DorkShelf.com opposes the proposed US SOPA/PIPA bills. It is our belief, along with many others, that this legislation poses an imminent threat to a free and open internet and would do very little to curb piracy or copyright infringement.

Given the intentionally vague wording of the bills, the possibility of abuse of such laws and powers would be an inevitability. Sites like ours could be summarily blocked in the United States (and perhaps elsewhere due to the dangerous precedent such laws would establish) for alleged copyright violations with little or no due process. Violations could include linking to a trailer on YouTube or another video streaming site that has not be expressly authorized by a movie studio, or having a commenter unknowingly link to a site that contains pirated or copyright infringing material.

These draconian policies would literally frighten existing website owners and new entrepreneurs out of business due to the legal implications at play, stifling both innovation and creativity in the process.

We are not alone. There are many companies against SOPA/PIPA, including Google, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia. Some of these sites are even going dark for today out of protest.

You can learn more about this proposed legislation at AmericanCensorship.org

Location OCAD University Great Hall, 100 McCaul Street – Free event

The Toronto Independent Game Development Jam (TOJam) is a free, annual game-making event open to the public. For the last 5 years, they’ve gathered together the craziest game makers in the world for a 3-day, around-the-clock game making binge. TOJam attracts a mix of hobbyists, students, and professionals. For some, it’s an opportunity to try new ideas, for others it’s a chance to focus. TOJam #6 was held May 13 – 15, 2011.

TOJam Arcade will feature a curated exhibition of a minimum of 10 games from TOJam in a cool and entertainment focused space where people can easily flow from one screen to the next.

In addition to the Arcade, a launch event that features all TOJam #6 games will take place on October 28 in the OCAD University Great Hall.

Digifest showcases digital media creativity in Toronto, bringing together academic, industry and the public to experience the convergence of interactive & mobile media, gaming, art and design, architecture, simulation and more. Digifest will celebrate the latest achievements in visualization, simulation and interaction in many fields, inspiring and connecting all involved.

Digifest has been renewed and updated by the School of Design at George Brown College in partnership with the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFF), Applied Arts Inc., Meet The Media Guru (Italy), TOJam, Gamercamp, OCAD University, Ryerson University, Seneca College and various media and venue partners.

Innovation Days
(Wednesday October 26 – Thursday October 27, daytime)

This exciting portion of Digifest will showcase results of industry/school research partnerships to a crowd made up of industry members, academics and students. The content will be selected by Digifest and its academic partners. Each morning / afternoon will be devoted to one of the four Digifest streams: play, touch, build, watch.

Talks will be delivered by industry “thought leaders” followed by shorter presentations from various innovators in related fields.

Tiff Nexus Innovation Day
(Friday October 28)

TIFF.nexus is the connection of the existing and emerging media sectors of Film, Gaming and New Media, designed as a catalyst for collaboration between them. This innovation day will feature emerging technology talks and presentations as well as the results of the 2011 Gaming Peripherals Jam – putting game developers together with hardware hackers to innovate in areas of interface – which will be showcased in an evening reception at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. More info here.

Meet The Media Guru
(Wednesday October 26 – Friday October 28, evening)

Meet The Media Guru (MMG) is a Social Network and an Open Community of Digital Culture that organizes local Events in Italy to meet the world famous protagonists of Innovation. Digifest is bringing MMG events to Ontario by making them a key component of the DF schedule. These evening speaker events will bring innovators from across the globe for thought-provoking presentations that will inspire and challenge attendees.

Exhibits and Activities
(Saturday October 29 – Sunday October 30)

The Digifest weekend activities will feature an array of exhibits, interactive displays, presentations and more, with many free events open to the general public. Events include:

- TOJam Arcade: featuring a day of talks by local game makers and industry thinkers, exclusive in-progress demos, and an arcade installation of over 20 games from www.TOjam.ca.
- Art by Gamercamp exhibition, displaying digital art and design installations.
- Ziris™ wall: an on-going display of Digifest Ziris™ competition entries to be featured on the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts Ziris™ wall throughout the week and into the weekend.
- 1st Person: A game industry meet and greet trade show
- An epic Halloween party

Plus lots more exciting installations and interactive displays across the city! Stay tuned for more information.

More information here.
Facebook event page here.

Update: 40% industry discount and 70% student discount added.
Contact Peter Kuplowsky (pkuplowsky@tiff.net) for student rate details.

Discover the latest trends in mobile and locative media!

As part of Digifest 2011 Innovation Days, TIFF Nexus hosts the first in a series of conferences that bring film, gaming and new media professionals together at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Friday, October 28 from 1pm to 7pm

Join us for inspiring talks with industry experts and hands on activities including:

Bill Buxton Presents “Whereable Media”

Design guru and author of Sketching User Experiences: Getting the Design Right and the Right Design, Bill will discuss how the three rules of digital are more-or-less the same as those for real-estate: location, location, location.

Spacing Toronto Presents Locative Services and Augmented Reality App Lightning Talks

Shawn Micallef, senior editor of Spacing Magazine introduces a series of talks that will inspire attendees to try out the coolest geo-location based and augmented reality apps coming out of Ontario.

Future Stories Presents a Hands-on Workshop with SnapDragonAR Augmented Reality Software

A guided immersion into SnapDragonAR, a unique tool for artists, educators, and storytellers of all ages. Attendees will experiment, prototype and tell new stories with this latest platform out of York University’s Future Cinema Lab.

Feeling inspired yet? This TIFF Nexus conference closes with a Networking Reception and Technology Demo where attendees will meet presenters, share ideas with film, gaming and new media professionals and get a closer look at projects from the TIFF Nexus Peripherals Initiative creative jam.

Only from TIFF Nexus and only at TIFF Bell Lightbox

More information here.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

Check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

Captain Atom #2, Birds of Prey #2, DC Universe Presents Deadman #2, Supergirl #2, Blue Beetle #2, Legion of Superheroes #2, Green Lantern Corps #2, Red Hood and the Outlaws #2, Catwoman #2, Nightwing #2, Batman #2 (Cymek’s Book of the Week), Wonder Woman #2, and Justice League #2

Cross-Media || Intelligence, Collaboration, Change

X marks the spot where interactive digital media innovators meet, collaborate, partner and learn.

This two-day business intelligence conference focuses on the areas where cross-media converges; enabling content producers to better tell their stories seamlessly across multiple platforms.

X-Summit embraces innovation and explores the future of cross-media content through active learning, hands-on workshops, round-table discussions, concise presentations, dynamic panel discussions and cutting-edge demonstrations. A departure from typical formats, this next-generation conference will inspire and challenge, outfitting participants with tangible takeaways, fresh ideas to consider and new opportunities to explore.

X-Summit’s thought-provoking and future-oriented content offers insights from outstanding speakers from across the globe who will share their experience, knowledge and strategic foresight, providing valuable insights into the constantly evolving world of cross-media. X-Summit is an unparalleled opportunity for content creators to collaborate with interactive media professionals in a world-class conference setting.

Conference Features

• Inspirational Keynotes from industry leaders.
• Interactive Panel Discussions will delve into the hot topics featuring a variety of speakers including: Interactive Advertisers, Social Media Experts, Game Publishers, Content Creators and Broadcasters.
• One-on-one Meetings with event speakers allow delegates the unique opportunity to pitch projects to top international executives and get their questions answered.
• Dynamic 30 Minute Lecture series that will feature inspirational speakers that will provide case studies relevant to professionals in the Interactive industry.
• Informative Round Table Discussions will feature an industry leader and a small group of X-Summit delegates. This discussion will provide a platform to express opinions and discuss burning issues.
• Collaborative Workshops will provide X-Summit attendees with the opportunity to share ideas, build relationships while collaborating with international players up close.
• Revealing Interviews with the innovators and trendsetters of our time.
• Innovative Interactive companies will show their stuff in the Canadian Interactive Showcase, presented by the CMF.

More information here.

As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

Check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

Deathstroke #2, Legion Lost #2, The Shade #1, Resurrection Man #2, Frankenstein: Agent of Shade #2, Mr. Terrific #2, My Greatest Adventure #1, Grifter #2, Suicide Squad #2, Demon Knights #2 (Nug’s Book of the Week), Green Lantern #2, Superboy #2, Batwoman #2, Batgirl #2, and Batman and Robin #2 (Cymek’s Book of the Week).

As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

Check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

StormWatch #2, OMAC #2, Red Lanterns #2, Static Shock #2, Justice League International #2, Penguin #1, Hawk and Dove #2, Green Arrow #2, Men of War #2, Batwing #2, Huntress #1, Animal Man #2 (Book of the Week), Swamp Thing #2 (Book of the Week), Detective Comics #2 and Action Comics #2.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011: Final 10 Films include Ti West’s INNKEEPERS! Lucky McKee’s WOMAN! Two World Premieres and More!

Toronto After Dark Film Festival is THRILLED to officially announce its FINAL WAVE of exciting new Horror, Sci-Fi, Action, and Cult feature film selections that will screen at the festival’s 6th Annual Event this October 20-27, 2011!

THE FINAL 10 FEATURES REVEALED

The final lineup includes a number of hugely buzzed genre movies including the Closing Gala Film, the scary supernatural tale and festival circuit hit , THE INNKEEPERS, from acclaimed horror filmmaker Ti West (HOUSE OF THE DEVIL)! Fans will be also be delighted to hear that Toronto After Dark has programmed the Sundance sensation THE WOMAN, an outrageous new horror film from Lucky McKee (MAY), about a suburban family that decides to ‘domesticate’ a woman found living in the wild!

The festival is also thrilled to announced two more WORLD Premieres, bringing the total at Toronto After Dark 2011 to a record three! First off, WAR OF THE DEAD, a thrilling new war movie with an undead twist, will delight both zombie and action movie fans with its masses of undead hordes terrifying a group of soldiers trying to complete a secret mission during World War II. While fans of dark and edgy superhero films like KICK-ASS will go nuts when they get to be the first in the world to catch sight of VS which sees a despicable super-villain (James Remar) forcing a group of young costumed crusaders into playing a series of impossible-to-win games where the penalty for losing is… death!

Vampire lovers should sink their fangs into MIDNIGHT SON, a dark and gritty look at a young man’s descent into the world of drinking blood, while dark sci-fi fans should check out THE CORRIDOR, an award-winning new film about a disturbing energy force discovered in a remote forest by a group of friends on their winter vacation, and the dark implications it has for them all!

Those looking for more light-hearted fare should check out the Canadian Premiere of MANBORG, an hysterically lofi but fun homage to cult sci-fi action films of the 80s like ROBOCOP and the THE TERMINATOR. Meanwhile festival circuit hit crowd-pleaser SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE adds healthy doses of black comedy to its serial killer horror, and features a wonderful, eclectic cast that includes cult film icons Karen Black and ROCKY HORROR’s Barry Bostwick!

Finally, for pure adrenaline-rush seekers, Toronto After Dark has booked the supernatural horror film ABSENTIA, possibly the most chilling new horror film of the year, and the award-winning new mountain climbing dark thriller, A LONELY PLACE TO DIE, which has drawn favourable comparisons to another thrilling and chilling film from Britain, that wowed fans a few years ago, THE DESCENT!

SEE THE EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW AT THE SPACE CHANNEL WEBSITE: A few days ago, Toronto After Dark gave an exclusive sneak preview on TV of the final ten titles for The Space Channel. The 4-minute segment, which includes lots of fun clips from all the films has now been posted online at SPACE’s official website, and fans can watch it here: http://bit.ly/tad11-space-web-vid2 SPACE has also posted a bonus video introducing Toronto After Dark here: http://bit.ly/tad11-space-web-vid1

WATCH ALL THE TRAILERS AT YOUTUBE: We’ve added all the trailers that are currently available for our lineup at our YouTube Playlist for Toronto After Dark 2011 here: http://bit.ly/tad11-trailers

We’ll be adding two more trailers, for our World Premieres, WAR OF THE DEAD and VS, later this week. Unfortunately there is no trailer for THE INNKEEPERS at this time.

PASSES NOW ON SALE: Fans wanting to see a bunch of movies at Toronto After Dark this Oct 20-27, 2011, are encouraged to snap up one of the ever-popular All-Access Passes, which are already on sale. The passes give a huge discount on buying individual tickets, and are already over 60% sold out. For more info on the many benefits of the All-Access Pass or to grab one now, click here: http://bit.ly/tad11passes

COMPLETE SCHEDULE & INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FROM OCT 4: The final festival schedule, including short films lineup, and advance box office for buying individual screening tickets will be available from (updated) October 5. For complete info visit the festival website: http://www.torontoafterdark.com/

PLANNING ON ATTENDING? RSVP AT THE 2011 FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE! And invite your friends to join in the cinematic fun here: http://on.fb.me/tad11-fb-event

FOR BREAKING UPDATES: we also recommend fans subscribe to our Festival Newsletter, join our Facebook Group, Like our Fan Page, and Follow us on Twitter at these links:

http://bit.ly/tad11enews

http://on.fb.me/tad-fb-group
http://on.fb.me/tad-fb-page
http://twitter.com/TADFilmFest

We look forward to thrilling you at the movies next month!

SEE YOU AFTER DARK!

As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

Check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

iVampire #1, The Fury of Firestorm #1, Aquaman #1, Flash #1, Justice League Dark #1, Teen Titans #1, Green Lantern: New Guardians #1, Voodoo #1, BlackHawks #1, All Star Western #1 (Nug & Cymek’s Book of the Week), Hawkman #1, Batman: The Dark Knight #1 and Superman #1

As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

Check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

September 21st, 2011

Part 1 – Captain Atom #1, Nightwing #1, Legion of Super Heroes #1, DC Universe Presents #1, Catwoman #1 and Supergirl #1

Part 2 – Red Hood and the Outlaws #1, Green Lantern Corps #1, Blue Beetle #1, Birds of Prey #1, Wonder Woman #1 and Batman #1

As you may or may not have heard, DC Comics recently made the bold decision to relaunch their comic book universe. Dubbed “The New 52″, the rebooted universe is an effort by the comic publisher to make their superheroes and stories more “modern and accessible”. The controversial relaunch will offer a fresh start for iconic superheroes and lesser known characters alike with all 52 titles being renumbered to #1.

Actor/comedian Nug Nahrgang and writer/director Andrew Cymek (Dark Rising) will be hitting The Silver Snail in Toronto every week to review “The New 52″. The pair plans to review EVERY single issue of “The New 52″ through their first story arcs.

We’re playing catch up today, but check back every week for more reviews from Nug & Cymek. Also be sure to follow @Nug13, @AndrewCymek and @SilverSnailTO on Twitter.

September 14th, 2011

Part 1 – Deathstroke #1, Superboy #1, Mister Terrific #1 (Nug’s Book of the Week), Suicide Squad #1, Frankenstein: Agent of Shade #1, Resurrection Man #1 and Legion Lost #1

Part 2 – Demon Knights #1, Red Lanterns #1, Green Lantern #1, Batwoman #1, Batman and Robin #1 (Cymek’s book of the week), Grifter #1 and Red Tornado Watch.