The TAAFI Animation Ambassador Special Induction Night happened this evening at the Corus/Nelvana building on the Corus Quay in downtown Toronto. It was an opportunity for the ambassadors of the different colleges' Animation programs surrounding the Toronto area to be introduced to the organizing members of TAAFI (Toronto Animation Arts Festival International) and be treated to a great evening of swag bags, pizza, a tour of Corus, and most importantly, networking.
Mrs. Helen Lebeau, Vice President of Production, Nelvana, led the ambassadors and their coordinators through an extensive tour of the Corus building. They went through studios, saw the atrium, and, after being broken off into groups, even got to speak with Nelvana Animator Daniel Clermont who gladly showed some of the animation tricks of a kids cartoon that they produce right in the studio.
The night was organized by Mr. Barnabas Wornoff whom acts as the liaison of all the ambassadors with the TAAFI organizers as well as being on the Board of Directors. Mr. Wornoff introduced us to the rest of the TAAFI team as we ate pizza and looked through our swag bags.
Volunteer coordinator, Natali, explained the benefits and opportunities as volunteers at the TAAFI festival.
Ms. Alex Moorshead, Event Producer, spoke about a pivotal event being organized this year called the "Welcome to the Industry Party". This event is an amazing opportunity for graduating students, as well as those looking forward to graduation, to network with their peers, showcase their work, and have fun celebrating their entrance into the Animation industry.
The ambassadors and their coordinators were additionally treated to a special talk by award-winning Nelvana director Jason Groh who stressed the importance of networking and creating jobs within the industry in Toronto. "It may be nice with all those palm trees down in California but there is plenty of work right up here." Urging us to understand that we do not need to travel away from Toronto in order to find employment.
Mr. Groh also presented the first episode of an upcoming show produced inside Nelvana. It was a delightful experience for all in attendance.
The entire night was a complete success. All the ambassadors in attendance had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to connect and be a part of the outreach of the festival.
Celebrate, Connect, Support, Showcase, and Inspire. This is the mandate of the TAAFI STAAFI (see what they did there?) and it is now the mandate of the ambassadors. The ambassadors will be seen at the upcoming TAAFI events and their profiles can be found (soon) on the TAAFI website at www.taafi.ca
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The end of 3rd Year Animation is just the beginning.
I remember, long ago, as a little girl of five years of age sitting down on the floor in front of the couch in the living room and watching cartoons. The very first logo I ever remember seeing was the Nelvana polar bear. From that moment onwards I was fascinated with animation and some years later, when deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up, I decided to be an animator.
Now, as I am geared up to graduate from the three year advanced diploma Animation and New Media Production program at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and honour to be entering in to an industry I had dreamed of being a part of since I was a little girl.
Graduating in three months will be such an accomplishment for me and I know that I have worked my hardest to get to where I am today. I entered in to Loyalist knowing that there was no where else I wanted to be and nothing else I would rather be doing and set out to accomplish great things.
Over my three years at Loyalist I gained so many amazing friends and met so many amazing artists. I also involved myself with my peers making lasting connections with them, organizing a mixer for all years of Animation students at Loyalist that will be passed on to other generations of students to continue, talking to first year students about finding internships and what to expect in future years including what to prepare themselves for, being a part of the Animation Advisory Committee for the program, writing proposals and attending meetings for a much needed art room and overflow space to ensure that Animation students always have a place to go to do their work, attending networking events and parties and conferences, attending extra classes such as Life Drawing and the Pixar Animation and Story Masterclasses (worth every penny)... I was always trying to be a positive influence in those events and tried my hardest to make lasting connections with people.
One thing that really hit home for me tonight was hearing Mr. Jason Groh of Nelvana say: "Talent will get you in to the door, but it is networking that will get you far".
When I left for my internship three weeks ago I was so proud of myself for everything I have accomplished. I have finally made some real progress in my career path. Being an Ambassador for TAAFI and representing Loyalist on that front has made me even more proud of taking full advantage of the education I received. I will keep working in the future towards my goal and am positive that I will get there one day soon. This is just the beginning.
Now, as I am geared up to graduate from the three year advanced diploma Animation and New Media Production program at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and honour to be entering in to an industry I had dreamed of being a part of since I was a little girl.
Graduating in three months will be such an accomplishment for me and I know that I have worked my hardest to get to where I am today. I entered in to Loyalist knowing that there was no where else I wanted to be and nothing else I would rather be doing and set out to accomplish great things.
Over my three years at Loyalist I gained so many amazing friends and met so many amazing artists. I also involved myself with my peers making lasting connections with them, organizing a mixer for all years of Animation students at Loyalist that will be passed on to other generations of students to continue, talking to first year students about finding internships and what to expect in future years including what to prepare themselves for, being a part of the Animation Advisory Committee for the program, writing proposals and attending meetings for a much needed art room and overflow space to ensure that Animation students always have a place to go to do their work, attending networking events and parties and conferences, attending extra classes such as Life Drawing and the Pixar Animation and Story Masterclasses (worth every penny)... I was always trying to be a positive influence in those events and tried my hardest to make lasting connections with people.
One thing that really hit home for me tonight was hearing Mr. Jason Groh of Nelvana say: "Talent will get you in to the door, but it is networking that will get you far".
When I left for my internship three weeks ago I was so proud of myself for everything I have accomplished. I have finally made some real progress in my career path. Being an Ambassador for TAAFI and representing Loyalist on that front has made me even more proud of taking full advantage of the education I received. I will keep working in the future towards my goal and am positive that I will get there one day soon. This is just the beginning.
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