Switch hitting

Toronto’s Switch VFX closed out a busy 2006, comfortably switching back and forth between projects for the big and small screens.

The studio served as the primary FX facility on Disney Channel’s Calgary-shot yuletide MOW Santa Baby, starring Jenny McCarthy, for which it produced extensive CG shots and matte paintings. It also recently wrapped FX on season one of the locally shot NBC/Lifetime drama series Angela’s Eyes, about a rookie FBI agent (Abigail Spencer) out to prove the innocence of her parents, who have been arrested and charged as double agents.

Switch can also bask a little in the glow of the three Golden Globe nominations earned by the AMC miniseries Broken Trail. It contributed matte paintings to the Alberta-shot western starring Robert Duvall and directed by Walter Hill (48 Hrs.).

In the theatrical world, the shop has bragging rights as the sole FX provider on Lionsgate’s Saw III, which opened for Halloween and has pulled in US$142 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Switch handled more than 130 shots under VFX supervisor Jon Campfens.

www.switchvfx.com

Gather Intelligence and mash it up

CBC is calling on all would-be editors to cut their own trailers for the acclaimed crime drama series Intelligence. The Intelligence Video Mash-Up Contest, a joint venture between the Ceeb, prodco Haddock Entertainment and Eyespot.com, invites any and all to gather selected video and audio clips online, and edit them down to 30-second or 60-second promo trailers.

With digital tools now in the hands of so many, the promo is right in step with the times, and a smart initiative in the never-ending quest for attention for Canadian shows.

Every week Intelligence creators will choose their favorite video and upload it at www.cbc.ca/intelligence. Then, a grand prize winner will be announced to coincide with the airing of the Jan. 30 season finale. The winner will get an Apple MacBook Pro loaded with Apple Final Cut Studio, and two honorable mentions, whose entries will also be featured on the pubcaster’s website, will each get a 30GB iPod.

Better hurry, though – the deadline is Jan. 23. For more information, check out the CBC website.