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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 30, 2011 · 24 Artscene Author in international book series An Oakville professional relationship coach is now helping people around the world. That's because Carolyn Hidalgo is a featured writer in the Adventures in Manifesting g book series that is sold internationally. The book series features a collection of inspirational stories from teachers in the field of personal development. Hidalgo's chapter, titled Letting Go of Judgement to Attract What Matters is featured in the Adventures In Manifesting (Success and Spirituality) book. The chapter explores the way judgment acts as an obstacle to experiencing our deepest desires. "I believe when you understand, and learn to let go of judgment in your life, a space opens to live authentically true to your heart. You let go of the fear of what others think, break out of the story you were born into, and step into trusting yourself at a whole new level" she said in a press release. Hidalgo regularly works with clients who already have successful outer lives, but are looking for an authentic connection in their relationships. For copies of the book and more information, visit www.carolynhidalgo.com. SUBMITTED PHOTO LIVING THE DREAM: Former Oakville resident Ben Su is having the time of his life as a film animator. After being inspired by Toy Story as a youth to enter the field, he got to work on Toy Story 3. Animator lives boyhood dream in film industry By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Ben Su was a teenager when the original Toy Story film was released and he was so impressed by it that his passion for drawing grew so much he wanted to enter the animation film industry. Lo and behold, some 15 years later, the 32-year-old Sheridan College animation graduate not only got into the industry he sought, he got to live his dream of helping Woody and Buzz Lightyear come to life, working as an animator at Pixar on Toy Story 3. "Toy Story was the film that really influenced me to go into computer animation. So to be able to work on Toy Story 3 was a dream come true," he said over the phone, calling from San Francisco where he lives. "That was huge. That to me is the highlight of my career so far." Su came to Canada from Taiwan at the age of 10, first living in Regina, Saskatchewan, then moved to Ontario and attended an arts high school in Ottawa. He then moved to Oakville and lived here for four years while attending Sheridan College. He first completed a three-year classical animation program and upon graduating he realized there was little work in the classical cartoon industry so he returned for a fourth year, to learn computer animation. "I went into classical animation thinking I would be drawing for the rest of my life. I love to draw and to do cartooning," he said. "I saw Toy Story and said that was interesting, that was a really good film. I hated computers. I think most 2D artist shave that same feeling, where they just want to use a pencil and paper. But that film brought some interest to me." encourage students to look it up. If they have the passion, the opportunities are there right now. Before, Canadian animators were always well known for leaving the country and going to the U.K. or L.A. to find the big projects. It seems like all the big projects are actually coming to Canada now days." He said there are now two studios in Toronto producing feature films and all the major production companies have set up shop in Vancouver, where he also went to work. Despite the boom, staying in Canada wasn't for him. In 2009, Su landed a position with Sony and moved to L. A. Soon after, he got a job with Pixar and moved to where it is situated in San Francisco. "To work with some of the big-name directors is a really good opportunity," he said. There he got to work on Toy Story 3, Cars 2 and is currently on the team making an upcoming film called Brave. Because the animation film industry went into CG, he tells students its crucial they have knowledge in that art. However, he said there are plenty of other cartooning opportunities, such as working on television shows. Importantly too, he tells students to keep in touch with classmates because they can help animators find work. See Animators page 25 Play in the halls Take a walk through the halls of T. A. Blakelock High School as the students perform a play that explores life in a prep school. The production, title The Academy, will be presented at the school on Thursday and Friday (Dec. 1, 2) at 7 p.m. both nights. People in attendance will walk around the school in groups, moving from one station to the next. At each stop, student performers will continue the story of the play, which is set in a prep school obsessed with safety and perfection. Tickets cost $5 in advance (available through the school) or $7 at the door. Blakelock is located at 1160 Rebecca St. "Toy Story was the film that really influenced me to go into computer animation. So to be able to work on Toy Story 3 was a dream come true." Ben Su, animator When he graduated the fourth year in 2003, what he calls a CG boom, hit Canada and he immediately went on to work on the computer animated film The Wild. Su said that film opened a lot of CG filmmaking in Canada, helping spawn such films as including Everyone's Hero, 9, Space Chimps, Gnomeo & Juliette and more, some of which he worked on. "Now is a very exciting time," he tells Canadian students. "I definitely want to