nextMEDIA - Toronto 2009 and look forward to working with you in the months ahead.

Call for Nominations

2009-09-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

To all CASO members:

On October 26, 2009, we will hold the Annual General Meeting of the Association at the Veritas Restaurant, 234 King Street E, Toronto at 6:30 PM. At that time, we will elect the Board of Directors for the coming fiscal year (November 2009 – October 2010)

The Board of Directors consists of:

Immediate Past President
President
Vice President and Secretary
Six Portfolio Directors

The individual Directors’ portfolios will be assigned at the first Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting.

In accordance with the Constitution, the Nomination Committee will propose a slate of directors for ratification at the Meeting. If there are additional nominations from the membership, these will be added to the slate and, if there are more nominees than positions, an election will be held during the meeting. Send nominations to the Chair of the Nominating Committee at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Please send them to:

ron@casont.ca with copy to christa@casont.ca

specifying the position of nomination: President, Vice President and Secretary or Director.

(a) Active members not able to attend the Annual Meeting in person may request the Nominating Committee to provide telephone or internet conference facilities at the Meeting to permit them to cast their vote(s). Votes cast by means of such a facility shall be included in the determining the results of any vote at the Meeting.

Ron Estey,
Chair/Nomination Committee

SICHUAN TV FESTIVAL: SPECIAL PRICING FOR CANADIAN PRODUCERS

2009-09-18T07:57:00.001-07:00

Canada will be a special focus at the 2009 Sichuan TV Festival, November 6 to November 8 in Chengdu, China. "Canada Day" at the festival will include preferential packages, seminars and exhibition screenings tailor-made for Canadians and designed to introduce producers to the growing market in China. The festival is offering special pricing for Canadian producers, which includes market access, invitation to all official events, access to networking tools and more for as low as 380 USD and 180 USD. For more information or to register, please contact Josie Zeng at josie@sctv-ca.com.

CASO helps create a white paper for the Digital Industry

2009-09-10T09:10:00.001-07:00

CASO helps create a white paper for the Digital Industry
Sheridan organized a round table on digital media in August. The aim was to create a white paper for the government about how the Digital Industry is working and how it can work better. Attendees included CASO, Deluxe, C.O.R.E., Michael Hirsch, George Elliot and more.

CASO/Brazilian Trade Mission @ OAF

2009-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

As part of a Federal, Ontario and Brazilian Government to increase trade and Co-Production between Brazilian and Canadian Animation producers, a Trade Mission to the Ottawa Animation Festival for 20 Brazilian companies has been arranged for Tuesday October 13, 2009.

CASO has agreed to sponsor an animation studio tours in the morning with a Panel and Breakout session in the afternoon at the Chateau Laurier. The theme of our one day event is "The Nuts and Bolts of Animation Production in Canada". The goal is to educate our Brazilian counterparts on our successful and world renowned animation business practises, with an eye to providing service and co-production opportunities to them and their ever growing Canadian Co-Production Producers. This panel however is not and will not promote the concept of outsourcing, only true Co-Production and Consulting approaches in a B2B working environment.

CASO is looking for companies to participate on the Panel and Breakout session. This is a great opportunity to meet with our Brazilian counterparts and to understand the business opportunity.

Although this program is being sponsored and organized by CASO, all animation and visual effects companies in Ontario are welcome to participate. Those who do, will be given preference when a Canadian Animation Trade Mission to Brazil happens in early 2010.

Please let Christa Tazzeo (Christa@casont.ca) or Micheal Carter (mcarter@theskonkworks.com) know early if you would like to participate in the program.

Participation in Philippine Animation Festival 2009

2009-09-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Embassy in Manila has been coordinating with the Animation Council of the Philippines to highlight Canada's interest in getting involved in their annual animation festival Animahenasyon, which will be held November 25 - 28th. The Animation Council is inviting international speakers and companies from the New Media sector such as software providers, gaming and hardware, animation studios and educational institutions to participate. The event presents a lot of opportunities for Canadian content sales and distribution, outsourcing, co-production, financing and education partnerships.
http://www.animationcouncil.org/index.php?p=133

FDI Initiative to INDIA - Digital Media and ICT - Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune October 31st to November 10th, 2009

2009-09-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA), the Town of Markham and our partners in an extra-special Executive Business Mission to India to present the GTA’s capabilities in Digital Media. One of the fastest growing sectors globally and diversifying rapidly, the digital media family now spans services, content, network and broadband technologies, software and hardware, and consumer and enterprise devices. Anchored to NASSCOM’s Animation and Gaming Forum in Hyderabad, this mission will enable you to present your city’s capabilities to prospective investors in three major Indian cities.

Join in the unique experiences and highly profitable meetings that are planned:

· Join the GTMA and its partner, the Town of Markham, at one of India’s most prestigious conferences - the NASSCOM Animation and Gaming Forum 2009, with a global reputation for attracting the world’s leading thinkers and industry leaders.

· Actively participate as a team in promoting Canada and the GTA to international audiences and to senior company executives in one-on-one meetings, roundtables and at networking events in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune.

· Make connections with Indian firms looking to invest in Canada and the GTA.

· Explore opportunities with top companies in Digital Media:

· Services (IPTV, streaming video, audio, voice, social networks, conferencing, advertising, digital signage, 3-D, interactive and new media, etc.)

· Content including a broad spectrum of producers - film, data, music, news feeds, 3-D, animation.

· Network broadband technologies including web 2.0, G-4 and digital media platforms

· Supporting Hardware and Software.

· Consumer and enterprise devices (cell phones, smart phones, smart displays, PCs etc.)

· Content users such as advertising, media and marketing firms.

· Attend high-level receptions, top level meetings and presentations as well as meet senior executives from among the top Indian companies at NASSCOM in Hyderabad.

· Meet the Province of Ontario in-market specialist and other Canadian trade specialists.

· Attend briefing sessions and orientation visits to gain a better understanding of the Indian culture, economy and how companies in India will expand globally.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in this fully coordinated program and make incredible business connections, develop new partnerships and help to attract new investment to the GTA by Indian companies.