Planet in Focus

The Digi Doc Forecast

Friday, October 12 12:00–2:00 PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4
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This panel is an in-depth conversation between digital documentary storytellers on the vanguard of the interactive space. Sharing samples from their current environmental projects, our panelists will discuss their experience creating and producing in the ever-changing interactive space. How does interactivity bring us closer to our documentary ideals and how does it move us further away? How do you balance experimentation and audience appeal in the interactive space? What are the practical realities of creating digital documentaries when it comes to financing and project management? Let’s talk!

MODERATOR

Richard Lachman, Assistant Professor, Digital Media, Ryerson School of Radio & Television Arts

Richard Lachman Assistant Professor, Digital Media, Ryerson School of Radio & Television Arts

A Gemini award-winning member of the Canadian new media scene, Richard Lachman has worked on high-profile Canadian interactive and convergent-media projects such as Diamond Road Online. Lachman also acted as a principal mentor on docSHIFT, an initiative of the DOC Toronto, which facilitates new creative partnerships and helps develop innovative interactive documentary projects.

PANELISTS

Gerry Flahive, Senior Producer, Interactive Documentary, NFB 

Gerry Flahive has worked on more than 50 films such as award-winners Just Watch Me: Trudeau and the ‘70s Generation and Manufactured Landscapes. Recent projects include the groundbreaking Filmmaker-in-Residence project Waterlife, Paris 1919, I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors, Invisible City, winner of the Best Canadian Feature Award at Hot Docs in 2009, and the interactive doc HIGHRISE. A frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail, Flahive has also been published in Time and The New York Times.

Alex Jansen, Owner, Pop Sandbox

Alex Jansen is the owner and operator of Pop Sandbox, an award-winning multimedia production and publishing company focused on non-fiction storytelling across platforms with an experimental bent. Alex is currently producing and directing Pipe Trouble, a video game that explores ongoing real world issues related to the oil and gas industry tied to the forthcoming feature film, Trouble in the Peace, by Six Island Productions. Pop Sandbox’s inaugural release KENK: A Graphic Portrait, was a best-selling hybrid of graphic novel, documentary and long-form journalism surrounding “the world’s most prolific bicycle thief,” and is currently being developed as a fully animated film with Craig Small. Jansen was a selected participant in the docSHIFT Institute for his interactive work, and is currently teaching Business of Media part-time at Queen’s University.

Lalita Krishna, Producer, In Sync Media

Lalita Krishna is a multiple award-winning filmmaker whose work has been broadcast in Canada on all major networks, and featured at film festivals around the world. Lalita’s recently completed transmedia project on chocolate. Semisweet, is attracting international attention for its unique approach to building audiences and creating awareness. An early adopter of new platforms for storytelling, Lalita spearheaded docSHIFT as co-chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada, Toronto Chapter, and has produced games, apps and websites which complement and enhance the documentary viewing experience.

CJ Hervey, Producer, Secret Location

CJ is an Emmy Award winning producer with the digital entertainment agency Secret Location. He has produced numerous new media campaigns for broadcasters and brands that have been honoured by The Webby’s, the SxSW Interactive Awards, Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, and the FWA have recognized his work at Secret Location.

His career includes years spent in advertising and broadcast production where he produced television commercials for some of North America’s largest brands including Verizon, Comcast, Labatt’s, Hilton Hotels, GM and others.

CJ holds a degree in Economics with a minor in fine art from the University of Western Ontario. He is a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s New Media Lab a long suffering Leafs fan and a street art addict.

Co-presented with DOC Toronto’s docSHIFT Program

docSHIFT: Real Stories to Multiple Platforms, an initiative of DOC Toronto. For more information visit: www.doctoronto.ca/docshift