On Tour: The Spill Canvas, Meg & Dia, PlayRadioPlay, Idiot Pilot,

"People Connecting through Music." – Nick Thomas of The Spill Canvas on the joys of Music, and its undiscriminating appeal.

The Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC was host to several indie rock bands for a night of catchy tunes, teenage angst, and teen spirit. The Spill Canvas headlining, with Meg & Dia, Idiot Pilot, and PlayRadioPlay! performed for an all ages show. The music was loud, the energy was high, and the turn out was good. The bands were entertaining on stage, even amid a cold and rainy day in Vancouver.

For most, if not all of these bands, online promotion is an integral part of building a fan-base. The savvy youth of today are only a click away from discovering new music, and if the music is good, it'll definitely catch on. The viral spread of information online is truly impressive. Bands crediting their success to sites like myspace is pretty common, and events like this, prove that the online effort has worked.

Sure most of the fans probably don't buy their music, and would rather "file share" with friends, but if they're willing to shell out the cash to see their favorite musicians live, at a price much higher then the cost of an album, then the musicians aren't really losing money. The merchandise sells, and people go to the concerts. And concerts are the best way to enjoy the music.

Meg & Dia, the sisters from Utah, were also a fan favorite and played several of their hits, as well as new never performed songs. The band was also featured in a local newspaper The Georgia Straight. Soundcheck The Spill Canvas played last, and rocked the hardest.

Check out these bands online:Meg & Dia, The Spill Canvas, PlayRadioPlay!, Idiot Pilot.

The Band's Visit

VIFF Screening: The Band's Visit (Bikur Hatizmoret), is a quiet and observant comedy, that feels genuinely human...

Vancouver International Film Festival

When I read online that The Band's Visit was awarded the Jury Coup de Coeur prize at this year's Festival de Cannes, I knew getting a ticket to see the film at the Vancouver International Film Festival would be well worth the purchase.

Winning an award at prestigious festivals isn't a bad thing, in fact it generates pretty big buzz for any film, and it's a good selling point to get viewers like me to see the movie. Being that there are so many movies at film festivals these days, one has to have a way to measure what's worth checking out, and what's worth avoiding completely. So I did, and I wasn't disappointed.

An Egyptian Police orchestral band arrives in Israel to commemorate the opening of an Arabic cultural center. Waiting at the airport, the Band soon realizes that their ride won't be showing up, so they decide to take a bus to the destination. Due to miscommunication by the mispronunciation of town names, the Band ends up in a small and sleepy town. It's late in the day, and the next bus won't be arriving until the morning. Practically stranded, they stay the night with some folks they meet at a small local eatery.

The awkwardness, of staying with strangers, is a humorous setup, but The Band's Visit, is more then just a funny movie. No, there is more to the film then jokes. There are dramatic moments in which we learn more about the characters, namely Tawfiq (Sasson Gabai) the Band Conductor. His strange relationship with cafe manager Dina (Ronit Elkabetz), are the main focus of the film, and it's really a joy to watch them. They have such a nice chemistry.

As the Band stays the night each going about their business, they learn a little bit about themselves by spending time with the locals, and by the time the night is over, life seems a little less clouded. The drama isn't forced, nor is it sentimental overkill either, it's just enough to humanize the characters.

The Band's Visit is Directed, and written by Eran Kolirin.

Related: VIFF screening: They Wait

They Wait VIFF Screening: They Wait, delivers thrills, and chills, in a formulaic package, but a unique story with enough scares to keep the most jaded film goer satisfied, makes this movie worth watching. Vancouver International Film Festival

The immigrant experience of Chinese to the western world in the early 1900's was no doubt a difficult time. Hard enough was being so far from home, but dying in an unfamiliar place, a world away from family, was a fear many hoped to avoid. The practice of sending the bones of the deceased back to homeland, to be buried alongside ancestors was a common superstitious practice. Yet, what would happen if your bones never made it back? The restless spirits would terrorize those who neglected them. Or so that's what They Wait wants you to believe.

The film stars Jaime King (Sin City), and centers on her son Sammy, as they return to Vancouver, from Shanghai to attend the funeral of an uncle. Considered by the community as a "bone collector", his death occurs eerily around the same time that the Chinese festival 'Ghost Month' is in full swing. Like any good ghost story, Sammy begins to see spirits around his uncle's house located in Chinatown. It's soon revealed that his family's old manufacturing and importing business holds some shady secrets. Martial arts legend Pei-pei Cheng (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), plays Sammy's strict Aunt, and Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens), plays a photographer, with two short scenes in the entire film.

I really wanted to hate this film. I really did. After hearing that Doctor Uwe Boll was attached to the production as Executive Producer, one has to wonder what sort of film has been cooked up. It received some lukewarm reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, and though at first glance, the ghostly thriller might seem like another 'killer' Uwe Boll Production, They Wait, manages to be anything but the German filmmaker's style. Directed by Ernie Barbarash, a director and producer of various film/tv sequels, with a story/screenplay written by some guy who used to work on "The Outer Limits" tv series, this movie manages to float ever so slightly above a pile of shit, in fact it’s quite an entertaining film with the standard scares that will surely please horror fans.

The movie uses the formula commonly seen in western remakes of Japanese horror films. Placing a Caucasian female lead in unfamiliar cultural situations, to give us the viewer, a window into the unknown as outsiders. Jaime King is not only gorgeous, but she held the film together with a pretty convincing performance as a mother driven to near insanity trying to figure out what's going on with her son. It works for the most part. The film isn't terrible, nor is it mind blowing. It has moments of bad acting, and slow pace, but it has enough scary stuff in there to make it a memorable film. I give the writer credit for telling a different kind of ghost story with Chinese folklore in a western setting. Kudos to the director for pulling it off.

It is almost entirely a Canadian production, priding itself in its Vancouver locations, Visual Effects talent, production crew, and Symphony orchestra, Uwe Boll's influence on the movie, wasn’t really a creative one. Who knows, having his name attached to the film might make it easier to distribute this movie if ever it makes it to regular theaters. Then again, it might backfire. In any case, this movie is worth watching when it comes out on DVD.

Related: VIFF screening: The Band's Visit, and Malos Habitos (Bad Habits).

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, finished the game in 7 days.

One of the Best Games for the Nintendo DS

Definitely a first for me, beating a game in such a short period of time. I just couldn't put it down, let alone for very long. The morning work commute, Lunch breaks, and my spare time outside of work, all devoted to Nintendo's latest Zelda title. I guess it was because I wanted to beat the game before my friends, and well, the game is pretty irresistible in itself. Link's adventures on the high seas, have never been so well thought out, working perfectly on the Nintendo DS platform. The intricate puzzles, and mazes, and general design aesthetic, utilizes just about every feature of the portable to their full extent; it's Mic, it's touch-screen, and dual-screen all play important roles in the game design. (The online Wi-fi mode is pretty enjoyable as well.)

There were many times throughout the game where I was impressed with the way the player was drawn into the experience. Sure most of these features have been done in previous DS games, but in Phantom Hourglass, the features all come together like a well oiled machine, tightly woven within the interactive narrative, it becomes hard to imagine the game without them. It's a wonderful feeling when things just click, and the solution to the obstacle becomes clear. It's ingenious.

There are some minor annoyances that I found with the game, like the repetitive visits to the Ocean King's Temple, and the inconvenience of having to go through the maze over, and over again, it's as if the only way to extend the gameplay time is to repeat the same area. With the lack of checkpoints or two-way portals, temple mazes, can be frustrating. I stepped into the blue light a few times by mistake, and had to redo the entire maze.

Not having free control over your boat as well, was something I would have liked. There were times where I'd get stuck by a rock, or island, and had to draw my way out of the obstacle.

Links lack of swimming too! Why can't he swim!

Graphically the game looks like Wind Waker, clean, smooth animation with much of the same art direction, but it lacks the day/night time changes and weather elements. Which personally, I would have liked to see. Limitations perhaps?

I bought the game on Tuesday Oct. 2nd, and beat it on Oct.8th, and though I was able to beat it within that short time, there is still plenty that I purposely overlooked, or just hadn't discovered. No doubt, this is a huge game, one could spend many hours just boating around from island to island discovering treasure, and customizing their ship.

I Am a Game School Dropout - GameCareerGuide.com

The folks at GameCareerGuide.com have recently published a Feature written by a self-proclaimed "game development school dropout." Her name is Lisa Laughy, and though she doesn't state the name of the school she attended, her reasons for leaving it were unrelated to game development. However, she did notice several things that troubled her concerning game education and the way it reflects on the industry.

Definitely worth reading. For me, many schools come to mind when reading the points she makes.

Read the entire GameCareerGuide piece here. Read Lisa's personal blog here.

Students - A story of Failure and Success in the eyes of the game industry

Stubborn student just wasted his money.

I was recently invited to attend an Industry Night event at a local 'art and digital media' institution here in Vancouver. The pre-graduation event was designed to give the students one-on-one contact with various individuals who were not only HR, but actual artists from various animation, and videogame companies. Being I work in gaming and have friends who teach at this school, I took part in giving students feedback on their demoreels, as well it gave them the opportunity to hand out their resumes and DVD's in hopes of getting a job.

While the majority of students demonstrated the competent skills to be whatever it is they planned on being in the workforce (environment artists, 2D and 3D animators, etc) there was one particular student who caught my attention, who I dub Student X. And it wasn't because his demo blew my mind.

You see, the Industry Night was set up in a way that required students to play their DVD demos at their respective computer workstations. Each student dressed appropriately as if going to an interview would ideally be standing by their workstation waiting for the 'industry people' to come around and introduce themselves. It was like a recruiting fair, but in reverse. As I went around the room, I couldn't help but notice a demoreel playing at an empty computer with no student in sight. I asked another student whose reel I was watching, and he directed my attention to the back of the room, to a young man sitting at a computer, surfing the internet, under-dressed, who seemed totally uninterested in being there. Now, if it had been any other demoreel, I probably wouldn't be blogging about this, but the fact that the demoreel was shit, and no student bothered to stand by it (literally), to claim it as their own, I found amusing.

It was a 3D character modeling reel, and though I'm not a modeler, I know what sucks when I see it. I also work with modelers on occasion, so I know what's good, and what stinks. This particular demoreel was bad. It had character rotations that were absurdly too fast, it defeated the purpose of having a character rotation in the first place. The models also had extremely dense wireframes for being game models... it's like the student went over kill with the 'smooth poly tool' in the 3d application. As well anatomically, the models were just not as correct as they should be. If a studio got this in the mail, they would most likely stop it immediately, toss it in the trash, and burn it.

How could such mistakes get final approval from the instructors? Damn it, he even had a stack of DVD's ready to mail out! Well, I posed exactly that question to the students, and they had no answer for me. My assumption is that Student X is one of those people who doesn't take instruction well, who is resistant to making changes and is set in their own ways. Basically, hard-headed. Every school has them, every class has one. Peeps just don't care, and think getting a job in the industry is an easy task. Well, I can say with certainty this child will not be getting a job as a 3d modeler any time soon. That type of attitude doesn't fly, in any job.

Some advice for Modeling Reels

Show off your models!

-Wireframes are extremely important, they show exactly what matters most... poly count, and modeling skill. Is it clean, or is it a mess? Can't hide that with texture maps. Give enough time to the wireframe so the viewer can see it in detail.

-Anatomy! Learn it, and learn it well, to be a character modeler especially with Humans and other creatures.

-Lighting should complement your models. Don't make anything too dark or too bright, and don't rush lighting. Presentation is key!

-Rotations should give the viewer ample time to appreciate your work. Don't hide your mistakes by rotating the character at rapid speeds. That will just make the viewer vomit.

-Show your references, for characters and environments.

Game Design grads share their experience making student project

Not too long ago I gave the folks at Game Career Guide, a mention about one of our assistant producers who attended the Art Institute of Vancouver, and produced a student made game called Introspect, an FPS Unreal Mod that requires players to paint a color on objects to manipulate them in various ways in the environment. The peeps at GCG were interested in the game, and thus a story was published on the site called Tight Conditions: The Development Constraints of an Indie Project.

In it, the creators detail their production process. Definitely give it a read for some pointers if you're in a Game Design program, check out Introspect's site, and maybe play the game too.

There you have it, Failure (top)and Success (bottom).

Student Demoreel Plug

Here's a pretty solid demoreel for an environment artist. The quality may be slightly dark on this youtube vid, but I had a chance to see the DVD quality reel, and it's quite good. Though, this reel could have used a little more time on the wireframes.

Coming Events: VIDFEST Vancouver International Digital Festival 2007

Vidfest is a meeting of the top creative minds working in all forms of digital media. What happens when you get a bunch of bright thinkers in one room? Come and find out!

Sept 22 - 25, 2007 at the Vancity Theatre

From filmmaking, web 2.0 to animation, interactive design, and mobile application, Vidfest produced by New Media BC is an event you simply can't miss if you're interested in any of the areas mentioned. Though, the price may ward some people off. Luckily for those who are basically broke, there are some free/cheap events that may interest you.

The industry mixers are each 20 bucks to get in, and are going down at Vibes on Davie, sponsored by Donat Group.

Animation Mixer - Friday 5pm-7pm Games Mixer - Saturday 4pm-6pm ID & Web 2.0 Mixer - Monday 7pm-9pm

Of course there is also a Recruiting Fair for all students/ new grads/unemployed people, this Saturday 12pm-4pm @ Vancouver International Film Centre (Address: 1181 Seymour St Vancouver, BC V6B). Bring your Resumes, demos, and 'suck up' attitude.

Companies include:

Rainmaker Animation, Blast Radius, Other Ocean Interactive, Radical Entertainment, Nerd Corps Entertainment, Donat Group Enterprises, Master's of Digital Media, Emily Carr Institute, Art Institute of Vancouver

New Media BC & VIDFEST presents:

PITCH N PLAY (FREE Sat Sept 22 @ VIFC)

See some great pitches. Play games on the big screen. Get some cool stuff at the Auction House (brought to you by the International Game Developer's Association (IGDA) and SIGGRAPH). Come together for an afternoon of Pitch n Play. Hear about some of the best up and coming digital entertainment. Teams will take the stage for 15 minutes and give a 10 minute pitch followed by a 5 minute Q&A. In between, play Guitar Hero, Wii tennis and golf. Bid on some great finds, all game related, at the WOW styled Auction House too.

Our power pitchers line-up includes:

Mind Habits (Great Canadian Video Game finalist), Big Blue Bubble (Great Canadian Video Game finalist), Cerebral Vortex(Great Canadian Video Game finalist), Cambrian House, Zeroes 2 Heroes, Power Up Studios, HotRocket (2007 KIDSCREEN pitch winner),

For more information about

Pitch 'N Play: http://www.newmediabc.com/events.php?event=28 Jessica (jessica@newmediabc.com)

Threewave Software is also throwing a patio party! WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH 5pm - 8pm

Come chill on Threewave Software's Rooftop Patio and enjoy a cocktail, appies or a freshly BBQ'ed burger. In collaboration with New Media BC & WIGI, Threewave is celebrating their 11th Anniversary of Capture the Flag! The event will run from 5-8pm at #400 - 948 Homer Street on the Roof. Please email your RSVP by September 19th to rsvp@threewavesoftware.com

So come on out and support the local industry!

Event that requires a festival pass...

The highly anticipated online sci-fi series is here. Shot in HD, enjoy it for the first on the big screen at our exclusive screening. Series creator Damian Kindler will introduce this special event.

Doors open: 6pm Screening: 7 - 10pm

Sponsored by: BC Film

CBC 3 PRESENTS: Bend Sinister, The Clips, No Gold + ARTSHOW & DJS!!

An artful music filled Saturday night, courtesy of CBC Radio 3.

Taking place at Brad Gough East Van Studios (870 E. Cordova), Bend Sinister, The Clips, and No Gold performed, kicking off a cross Canada tour with a party and art show. Starting at 8pm and ending around 3am, the party was jumping with an energetic crowd, and lots of cheap beer. The Bands and DJ's put on a fantastic show. Thanks CBC!

Be sure to check out the new Radio 3 Player... CBC Radio 3 Launches Brand New Web Radio Station

Clip from Danny Ledonne's Playing Columbine

A clip from the rough cut of Danny Ledonne's documentary Playing Columbine: a true story of video game controversy, has been released today to mark the anniversary of the Dawson College shooting this day, last year. The 13-minute preview sheds more light on the the film and the direction Ledonne is taking, focusing not only on Columbine, and the game itself, but on trying to understand the psychology behind school shootings. Joel Kornek a Dawson College shooting survivor contributes his thoughts among authors, professors, serious game developers and advocates. Kornek who previously contacted Ledonne after the shootings, has established a website called Kill Thinking, an online resource with information on school violence and bullying, featuring a forum that offers support on various topics youth may be dealing with.

Whatever you may think of Ledonne, or his game, one thing is certain, it has sparked much conversation and debate on all sorts of issues in today's society. I've interviewed Ledonne, I've also met the man himself and he's genuinely concerned for troubled youth who may be dealing with issues, and he's passionate about his cause. The film shows that video games can be viewed as an art form, and a tool to explore serious topics. As well it shines light on those who would blame video games for the root cause of violence in society, when the problem runs deeper than that, beginning with families, and parents. True, Ledonne may be riding the wave caused by his game, but it's something that is unavoidable. He's using it to further discussion on topics that haven't been studied, and that need to be discussed.

If you're a video game enthusiast, you should be able to appreciate a wide range of game genres. From the mainstream to indie and obscure. Video games should be able to explore any subject, and theme without fear of censorship. Super Columbine Massacre RPG!, though imperfect in design has been called many names, positive and negative. The reaction it gets from House Moms and University professors, game designers, and game players, says a lot about us, people in general.

SpaceGiraffe2Cool?

Forming an opinion on Space Giraffe could be easily expressed with one word, if the game was as black and white as a vague adjective. It's not. I can't seem to decide on how to accurately describe the game without being tempted to use the word 'SUCKS'. It's complicated, and I guess I'm conflicted. Torn between loving it, and hating it, Space Giraffe isn't exactly Tempest 2000, in fact, Jeff Minter's space shooter is different in many respects, yet it shares many similarities to his previous shooter. And, despite the name change, increase in psychedelic graphics, and gameplay tweaks, to those who have actually played Tempest (and Tempest 2000), this game in more ways than one, might seem like a let down.

If you're anticipating a game that revolutionizes the way shooters are played -- or ups the ante established with Tempest 2000 -- you'll be sadly disappointed. Space Giraffe feels more like an idea conceived as an extra gameplay mode to one the Atari Jaguar's most popular games, and not a game worthy of its own release. A game idea that years later, only now sees the light of day on the XBL Arcade. Does anyone even remember Tempest, let alone Tempest 2000? If not, Space Giraffe might make a descent introduction to Minter's (and Dave Theurer) shooter style. And if you think about it, it's like a gateway drug that may make you seek out its (better) predecessor.

After all Space Giraffe could be perceived as one of Minter's drug trip visions. But enough with the drug references, the graphics don't seem to have any focus other than to blind the player, trying to convince them that this is the greatest thing ever seen in a videogame. That just doesn't work for me. Neither does the music. It has its moments, but it lacks the energy of Tempest 2000. If the gameplay is gonna be similiar, the music might as well be too. When you first play the game you'll be blown away by the graphics, but once you start dying because you can't see what's going on, you'll find it frustrating.

Sharing the same uncomplicated gameplay established with Tempest, the game itself requires players to move their ship left and right, on a polygonal board. You in turn shoot your enemies before they get to your end. You can jump, and even ram your enemies for more points. Staying alive, and getting a high score is the point of the game. I recognize the classic arcade style, and I greatly appreciate it! In this day and age of mainstream titles, Minter brings the retro coin-op feel. I give it an A for effort.

The game is absolutely playable despite what others may say. It has just about the right amount of challenge to give you a reason to play again, get better and top your previous score. Once you get a hang of the control, and really focus on the barrage of enemies approaching amid the gaseous particle effects, you'll enjoy the game. There is a good game in there, somewhere... you just have to find it.

Space Giraffe isn't what I expected from all the buzz. I mean I like it, it's fun, but it's just I expected more. Is this a case of a video game legend running out of creative steam? Building hype around a project that just doesn't live up to it?

Well, one thing is clear, Tetzuya Mizuguchi has nothing to fear. The game guru has built a following and reputation for creative music infused titles. Maybe Minter should ask him for some advice?