Dan Fill and Christine Thompson to Represent the Innovative Virtual Production Studio at the Leading Kids’ Entertainment Conference

07 JULY 2022 (TORONTO, ON) –  Dark Slope, the Toronto-based virtual production and metaverse gaming company, is thrilled to announce the attendance of key executive members at Kidscreen this year. For the duration of the event, running from Monday, July 18 to Thursday, July 21 in Miami, President of Dark Slope Dan Fill, and Head of Animation Production Christine Thompson will be on-site to speak with potential partners. 

“As Dark Slope continues to grow and diversify, Kids’ animation production remains at the core of what we offer. With Babble Bop returning for its second season, and many more shows in the pipeline we are excited to discuss the cutting edge of virtual production with our friends in the industry,” said Dan Fill, President, Dark Slope. 

Christine Thompson has led production on Babble Bop, recently having been promoted to Head of Animation at the company, overseeing CG-animated series, motion capture projects and asset prep for immersive projects in Unreal Engine.

For partners interested in booking a meeting with Dan Fill or Christine Thompson to discuss potential partnerships, contact Rakhee Sapra at rakhee.sapra@darkslope.com.

Kidscreen Summit is the leading global market and conference for the children’s media industry, bringing together creators, buyers and distributors of children’s programming for meaningful pitching and networking.

Founded in 2018, Dark Slope pushes the boundaries of multi-sensory entertainment center spectacles, virtual reality experiences, immersive games, and motion capture-driven virtual production for television. From its 8000 square foot studio, Dark Slope Studios leverages its warehouse-scale virtual production stage with proprietary pipeline, tools, workflows and game-engine technology in order to bring world class creative properties to life. Based in Toronto, and with a global workforce, Dark Slope Studios combines advanced technologies with compelling storytelling to reimagine the future of entertainment. Visit https://darkslope.com/ to learn more.

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Thompson becomes Head of Animation Production at Dark Slope after joining the company in 2018, with over 17 years of experience in animation production. She oversees high profile animated television series and interactive projects.

30 JUNE 2022 (TORONTO, ON) — Dark Slope, the Toronto-based virtual production and metaverse gaming company, today announces the promotion of Christine Thompson to Head of Animation Production. After leading production on the hit Peacock childrens’ TV series Babble Bop!, recently renewed for its second season, Christine will continue to play a vital role in the evolution of Dark Slope’s virtual animation production pipeline.

Joining the company in 2018 as a producer, Christine has overseen 3D animation and motion capture animation projects, as well as asset preparation for immersive projects in Unreal Engine. She has worked on multiple projects including Babble Bop! on Peacock, Secret Locations’ Waking Wonderland immersive AR experience, and Nickelodeon’s Ready Set Dance 2 among many others.

Before Dark Slope, her impressive portfolio includes award winning productions such as Total Drama: Pahkitew Island, which won best Kids 2-11 Series at the 2015 Cynopsis Kids !magination Awards, as well as household staples Clifford the Big Red Dog, Nickelodeon’s Bunsen is a Beast, and Fairly Odd Parents.

This appointment comes as Dark Slope continues to expand its digital production portfolio, emerging as a leading producer of kids’ animation in Canada, alongside continued growth in the virtual reality and gaming sectors.

Christine Thompson, Head of Animation Production at Dark Slope comments: “It has been an incredible experience working with such talented people, building the company from the ground level and making our name at the cutting edge of virtual production technology. There is so much potential still to unlock, and we can’t wait to show the world what’s next!”

Dan Fill, President of Dark Slope Studios comments: “As Dark Slope continues to expand and diversify its virtual production portfolio, Christine has been doing incredible work growing and supporting our Animation projects since day one. We’re absolutely  delighted to see her continue to lead and grow the team, as we fulfil our great ambitions for Dark Slope going forward.”

Christine will be in attendance at Kidscreen Summit 2022, from July 18th – 21st alongside the Dark Slope team. Please reach out to darkslope@swiperightpr.com if you would like to book a meeting with anyone at the team.

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About Dark Slope
Founded in 2018, Dark Slope pushes the boundaries of multi-sensory entertainment center spectacles, virtual reality experiences, immersive games, and motion capture-driven virtual production for television. From its 8000 square foot studio, Dark Slope leverages its warehouse-scale virtual production stage with proprietary pipeline, tools, workflows and game-engine technology in order to bring stories to life in new ways. Based in Toronto, and with a global workforce, Dark Slope combines advanced technologies with compelling storytelling to reimagine the future of entertainment. Visit https://darkslope.com/ to learn more. 

Media Contacts
Rakhee Sapra
(905) 334-3516
rakhee.sapra@darkslope.com

Sugarman joins Dark Slope with over 20 years of experience directing, producing, casting and developing factual entertainment programs, and will be responsible for overseeing the development and production of HyperReality television projects

25 MAY 2022 (TORONTO, ON) – Dark Slope, the Toronto-based virtual production and metaverse gaming company, today announces the appointment of Marnie Sugarman as their consulting Executive Producer of HyperReality Content. In this new role, Marnie will oversee development and production of series under Dark Slope’s HyperReality content banner. 

With over 20 years of experience across factual and unscripted entertainment, Sugarman has produced, directed, developed and cast across numerous series including Masterchef Canada, Canada’s Got Talent and Cash Cab Canada. As the consulting Executive Producer she is set to lend her expertise to the Dark Slope team, striking a balance between the technological possibilities of virtual production with the emotional and experiential needs of television audiences.

Dark Slope’s HyperReality Initiative was announced late last year, set to produce immersive, experiential television utilising Dark Slope’s proprietary virtual production pipeline. Capitalising on specialist game design capabilities, visual effects rendered in Unreal Engine, advanced haptic technology and dynamic face, hand, object and camera tracking, HyperReality television will transform what were once considered limitations in factual and live-action content creation. 

Marnie Sugarman, Executive Producer, HyperReality Content at Dark Slope comments, “HyperReality television is such an innovative content offering, and every genre can only be enhanced by the addition of cutting-edge VR components. It’s not often that something truly ‘new’ comes across your desk, and I’m looking forward to spearheading production and helping the Dark Slope team realize the in-real-life aspects of their series.”

Dan Fill, President of Dark Slope Studios comments, “We are excited to have Marnie join us at Dark Slope on our HyperReality television content. Her decades of experience across diverse factual entertainment series will be highly advantageous in the development and production of our concepts, and we cannot wait to see how she brings our projects to life.”

This month, Dark Slope announced a partnership with Insight Productions, the company behind award-winning, highly rated reality series including Battle of The Blades, Wall of Chefs, The Amazing Race Canada, Big Brother Canada, and Canadian Idol. The partnered companies will be hosting a private, hands-on showcase of their HyperReality show concepts  in Hollywood from June 8-10, 2022. In addition, Sugarman and the Dark Slope team will be at Realscreen in Dana Point, California on June 6 and 7, 2022. To book a meeting with Dark Slope to discuss HyperReality, please contact darkslope@swiperightpr.com 

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About Dark Slope
Founded in 2018, Dark Slope pushes the boundaries of multi-sensory entertainment center spectacles, virtual reality experiences, immersive games, and motion capture-driven virtual production for television. From its 8000 square foot studio, Dark Slope leverages its warehouse-scale virtual production stage with proprietary pipeline, tools, workflows and game-engine technology in order to bring stories to life in new ways. Based in Toronto, and with a global workforce, Dark Slope combines advanced technologies with compelling storytelling to reimagine the future of entertainment. Visit https://darkslope.com/ to learn more. 

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Media Contacts
Rakhee Sapra
(905) 334-3516
rakhee.sapra@darkslope.com

The partnership sees the two companies collaborate on a dynamic range of unscripted series that employ ground-breaking extended reality and virtual production technologies

17 MAY 2022 (TORONTO, ON) – Dark Slope, the Toronto-based virtual production and metaverse gaming company, and Insight Productions, one of Canada’s most established production companies, today announced a partnership to develop original competition formats for a new era of metaverse entertainment.  Built from the ground up, the projects will utilise cutting-edge virtual production technologies to elevate the reality television genre, producing a diverse range of formats for both children and adults. Production on the first project is set to begin later this year. 

Dark Slope announced their Hyperreality Initiative late last year, which is set to produce a new form of immersive, experiential television and blur the lines between the real world and the digital one. Dark Slope’s specialist game design capabilities, outstanding visual effects rendered in Unreal Engine, advanced haptic feedback, as well as camera, hand, face and object tracking will come together to push the boundaries of what is possible in television, bringing the competitors as close to the metaverse as they can get. 

Insight Productions, a Boat Rocker company, is renowned for its award-winning, highly rated reality series, and original formats including Battle of The Blades, Wall of Chefs, The Amazing Race Canada, Big Brother Canada, Canadian Idol, its most recent format, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada for Prime Video, and the just announced Eurovision Canada.

“Our partnership with Dark Slope affords both companies an incredible opportunity to produce dynamic new formats that will dramatically elevate the genre,” said John Brunton, Chairman, CEO, and Executive Producer for Insight Productions.  

“Our expertise in reality competition programming and desire to continually push the boundaries of storytelling, combined with Dark Slope’s unsurpassed virtual technologies and ability to create boundaryless exploration, will make for incredible viewer experiences,” said Mark Lysakowski, Executive Producer & Senior Vice President, Insight Productions.

Dan Fill, President of Dark Slope Studios comments, “We look forward to sharing what we are creating by combining Insight’s expertise in storytelling and original formats with our technical expertise in virtual production. The age of immersive metaverse television is now within our reach and we are excited to be trailblazers in this genre.”

Dark Slope and Insight Productions will be hosting a private, hands-on showcase of their hyperreality show concepts at Goya Studios in the heart of Hollywood from June 8-10, 2022. To book a meeting or express interest in attending their showcase, please contact rob.esom@darkslope.com 

About Dark Slope
Founded in 2018, Dark Slope pushes the boundaries of multi-sensory entertainment center spectacles, virtual reality experiences, immersive games, and motion capture-driven virtual production for television. From its 8000 square foot studio, Dark Slope leverages its warehouse-scale virtual production stage with proprietary pipeline, tools, workflows and game-engine technology in order to bring world class creative properties to life. Based in Toronto, and with a global workforce, Dark Slope combines advanced technologies with compelling storytelling to reimagine the future of entertainment. Visit https://darkslopestudios.com/ to learn more. 

About Insight Productions Ltd. (A Boat Rocker Company)
Insight Productions is known for its award-winning ratings juggernauts and is Canada’s most established content producer.  An industry leader in the development, financing, and production of hit programming, the company has created some of the most dynamic and top-rated programs including The Amazing Race Canada (the most watched Canadian show on record); ratings hit Big Brother Canada; Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble (the highest viewed non-sporting broadcast in Canadian TV history); The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration, a live concert special on CBC watched by one in three Canadians; and original formats Battle of The Blades and Wall of Chefs. Insight Productions was founded in 1979 and has since created thousands of hours of ground-breaking content. For more information on Insight Productions, please visit www.insighttv.com or on Twitter @insightprod or Facebook at www.facebook.com/InsightProductions

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Media Contacts
Rakhee Sapra
(905) 334-3516
rakhee.sapra@darkslope.com

Gabrielle Free | Free Publicity (for Insight Production Company, Ltd.)
gabfree.publicity@gmail.com
416-220-0201

The Hyperreality Initiative aims to produce a brand new form of reality television that allows participants to seamlessly travel between real and virtual worlds

Fill is set to speak at the Emerging Tech in Animation session on Saturday, November 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. EST.  

The animated series was produced on Dark Slope’s warehouse-scale motion capture stage, utilizing its proprietary pipeline of virtual production tools and techniques that include motion tracking and real time rendering.

Titled, Talent 2.0 – The Future of Creativity, and hosted by CASO (Computer Animation Studios of Ontario); Khanna is set to join a panel of industry experts this Friday September 24th at 2:00 PM EST.

Khanna is scheduled to speak in a roundtable discussion, Rocket Report, on Wednesday, September 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET with other industry leaders. The Rocket Report roundtable will discuss the overall state of the Canadian industry and how it pertains to the children’s media sector. 

Applicants are invited to submit a brief proposal with an unscripted series idea that balances innovative production techniques with compelling storytelling; visionary concepts that blur the line between the real world and the digital world.