Emergence Lab: first Franco-Canadian writing workshop for new platforms now on in Banff

Banff, Alberta, June 3, 2014 -- In an effort to promote the ever-evolving field of audiovisual production in the digital age, the French Embassy in Canada – in collaboration with the Institut Français and the Banff Centre, with support from the Canada Media Fund – has developed and launched the Emergence Lab, the first Franco-Canadian workshop dedicated to emerging and innovative forms of writing for new platforms.  

The Emergence Lab is in session from June 2 to June 7 at the Banff Centre in the Canadian Rockies. The goal of the program is to provide experienced traditional writers and new professionals involved in interactive and multiplatform writing with a creative space to come together and explore new ways of telling stories and sharing skills.  

The residency will welcome eight participants (four from France and four from Canada) under the guidance of six mentors: Boris Razon (France Télévisions), Hugues Sweeney (National Film Board of Canada–NFB), Margaux Missika (Upian), David Dufresne (film director), Kevin Shortt (Ubisoft) and Jonathan Belisle (SAGA).  

The workshop will also give participants the opportunity to work with experts and partners on developing collaborative tools (such as budget and contract models, as well as  glossaries). These efforts will be coordinated by Josette D. Normandeau (Ideacom International) and Claire Le Proust (Fablabchannel).  

Results from the residency, which will include a presentation of the program and testimonials from participants and mentors about their experiences, will be presented in France and Canada.  

In France: The presentation at the Banff Centre will be simultaneously broadcast at the “Étonnants voyageurs” festival (books and films, over 60,000 participants) in Saint-Malo on June 8, 2014 at 5:30 pm (CET)/9:30 am (MST).  

In Canada: A panel presentation, in collaboration with the Canada Media Fund, will take place on June 9, 2014 at 10:30 am (MST) at the Banff World Media Festival.  

The residency program was developed to promote and strengthen lively exchanges between France and Canada, two countries that have pioneered the development and production of multiplatform content on both the creative and technological levels. Both nations encourage similar thriving cultural environments that often complement each other thanks to generous government funding, high-quality training programs, as well as booming audiovisual, film, video game, new technology, telecommunications, special effects and animation sectors.  

Full program details are available here. 

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About The Banff Centre: The Banff Centre's mission is inspiring creativity. Thousands of artists, leaders, and researchers from across Canada and around the world participate in programs at The Banff Centre every year. Through its multidisciplinary programming, The Banff Centre provides them with the support they need to create, to develop solutions, and to make the impossible possible. Moving forward, the Centre will disseminate the art and ideas developed in Banff through initiatives in digital, web, radio, and broadcast media.