Ontario invests $3.3 million in cultural media industries

Ontario is investing $3.3 million in 16 new cultural media initiatives through its Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund. The winners are:Bedlam Games Inc. & C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures Inc.This project will develop a motion capture (mocap)/animation management software and a workflow process to improve the turn-around time and cost of using mocap in digital media projects. Cam Haynes EnterprisesThe Ontario Innovations in Distribution is a project of the Ontario Distribution Company (working name), a new feature film distribution enterprise that will use innovative business and marketing strategies to overcome existing barriers to success for Ontario feature films. Canadian Music WeekSpotlight on Asia is a two-phase initiative designed to expand upon Canada and Ontario's traditional music export markets. Through inbound missions to Canadian Music Week in 2009 from China and Japan, and 2010 from India, Spotlight On Asia will open up new sales territories for Canadian music companies, of which 70% are Ontario-based.Digital ExtremesDigital Interactive Gaming London Conference: DIG London is an industry conference designed to bring together the various elements of the Ontario video game development sector including developers, publishers, service providers, educational institutions, industry sector representatives, government officials and other interested organizations.Documentary Organization of Canada DOCspace is a social networking site embracing both documentary professionals and documentary fans and offers a portal for all things documentary in Ontario and Canada. Phase II of the project will add a distribution function to the site and enhance the networking and marketing aspects of DOCSpace, creating new revenue opportunities for Ontario documentary filmmakers and producers.Independent Digital Licensing AgencyIDLA provides independent labels and artists with digital asset delivery to digital music services, royalty collection and administration, copyright enforcement, and collective licensing through an organization whose financial interests are directly aligned with its independent artists and label members. IDLA Phase 2 is the staffing and operational launch of the Independent Digital Licensing Agency, hiring staff and commencing operations - delivering music on behalf of its existing and new independent Canadian label members to digital services, and beginning the administration of neighboring rights and private copying royalties for independent Canadian labels and artists, and expanding membership beyond the 20 label shareholders.Interactive Ontario Industry AssociationONKidz is a content and market development strategy to support the creation and commercialization of interactive media content and services for kids. The strategy will culminate in the staging of a world class event showcasing Ontario-made interactive media content for kids to international and extra-provincial buyers in the spring of 2010.Magazines Canada Digital DiscoveryThis project supports the creation and hosting of digital editions of Ontario and other Canadian magazines. Magazines Canada will research and, through an RFP process, select an independent and seasoned provider of digital services to develop a conversion, delivery, and maintenance solution. A marketing plan will help magazines utilize the materials created to access new markets, improve customer satisfaction and keep pace with trends in new media and mobile technology.Last Gang Records Inc.Turnkey Music Services, a partnership between several independent music labels in Canada, will establish a US-based marketing services company to provide radio promotion, print publicity, online and retail marketing services to Canadian artists and record labels exporting product to the US. The initiative will enable independent music labels and their artists to more effectively compete and expand into the lucrative US market.Music Managers Forum CanadaThis project will add B2B functionality to the MMF Canada website in the form of a content management system with an integrated extranet. These enhancements will enable individual managers to present information about their artists on their Artists Websites, for example press kits, bio's and photos, and, using their individual private extranet, managers can interact directly with music industry representatives on behalf of their artists, e.g. media interview request management and live performance engagement management, as well as providing downloads of gig posters, stage plots, interview clips, contract riders, itineraries etcOntario College of Art and DesignThe Mobile Experience Innovation Centre project targets the mobile platform content, design and service delivery sectors. The project will shape the future of the mobile content and services space in Ontario and abroad by developing a platform for research and commercialization in mobile content, services and technology innovation; by sharing current pre-competitive insights and market intelligence among partners, businesses and academic institutions by identifying and brokering specific collaborative opportunities, and providing an ongoing and accessible resource through research findings, reports, summits and workshopsOntario Library AssociationReforest Interactive will build a series of interactive online environments that enable new relationships between author and reader, and new channels for the sale of nominated and related titles. In the process, a direct sales impact of 20% is projected. While the Forest titles (representing 70% or more Ontario publishers) will be used as the basis for these developments, the tools and channels will be transferable to all small-marketing-budget titles, in books, film and music. (A-V materials account for approximately 40% of Public Library lending.)Pembroke Publishers LimitedThe Literacy Landmarks Traveling Workshops will give up to 500 key educators in five Ontario centres an opportunity to discuss major education issues and hear some of Canada's most respected educators and popular children's authors. The workshops will encourage key educators to disseminate information on the selected books to their colleagues back in their schools. Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced LearningThe Creative Previsualization Unit will establish a studio/lab facility for applied research and training in the area of previsualization for film and television and other screen-based media in Ontario. The project combines the use of the latest technologies, including 3D modeling and motion capture systems as well as technologies for rapid modeling including photogrammetry and 3D scanning, to create interactive virtual worlds for the exploration of shot planning, visual style, and story development. University of Toronto, Adaptive Technology Resource CentreThrough Lights, Camera, Access!, an industry association formed to advance the presence and participation of persons with disabilities in the entertainment, media and new media industries, skills training for employers and employees with disabilities will be provided through online and onsite workshops/conferences/events. Other resources will be developed, such as internships/mentorships (to be provided by project partners Sun TV and Fireweed Media), and leading edge content, transferable to existing learning institutions' courses.White Pine Pictures Inc. & Kensington Communications Inc.Connect Toronto is a multiplatform content initiative that uses Toronto's upcoming 175th anniversary as a springboard to share the city's music history and stories with its citizens and the world. The project will use mobisodes to promote Toronto's music scene and history, while developing an innovative model for sponsorship and revenue sharing. The project engages users to explore Toronto's streets by foot, or online, while viewing location-specific mini-documentaries. 24 X 2 minutes videos and an accompanying interactive map will create a celebrity-guided "walking tour" of Toronto's music scene for delivery via wireless, television, web, and urban screen in 2009.

Ontario invests $3.3 million in cultural media industries

Briefs | 12/01/2008 7:30 pm EST

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