Introducing Harvardwood Vancouver-Seattle Chapter — Harvardwood’s First Canadian-American Joint Chapter

Jennifer Jue-Steuck - Writer, Researcher & Co-President of Harvardwood Vancouver-Seattle

Harvardwood (Harvard + Hollywood) is a nonprofit organization for professionals in the arts, media and entertainment. Originally created by members of the Harvard University community, Harvardwood has grown to include chapters around the world for people who believe in the power and purpose of the arts.

Join us in a discussion to share your ideas, and learn how you can become involved in Harvardwood’s very first joint Canadian-American Chapter: Harvardwood Vancouver-Seattle.

Creating Opportunities: The Path from VFX to Directing

Freddy Chávez Olmos, Director at Directors Guild of Canada, VFX Compositing Supervisor at Image Engine.

Animators and VFX artists talk about ideas and projects they want to accomplish, but very few get to the finish line to complete them. This is a struggle most artists go through when trying to create their own stories.

In this talk, I will use myself as a case study to share my experiences and struggles while becoming a director with a VFX background and how I learned to achieve those goals by hustling and creating my opportunities.

Panel: With more women entering the industry, why are we losing them before their careers blossom?

Delna Bhesania, Former CEO and Co-Founder of Bardel Entertainment

Rose-Ann Tisserand, Founder Women in Animation, Flying Kraken Creative

What can employers and employees do to retain women in the industry?

Some initiatives include flexible hours, offering child care, and career development plans to help women prosper in the industry.

As a result, women can bring unique perspectives and stories to their studios. Employers should work with them and other minority groups to help them succeed in the industry.

How the pandemic opened the animation and film industry for people with disabilities.

Ally Robertson, CG Animation Revisionist, Atomic Cartoons

Before the pandemic, remote jobs in the animation industry were almost nonexistent. Instead, working remotely was reserved for experienced professionals.

When the pandemic hit, our industry had to learn to adapt to the circumstances, and it did so because it finally had the incentive to change practices. As a result, many disabled artists can re-train and enter these exciting and growing digital entertainment industries.

Breaking Game Design

Tony Wu - Game Designer, Button Check.

Attendees will gain a better understanding of what game designers do on a project and learn the process of becoming a game designer and how education can help that process.

Additionally, this session gives the audience a better insight into what a game designer does and how to become one.

5 Keys To Succeed: How to Thrive in VFX

Laura LeBlanc, Lead Lighting TD @ ILM

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. It is one thing to finally get that first job in the industry, but it is another to stand out and succeed as an artist. While talent can get you decently far, there are many other skills and traits that leadership looks for when crewing for shows. I will discuss 5 key things it takes to thrive in the industry and keep getting hired or extended at a studio.

Why Concept Art is the freedom to create?

Adrian E. - Sr. Concept Artist.

In this session, the audience will learn what concept art is. The fun, creative role a Concept Artists play in the design and creation of every visual aspect that a movie, tv-show, or game needs.

When choosing a career path, people might not understand the difference between the different roles artists take on a project (Concept, Animation, VFX, etc.). This topic will highlight the role a concept artist plays in a project.

Artists are Entrepreneurs

Jeremy Stewart - Co-founder, Animism Studios

You will learn the parallels between entrepreneurship and a career as an artist. Anyone with a career in VFX, Animation, or Videogames has much in common with someone who runs a small business. I will explain why thinking like an entrepreneur helps artists secure a thriving career in the VFX and Animation industries.

Getting There From Here: Preparing for Professional Life

David Andrews - Animation Director, DNEG.

How do aspiring artists prepare for a professional life in Computer Animation? And once there, how does one continue to develop as an artist? It's about soft skills, which are as important as hard ones.

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