Hothouse 13: Call to animation artists for paid apprenticeship at the NFB animation studio

07 September 2021 // News

Skwigly

The National Film Board of Canada is seeking submissions from animation creators for the 13th edition of Hothouse. This edition will be a 3-month paid apprenticeship in all-inclusive, real-world animation filmmaking in the tradition of NFB Animation. The NFB are looking for six new talents who are willing and able to jump head-first into this intensive experience. The theme this year is: 100

About this edition

Due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, this will be a remote edition for participants outside of Greater Montreal. To the best of our ability, equipment will be provided for those working remotely. If travel guidelines allow, participants will travel to Montreal for orientation at the beginning of the program in November 2021, and for post-production in February 2022.

Mentorship will be centered at the NFB Animation Studio in Montreal, which is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is the custodians of the lands and waters as Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations.

Hothouse is about re-imagining ways of making animation, ways that are faster, more flexible, and which embrace the many possibilities in the animation process while maintaining creative and technical excellence.

Team and timeline

Associate Producer: Johanne Ste-Marie
Mentoring Director: Howie Shia

Application Deadline: 5 pm EST Monday October 4, 2021
Program Dates: November 15 – February 18, 2022
Orientation and pre-production: Nov 15 – 19, 2021
Production: Nov 22, 2021 – Feb 4, 2022
Post-production and wrap: Feb 7 – 18, 2022

Theme and technique

“100” is this edition’s theme. It can be taken literally as a quantifying descriptor, as a playful graphic element, as a musical guide or simply as a creative jumping off point.
You can propose any animation technique that is feasible within the Hothouse framework and with which you have experience.
It’s important to reveal a thoughtful relationship between your concept and your chosen technique (whether hand-drawn, stop motion, 3D CGI, collage, mixed media, etc).
We’re open to ideas that involve interactive or real-time elements (Unity, Unreal, Motion Capture, XR (VR, MR, AR), machinima, data visualization, Processing, etc) but you must demonstrate a thoughtful reason behind the use of technology and enough know-how to make it viable.
Your proposal must demonstrate that you have the necessary skills or experience to execute the project as proposed
The animation must be completed in the allotted 3-month time frame. Project viability is a key deciding factor in the selection process.

Submission criteria

Submissions must include:

An outline of your idea and intent, artistic approach, and motivation for participating in Hothouse. This outline can be EITHER in the form of a one-page written statement, OR a maximum 3-minute video – whichever format you’re most comfortable with.
Explain your interpretation/approach to the theme. Don’t be afraid to play with it.
Explain the relationship between your concept and technique/approach
Briefly describe your work environment (ie. is it a home studio? Is it in a film co-op or community centre? Is it private or a shared space?)
Describe all the equipment you have and anything you need from us: ie. computer specs, hardware, software, drawing table, digital tablet, props, cameras, specialized equipment, materials, etc).
Two or three design samples (to demonstrate look and feel).
A short Bio and a One-page résumé/CV.
One example of a previous film (animation or otherwise) no more than 5 minutes, or an excerpt from a previous film, no more than 5 minutes. Please send only ONE film. You can also send a portfolio/reel. Media must be submitted as a URL. Do not send hard copies. If you don’t have a finished film, don’t worry, but make sure you show off what you can do in your outline and design samples. Or, if you can, make a short animation test and show off your skills.

The NFB is committed to greater diversity and inclusion in Canadian cinema and new media. In keeping with the commitments outlined in the NFB’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, you are invited to express in your proposal if you identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized or part of an underrepresented group.

Eligibility

Submissions are accepted from across Canada and should be in English.

You must:

Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident (no exceptions)
Be an emerging filmmaker (meaning less than 3 films made)
Have experience in animation filmmaking or a related field (ie. fine arts, film, graphic design, photography, electronic arts, computational arts, etc.)
Be open and willing to learn and explore
Be prepared to commit for the period of 3 months

For tips and full rules and regulations visit nfb.ca/hothouse13
Submissions must be received by email to hothouse@nfb.ca by 5pm EST on Monday October 04, 2021. The six successful candidates will be notified by Friday October 15, 2021.