CASO, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Ontario and the OMDC, is pleased to offer our Member Companies the opportunity to participate in a Digital Visual Effects Trade Mission into the key production center of North America - Los Angeles, CA - February 24 to March 1, 2010.

2010 VFX Trade Mission (PDF FORMAT)
2010 VFX Trade Mission Registration Form (DOC FORMAT)

TORONTO, ON, October 28, 2009 - Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Association (CASO) is pleased to announce the newly appointed members of the 2010 CASO Board of Directors.

As newly appointed President of CASO, Michael Carter brings over 16 years of business, creative and technical expertise to the Association. Having served as Acting President for the latter half of last year's term, Michael will continue to provide vision and direction towards building a strong collaborative animation and visual effects community within the region.

Carter states, "It is my objective to work for the common good of all CASO members through personal, governmental and international alliances, to position Ontario as the best place to invest and produce animation and visual effects production in North America."

Full Release attached... (PDF FORMAT)

CASO, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, is pleased to offer our Member Companies the opportunity to participate in an incoming Brazilian Mission at the Ottawa International Animation Festival on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009.

The theme of our one-day event is "The Nuts and Bolts of Animation Production in Canada". The goal is to educate our Brazilian counterparts on our successful and world-renowned animation business practices, with an eye to providing service and co-production opportunities to them and their ever-growing Canadian Co-Production Producers.

Although this program is being sponsored and organized by CASO, all animation and visual effects companies in Ontario are welcome to participate. Those who do will be given preference when a Canadian Animation Trade Mission to Brazil happens in early 2010.

INCOMING BRAZILIAN TRADE MISSION @ THE OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL (PDF FORMAT)
OIAFMISSION Registration (DOC FORMAT)
OIAFMISSION Details (DOC FORMAT)

The CASO Board of Directors, has voted in favour of applying to the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund Application, administered by the OMDC to secure funding for our Web Development Initiative.

In order to complete our application, we request that you express your support for the Web Development Initiative by signing the letter below and returning via email to Christa Tazzeo, Manager, Business Affairs, no later than the morning of Wednesday, September 23

Funding Endorsement Letter Request (PDF FORMAT)
Funding Endorsement Letter Request (DOC FORMAT)

As part of our expanded effort to support International Business Development in Animation and Visual Effects within Ontario, and with the continued and gracious support of the OMDC, CASO is pleased to announce our inaugural CASO Yacht Party in Cannes, France during MIP.

Hosted by Vanessa Chapman and Create Media Ventures from the UK, CASO has invited 10 of the top television executives for an intimate meet and greet with 10 Ontario based Computer Animation and Visual Effects Studios. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 6th, from 7:30-10:00pm on the beautiful Yacht Bettina.

There are limited spots and those planning to attend this year's MipJr/MipCom event, should contact Michael Carter (michael@casont.ca) immediately to reserve a spot.

Only one member per studio and due to the size of the group no additional guests will be allowed.

CASO Yacht Party Invite.

During the ebbs and flows of this economic climate, businesses everywhere are seeking value and greater connectivity. That is why you need to know the recent and go forward initiatives CASO has been pursuing for you, our members. We have been extremely busy on all fronts. LEARN MORE...

CASO Newsletter in PDF format.

MODERATOR
		Michael Carter Executive Producer/ President, theskonkworksinc Michael has spent the last 14 years immersed in the creative, technical and business of animation production. Since graduating from Sheridan College’s Computer Animation Program in the mid 1990’s, he has held a number of progressive positions both locally and internationally, that propelled him to the role of Executive Producer for Calibre Digital Pictures, on the CGI/Live Action series’ Ace Lightning II (BBC Worldwide/Alliance Atlantis) and Shoebox Zoo I (BBC Scotland/Blueprint Entertainment) as well as the Stop Motion series Henry’s World II (Alliance Atlantis). Recently, Michael oversaw the series animation servicing of the CGI animated series, Handy Manny I & II (Nelvana/Disney Playhouse), and the Gemini Award Winning (2008) 2D Digital Animation Series, Will & Dewitt (Cookie Jar/KidsWB!). As well as series animation pipeline creation and production, Michael has developed CGI feature animation pipelines for Create Media Ventures/Goodstory Productions and CGI Commerical animation and feature development pipelines for Aardman Animations. Named "Hot Talent" in 2006 by Kidscreen, Michael's company theskonkworks incorporated specializes in the creation of children's television properties and the servicing of client productions.
PANELISTS
		Jennifer McAuley Executive in Charge of Production, TVO Jennifer McAuley is the Executive in Charge of Production on TVO's preschool block, GisËle's Big Backyard. She is also the Production Executive on TVO's new school age animated series WildKratts, which takes the Kratt brothers from their live action wildlife adventures to an animated world. Prior to TVO Jennifer was the Executive in Charge of Production and Business Initiatives at Kids’ CBC where she oversaw numerous animated series in production and development, including the unique Dirtgirlworld preschool series currently in production in Australia. Jennifer has over 20 years experience producing, directing and writing in children's, lifestyle and documentary television.
		Tanya Kelen TV Executive Producer/ Business Development Consultant Tanya Kelen is a senior television executive with over 15 years of experience in domestic and foreign markets. In late 2008, she transitioned into the role of independent executive producer / business development consultant after having secured the Canada/France co-production, Mini Monsters of Amazonia with CBC Nature of Things, Breakthrough Entertainment and Marathon / ARTE France. Tanya was head of distribution for Breakthrough Entertainment from 2003 - 2008, one of Canada's leading distribution companies, where she was instrumental in growing Breakthrough's worldwide corporate branding and sales presence in all genres. Kelen now runs a boutique consultancy where she specializes in strategic planning and business development across multi platforms with Canadian and international production companies, government agencies and broadcasters. She has secured financing and/or co-productions for original productions with major broadcasters including Discovery, CBC, ITV, BBC, History, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, PBS, QUBO/NBC, Disney/JETIX, RTL, ABC Australia, RAI, Canal+ and many others.
		Josh Scherba Vice President, Destribution, DECODE Josh heads up DECODE Enterprises the international sales division of DHX's production subsidiaries DECODE Entertainment, Halifax Film and Studio B Productions. He oversees all Television/DVD sales and directly manages sales to the US, UK, Germany and Australia. Josh has 9 years of experience in international Distribution and is also responsible for all acquisitions of third party titles.
		Alan Sawyer Media Consultant Consultant and commentator on new media and the implications of the Broadcasting Act. Alan has an extensive background in New Media including AVAC, CFTPA, CRTC, Documentary Organization of Canada, Interactive Ontario, MoBoVivo, Telefilm Canada, and Telus as well as being a reviewer for the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund. Combined with his background as Senior Management Consultant with IBM’s Media and Entertainment Group, Alan is in a unique position to discuss both the technical and business perspectives within the Canadian media industry.
		David Steinberg Partner, Heenan Blaikie David Steinberg is a business lawyer specializing in the areas of entertainment, media and intellectual property. David primarily practices in the film, television, music, and book publishing industries. He acts for film and television producers and distributors, broadcasters, Internet service providers, publishers, creators and manufacturers of home entertainment products and merchandise. David advises his clients in both Canada and the United States on matters related to film and television financing, production and distribution, the licensing of intellectual property for integrated media products and the sale and acquisition of rights. David is a dynamic advisor who consistently applies a pragmatic approach to his practice. As a result, he has developed strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients. David is highly service-oriented and committed to assisting his clients in achieving their goals. He combines superior legal skills, industry experience and an adaptable approach to communicating and negotiating in all types of business transactions. David joined Heenan Blaikie in 1993 after working at another major law firm in Toronto. He became a partner in 1998. Prior to becoming a lawyer, David was a professional musician and recording artist, who toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a drummer in various rock bands. David is a frequent speaker and lecturer on various media and entertainment law related topics in both Canada and the United States. He is peer-rated as “repeatedly recommended” in the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert survey and is recognized as one of Canada’s leading lawyers in the area of entertainment law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Woodward/White).

RSVP to brian@casont.ca

Date: June 19th, 2008
Time: 9:00am - 11:30am
Location: The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge St., 35th floor, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre, access on Yonge St. at Shutter)

Members: $ 10.00 includes GST
Non- Members: $ 15.00 includes GST

Coffee, Tea and Continental Breakfast Included.

View Larger Map

RSVP
to marybredin@casont.ca
or 416.207.9142

Date: Friday, May 1st, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Veritas, 234 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A 1K1

CASO, in partnership with the OMDC, is pleased to offer our Member Companies the opportunity to participate in a Digital Visual Effects Trade Mission into the key production center of North America; Los Angeles, CA - January 19-23, 2009.

Please see attached for event details. To register, please submit the attached Registration Form.

*Space is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will be notified next Thursday, December 18th.

Registration Form PDF

Stay tuned for details on upcoming Animation Trade Mission to Kidscreen Summit in New York, February 11-13, 2009!.

MODERATOR
		Ron Estey President of the C.O.R.E. group of companies Ron has lectured and written on small business practices and corporate communications.He was President of the Toronto chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, sat on the Advisory Council of Medialinx Habitat at the Canadian Film Centre, and is Past - President of CASO. Ron holds an MBA from York University, a BA in Economics and English from Queen’s University, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.
PANELISTS
		Brian Simpson CEO Keyframe Digital Productions Inc. Before joining Keyframe Digital Productions Inc., as its CEO, Brian earned his Business degree at Wilfrid Laurier University before joining Air Canada in the area of operation planning and controls, and at the same time earned his MBA at the University of Toronto. He embarked on his second career as a lawyer, earning his law degree at UBC and Windsor, and was called to the bar in 1994. He joined the firm of Crossingham Brady in the Niagara area, practicing criminal, civil litigation and administrative law.
		Jamie VanWiechen Woolgar VanWiechen Ketcheson Ducoffe LLP Jamie practises commercial litigation with an emphasis on employment, commercial tenancy and property matters. Jamie graduated from the Faculty of Law at Dalhousie University in 1988 and practised for several years in commercial litigation at a prestigious downtown Toronto firm prior to starting the firm with Mark Woolgar in 1992. Jamie has appeared before all levels of Court in Ontario and conducted hearings before numerous tribunals.
		Angelika Heim Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP Angelika represents clients in all areas of media and entertainment law. She advises her clients on matters related to music recording and publishing, film, television, book and magazine publishing, theatre, video gaming, multimedia and interactive media industries and intellectual property protection. Angelika joined the firm as an associate in June, 2007 after practising at Goodman and Carr LLP for two years in its corporate and entertainment law groups. Before becoming a lawyer, Angelika worked for five years in the theatre, television, film and magazine publishing industries as an actor, producer, director, writer and editor.
		Hilary Goldstein Heenan Blaikie Hilary Goldstein joined Heenan Blaikie’s Entertainment Law Group in 2008. Most recently, Hilary was the EVP of Business and Legal Affairs at a publicly traded Canadian entertainment company and was involved in the production and acquisition of feature films, television and home entertainment content for distribution worldwide, where she dealt with all aspects of production, distribution, financing, and other legal and business issues. Prior to that, Hilary was in private practice as an entertainment lawyer at another leading Canadian law firm. Hilary has represented various banks and financiers in all aspects of production financing for the motion picture and television industry, including international co-productions and international financings, and corporate facilities for entertainment and media companies. She was recognized as a leading practitioner in the area of entertainment law by Woodward/White’s The Best Lawyers in Canada in 2006 and 2007.
		Natasha Gidaro Gardiner Roberts Natasha Gidaro is an associate member of the Business Practices Group and Technology and Intellectual Property Group at Gardiner Roberts and advises clients on a broad range of corporate, commercial and technology matters. Natasha articled at Gardiner Roberts before joining as an associate in 2006. Natasha also has experience conducting corporate transactions in relation to resort financing and development in the Caribbean. Natasha did a two month in-house secondment with a corporate client in the Dominican Republic in 2006.

RSVP to brian@casont.ca

Date: Friday November 28th, 2008
Time: 9:00am - 11:30am
Location: The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge St., 35th floor, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre, access on Yonge St. at Shutter)

View Larger Map

RSVP
to christa@casont.ca
or 416.207.9142

Date: Wednesday November 12, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge St., 35th floor, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre, access on Yonge St. at Shutter)

The Ontario Ministry of International Trade & Investment invites you to join a webinar on the opportunities for Ontario companies in India’s Digital Entertainment Industry.
"(The) Indian animation and gaming industry is growing at over 34.8 per cent CAGR and is expected to cross US$1.3 billion by 2010."
Mr. Tapaas Chakravarti
CEO & Executive Producer DQ Entertainment,
Chairman of FICCI Forum for Animation & Gaming

Tapaas Chakravarti - CEO & Executive Producer DQ Entertainment, Chairman of FICCI Forum for Animation & Gaming (TBC) will join us from India to present an overview of the Digital Entertainment market in India and to discuss and answer questions relating to FRAMES, Asia's largest annual event on the Business of Entertainment.

Corie McDougall - Area Director, South & Southeast Asia, Ministry of International Trade & Investment will discuss the upcoming Ontario Digital Entertainment Trade Mission to India that will include participation in the FICCI FRAMES event.

9:00 am - Welcome & Introductions followed by an overview of the Ontario Digital Entertainment Trade Mission to India - Corie McDougall, Ontario Ministry of International Trade & Investment

9:15 am - Overview of the Indian Animation and Gaming Industry and FICCI FRAMES - Tapaas Chakravarti, CEO & Executive Producer DQ Entertainment and Chairman of FICCI Forum for Animation & Gaming

9:45 am - Q & A Session

10:00 am - Vote of Thanks - Shirley Townsend, Counsellor (Commercial - Ontario) Canadian High Commission, New Delhi

All webinar registrants will receive an information package on the upcoming Ontario Digital Entertainment Trade Mission to India. (Feb. 16-27, 2009)

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ontario Ministry of International Trade Investment
Corie McDougall
Area Director for South Southeast Asia
Tel: (416) 325 6663
E-mail: corie.mcdougall@ontario.ca

REGISTER TODAY

February 16 - 27, 2009 - The Ontario Ministry of International Trade & Investment invites you to join the Ontario, Canada Digital Entertainment Trade Mission to FICCI FRAMES 2009 in Mumbai, India, followed by an associated program to visit key players in the Digital Entertainment, Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects industries in Pune and Hyderabad.

https://www.dom.ontario-canada.com/
FICCI India Mission Invite.pdf

GameON: Finance 2.0 and the Ontario Game Summit are fast approaching but the Early Bird deadline has passed! We still have a few seats left and we would like them to go to our partners, so Interactive Ontario is happy to extend CASO Members a special 20% discount.

From now until October 27th, if you are an IO member and purchase either a GameON: Finance pass or a combo pass (which includes the Ontario Game Summit and GameON: Finance 2.0) you will receive 20% off the Interactive Ontario discounted member price. For non-members of IO, there is a 20% discount off the non-member price.

Visit http://www.gameonfinance.com/content/view/222/97/ and enter the code CASOGOF08 to receive your discount. We look forward to seeing you at GameON:Finance 2.0 and the OGS. Check out our up-to-date list of great speakers and sessions at: http://www.gameonfinance.com

Seating is limited so please act quickly!

(Please see the In The Press page for PDFs of the report, and of this press release in both french and english.)

OTTAWA, September 19, 2008 - Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Association (CASO) President, Neil Williamson, announced the results of the first animation and visual effects (VFX) industry survey last night at a reception held during the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

The study, entitled Economic Profile of the Ontario Computer Animation and Visual Effects Industry, examines the economic profile of the computer animation and visual effects industry in Ontario and develops financial, corporate and employment baseline indicators for future market analysis and comparison. The research develops estimates of total industry revenue, operating expense, output volume, number of employees and future market opportunities.

"After CASO was formed three years ago and we started talking to people about the industry, it became clear that very little distinct information existed about its makeup. With this survey, we are now beginning to form a clear picture of operations in Ontario animation and visual effects studios," says Ron Estey, Past President of CASO.

"The survey is the first major initiative of CASO and a first for the industry," says CASO President, Neil Williamson. "I am pleased that we have taken this critical step in establishing benchmarks for growth in our region. We are extremely grateful to our supporters, including our major contributor the Ontario Media Development Corporation."

"This study underscores the growing importance of the animation and visual effects industry to the Ontario economy," said Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO of the Ontario Media Development Corporation. "Industries in Ontario's entertainment and creative cluster are the cornerstone of the new knowledge-based economy and CASO's members will play a pivotal role in ensuring Ontario is a leader in the global marketplace."

Conducted by Nordicity Group Ltd., the project received funding assistance from the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), York University, Royal Bank of Canada, the City of Toronto - Economic Development, and CASO.

Key findings:

• The majority of computer animation and VFX studios in Ontario are Canadian-owned, privately-held corporations that have been in existence for more than seven years.
• The Ontario computer animation and VFX industry employed a total of 1,600 to 1,900 people in 2007.
• Total Ontario computer animation and VFX industry revenues are estimated to be between $170 million to $200 million annually.
• The number of computer animation minutes produced in Ontario in 2007 is reported to have been between 18,000 and 21,600; the number of shots for VFX was between 7,400 and 8,900.
• Market segments were as follows, 16% of computer animation studios' revenue was derived from feature films, 45% from TV series and 17% from TV commercials. For VFX companies it was the reverse - 44% of VFX survey-sample revenue was derived from feature films and 16% from TV series; 13% was allotted to TV commercials.
• The conventional market segments of television series and feature films continue to be regarded as general growth opportunities for the industry. Emerging market segments such as games, web and mobile content production are also seen as growth opportunities. About 20% of respondents regard web and mobile content production as a growth opportunity for their company.

A full report can be downloaded here.

Nordicity Group Ltd.
Nordicity Group Ltd. (nordicity.com) is one of Canada's leading strategy-consulting firms for clients in the creative, telecommunications and technology industries. Our consultants work with clients in both the private and public sectors to shape business strategy and develop implementation plans.

Ontario Media Development Corporation
Ontario Media Development Corporation's mandate is to build Ontario's cultural industries' capacity and competitiveness. Through tax credits, programs and services for the film and television, book and magazine publishing, music and interactive digital media industries, OMDC maximizes opportunities for growth and innovation in Ontario and abroad. www.omdc.on.ca

Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Association (CASO)
Established in 2005, CASO is a non-profit trade association representing the digital animation and visual effects community in Ontario, Canada. As an advocate for the industry, CASO's primary areas of operation are: International Marketing and Promotion, Industry Statistics and Competitive Advantage, Education and Organizational Relations, Government Relations and Member Services. www.casont.ca.

The Computer Animation Studios of Ontario formally invites you to join us for a FREE CASO / Interactive Ontario Schmoozer

RSVP to samantha@interactiveontario.com
Date: Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: The Rivoli (upstairs) 334 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

View Larger Map

MODERATOR
		Dave Nighswander CA Chartered Accountant, Entertainment and Production CASO Board of Directors - Chair, Finance Dave Nighswander is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years experience, the last 10 specializing in the film and television industry. Dave works with a variety of clients preparing business plans, financing proposals, tax work and general day to day operations. Dave has been a contract CFO for hire and a project specialist in both production and post-production facilities.
PANELISTS
		Daniel McMullen Royal Bank Of Canada, Entertainment Group Daniel F. McMullen is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal. Much of his 20 year banking career involved lending money to the Canadian film industry. He has financed numerous projects including feature films, television series, documentaries and animation programming. Many of these projects were complex international co-productions. He has recently returned to Royal Bank of Canada and has previously worked at HSBC Bank Canada and Security Pacific Bank Canada. He is a frequent speaker at seminars in Canada and the US, and has been a guest lecturer at a number of university courses.
		Sara Tune Business Officer, Tax Credits & Financing Program, OMDC Sara began her film and television career in New York City, working in production. She was involved with a large variety of shoots, from tiny indie films like James Toback's "Black and White," to large studio features and TV series like Paramount's "Zoolander" and HBO's "Oz." A trip to the Toronto International Film Festival sparked Sara's interest in Canadian government support of film and television. So she picked up and moved to Toronto to study the subject at York University's Communication and Culture master's program. Combining her academic and professional interests, Sara currently works at the OMDC, administering tax credits for film, television, special effects and animation.
		Michael Carter President, Two Presidents Productions CASO Board of Directors, Chair, Membership Michael has spent the last ten years immersed in the creative, technical, and business of animation production, including work with internationally acclaimed studios such as Aardman Animation in the UK. A graduate of Sheridan College's prestigious Animation Program, he became the first character animation-trained demo artist for Side Effects Software’s program Houdini, working with Dreamworks SKG and visionaries like Henry LaBounta (Senior CGI Supervisor) on Prince of Egypt and Katsuhiro Otomo (Director of Akira) on 3D animation techniques for Steamboy. As an Executive Producer at AAC/Calibre Digital Pictures, Michael was in charge of all series animation, managing two CGI series and an integrated Stop Motion series simultaneously with 150 staff and a collective production budget exceeding $5 million. His credits include Executive Producer on the CGI/Live Action series' Ace Lightning II and Shoebox Zoo I, as well as the Stop Motion series Henry's World II.
		Andra Shefferr Executive Director, Bell Fund Andra Sheffer is the Executive Director of three private funds supporting the Canadian new media, television and film industries: the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund which invests in Canadian television programs and their associated interactive digital projects; the Independent Production Fund which invests in dramatic television series; and, the COGECO Program Development Fund for the development of dramatic series, MOW's and feature film companies as well as the production of MOW's. From 1979-89 she was the founding Executive Director of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. She lectures on the business and financing of television and new media and is the editor of New Media, New Business: The Producer's Guide(2001) and Create a Winning Proposal - The Handbook for New Media Producers (1999) as well as the co-editor of MAKING IT: the Business of Film and Television Production in Canada (1986 &1995). Previously she served as the Managing Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, and with the federal government as a Certification Officer setting up the original CAVCO office(and Canadian content "point" system), and at the Film Festivals Bureau promoting Canadian films internationally.
		Slavica Ceperkovic Investment Analyst, New Media Slavica Ceperkovic is a New Media Investment Analyst for Telefilm Canada based in the Ontario Nunavut office. The Department of Canadian Heritage has allocated $14.5 million dollars per year to the Canada New Media Fund for a period of two years. Administered by Telefilm Canada, the Fund is a national program which supports the creation and the distribution of interactive digital cultural content products. Previous to her role at Telefilm, Slavica held a faculty position at the Alberta College of Art and Design in the Media Art Digital Technologies Department, managed the co production division at the Banff New Media Institute and was manager of the Interactive Art and Entertainment program at the CFC Media Lab. She holds a BFA from Ryerson University in New Media and a MFA in Cinema and New Media from Le Fresnoy, the National Studio of Contemporary Art of France.

RSVP to christa@casont.ca
or 416.207.9142

Date: Friday June 20th, 2008
Time: 9:00am - 11:30am
Location: The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge St., 35th floor, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre, access on Yonge St. at Shutter)

View Larger Map

The Computer Animation Studios of Ontario formally invites you to a reception on Thursday April 24, 2008 to meet our honored guests from the Los Angeles Film and Television industry.

RSVP by Friday, April 18th*
to christa@casont.ca
or 416.207.9142

Date: Thursday April 24, 2008
Time: 12:15pm - 2:30pm
Location: The Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, 250 Yonge St., 35th floor, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre, access on Yonge St. at Shutter)

January 8 - 11, 2008

The Ontario Media Development Corporation, FilmOntario and the City of Toronto, partners in the operation of the LA Marketing Office, are planning a visit to Los Angeles in January to promote the City and Province as a prime location to create and complete film and television products. We know that many among the sector - producers, directors, studio owners, film support businesses, unions and associations - regularly travel to L.A. during the year. We are hoping that you might consider taking your regular sales, marketing or investment trip during the same period. The idea would be to have a large and broad spectrum of Industry representatives there at the same time and as a result create a great buzz about our jurisdiction.

We are now in the planning stages of a number of meetings and events for that week. Based on the response to this notice we may develop at least one event where all Ontario stakeholders who make the trip will come together with the key clients in Los Angeles. As well, you'll get an opportunity to meet with new clients we hope to influence to come in the future, whether to produce a project, obtain financing, professional services or do their posting. We will cover the expenses related to the joint event but you need to cover the costs of your trip as well as expenses related to your individual business meetings.

If you are interested in joining this initiative, we ask that you let us know if you or another rep from your organization will be in Los Angeles during the January 8 - 11, 2008 time frame and would like to attend the joint event. Please RSVP with a yes, (or a definite maybe if you must), to Donna Zuchlinski at OMDC (dzuchlinski@omdc.on.ca) by November 8 so we can begin to finalize our plans.

Dear Computer Animation Studios of Ontario,

With the prospect that the newly elected Ontario government will address the current and potential situation of Ontario studios -- $US parity, aggressive tax credits in other jurisdictions and competition from low labour cost suppliers in India and elsewhere - CASO will be undertaking an in-depth analysis of Ontario tax credits and other impediments to studios' operations for presentation to the new government.

Based on the position with respect to the screen-based industries that the Liberal party espoused during the election, we are optimistic that our recommendations will be favourably received.

To help us formulate our presentation(s), we wish to reflect the experiences, suggestions and perspectives of all Ontario studios. If you have comments that we may include in our report, please forward them to christa@casont.ca.

Sincerely,

CASO Board of Directors

CASO has been invited to be a participant in assisting Sheridan College map its future direction in digital media research. On April 26, 2007, CASO President Ron Estey will be part of the College’s “The Big Picture: Digital Media Think Tank”.

Sheridan has invited a select group of external stakeholders to do “some serious blue sky thinking” regarding future trends and issues in the digital world.  The College anticipates participation from approximately fifty senior decision makers representing multiple sectors impacted by digital growth.  The “Think Tank” will explore the greatest challenges, opportunities and priorities facing the digital media industry today.

In the Ontario Budget introduced on March 22, 2007, Ontario's Minister of Finance Greg Sorbara proposed the following amendment to OCASE legislation:

This proposal is a direct response to meetings CASO has had with Ministry of Finance officials over the past year. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Ontario Government in assisting the Animation and Digital Effects industry.

The change will greatly simplify payroll administration for studios setting up single purpose corporations to facilitate productions and will harmonize OCASE with the other Ontario credits.

Note that at this time this is a proposed amendment to the legislation and still requires legislative approval.

CASO joins with Greater Toronto Marketing Authority, OMDC and Royal Bank to welcome international trade officials.

The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance is collaborating with the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), a trade association representing Computer Animation and Digital Visual Effects companies, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and RBC Royal Bank to host a networking reception for Toronto's top creative talent and local international trade officials. This event will take place at The Spoke Club located on the 4th floor of 600 King Street West on March 27th starting at 6:00 p.m.

This is an opportunity for Ontario's world-class studios to meet and mingle with trade officials from countries such as India, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. There are more than 52 foreign consulates, embassies and trade offices located in and around Toronto, and we've invited them all to come and meet our studio executives.

Trade officers can play a key role in facilitating international business connections. They are the contact point for companies from their region looking to do business in Canada. The more they know about a company, the more likely they are to recommend that company to their clients.

Prior to the reception, the trade officers will spend the afternoon touring the facilities of CASO members: Optix Digital Pictures, Side Effects Software, Mr. X Inc., Cine Byte Digital, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures and March Entertainment.

CONCERT is the acronym for the Consortium on New Media, Creative and Entertainment R&D in the Toronto Region. As a recipient of funding from the first round of the Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund, CONCERT will establish an innovative, industry-driven GTA innovation consortium of industry, academia, government, and others to support R&D, commercialization, and economic development within screen-based and other innovation-driven creative industries. It will develop an integrated approach, across sectors, to R&D within the industries in the GTA. Linkages and working relationships between the research community and industry will be strengthened, thereby strengthening R&D capacity and economic outcomes and creating a world-leading hub of innovation in the entertainment, screen-based, and creative industries. CONCERT will provide an agenda that is coordinated, strategic and dynamic. The end result will be improved competitive advantage.

More information on CONCERT at:

http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/archive/Release.asp?Release=1202