New Media Keeps Young People in Nova Scotia

A Halifax-based animation studio will employ more than 60 full- time and scores of part-time employees for the next two years on production of an award-winning children's television series.

Forty-eight animators will be among the staff at Collideascope creating another season of the Gemini Award winning animated series, Olliver's Adventures.

Currently airing in its second season on Teletoon, Olliver's Adventures was one of the first TV series to use Flash technology. It has become the largest animation series in Canada, one of the largest employers of Nova Scotia's creative community and the cornerstone for productions worth between $8 million and $10 million for Collideascope this year.

"With the support of the film industry tax credit and the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation investment programs, we were able to leverage the balance of funds needed to make Olliver's Adventures," said Steven Comeau, president of Collideascope. "These programs allowed our company to survive the dot-com meltdown and continue to develop television skills along with complimentary new media abilities that add significant value for our clients."

The Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation administers the film industry tax credit and other programs that support the development and production of film, television and new media projects by Nova Scotia companies.

"Collideascope is a great example of the Nova Scotia film tax credit at work," said Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke. "They're creating exciting jobs for young artists, expanding the economy and winning awards at the same time."

Now in its eighth year of profitable operation, Collideascope was originally a means to an end for its creators. Mr. Comeau and Michael-Andreas Kuttner, wanted work that developed their digital animation skills after they graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. But they did not want to have to leave Nova Scotia to find it.

Collideascope, "a collision of ideas", was their answer. It was such a hit its entrepreneurial founders have been identified as people "to keep an eye on" by prestigious publications like MacLeans Magazine and the Hollywood Reporter.

Ann MacKenzie, chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation, said Collideascope's success is also helping other new media artists. "The continued growth of the Nova Scotia film industry is helping keep talented Nova Scotians where they belong -- here at home."

"For regions such as the Atlantic provinces, the issue of losing future entrepreneurs and leaders is very real," said Mr. Comeau, "It is imperative that we keep these leaders in the province contributing to industries and communities."

By hiring most of their employees from the Truro and Halifax campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Collideascope is able to capitalize on the provincial investment in education. In turn, graduates are able to remain in their home province, advancing their skills, creating wealth and contributing to their communities.

Ron Doucet, a 27-year-old from Meteghan, was hired a few months after he graduated from the NSCC Truro Campus digital animation program.

"I never thought I would be able to get training as an animator until the NSCC offered the digital animation program," said Mr. Doucet. "Not only was I able to get the education I need to succeed in this field, I was also able to find employment right here in Nova Scotia."

Mr. Doucet, who started as a junior animator on the Olliver's Adventures pilot, is now the lead director for the series' upcoming season.