SPARK ANIMATION 2014 - CONFERENCE
October 24 - 27, 2014
Vancouver International Film Centre
Vancity Theatre
1181 Seymour Street
Vancouver, Canada
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SPARK ANIMATION 2014 - CONFERENCE
Celebrating Animation From Around the World!
October 24 - 27, 2014
DISCOVER SPARK ANIMATION
Animation has come a long way. It has evolved into a multi-faceted medium with diverse target groups. SPARK CG brings the world's most talented artists, inventors, directors and studio executives to Vancouver to share their priceless experience and inspire the animation community. This 2-day conference attracts local and global animation leaders and visionaries.
- Panels and presentations from the world's most creative animators.
- Cutting edge exposure and insight about the global art and business of animation.
- Networking — build long-lasting relationships with a growing community of local and international attendees.
If you're interested in the behind-the-scenes and the how-to of animation then we have a conference program for you. Featuring a diverse series of presentations, SPARK ANIMATION invites all experienced professionals and students, to discover the craft and innovation that defines animation.
IMPORTANT
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
Schedule and pricing subject to change without notice.
Limited single tickets released. Please check back regularly for availability.
SCHEDULE
Friday
Friday - October 24, 8:30 AM
CONFERENCE PASS
Regular Conference Pass
Conference Pass: Includes all daytime talks and panels on Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 6:30 PM. Evening screenings and other special events are ticketed separately.
Offer ends October 23, 2014.
Friday
Friday - October 24, 9:00 AM
PRESENTATION
The Marriage of Art and Technology: How it inspires the future of animation
with Colin Giles · Moderated by Delna Bhesania, Graham_Annable, Nora Twomey, Roger Allers & Sean Sexton
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
Over the past decades the worlds of art and technology have collided in spectacular fashion. Bringing stories to life that would have never before been possible this mix of old world technique and new world ingenuity has proven more "Peanut Butter and Jelly" than "Oil and Water." This panel will discuss the exciting ways directors, producers, artists, and storytellers are combining artistic talent and vision with genius technology to create fascinating new films. You will leave inspired as we ask how groups of artists around the world were brought together, how developing software is opening new horizons in filmmaking, and what this seemingly limitless future holds for the art of animation.
Friday - October 24, 11:00 AM
PRESENTATION
Independent Animation: From Story to Screen
· Moderated by Nick Cross
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
Surviving and thriving in the independent animation world is a challenge. From his training as an illustrator to his break into the animation industry; Nick Cross has been walking the fine line between the independent and commercial worlds for over 15 years.
Nick will talk you through the winding path of life as an animator, and point out how to avoid the pitfalls that inevitably appear along the way.
He will also delve into his unique approach to making a film — a process that he has honed over the course of almost a dozen films. How does one create and structure a film through story, colour and design? And where do ideas come from, and where do they go once they've been made into moving pictures?
Friday - October 24, 1:00 PM
PRESENTATION
Kahlil Gibran's THE PROPHET: Bringing Poetry to Life
· Moderated by Chris C Browne, Eric Prebende, Nadine Wagner-Westerbarkey & Roger Allers
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
How do you bring the beloved book, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, which has been translated into 40 languages, sold over 100 million copies, to the big screen? Only through the sheer determination of an actress turned producer, a Tony Award winning director and a multitude of international animators could the book's timeless lyricism be captured. As film-makers they realized, "We believe animation is, in a way, the closest cinematic form to poetry."
In this regard the work of Bardel Entertainment deserves a stand-alone mention. Envisioned to be traditional hand-drawn animation, Bardel created its own proprietary pipeline, which combined 3D animation and 2D finaling to emulate the look of hand-drawn animation. The result has been hailed as a landmark achievement in animation. Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
SPARK ANIMATION has brought together three members of the production crew to explain how they created the Oscar worthy film, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.
Friday - October 24, 3:00 PM
PRESENTATION
SONG OF THE SEA: Animating Irish Folklore
· Moderated by Nora Twomey
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
Watching Song of the Sea, it is easy to assert that this is one of the most beautifully animated films ever made. It is a gem, beaming with awe-inspiring, heartwarming magic. From the award-winning animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, Song of the Sea, is the highly anticipated follow-up to its Academy Award-nominated The Secret of Kells. Steeped in Irish culture and sensibilities, the film explores family dynamics and a theme of loss. Song of the Sea looks at life through a child's eyes, with all the humour, magic and sense of wonder that it entails.
Nora Twomey, one of the creative directors of Cartoon Saloon, discusses the evolution of the film, the practicalities of independent co-productions and the team of artists behind Song of the Sea.
Friday - October 24, 5:00 PM
PRESENTATION
THE BOXTROLLS: Something Old, Something New
· Moderated by Graham Annable
ONLINE RESERVATIONS FOR CONFERENCE SESSIONS CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH OR VISA/MASTERCARD.
The art of stop-motion animation is as old as film-making itself. While following in the traditions laid before them, LAIKA is transforming the 120-year-old tradition of stop-motion with their use of 3D printers and a method they call Rapid Prototyping. As Brian McLean director of Rapid Prototyping says, "This has broken [the medium] free and allowed stop-motion to tell stories with characters that are emoting, and have an emotional range, and acting ability that was never before possible."
Graham Annable, co-director of LAIKA's The Boxtrolls, will explain how a medium that many of us grew up on, that seemed to be dying, has been infused with 21st century technology to revive it.
Saturday - October 25, 9:00 AM
PRESENTATION
Capturing a Character: The Animation of BIG HERO 6
· Moderated by Michael Franceschi
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH or VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY.
In this presentation, Michael Franceschi will cover the animation process from pre-vis and character exploration through final film animation at Walt Disney Animation. He will focus on the exciting challenges of creating specific acting performances with a large, unique cast of characters through exploration and research.
Saturday - October 25, 11:00 AM
PRESENTATION
LAVA: Get Into the Flow
· Moderated by James Ford Murphy
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH or VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY.
The latest short from Pixar is a love letter to volcanoes and the beauty of tropical islands. But even more, it's a musical work of art whose vibrancy and spirit is matched by the enthusiasm of its director, James Murphy. In this screening and presentation, be one of the first audiences in the world to see the film, followed by an in-depth look at how it was made, the Pixar process and how one builds from a passionate idea to an explosive on-screen vision.
Saturday - October 25, 1:00 PM
PRESENTATION
The Making of THE DAM KEEPER and Starting Tonko House
· Moderated by Robert J. Kondo
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH or VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY.
The Dam Keeper is an 18-minute animated short film, made up of 18,000 paintings. Robert Kondo, one of the two directors of the film, will present the journey of this short film from its early inception and early failed story attempts to sharing it with over 65 film festivals around the world. The Dam Keeper is the first film the former Pixar art directors took on the role of directing and writing together, this is the story of their journey. The two artists, left Pixar in July of this year, and since have started their own studio, Tonko House. Robert talks about stepping out to be independent and the fear and excitement of starting something new.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be collectibles for sale at THE DAM KEEPER booth, with a signing session with Robert Kondo following his presentation. There will be a signing session after the presentation.
Saturday - October 25, 3:00 PM
PRESENTATION
THE BOOK OF LIFE: Creative Challenges and All-You-Can-Eat Churros
· Moderated by Wesley Mandell
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. CASH or VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY.
Day of the Dead is everywhere these days; skulls have been adopted by everyone from punks to princesses. But for The Book of Life director Jorge Gutierrez, the holiday is intensely personal. "My favourite thing about it is the core belief of the holiday: as long as we tell the stories of these people, sing their songs, cook their food, and tell their stories they are with us." recalls Mr. Gutierrez. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, a gifted and visionary storyteller in his own right, The Book of Life is the first movie to honour the Mexican festival. Inspired by the colourful folk art prevalent during the festival The Book of Life is a visually sumptuous feast. In the words of Visual Effects Supervisor Augusto Schillaci, "your eyes are going to explode."
Please join us as Supervising Animator (Reel FX) Wes Mandell explains how they brought this loving tribute to Mexico's Day of the Dead to life in a very detailed and beautiful way.
Saturday - October 25, 5:00 PM
PRESENTATION
The DUET of Art and Technology
How technology and artistry elevates us to a higher place
· Moderated by Glen Keane & Max Keane
SOLD OUT. THERE MAY BE A FEW RUSH TICKETS AT THE DOOR. CASH or VISA/MASTERCARD ONLY.
Like oil and water, and booze and bowling, some things just don't seem to mix well together. Hand-drawn animation and digital technologies can be lumped into that category. However in the hands of a left-and-right brain thinking individual, like Glen Keane, the marriage of these two disparate forms come together. With Duet and Google, Mr. Keane has created not only a beautiful piece of animation but a look into the future for animation on mobile devices.
If you don't know Mr. Keane's name, you certainly know his creations. The famous animator worked on classics including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Tarzan. It is SPARK ANIMATION Festival's greatest pleasure to welcome the world's finest advocate in hand-drawn animation to showcase Duet and explain the harmonious future of both animation and technology.
BIOGRAPHIES
As Bardel's Studio CG Supervisor, Chris oversees the FX and LRC artists on all in-house productions, and brings insight and creative direction to the team while ensuring that the Company's high standards are met.
Head of Animation & VFX // Vancouver Film School
(Sausage Party, Dan Vs., Thomas & Friends)
Colin Giles is the Head of the VFS School of Animation & VFX, bringing over 22 years of professional experience as a Director, Animator, and Creative Designer. Colin's work in animation and storytelling has allowed him the chance to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including: Disney Interactive, Cartoon Network, Ford Motor Co., The NBA and Starbucks, to name a few. When he's not busy inspiring new artists in the classroom, he's active on many popular industry projects like Dan Vs, Robotboy, and the 2D Sequences in Seth Rogen's animated hit Sausage Party. In 2017, Colin was an official speaker at TEDx Vancouver and has delivered workshops and keynotes in Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Los Angeles and across Canada.
Delna’s inspiring career in animation began over 25 years ago and tells a story of determination, commitment and vision. Starting from an office in a spare bedroom, Delna and her partner Barry Ward have grown their business from a small team with big talent to a really big team with ground-breaking talent.
As CEO and Co-founder of Bardel, Delna manages the studio’s corporate affairs, production, and business development. She works closely with her executive team and all stages at the studio to strategize, manage and uphold the highest quality standards on which Bardel’s reputation was built.
Supervising Animation Director 3D // Bardel Entertainment
(Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, Hotel Transylvania, Babar and the Adventures of Badou)
In his role as Supervising Animation Director 3D, Eric builds creative teams and delivers high quality work while maintaining a cohesive and strong unit. Colleagues have spoken of his drive to inspire and engage, and of his dedication and commitment to his craft. He continues to share his sincere passion and energy as a key member of the Bardel team.
A 38-year veteran of Walt Disney Feature Animation, Glen Keane trained under Walt Disney’s 9 Old Men. Glen Keane went on to create many beloved Disney characters, such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, Tarzan, and Rapunzel.
In 2012, Keane departed Disney to begin Glen Keane Productions as way to further his artistic explorations in animation, design and film. He has since gone on to collaborate with Google, the Paris Ballet, Riot Games, and Green Egg Media. His most recent project is the animated film Dear Basketball, which he animated and directed in collaboration with legends Kobe Bryant and John Williams.
He is currently directing Over the Moon in partnership with Pearl Studio and Netflix. The animated feature is due to be released in 2020.
One of Animation Magazine’s “Rising Stars of Animation,” Graham Annable makes his directorial debut — directing with Anthony Stacchi — on The Boxtrolls. Graham began doodling at an early age and never stopped. Classically trained as an animator at Toronto’s Sheridan College, he spent ten years at LucasArts animating on various video game projects. He worked as a storyboard artist on LAIKA’s first two films Coraline and ParaNorman.
A prolific creative in the video game industry, Graham is the former Creative Director at Telltale Games and the creator of the hip-and-hit comic book series Grickle (Alternative Comics) which was nominated for a 2002 Harvey Award for Best New Talent. He was one of the founders of the Hickee humour anthology (also published by Alternative Comics) and has created works for television, film and video games for such entities as LucasFilm, Chuck Jones, Nickelodeon and Walt Disney Productions. Before joining LAIKA, Graham worked on The Goofy Movie and all forty or so of the Grickle shorts on YouTube (called “phenomenally popular” by Comics Journal). His hardcover The Book of Grickle (Dark Horse, 2010), a collection of ten years of Grickle stories, was given a 5-star rating and labeled “Awesome and funny and weird... a must read,” by Goodreads.
Random Fact: “I am an avid hockey fan. To the point where it’s probably irritating to everyone else around me.”
Mr. Annable worked as a storyboard artist on LAIKA's first two films Coraline and ParaNorman, both of which were nominated for the Academy Award®, BAFTA®, and the Producers Guild of America Award®, among other honours. Mr. Annable makes his directorial debut (directing with Anthony Stacchi) on LAIKA's third film, The Boxtrolls, the 3D stop-motion/CGI animated feature released by Focus Features.
Prior to Pixar, Murphy worked as Animation Director at Sierra-On-Line and as Animator/Director at Calabash Animation where he animated several commercials, including Little Caesar's Pizza, Pizza series. He also was an Art Director at Jockey International where he was responsible for all print advertising for Jockey underwear.
James earned a BA in Journalism at Marquette University. He is a self-taught artist and animator from Detroit, Michigan.
Most recently, Max has teamed up with his father, acclaimed animator Glen Keane, and producer Gennie Rim to work on an interactive short film for Google titled Duet. Max served as Production Designer and Interaction Co-Director on the uniquely animated project that celebrates life through the hand-drawn line.
Max currently resides in Los Angeles, with his wife Megan and their two children, Henry and Olive, and their dog Bo, which were inspirations to the making of Duet.
Animation Supervisor // Walt Disney Animation
(Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-it Ralph)
Between his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his graduate work at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Mr. Franceschi spent a few years working at The Society of Illustrators in Manhattan. The Society offered the perfect venue for meeting talented and inspirational animation/artists like Bill Plympton, Peter deSeve and Willis Pyle. These conversations proved to be for Mr. Franceschi the proof of how rewarding and possible a career in animation could really be.
Mr. Franceschi's started his life in animation with Nickelodeon Animation Studios where he worked in development for numerous shows including, The Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, and Fanboy & Chum Chum. In 2012, Mr. Franceschi joined Walt Disney Animation as an animator on Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen. He was the Animation Supervisor for Disney's next animated feature, Big Hero 6. About working at Disney, Mr. Franceschi says, "It's an extremely humbling experience and an absolute honour to work in the studio that created such unforgettable and enduring films. It's amazing to see a true collaboration at work, and the pride that everyone takes in putting the best possible frame up on screen and something worthy of Walt's name." Mr. Franceschi clearly loves animation.
As Supervising Animation Director 2D, Nadine plays a key role in forming, training and mentoring the creative teams and delivering results that reflect Bardel's reputation for the highest quality work. She recently collaborated on the hugely anticipated animated feature film Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. Nadine's enthusiasm, positive energy and supportive nature brings out the best in the team at Bardel. She continues to develop as an exceptional crafter of 2D and to provide much valued leadership and encouragement within her team.
"It is fabulous when a group of talented artists come together and create amazing projects as a team. Seeing an artist go beyond something that they thought was possible is the biggest joy for me."
Director, Animator, Illustrator // Cartoon Network
(Over the Garden Wall, SpongeBob Movie, Ren and Stimpy)
Co-Founder, Creative Director // Cartoon Saloon
(My Father's Dragon, The Breadwinner, The Secret of Kells)
Nora Twomey is an Academy Award®, BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Director. She is also Partner and Creative Director at Cartoon Saloon, Ireland. In a career spanning over two decades, Nora has worked in a number of capacities on Cartoon Saloon‘s creative output. She was co-director to Tomm Moore’s Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells, while also guiding the development processes on a number of series, including Emmy-nominated Puffin Rock and Dorg Van Dango. She was Head of Story on Academy Award®-nominated Song of the Sea and Producer on Wolfwalkers. She directed The Breadwinner, which was also nominated for an Academy Award® and Golden Globe, and won several international awards including multiple Annies and the Audience and Jury Awards at Annecy. My Father‘s Dragon is Nora‘s third feature and second solo-directed film. She lives in Kilkenny with her husband, children, two cats and one fish.
Director, Writer
(Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast)
Mr. Allers was first drawn to animation after seeing Disney's Peter Pan at age five. So moved by it, he sent away to Disneyland for a do-it-yourself animation kit but he gave up on that career goal after Walt Disney died. Mr. Allers would eventually earn a fine arts degrees and rekindle his love of cartoons in an animation class at Harvard and by working in a small Boston animation studio. In 1986, Mr. Allers would fulfill his childhood dream of working at Disney. His credits include The Little Mermaid, story work on Beauty & the Beast and Aladdin, and directing that little known film, The Lion King. He also co-wrote the Broadway adaptation.
Mr. Allers, who first fell in love with Kahlil Gibran's writings as a college student, says he jumped at the opportunity to direct it. "I wasn't about to let this one get away from me," he laughs. To bring Kahlil Gibran's beloved book to the big screen, Mr. Allers wrote and directed a new narrative which incorporated the individual poems. It premiered at TIFF 2014.
Animation Supervisor // DreamWorks Animation
(How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Croods, Puss in Boots, Megamind)
Animation Supervisor // Reel FX
(Free Birds, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, Megamind)
In 2003, he began his career as an animator working at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in San Rafael, California. He worked on several big-budget effects films there, such as Van Helsing, Star Wars Episode III, The Island and xXx: State of the Union. He then went on to work at Blue Sky Studios in White Plains, NY, where he served as an animator on such hit films as Ice Age: The Meltdown, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. After three years at Blue Sky, he went back to ILM to work on such films as Iron Man 2 and Terminator Salvation and the Star Tours ride.
After working at ILM for two more years, Wes joined PDI/DreamWorks in Redwood City, California to work as an animator on such hit films as Megamind and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, as well as the DVD specials, Megamind: Button of Doom and Scared Shrekless. He then moved to the Dallas to work at Reel FX, where he was reunited with director Jimmy Hayward (Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!) to work as a Directing Animator on the animated buddy comedy, Free Birds. Wes is currently working with Director Jorge Gutierrez and Reel FX as the Animation Supervisor on the animated comedy The Book of Life, produced by Guillermo del Toro and scheduled to release October 17th, 2014.
Wes is an avid snowboarder, hockey fan and loves movies.
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