Newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION
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INTERACTIVE! for June, 2006
The newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION
- also known simply as Saskatchewan Interactive or SaskInteractive.com for our soon-to-be-revamped website. This announcement of the name change (from the Saskatchewan New Media Developers’ Association) was made at our March 9, 2006 symposium.
Our mission: To foster the growth of a strong & vibrant interactive media sector/industry in SK with capabilities recognized & respected in the provincial, international, and international marketplace.
Our vision: As a provincially, nationally, and internationally recognized industry voice, Saskatchewan Interactive will: provide advocacy, promotion, and education to increase member opportunity in a global marketplace.
From your Board
We are in the planning stages for a game development workshop for mid-October, building on the incredible success of our March 9 Interactive event. The event will be dealing with some of the more practical aspects of how to build games and more real-world examples of successes.
Working in conjunction with Science West, our game development camps for high school students will be running from July 10-21 and July 24-Aug 4. Log on to http://www.science-west.ca for information and registration. Other exciting announcements about additional opportunities are expected to follow!
Industry Canada contributed funds to assist the Pan-Western interactive media associations to meet face-to-face on June 13 in Vancouver in conjunction with Vidfest. This highly successful event provided the opportunity for us to explore joint efforts to build the industry, especially in the prairies. Stayed tuned for the report that we are currently producing for your information!
A meeting planned for July 25 in Saskatoon with representatives from the Manitoba, Alberta and our national industry associations will help to streamline our collective websites, share training & speaker resources and build our respective industries together.
Please support our efforts to grow our industry by becoming a member and presenting a united voice in Saskatchewan. Pass this email on to everyone you know in the industry. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, visit http://www.snmda.sk.ca __________________________________________ Federal Heritage Minister Bev Oda says Canadian broadcasting systems need to be modernized and asked the CRTC on Sunday to determine what impact rapidly changing technology will have on the industry’s future. “Other nations began to build the policy network for the digital world decades ago–unfortunately, Canada did not,” Oda said as she opened the Banff Television Festival, which attracts industry figures from around the world. Oda said it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the formally separate industries of television, radio and the Internet. Better understanding of changing audience habits is vital, she said. She said while the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper is committed to retaining the CBC, she stressed that it will have to change. “The public broadcaster does not exist in isolation,” said the minister, adding that any decisions on the CBC’s future will also impact private broadcasters, independent producers and creators. CBC president Robert Rabinovitch sees the CRTC study as the first step toward a full review of the public broadcaster and its role. Rabinovitch expects to hear formally today that the CRTC is delaying the CBC’s renewal licence for a year while the study is done and the government digests that information. He dismissed suggestions that the CBC needs to modernize, noting the public broadcaster has up to 27 different platforms. “We are significant leaders in the Internet,” he said, adding that cbc.ca is already a decade old. Oda wants the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission to deliver its findings by Dec. 14. Those insights will help the government set its broadcast policy for the 21st century, the minister said. Oda’s comments come less than a week after an independent policy group said CBC-TV should focus on news, arts and culture, while running less sports and fewer commercials. The Public Policy Forum study said the CBC is caught between penny-pinching governments and a wide mandate. That forces the public broadcaster to overdo hockey coverage in pursuit of lucrative sponsorship revenue. Oda’s request will mark the ninth time Ottawa has asked the CRTC to assess the industry’s future since 1991. In 1994, the commission looked at what impact the Internet would have on Canadian broadcasters. –Canadian Press ----------------- Website: http://www.saskinteractive.com Posted by: Deborah Black Submitted June 21, 2006
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‘Saskatchewan Boy” wants to come home
Normally the SaskInteractive website would offer posting opportunities for those seeking employment, but we are in discussion with Alberta, Manitoba and our national body to create greater efficiencies through a collaborative website approach. In light of our current inability to let our industry know of this recently-graduated student who wants to return to SK, an exception has been made.
A recent graduate of the VFS Game Design program has demonstrated persistence and would love to discuss career possibilities with companies in Saskatchewan so he can contribute to our industry. He describes himself as an audacious, cheerful young man looking for work in Canada's greatest province as a designer specializing in digital interactivity; he is a writer's designer, and his game design strengths include gameplay and mechanics, story, documentation, and general creative thinking and problem-solving.
Please contact president@saskinteractive.com for further details.
GDC FOCUS ON: Game Outsourcing Summit
Monday, August 14th
Los Angeles Airport Marriott
http://info.gamanetwork.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/exUo0Igb7g0O2B0EcAV0EX
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CALL FOR ENTRIES
CANADA PAVILION AT MIPCOM 2006
Cannes, France, October 9, 2006 - October 13, 2006
Application deadline : July 27, 2006
Telefilm Canada is currently soliciting applications from Canadian production and distribution companies for MIPCOM 2006.
MIPCOM 2006 is the world's premier audiovisual market. Held in October in the beautiful setting of Cannes, MIPCOM offers five days of non-stop action. Whether you are buying or selling programming, or making contacts with key decision-makers, MIPCOM will help shape the future of your company. At MIPCOM 2005, more than 11 700 industry professionals from 91 countries attended the market, including more than 3 500 buyers.
Should you require additional information, please contact Anne-Marie Charbonneau by e-mail at charboa@telefilm.gc.ca or by phone at (514) 283-0838 ext.: 2024.
The Festivals & Markets Team
Industry Development Operations
Telefilm Canada
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CRTC to assess impact of technology on broadcasting
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CHRC (Cultural Human Resources) NEWS
June 14, 2006 - Statistics Canada has release two new studies focusing on culture; International trade in culture goods, 2005 and Cultural Sector employment in rural Canada, 1996 to 2003
International trade in culture goods
Trade deficit grew by 8.4% in 2005
Imports of culture goods rose 2.7% to just over $4.0 billion, recovering from a 3.2% decline the year before. At the same time, exports decreased 1.0% to $2.4 billion on the heels of a 2.7% decline in 2004.
The high Canadian dollar boost imports and dampens interest in Canadian culture goods from overseas
The United States remains Canada's main trading partner, but the gap is decreasing.
Culture sector employment in rural Canada, 1996 to 2003
In 2003, less than 3% of Canada's rural workforce was employed in the culture sector. In comparison, just under 4% of the country's total workforce was employed in the culture sector.
Rural cultural employment rose at about 2.6% per year, whereas overall rural employment increased at an annual average rate of 1.5%.
Between 1996 and 2003 for Canada as a whole, less than 20% of total workers and about 22% of culture sector workers were employed part-time. In comparison, 37% of rural culture sector workers were employed part-time.
You can read the full report at the Statistics Canada site:
International trade in culture goods, 2005
Study: Culture sector employment in rural Canada, 1996 to 2003
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BNMI Bulletin
Co-production Program: Applications Online and Peer Advisors Announced
BNMI has just launched its new co-production residency model which includes three exceptional programs led by three peer advisors. Apply today for one of these outstanding opportunities!
BNMI’s Co-production program is devoted to the production and presentation of the work of new media practitioners. The connections between art, technology, media, and cultures are continuously explored, by bringing together interdisciplinary participants in intensive co-production media lab residencies. The residencies support individuals and teams in the creation of new works, knowledge, and technology. The program is international in scope, accepting applications on a tri-annual basis. Applications are peer adjudicated.
For more information and to apply visit: www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/coproduction
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Co-production Lab: Almost Perfect
Program Dates: November 5 – December 2, 2006
Application Deadline: June 1, 2006
Peer Advisors: Chantal Dumas, Paula Levine, Julian Priest
FEE: $1,540
Almost Perfect is a rapid prototyping lab that explores the creation of pervasive mobile media in the Banff region. With the dedicated support of peer advisors, technicians, and production facilities participants can develop basic to advanced level prototypes in the areas of locative media, telematics, audio art, and responsive environments. This residency will also explore the political and social economic contexts of locative media.
Almost Perfect is a joint venture between BNMI and HP Bristol. Prototype development will be realized through the use of GPS enabled HP iPAQs and software developed by HP Research Labs Bristol.
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Co-production Lab: Liminal Screen
Program Dates: March 5 – March 30, 2007
Peer Advisors: Willy Le Maitre, Kate Rich, Amra Baksic Camo
Application Deadline: October 2, 2006
FEE: $1,430
Liminal Screen examines the ambiguity, openness, and indeterminacy of cinema in current new media practice. Working with peer advisors and technicians, participants are invited to work independently or collaboratively to focus on questions of screen-based work that is in transition.
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Co-production Lab: Reference Check
Program Dates: June 24 – July 21, 2007
Peer Advisors: Andreas Broeckmann, Anne Galloway, Sarat Maharaj
Application Deadline: December 1, 2006
FEE: $1,540
Reference Check invites post-graduate students and researchers whose work connects to new media, to come to Banff to develop concepts, create prototypes, have group discussions and realize projects. Reference Check welcomes applications for both theoretical and applied research at all stages.
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Banff Summer Arts Festival - Featuring Blast Theory
Blast Theory
BNMI is gearing up for the 2006 Banff Summer Arts Festival and invites you to take part in the action! From HD and co-production screenings to the North American debut of Blast Theory's Can You See Me Now?, BNMI has an exciting line up of events planned to engage and entertain you.
Can You See Me Now? is a chase game played live online and in the streets. Online players are dropped at random locations into a virtual map of the city. Blast Theory runners search for people in the streets using GPS, tracking their avatar’s down as they flee online. Can You See Me Now? won the Golden Nica for Interactive Art at the 2003 Prix Ars Electronica, is a collaboration with the Mixed Reality Lab, University of Nottingham, and is supported by the Arts Council of England.
Can You See Me Now? will be presented at The Banff Centre from August 11 – 14, 2006.
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Interactive Screen 0.6
Program Dates: August 13 - 18, 2006
Tuition: $600
The goal of Interactive Screen is to stimulate the creation of emotionally powerful, creatively inspired, and economically viable new media in Canada and abroad. This intensive workshop breaks the boundaries between specialized new media concepts and interdisciplinarity.
Interactive Screen features live performances and installations from Canada, U.K., Finland, United States, and Japan. It includes case studies and a developmental curriculum.
Participants will learn concrete and strategic skills to apply their knowledge of new media and develop their own ideas for interactive products and projects.
To apply visit: www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/programs
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IPL Business Strategy Clinic
Program Dates: October 2006
· Are you a Canadian new media company/producer?
· Does your team consist of two or more members?
· Do you have a working prototype with a business plan already in place?
· Do you need advice on getting your product/project to the next stage?
If so this workshop is for you!
Starting May 31, 2006, BNMI, in partnership with The Interactive Project Lab, will be accepting applications from new media developers that need help getting their projects to the next stage. Ten project teams will be selected and matched with industry leaders for an intensive four day strategy session in Banff. The teams will focus on their project's conceptualization, interactive design, funding sources, legal issues, and possible partners.
Applications are encouraged from:
· Atlantic Canada
· British Columbia
· Prairies
· N.W.T.
The Interactive Project Lab (IPL) accelerates the creative, business, and technical skills of Canadian talent, enabling the creation of viable start-up companies that produce innovative cultural and entertainment works. The IPL is a unique partnership collectively designed and delivered by The Banff Centre's Banff New Media Institute, the Canadian Film Centre's Habitat New Media Lab in Toronto, and L'Institut national de l'image et du son in Montreal.
To apply visit: www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/programs/
Summits
The Banff New Media Institute brings together interdisciplinary and culturally diverse groups for intensive working sessions to consider critical questions in the field of new media. Summits explore dimensions of project work, research, practice, and discourse that are evolving in both local and global contexts. Summits develop, debate, present, and interpret the multiple modes of practice and the development of knowledge as related to new media.
Sometimes Art Can Do No Better Than Life
Program Dates: November 2 - 5, 2006
Tuition: $400
This summit explores the relationships and debates of new media practice and civil society. How new media artists articulate or position their practice opens up new windows through which civil society research can make inquiries. Where is the art in new media practice that operates as protocol of communication and a tool of social change? Find out at this exciting summit!
To apply visit: www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/programs/
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Funding for the Saskatchewan Interactive newsletter is provided solely through the good graces of our overworked and dedicated volunteers. Don’t just sit back – help us to grow the industry by supporting our efforts - join our organization and make your voice heard through your industry representatives. We are making a difference!
