News Article

Students Animated Over Keyframe Digital


5/17/2002 11:36:41 AM


Darren Cranford, left, Director of Keyframe Digital Productions Inc., looks through portfolios at the Digital Animation display at L.A. Bown. Pictured with him, from left, are Neil Button, Christo Stassis, and Cory Sheppard - all recent graduates of College of the North Atlantic’s Digital Animation program.


Nearly 800 students attended the IT Week presentation by Keyframe Digital Productions at L.A. Bown

By Tanya Alexander

May 17, 2002 - College of the North Atlantic hosted a guest speaker from one of Canada’s leading digital animation companies on Thursday, May 9. Darren Cranford, Director of Keyframe Digital Productions Inc., talked to groups of high school students in the Bay St. George area at the L.A. Bown Building.

The Botwood native and fellow Newfoundlander Clint Green are founders of the company, which is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. They specialize in unique 3D character animation and special effects, and have worked on many high profile projects such as the video game Prince of Persia 3D II, television’s Prince Charming, staring Martin Short, and movies such as The X-MEN, Michael Douglas’ Don’t Say a Word, and a soon to be released Harrison Ford film K-19 The Widow Maker.

Cranford and Green met in university and struck up a friendship that would eventually become a lucrative business partnership.

When Cranford moved to Toronto to find work after graduation, he was employed briefly at a 2D company then went to work with a game company for five years in St. Catherine’s. While there, he contacted old friend Green, and arranged for him to come to work for the same company. They eventually struck out on their own, and in five years, have built a solid reputation and an impressive list of clients. Now, the pace is breakneck, and it’s looking like it won’t slow down any time soon. In fact, says Cranford, they are looking to expand. This visit to College of the North Atlantic was mutually beneficial.

“We are expanding quickly and need to hire another six people by the end of May,” he says. “While I’m here, I’ll be checking out graduates of the Digital Animation program."

Cranford says the company has just taken a new contract for a television series, and he needs dependable, talented people to fit the bill. When it comes to finding them, there are no better candidates than those from College of the North Atlantic.

“They seem to be more advanced than other schools,” he says. “They are not afraid of any work that we throw at them.”

Then there’s the Newfoundland work ethic.

“They do their work, then turn around and offer to help you with yours,” says Cranford.

Of the 13 employees presently at Keyframe, two are from the College’s Digital Animation program. If Cranford has his way, there will be more fearless Newfoundlanders joining the team by the end of the month. He needs workers who are willing to take on the ever-changing technology in digital animation.

An emerging aspect of the technology Keyframe uses is previsualization, or pre-viz. Keyframe is the only company in Canada using the technology. It is changing the face of the industry.

“Instead of 2D storyboards (art sketches), we are offering moving storyboards,” he says.

They give the client details that can’t be achieved with regular storyboards. It helps bring the client closer to the dimensions of film or television.

“We can better illustrate timing, shooting angles and movement,” says Cranford.

“Even if the pre-vis is not exactly what they want, it provides a frame of reference from which to work. All minds see the same thing.”

Cranford says that because they have this technology, every major movie that has come to Toronto has used Keyframe.

Stephenville High School Grade Nine teacher Vernon Lewis took his homeroom class to the presentation. He says they went back to the school and held a discussion about the presentation.

“Students were thoroughly impressed,” he said. “Here is a Newfoundlander doing so well, and in such a position of influence.”

The excursion to LA Bown also tied in with curriculum for the Ninth Grade, said Lewis.

“We’re studying the effects of technology and its influence on society in our Social Studies class,” he said.

“It was great for the students to see a real example.”

Lewis says that while the understanding in the Social Studies course is that technology is leading to loss of jobs, the Keyframe presentation made it clear that this is not necessarily the case.

“Mr. Cranford made it clear to the students that there are jobs out there, it’s just a matter of finding where they are by paying attention to where technology is heading.”

Cyril Organ, Associate District Administrator for the Bay St. George campus of College of the North Atlantic, invited Cranford for the presentation. It was necessary to hold two sessions to accommodate the nearly 800 high school students wanting to take in the presentation by Cranford. It was also an opportunity for them to see the quality of Digital Animation learning at the College.

“This is a chance to bring a Newfoundlander back home and to get the message out to students that if you have a dream, it can be done.”

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For more information contact:

Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-79298