Village Gamer

Corel has released the latest version of its award-winning photo editing software, Corel® PaintShop™ Pro X4, which delivers ‘DSLR’ power at a ‘point-and-shoot’ price while offering an uncompromising depth and selection of pro-quality tools to expertly manage, adjust, edit and share your entire photo collection.

Launching simultaneously with this latest release of PaintShop Pro X4 is the Ultimate version of the product, which includes additional pro-level tools such as Nik® Color Efex Pro™ 3.0 Filters, royalty-free images from Fotolia (7-day subscription period), a custom photo book from Blurb® and a premium collection of Picture Tubes™, Corel PaintShop Pro X4 Ultimate provides exceptional value and countless creative possibilities. Both Corel PaintShop Pro X4 and Corel PaintShop Pro X4 Ultimate are available now in English, German, French, Italian, Dutch and Traditional Chinese with additional languages to follow.

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IGLOO Software has announced the appointment of Andrew Dixon as Vice President of marketing & operations. A seasoned enterprise software executive, Dixon joins IGLOO from Microsoft Canada, where he served as Vice President and Business and Marketing Officer.

In this new role, Dixon will join the executive leadership team helping to refine the go-to-market strategy for IGLOO’s social intranet and extranet solutions. He will also drive the strategic integration of business, marketing and operations in order to align talent and resources to most effectively drive growth in this multi-billion dollar industry. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Public Relations Society, Calgary chapter and the Communications + Public Relations Foundation have signed an agreement to partner in the establishment of the $1,000 Calgary Legacy Scholarship to be awarded annually to a student studying public relations/communications in a recognized program at one of Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, or SAIT Polytechnic.

Eligible students from those educational institutes will have completed year one of their studies and be entering second year, demonstrated overall understanding of public relations and communications, its theoretical and practical elements, values and principles. They must hold a student membership in CPRS Calgary. Read the rest of this entry »

Seaway Mall in Welland, Ontario is celebrating back to school with “School’s In!” – a video contest where students compete for a grand prize of $250. With the new school year in full effect, Seaway Mall recognizes that it’s expensive for students and parents and wants to help. “School’s In!” is an online video contest where contestants are able to submit a video plea for a grand prize of a $250 Seaway Mall gift card. In addition, the runner-up will receive a $100 gift card and third place will receive a $50 gift card.

“Back to school shopping can become very overwhelming and costly,” states Michael Belcastro, President of Seaway Mall. “Here at Seaway, we understand the additional expenses that occur and want to be able to help out with a contest that is not only fun, but will also get students excited for their return to school!” Read the rest of this entry »

Silicon Sisters Interactive has announced the Japanese debut of their School 26 game series for girls ages 12 to 16. The fully localized first installment is now available in Japan’s App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch (¥250), and iPad (¥450). School 26 initially released in English earlier this year.

School 26 is a social mastery game that balances high school drama with cute cartoon artwork, lively characters, and an engaging storyline. Playing as Kate, the new girl in school, you must build relationships, defuse tensions, and navigate high school’s sticky social situations. From first crushes to troubled friendships to sexual confusion, the game explores real issues its teen audience can relate to. Read the rest of this entry »

Following the success of the Assassin’s Creed Revelations multiplayer beta (initially restricted to Playstation Plus subscribers and selected Uplay members on Playstation 3), Ubisoft has announced that the beta will be available to all Playstation Network members from September 8-11, 2011. The beta client will be available – in limited download – on the Playstation Network.

The multiplayer beta offers access to nine characters (The Sentinel, The Vanguard, The Guardian, The Vizier, The Thespian, The Deacon, The Bombardier, The Trickster and The Champion), three maps (Knight’s Hospital, Antioch, Constantinople) and four playable modes (Wanted, Manhunt, Deathmatch, and Artifact Assault), which are only a sample of the final multiplayer content. Read the rest of this entry »

The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), presented by Global Montreal in collaboration with the Fabienne Colas Foundation, has unveiled the program for its 7th edition today at the NFB office. This year’s Festival will run from September 22 to October 2, 2011.

With an impressive line-up of 125 films from over 35 different countries, the majority of which are world, international, Canadian, Quebec or Montreal premieres, as well as a panoply of special events, the 7th edition of the MIBFF is just brimming over with enthusiasm, energy and freshness, and offering its audiences rich and diverse perspectives. Read the rest of this entry »

Canada-wide film exhibition company Empire Theatres has announced that it will begin development of a new 10-screen theatre complex in Kingston. The construction of Empire Theatres Kingston is expected to begin in late November, 2011. The new complex will be located at the intersection of Division Street and Dalton Avenue as part of the second phase of a larger commercial development – Kings Crossing Power Centre.

Empire Theatres Kingston will blend entertainment with technology in a contemporary and unique design. The 41,000 square foot complex will feature digital technology in all 10 auditoriums for high quality picture, Dolby Digital surround sound, luxurious high-back seats. Plenty of well lit, free parking will be available.

In addition, Empire Theatres Kingston will feature Empire Theatres’ very own “Empire Extra” in one auditorium. Empire Extra provides guests with a heightened sensory experience in a special auditorium designed to offer dynamic sound, screen and seat quality. Empire Extra boasts a custom-designed multi-channel sound system for the ultimate audio experience; stunning digital presentation on a massive, wrap-around screen; and reserved seating in comfy, high back rockers.

The theatre will include an expansive main lobby, a lounge area with leather seating, Automated Box Offices, an expanded refreshments offering and large rooms that will be used for community and corporate use. Guests will also be able to purchase their tickets at refreshments for one-stop shopping.

“Bringing an unparalleled state-of-the-art entertainment experience to moviegoers in Kingston is very exciting for us at Empire Theatres,” says Dean Leland, Vice President of Studio Relations & Media.  “The building design combined with digital technology will make it the preferred destination for all Kingston movie-goers.”

David Lehberg, President of Knightstone Capital, believes that “Empire Theatres will add an entertainment element and contribute favorably to the tenant mix at Kings Crossing which currently includes: Canadian Tire, No Frills, Kingslake Plaza and the Kingston Fashion Centre”.

The 235,000 sq ft Phase II of Kings Crossing is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2013. The grand opening of the new Empire Theatres Kingston theatre is planned for late spring/early summer 2012.

Vancouver’s largest and most comprehensive social media conference, Social Media Week Vancouver has opened for registration, and as Canada’s only host city for the fall conference, events are already starting to fill up. Socialized! Ltd. announced the free conference in July of this year which will take place September 19^th through 23^rd.

Social Media Week is a global platform that connects people, content and conversations around emerging trends in social and mobile media. Vancouver is one of twelve global locations selected to host the bi-annual conference that is free for registered participants to attend.

“This will be the largest social media conference of its type in Vancouver,” says Rob Lewis, Editor-in-Chief of Techvibes.com and a member of the Social Media Week Vancouver Board of Advisors. “We are excited to be involved in an event of this magnitude. Techvibes is connected to many different industries and this conference will touch on everything from journalism and government to social media and the use of technology.”

The principle is simple, visit Social Media Week Vancouver’s website and register for the events of your choice. Events are free for registered participants and will include summits, mashups and soirees that take place in various venues around Vancouver from Monday, September 19^th through Friday, September 23^rd.

“Some of the events are already sold out, but we encourage people to get registered today as some of our venues have limited capacity,” says Teri Conrad, Senior Social Strategist for Socialized! Ltd.

With conference events planned throughout each day and into the evening, Ceili’s Irish Pub has reserved the rooftop patio for the week, with soirees currently planned for Monday, Thursday and Friday evening. “Ceilis is excited to be hosting several of the day time events and are, of course, proud to be the official party and soiree venue for Social Media Week Vancouver,” notes Mark Reid, Vice President, Ceilis Group.

The Toronto International Film Festival is just days away and the future looks bright for the film industry, according to PwC. The firm’s study shows global consumer spending on filmed entertainment will grow at a 5.9% compound annual rate over the next five years reaching US$114.8 billion in 2015 from $86.2 billion in 2010. This growth is strongest in markets showcased at TIFF, and Canada’s biggest film festival will screen more than 300 films from over 60 countries.

Producers from both major and emerging markets like China, Vietnam, Romania, Russia and India will see high compound annual growth rates ranging from 10% – 26%, between now and 2015. At the same time markets in North and South America, Europe and the Middle East will see moderate to strong gains between 3% and 9%.

“Revenues for filmed entertainment will be fuelled by the youth market and a variety of options for consumers to access movies. Watching movies online and via mobile devices will supplement box office spending on filmed entertainment,” says Michael Paterson, partner in PwC’s Entertainment & Media practice. “Expect to see higher quality film experiences for consumers as the industry looks for new ways to stay competitive by differentiating the way we access movies and enhancing the movie going experience.”

*Includes consumer spending at the box office, cinema advertising, in-store rental market, physical sell-through market, and electronic distribution.

According to PwC, worldwide box office spending will increase from US$33 billion in 2010 to US$48.7 billion by 2015, an 8.1% compound annual interest gain, supported by the growth in 3-D film screens. The increase in the number of 3-D screens will raise average prices which consumers will pay, keeping movie admissions steady. In 2010 in Canada, there were 350 3-D screens and the average price of a single movie ticket rose 5.5% over 2009, the first gain of more than 5% since 2000.

“While consumers may become more selective in choosing to see a 3-D film over the next few years, we believe 3-D and other innovations will have a long-term positive impact on admissions because these enhancements help to distinguish the theatrical experience from the home video and online experiences of watching a movie,” says Paterson.

In Canada, film and TV production generated about $6.8 billion in GDP in the Canadian economy in 2010 and led to the employment of over 117,000 individuals on a full-time basis across the country. North America will continue to be the biggest region for filmed entertainment, growing at 5.2% from US$39 billion in 2010 to over US$50 billion by 2015.

Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have the highest share of total volume production in Canada at 39%, 27% and 25% respectively.

“Tax incentives are a critical part of the growth of the film industry, including domestic and international co-productions,” says Tracey Jennings, PwC’s Canadian Entertainment & Media Leader. “PwC continues to assist clients to obtain these tax credits which help to offset the cost of production in Canada. We have also seen many of the provinces enhance, and others introduce, digital media tax incentives which are becoming more important in a world of digital convergence. “