NORTH Students, alumni and film industry aficionados alike have a major reason to celebrate as the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation officially opens its doors Feb. 17 at Capilano University's North Vancouver campus.

Home to the largest full-time four-year production-oriented film degree program in Western Canada, the award-winning 6,662 square-metre (71,709 sq. ft.) LEED Gold standard facility will provide every tool necessary to create a production, both live-action and animated, from idea to final releasable production.

Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and for Western Economic Diversification and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Advanced Education, and Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour, will be on hand for the official opening celebration this evening.

"Our government's investments in college and university infrastructure have created and maintained jobs across Canada," said Parliamentary Secretary Saxton. "This project will allow Capilano University to strengthen its reputation as an innovative leader in our community and across Canada."

The project was first announced in 2009 with a $30.2-million combined contribution from the federal and provincial governments under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Through their philanthropic leadership, Nat and Flora Bosa donated $6 million last year (the largest private donation in the university's 43-year history) to support the centre that now carries their name. Capilano University also received $969,000 in February 2011 from Western Economic Diversification Canada to help purchase the latest three-dimensional (S3D) equipment for the centre.

"Capilano University's new film and animation facility will help students get the crucial job skills they'll need to be competitive in the industry," said Yamamoto. "The Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation is an example of how partnerships help the success of the BC Jobs Plan - helping to create and nurture an environment that supports good jobs for British Columbia families."

The construction of the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre was one of 39 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout the province that were part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a joint federal-provincial investment designed to renew infrastructure at post-secondary institutions across B.C. while also providing local jobs for communities.

"We are deeply appreciative of the contributions made by the federal and provincial governments, as well as the generous financial support received from the Bosa family," said Capilano University president and vice-chancellor, Kris Bulcroft. "It is especially rewarding to see our vision of creating a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial filmmakers move forward through the meaningful assistance and leadership of so many."

Capilano University has been a major player for many years in providing the education and real-world training necessary to build British Columbia's thriving film and animation industries. The Bosa Centre will be one of the top film and animation teaching facilities in all of North America and a cornerstone for young talented filmmakers to learn and maintain B.C.'s position as a leader in this industry. It will also benefit Capilano University's four-year film graduates, who will be able to use the centre for their own projects, as well as industry professionals who will use the facility for S3D skills upgrading and low budget productions.

"This is an industry that employs 35,000 people and injects more than $2 billion annually into the provincial economy," said Peter Leitch, president of North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios. "Capilano University's film and animation programs produce skilled graduates capable of strengthening the industry's growth, and the Bosa Centre will ensure that students and industry workers alike are provided with the necessary tools for creating excellence in their productions."

As a result of the new facility, B.C. will continue to produce graduates who are fully trained and capable of advancing the province's competitiveness in attracting film productions.

"I would like to express my deep appreciation to the members of B.C.'s film industry for their ongoing support of this project over the past several years," said Bosa Centre director, Bill Thumm. "The planning, funding and execution of this project was made a reality through the industry's continued encouragement and backing."

Capilano University has forged a strong collaborative relationship with its surrounding community leaders and employers to ensure that the content of all career and professional programs are consistently reviewed and kept relevant to industry trends and practices.

Learn More:

Capilano University: www.capilanou.ca

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts: www.capilanofilm.ca

Capilano University's Animation department: www.capilanou.ca/programs/animation

Knowledge Infrastructure Program: http://ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan: www.BCJobsPlan.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Government of British Columbia
Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

Government of Canada (Knowledge Infrastructure Program)
Stephanie Thomas
Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613 960-7728

Capilano University
Shelley Kean
Public Affairs Office
604 983-7596
604 868-4374 (cell)
skean@capilanou.ca

Western Economic Diversification
Jaime Burke
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-1318

BACKGROUNDER 1

Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation

• Groundbreaking was held on Aug. 24, 2009.

• Classes started in the new facility on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

• Size of the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation at Capilano University: Approximately 6,662 sq. metres (71,709 sq. ft.)

The Bosa Centre was acknowledged in January 2011 with an Award of Excellence by Canadian Architect Magazine. Designed by Vancouver architectural firm, Cannon Design, the building was described by the magazine as a "machine for film ...a device in support of the teaching of film... based on an understanding of where architecture and cinema merge."

Equipment available includes:

• Cameras, monitors, two S3D camera rigs, and other supporting technology.

• A 200-seat high definition/3D theatre.

• Industry-standard sound mixing and recording studios.

• An 743-square-metre (8,000 square-foot) sound stage.

• Picture editing labs; sound editing labs.

• Digital and commercial animation labs.

• A teaching studio for cinematography.

• Costuming studios.

• Two visual effects labs.

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts:

• Proposed number of students served: Approximately 400 annually.

• Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts is the largest film school in Western Canada.

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts has been preparing students for the film and television industries for more than a decade. It works closely with the industry to advance B.C.'s competitive advantage. The School of Motion Picture Arts includes:

• Motion Picture Production

• Film Institute

• Cinematography for Film and Video

• Documentary

• Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking

• Costuming for Stage and Screen

• Entry-Level Film Grip

• Entry-level Film Lighting

Entry-Level Set Dresser

The University's Continuing Education department also offers a variety of film studies programs, including Film Industry Orientation, Intro and Advanced Script Supervision and Continuity, and Edit Like a Pro.

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts attracts students from around the globe and emulates the production process which engages a variety of disciplines, including script writers, lighting technicians, camera operators, makeup and wardrobe personnel, office staff, drivers, art directors, set decorators, editors, location scouts and special effects people. After the production stage, a new group of people is involved, including sound effects editors, foley artists, re-recordists, dialogue editors, sound mixers, music composers, and visual effects experts who work with the director to put together the many visual and aural elements that go into the film.

Capilano University programs are led by faculty who are working members of B.C.'s film industry. Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts programs emulate real-world situations, challenges, stresses and opportunities, and are held in high regard by the B.C. film community.

The new Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts degree at Capilano University combines practice and field protocol, opportunities for technical, aesthetic, and creative innovation, and integration with theoretical and critical perspectives, allowing graduates to be active, contributing members of industry and the community. It contributes to an increase in industry capacity and to the growth of the local and national creative communities.

Capilano University grads are amassing an ever-increasing portfolio of awards and accolades, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing at such prestigious international festivals as Young Cuts (Toronto) and the New York Independent Film Festival. The MPPP third year 30-minute CSI documentary received rave reviews from CSI producers and executives. Elijah, a movie co-produced by Motion Picture Production program instructor, Ki Wight, picked up Best TV Movie and Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini Series at the 24th Gemini Awards. Elijah also won Leo Awards for Best Feature Length Drama, Best Screenwriting in a Feature Length Drama, Best Musical Score in a Feature Length Drama and Best Picture Editing in a Feature Length Drama.

Contact:

Capilano University
Shelley Kean
Public Affairs Office
604 983-7596
604 868-4374 (cell)
skean@capilanou.ca

BACKGROUNDER 2

B.C.'s film industry

As part of the new economy, the motion picture and animation industries are predicted to continue on high trajectory growth. The industry's contribution to the province's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has more than tripled since 1990. This attractive business climate is matched by B.C.'s talented pool of more than 30,000 film industry crew and management personnel, and by a tradition of support and cooperation among business, labour, government and communities.

The film industry injects more than $2 billion annually into the provincial economy.

B.C.'s film industry workers are regarded as among the world's best, resulting in this province being one of the top-three production centres in North America, joining Los Angeles and New York in the top tier - just as the new Centre for Film and Animation will allow Vancouver to join those two cities as home to the top-tier institutions for film instruction worldwide.

The third-largest centre for film and television production in North America, British Columbia has the locations, the facilities, and - most importantly - the people to bring it all to life. With skilled crews, technicians and creative experts, B.C.'s extensive talent pool is the foundation of a thriving industry sector.*

* Source: Motion Picture Production Industry Association of B.C.

Contact:

Capilano University
Shelley Kean
Public Affairs Office
604 983-7596
604 868-4374 (cell)
skean@capilanou.ca