Come and see Laura Paolini and Rob Cruickshank talk shop at InterAccess!

This discussion-based class introduces participants to key trends in media art history, using several historical case studies and recent artworks as examples. Covering a wide array of genres such as: sound art, installation, video and kinetics, the participant will develop their own tool box of terms and insights into navigating media art, as well as exploring the tools required to create both software and hardware-based works. Participants are given hand-outs for keeping notes, and a select reading list to help them pursue their own interests after the workshop ends. Co-taught by Laura Paolini and Rob Cruickshank, the intention is to explore the how and why, and the most important question: ‘How’d they do that?’

This non-technical workshop is suitable for those with no background in electronics or art theory, (or for those with one but not the other!), and is recommended as an introduction to other workshops such as Introduction to Electronics, Sensors, Make Awesome Interactive Audiovisual Art (with Pure Data), and more.

September 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds everyone well, rested from a glorious summer, eager to embrace fall, and ready to rock n’ roll through to the rest of 2010. This August I was lucky to have spent some time in the mountains of the French High Alps at a place called Les Terraces, above the small alpine village La Grave — that’s The Grave to you. The place feels totally different from Banff, — less wilderness-y, though still wild, and feels more like a portal into the 12th century.

Here’s a picture taken from one of our walks!

Now, given what you see here, you’d think the mountains would keep thoughts of work at bay. But I must admit I would often think of the Lab. Before you groan and mutter “crazyworkaholic” let me explain.

MY TOP FIVE REASONS WHY IT WAS OKAY TO THINK OF THE CFC MEDIA LAB in the FRENCH ALPS:

1. Galen Scorer, former CFC Media Lab Research & Tech Manager is sleeping on my couch as we rush to premiere our new interactive production! Alum, Patrick Dinnen is part of the team building this exciting new work.
   
   CFC Media Lab in co-production with TIFF, will be launching an installation entitled “What’s Your Essential Cinema?” on Saturday Sept. 11 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
   
   As you enter TIFF Bell Lightbox, you will encounter an interactive projection above the box office: a dynamic visualization of kinetic images from each of the Essential 100 Films. Text in “your essential cinema” — one film from the Essential 100. The system takes note of it and adds it to every other person’s choice. The projected visualization then changes as the difference between what you think and what TIFF thinks is displayed on the screen. “What’s Your Essential Cinema?” pits the general public against the experts and puts you at the center of the conversation.

   A CFC Media Lab and TIFF Production
   Creative team: Ana Serrano, Galen Scorer and Patrick Dinnen
   September 12 – October 23

2. Alumni David McCallum, Rose Bianchini, Kathleen Climie, Sharon Switzer, Angella Mackey, & Pearl Chen are currently rocking out (in spirit and in person) in California under the helm of Leonardo Dell’Anno!
   
   CFC Media Lab launches Project HoodiePlay and Let’s Build Our World Intentionally at 2010 01SJ Biennial.

   The 2010 01SJ (ZER01, San Jose) Biennial is predicated on the notion that as artists, designers, engineers, architects, marketers, corporations and citizens we have the tools to (re)build the world, conceptually and actually, virtually and physically, poorly and better, aesthetically and pragmatically, in both large and small ways.

   Under the theme “Build Your Own World,” the CFC Media Lab will be leading a series of workshops where participants can make their Hoodie “zombie-tag” ready for a widespread, participatory game. There won’t be cut throat competition. And Heidi Klum won’t show up. But you will get to make your own signature “wearable Hoodie” that enables you to play Zombie Tag during the AbsoluteZER0 street festival on Friday, September 17. Project HoodiePlay is based on a wearable game by Rose Bianchini, Kathleen Climie and David McCallum created during their residency at CFC Media Lab’s TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program.

   Special shout out goes to Kate Hartman, CFC Media Lab guest faculty for helping us design the workshop!

   CFC Media Lab and Art for Commuters founder, Sharon Switzer will also present the “Best Of” works from the Art For Commuters library that speak to the theme of conscious creation. Screenings will happen during 01SJ as part of the Future Films program.

3. Nuit Blanche is almost upon us and we have a launch to prepare for Oct. 2nd! CFC Media Lab IAEP Coordinator Kimberly Dean, while not running stabletalk, is helping fearless leader Jacqueline Nuwame make this happen at our new venue partner InterAccess!
   
   At this year’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche the CFC Media Lab will present Close Encounters, an annual exhibition of work by residents of the TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program. These interactive media projects run the gamut from interactive sound pieces to iPhone wearable gaming systems. From those which explore notions of first contact, to others which invite us to reimagine play. Regardless of technology platform or theme, each of these projects makes us look at things a different way. Shaving cream, pillows, mud – they can all become vehicles for our persistent visions. The gallery will be transformed into a space for inquisitive discovery and play. Created by: Dee Balkissoon, Camille Betts, Rose Bianchini, Dawn Buie, Cathy Chen, Kathleen Climie, Justin Ferrato, Liz Gallo, Orla Garriques, David Goorevitch, Conor Holler, David McCallum and featured Alumni Artist, Sharon Switzer.

   Location: InterAccess Gallery (9 Ossington Ave. Toronto)
   VIP Launch (Invite Only): September 30 from 7-10pm
   Open to Public: October 2 from 7pm-7am

4. Prototype Launch? Hell ya, we can do more!  So, CFC Media Lab Digital Production Manager, Steve Ferguson and our new Research and Technology Manager, Dave Kretz are working alongside our new partners the Royal Conservatory of Music to create a whole new work for Nuit Blanche.
   
   Commissioned by TELUS, Musical Rumble: Jazz vs Classical, is an interactive experience where larger-than-life musicians are projected onto the TELUS Centre windows while audiences use their smartphones to play a virtual game where jazz and classical musicians battle for your vote. Stop by the Bloor Street courtyard of the TELUS Centre (273 Bloor Street West, Toronto) on October 2nd from 7pm-7am to see, hear and interact with the projected performances!

   and last, but not least,

5. Jacqueline Nuwame, CFC Media Lab Senior Programs Manager, has redefined multitasking as she helps me keep all of the above running smoothly while ushering a new group of residents for the Fall 2010 TELUS IAEP session!
   
   The average age of this group is sweet-thirty and boasts the following stellar individuals:
   
   Ryan Bigge is a Toronto-based freelance journalist and content strategist with a focus on technology and cultural trends. His publication credits include the New York Times Magazine and the Toronto Star.
   
   Edwin Lara is a digital artist whose recent work was on display at the Launch Projects art gallery for the “Do Artist Dream of Electric Easels” exhibition. Edwin’s studies include everything from graphic design, marketing to art history.

   Dylan Reibling hails from a small rural community in southwestern Ontario. He makes documentaries, narrratives, and experimental films and organizes events and art installations.

   Vanessa Shaver is an award-winning writer and filmmaker who possesses a passion for story well-told, character well-wrought and concept well-formed. Vanessa has worked with Shaftesbury Films, Henry Less Productions, ImagiNation Film and Television, marblemedia and Big Studios.

   Bobie Taffe is an independent interactive cross platform Producer. Her production company, Taffe Entertainment, produces feature films/documentaries/dramatic series/lifestyle programs that focus on exploring issues of race, sexuality, self-image, multiculturalism and social justice. Bobie has been actively working in the Canadian Film and Television Industry for a little more than a decade.

   Ron Wild worked in traditional Civil / Structural disciplines before earning an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Ron managed small hi-tech venture companies for over 15 years before transitioning into creating and exhibiting digital art.

   Tsu-Ching Yu with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and diploma in digital media at the Recording Arts Canada Digital Arts College, is a lyric coloratura soprano. She is also an ACTRA stunt performer for film and television who trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I was thinking of listing my Top 10 Reasons…but got tired after five. (Now I see why I may have needed to climb almost 15,782 ft to get away from it all.) But the reality is that I wasn’t letting thoughts of work destroy my zen mountain moments: I thought about the team of staff, alumni, faculty and former colleagues of CFC Media Lab because I was in awe of how much amazing work they are doing. (Notice I didn’t even mention any of the other work our esteemed community has been building within their own corporations and practice! Way to go Caitlin! Woo hoo Gorbets for the San Jose Airport! Congrats, Martha, on finishing up your comprehensives! Dare I go on?)

And as many of you know, there are another five projects lurking around the corner ready to be announced after we get through the 01SJ/TIFF/NUIT Blanche triage.

So here I am sitting in a dusty hallway of the new Bell Lightbox, high from sleep-deprivation, copying and pasting text into the Max Patch for Galen.  The plug behind me does not work, my black skirt is now drywall white, and sure I miss the mountains. But I’m really excited about this Fall and seeing everyone this weekend for our annual BBQ.

Namaste to all,

Ana

The CFC Media Lab and the docSHIFT Initiative have joined forces to present TWEAK: an Idea-Refinement Boot Camp for Digital Documentaries. We are looking for up to 30 experienced producers, creators, directors, writers, strategists and architects with an interesting interactive documentary idea and the desire to have their idea analyzed, work-shopped and honed from both a creative and business perspective. This 2-day weekend workshop will be facilitated by a series of high level industry mentors along with UK’s Frank Boyd, former BBC Director of Creative Development and the visionary behind Crossover Labs as well as CFC Media Lab Faculty member. Selected participants will retain ownership of their project idea but must be open to working collaboratively in a group setting—sharing their idea, receiving input, and also giving valuable input on other projects.

TWEAK will run from September 25-26

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
3 pages maximum (PDF). Please tell us briefly about:

1. You & your career
2. Your interactive documentary idea
3. What you want to get out of TWEAK

ELIGIBILITY:
• you have a strong interactive doc idea (mobile, web, game, multiple platforms)
• you must live and work in Ontario
• you must be an experienced and established documentary content creator (ie. producer, director, editor, writer, media artist, other) OR an experienced interactive digital media professional (ie. game developer, mobile developer, web designer, interactive producer)
• you are available weekend of September 25/26th both days, all day
• you are willing to pay registration fee of $100 (DOC Members) or $150 (nonmembers)

Please note: those of you who applied for or participated in the docSHIFT Crossover Weekend in May are eligible to apply for TWEAK. TWEAK (focused on idea refinement) has been designed to compliment and extend from the Crossover Weekend which focused on idea generation. TWEAK is both a stand alone event and a good preparatory phase for those interested in the docSHIFT Institute (see below).

For more, check out: www.doctoronto.ca/docshift

ABOUT THE docSHIFT INSTITUTE:
Four experienced creators with winning and innovative interactive documentary project ideas (games, mobile apps, websites) will receive mentorship, professional consultation and some financial support to complete their project or create a proto-type. docSHIFT Institute is part time (nights & weekend days) beginning mid November 2010 and running for approximately 5 months. Details & Call For Applications will be posted shortly.

docSHIFT is made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. It is presented in partnership with Ryerson University, Hot Docs, CFC Media Lab and the National Film Board.

Are you a filmmaker with a passion for comedy? Want to work with the best comedic talent in the business to make your comedy feature a reality?

Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab (www.cfccreates.com/comedy) is a CFC Film Program in Collaboration with Just For Laughs (www.hahaha.com).

There’s some very heavy weight people at the Lab. Just to get their ear is difficult enough in this business. These filmmakers are in a very privileged position.

- Eugene Levy, Chair of the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab

For more information and criteria visit www.cfccreates.com/comedy or email Kristine Kazias, kkazias@cfccreates.com

Green Screens partners films from the NFB with experts and panelists selected by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (www.cielap.org)

REMIXING OUR WORLD: Create your own short animated film and bring your vision to life! Participants will arrange cut-out images from magazines to critically address environmental issues and superimpose them on an untouched landscape – remixing the portrayal of our environment and challenging how we think about it. A fun hands-on experience with stop-motion animation, whether it’s your first or fiftieth time!

Follow the NFB Mediatheque on Facebook: www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/pages/Toronto-ON/NFBONF-Mediatheque/17608843063?ajaxpipe=1&__a=17
and Twitter: twitter.com/NFBMediatheque
and Foursquare! foursquare.com/venue/1062629
Sign up for the new NFB Mediatheque newsletter by email to nfbmediathequeonf@nfb.ca

Follow CIELAP on Twitter: twitter.com/cielap

Net Change Week will highlight Toronto’s leading edge activity in social technology and social change. This is much more than a social media conference. Technology is capable of taking a local social innovation to scale, across the country or worldwide. Through training, workshops, labs and public discussions, Net Change Week will provide participants with knowledge they need today, and then broaden the conversation to what we can expect in the future.

Now, I know you’re saying to yourself, “Sounds exciting, but how is the CFC Media Lab involved?”

• Current CFC Media Lab Telus Interactive Art & Entertainment Program Residents will participate in The Future Lab.
  WHEN: Projects will be pre-selected on Thursday, June 10. Teams will have less than 48hrs to formulate the game plan for realizing the idea out in the world. In front of a live audience, the lab solutions will be presented and a winner chosen by a panel of judges on Friday, June 11 from 2:30p – 5p.

• Seed (visit: seedcollective.org) Prototype* from the Telus Interactive Art & Entertainment Program will be on display for everyone to play with.
  WHEN: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 from 9a – 5p.

ABOUT: Through the use of sound and imagery, users create and populate a forest together, by dialing a particular number on the screen, each participant receives a “seed” on the public screen.

Seed explores the convergence of rich media and wireless technology in the creation of a collaborative and evolving work of art. Through sound and imagery, users create and populate a forest together. By dialing a particular number on the screen, each participant receives a “seed” on the public screen. By using the keypad on the cell phone audiences have the ability to grow their seeds, choose the type of trees they want to plant, and change their texture and color.

For additional information on Seed, check this out: stabletalk.cfccreates.com/2010/01/25/seed-exhibits-at-code-live/

*There are no limits to what you can create at the CFC Media Lab! The application deadline for our Telus Interactive Art & Entertainment Program Fall 2010 session is quickly approaching! Applications are due June 4, 2010 so get yours in today! www.cfcmedialab.com

If you haven’t registered for Net Change week, it’s not too late! Click here: www.netchangeweek.ca/registration

Opportunity awaits with the Canadian Media Fund!

The CFC Media Lab has joined forces with The Documentary Organization of Canada – Toronto, National Film Board, Hot Docs, and Ryerson, to present docSHIFT: a cutting edge initiative aimed at fostering collaborations and business opportunities between interactive media producers and documentary filmmakers.

docSHIFT is currently seeking applicants interested in participating in a 2-day weekend workshop (May 8-9th 2010) facilitated by the UK’s Frank Boyd. Frank is the past BBC Director of Creative Development and the visionary behind world-renowned Crossover Labs as well as part of the CFC Media Lab’s guest faculty roster for the TELUS Interactive Art & Entertainment Program.

If you are an experienced interactive digital media professional (games, mobile, web, AR) looking for opportunities in the burgeoning interactive documentary genre, this weekend should not be missed! Through participatory creative group exercises, the workshop is designed to break down walls between professional silos, develop common languages and perspectives and establish best practices for working together and ensuring success.

The docSHIFT Crossover Weekend is a pre-cursor to a five-day residential lab this Fall where select projects will move into development with the CFC Media Lab’s incubation support with Ryerson University.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 21ST, 2010

For full details and application information, please click HERE.
Any further questions regarding docSHIFT can be directed to Coordinator Kyree Vibrant: kyree@doctoronto.ca

To download the official docSHIFT flyer, please click HERE.

Design with Dialogue (DwD) explores leadership in the co-creation of positive organizational change facilitated by conversations for meaningful action.They are a group of practitioners that gathers monthly (second Wednesday of each month) to convene dialogue as a practice in social design to engage the organizations, projects, and civic communities to which they’re committed.

The next DwD workshop explores the structured approach of viewing a problem from multiple defined perspectives to expand the possible solution space.