IDM WORKSHOPS
Madison Thomas, Filmmaker
Website: https://www.madisonthomasfilm.com
DemoReel: https://vimeo.com/214508452
"Madison Thomas is an award winning filmmaker and educator based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Thomas works as a Writer, Director and Editor on several productions across Canada and her own films have played festivals worldwide.
Thomas is known for creating unique blends of genre and format in her work which often reflect on her own experiences growing up in the inner-city as a mixed race Indigenous woman." - taken from Madison Thomas' website
Questions:
1. What has been the most difficult part of your filmmaking career till now?
2. How do you balance your career with your personal life?
3. Of the many things you do, such as editing, directing, researching, etc. what has been your favourite to work on?
Kicking off the year with Madison Thomas, an alumni from Sisler, was a great introduction in to what we can expect from this years' Digital Voices workshops. Seeing how much she has done was really motivational, especially considering she started off in the same place we're in today. Overall, listening to her talk and show her work was a very cool experience.
Capilano University
Website: https://www.capilanou.ca
Showcase Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1dmF4NGUoU
"The dynamic programs at Capilano University give students the opportunity to develop skills for success in the contemporary fine and applied arts.
Capilano University’s Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts is widely recognized for specialized programs in motion picture arts, animation, music, theatre, costuming, design and more.
Working with industry professionals and acclaimed artists in small classes, you’ll receive individual attention and support throughout your time at CapU. Practicums, developed in collaboration with our industry and community partners, are offered in many of our programs. " -Taken from Capilano's website
Creds to Kelly Abalus for the pictures ^
Questions:
1. What is the main thing Capilano looks for in terms of looking for potential in an applicant?
2. How much spare time does a Capilano student get?
3. Does Capilano focus more on developing their students' skills or getting students industry ready?
Getting to talk with Capilano University was very educational, especially for those students looking in to post secondary options. The teachers presented Capilano as a friendly and inviting place to be, and definitely persuaded a lot of students. Their presentation and the overall experience was very helpful.
Derek Brueckner, Artist & Instructor at the School of Arts
Website: http://www.derekbrueckner.com
Blog: http://derekbruecknerdialectics.blogspot.com
"Derek Brueckner is a Canadian artist living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is recognized for working with the figure in performance contexts at gallery and performance spaces in Canada, USA and Europe." -Taken from Wikipedia
Questions:
1. What has been the most difficult part about having a career in the Arts?
2. What advice would you give to someone that is just now beginning their journey in to Art?
3. How have you coped with having your art not turn out the way you envisioned it?
David Breuckner is extremely talented and it was super cool being able to watch him draw. He was helpful in terms of giving tips for drawing perspective and it was also helpful being able to compare my own drawings to his in real time.
Tomas Pajdlhauser, Artist and Animator
website: http://captaintom.studio
"I’m an artist and Creative Director based in Ottawa, Canada and co-owner of Birling, a local skateboard brand and shop. By day, I work as an Art Director for animated TV shows and movies and have worked with clients including Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, National Geographic, and Mattel. I’ve always been interested in the tactile and physical process of design work and in recent years have shifted my focus from digital commercial design to projects that highlight my love of travel and adventure. My personal work is based primarily on my lived experiences captured on-the-go in sketchbooks." - taken from Captain Tom's website
Questions:
1. How do u manage your time between being an animator, a shop owner and your own artist on the side?
2. What do you find to be the most difficult part of working in the industry?
3. What is your advice in terms of stress management?
Colin Giles, Creative Director at VFS
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3832997/
"I have over 20 years professional experience in the animation industry, with extensive credits in both traditional and computer animation. Trained at Emily Carr University of Art & Design and a graduate of Capilano University's Commercial Animation program, I have since gained experience as a Creative Director, Character Animator, Supervisor, and Designer." - taken from Colin's LinkedIn page
Questions:
1. How has working at VFS changed you as a creative?
2. Looking back at your journey in the industry, what advice would you give to a beginner?
3. What's one thing you're hoping VFS students will learn during their time in the program there?
Being able to talk with Colin Giles again was really great for those students still wondering what to do in terms of Post-Secondary. Colin does a great job at making VFS seem like an inviting and friendly place to be at. The conference was very comfortable and didn't seem to have the same pressure that others do. Overall, it was great getting to hear from Colin Giles again.
Media Rendezvous & Loogaroo studio test
website: http://mediarendezvous.com
website: http://www.loogaroo.com
"Started in 2009, Loogaroo is what you'd call an boutique animation agency. We're a group of very creative artists who share common goals and interests, Cartoons, Games, Design, Advertising. This team is in it for the long haul and not only want to earn your business, but keep earning it." -taken from Loogaroo's website
Questions:
1. What has your journey through the industry taught you so far?
2. What is the biggest thing you look for in terms of future employment?
3. What type of projects do you hope to work on in the future?
The whole experience with Loogaroo and Media Rendevous was amazing. The opportunity they provided us was great, but actually coming out to work with us was a huge help. They had good pacing in terms of teaching, and everything made sense in the end. Overall, it was a pretty cool 2 days.
Alain Delannoy, Independant Animator
website: http://prairievideo.com
"Alain Delannoy is a Canadian independent animation filmmaker. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Delannoy studied at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art. He has created several short animated films, which have screened internationally. Currently, Delannoy teaches animation and video production at Université de Saint-Boniface in Manitoba, Canada." - taken from Alain's website
Questions:
1. As an independant animator, how do you manage project deadlines and the process of working on backgrounds and animating all on your own?
2. How do you manage time between personal life and work?
3. What has been the biggest setback you have experienced working independently?
Alain's entire presentation, from showing us his film to hearing him talk about the process after, was all super interesting. His work on its own was very well done and hilarious, but getting to see the process behind it and hearing how he struggled with certain parts but then found creative solutions was great to hear. Overall, Alains' time with us was a really great break before we got back to work.
Hesham Hammoud
website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5329540/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
"Most known for his role in X-Men: Apocalypse, Hesham Hammoud is a Canadian actor and VFX artist who has worked on various films and shows such as Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and Once Upon A Time. Hesham currently works at Zoic Studio." -IMDB bio
Questions:
1. How do you balance working on VFX and acting?
2. Were your parents supportive of you entering the film industry?
3. What is the biggest challenge you have faced working in film?
Hearing about the struggles Hesham has faced and the path he has taken in film was inspirational. As someone that has considered VFS as a post secondary option, it was helpful hearing his individual experience and how the program fit him. He also taught us about how important it is to be flexible and take the opportunities that come to you.
Anita Lebeau
website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0494802/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
"Just completed an animated short with the NFB, entitled A Change of Scenery; also completed the independent animated short FACE|TIME; animator on Canot Cocasse (Media Rendezvous, Loogaroo Animation); Scraphic Novels through the Manitoba Arts Council's Artists in the School program; teaching animation at the University of Manitoba School of Art; and miscellaneous other things that keep me forever busy." - taken from LinkedIn
Questions:
1. What has your experience been working as an independent animator?
2. How do you manage your time?
3. What advice can you give to someone that is new to the industry?
Anitas animations were all really well done and it was cool getting to hear about the process behind them. The idea of being an independent animator is a little scary, but she walked through it and made the idea a bit more digestible.
Carole Vivier, Marshall Williams, & MFM
"MFM supports Manitoba film and music through our objectives, which are to create, stimulate, employ and invest in Manitoba by developing and promoting Manitoba companies, producing and marketing film, television, video and music recording projects as well as to promote Manitoba as a film location for off-shore production companies. MFM is a member of the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI)". - taken from https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/about
Questions:
1. What is your goal for the future of MFM?
2. What do you think is the most important trait for a person going into the film industry?
3. What is the advantage to staying in Winnipeg as opposed to moving somewhere like Vancouver?
It was cool getting to hear all the different ways everyone got into MFM and it showed that there is no right path to getting in to the industry. It was also helpful getting to meet someone that went to Capilano and getting to hear his experience.
Bitspace Development
website: //bitspacedevelopment.com
"Bit Space Development Ltd. is an interactive digital media studio that specializes in creating innovative learning experiences for the classroom and workplace. We work with educators and industry professionals from around the world to develop effective solutions for education and training using cutting edge digital media technologies." - taken from https://bitspacedevelopment.com/about-bsd/
1. What qualities does a game need to have in order for it to be considered a good VR game?
2. What is the work environment like at bitspace?
3. What skills are necessary when making a game?
I don't have much experience when it comes to VR games, so it was cool getting to learn about it. I didn't know the capabilities of VR, such as being used for job training and work safety. It was a very informative talk.
Kent Wilson
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/wilsonkent
Kent Wilson graduated from RRC 20 years ago and has worked as a senior lighting artist at Ubisoft in Toronto for the last eight years. He acknowledges there are crunch times at the end of a game’s production, but he says extra hours are voluntary and never on weekends. - taken from https://theprojector.ca/11848-2/
1. What has been your experience working in both Toronto and Winnipeg Ubisoft offices?
2.
