Here are seven Indigenous filmmakers located across Canada that you need to explore!

By: Sophia Lin

With National Indigenous Peoples Day around the corner, we are spotlighting some of the incredible Canadian Indigenous filmmakers in the business today. Working as directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors, these talented artists have lent their skills and unique voices to some of the best work in Canadian film.

1. Tracey Deer

Tracey Deer is a Mohawk director and screenwriter. In her words, she seeks to better the world “one frame at a time.” Her feature film Beans (2020), is a coming-of-age tale set during the Oka Crisis. Recently, it was screened and honoured at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Additionally, her work was screened at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. As well, she has been broadcasted on CBC. With her own production company, Mohawk Princess Productions, Deer plans to produce fiction shorts.

2. Jeff Barnaby

A Mi’kmaq filmmaker from Quebec, Barnaby has two acclaimed feature films under his belt. His first film, Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013), premiered at TIFF. It tells a harrowing story in the context of the residential school system.

A year later, Barnaby was contacted by the National Film Board of Canada. They reached out for him to film a short documentary. His film Blood Quantum  (2019) showcasing Mi’kmaq voices, putting a twist on the classic zombie genre.

3. Loretta Todd

Loretta Todd began in TV and documentary work, before getting into directing. Her debut narrative feature was Monkey Beach in 2020. Adapted from Eden Robinson’s eponymous novel, it opened to much acclaim at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

She is a filmmaker of mixed Cree-Métis and European ancestry and has worked in a variety of media, including animation and interactive. In 1998, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Taos Talking Pictures Festival.

4. Bretten Hannam

Hannam is a Two-Spirit L’nu screenwriter and director. With their latest film Wildhood (2021), they sought to tell a never-before-seen Two-Spirit story of a young man rediscovering himself. He embarks on a road trip through Eastern Canada and reconnects with his heritage. It received six Canadian Screen Award nominations, marking a historic moment for queer BIPOC Canadian artists.

Their work, both shorts and feature-length, focuses around themes of community, culture, and LGBTQ+ identity, and has been honoured at festivals around North America.

5. Amanda Strong

A multiple award-winning Michif filmmaker, Strong’s work lies mainly in the realms of stop-motion, animation, and virtual reality. She takes an interdisciplinary, multi-layered approach to her work, creating some of the most innovative projects out there — including Biidaaban (2018) and Four Faces of the Moon (2016).

Her production company Spotted Fawn Productions is a large part of her mission to reclaim Indigenous histories, lineage, and culture.

6. Danis Goulet

Sundance, Berlin International Film Festival, and MoMA have all screened many of Danis Goulet’s films. Of Cree-Métis descent, she is one of the foremost emerging Indigenous filmmakers today. Most recently, she won the TIFF Emerging Talent Award with her debut feature Night Raiders (2021). 

She got her foot in the door as a casting coordinator, then dove into the directing side of the industry. By doing so, she honed creative control over Indigenous stories. In 2021, she completed production on a thriller film for Netflix.

7. Christopher Auchter

Chris Auchter grew up in Haida Gwaii, BC. An animator, illustrator, and documentary filmmaker, his work deeply roots his storytelling in the Haida people and their land. His 2017 short, The Mountain of SGaana (2017), creatively combined traditional animation with elements of Haida art.

The films he creates are often hailed as innovative and integrative. How People Got Fire (2009) was an animation film he made, entirely using charcoal, for the National Film Board of Canada.

These seven Indigenous filmmakers are incredibly influential in the Canadian film industry. Their work is redefining Canadian film and we cannot wait to see what stories they share next.

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Wondering how to become a VFX artist? We have everything you need to know about how to learn VFX compositing and make your mark in the industry!

By: Kennedy Randall

Visual effects (VFX) makes up the computer-generated images that you see on the screen. Whether it’s the monster that comes out from under the bed, the epic good vs. evil superhero battles, or the dinosaurs in Jurassic World, these characters and scenes come alive through VFX. And this is true in all forms of media in the entertainment industry today. Not only do blockbuster movies need visual effects, but so do advertisements, commercials, TV series, and more. 

Pursuing a career in VFX means you are creative, handy with technology, and looking to tell visual stories. There are many different roads you could take in the VFX industry. In this guide on how to become a VFX artist, we’ll tell you what VFX artists do, where VFX artists work, and VFX artist salary. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about a career in VFX. 

Click here to learn more about InFocus Film School’s Compositing for Visual Effects Program

What Do VFX Artists Do?

VFX is a wide term to describe artists who use computer software to create computer generated images (CGI) that are unable to be captured by a camera. These digital assets are combined with live action shots and are integrated into most movies and television shows nowadays. 

Within this broad umbrella of VFX, there are dozens of different roles that are employed at the studio, which we will go over in a moment. This is called the VFX pipeline, which is the process of different VFX roles who work together to make computer generated images and bring all these different elements to life on screen. If you become a VFX artist, there are many different roles you could undertake. 

Below, we have outlined some of the roles that make the VFX pipeline run smoothly.

Types of VFX Work

1. Previsualist

Firstly a previsualist, you will create 3D animated versions of film storyboards. You need to know how to use 3D software to create the director’s vision. 

2. Concept Artists

Concept artists take a brief, prepared by the client or a supervisor, and turn that into something that can come alive on screen. They guide the rest of the pipeline artists as they create the movie. 

3.Modellers

To create the environment on screen, modellers create the objects, characters, and landscapes in 3D. You will have to know how to model just about anything, because your projects will vary! Modellers need immense flexibility and skill.

4.Texture Artists

After the models are created, texture artists apply shaders to the mesh, which is the primary structural build of a 3D model. This is a time consuming process, as this is what makes the models look realistic on screen. Use your patience and skill to work with the rest of your team to create a realistic end result. 

5. Riggers

From there, riggers take a model and build the character’s skeleton so it can be animated and move on screen. You will bridge the work between the modeller and the animator, making sure that the animator can create visuals that move realistically from the model. 

6. Matte Painters

Matte painters work from the concept artist’s work to create realistic environments for the animations to be integrated on seamlessly.

7. 3D Animator

At this stage, it is passed to the 3D animator who takes a character and object and makes it come live! Because this is a hefty job, some studios spread out the types of animation across different roles like junior animators, assistant animators, stop motion animators, and many more

8. Technical Directors

Technical directors (TD), then use special effects to create effects such as explosions, water, debris, and more. There are also lighting TDs who replicate realistic lighting in the shots. There are also rendering TDs, who ensure that everything is running smoothly on the computer end of the pipeline. 

9. Compositor

The compositor puts all of these elements together, using a keen eye for detail to integrate elements of a shot. Unsurprisingly, this takes a lot of patience and time to figure out solutions to get all the various elements of the pipeline to work together. 

10. Roto Artist

Roto artists work alongside the compositor to create the mattes they need. These artists are huge team players, making everyone’s lives easier. Many compositors begin as roto artists, meaning this is a role you can move up from!

11. Pipeline TD

Finally, there is a pipeline TD who is a team player, overseeing the entire pipeline and making it run efficiently and smoothly. You need to know how to troubleshoot the entire pipeline, using knowledge of each position and how they work together in order to solve problems that may arise. 

Where do VFX Artists Work?

VFX artists work wherever entertainment industries are found. VFX artists either work with a studio or freelance, working on things from games, film and television. This is especially common in major city centres that have companies looking for VFX artists. The first places people think of are Los Angeles and London but prestigious studios exist everywhere. There is WetaFX in New Zealand or Animal Logic in Sydney, Australia. 

You also might be surprised to learn Canada also has many VFX studios, mainly located in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. The VFX industry in Vancouver (otherwise called Hollywood North) is booming, with many companies growing and relocating to the area. There are also many opportunities to study in these VFX hubs, with courses like this 6-month program that can set you up for success in the VFX industry and become a VFX artist.

Sony Pictures Imageworks is one of Vancouver’s largest VFX and animation studios. With opportunities to work on movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Spiderman, keep your eyes posted for job listings once you learn VFX and compositing. 

Industry Light and Magic (ILM) is a visual effects studio located in Vancouver that has worked on Marvel Universe films like Infinity War, Black Panther, Thor: Ragnraok and more. Further, DNEG (Double Negative) is a star in the VFX Vancouver world. They have won a slew of awards including 5 Academy Awards, 5 Bafta Awards, and 11 Visual Effects Society Awards.

A city like Vancouver is a great place to become a VFX artist, full of opportunities and impressive companies. 

As well, Montreal has many companies like Digital Domain, Mill Film and Mr. X Inc, which has offices in both Montreal and Toronto. Canada’s VFX industry is booming, and there is no better place to get your career started!

What is a VFX Artist’s Salary?

When considering how to become a VFX artist, you may be wondering how much do VFX artists earn? According to Glassdoor, Vancouver’s VFX industry is paying well! A VFX artist’s salary in Vancouver is around $57,179 and is predicted to rise. Across Canada, the average VFX artist salary is $55,741, meaning wherever you go in Canada, VFX is booming. As the demand for VFX grows, the average Canadian VFX salary increases with it, with expected growth in the next couple years. 

Why are VFX Artists in Demand?

Nowadays, VFX artists are in high demand and continue to be as our world becomes increasingly digitized. Most of the movies and television shows nowadays use VFX and this will increasingly continue to be the case. As well, VFX artists are needed now outside of the entertainment industry, in advertisements, various commercial companies, and more. 

With this in mind, VFX is a highly employable industry and it will continue to be for years to come. Now that it is the standard for visual effects to be used in many films, it will never go away. Rather, it will continue becoming more advanced and creative. If you become a VFX artist, the opportunities where you can work will continue to grow. 

Overall, when wondering how to become a VFX artist, there are many different roles and places where you can work. Therefore, all that’s left to do is to master the skills and follow your dreams. Once you learn VFX and compositing, nothing can stop you. Work hard, be persistent, and soon we’ll all see your work on the big screen. 

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Filmmaking is about telling stories. What makes a meaningful film is the story you tell and how you capture it. Filmmaker and radio-host, Valécia Pépin has the courage to share real stories on screen and the talent to produce them. InFocus Film School is proud to announce that Pépin has been selected as the winner of the InFocus $10,000 Scholarship. Her short film Illusion: The Fear documents her own experience as a young woman struggling to free herself from a pimp who was taking advantage of her. We were touched by her story, her talent, and her relentless courage to push forward and keep creating in spite of her difficult past. We cannot wait to have her become a part of the InFocus family this September and see what she creates next.

Pépin was born in Haiti and was adopted by a family who resides in Quebec City. At nine months old, on Christmas Eve, 1989 she moved to Canada. She grew up in Quebec, surrounded by painting, cameras, and media from an early age.

“I have always been an artist, if I can say, because my mom was bringing me to workshops, she was always painting,” she said. “I used to be a model from two years old, so I started being in front of the camera very young.”

Pépin has always been fascinated by media and its capacity for storytelling. She was the host of her high school radio show and went on to work for CBC radio in Edmonton for many years. She knew by the age of fifteen that she wanted to be in front of the camera telling stories. It wasn’t until someone prompted her to share her own story that she decided to take a stab at behind the camera.

“At first I didn’t want to share my stories. I moved from Quebec to Edmonton because people were telling me, because of my past you will never reach your goals or your dreams. You can forget it.” 

However, this didn’t stop her. She shared her past of getting caught up with pimps as a young girl and forced to do things that she didn’t want to do. Pépin has begun to share her story through film in order to help spread awareness about this taboo subject that isn’t widely discussed.

“I can help, I can share, I can listen. People will come to me and tell me I went through this, or my sister, or my child, or my nephew.  If someone told me how these things happen, or saw it on TV, I would know the red flags and be aware. I want to spread awareness on this whole world.”

Subjects like sex work, prositution, and its dangers are often taboo in our mediascape, but its out there. It takes a lot of courage to share your own difficult past, but it makes a real story – a story that we can’t wait to see on the big screen.

With her scholarship, Pépin will be enrolling in our 12-month Film Production Program starting this September. 

“I fell in love with the camera, the angles, what you want to project, and what you want to see and share and all that. I fell in love with the lens, how it works. I am comfortable being in front of the camera, but I need more experience. I need to learn how and know everything and make my own decisions behind the camera. I need the skills to do what I love” she added.

Valécia Pépin has unbelievable resilience, talent, and passion for storytelling. She has never given up, even when things have gotten tough. Her dedication and hardwork has got her so far already and we cannot wait to see what she accomplishes during her time at InFocus. 

“When life wants you somewhere they will bring you there, and this is why I keep doing this.”

Five of our talent students have been featured in the Graphis New Talent Annual 2022! Check out their imaginative and creative designs below. 

For new graduates or people new to the graphic design industry can attest it is daunting getting your start. Five of our alumni from our Graphic and Digital Design program, however, have proved that hard work pays off. These five talented graphic designers have been honoured in this year’s Graphis New Talent Annual.

Graphis New Talent Annual awards students who, with help from their esteemed professors, produced polished works during their Graphic Design program. After selection, it is compiled in a book which is available for purchase digitally or in hard copy. The competition is steep – over 1000 submissions from international esteemed art schools. 

InFocus is proud of Adrienne Noble, who’s work was awarded gold in the annual. “Finding out that I won GOLD in Graphis Annual’s 2022 New Talent Division was like a huge warm hug from the multiverse!” she said. Her stunning logo will appear in both the hardcover print copies and the digital copy of the annual. 

Her logo, shown below, was made in our Adobe Illustrator class with professor Lelia Singleton. “Lelia trusted me and helped to squash my new designer insecurities and imposter syndrome! The InFocus instructors are passionate and caring. They provide a real working knowledge of the tools that are required to succeed as a graphic designer” she said. 

After InFocus, Adrienne settled into her own freelance graphic design business called Honey Wolf Creative. “The accelerated program provides students with all the skills they need to leave feeling confident and prepared to start working in the industry upon graduation.”

Four of our other talented alumni received honourable mentions for their work done at InFocus. Renée Bouche created beverage labels called “Respectfull Pints” that call attention to women’s safety and sexual assault. Her “better-believe-her bitter” and “contest-is-sexy stout” boasts 100% of your daily nutritional value of respect! It is no surprise this imaginative and advocative design received an honourable mention. 

“This program is designed for the determined and has likely tested you, challenged you and pushed you to your limits. While, you may want to put down the mouse, trackpad, or stylus, have no fear! It won’t be long until your hard work is recognized outside of the classroom.” Renee added. Indeed, her hard work has paid off being recongized this year in the Graphis New Talent Annual!

Another honourable mention came in for Jill Chao-sheng Li who designed a logo for the Van Gogh Museum in Lelia Singleton’s Adobe Illustrator class. “I love how all the instructors just want the best out of us. They are committed and want to teach us everything they know just to see us succeed,” Jill added.

Like many of our other graduates, she has already made a splash in the graphic design industry. She landed a full-time graphic design job 3 months after graduating from the program.

“The class schedule was intense and took real effort to put everything we learned into practice. However, this was an investment I made for myself. It led me to being part of the new talent annual, winning the Indigo Design award, and landing my first full-time graphic design job. I want to attribute it all to InFocus, the instructors and my wonderful classmates. None of this would happen if I didn’t join this program” she said. 

Bruno Cunha made a fantastic poster designed in Lelia’s Adobe Illustrator class that would warm any pet lover’s heart! Seeing the creativity intertwine between image, text, and meaning in all the designs that have been chosen is astounding. Calling for more pet-friendly housing in British Columbia, Bruno makes a stance through his design. 

Finally, Ángela Núñez Cadenas’s stunning poster and whimsical stationary system designed in Lelia’s Adobe Illustrator class was selected by Graphis. Her poster brings to the forefront sustainability in fashion. As well, her stationary system for the underwater museum make nature and animals come alive on the page.

“Firstly, I learned so much while studying at InFocus film school. I also want to say thank you to Leila because she helped us a lot and pushed us to take part in this competition. The things she taught us and the way she supported us is the reason why we got these awards” Angela said.

Not only does eco-friendly fashion endure, but our students do too! The hard work that our 6 month program expects has paid off with their awards at Graphis New Talent Annual. “It’s encouraging to see this young group entering the real world with the professional skills needed to be successful,” said co-founder and creative director Travis Tatum, of Tatum Designs. After six months, are students are set up for success in the industry.

If you want to learn more about our graphic design program, click here for more information. 

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Considering 3D Animation training? Look no further – we have six steps to help you make your way in the 3D animation industry!

By: Sophia Lin

The 3D animation industry is booming with the rise of visual effects, the popularity of video games, and advancements like interactive and virtual reality 3D. These developments are all to thank for its recent and projected growth. Across the board, there’s no doubt that 3D animation is the future. But if, like many, you’re looking to get into this lucrative industry, there’s likely one key question you have. How do you start?

Well, that’s what we’re here to tackle. 3D animation is a complex, multi-faceted industry, but getting a start in it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can be a smooth, clear path to employment

So, if you’re hunting for an all-around guide to breaking in and getting the 3D animation training you need, look no further. We’ve broken it all down into 6 compact steps, so you can take that first leap with no hesitation.

Click here to learn more about InFocus Film School’s 3D Animation and Visual Effects Program

1. Getting Acquainted with the Industry

The first step is to get familiarized with the industry itself. Knowing about its present outlook and its future advancements is very important. This encompasses a thorough knowledge of 3D animation, such as its applications in animated feature films, video games, and live-action films. Not to mention, it’s worthwhile to get a feel for the general daily tasks of a 3D animator. This involves substantial initial research, blocking out poses, and refining character movements.

Beyond that, you should aim for a cursory understanding of the animating process. It’s quite a technically rigorous procedure, with many steps requiring various types of 3D animation training. Many specialists are involved — first to model the character, then rig it with bones, skin weights, and constraints, and finally animate it.

2. Know the Job Market

The second course of action is to gain an understanding of the current job market and what’s in store. For instance, 3D animation jobs are, at the moment, more abundant than ever. This sector is predicted to continue a promising upward trend in the decades to come. It’s key to understand the underlying drivers as well. In this case, the aforementioned considerations like video games and VFX contribute, with digital streaming acting as a foremost factor.

Equally crucial is building a knowledge of the expanding uses of 3D animation. Today, 3D animation is used in many Hollywood films and live-action movies. When it comes to live-action films, the work of a 3D animator can appear in many forms. 3D animators can create something as small animated animal and others the size of buildings — think Godzilla.

3. Get A Hold of Software

To begin any sort of 3D animation training, having software is a must. Thankfully, an assortment of possibilities is out there, for a variety of aims and interests. The industry-standard software is Autodesk Maya, commonly just called Maya. It features a powerful toolset and top-of-the-line animation tools. For those aiming to do animation professionally, this is the best choice. It is excellent for anything from motion graphics to environments to character creation.

In terms of the costs, Maya has a monthly fee, but students can access it for free. Another well-known and versatile software is Blender, a free, open-source program that features its fair share of functionalities as well. Yet another option is Autodesk 3ds Max, which is designed for creating professional 3D animations and design visualizations. Like Maya, the software requires a paid subscription, however, it is also free for students.

4. Take Relevant 3D Animation Training Courses

Like any fast-paced industry, effective learning and up-to-date knowledge are fundamental components of a successful career. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of the successful, working 3D animators today are funnelled in from some type of relevant course, most typically through film school connections. 

Some courses specializing in 3D animation can be taken online or purchased via various platforms — they are often taken on your own time, with no live professors. Another option is a formal 3D animation training program at a film school. These courses provide you with an array of animation resources, as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. For a highly technical field like animation, working with industry-experienced professionals gives aspiring 3D animators a leg up. Not only do they have a wide array of connections, but also a mastery of current industry standards in 3D animation. Because many of them work while being instructors, they have a wide breath of knowledge in the industry. And don’t be daunted by the commitment — some schools have one-year programs, designed for students to enter the industry right away.

5. Understand Different 3D Animation Roles

Part of what makes the world of animation so diverse and multi-disciplinary is the substantial assortment of positions that 3D animators can take on. As someone looking to find their place in the industry, it’s essential to get a grasp of what’s out there before you dive in. Starting with more entry-level jobs, there are junior concept artists, who experiment with ideas and create the first sketches of a project. A more popular one is a junior animator. They brainstorm ideas, research a character’s motion, and refine the quality of overall animations.

Moving up in the ranks, you have jobs like character animators and props animators. These are the people who develop characters and render props assets, respectively. Other top jobs consist of character riggers, 3D modellers, effects animators, render wrangler, and the list goes on and on. These positions, however, require higher levels of 3D animation training, coupled with reliable experience in the specific field.

6. Build A Network

When you are first getting started, it is important to make contacts in the industry. This can happen anywhere and anytime, so long as you reach out, stay proactive, and keep in touch. To begin, this can look like hopping on relevant online groups and forums. You could also join learning groups, or try tutorials. One route that works for both your network and your craft is sharing your work online and asking for feedback. You will not only grow and learn, but you will make yourself known to your fellow animators.

It may not be duly evident, but the people you offer some help to or strike up a conversation with will be the collaborators, supporters, and mentors helping you down the line. As a beginner, those in your local animation scene will be glad to guide you, having been in the very same place themselves. So, go to events, screenings, and festivals, ask all your questions, and put yourself out there!

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