INNIS News 2010 prod v2.qxd
3/8/10
10:26 AM
Page 1
Logics of Canadian T Television
his year, the Cinema Studies Institute at Innis College moved in a bold new direction with the introduction of INI 387, “Logics of Canadian Television”, a new course designed to give students an opportunity to compare the principles and practices of the small and silver screens. Through lectures and readings, the class explored the complex network of interrelations between technological innovation, aesthetics, public policy, and cultural affairs, which has governed the development of the Canadian television industry. Moreover, through regular in-course screenings, the class followed the development of the Canadian television industry from CBC’s first broadcasts in September 1952 to the vast panoply of offerings now available in the 500-channel universe. Along the way, students discovered and rediscovered classic Canadian dramatic anthologies like Scope and Festival; the legendary public affairs show, This Hour Has Seven Days, groundbreaking docudramas like The National Dream, Riel, and The Boys of St. Vincent; and shows aimed at younger demographics like The Littlest Hobo and The Forest Rangers, not to mention the runaway hit series Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High.
Volunteers Recognized For Outstanding Commitment to Innis College.
Congratulations to volunteers Ann Atkins, Jim Dunn, and Atom Egoyan on receiving the
Mania
nominated by Innis College
College and the University.
Winter 2010
Maddin
The recipients were
for their outstanding
Innis College
January was a big month at Innis. Working in conjunction with the
Award recipients Ann Atkins and Jim Dunn with Principal Paterson (middle). Absent: Atom Egoyan.
its alumni! Several distinguished alumni and media celebrities
Studies Institute brought Winnipeg filmmaker Guy Maddin to Innis
have brought excitement, culture, and knowledge
College for a week of screenings, lectures, and round-table discus-
to Innis College over the past few months. Jessi Cruikshank, host of MTV Canada, dazzled
rently working in Canada (or anywhere), Maddin also proved himself There are many different volunteer opportunities at Innis College. For more information, please email alumni.innis@utoronto.ca.
with
Jackman Humanities Institute, the University of Toronto’s Cinema
sions. Easily one of the most audacious and inspired filmmakers cur-
Interested in volunteering?
Message from the Principal Janet M. Paterson
2009 U of T Arbor Award.
personal service to the Course guest speakers, Linda Schuyler and Moses Znaimer, offered the class the perfect complement to an intense curriculum of lectures, readings, and screenings. Linda Schuyler, Executive Producer of Degrassi: The Next Generation, provided a wealth of insight into both the aesthetics of creating a hit series and the business of producing and distributing it. Canadian media mogul Moses Znaimer, Co-Founder of City TV and now President of MZMedia, graciously responded to students’ questions at a special interactive class open to the public. Students were also invited to the MZTV Museum, giving them useful insight into the development of television broadcast technology.
INNIS COLLEGE NEWS
Filmmaker Atom Egoyan has dedicated countless hours of mentorship and guidance to the students of Innis College as a guest lecturer in the College’s Cinema Studies courses, and as former Dean’s Distinguished Visitor in Theatre, Film, Music and Visual Studies
incoming students during orientation week with
effortlessly funny as he dazzled packed crowds in Innis Town Hall on
her humorous presentation. Jared Bland,
four nights from January 12th to 15th, 2010.
Managing Editor of The Walrus
Principal’s Luncheon Series:
Toronto the Good: Economic development prospects and priorities.
Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
Figure out what you love and what you are passionate about, and success will follow. This was the message that resonated with students who attended the 2009 Principal’s Luncheon Series with guest speakers Stanley Zlotkin in October 2009 and Tamara Farber in November 2009. Hosted by Principal Janet Paterson, the Principal’s Luncheon Series invites distinguished alumni back to Innis College and offers students the opportunity to learn from the success and advice of alumni.
On January 19th, 2010, the students of Urban Studies’ INI 437Y: “Experiential Learning in Toronto and the GTA” welcomed a group of panellists for an informal discussion about economic development prospects and priorities in Toronto. Guest speakers Julia Deans, Executive Director of the Toronto City Summit Alliance, Brent Gilmour, Director of the Canadian Urban Institute, and Dr. Kevin Stolarick, Research Director at the Martin Prosperity Institute at the Rotman School, joined the class to engage in a conversation about the current state of economic development initiatives taking place in the city. The focus of the conversation ranged from traditional definitions of economic development (such as building
physical infrastructure and attracting international business) to reflections on more contemporary perspectives of economic development, which take into account the importance of social and creative capital. The panellists were unanimous in their support for the City of Toronto, with Deans referring to herself as “Toronto’s economic development poster girl.” Gilmour focused his comments on looking at Toronto’s strengths, particularly its varied neighbourhoods, as well as touching on some of the problems that plague Toronto at present. Finally, Stolarick reminded the urban studies students that the city is not comprised solely within Toronto’s political boundaries; but rather when we plan for the city and for economic development within the city in terms of transit, housing, investment, etc., we need to take into account the larger context, the region with which the city has an interdependent relationship.
Dr. Stanley Zlotkin (BSc 1971 Innis), U of T professor of paediatrics, and nutrition specialist and researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children, conveyed the importance of studying what you enjoy, and finding a career that you are passionate about. He also stressed that it is critical to learn how to learn rather than fussing about trying to learn everything. Ms. Tamara Farber (BSc 1990 Innis), partner in Miller Thomson’s Environmental and Litigation departments, offered the students similar advice on finding a career that you are passionate about. She also stressed the importance of one’s self and encouraged students to be sincere and to have integrity. Peace and Conflict Studies Student Rini Rashid found great value in the Tamara Farber luncheon: “As a fourth year student preparing to graduate in just a few months, the event was a relaxed and welcomed reprise.” She continues: “It was a delight to be in the company of an Innis alumna, whose fierce work ethic and drive were more than apparent and a testament of the successes that await us after our graduation if we’re willing to work for it.”
Entitled “Guy Maddin: Confession and the Cinema of Uninhibition”
Spring Reunion 2010
(unofficially dubbed “Maddin Mania” by event organizer Professor
For information on Spring Reunion 2010, please visit www.utoronto.ca/innis/alumni/springreunion.
Stephanie
Kay Armatage), the series had Maddin presenting clips from his
Savage, Executive Producer of Gossip Girl
favourite films, speaking to the artistic and narrative capacities of the short film medium, narrating his 2007 feature My Winnipeg, and
INNIS COLLEGE NEWS Editor Karen Papazian Contributors Karen Papazian Bibian Aguire Janet Paterson John Semley Paul Babiak Shauna Brail Zannah Matson Cynthia Messenger
Our thanks to Kay Armatage Charlie Keil Roger Riendeau Brian Corman Rini Rashid
Design: PRM Inc. www.prm-design.com
cionados.
Print: Maud Street Printing Services
that two of the University’s most vibrant young members,
Keep in touch and stay involved. alumni.innis@utoronto.ca
.. .. In the news: You .. .. Email us your news and stories. . .. Stay E-Connected .. Send us email address updates .. .. to receive event invitations and . e-newsletters. .. .. Return to Sender .. Moving? Update your .. . mailing address. .. .. 9 to 5 .. .. Update your work information. . Alumni office:
fielding questions from a panel of academics and lay Maddin afi-
Dr. Stanley
“The Maddinfest was an outstanding tribute to the contributions
Zlotkin
the Jackman Humanities Institute and the Cinema Studies Institute, are regularly making to the larger community,” says Brian Corman, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. He continues: “The response to Guy Maddin’s visit clearly marks it as a highlight of the 2009-10 year.” Known for films that combine bizarre humour, psychosexual melodrama, and the recuperation of bygone film forms, Maddin has emerged as one of Canada’s premier filmmakers. But apart from his contribution to Canada’s snow-swept cinematic landscape, Maddin has grown into the rarest kind of artist: one capable of harmonizing the deeply personal with the universal, and one whose style is truly peerless. Given his reputation and the laundry list of honours his films have received (most notably the Best Canadian Feature Award at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival for My Winnipeg), Maddin revealed himself to be humble, sincere, and extraordinarily witty as he held
Intelligent, insightful, and naturally gregarious, Guy Maddin’s stint at Innis College proved an unqualified success. He not only exceeded the expectations of his eager fans but also endeared himself, and his work, to many curious converts
court at Innis. The event was also distinguished by the screening of Maddin’s latest short. Entitled “The Little White Cloud That Cried,” the film presented an apocalyptic pansexual bazaar, evoking the erotically-charged shorts of American underground filmmakers like Kenneth Anger and Jack Smith. While “Cloud” may have had some viewers stewing uncomfortably in the seats of Town Hall, it gave a glimpse into the filmmaker’s ever-evolving preoccupations with sexuality, sadness, and the economical art of the short film.
Linda Schuyler, Executive Producer of Degrassi: the Next Generation, and friend Moses Znaimer, President of MZ Media and Co-founder of City TV