Immersive storytelling creators and producers are building the roads for our future. Canada’s emergence as a leader in innovation is fueled by risk-taking, forward-thinkers, and creators with their fingers on the pulse of audiences’ needs. In today’s panel we take a future forward look at current innovations and technology in entertainment and storytelling, where these products are landing, what’s next in 2020, and how our approach to futurism will continue to shape the consumption of entertainment experiences.
Moderator:
Dr. Richard Lachman | Director, Creative Technology Strategy, and associate professor at Ryerson University
Dr. Richard Lachman directs Zone Learning for Ryerson University, Creative Technology Development for FCAD, and the Experiential Media Institute. He is an Associate Professor, Digital Media in the RTA School of Media, and also serves as a Technology and Creative Consultant for entertainment and software-development projects
Panelists:
Karen Chapman | Writer, director, They Should be Flowers
Born to Guyanese parents, Karen Chapman is dedicated to the craft of telling stories. Her short film Measure, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 where it won the Hollywood Foreign Press, International Residency Award. Chapman is an alumni of Emily Carr University, the Banff Centre, HotDocs, the Canadian Film Centre’s, Director’s Program, the TIFF Talent Lab and the TIFF Talent Accelerator Lab for 2020. Chapman’s films have been screened at International film festivals, hospitals, schools, subways and living rooms across Canada. Her VR experience, They Should be Flowers premiered at HotDocs and is nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.
Tanya Kelen | Founder, Executive Producer, Kelencontent
Tanya Kelen founded boutique media distribution and production company, Kelencontent in 2008 to bring new forms of storytelling to life in new ways. Ms. Kelen has over 15+ years of experience in global creative and business development, across multi-platform rollouts, co-ventures and co-productions. Kelencontent represents and manages creative and production teams that have successfully launched unique storytelling franchises including virtual reality programs across broadcast and interactive platforms with studios and networks.
Kathryn Rawson | VP, Content | Secret Location
Kathryn has a passion for content and values collaboration and ambition in her work. A producer at heart, she excels at wearing all the hats, making order out of chaos and encouraging bold thinking. Kathryn leads by example, guiding people, teams, projects and ideas with infectious enthusiasm. She has produced virtual reality projects, games, web and app-based digital projects as well as animation and television content. Kathryn continually works to increase her self-awareness and approaches the unknown with curiosity and humour. Kathryn has spoken at GDC, SXSW and at the Digital Bootcamp for WIFT-T.
