Digital Feelings X
Project Introduction
DIGITAL FEELINGS is a project designed and developed by the South Georgian Bay Media Association, with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, focused on mental health and wellness for children and youth through the creation of digital film and animation.
Additional partners include Blue Mountains Public Library, Toronto Sick Kids Hospital and Beaver Valley Community School.
Digital Feelings offers a comprehensive education guide that outlines the three disciplines of Animation, Stop Motion and Filmmaking along with the software and hardware required to conduct these workshops.
These are available to access here:
Animation
This four-part video series takes participants through the entire process of creating a 2D animated film with a tablet, stylus (pencil) and their own imagination using the Rough Animator program (iOS and Android). Animation is taught by 2D animator and cartoonist Jeff Wilson.
Stop Motion
This five-part video series takes participants through the entire process of creating a stop-motion film with a tablet and objects such as Play-Doh and their own imagination, using the Stop Motion Studio Pro program (iOS and Android). Stop Motion Animation is taught by film animator Rob Chatwin.
Filmmaking
This four-part video series takes participants through the entire process of creating a short film with an iPad, puppets and their own imagination, using the iPad Camera and iMovie program (iOS Only). Screenwriting with Final Draft (iPad Only) is an optional tutrial for older participants wishing to write a screenplay for their film with industry standard formatting. Filmmaking with Puppets is taught by film producer and editor Tom Strnad.
Advanced Tutorial Resources
Digital Feelings instructors have advanced tutorials available in all three disciplines on the Creator Space channel. Students can explore avanced topics in film production and cinematography, character design for animation and post-production editing and sound design techniques. Perfect for youth participants and multi-session workshops.
These are available to access here:
Contact Us
Have questions or need help getting started? You can reach out to the lead artist, Tom Strnad by email.
tom@sgbma.ca
Our Digital Feelings Team
Tracey Strnad
Tracey is an award-winning filmmaker and director with over 12 years of experience. She recently completed the limited dramatic series COLLINGWOOD KILLINGS, in official competition at the Montreal Festival Courts d'un Soir International Short Film and Series Festival. Tracey has received research and development grants from the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts and the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. Tracey oversees project management for the SGBMA and was the lead creative behind the DIGITAL FEELINGS Project designed in 2021. Tracey has a specialized degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Laurentian University.
President of SGBMA and Co-Founder
Tom Strnad
Tom is a film producer and post-production supervisor with over 25 years experience in film, television and media production. Tom has received funding from Telefilm Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Creates and the NFB and has screened films at festivals such as TIFF, VIFF, SXSW, FIPA and Montreal WFF. Tom is responsible for ongoing research and development that includes digital strategy, film preservation, and community access to media arts for the SGBMA. Tom studied film at York University and graduated with honours.
Lead Artist and Co-Founder
Youth Counsellor and AnimatorRob Chatwin
Rob Chatwin is a Youth Counsellor and Toronto Sick Kid's Hospital and also a Collingwood based filmmaker. Rob specializes in dimensional animation with claymation, stop motion and puppets. Rob was a recipient of the Robert Kemp Award awarded by the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, for his short film Austin Avenue. Rob is currently developing a children's television series with the use of puppets. Rob studied claymation at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver BC. Rob is a lead consultant on the Digital Feelings Project and the stop-motion program lead.
Animator and CartoonistJeff Wilson
Jeff Wilson is an animator and graduate of Sheridan College's animation program. Jeff worked in classical hand drawn 2D animation on the children's series TEDDY RUXPIN. Jeff works as a cartoonist from his home in Markdale. Jeff has worked on commercials for major brands around the world and also is an actor for local community theatre. Jeff has been instrumental in developing children’s animation workshops and tutorials with the SGBMA. Jeff is a lead consultant on the Digital Feelings Project and the animation program lead.
