CASO Blog Entries

Red Rover Reel 2012

Check out the works of Scotty!! Red Rovers' 2012 Reel.

Its a Showdown!

What's the outcome of your showdown in the office?

Next week we'll show you the aftermath!

The age old debate around the water cooler, "Tim Horton's or Starbucks?". Now a days you can find a numerous amount of different "shi-shi" coffee shops with their fresh coffee beans and "hipster" milks. But the 2 biggest companies are still Timmy's and Starbucks.

Next week we'll show you the aftermath!

Oscar the Dog shows us how much he needs his Starbucks! It's hard being the boss.

Meet "Oscar the Dog" House of Cool's new CEO!

We think it's suiting and we're happy to have him on board! He drove a hard bargin and its gonna cost us but Oscar the Dog is now the new CEO of House of Cool Studios, not sure how Wes is taking this?

LeBron's Episode 1 "The Lion"

Hey guys check out Episode 1 of the "LeBron's", the new LeBron Jame's Show that we've been working on. Enjoy!

Lebrons

The Lebrons Project is going really well I can't wait for you guys to watch it!

New Free iPad app by Toon Boom

Look for Flipboom Lite in your iTunes App Store and start having fun doodling on your iPad!

Check this out!

Greg Court, Red Rover Director, and Christina Helmer, producer, did this most recent spot. Special thanks to Jason, Pepe, Steve, Britton and Brad for working on this mock spot. We love trying new techniques and seeing how far we can take them.

To see the HD version, click youtube

The LeBrons

Hey Folks,

News is out... There's a cool new show coming out over the net called The Lebrons and you guessed it, House of Cool is on it. We're excited to be working with the creative team from Dru Dog Entertainment on the designs and full production on the commercial spots you'll see before each episode.

Thanks too all the crew and the team at Dru Dog - Show's going to look sick!

Create Better Flash Animation

Check out this dynamic and instructive blog that delivers insightful tips on how to create better flash animation, using Toon Boom Animate and/or Animate Pro.

Several animators share their experience and reveal some of their secrets!

Guru puts a happy smile on the face of banking

To view spot click: www.gurustudio.com/mrpiggy

BLACKBERRY users, view here (Youtube)

Toronto, Tuesday FEBRUARY 8, 2011…Guru Studio, the innovative Canadian animation studio worked with New York agency Eric Mower and Associates and their client Community Bank to put a friendly face on banking. “We were thrilled to be given the challenge to create such an adorable little piggy bank character and tell the story of its troubles with the big bad bank,” comments Frank Falcone, the Creative Director of guru studio.

Guru studio drew on the talents of children’s book author, game developer and animation director Matt Hammill to develop the cuddly Mr. Pig. Director Hammill explains “The scripts felt like pages from a children's book, so I wanted to convey that sense of warmth and friendliness using a unique handmade process generated entirely with digital tools.” Mower Creative Director Tom Merrick was thrilled to see how Guru reflected his script on screen, "I knew the spots could be warm, and fun and engaging" Merrick said, "I just never imagined they could strike such a powerful and positive chord in each and every person who views them." Mr. Pig’s appeal was the key to the success of the spot. Merrick says that these commercials "may be among the best TV commercials of my 20+ year career. If not THE best!"

About Guru Studio:

Toronto-based Guru Studio www.gurustudio.com celebrates 10 years as an industry leader in animation. Founded in 2000 with a mandate to create the best character animated entertainment, guru has expanded their services beyond commercial design for advertising, film, broadcast television, and new media into original content development and production including financing, marketing and distribution. Their very first series “Justin Time” launches fall 2011 on Family Channel Playhouse Disney in Canada.

CREDITS:

Production Company: guru studio

Creative Director: Frank Falcone

Director: Matt Hammill

Producer: Amy Robson

Music: Asher Lenz + Steve Skratt

Agency: Eric Mower and Associates

Client: Community Bank, NA

Tom Merrick: Senior Partner, Creative Director

Tom Collins: Associate Creative Director

Laurie Wolfe: Producer

For further information about Guru Studio contact:

Amy Robson amy@gurustudio.com or + 1 416 599 4878

4th Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum

4th Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum

Rio Content Market

March 16 – 18, 2011

Windsor Barra Hotel, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

The Rio Content Market is an international market place where multi-platform content will be given prime visibility. Over 500 national and international decision makers are expected to attend and discuss the creation and distribution of digital media and multi-platform content. More details about the program and speakers can be found at www.riocontentmarket.com.

On its 4th edition, the Brazil-Canada Coproduction Forum will take place inside the Rio Content Market and it will be organized by two local industry associations with full support from the Canadian Consulate in Sao Paulo. This event is designed to allow content producers (digital media/TV/Film) from both countries to understand each other's business environment and markets and discuss potential opportunities for co-production.

1. Main activities

a) Keynote, Panels and Case Studies presentations – Both the Rio Content Market and the Coproduction Forum will bring keynotes, panels and case studies presentations dedicated to address the opportunities offered by international partnerships in all genres and platforms, be it documentaries, drama, format concepts or current trends in television business and new media.

b) One-on-one meetings – There will be a prescheduled agenda of one-on-one meetings for the Canadian delegates of the 4th Coproduction Forum. Participants that wish to meet individually with potential partners will have to submit their bio/company information by February 11th so the organizers work on the matchmaking process.

c) Networking activities - In addition to a Brazil-Canada cocktail, there will be plenty of networking opportunities during the Rio Content Market. There will be a large contingence of Brazilian and international television/feature film/digital media producers, broadcasters, telecom operators, etc.

2. Estimated Travel Expenses

• Return ticket (Toronto/Rio de Janeiro/Toronto): from C$ 1400

• 4-night accommodation: C$ 700 (quoteJan20 - Promenade Paraiso, near the Windsor)

• Conference Registration: complimentary (must register online before Feb. 4th)

• Coproduction Forum / Business meetings: complimentary (must submit bio by Feb 11th)

To confirm your participation, submit your bio or to obtain more information, please contact:

Fernanda Whitaker

Trade Commissioner, New Media & Cultural Industries

Canadian Consulate General - São Paulo - Brazil

Email: fernanda.whitaker@international.gc.ca

Honoured to be apart of CASO

For the past two years I've had the pleasure of sitting on the Board of CASO to represent our Industry and be apart of the community at large. The Board consists of all studio owners and executives alike with over 250 artists to smaller twenty person shops. It's never easy making money through artistic creativity nor is it easy balancing the need to express creative output with a strained budget. Listening to studios find new ways to reach higher levels of quality while keeping costs low is an all too familiar regime. Studio owners want the best for their artists and their clients. As the manner in which people digest content through a whole host of platforms, studio owners are constantly changing they way they do business. It is the speed of change that I feel CASO is most important. It's developing a community where owners and executives can share ideas and reach out to more people, clients and their employees. Ontario has the best in software development, world-class education system and seasoned professionals in all aspects in VFX and Animation. With the support of the Ontario Government, Sponsors and our members, I'm excited to act as President of CASO for the upcoming year and create strategic initiatives with the new Board of Directors.

There's much to do and I know all of us are up for the challenge.

Wes Lui

President, CASO

CASO New Site

This site has been a welcome to CASO members - I look forward to seeing studios work and having a great sight for clients domestic and abroad to check our the talent in Ontario.