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  • 24 Feb 2021 by DigiBC

    Doberman Pictures is best described as a storyteller studio that specializes in pre-production for animated series doing boards, animatics and design. The company is located in Vancouver and was initially founded in 2018 by Jim Corbett, Craig Roberts, Dallas Parker with Rob Simmons joining shortly after. Each of them brings 20+ years of experience in the animation business having produced, directed and financed many shows over the span of their careers. Jim has a long history with CG production, while Craig and Dallas come at things from the creative side of the business, originally as traditional animators but also having done every job from script to screen. Rob has helped grow the Vancouver animation sector over the years and is now Doberman’s business head. We recently caught up with Doberman to see what’s been happening at the studio, what’s on the horizon and how they have been adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    Jim Corbett, Craig Roberts, Dallas Parker

     


    What projects are you currently working on? 

    We’re currently working on a yet-to-be-announced CG series with our valued partners at DreamWorks Animation. 

     

    What shows have you previously worked on? Which of these are you most proud of? 

    Really tough question, who’s your favourite child? Collectively we’ve worked on a LOT of shows. Jim might say Reboot, as it holds such a place in people's hearts and means so much to the history of animation in Vancouver and for CG in general. Craig and Dallas had a lot of fun working on the series The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show and The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (which are also the shows that helped us build our relationship with DreamWorks). But the show we are all most proud of is Rhyme Time Town as it was Doberman’s first series completed as a studio and we’re really proud of the way it turned out. 

     

     

    How would you describe your company culture?

    Doberman strives to keep our team sizes small. By focusing on smaller pieces of the production pie, we’re able to achieve more intimate team sizes and it’s really worked well so far. Animation can be challenging and having those bonds between crew mates is an inspiration to strive for better. We have 'DoberScrums' twice weekly where within the course of about 20 minutes everyone can talk about what they’re doing that day and we can all have a couple of laughs along the way.  

     

    What would you say sets Doberman apart from other studios?

    Being very much an artist run studio where our focus is squarely on the craft of animation. We want to continue to nurture our talented crew in order to create better and better content, while always moving towards being the studio that is synonymous with quality and innovation. We really just want to do great work and have fun doing it.

     

    Has the studio won any awards or received any accolades?

    As a studio, no awards yet - but we’re young, the awards are coming! A testament to the quality of work that we do is the ongoing relationship we’ve built with DreamWorks though. Over the last seven years we’ve worked exclusively with them, completing five series of varying scopes of work. Since Doberman started, we’ve also worked with the DreamWorks development team on a dozen different television properties from design to boards to animation to all of the above!

     

    Gabby's Dollhouse (DreamWorks Animation Television)


    Are there any exciting facts about Doberman we may not know about?

    We have an amazing coffee machine that nobody knows how to use and we built all of our own desks from plywood and 2x4s.

     

    Are you currently hiring? If so, what are the open positions? 

    WE ARE hiring! We’re a growing studio and are always looking to establish connections with talent who want a relationship with a studio that’s a bit more cozy. Right now we’re looking for an Orthographics Artist and details for that be found here - dobermanpictures.ca/jobs

     

    Are there any updates you would like to share about how the studio has been adapting to WFH and working through the COVID-19 pandemic?

    Like our peers in the animation sector, we rapidly adapted to a studio dominated by a WFH reality, and we’ve been impressed with the tenacity and resilience of our crew. They’ve been, in a word... remarkable! We’ve learned a lot about the enduring benefits of working remotely but have also learned to cherish the studio environment as it’s impossible to replace the collaboration digitally. We aspire to take the best of both situations when ‘normal’ is normal again.

     

  • 17 Feb 2021 by DigiBC

    This year's NewImages Festival will be held from June 9-13 (in Paris and online) and they currently have a call for XR projects (completed and in development). Submissions are being accepted until March 22 for any type of work (film, game, installation, performance, etc) that explores new forms of narration through immersive technologies.
     

     
    International XR Competition

    Have you completed an XR project between 2020 and May 2021? Submit it to the XR Competition! Compete for one of three prizes and showcase your project to XR professionals and members of the general public in Paris. A virtual exhibition presenting the competition works will also be co-organized with Tribeca and Cannes XR, offering a unique international component to the selected experiences.
    An international jury made up of renowned artistic personalities will award the following prizes: Golden Mask (€6,000), Special Jury Prize – VR (€3,000)  & Special Jury Prize – AR (€3,000)

     

    XR COMPETITION REGULATIONS

    APPLICATION FORM 


    XR Financing Market

    Are you looking for co-producers, distributors or financiers for a project that’s in development? Apply to the XR Financing Market! Ideal for presenting your projects to some of the most innovative and influential leaders in the XR industry. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the key international decision makers and find the right partners.

     

    FINANCING MARKET REGULATIONS

     APPLICATION FORM

     

    Feel free to contact the festival team with any further questions. They are also happy to discuss your projects in more detail with you.

    Festival / Competition / Residency:
    Karine >> karine.lagrange@forumdesimages.fr
    Rebecca >> rebecca.gallon@forumdesimages.fr
    Alizee >> alizee.breant@forumdesimages.fr 


    XR Financing Market:
    Elie >> elie.levasseur@forumdesimages.fr
    Ayrton  >> ayrton.sakot@forumdesimages.fr

     


    About NewImages:
    NewImages Festival is a pioneer event for professionals and the general public that is dedicated to virtual worlds. Hosted by the Forum des Images with the support of Paris City Hall (France), the five-day event takes place in iconic locations in the heart of Paris and introduces XR artworks, performances, concerts, exclusive shows and an international competition. The 2019 edition gathered together more than 11,000 people and some 50+ immersive works. In 2020, NewImages was one of the few events to be held online and onsite.

     

  • 11 Feb 2021 by DigiBC

    Whether you’re a startup seeking capital or an investor looking for new deals, Venture Summit Virtual Connect West is an event you won't want to miss. Taking place from March 16-18, the conference will feature venture panels, startup workshops, one-on-one online networking, and presentations by more than 100 top innovators and keynote speakers.

     
    Are you planning to attend?

    Take advantage of the 20% discount we've arranged on the current ticket prices. Register using the code DIGIBCVIP 
     

    Click here to register

    *Input code, select ticket type & click 'Order Now' button
    *Discounted price will then show up on next page

     


    Call for Top Innovators
    Get Noticed > Get Funded > Grow Faster 

    A select group of more than 100 Top Innovators will be chosen to present their breakthrough investment opportunities to an exclusive audience of venture capitalists, corporate investors, private investors, investment bankers, and strategic partners.

    Apply to Present / Nominate a Company

    For more information or to be considered for one of the Top Innovator slots, click here.

    Seed Pitchfest

    If you are a seed stage company seeking angel funding of less than $1M (and have raised less than $300,000), click here to apply.

     

     

  • 10 Feb 2021 by DigiBC

    VMF Winter Arts Festival brings art to life on the streets of Vancouver! Blurring the line between the virtual and physical worlds, the festival will transform public space across Vancouver’s core into an interactive open-air gallery featuring Augmented Reality (AR) art. Download the VMF mobile app to find and explore 20+ AR locations safely with your core bubble. Presented by Vancouver Mural Festival and the Downtown Vancouver BIA. Check out vanmuralfest.ca and @vanmuralfest for details.

    Discover AR art by IM4 Media Lab curated artists: Chrystal Sparrow, Casey Koyczan, Kayla Simpson (BBiskwew), Zachary George, Cease Wyss and Tracey Kim Bonneau! Be sure to tune in to IM4's upcoming webinar featuring all IM4 curated artists on February 24th @ 7:00PM PST.
     


    HOW TO EXPERIENCE VMF WINTER ARTS (February12-28): 

    • Find the AR locations: (1) Download the VMF mobile app (App Store/Google Play), or (2) Download the digital map from vanmuralfest.ca 
    • Scan the QR codes (on signs at the AR sites) via the camera on your smartphone. Select Instagram or Facebook to activate the filter. 
    • Share your photo/video on social media with the hashtag #VMFWinterArts (automatically enter to win prizes)
    • Learn more about VMF/art/artists: (1) Visit vanmuralfest.ca, (2) Follow @vanmuralfest on Instagram and Facebook, and (3) Download the (free) VMF mobile app
    • Participate in a free VPL-hosted online Discussions or Workshop (details on our website soon)
    • Full FAQ  
       

    ABOUT VMF:
    Vancouver Mural Festival is the world class evolution of a grassroots initiative to transform the way art is experienced in Vancouver. We create experiences that connect art and people in public space. Since 2016, VMF has…

    • Produced over 250 murals
    • Featured 80% local artists
    • Highlighted 42% female-identifying artists and 47% marginalized groups including BIPOC and LGBTQ+
    • Produced 45 Indigenous artist murals

    Vancouver Mural Festival and the VMF Winter Arts are produced by Create Vancouver Society, a registered non-profit dedicated to artistic and cultural development in the Lower Mainland. 

     

  • 03 Feb 2021 by DigiBC

    Creative industries in Canada and Mexico have been exposed to unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has had to transform itself, looking for new stakeholders with whom to collaborate to design effective and sustainable responses. As such, the Canadian Embassy in Mexico and MIMEC (Monterrey Interactive Media & Entertainment Cluster) would cordially invite you to participate in this business event where you can have meetings with Mexican companies and educational institutions in the creative sector. This would be ideal for those who are:
     

    • Looking to offer services to Mexican companies
    • Looking to offer study programs to Mexican educational institutions
    • Wanting information on what is happening in international markets
    • Looking for a Mexican supplier 

     

    Event Details:

    • Taking place virtually on March 26, 2021 @ 7AM – 1PM PST
    • Will be held in English and is free of charge

     

    Registration Info:

    • Limited to one representative per company
    • Deadline to register is February 12, 2021
    • After registering, you will receive more information about the participating Mexican companies and educational institutions, as well as details for creating your company profile on the B2B platform

     

    Registration Link