The newsletter of the SASKATCHEWAN INTERACTIVE MEDIA ASSOCIATION

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.
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SASKINTERACTIVE SUMMIT 2007!
This was an outstanding event! Right from the Wednesday evening reception that featured games from Pong up to the Wii, to the last keynote of the day from John Lester of Linden Lab/Second Life, all evaluations consistently rated the Summit very high on the scale.
The nature and variety of the presenters was surpassed only by the high quality of their information.
Many thanks to the hard-working volunteer Board members and especially the Summit Coordinator, Barbara Rackham, who ran a tight ship and who attended to every imaginable detail.
We also welcome all of the new members of the association and thank you for your support. Thanks also to out many supporters who made it possible to offer such a rich and varied day, and to the province’s educational institutions for encouraging student attendance at the event. That is how we grow an industry!
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AGM for the Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association – April 10, 2007
Please note that the Annual General Meeting for the Saskatchewan Interactive
Media Association will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. via
videoconferencing in the offices of TRLabs in both Saskatoon and Regina.

Saskatoon address:
111-116 Research Drive
Regina address:
108 – 2 Research Drive

We will follow up next week with the proposed amendments to the bylaws for
which we require your vote.
We also seek nominations for positions on our Board of Directors.
Please submit this information by responding to this email.
Thank you.

Deborah Black, President
Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association Inc.
Office: D.Black Communications 306.934.6667

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Telefilm Canada announces Round 2 winners for The Great Canadian Video Game Competition

Montreal, March 21, 2007 – Telefilm Canada announces the four Canadian game development firms to receive up to $250,000 each as Round 2 winners of its Great Canadian Video Game Competition.

The names of the Round 2 winners were revealed by Wayne Clarkson, Telefilm Canada’s Executive Director, at a gala event hosted by the Interactive Content Exchange (ICE 2007) in Toronto.

“The level of talent and entrepreneurship shown by Canadian independent game developers has been nothing short of amazing. We believe these four Round 2 winners best meet the criteria of the Competition, and we are excited to see how their prospects will progress over the next several months,” says Clarkson.

The names of the four Round 2 winning companies (followed by location, project name and platform) are:
* Big Blue Bubble, London, Ontario, Hobby Shop, console;
* Cerebral Vortex Games, St. Catharines, Ontario, Ambush! Trivia, PC/Mobile/Xbox Live Arcade;
* MindHabits Inc., Montreal, Quebec, MindHabits Trainer, handheld; and
* Hothead Games Inc., Vancouver, B.C., SWARM!, PC.

The funding will allow the four firms to create a playable prototype. In addition, Round 2 winners will develop commercialization and marketing plans necessary to attract other financing and private investment. Round 2 winners will continue to receive support from their mentors.
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Voice Acting Workshps with Deb Munro
Take advantage of Debbie Munro’s time while the opportunity exists. Things are getting busier all the time and she will now be reducing the times that she can come due to her busy schedule and the irregularity of registrations.

Debbie is happy to work with you on either voice over or film/theatre acting. Her previous experience as a Casting agent/actor/producer/director offers her amazing insight into the industry. She will help you on your audition skills, acting skills and more.

Contact her immediately with your interest:
info@debsvoice.com
604-939-4029 Vancouver
780-718-4394 Cell

Date TBD Animation Workshop Deb will give training in how to voice cartoons

FUTURE WORKSHOPS: We would like a show of interest to bring Mark Brandon (Calgary) as well as Tom Logan (Los Angeles director) to Regina for acting workshops in the Fall.
More Information at SeenByScene.ca "The Saskatchewan Actor's Resource Site"
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SaskTel/SaskFilm Interactive Travel Assistance Program.
The program is designed to provide financial assistance to interactive producers to approved program markets in order to increase the marketing and export of Saskatchewan interactive products. This program is funded by what was formerly called the SaskTel New Media Fund and will be available until program funds are fully expended.
SaskInteractive appreciate the support that these funds offer to our members to attend important events and to bring back valuable information for our members.

Should you have any questions about the program, please contact Charlene
Hilkewich, Program Coordinator at Charlene@saskfilm.com or by calling
798-3317.
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Pitching Clinic For Entrepreneurs

Raising capital from Angel investors can be both challenging and intimidating. It is a strenuous process to condense your entire business plan down into a few pages, give a 15 minute presentation and to be prepared to give a three minute “elevator pitch”. What information is critical? What are Angel investors looking for? How can you possibly fit it all in?
SAINT is helping entrepreneurs to navigate this uncertain path. We have seen the presentations that resonate with Angel investors and have gathered that knowledge into a set of best practices to share with you. Instead of learning these lessons the hard way, when you’re in front of Angel investors asking for money, consider attending our clinic first to get the inside information you need now. The Pitching Clinic speakers will include legal and financial experts, as well as Angel investors to help prepare you for the questions you will want to be ready to answer.
One day workshop format:

The Business Plan – A foundation for success
The Investment Opportunity Brief – The Top Ten things Angel investors look for
The 15-minute Investment Opportunity Presentation
The 3-minute Investment Opportunity Pitch - Your “elevator” pitch

Workshop Facilitator : Lanis Anthony of Creative Consortium Inc.

Locations:
Saskatoon
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Innovation Place - Saskatoon
Candle Room, Atrium Building
111 Research Drive

Regina
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday, March 30, 2007
Innovation Place - Regina
Boardroom C, Terrace Building
10 Research Drive

Registration cost (includes lunch):
No charge for SAINT Business Opportunity Applicants
$200 for non-applicants (includes Business Opportunity application at no charge)

To register contact;

SAINT c/o Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association
207-116 Research Drive
Saskatoon , SK S7N 3R3
Phone: (306) 244-3889
Fax: (306) 244-6649
Email: info@saint.sk.ca

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nextMEDIA: The Future of Digital Content*
*Scheduled for June 8 --10, 2007 in Banff, Canada*

The future of digital content will be studied, discussed, debated and shaped as the best and brightest
minds in the digital media industry come together at *nextMEDIA 2007*, scheduled to take place June 8 -- 10, 2007 at the scenic Fairmount Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. The sister conference to the Banff World Television Festival (June 10 -- 13, 2007), nextMEDIA will deliver the latest information on emerging platform distribution while actively building a marketplace for digital content producers from Canada and around the world.

Now in its third year, nextMEDIA has become an *important event for content producers*, TV and media executives, technology companies, and Web entrepreneurs alike. The three-day conference features a comprehensive program of keynotes, panel discussions, briefing sessions, interviews, and formal and informal networking sessions.

New to the nextMEDIA program is a *social-networking site *developed in partnership with PikSpot Groups (http://www.pikspot.com), a Canadian Web 2.0 company. The site (http://nextmedia.pikspot.com) is scheduled to launch mid-February and will offer digital content producers the opportunity to upload their own text, photos and videos using PikSpot's built-in tools. Group members will be able to network with each other, view and "vote" on content.

To register or to find out more information about nextMEDIA 2007, go to http://www.futureofdigitalcontent.com. Delegates registering for the Banff World Television Festival will be able to take advantage of a *special discount* for both events when they choose to register for
nextMEDIA.

For additional information, contact:
Julie Giles, Digital Entertainment and Media Marketing
Tel: 416-537-9774 | Cell: 416-878-5328
E-mail: jgiles@achillesmedia.com

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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.
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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!

Website: http://www.saskinteractive.com