Vladimir Kooperman, a graduating student in the Bachelor of Applied Arts - Animation program at Sheridan, was named winner of the Best Animated Film category at the recent Student Film Showcase organized by the Toronto International Film Festival Group.
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2008
Oakville, Ontario
Vladimir Kooperman, a graduating student in the Bachelor of Applied Arts - Animation program at Sheridan, was named winner of the Best Animated Film category at the recent Student Film Showcase organized by the Toronto International Film Festival Group. This is the third straight year that a Sheridan student has scooped a top award at the Showcase (previous winners include 2006: Nev Bezaire's A Trip to the Doctor, Best Film and 2007: Trevor Jimenez's Key Lime Pie, Best Cinematography).
Kooperman's 4-minute film, C-Block, is a futuristic animated piece which follows a lanky canine desperate to be reunited with his favourite chew toy. The film's production reflects the blend of classical and computer animation training the filmmaker experienced at Sheridan. Kooperman began by drawing the character animation with pencil and paper, and then used computer tools for backgrounds and compositing.
Kooperman, who graduates this month, leaves in July for a position as an animator with Pixar Animation Studios in California. Kooperman was born in Moscow, but has lived here since the age of 12. He studied computer science for two years at the University of Toronto before deciding on a change of direction. "I wanted to be creative and artistic in a practical way, so animation seemed to be the way for me," he says. "I chose Sheridan because it has the most prestige in the field of animation in the Toronto area. It was a great experience working with other young filmmakers in the program."
Vladimir's film was first selected as one of 13 finalists from over 500 films submitted by fifteen member film schools in five Canadian provinces. As an award winner, he receives a 35mm DI Output of his film courtesy of Technicolor Toronto, a ROKR z6m Handset and a RORK s9 Bluetooth Headset courtesy of Motorola, as well as a Sales & Industry pass to the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.
Media Contact:
Susan Atkinson
(905) 845-9430, ext. 2096
susan.atkinson@sheridanc.on.ca