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The Newsletter of RTA School of Media | March 2013
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Message from the Chair
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Thinking, Creating, Leading is the motto of RTA School of Media, and we are certainly building on all fronts.
As you will see in this edition of the Spotlight, the RTA School of Media continues to move forward in leaps and bounds insuring that it maintains a leadership role as the preeminent school of media in this country. In addition to an amazingly high caliber of students and faculty, and the exciting creative and research work that abounds in our hallways, we are also flourishing with a wealth of ‘newness’. New and energized projects like the Global Campus Network/The Global City, the RTA Transmedia Centre, the RTA School of Bite, RTA in Ghana, RTA Productions and many others join the long list of existing ventures and activities. Our new faculty have also added a breadth to our capabilities and of course we are already feeling the excitement of the ‘New’ New Media program that will accept its first class within RTA this September. We are working hard in developing a renewed curriculum, a possible sports media program and much more.
Thanks to all of you, RTA is truly a place to think, create and lead.
Best wishes,
Charles Falzon
Chair, RTA School of Media
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Story Hackathon
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The RTA School of Media and the RTA Transmedia Center are hosting Toronto’s first STORY HACKATHON. Are you interested the future of storytelling? If you want to use media and tech platforms in innovative ways to develop new forms of entertainment, then you’ll want to find out more! Hackathon is a really cool, intense 24 hour narrative design challenge. Students from across Ryerson will form teams (including writers, creators, programmers and technologists) and work with Distinguished Producer in Residence, Lance Weiler (one of Wired Magazine’s ’25 people changing the face of Hollywood’).
The challenge: creating entertaining, compelling interactive experiences to address a design brief from UNICEF, one of the world’s largest non profits, in 24 hours.
The dates are Friday, March 22 to Saturday, March 23.
For details, visit ryersonrta.com/hackathon.
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RTA Leadership Panel with Linda Schuyler
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Linda Schuyler, the series co-creator and Executive Producer of Degrassi and RTA’s Distinguished Producer in Residence is taking part in a panel discussion about what it is like to be an independent producer, the early days of Degrassi and the importance of good storytelling.
Linda will be joined by RTA Alumni: Emily Andras (Producer/Writer: Lost Girl, Instant Star, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Michael Grassi (Producer/Writer: Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Brendon Yorke (Producer/Writer: Degrassi: The Next Generation, Lost Girl)
For 32 years, the Degrassi series has been part of growing up in Canada, recently airing its 400th episode. Hear Linda describe how Degrassi broke new ground as the first series of its kind to portray real-life teen issues.
This panel will be moderated by RTA Professor, Michael Coutanche.
When: Tuesday, March 12 – 6:30 PM
Where: Rogers Communication Centre, 80 Gould St.
| Eaton Lecture Theatre (RCC204)
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RTA Alumni in LA
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Los Angeles based producer and RTA Alum Arthur Smith (class of 1982), is a lead donor for RTA in LA which brings RTA students together with Hollywood’s movers and shakers for the second time, this August. Now Arthur will chair a campaign to attract and connect with other Radio and Television Arts Alumni in Los Angeles. Arthur is the CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions, one of the largest independent production companies in North America. He has executive produced thousands of hours of programming and countless series on more than 40 networks. Last year Arthur hosted visiting Ryerson students on the set of his show, the Emmy and People’s Choice award nominated, Hell’s Kitchen.
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PodCamp Toronto 2013
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PodCamp is Toronto’s largest gathering of members of the new media community. This year’s camp took place February 23rd and 24th. It is the largest event hosted by RTA in the Rogers Communications Centre. Last year’s attendance alone was over 1,300 people. What makes PodCamp unique is that every participant has the opportunity (and is encouraged) to lead a seminar or offer their expertise as part of a panel discussion. It provides a venue to share passion and knowledge about all things new media.
Thanks go out to 4th year student, Joan Digba, and the staff of the Rogers Communications Centre for their key role in the event.
Photo credit: Griffin Technology
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Faculty and Staff Updates
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The Smithsonian has named Dr. Hossein Rahnama as one of the Top 6 Innovators to Watch this year. Dr. Rahnama is the brainchild behind Flybits, mobile apps software that can be used by travelers at airports or on transit systems to provide personalized and contextually relevant information, such as directions to the car rental counters or the gate to your connecting flight after you get off a plane.
And congratulations to Dr. Rahnama for his appointment to be part of the NSERC Council (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada).
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Dr. Greg Elmer has been invited to serve as a visiting faculty fellow during his upcoming sabbatical in the Department of Media & Communication at Goldsmiths College, University of London. The Department was recently ranked as the 4th most research productive Media program in the U.K. (Research Assessment Exercise). Greg will be conducting research on the history of social media monetization and
financialization.
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Dr. Marusya Bociurkiw has been recognized for her extensive work in media studies and identity as recipient of the 2013 Faculty SRC Award. These are given to deserving faculty members on an annual basis for outstanding achievement in scholarly, research and creative activity and impact on their disciplines during the previous academic year.
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On February 28th, Charles Falzon (Chair, RTA School of Media) took home two awards for his show ARTZOOKA! at the Canadian Screen Awards (formerly known as the Geminis). ARTZOOKA! airs nationally on CBC Television and was recognized for the following:
- Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series
- Best Host in a Pre-School, Children’s or Youth Program or Series
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Students and Alumni
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RTA at Second City
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For 64 years, RIOT! has entertained Ryerson University with original sketches written and performed primarily by RTA students. But this year, they’re kicking it up a notch! For the first time ever, RIOT! will perform at the Second City Mainstage – the same place that helped comedy legends Colin Mochrie, Mike Myers, and John Candy get their start! This is an excellent opportunity for homegrown RTA talent to be showcased at a professional level, which was a main goal set out by the show’s producer Simon Paluck and co-producer Shreya Khanna. The cast of RIOT! 2013, Dan Brioux, Steve Cooke, Daniel Corrigan, Julia Lennox, Eddie Majnemer, Alessandra Manieri, Thom Pardo, Ashley Peters, Gavin Pounds, and Jorge Vasconez will hit the stage Thursday, March 28 at 11:00 pm in a final performance of RIOT! 2013: Paint the Town Fuchsia!
Head to secondcity.com for tickets.
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Count Me In
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Shane Feldman is a first year RTA student who has a lot more than just school on his plate. He is the organizer of ‘Count Me In’, an upcoming conference that’s all about promoting volunteerism for youth. It’s described as the largest youth-run event of its kind in Canada. About 1,500 students from across Ontario are expected at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on April 17th. One of the goals is to help students find volunteer opportunities that match their interests. Actress Kristin Chenoweth will appear via video and speakers will include Annaleise Carr, the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario and nine-year-old environmental activist Maddie Cranston.
Find out more: cmicountmein.com
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RTA and Oprah / Taylor Lindsay-Noel
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First year student Taylor Lindsay-Noel took part in a new documentary series called Life Story Project on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The show hosts drag a giant purple couch all over Toronto and invite people plucked from the street to tell their stories. In 2008, Taylor was an elite gymnast. She shared the story of the accident that left her paralyzed after breaking her neck during a practice session.
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Mayaan Ziv
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Mayaan Ziv (class of 2012) received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presented the award to Mayaan "for increasing awareness for disabilities in the arts." Mayaan says, “I am a super proud Canadian and RTA Grad for having been able to contribute to our amazing country."
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Editor: Marion Coomey
| Web: Joanna Lau |
Design: Joanna Lau / Dwight Alexander
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