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

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

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

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

Do you have a passion for people, their lives and their issues?

Northern Film & Media in partnership with Community Channel and Sheffield Doc/Fest are launching ”Capture 2010” a factual and documentary talent development scheme and will provide you with access to industry professionals, talent spotters, broadcasters, exhibition platforms and some project funding.

NFM  are looking for energetic Film Makers who have a passion for making content that could make a difference to an issue, a cause or a community.

They want to find talent that has a desire to innovate and are willing to go the extra mile to draw attention to their projects and reach a wide audience.

Themes

NFM is interested in capturing a sense of the North East, its people and their aspirations and dreams (and their struggles to achieve them), stories about communities and individuals trying to be the best that they can be. We’re keen to hear what you’re interested in and the issues you want to highlight.

Projects will be short listed by Northern Film &  Media, Community Channel and Sheffield Doc/Fest.

Looking for applications into 3 strands.

When considering your ideas please endeavour to entertain us, make us laugh, make us smile and make us cry!

1.      Strand 1 – 27 min documentary style film
This strand is focussed on a more traditional doc format exploring a North East community in a filmic and narrative way.
Greater consideration will be given to idea’s that demonstrate how they will sustain the half hour format.
Practitioners with some experience looking to work to broadcast deadlines

2.      Strand 2 – 3 minute documentary style film
This strand should be engaging and inventive – in the vein of C4 Three Minute Wonders – this is also an opportunity to experiment with form.
Practitioners of all levels interested in making their mark

3.      Strand 3 – 10 minute factual format
This strand should explore how to engage the public, charities, business or a local authority to address social issues through the media (think Power to the People, Monty’s Garden, Jamie’s School Dinners). The feel for this strand is mischievous worthiness.
Practitioners with some experience and a lot of talent

Budgets will vary between £1,500 and £9,000. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider how they will realise their idea the cost of doing so.

Application deadline 5pm 12th February 2010

Application Process

Stage 1 – Submit hard copy Application Form and supporting information to Northern Film & Media by 12th February 2010 (Please note you must also email your application form by this date to Joanna@northernmedia.org)

Stage 2 – Sheffield Doc/Fest Capture Workshop for those who are shortlisted 8th/9th March

Stage 3 – Final interview (with broadcasters present) 12th March 2010

Please note – If selected for an interview you will be required to:

•       Provide footage of the contributors/characters that you intend to use.

Application Form and Guidelines are attached

Sheffield Doc/Fest Capture Workshop 8th/9th March

The workshop is a high level project development opportunity which also includes an introduction to MeetMarket and all Marketplace activities at Doc/Fest and to wider opportunities in international documentary funding and markets. Delivered by International Marketplace specialist Christina Burnett, of Wide Eye Pictures, and Charlie Phillips, Doc/Fest Marketplace Producer, this is also a unique chance to pitch your project and get feedback. For more information on Doc/Fest please see www.sheffdocfest.com
Last year’s scheme

Throughout last year’s Capture scheme the filmmakers made video diaries and blogs of their journeys. You can find out more at the Capture Micro site:   http://www.northernmedia.org/capture

Final Cut Pro is the industry standard software for film and video editors

Teesside University has recently became an Apple Authorised Training Centre for Final Cut Pro. The School of Arts & Media is delivering five courses in the latest version of the industry standard video editing software between February and July 2010. Subsidies are available for eligible North East-based SME and freelance businesses.

Final Cut Pro is the first choice software package for professional TV and film editors. Version 7 provides better integration with Apple’s other Pro applications than ever before with improved codec support for editing HD, DV and SD video formats. It also boasts new presets for devices such as iPod, Apple TV, and Blu-ray discs. Over four intensive days, this course aims to develop a professional competence in both post production craft and an understanding and operation of Final Cut Pro 7 software.

All delegates attending the Teesside course will be given the opportunity to obtain an Apple accredited certificate for the latest version of the package, while also obtaining 20 University credits in ‘Post Production with Final Cut Pro’. The cost of the Apple exam and Final Cut Pro 7 handbook is included in the fee.
Cost per person: £830.00
Subsidised cost per person: Up to 90% discount (based on successful Teesside University and Business Link application)

For further information regarding eligibility and course dates contact James McDermott on: 01642 738 089 or Email: samwfd@tees.ac.uk

So how about making them all play nice together?

With thanks to Ari Milner who posted an article about integrating Facebook ad Twitter into Gmail, I now have Buzz, Facebook and Twitter all in one place. Here’s how it’s done……..

1. Go to Gmail Labs. (you should find this at the top right of Gmail. –see pic below)
2. Activate “Add any gadget by URL” in Gmail Labs — you’ll find it near the bottom of the list.
3. Now go to Settings (to the right of labs in image above) and then  Gadgets. Here you’ll find a place to add Gadget URLs.
4. Add the TwitterGadget App. This lets tweet from the sidebar of Gmail. To do this copy  the following URL and paste it into Gmail’s Gadget settings https://twittergadget.appspot.com/gadget-gmail.xml
5. Add the Facebook Gadget. To add it, copy and paste this URL into Gmail’s Gadget settings
   “http://hosting.gmodules.com/ig/gadgets/file/104971404861070329537/facebook.xml”
6. That’s it – Facebook, Twitter and Buzz are integrated into your email account. Click here to see my set up. Hey ! please don’t read my email!

If you’ve enjoyed this, watch out for the new “Social Media for Enterprise” course coming out of Teesside University.

In an article in 2005, Tony Parisi, one of the co-creators of VRML said that now the time of the 3D Web had come in the form of X3D, an XML-based ISO standard. But the company he set up to exploit the moment, Media Machines, was taken over by Vivaty who are mainly interested in 3D social networking to compete with Second Life. Even now Google, Adobe and Mozilla in partnership with Khronos all have competing systems that offer 3D for the Web. Currently, 3D Links lists 70 3D Web technologies and Meta Mole lists and compares 30 based on a set of 25 functional requirements. The vast majority of these require their own plug-in running to view content.

Meta Mole was created by Teesside University’s Dlab as a result of their researches into 3D Web technologies. Their preference is for a game engine-based system called Blue Mars. The other technologies to watch include Viewpoint, Papervision3D, and Unity. The latter is another game development system that can create a whole range of 3D environments including iPhone and iPad as well as the Web and it’s causing quite a stir and not just in the games world: see ‘United They Stand’. Rubix Studios – recently set up by 4 Teesside graduates and based in Victoria Building – are firm believers in Unity for its powerful yet intuitive development environment and the ease with which applications can be tailored to a chosen run time environment. They have a number of impressive 3D web test environments running and are hoping their first iPhone game will be available in the near future.

While the dream of the 3D Web has never gone away it has never happened either. Sure, there is Second Life; and then there is … Yes, there is Second Life.

So, why? Where has it all gone so wrong?

Dominic Lusardi, managing director of Animmersion Ltd, an established content developer on Teesside, has been involved with the 3D Web since the days of VRML and thinks a major problem is having to install a plug-in in order to view 3D content. Many users, particularly corporate ones, have highly developed security concerns about their systems and won’t let the ordinary user install plug-ins at all. Many home users share similar concerns or are simply put off having to install yet another plug-in in order to view content that may not be of any interest to them.

From commercial experience Dominic also realises only too well the cost of developing interactive 3D content in the first place and the huge additional cost and risk of adopting a new technology to do so. The plethora of 3D Web technologies significantly increases this risk and it’s not one small companies want to live with.

The absence of a generic standard for 3D Web content and the need for users to install plug-ins is thus a major barrier to its adoption. Google, for instance, have O3D which in time might be embedded in its search engine technology but that is still some ways off and the fact that Mozilla has its own competing technology seems to reinforce the idea that competition at the level of content enabling technologies is simply stifling the establishment of a generic standard.

But perhaps the main reason why the 3D web hasn’t taken off is quite simply that it just isn’t what the majority of web users or content developers actually want; for the moment at least. There is something very direct and ‘real’ about a tweet or a thought posted on Facebook. Maybe the 3D Web introduces a level of artificiality that the majority of Web users don’t like; and the minority that do make Second Life the almost unique 3D Web success that it is.

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

You can relive the event on the blog at www.saltburn.org.uk or if you really want to re-run the event in the order it happened click here ( it builds slow but quickly gets media rich) – just read each page, scrolling down and then click “older entries” at the bottom. As well as the hook-up with Latvia, the event was followed by people in Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Turkey, Sweden, Finland and the UK.

The event saw the world premier of “The Force is With You” which you can enjoy below.

The Seer Sung Husband tells the story of the Pilgrimage of Grace, the sixteenth-century Northern rebellion that briefly defied the authority of Church and State. Tobias Shipton, carpenter and husband of the Yorkshire witch and soothsayer Old Mother Shipton, weaves a wyrd tale of love and loyalty, rebellion and royal retribution. The Seer Sung Husband is a book about folklore and myth, imagination and belief. It’s a portrait of England at a time of radical social, religious and political crisis. It’s a magical realist verse-epic set against the violent upheavals of 16th Century England. It’s a book about witchcraft and statecraft, religious faith and political betrayal.

1 x Visual Artist Required

To undertake community engagement sessions with young families and then to create and paint* a mural in the crèche, as well as creating a piece to be displayed outside.

* They  are open to other mediums

Please refer to the project outline for more information and all application details. Please note the deadline for completed applications is 9am Monday 22^nd February 2010 and that work will need to be completed by the end of March. PLEASE NOTE TIGHT DEADLINE

Please download the project outline for more information & details of the application process at www.teesvalleyarts.org.uk/newsandevents.html

Or email info@teesvalleyarts.org.uk to have the information emailed to you

Terms and conditions

The artist must supply original Enhanced CRB documentation (dated no older than March 08) and evidence of current Public Liability Insurance cover to TVA before appointment; be responsible for their own taxes and national insurance; comply with any health and safety requirements of Acklam Whin Centre.

Total fee to artist – £1,500 (inclusive of any VAT)

The fee to the artist is for creating and painting an indoor mural and external piece, and to attend and participate in two community engagement sessions at Acklam Whin Centre to involve children and parents in the creation of ideas/ images for the mural and for a site visit/ project meeting/s and for any ‘off site’ work as necessary. Fees are inclusive of project travel and any VAT.

There is a materials budget of £400 for the project.

Acklam_Whin_Mural_Project_Outline (PDF)

Led by award-winning director Malachi Bogdanov ( Assoc Director English Shakespeare Company, Wales Theatre Company, directed over 70 professional theatre productions) and Special Effects Technician Mark Buschbacher (Casino Royale, Da Vinci Code & Harry Potter), the course will prepare the delegates for working in modern film industry environments and situations.

Ewan Mcgregor found acting in virtual environments daunting. North East-based actors can learn how it's done at Teesside University in March.

This University accredited three day intensive short course offers a unique opportunity for professional actors to work in Teesside University’s industry standard High-Definition sound stage – the only one of its kind available to actors in the north of England, to develop skills in Green Screen Performance, increasing their employability and enhancing their career options.

Acting with an imaginary character in an imaginary location is a daunting prospect for any actor and a technical discipline is required that is not usually supported by conventional actor training. High profile actors like Ewan McGregor and Gwyneth Paltrow have admitted to finding it ‘very, very hard’ and ‘daunting’ when working with this media. Acting for Green Screen has been designed to offer actors the opportunity to experience firsthand, the challenges and demands of this genre, and to enable them to develop the skills required to achieve convincing and accomplished performance in an environment where nothing is as it seems.

Working with the director and technical director, the delegates will begin by preparing selected scenes where Green Screen technologies will be used. Characters and scenarios will be developed in a rehearsal setting, allowing the actors to work from their established skill set. Once these ideas have been ‘worked up’, they will be filmed in the University’s sound stage and Green Screen facility where objects, surrounding contexts and other characters are recreated and replaced.

Successful participants will be awarded 20 University M-Level credits. These credits can count towards further study such as Post Graduate Certificate or MA courses. The Acting for Green Screen course is being delivered at Teesside University on 19th, 20th, and 21st April. Only 12 places are available so book early to avoid disappointment.

Cost per person: £800.00
Subsidised cost for eligible SMEs: £80.00* (Refer to Subsidised Cost Eligibility for further information)

*Subject to successful ‘ECIF’ and Business Link FSF application (see below). Assistance is provided by Teesside University and BENE.

For further information contact James McDermott on: 01642 384 087 or email: samwfd@tees.ac.uk

About ECIF (Economic Challenge Investment Fund):
Teesside University has been awarded a grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) which is intended to help individuals and companies through the recession. The University’s ECIF project promotes the services of all six OneDoor partners (Teesside together with Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton Riverside Colleges), offering subsidies to qualifying individuals and companies. By collaborating with Business Link North East – which has its own stream of funding (Flexible Skills Fund) – Teesside and its partner colleges are able to offer heavily subsidised higher skills training to those that are eligible.

Subsidised Cost Eligibility:

Subsidised training is aimed at officially registered (with Inland Revenue) SME businesses or freelancers who are invoicing clients and paying staff (or themselves, in the case of sole traders), National Insurance etc. The cost of training for an eligible business/freelance practitioner will be £80.00 per head.

Please note : Those that qualify for a 90% training subsidy will initially be expected by Business Link to meet 55% of the full training costs, 45% of which can be claimed back from Business Link  as a Flexible Skills Fund grant.  The University will issue eligible businesses with a credit note for the remaining 45%, redeemable against the full course fee. Processes are in place to support practitioners/businesses in completing the required application and to ensure that businesses are able to access funding as quickly as possible.