The TAAFI INDUSTRY is a one-of-a-kind conference that hosts over 50 animation industry professionals and over 22 sessions on prime time content, the evolution of character design, Canadian feature films production, stop motion techniques, VFX behind the scenes and much more! This years TAAFI INDUSTRY will take place at Corus Quay in Toronto, Canada from November 2-4.
Below is the TAAFI INDUSTRY 2018 event listing for Jessica's panel!:
A VIP Exclusive Fireside Chat with Jessica Borutski
November 4, 2018 at 1:00pm
Exclusive to VIP passholders: Many production artists want to eventually develop, produce and run a show, but don’t know how to get there. After many notable projects as an animator and designer, Jessica Borutski, supervising director on The Loud House, has made the move to directing, developing and producing series for Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.
Jessica began her new position as supervising director on The Loud House on Tuesday, October 16. Prior to working on The Loud House, Jessica served as a character designer on animated series such as Animaniacs (2020), Bunnicula and New Looney Tunes, and an animator on Ren & Stimpy 'Adult Party Cartoon'.
In addition to her Fireside Chat, Jessica will also take part in two panels on November 3, 2018: Evolution of Character Design and The Big Pitch:
Evolution of Character Design
12:00 - 1:00
Hear from the artists responsible for some of your favourite characters spanning incarnations of Loony Tunes, Animaniacs, Johnny Bravo, The Chipmunks and Bunnicula, in a group discussion of character design trends and the most difficult choices designers have to make. How much should the current trends affect your approach? What are the different challenges of creating original characters versus redesigning classic properties? What loyalty does an artist owe to the originals when a character gets rebooted or adapted from other mediums? All this and more in a lively talk about the characters you love!
The Big Pitch
5:00 - 6:00
Big ideas deserve big opportunities! Two finalists will go head to head, pitching to a diverse jury of animation industry experts in pursuit of animation glory! But we're TAAFI, so we're going to try something different, just BECAUSE. Instead of the usual panel of executives The Big Pitch will have judges representing departments throughout the animation pipeline. You’ll learn not only what makes a pitch sell but how to make it work from every angle. It's going to be spectacular. It's always spectacular. You're spectacular. See you there.
In addition to Jessica, many more animation experts who have worked on your favorite past, present and future animated Nickelodeon shows will also be attending TAAFI INDUSTRY 2018, including: Fred Seibert, CCO & CEO, Frederator Studios (The Fairly Oddparents, Fanboy and Chum Chum, Adventure Time); Christina Sang-St. Catherine, Director Of Development / Spin Master (PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets); and Amir Avni, Senior Animator, Titmouse (TMNT Summer Shorts, Breadwinners)!.
(VIP Exclusive) Keynote & Industry Reception
Date: Friday, November 2
Time: 6:00 - 9:00
Location: Hotel Ocho, 195 Spadina Ave
VIP passholders are invited to join us for an intimate and special evening presentation with Fred Seibert and MIchael Hirsh, followed by a reception at Hotel Ocho.
Opening Keynote
Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: 9:00 - 10:00
Where: Corus Quay
Fred Siebert was one of the first to see the potential of animation on non-traditional platforms. With Frederator Networks, Siebert became a pioneer in streaming video and has become one of the leading independent producers of cartoons for multi-platform. Now he has teamed up with Michael Hirsh and Rainmaker Studios to create WOW! Unlimited Media and is on the verge of launching a new kids channel in Canada. Hear him talk about the past, present and future of animation.
PITCH-A-PALOOZA
Date: November 3, 2018
Time: 1:00 - 3:30
Where: Corus West
It's back! Pitchapalooza returns as we invite participants to spend some one-on-one time with various industry executives from across Canada. Separate sign-up required.
(VIP Exclusive) Animation Growing Up
Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Where: Corus West
Exclusive to our VIP Passholders! Growing up in the 50s and 60s, Dan Haskett was exposed to a plethora of historic animated content on television. Dan was also fascinated by animated commercials aimed at adults. Seeing this, he believed animation would grow up with him. He also wanted to see the produce of animation masters mature in content as they did with age. While there is adult content out there, Dan believes the potential for mature content is largely untapped. In this fireside chat, Dan will share some of the mature animation that inspired him and discuss the growth we can all bring to our emerging art form. Lively Q&A included!
Designing the Animation Renaissance
Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: 9:00am - 11:30am
Where: Corus Quay
Dan Haskett had his hand in designing almost everything in the animation Renaissance. Some of the most notable projects being “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Simpsons”, “Tiny Toons”, Animaniacs” and “Toy Story”. In this workshop, Dan will go through each project, demonstrating how he created appeal in his designs and how he imagined they would move on screen. Join us for original art, rare video footage, insight, tangents, history, and live master drawing tips galore!
For more information about TAAFI INDUSTRY 2018, including this years full official program for the event, to purchase passes to attend, visit http://www.taafi.com.
“We are absolutely thrilled about the state of the animation industry, today,” said Ben McEvoy, Executive Director and Co-Founder, TAAFI. “The conference reflects a plethora of animation industry veterans, leaders, and talent who have navigated changes in the industry. As well, these leaders have developed some of the best animated content for television, film and digital—especially within the Canadian landscape.”
More Nick: Nickelodeon Greenlights 'Los Casagrandes,' Original Animated Spinoff Of Hit Series 'The Loud House'!
H/T: Animation World Network; Additional sources: IMDb, Anime Superhero Forum /@jaylop97.
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