The Holidays Are Here!!!

With only about a week left to go before the Bg Man in red comes, what do you have left to do? The HoC team has the tree up and are anxiously awaiting that wonderful day! We will be closed Dec 26th to Jan 2nd , and we wish everyone a safe and merry holidays!

Happy Holiday from House of Cool

Around this time of year, when we send out a new Holiday card, Ricardo and I always look back at Christmas cards from past and can't help but be thankful for what House of Cool has brought us. With so many great individuals we have worked with, the creatives each artists strive for and the "always be better" attitude all of us instill, we appreciate every artists and staff that come through the studio's door.

In thanking for the past, we always catch each other dreaming BIG about the future. There is so much talent in this city and our province. We see so much opportunity and advantages. With our team, we'll strive to always pursue those big dreams and create the best work the industry will be proud of.

Happy Holidays to our industry and our amazing clients.

Ricardo and Wes

Wes on the radio!

Here's an episode of CBC Metro Morning with Matt Galloway talking to our very own Wes Lui on the Animation Industry!

Way to go Wes!!

http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2011/11/15/animation-industry/ 

Holiday Party Don't Miss Out!

Several Studio Owners in VFX and Animation are throwing an Industry Holiday Party @ Maison on Dec 14th.  We thought it would be cool to get the industry together and share some drinks, hit the dance floor and enjoy a good night out for the Holidays. 

Tix are $25 and comes with 3 drink tickets - Just reserve your tix at www.vaip.ca (VFX Animation Industry Party - easiest url we could find) and they'll make arrangements for you to pick up tix.

Come and Celebrate!!!!

The City View

Here is the marvellous City view from the front of the House, the "ye ol" WELD BUILDING sits infront of us, the weather screams winter and the clouds are ready to shed some snow!!!

Movember, #DWPC!

Thanks to Jay, The House of Cool Team is officially signed up for Movember! All the dudes will grow their stashes and all the ladies will continue to shave their legs and armpits.

If you would like to support us you can donate to our team through this link:

  http://www.movember.com/m/2201574

You can even go old school and write a cheque payable to “Movember Canada”, reference "Wes Lui" and Registration Number 2201574 and send it to: Movember Canada, 119 Spadina Avenue, PO Box 65, Toronto, ON M5T 2T2

All donations are tax deductible.

At the end of the month, the crew will vote on who's stash looks the best - I can already tell you, the chinese guy will finish in last place.

Here are a few pictures of what the boyz have growing on.

Down with Prostate Cancer. Start Trending #DWPC!

Down with Prostate Cancer. Start Trending #DWPC!

Ghost Hunting "i ain't afraid of no ghosts!"

We came across this website today and figured it was fitting post. But beware, you are hunting ghosts at your own risk!!!!!

Happy Halloween!

http://www.torontoghosts.org/

Gearing up for Halloween

The scary night of ghouls and ghosts is fast approaching. What better way to ward them off then eating lots of candy............ right??

Helmet Time!

Getting ready for Hockey season or Just being a Goof ................? You can decide!

TAAFI Industry Night: November 10th @ Vogue Supperclub

CASO Members receive a special discount on X-Summit tickets. For the full schedule and to register, visit: www.x-summit.com

Use Discount Code: XS20CASO
Recieve 20 percent off member and regular rates. (A huge value on member rates!) This will be in effect until Friday Oct 14.

X-Summit, co-produced by CASO and Interactive Ontario (IO), will kick off the evening of October 24 and take place October 25-26 at The Carlu in Toronto. X-Summit explores emerging opportunities where broadcast and interactive platforms converge. CASO and IO Members receive a special discount, and can receive the Early Bird rate until Friday Sept 30th. For the full schedule and to register, visit: www.x-summit.com


Featured Speakers:


Jonas Eneroth, Managing Partner, ProCloud Media which has launched Paramount Pictures' War of the Worlds and Star Trek. Executive Producer of Eidos' multi-award winning Deus Ex, Hitman and Timesplitters franchises.

John Kavanagh, SVP of Video Games, Paramount Pictures, designed, developed and licensed interactive games and technology to leading gaming companies including Sega, Nintendo, Atari, Apple, Commodore

Vince Gerardis, Co-Executive Producer, HBO's hit series Game of Thrones

Nathan Mayfield, CCO of Hoodlum, producers of award-winning transmedia campaigns for ABC's FlashForward and Lost, Pascal Langlois, Ethan Mars in the award-winning Heavy Rain & founder of Motives in Movement

Featured Sessions:

Cross-Media Synergy
When developing IP that has TV as a key foundation, is it best to develop the TV series first or the cross-platform plans/world building first? This session delves into whether a synergy exists in producing a TV show and an online plan at the same time.
Featuring: Ken Faier, El Presidente, Nerd Corps. Entertainment

Character Crossing: Developing Multi-Platform Characters
Drawing on examples from TV, animation, video games, and toys, this workshop will dive into key elements that will help a property and its characters move successfully between platforms.
Featuring: Leah Hoyer, Creative Producer, Levity Entertainment Group

The Green Light Series: Investor Round Table
This session will cover the fundamentals of cross-media monetization strategies. Martin Soltys works with entrepreneurs, producers, writers, directors and designers (of video game, mobile & web applications) to create and develop transmedia storytelling methodology and techniques, with the goal of delivering enhanced entertainment experiences for audiences, viewers, users and players of all ages and cultures.
Featuring: Martin Soltys, Founder and CEO, TransMedia Entertainment Corp.

Its a Showdown!

 What's the outcome of your showdown in the office?

Next week we'll show you the aftermath!

The age old debate around the water cooler, "Tim Horton's or Starbucks?" Now a days you can find numerous amounts of different "shi-shi" coffee shops with their fresh coffee beans and "hipster" milks. But the 2 biggest companies are still Timmy's and Starbucks.

Next week we'll show you the aftermath!

Oscar the Dog shows us how much he needs his Starbucks! It's hard being the boss.

Meet "Oscar the Dog" House of Cool's new CEO!

We think it's suiting and we're happy to have him on board! He drove a hard bargin and its gonna cost us but Oscar the Dog is now the new CEO of House of Cool Studios, not sure how Wes is taking this?

Here's his new 2 business headshots!

As the new CEO of HoC he would like to wish everyone lots of Turkey and a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs has vastly influenced the world of technology, and given us tools we have only dreamed of. Below is an excerpt from his Stanford Commencement Speech in 2005. Something that was stumbled upon, and incredibly moving. 

‎"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

Steve Jobs

R.I.P Steve Jobs. Thank you for everything you have created for us.

Please follow the link for the full text and video of his Speech at Stanford in 2005.

"Hang Loose" - Sasktel

Check out Gainer and Red hang loose on the surfboard. Redrover Studio's latest spot for Sasktel. Clients: Caffeine Commercials Production Director: Greg Court

::: THE LEBRONS :::

:::Shout Out To Ido for posting up The Lebrons Episodes and Commercial Spots via Vimeo:::


...For all the viewers who are restricted to view it on Lebron James' Youtube channel can check em out here :)...


THE LEBRONS

GOOD TO BE THE KING (s01 ep1.1) from mr-ido on Vimeo.

COMMERCIAL SPOTS

Contraption (15 second spot) from mr-ido on Vimeo.

:::Click on the link below the video to be taken to the rest of the episodes and commercials:::

Just Say Yes - Charity Event, July 28th @ REVIVAL

Just Say Yes!

Hey Everyone,

Morgan Toomb's ginormous heart is doing a charity event to raise awareness for women living in the Ngong Hills slums (Kenya, Africa) who have HIV/AIDS. In the spirit of empowerment, genius Morgan and her posse (which includes the Lovely Lida) has come up with a cool scavenger hunt that's about unlocking your own personal liberations... it's called, "Just Say Yes." It's simple, you have people pledge something you want to unlock in your life and as you break barriers and reach achievements... you also raise money for the charity. It's like running 5km for Cancer - only it doesn't have to be about physical endurance but it can be about the emotional... Your Yes may be to break poor habits or tell your boss you want a raise (No one's getting a raise at HoC)... it's about doing something you always wanted to do but left on the back burner... Time to turn on the lights.

"Just Say Yes" let's people know what you've always wanted but to scared or busy to do... and they help you achieve it though awareness and your commitment. Download and print your free Just Say Yes BIB and sponsorship kit from www.justsayyesto.org (or pick a pledge package up from your friendly event organizers)
1) OR Donate to the cause! Can’t come to the event but want to get involved?

Donate online at http://justsayyesto.org/donate/

Or, mail a cheque to: Just Say YES! 280 Grace Street, Suite #1, Toronto, ON, M6G 3A6

2) OR Donate goods or services for our silent auction!

Contact Morgan @ joyfulmorgan@gmail.com

AND If anything else... DJ Jerms is spinning at the latter half... So whether you can donate or come out to support, we can all get together and have a good night out.

Thanks and PLEASE PASS ALONG!

Congrats to Wheels and Aikta

One of our very own got married a few weeks back. And while he's not at House of Cool or Red Rover now, we can still feel his devoted work effort he puts in day in and day out. Matty Whelan always puts 100% in everything he works on so it was no surprise when we saw this video made for his wedding.

We are all so happy for you and your beautiful wife, Aikta.

Congrats, hope you get to enjoy your honeymoon with no work interruptions.

Everyone at HoC.

PS - Luv those speeches and the bollywood dance pack!

The Anthology Project 2

Check this book out, some inspiring work from very talented artists from around the globe, including HoC's Jeff Thompson! keep up the spark

http://theanthologyproject.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=8

Awake & Aware

...feel the dragon's breath, and in the great silence, the crystal palace within...

:::...FOOLSBALL...:::

...On the rare occassion that we should happen to catch a break in-between the studios hectic schedule.. We like to unwind with a game of Foosball...Here are some pictures from a match not too long ago...

Sometimes you just get ribbed

Contrary to popular belief, it's good to get ribbed once in a while... and who better then George Stroumboulopoulos (Strombo Show). Thought this was pretty rad. The Lebrons show HoC is working on got some good ol' Canadian National attention. The crew from House of Cool and Dru Dog are working hard to make one sweet show - cool suites and all.

Threadless Design

I have put my first submission to Threadless up today and would love you all to check it out and vote. It's a take on my long and boring commute to work everyday. All you commuters out there will understand. Why haven't they invented teleporting yet?

Here's the link...

http://www.threadless.com/submission/331346/Daily_Commute

Shawn

CONGRATS STARZ on GNOMEO AND JULIET

If you haven't heard the news, Gnomeo and Julliet is killing it at the box office! We wanted to congratulate the cool crew at Starz. Doing a feature is never easy to execute and Starz lit it up. Go check it out everyone if you haven't already.

Ricardo Story-boarded and Greg Court, Director at Red Rover, animated on the film! HoC loves working on features!

Animated Web Series - The LeBrons

"The LeBrons" All-Star Cast to Include Niecy Nash, Appearance by Drake, Music by Ali Dee, Top Talent from Across Animation Business
"The LeBrons" All-Star Cast To Include Niecy Nash, Appearance By Drake, Music By Ali Dee, Top Talent From Across Animation Business. New, animated Web series from LeBron James is creative collaboration from LeBron James, his company Spring Hill Productions and Believe Entertainment Group, with production produced by Dru Dog Productions and story and design from House of Cool.
Read more, check out:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/02/prweb5087324.htm

Electric Playground

A few months back, the amazing Electric Playground people did an interview on our studio and the Co-Co Feature we are producing. As an added benefit, they let me do a spot on one of my favourite movies of last year. Check it out: I'm definitely not host material and they definitely made it look good. Special Thanks to Darcy!

Check this out!

Greg Court, Red Rover Director, and Christina Helmer, producer, did this most recent spot. Special thanks to Jason, Pepe, Steve, Britton and Brad for working on this mock spot. We love trying new techniques and seeing how far we can take them.

To see the HD version, click youtube

The LeBrons

Hey Folks,

News is out... There's a cool new show coming out over the net called The Lebrons and you guessed it, House of Cool is on it. We're excited to be working with the creative team from Dru Dog Entertainment on the designs and full production on the commercial spots you'll see before each episode.

Thanks too all the crew and the team at Dru Dog - Show's going to look sick!