Day 3

TAC is over, now I can start enjoying more of the festival things. I get to sleep in until 8am and then have some breakfast before I head over to 'Big Jump Productions'. They are about as far out as Mercury, so I make sure I have time for the cab ride. Big Jump was started about two years ago by brothers Rick and Cory Morrison and has risen from the ashes of Funbag. Cory is great and really took time to show me around and answer my questions. They are doing some gorgeous work using Flash, which thankfully doesn't look like Flash. They have a really talented group who can draw, design and animate. It's not a big studio, but they are growing and have a strong slate of work coming. They are currently hiring right now as well.

I've discovered that due to the Ontario tax credit, which is what allows the animation studios to survive, is that the studio's in the province are limited to only hiring within the province. They hope to see that change, but as for now they cannot afford to hire an artist without that tax break.

Next it was off to Strathcona park for the Animator's picnic (as seen in the photos), in which I took a whole wack of photos. There was tons of free booze and food. It's mainly outdoors and chilly, but a perfect sunny day with lots of beautiful fall scenery. Lots of networking again and catching up with people. I met up with Anne Denman, head recruiter of Studio B and hope to set something up back home with her. I also got to catch up with Robyn Budd, who was our DisneyToronto director on 'Peter Pan 2-Return to Neverland'. He is a very talented and widely respected director. I got to talk with two guys who sold their idea to Teletoon a few weeks back and have another show idea that is looking promising. They are very cool guys and are really getting an edcuation about giving birth to an idea and handing it over to others to produce and develop.

That brings you up to date. I'm going to get another swim in and then head over to the Museum of Civilzation to hear Henry Selick talk about 'Coraline'. That is going to be packed so I should head early. It starts at 6:30.

Later everyone!