Village Gamer

I managed to miss the original announcement of this, but I’m sharing it with you all now – because there is a very important little nugget of hope contained in this news release from Endemol – providing our favourite locally-shot quirky crime drama does not face the possibility of re-location. It would be hard to watch the show if it were shot anywhere but in Vancouver, with the cast and crew as is – and I know many people who would rejoice at the chance of viewing the show on TV sets outside of Canada.

Endemol recently  announced the launch of Endemol Studios, an LA-based independent scripted TV studio operation, to be headed up by newly appointed CEO Philippe Maigret. In his new role, Maigret will report to Endemol North America Chairman, David Goldberg.  Maigret will continue to oversee North America rights acquisitions for the Group, where he has served as Executive Vice President, North America Acquisitions, since joining the company in March 2010. Joining Maigret, Jeremy Gold is appointed Head of Creative Affairs, Endemol Studios. Gold joined Endemol in 2008 as Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming and launched Endemol USA’s scripted TV development division.

Endemol Studios will develop and produce US scripted TV programming for global exploitation across all platforms.  The operation is resourced to finance the development of projects; deficit-finance the production of pilots and series; and to oversee all related activities. Endemol Studios will focus on primetime U.S. cable drama productions based on original projects developed internally, as well as scripted formats adapted from Endemol’s international portfolio.  The studio will also partner with US networks and producers on projects already developed, coming on board in a studio capacity.

“Endemol Studios represents a significant step in our ongoing strategy to expand and diversify our activities in North America at the same time helping fuel our global growth. Philippe and Jeremy bring together a powerful blend of experience and a track record of delivering projects with global potential” said David Goldberg, Chairman of Endemol North America.

Maigret added: “It is something of a wish fulfillment to build a new-generation TV studio business. Endemol Studios will draw on Endemol’s world leading creative resources in the US and around the world, as well as leveraging the Group’s global distribution platforms.”

The launch of Endemol Studios capitalizes on Endemol’s successes in US scripted television to date. These have included AMC’s recent series order of the Endemol USA-developed series Hell on Wheels, premiering November 6; as well as the rights acquisition of  TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland, Happily Divorced and The Exes, TNT’s Leverage, The Hub’s The Haunting Hour in the U.S. and Showcase’s Endgame in Canada.
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The CaveChild would kill for one of these cameras.

The new Handycam® NEX-VG20 camcorder from Sony allows videographers to explore the artistic potential of the growing range of E-Mount lenses for shooting cinematic Full HD video and high-resolution still photos. The new camcorder offers several enhancements over Sony’s acclaimed NEX-VG10 – the world’s first consumer HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses – including comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality and upgraded sound. Significantly refined ergonomics include enhanced grips for balance and to support low-angle shooting and a second record button, among many others.

“Whether you’re shooting video or stills, this camcorder’s large sensor rivals the expressive picture quality of a DSLR camera,” said Michelle Seemann, marketing manager of camcorders at Sony Canada. “We’ve also made several enhancements to deliver the type of camcorder that video enthusiasts will love.”

With a resolution of 16.1 effective megapixels, the camcorder’s Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor assures outstanding video image quality, with extremely low noise in low light. It also captures pristine 16 megapixel still photos, with RAW format support for all the post-processing flexibility that’s familiar to DSLR users. The sensor also allows the creation of background defocus (‘bokeh’) effects with a user’s E-mount lenses.

Full HD video shooting in the AVCHD™ format is now complemented by a choice of 24p and 60p (progressive) frame rate options. Footage shot at 24p can be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma™ and Cinema Tone Color™ for an even richer, more cinematic look.

Dialogue and other sounds are captured by the precision Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone that now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround. The camcorder also offers a new audio level control.

Several ergonomic refinements let videographers shoot HD video and stills in even greater comfort. The camcorder’s handgrip has been redesigned for excellent stability. Allowing manual adjustment of exposure, iris and other settings, the control dial can now be accessed even when the LCD panel is closed.

The button layout now features ‘hard’ function keys, direct access to each shooting mode (Iris, Shutter speed, Program AE), a second REC button for low-angle shots and expanded focus button – all located for intuitive operation so users don’t have to take their eyes from the electronic viewfinder.

Shooters can frame and review footage on the three-inch (7.5cm) Xtra Fine LCD™ display that features TruBlack™ technology for clear, high contrast images. The screen can rotate up to a 270-degree range for easy framing in any position, even with the camera held low. A touch-panel simplifies fingertip operation of shooting functions.

The NEX-VG20H camcorder comes with the SEL18200 F3.5-6.3 E-mount lens. With a wide 11x optical zoom range and built-in Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization, this versatile lens offers smooth, quiet autofocus operation during movies and still shooting.

A choice of seven E-mount lenses can cover virtually any shooting situation. The optional LA-EA2 lens mount adaptor provides even wider compatibility with the established family of A-mount optics. Sony is also planning to develop a third-party “eco-system” to allow consumers to use the camcorder with other brands’ lens assets.

The Handycam NEX-VG20H camcorder kit includes the E-Mount SEL18200 lens and will be available in November at Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network at a retail price of about $2,200. A body-only version, the NEX-VG20, will be available for about $1,600.

The Kobo eReader Touch Edition is now available at Best Buy stores in both Canada and the USA as part of its strategy to deliver eReading to everyone, everywhere. To support the launch of the new Kobo eReader Touch Edition at Best Buy, Kobo specialists will be alongside Best Buy’s Blue Shirts to demo the eReader to consumers, providing them with a hands-on experience to see, touch and try the slim, light and innovative touch screen eReader.

The Kobo Wireless eReader has been available in-store and online at Best Buy for the last four months. Best Buy is now expanding its Kobo offering by carrying the Kobo eReader Touch Edition, which is available onlineand at select Best Buy stores nationwide. This in-store roll out allows consumers to gain an in-depth, hands-on comparison of the Touch Edition against competing eReaders. Kobo is currently expanding the Touch Edition availability through multiple retail channels on a number of continents, and Best Buy is one of several planned launches in the United States for Q3 and Q4.

Notesolution.com, an online note sharing platform for post-secondary students is about to launch its free service to over 20 universities across Canada. Notesolution is a Toronto based start-up, originally exclusive to the University of Toronto, but now with over 10,000 active users sharing 12,000 study documents.

“From Facebook to Foursquare, people are looking to their peers for the best source of information. Notesolution is the next natural progression for this concept of social learning” says Jack Tai, CEO and co-founder of Notesolution. Notesolution believes the future of education should revolve around the concept of peer-to-peer learning and will be releasing Notesolution 2.0 later this week.

Notesolution.com currently holds the largest collection of university notes in Canada. Students share their own study guides, lecture and textbook notes to earn credits which they use towards downloading notes from their peers. Students earn credits every time their notes are downloaded and can also exchange the credits for gift cards through Notesolution’s reward program. The Notesolution reward program encourages students to take quality notes.

“We believe that experience is the best teacher, so why not learn from the experiences of fellow students? Notesolution is a gateway for students to exchange study materials with each other, connecting and enhancing their university life.”  said Kevin Wu, COO and co-founder of Notesolution.

White label mobile wallet and marketing platform solutions provider Omnego has launched their GoTravelWallet™ app, the one place to digitally store travel information for people on the go.

Perfect for business and pleasure, the GoTravelWallet lets travelers carry all of their travel cards, documents, references and travel information within a single smartphone wallet app, enabling smarter and lighter travel without the bulk of cards, papers and books that clutter and weigh down wallets and luggage.

GoTravelWallet carries mobile versions of airline, hotel and car rental membership, rewards and credit cards in a handy smartphone wallet app. GoTravelWallet also helps protect travelers from the loss or theft of important travel documents by storing digital photos of passport, insurance and other travel forms created with the in-app camera. And GoTravelWallet is a convenient one-stop reference for all travel-related information from exchange rates to weather, and provides quick access to the mobile websites of airlines, car rental companies, hotels and other travel resources.

With GoTravelWallet, travelers can:

• Check airline flight status and schedules, and book flights from over 30 airlines
• Make car rental reservations from popular car and transport businesses
• Book hotels from major hotel and hotel discount websites
• Research destinations with access to travel guides like Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Orbitz, TripAdvisor
• Find nearby deals, banks, shopping, restaurants, groceries, pharmacies, lodging and more
• Access travel reference tools – QR code reader, currency exchange rates, language translator, measurement conversion, time zones and weather

The GoTravelWallet app is now available for Blackberry, iPhone and Android smartphones.

Omnego is hiring: Director of Business Development and a QA Specialist

Conversion software ExactFlat converts 3D models into accurate, production-ready 2D cut patterns. Fully integrated with Autodesk Inventor software, ExactFlat extends the power of Inventor by making it optimally suited for manufacturers using industrial fabrics.

“ExactFlat’s 3D to 2D flattening algorithms have been used in some of the largest, most demanding, and most advanced global manufacturers for years and we are excited to bring this functionality to Autodesk Inventor. Now that ExactFlat is seamlessly integrated into the Inventor menu ribbon, it is easier than ever before for customers to save time, money and effort when they need to flatten complex 3D models into accurate 2D flat patterns,” said Carl White, director of Inventor digital design product management at Autodesk.

“ExactFlat leverages the engineering and CAD data within Autodesk Inventor to automate and simplify the manual, time consuming, and costly processes for flattening 3D models into 2D flat patterns. With well-designed models, 3D to 2D flattening is only 5 simple steps and can be completed in about 5 minutes. Manufacturers in marine, automotive, aerospace, architecture, performance garments, furniture and other industries using industrial fabrics will find ExactFlat indispensable to improving their prototyping and production efficiencies,” added Mark Jewel, founder of Tri-D Technologies.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtrv4qa5nfE]

ExactFlat removes the design and manufacturing constraints imposed by traditional manual flattening processes. If you’re using 3D CAD and you need to create 2D flat patterns for the cutting table, ExactFlat is the fastest, most accurate and simple way to do it.

Emerging Canadian telecommunications provider Worldline has announced a new low-priced and feature-rich home phone and high speed internet bundle for the Ontario market that is designed to bring down costs for consumers while offering outstanding service.

Today, the average Canadian household is paying around $100 dollars a month for basic wireline and broadband service, and must further shell out for long distance charges and for add-on services such as visual call display. Worldline comes out of the gate with an all-in bundled package at half of the cost.

For the low monthly cost of $49.95 plus a $5.00 regulatory and essential services fee, Worldline’s bundle is incredibly affordable. It is also simple to understand and customers can be up and running very quickly. There are no hidden fees, extra costs or contracts. As an extra bonus, this package includes free long distance to most destinations across Canada. And best of all – it comes with free installation.

“Worldline is taking a stand on behalf of the average Ontario family. In these challenging economic times, people everywhere are looking to reduce household costs. But at the same time, they need a dependable provider for quality home phone service, high speed internet, as well as attractive long distance calling. We want to be that provider,” says CEO Jody Schnarr.

Schnarr continues on to explain that Worldline’s efficient business operations and lean and mean approach to marketing enables the company to offer such low pricing to their customers. “Elaborate marketing campaigns and television commercials may help to build brand recognition, but they don’t serve the average consumer. We believe in passing savings along to our customers,” he notes. Read the rest of this entry »

The Canadian Wireless Trade Show is happening this September 15th-16th in Toronto, and this year the conference is doing a lot more than changing the wireless communications industry in Canada – it’s gone global. Over the years, the Canadian Wireless Trade Show has attracted retailers, wholesalers and startups from around the world. Nokia, Samsung, Otterbox, and RIM among many others have all registered to gather under one roof at the Toronto Congress Centre for this year’s event.

With free attendee registration available to everyone, the 3000+ expected attendees will experience a sold out exhibition floor, seminars on the latest trends and directions for the wireless, mobile and telecom industry, a live mobile app competition and more.

The festivities will be hosted by two of Canada’s most-prized tech tongues: WEBNATION’s Maurice Cacho on September 15th and Tech Guru Marc Saltzman on September 16th. Only those in attendance will get a chance to network with the world’s top mobile, telecom, and wireless leaders of today; discover hands-on experience of the world’s most-advanced technologies and newest gadgets; receive free prizes; and be a part of wireless communications history!

Mobile local search and advertising service Poynt Corporation has released a new version of their award-winning local search application Poynt on the BlackBerry® Playbook™ tablet for use in Germany, France, Spain and Italy in their respective languages.

North American and United Kingdom Playbook tablet users now have access to the Events search vertical allowing them to search for concerts, sporting events, festivals, and other local events and venues. Users can search by location, date, category or performer and have access to detailed event information, including turn-by-turn directions, performance details, venue details, event websites and images, without leaving the app. The up-to-the-minute content is provided by a Poynt content partner, Eventful, the leading digital media company connecting 20 million consumers to local events. Users can add events to their device calendar or send details to friends via email, Facebook or Twitter.

‘Search from here’—one of the more popular functionalities of the existing version of the App—has also been added. The feature allows users to fully plan their days or their evenings by making a search listing their location in order to find additional business, movie, restaurant and event listings nearby. For example, this allows users to plan a complete evening out by choosing a restaurant and making dinner reservations and then finding a movie theatre in the area, booking movie tickets and getting directions all without exiting the app. This functionality makes Poynt a truly valuable personal assistant tool when planning your day.

Playbook tablet users in Europe and North America can integrate Poynt across their devices by pairing their BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with their BlackBerry smartphone. Pairing allows users to take advantage of the larger user interface offered by the BlackBerry PlayBook while still taking full advantage of the features available through their BlackBerry smartphone.

“The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet offers a very user-friendly interface and allows us to showcase the wealth of events data and multimedia available. Providing users in Europe with the ability to use Poynt for the PlayBook tablet in their native languages is important to us as we recognize the value of local content,” stated Andrew Osis, president and CEO of Poynt Corp. “We anticipate that continued growth in feature sets and geographies will translate into continued revenue growth for Poynt Corp.”

“With richer data sets and verticals comes increased usage of the App – both in frequency and length of time. We continue to see an increased number of searches per user as we expand the features and functionality within Poynt. This, in turn, translates into increased advertising revenue.”

Poynt is a convenient and timesaving GPS-enabled mobile application that connects consumers to local businesses, events, restaurants, movie theatres, gas prices and weather information at the moment they are looking to buy or acquire products or services. Poynt provides consumers with the ability to move beyond discovery of their local area to view movie trailers and reviews, buy movie tickets, click-to-call businesses, get directions, browse listing websites, read reviews and book dining reservations, all without leaving the App.

Poynt revenue is driven by providing contextual and relevant advertising to users through searches, local queries, page views, and transactions within the App. Each user query generates several page views, which are monetized through display advertising and sponsored listings paid for by advertisers on a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) basis or on a cost per click (CPC) basis. Transactions, such as ticket sales and restaurant reservations, also contribute to revenues on a fee for service basis.

Poynt is available as a free download for users in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Australia on BlackBerry® smartphones, BlackBerry Playbook™ tablet, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7 and Nokia devices from the respective App Stores. Poynt is also available via Over the Air download at m.poynt.com.

All artists are observers of life, though it’s not every day you encounter an artist who has the official title of “creature supervisor.” But that is indeed the hat most often worn by Vancouver artist James Stewart, who created the lead character in The Chronicles of Narnia, and was responsible for creating the giant, prawn-like aliens in District 9.

Stewart’s successful career in the film industry has taken him to over 45 countries spanning four continents. Also an accomplished photographer, he has rigorously documented his travels and the thousands of lives that have touched his. These experiences find their way into his artwork. Most recently, he has returned home to create ‘Pangea,’ a series of beautiful and life-like bronze sculptures.

Pangea is the term for Earth’s landmass before it shifted to the continents we know today. It refers to a time when everything was together and connected. Stewart’s imagination is fuelled by his interest in other cultures, and his over-arching vision with this series, which is that our common roots speak about how we all remain connected. He maintains that connection can be seen clearly, even in our diverse cultures, if our observation is close and careful enough.

Stewart’s work, which is highly realistic and traditional, is also strikingly contemporary in how it is created. He imbues his figures with the subtlety of gesture, which brings them alive. While very familiar with working from a live model, Stewart created these works by referring to the exhaustive photographic records he takes while travelling. Working in front a large video screen and using multiple images, he re-creates his experiences in oil-based clay. He has been compared to a photojournalist who is reporting in 3-D.

Using the “cire perdue,” or lost wax method, Stewart works with the finest foundry, Artworks, to fabricate the bronze. This technique dates back to ancient Greece and was used by such renowned artists as Bernini and Rodin. The completed piece is then used to make a mould, which is used in the casting of the bronze artwork. Upon completion of the edition the artist will supervise the destruction of the mould.

Stewart’s incredible eye for detail (the kind most artists dream about) allows the viewer to enter his original experience. Looking at his sculptures induces an almost voyeuristic feeling. The eye can freely linger over intimate details — knock-kneed legs, poor teeth, wrinkled clothes, etc. — in a way that in real life would constitute staring. Here, it’s just close observation, a practice the artist would like to wholeheartedly encourage.

These sculptures, which represent the best techniques of the old and the new worlds, will be on display Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm, from September 10^th to October 2^nd at 5 West Pender Street in Vancouver.