24th
November
2008
Vancouver – mod7, a visual communications and interaction design agency specializing in interactive media, web design and motion graphics have won four awards in the 2008 Applied Arts Interactive Awards:
* Business-to-Business: Shift Control for Shift Control Media
* Self-Promotion: Shift Control for Shift Control Media
* Entertainment, Arts & Tourism: Jetstream Online for Discovery Channel
* Education/Reference: BCDF Calcium Calculator for the BC Dairy Foundation
posted in National News By: Tami | Print This Post
22nd
November
2008
Emily Carr University’s Granville Island Campus will be participating in National Portfolio Day on Saturday, December 6 from noon until 4pm. National Portfolio Days help promote the artistic development of young artists by bringing together experienced representatives to review work and offer feedback. While this free event does not require pre-registration, it is recommended that students arrive early with their portfolios. Portfolio Day is open to the general public, however informational sessions and tours of the campus will not be taking place on this day.
The National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA) was created in 1978, solely for the organization and planning of National Portfolio Days. The Association consists of representatives from regionally accredited colleges and universities, which are members of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The NPDA is the only organization of its kind, and its membership represents the highest standard of visual arts education available in the United States and Canada.
Please see the National Portfolio Day’s event information page for full details.
posted in Education, Events By: Tami | Print This Post
22nd
November
2008
Six Canadian companies and organizations were recently recognized at the 3rd Annual Society for New Communications Research Symposium & Awards Gala held in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 14, 2008.
The Society’s prestigious awards program honors individuals, corporations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and media outlets that are pioneering the use of social media, ICT, mobile media, online communities, virtual worlds, and collaborative technologies in the areas of business, media, journalism and professional communications, entertainment, education, social initiatives, government and politics. This year the Society’s Fellows reviewed nearly 100 case study submissions.
Awards were granted in six divisions: Corporate, Government, Media, Nonprofit/NGO, Academic, and Technology Innovation, and in seven categories: Behind the Firewall; Blogger Relations; Collaboration and Co-creation; External Communications and Communities; New Media Creation; Mobile Media and Online Reputation Management.In addition to the top award winners in each division and category, Commendations of Merit and Commendations of Excellence were presented to more than 35 other organizations that submitted case studies in the awards program. The Canadian winners are:
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posted in National News By: Tami | Print This Post
21st
November
2008
Rusty Axe Games, a developer and publisher of downloadable game software located in Terrace, BC, is proud to announce the release of Big$hot! Big$hot is an exciting new financial strategy game about buying and developing business properties from the team that brought you Real E$tate Empire.
In Big$hot you play the role of an entrepreneur whose job is to build a portfolio of properties that can be leveraged into a business empire.
Big$hot is easy to learn how to play with a complete tutorial system, context sensitive help and an online Q&A system that can be launched from within the game.
What to hold, what to fix, what to package up and deal off – it’s all about risk and reward as you try to build your property monopolies and acquire strategic businesses that will help you build and promote your burgeoning business empire.
Game Features:
Build monopolies to reduce costs and increase profits.
Drive down repair and improvement costs by picking up construction companies.
Reduce advertising costs by owning media companies.
Control a realty business to fast track sales of your own businesses.
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posted in Casual, Everyone 10+, New Releases By: Tami | Print This Post
21st
November
2008
Today Ubisoft announced it will release exciting new downloadable content (DLC) for Far Cry® 2, which was developed by Ubisoft Montreal. The Fortune’s Pack DLC will bring new vehicles and new weapons to both the single-player game and the multiplayer game, giving gamers even more diverse means of destruction. Be the silent stalker armed with your silent shotgun or jump on your new quad and blast through the dunes of Africa. The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will be available for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and from PlayStation®Network.
The Fortune’s Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 includes:
Single-Player Mode
Three brand-new weapons
– Silenced shotgun
– Sawed-off shotgun
– Crossbow
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posted in Mature, New Releases, Shooters By: Tami | Print This Post
20th
November
2008
Toronto – The Canadian New Media Awards has recognized and celebrated the many accomplishments of individuals and companies in the Canadian new media industry in a gala ceremony Tuesday night. Held at The Carlu in Toronto, the CNM Awards promote both the new media sector and provide inspiration for those preparing to enter the industry by recognizing Canadian innovation, creativity and quality.
And the winners are:
COMPANY OF THE YEAR: marblemedia, Toronto
Also Nominated:
Big Blue Bubble
Moment Factory
vision Critical
MOST PROMISING COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Viigo, Toronto
Also Nominated:
b5 Media
Filemobile
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posted in National News By: Tami | Print This Post
20th
November
2008
The TELUS Innovation Fund, created by the Canadian Film Centre with funding from the TELUS Foundation, provides funding for the production of innovative film, television, and new media content projects. This fund invests in new forms of high-quality, original Canadian content that employ innovative strategies in breaking new ground to reach general public audiences. The TELUS Innovation Fund supports a minimum of 3 projects per year with funding up to $100,000 for each project.
Launched in January of 2006, the fund was designed to assist projects that explore new ways of approaching entertainment and storytelling; placing Canadian ideas, talent and media at the forefront.
For more information download the TELUS Innovation Fund Guidelines Package at: www.cfccreates.com
posted in National News By: Tami | Print This Post
20th
November
2008
Actor Martin Sheen has confirmed that he will write the foreword for the 2009 Learning for a Cause Anthology published from Lester B. Pearson High School titled “Raising Humanity”. The book, which will feature the creative work of nearly 150 high school students, will explore what it is to be human through poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and art. The book’s objective – to inspire readers toward creating a more human and humane world.
Learning for a Cause, founded in 2004 by noted educator Michael Ernest Sweet, has published four full length publications of student writing to date. The books feature students writing on issues of socio-political concern in an effort to inspire positive change. The educational non-profit has been featured on CTV, CBC, NPR, Vermont Radio, Canadian Teacher and many other media. In 2008 the Quebec Ministry of Education filmed a special documentary featuring the teaching model.
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posted in Education, National News By: Tami | Print This Post
20th
November
2008
Returning to the Vancity Theatre after a successful 2007 run, The Animation Show is an annual feature-length compilation of the best animated shorts from around the world, exclusively curated by Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge. The Animation Show launched in 2003, making it the first festival of animation created and produced with actual animators at the helm. A sister series of high quality DVDs now supplement the theatrical tour with additional insights and brand new lineups of films—while the main Show remains a unique and unforgettable annual program that is usually gone forever once it is out of theatres. This year’s Animation Show is anchored by especially commissioned work from animators around the world. The show will include the films listed below, plus special surprises. For more information on the films and to purchase tickets, please see the event page on the VanCity Theatre web site. All tickets are $10.00 each.
Show Dates & Times:
Saturday, Nov 29 at 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 30 at 7:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec 10 at 9:15 pm
Thursday, Dec 11 at 9:15 pm
posted in Events By: Tami | Print This Post
20th
November
2008
Today in a panel hosted by Vancouver’s ACM SIGGRAPH chapter the secrets, successes, procedures and challenges faced by the Blizzard Entertainment cinematics team were shared with the first of two sellout audiences.
Presented by Matt Samia (Senior Director of Cinematics) and Jeff Chamberlain (Cinematics Project Lead), the programme opened with a brief photographic tour of the Blizzard Entertainment campus in Irvine, California. The audience was then walked through the entire cinematic development process from concept and storyboarding through to final render passes and the finished product. In the course of this three hour panel, we were able to look right into the creative minds behind the Starcraft, Diablo and Warcraft franchises.
It is always educational to see behind the scenes at successful studios, getting a look at how they blend lo-tech and hi-tech means to continually push the envelope in animation and CG achievements. Matt and Jeff were also very forthcoming with advice to students and young people already working in the industry in regards to software products as well as skillsets. They also mentioned that there are a few Vancouver Film School alumni employed at the Blizzard campus, and Blizzard recruiter Kenny Carvalho was at the theatre to answer questions from interested designers.
Along with the other attendees, I am grateful to the ACM SIGGRAPH Vancouver Chapter for putting on another great event – and of course to the sponsors for supporting these panels and presentations. The sponsors for tonight’s panel were: 31337 Recruiters, VANarts, Hothead Games, Stash DVD Magazine and Annex|Pro.
posted in Education, Events, Game Dev By: Tami | Print This Post