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Following the success of Max Howard’s recent talk at the Animex Business event, the Institute of Digital Innovation have secured permission to screen this teleseminar in the Phoenix Building on Teesside University Campus.

About the event

Legendary animation film producer Max Howard will share his secrets to help you produce your own animated film. Max has worked with entertainment giants such as, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg on some the most well-known and highest grossing movies in the history of animated films. 

Max will reveal

 
•    Where to pitch your movie idea
•    The opportunities available to produce your own hit animated film
•    How to make tons of money with your independent animated feature
•    One piece of advice that can save you MILLIONS
•    The secret to how low-budget movies can make more money
•    Top 4 ‘Words of Wisdom’ for producers
•    Why animated films are a better investment than live-action films
•     8 Top Secrets for a Successful Production

How it works

Max will be giving the teleseminar via the Internet – taking into account the time difference we will be screening a recorded version of this. You will however still have the opportunity to submit questions prior to the event which Max will address during the session. 

Register to attend

If you are interested in attending this event please email Christine Wilson; c.wilson@tees.ac.uk

 Can’t attend but don’t want to miss out?

 If you are unable to attend the event you can register as an individual. Here is the information you need:

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 9:30 p.m. EST, 6:30 p.m. PST   2-3 hours long, depending on questions
Cost: $69
Location: Anywhere. Phone in or login, plus access our live web-based slide-show
Register: www.HitMakerSeminar.com

Event:  Digital Innovation & Enterprise Event with Emily Humphries, Cambridge Research Biochemicals.   

Date: Thursday 11 March, 5pm – 7pm

Venue: IDI, Phoenix Building, pG.10           

As part of the Digital Innovation & Enterprise series of events we would like to invite you to the next event which is a joint collaboration with Teesside Enterprise Network taking place on 11 March 2010.  We are pleased to have speaking at this event Emily Humphries of Cambridge Research Biochemicals. 

Emily began her career in the labs in ICI and is now the co-owner and Commercial Director of Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB) in Billingham, Teesside. By concentrating on peptides and antibodies to the pharmaceutical, academic and biotechnology markets, Emily and her partner have grown CRB to a £million plus turnover a year businesses with exports of over 30%.  Innovation has been a key ingredient to this success and Emily will share her reflections on its relationship to technology, personal development and business growth in the March Innovation and Enterprise seminar.  Please come along and use the opportunity to listen to Emily and to talk to her about business, changes in the process sector or the wider issues of innovation, management and leadership. 

There will be a chance to network and food and drinks will be provided in the usual way.

To book please email c.wilson@idi-uk.org

Date & Time: Thursday, 4^th March  2010, 6pm for 6.30pm start – 10pm ish finish
Venue: Phoenix Building, Teesside University, Middlesbrough. http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/docrepo/about/CampusMap.pdf
Suggested Parking: On campus close to venue  http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/docrepo/about/CampusCarParkMap.pdf
Refreshments: Finger buffet. Please inform us of any dietary requirements. Drinks will be provided.
Format: Warm welcome, introduction to the evening and update, buffet dinner, talks from guest speakers, shared experiences from a few Girl Geeks members, conversations, networking. 

Speakers: 

Eileen Brown:
Eileen Brown is originally from the region and is CEO of Amastra, http://www.amastra.co.uk a company which helps you achieve your aspirations using offline and online social methods. After spending 10 years in the Merchant Navy as Shell Tankers first female Deck Officer, Eileen managed a fleet of ships in a container shipping company, moving into IT support, then training and management at a Microsoft Training Provider in London, technical consultancy at HP and technical specialist at Microsoft before leaving to start her own company.  Eileen is an accomplished and well-known international speaker and expert on Social Media, Online Branding, Web 2.0, Unified Communications and Systems Architecture and is a key advocate for the advancement of Women in Technology.  She explores the art of the possible, looking at how technology is changing the world we live in and seeing ways to simplify work and make you more productive. Eileen is a member of BCS, is part of the BCS Strategic panel for Women in IT and is the Chair of Intellect Women in Technology group. However, her life isn’t spent entirely at her laptop. Away from work, she makes jam and chutney in awesome quantities, tends her flock of chickens, grows organic vegetables and fruit and races around the countryside in her home built 6.6 litre cobra replica car. As much as possible, whenever she encounters warmer waters, she scuba dives as much as possible to get away from the phone…

Eileen’s Keynote speech: From Ships to Chips: From a Deck Cadet in Shell Tankers to CEO in business.  Find out how one woman’s journey,  through her career in the Merchant Navy on Oil Tankers, Container shipping, IT, Computer training, HP, Microsoft and now running a consultancy company came about through using social connections.  Discover the power of Offline and Online social connections, find out how you can advance your own career by using these powerful tools, and  listen to how your company can also take advantage of these connections to extend reach, get more customers and be more successful in business.

Sarah Kadhim and Talib Kadhim:

Husband and wife team, Sarah Kadhim and Talib Kadhim will be speaking about starting and building their business Back 2 Front Animation http://www.b2fanimation.com/ an animation studio based in Stockton that creates highly creative animations for TV adverts, long form, film, computer games, websites, corporate presentations, training materials and education! Sarah and Talib met whilst studying at university and started the business not long after graduating where they are now working with clients such as Nickelodeon and their work being aired on NickToons!

James TerKeurst:

James TerKeurst is Director of the Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) and a Member of the DigitalCity Board. He became Director of the IDI in February 2007 and joined the DigitalCity project later that year. Located on the campus of the University of Teesside, the IDI is part of the larger DigitalCity project which is focused on developing a thriving digital creative industry in the North East of England. As an innovation nexus for the region, the IDI manages the DigitalCity Fellowship programme that is currently creating three new companies each month. The IDI is also involved in championing Innovation within schools and communities across the region.

Before taking on his role at the IDI, James was Research and Business Development Manager for the International Centre for Computer Games and Virtual Entertainment (IC CAVE). Within this role, James worked on a wide range or game industry research projects in Europe, North America and Asia. His interests are in non-linear media and interactive 3D media environments. Prior to his Academic career, James worked in various media roles in the US before settling down in a media production company in the Midwest. After over 10 years of corporate media development James retuned to academia and obtained his PhD from the University of Iowa.

Cost: £10.00 for a attendees per event

Booking: Please reserve your place and book your ticket for either (or both) of the March Girl Geeks events via the payment link on the contact page of the Girl Geeks website http://www.girl-geeks.co.uk/contact.html  or Paypal payment to events@girl-geeks.co.uk

Event: TEDx Teesside
Date: Wednesday 24 February
Time: 16.00 – 19.45, followed by food, drinks and networking
Venue: Sound Studio, Phoenix Building, Teesside University

The Institute of Digital Innovation is proud to host TEDx Teesside. Taking place in the Sound Studio of the Phoenix Building this event will give you the opportunity to listen to a line-up of fascinating speakers who will share their ideas and experiences of the innovative projects they are working on. There will also be 2 talks from TED screened throughout the event.

Speakers

• Hugh Garry, BBC Radio 1: ‘Shoot the Summer’

Hugh will speak about his award winning film ‘Shoot the Summer’, a film about festivals shot entirely on mobile phones, looking at how the media can take lessons from the experimental way young people use technology.

• Andy Dobson, Sky: ‘Interfaces, innovation and unconvention’

Using the Sky EPG as a focal point, Andy will discuss various aspects of interface design and development within Sky. How the technology base has changed the game and why *right now* is the most exciting time in digital media since the very beginning!

• Nick Holliman, Durham University: ‘Cosmic origins and the future of 3D TV’

After recently beating off competition from Disney to win ‘Best 3D movie’ at the Stereoscopic Displays and Applications conference in California, Nick will be talking about the making of the movie and what the future holds for the ‘average’ consumer in terms of stereoscopic viewing.

• Herb Kim, Codeworks

Herb will talk about the early days of developing the hugely successful Thinking Digital Conference and how social media has had a direct, positive impact on the growth of the event.

• Simon McKeown, MotionDisabled

‘Motion Disabled’ is a digital exploration of the bodies of people who are physically different. Simon will talk about how motion capture works in this situation and how he used it for the recent MotionDisabled exhibition.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organisations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through a TED-like experience. At TEDx events, unique talks given by live speakers combine with TEDTalks videos to spark deep conversation and connections.

Register to attend

Places at this event are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. To register please email c.wilson@tees.ac.uk

CLICK TO ENLARGE

A unique exhibition will run at Middlesbrough’s Python Gallery from Feb 18th to March 12th featuring the work of staff at Teesside University’s School of Computing

School of Computing staff at Teesside University work in a variety of fields, meaning they are able to teach drawing and computing skills which combine traditional 2d drawing and painting skills to create conceptual computer created imagery, mostly based on and for the computer game industry.

Staff continue their art-practice as part of their on-going research and they have produced, for this exhibition, a collection of eclectic work, including photography, drawing, painting, sculpture and animation.

Featured in the exhibition is what is believed to be the world’s first 3D print of a ‘Mandelbulb’ and also Maggie Parker’s seminal works, ‘Infinity’ and ‘Torus’.  These pieces are impossible to make in the ‘real world’ due to their complexity of shape, only being able to be manifested in the ‘real world’ by recreating them using a 3d printer.

The retiring Dean of the school, Derek Simpson says “This exhibition, to be held at the Python Gallery, Middlesbrough, is an excellent opportunity for both academic and ancillary staff to consolidate their status as artists in both the public’s and students’ eyes and disseminate this work into the larger community”.

Python Gallery, Royal Middlehaven House, Gosford Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1BB, Telephone: 01642 247745

Ronak Singh's 'Bride & Gloom'

Ronak Singh is screening three of his films at the Arc, Stockton early next month.

The Thornaby-based filmmaker is screening the Barnardo’s funded Innocence and the BME Network funded No Honour No Choice, alongside his self-funded film  Bride & Gloom.

While Ronak’s significantly developed his writer/director skills in the last couple of years he continues to film in the region where he matches local talent with professional actors. In Bride & Gloom east meets west as a young Indian bride finds herself in the room of a nervous, asthmatic white groom. It stars Coronation Street’s Poppy Jhakra and Mark Stobbart (55 Degrees North & Auf Wiedershen Pet) and features Middlesbrough born actor Bill Fellows.

A trailer can be seen here

The film showcase is free to attend  and takes place on Monday 1st March from 7pm. To book your place contact Wendy Shepherd of Barnardos SECOS project on: 01642 819743 or Email: wendy.shepherd@barnardos.org.uk

The Poster, click to enlarge

With the assistance of Northern Film and Media and the UK Film Council there will be a Fringe Animex event in Saltburn featuring community produced animations. This will take place at 7.30pm on February 11^th at Saltburn Community Theatre, Albion Terrace, Saltburn, TS12 1JW.

Featured this year will be World Première of “The Force is With You” which has been produced in partnership with the Institute of Digital Innovation, the Skinningrove Community, Whitecliffe Primary School and Redcar & Cleveland Community Safety Partnership. The school children will get their own matinee screening at 1.30 on the same date.

During a recent International workshop in Vienna one of scenes in “The Force is With You” was “voiced” using the services of some of the workshop attendees. The film clip below is a sneak preview of one of the scenes and a behind the scenes look at how it was put together.

Trouper 1 is played by Markus Petz from Finland, Trouper 2 by Thomas Chepaitis the Minister of foreign affairs of Uzhupis Republic (Lithuania) Arthur Vador is played by Steve Thompson and Barry Hunt the Mayor of Loftus is camera operator.

In the background is Laura Pakalne, Senior Officer in the Public Relations Department in the Ministry of Justice, Latvia who is most interested in our working with the British police and the movie production team on more collaborative projects. Markus has delayed his return to Finland to travel to Saltburn to assist with a hook-up with Latvia during the event on the 11^th. It’s quite possible that people all over the world will be able to participate in the event. More information on this will be released closer to the event. The primary site for any streaming or “back channel” activity during the event is www.saltburn.org.uk

As well as the evening event there will be a matinee for schools and its during the afternoon event that the team will be aiming to hook up with children in Latvia. For more info contact s.d.thompson@tees.ac.uk

Writers’ Block is an exciting new project for writers and creative’s in the North East. It will have its base in an empty property on Albert Road in Middlesbrough and is part of Middlesbrough Council’s empty shop scheme, which aims to support innovative ideas and create new opportunities in the Tees Valley area.

Writers’ Block will be a hub for creative talent in the region, bringing all kinds of different writers together with local Actors, Directors, Film Crew, Musicians, Illustrators, Animators, Radio Producers and Photographers; it will provide a work space for writers; create opportunities to produce showreels and develop portfolios; house regular training sessions, challenges and debates, designed to give writers new skills; and give writers access to Agents, Publishers, and the people who can launch their careers.

On top of these opportunities, Writers’ Block will house the resources, facilities and equipment needed to produce work to a professional standard; will be home to a film club and a reading group with a regional emphasis; and will have a collection of industry books and magazines to keep you informed and inspired.

Writers’ Block kicks off with a Writer Development Day on Friday 5th February. This will be attended by the likes of the Script Editor from Ashes to Ashes, a Screenwriter from Hollyoaks, an award winning Poet and Novelist, and a Development Producer from Tiger Aspect. The day event will be followed by an evening of short films in the Centuria Building, Teesside University, between 7 and 9pm. Unfortunately, the day event sold out quickly, but anyone is welcome to join in the evening screening event, to hear from the likes of Tom Marshall and James Harris – how they made it happen and how you can follow suit as part of the Writers’ Block scheme.

Join ‘Writer Network’ on Facebook to find out about future events and opportunities.

You can contact Laura @ laura_degnan323@hotmail.co.uk

Generator Compact is our new programme of music business development units for delivery as one day bite-size workshops.  These short courses offer a practical solution for small music businesses and have been assembled by people who have extensive experience of working within the music industry.  The central aim is to ensure that the information given is industry standard and also up to date.

DateTuesday 16th March 2010 Time: 10.30 am – 4.30pm Venue: The Institute of Digital Innovation Teesside University Middlesbrough TS1 3BA

This unit is designed to help bands, labels and managers use the internet to market, promote and sell their music. It will look at the range of services available and also how you can combine online marketing with traditional methods e.g. press and radio. Any artist or label looking to ‘break’ a record needs to know how to maximise internet promotion to their advantage.

For more information and to register for the workshops please email Martin McAloon or call 0191 245 0099.

Codeworks’ next Think and a Drink event will focus on ideas generation. It will look at the ways new ideas can be generated for businesses and the tools and models that can be used to help.

The event will start with a talk from an expert in the field, before businesses split off into five groups to put what they have just learnt into practice. The five groups will explore ideas in the following areas:
• Social networking
• New applications for mobiles
• Location technology ideas
• New ideas for video usage on websites
• Ways to deliver healthcare solutions via telecommunications

Each group will have a professional facilitator to help with the idea generation. Codeworks and sponsors the Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) will be looking for any viable ideas that they can help people take forward.

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