#SpringIntoAnimation @ SislerIDM this April
Check out the following lineup confirmed for April 208.
April 2018 Line Up:
- April 11-12: Actor and VFX artist Hesham Hammoud from Zoic Studio,
- April 16: Award-winning Animator Anita Lebaeu will present her new Animated shorts,
- April 17: A talk with Manitoba Film (MFM) & Music CEO Carole Vivier. Carole will be joined by her colleagues from MFM and maybe some other guests.
- April 23: Hands-on VR & Project Management workshop with BitSpace Development
- Late April: 3D and VFX Talk with @SislerIDM alumni
About Mentors:
Hesham Hammoud
Hesham, a Lebanese-Canadian, was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and is the youngest of 5 siblings. As a child, his favourite past time was watching movies which would later develop his interest in the film industry. After attending Hillcrest High School (where Mr. Leduc was honoured to be his teacher), Hesham attended Carleton University, where he received an Honours Degree in Information Technology – Interactive Multimedia and Design. In 2011, to further pursue his love for film, Hesham moved to Vancouver, British Columbia to attend the Vancouver Film School for 3D Animation & Visual Effects. Throughout that time, he became very familiar with the VFX industry but also discovered his passion for acting.
Since moving to Vancouver, Hesham had the opportunity to be an extra on many Film and TV productions. Through his experience, he gained lots of valuable knowledge and many contacts, which helped him realize that acting was his true passion. With that realization, Hesham decided to seriously pursue his new found passion and train as an actor, soon after signing with an agent.
Hesham’s first role was playing a Thief on the Fox series Almost Human. He has also appeared in ABC’s Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as Ghazi, and as a Minoan Guard on Syfy’s new series Olympus. His most recent credits include X-Men Apocalypse and the new season of Prison Break. Hesham continues to grow as an actor with the help of his acting coach Andrew McIlroy and attending workshops. Hesham is also co-founder of RevvFilms, a production company that creates short action films.
Hesham Hammoud – Demo Reel from Hesham on Vimeo.
X-Men Apocalypse from Hesham on Vimeo.
FUN FACTS
Favourite Colour: Blue
Favourite Movie: Speed (1994)
Favourite TV Show: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Favourite Actor: Will Smith
Favourite Music: Tupac Shakur
Favourite Food: Shawarma (Lebanese food)
Favourite Beverage: Lemon Iced Tea
Favourite Restaurant: Red Lobster
Favourite Car: Aston Martin
Favourite Motorcycle: Kawasaki Ninja H2
Anita Lebeau
Anita writes, directs and edits in documentary and animated film. She has created two award-winning animated films with the National Film Board of Canada (www.nfb.ca/film/louise_en and www.nfb.ca/film/big_drive), and with Scott Collins, created a number of documentary projects through MTS – Stories From Home (Art City, the Starry Night Exchange series). Anita does contract freelance animation and graphic work. She has a full working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite and Toon Boom Animation software. She also presents an Artists in the School (Manitoba Arts Council) residency in Winnipeg schools called Scraphic Novels, with writer Karin Adams (www.scraphicnovels.com).
Big Drive:
This short animation film tells the story of a family road trip across the Canadian prairies set in the 1970s. In an era before in-car movies and video games, 4 sisters squeeze into the back of the family car for a long journey. While the parents keep a steady watch on the road ahead, restlessness gradually gives way to mayhem in the car’s close quarters. Just before the ride becomes unbearable, the sisters are inspired to combine their creative energy and the big drive becomes an even bigger adventure.
Big Drive , Anita Lebeau, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
CEO & Film Commissioner Carole Vivier to Retire from Manitoba Film & Music
After three decades of leadership and passion in Manitoba’s film and music industries, MFM CEO & Film Commissioner Carole Vivier has announced her retirement, effective June 2019.
Vivier has been with the corporation since 1985 and has served as its leader for the past 26 years. She is known locally, nationally and internationally as an ambassador for Manitoba filmmakers, musicians, producers, creators and crew. She has been a champion for independent artists in their earliest efforts including Guy Maddin, The Weaktherthans, Doc Walker, The Crash Test Dummies, Norma Bailey, Tanya Tagaq and many others. Strategic and entrepreneurial, Vivier pioneered the first film tax credit in western Canada in 1997. During her time at MFM, Manitoba’s film production volume has grown from $12 million in 1992 to over $173 million in 2018. Through the international relationships Vivier built as the province’s Film Commissioner, six of the six MPAA / Motion Picture Association of America Studios (Warner Brothers, Sony / Columbia, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Paramount & NBC Universal) have also filmed in Manitoba, as well as many other renowned studios and producers such as MGM and Amblin. The province’s music industry has similarly blossomed into a major economic driver, with more musicians per capita than any other province.
“I am grateful to have been a part of this industry for the past three decades and to witness the growth and success of our amazing artists and professionals,” said Vivier. “I am immensely proud of the talent in this province. Although I will miss MFM, I am tremendously encouraged that a strong foundation is in place, from which new talent can reach even greater heights. The future of film and music in Manitoba is very bright.”
“Congratulations to Carole on leading MFM for the past 26 years. Carole has been an excellent ambassador for Manitoba and I sincerely appreciate her dedication and contribution towards building Manitoba’s film and music industry,” said Manitoba Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, the Honourable Cathy Cox. “I also thank Carole for her tireless efforts to promote our province as a great place to produce music and film quality productions.”
“We wish Carole the best and want to thank her for her extraordinary work at MFM,” said MFM Board of Directors Chair, Daniel Donahue. “Her tireless efforts have made a major and permanent impact on Manitoba’s film and music industries. She leaves a legacy of passion, commitment and vision that will not soon be forgotten.”
Highlights during Carole’s time at MFM include:
- In 1990, the first Manitoba movie to win an Emmy award was Lost in the Barrens, directed by Michael Scott, produced by Credo Entertainment and supported by MFM.
- In 1991, MFM supported the recording of the Crash Test Dummies debut album ‘The Ghosts that Haunt Me,’ which went Triple Platinum.
- In 1994, through Carole’s positive working relationship with Peter Sussman and Marty Katz at Atlantis Films (now Alliance Atlantis) Manitoba secured the province’s first dramatic TV series My Life as a Dog which was filmed in Gimli and produced by Credo and Atlantis Films.
- In 1997, the first sound stage in Manitoba was built and has been in continuous use for the past 21 years.
- In 1997, MFM worked with the Province of Manitoba to establish the most effective tax credit in the country, and in 2005 Carole pioneered a global first by introducing the frequent filming bonus to reward repeat business. The tax credit has been a game-changer for the industry.
- In 2002, the MFM-funded film Dracula – Pages from a Virgin’s Diary, directed by Guy Maddin and produced by Vonnie Von Helmolt Films, won an Emmy award.
- In 2005, MFM funded the film Capote, filmed entirely in Manitoba. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who portrayed Truman Capote, won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor.
- Over the past 26 years, MFM has helped fund the careers of major Manitoba music acts including Chantal Kreviazuk, Royal Canoe, The Crash Test Dummies, Doc Walker, William Prince, Imaginary Cities, Tanya Tagaq, Begonia, JP Hoe and many, many others.
- Carole was instrumental in bringing the JUNOS to Winnipeg in 2005, and again in 2014 when she co-chaired the JUNO Host Committee.
- Over the last two decades, MFM has initiated showcases in Los Angeles with Manitoba artists and LA-based music supervisors resulting in the work of many Manitoba musicians being placed in feature films and television series.
- In 2006, MFM helped to spearhead the National Film Board ‘First Stories,’ an emerging filmmaker program for Indigenous youth that allowed 15 emerging filmmakers from across Manitoba to receive training, after which 4 teams were invited to produce documentaries. The films became calling cards to continue with their careers. Since that time, under Carole’s direction, MFM has broadened its development of Indigenous filmmakers through support of National Screen Institute programs.
- Major films such as Capote, Shall We Dance, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Heaven is for Real, A Dog’s Purpose, Goon and many more have filmed in Manitoba thanks in large part to MFM’s relationships with studios, production companies and distributors.
- In 2012, Carole was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and in 2014, Carole received the Order of Manitoba.
Manitoba Film & Music’s Board of Directors, chaired by Daniel Donahue, will lead the search to fill the corporation’s CEO & Film Commissioner position.
Carole Vivier Biography
Carole Vivier, CEO & Film Commissioner for Manitoba Film & Music, is a passionate champion of Manitoba’s creative and cultural sector. For three decades, she has been at the forefront of developing Manitoba’s film and music industries into international success stories. Her tireless efforts have earned her a reputation as an effective and forward-thinking business leader. In addition to her work at MFM, Carole currently serves on the Board of Directors at the National Screen Institute, the Winnipeg Convention Centre, and formerly, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, Canadian Film Centre Feature Film Advisory Committee, Burton Cummings Theatre Performing Arts Group, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Film Training Manitoba, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, and others. Carole was also instrumental in bringing the JUNOS to Winnipeg in 2005 and was Co-Chair of the 2014 Winnipeg Juno Host Committee. In 2012, Carole was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, awarded to Canadians who have made significant contributions to their community and country at large. In 2014, Carole was a recipient of the Order of Manitoba, the highest honour awarded for service to one’s province.
Bit Space Development Ltd.
Bit Space Development Ltd. is a Winnipeg born and raised interactive digital media studio. Our focus is to build the best, most innovative and creative interactive learning experiences we possibly can. Bit Space has been working with organizations from all over the world who have a common goal, to make their vision more accessible. This can sometimes be in the form of virtual reality or augmented reality but sometimes in the form of mobile games for the classroom. Bit Space works directly with educators and designers to make sure that your content is being properly delivered.
BSD is a proud Manitoban company who loves working with organizations based in Canada but we are also a culturally diverse company with roots all over the world. We love working with people who have big ideas and it doesn’t matter where you are.