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24 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 2, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2007 Sheridan Animation Centre has industry animated By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Jurassic Park, Finding Nemo, Ice Age and The Wild all have one thing in common: Sheridan College animation graduates. Thursday saw the Oakville campus officially open a new multi-million dollar animation facility to ensure its students continue to make significant contributions to the world of animation. "What a great day for Sheridan," the college's president, Dr. Robert Turner, told a crowd of more than 100, which included animation industry giants, Sheridan students and local politicians. "What a wonderful day to be a Sheridan animation student. What a promising day for Canadian animation." The new centre has been home to 450 animation students since December, but an official celebration was held for members of the animation industry to take a look at the new facility and talk to current students ­ their potential employees. Sheridan is ranked among North America's top schools for animation, and has been at the forefront of developing Canadian talent for 35 of the college's 40-year history. Turner, who applauded Sheridan for playing an integral role in helping to make Canada "the quiet giant" in the field of animation, wasn't the only one singing the college's praises. Michael Hirsh, co-founder of Nelvana ­ the makers of Babar, Franklin and more ­ applauded the many Sheridan animation graduates he's seen come into the industry and make an impact. "The industry in Canada has been driven by Sheridan grads and their success," he said. "The world wide success of Canadian animators and Canadian animation would not be possible without this institution." It was Sheridan graduates who approached Hirsh at Nelvana years ago and told him his company could do more. "If they hadn't come knocking on that door, I wouldn't be where I am today," he said, noting Nelvana was at the time doing basic animation, and then launched into special programming. Introduced as "the unofficial Godfather of animation in Canada," Hirsh is also CEO of the Cookie Jar Group, and co-founded Canada's DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER WORLD PREMIERE: Oakville Mayor Rob Burton (left) and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn (right) were on hand to help Sheridan College President Dr. Robert Turner officially open the college's new multi-million dollar animation centre. biggest cartoon network, Teletoon. He was just one of a number of industry VIPs checking out the work of Sheridan students on Animation Industry Day at the college. The event drew representatives from CORE Digital Pictures, Disney Dreamworks Animation, JiJab and more. They talked to and recruited students while checking out their cartoons, movies and other digital works, which were on display. Sheridan's record is a testament to the success of its program. Animation alumni have been nominated for six academy awards, and have two Oscars under their belts. "We're in the big leagues, folks," Turner said. "Our students are the number one draft picks." Some of the industry giants now drafting that talent are also Sheridan grads. Co-founder of CORE Digital Pictures, Bob Munroe, was back at the college last week checking out the facility and speaking to current students. Munroe's company brought the Disney hit, The Wild, to life. Even Gordon and Frank in the Bell commercials are the work of a Sheridan animation grad. "In short, we're at the top of our game," Turner said, smiling. And things are getting better. This year, the first class with a BA in Animation will graduate ­ that's the only animation degree offered in Canada. The students work out of the brand new 37,000-square-foot facility, which features multiple studios for production work, a new digital stop-motion animation facility, classrooms, drafting studios and a rendering farm. "The Sheridan Animation Centre is a fantastic addition to the animation programs at Sheridan," said Turner. "But, we're most proud of what the students who'll use this centre will be able to achieve. It's going to give them an outstanding environment in which to learn and put their creativity front and centre." The centre was designed in consultation with faculty and industry experts, with an emphasis on promoting both individual and group learning. The CEO of Canada's biggest builder, Peter Gilgan, is also a co-chair on Sheridan's development committee, and was on hand for the celebration. "This building really is about the students," said the Mattamy Homes CEO, pointing to the importance of access to education, room to grow and the latest technologies. "Staying current is something that Sheridan's doing really well." The Canadian building mogul dubbed the facility "the new harbour of Canadian animation."