Sneak Peek: Monday, December 06

BC Screen-Based Media Sector Drafts 'Human Resource Strategy'

According to British Columbia Film, representatives from the screen-based media industry in BC, comprising the Film, TV, Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games sectors – have drafted a multi-year 'Human Resource Strategy' that will be used to consult with industry stakeholders.

"...The aim of the strategy is to ensure that BC has a workforce today and in the future that is highly skilled in creating world class entertainment on the global stage..."

"We need the views and support of our industry colleagues to ensure the strategy is sound, and will meet the needs of industry" said Howard Donaldson, Vice-President, Studio Operations for Disney Interactive Games Studios Canada. "Consulting with the broader industry is a very important step in our initiative."

"Amazingly talented, creative people continue to make British Columbia’s screen-based media internationally successful,” said Hon. Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “BC’s entertainment industry generates expenditures of more than $2 billion annually in our economy and employs 21,000 people. By 2012 the industry will need 3,000 to 4,000 new employees so it’s important we work together through these kinds of partnerships to keep the industry thriving to provide jobs for British Columbians."

"A key strength for companies doing business in BC is the depth and creativity of our talent in all three sectors" said Richard Brownsey, President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Film. "In the face of upcoming skill shortages as baby boomers leave the workforce, and with the pace of technological change, to remain competitive we must be able to attract, develop and retain talent for our industry."

In 2011, the Committee will consult with industry stakeholders on the HR Strategy which includes a number of short-term actions believed to be critical to address within the next 1-2 years. A series of roundtable meetings will be held in order to obtain feedback and to seek broader industry endorsement and involvement.

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Square Enix Plugs Into Lara Croft

Eidos-owned Square Enix is developing another "Tomb Raider" video game that will 'reinvent' protagonist 'Lara Croft' with a new origin story.

"Tomb Raider", featuring a younger Croft, is in development with Redwood City-based Crystal Dynamics. The game will be the first Lara Croft game since the completion of Square Enix's buyout of UK-based Eidos Interactive in 2009 for $117 million.

"Forget everything you knew about 'Tomb Raider'," said Crystal Dynamics head Darrell Gallagher. "We are exploring things that have never been done before..."

"...After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was traveling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive. Here begins the first adventure for a young and inexperienced 'Lara Croft' in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive..."

The first "Tomb Raider" game launched in 1996, and the franchise was developed by Eidos studio Core Design until 2003, when Eidos moved development of the series to Crystal Dynamics, which has developed "Tomb Raider: Legend", "Anniversary", "Underworld" and recently, the downloadable "Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light".

According to Square Enix, the "Tomb Raider" video game franchise, which spun-off two feature films starring actress Angelina Jolie, has sold over 35 million units.

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Top 10 Comic Books- November 2010

It seems the world cannot get enough of the 'Caped Crusader', as DC Comics' "Batman: The Return" #1 was the top selling comic book for November 2010, according to current sales figures released by Diamond Distributors.

Although DC ranks in the Top 10 with other "Batman" titles, Marvel Comics was still the overall top comic book publisher with 34.45 percent of the market share to 33.08 percent for DC.

The other Top 10 comic books for November 2010 are:

2- "BATMAN INCORPORATED" #1 (DC)

3- "AVENGERS" #7 (MARVEL)