LA Canvas Newspaper Issue 3

Volume 1, Issue 3 MARCH 2010

LIFE

& S

TYLE

McQueens Tragic Death Leaves Fashion World Stunned

Page 12

NEW

STak Feature

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VOICE

NEWS

FEATURES

LIFE & STYLE

FOOD & FUN

GAMES & TECH

I NDEX2-3

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8-9

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11-12

VOICE

NEWS

FEATURES

LIFE & STYLE

FOOD & FUN

GAMES & TECH

Volume 1, Issue 3.indd 1 3/1/2010 1:50:12 PM

L.A. CAnvASDeadline Schedule

Next IssueApril 2

Editorial DeadlineMarch 19

Advertisement DeadlineMarch 19

For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases,

send to [email protected] Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601

THE ART INSTITUTE of California - Hollywood

MARCH 5, 2010

THECREATIVE

COMMUNITY

The college newspaper is published as a learning experience. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibilities of the student newspaper staff.Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinion expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of The Art Institute of California - Hollywood,Art Institutes, or any office or employee herein. No material may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of L.A. Canvas.

Editor-In-Chief: Kevin Hidalgo

Newspaper President: Dante Colombatti

Public Relations Director: Yushi ImaiPublic Relations: Danial Alvarez, Frederick Broussard, Patrick HallMarketing and Social Media: Chalita WaldenGraphics: Daniel Alvarez, Kelsey Campbell, Mandi Gum, Remedy Jeannie Huynh, Jennifer LeungReporters: Andrea Emmes, Justin Fitzwater, Tiffany Kantor, Violet Koncz, Leslie Mendez, Casey SunichPhotographers: Baokhanh Hoang, Brennen Scott, Neeyaz ZolfaghariIllustrators: Benjamin Black, Justin Fitzwater, Kelsey Sweet

Advisor: Khara Cloutier

Email: [email protected] Relations: PR@LACanvasSales: [email protected]: (818) 485-2486

Voice2MARCH 2010

By Kelsey Sweet

The women depicted in this composition include (from top to bottom) Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, “Rosie the Riveter,” Marie

Curie, and Sidonie Colette. They were influential and infamous figures of the early feminist movement, each portraying the diversity of woman nature and the strength of individual character. The picketing

group are representing International Woman’s Day in the 21st century, showing that women have come together in even greater numbers. The Triangle Factory building, in the upper right hand corner, is an icon for early reform.

The exploitation of women’s labor went up in flames in a horrific story which spurred the growth of unions for the improvement of working conditions and equal rights. The fists from the Russian

propaganda poster symbolize the restrictions women’s movements have faced. Woman’s Rights began to spring up internationally after the fall of Communism, but women still struggle today on a global level for equality.

College Tribute to Women’s Month and Influential Women in History

By Brennen Scott

Making a decision about which web designer to choose has been a journey with many up and downs. Some designers wanted me to send my work and payments with out every meeting them. I realize this is the age of electronic interfacing but I’m old fashion when it comes to investing in something as important as my personal web site. Being able to meet a web designer in person gives me a chance to evaluate them personally. Even at the moment when I did meet some designers it felt as if they would just throw every big word that has to do with web designing at me.

Confusing and not interested is the result from that. As a business man myself, I have learned that making things simple and clear is better for the client.

With a few months having gone bye and many hours of searching for the right web designer a simple referral from a fellow photographer paid off big. Lindsay Gatz you are my web angel. Agreed to meet in person, made the process simple and most important great customer service. Having the right design to compliment my photo work was of all importance and Lindsay made that happen. I just have a few words of advise when looking for a web designer.

Until someone is compliant with your every web design need don’t settle. Realize that your site is your identity, it determines how your potential client sees you and ultimately decides if your the right choice.

When In The Market For A Web Designer


Voice MARCH 2010

3

They really love me!

I taught they would like that one!

State Of The Union Address.

By Kyle Hogland

Yes would seem to be the answer. But is that true? I grew up going to church three times a week for over twenty years. I qualified for a state speech contest, and missed it to go to church. Vacation? School Trip Activity? Yes, I made arrangements for someone to pick me up and go to church. I was a die hard ‘church-goer’.

Most would consider this extreme, but I was under the impression that church came first. It does. But not the way man has organized it. Just because someone puts the word “church” on their front door, and cracks open the bible, doesn’t make them a church. You can tell me ‘My church isn’t like that, it’s very open. Let me ask you this then, ‘Do you think that you need to be a part of a church similar to how yours is set up? Do you think that you won’t be “as good” if you don’t go there? If not, then why do you go?’

I haven’t been in a church

that didn’t have some sort of ‘division’. Some sort of attitude like, ‘This church is a little better than others because ...’ Or, “If you don’t come to church (like this) then you will get weak.” Or in some extreme cases, such as the one I was a part of, ‘If you don’t go to a church like ours, you have lost your soul and are bound for hell.’ As much as they deny it, one of these attitudes is there. Christ doesn’t want this. If you believe in Him, then you should come together with other believers, but never block anyone from “your circle”. Your circle should be with every believer in the world.

The church is spiritual, and we all make it up. Don’t worry about the traditional times and practices. Meet with believers when you can, and however and wherever you want. If that means over coffee or at school, then there ya’ go-- and you didn’t have to spend any money or extra time to make it happen either.

Are Churches Really Good For Us?

Illustration by Vince Barbre

American Fairy-taleBy Benjamin Black

A monster broke out and ravaged a kingdomDamsels took arms

Since the shining knight was sleeping

Chaos clung to the monster’s intentIt ate the sun

And to the castle wentDefenses were down

First Prince charming was foundInsuring maids as he drops the glass slipper while being eaten

It could be said that the princess was deadOnce it breached the castle walls

But she musedUnaware

As terror spilled into her home

In it’s savagedShe was ravaged

Placed inside a dark abold

To the beast She tried healinBut it only saw killin

And so to the villainHer life was sold

But then the beastFelt life slip

As a bulge disturbed it’s form

And in the end The princess would win

As erupting from it’s corpseWas an innocent new-borne

contact:


NewS4MARCH 2010

By Kevin Hidalgo

The American Cancer Society held a kick-off event at the North Hollywood Park to raise awareness and get volunteers for their 5th Annual Relay For Life in Studio City and North Hollywood on February 20.

Volunteers of the American Cancer Society walked

throughout the neighbor of North Hollywood soliciting volunteer for their relay that will take place on May 22 – 23 from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. the next day. The event will be held at the Walter Reed Middle School.

Cancer survivors as well as those affected by cancer are welcome to participate in the relay. A luminaria event is held

during the night to honor those that have faced cancer and survived or for those that lost the battle but are remembered by their loved ones.

For more information please visit www.RelayForLife.Org/StudioCityNoHoCA or you can contact them by email at [email protected] or call (213) 427-7291.

Cancer Society Raises AwarenessPhotos by Neeyaz /Canvas Stuff

NoHo News Briefs


NewS MARCH 2010

5

By Brennen Scott

As the recovery efforts continue, of the earthquake that struck Haiti earlier this year, millions of people across the world are fighting to raise aid for the people of Haiti.

The students at The Art Institute of California – Hollywood have put their artistic achievements aside to hold a charity dance to raise relief funds. The dance was a collaborated effort by the Students Activity Committee, the Haus of M and Rock Star Energy drink.

The dance raised over a thousand dollars for Haiti, all of which will go to help Haitians get the necessities to help them through this disaster.

The energy in the room grew as the night went on and the dance floor came alive. A delicious array of Caribbean food from Coley’s in North Hollywood was served to those who attended the dance.

A clean night of dancing, food, and games helped celebrate the fact that Haiti is in our hearts the whole way through their recovery.

Hearts 4 Haiti Raises Money For AidPhotos by Brennen Scott/Canvas Stuff

By Leslie Mendez

The Spoke (n) Art Ride is a once-a-month bicycle tour of art galleries in North East Los Angeles organized by NELA Arts and led by Josef-Bray Ali ; owner of Flying Pigeon. The ride is done at a slow pace that gives riders an opportunity to socialize and admire art in all sorts of mediums and styles.

The ride is held the second Saturday of every month and the route consists of galleries in and around Hyland Park. The ride changes route and theme every month but the $1 vegan tacos, $1 home brew, gallery after party and mini block party are always the last stop.

Last month’s ride was a blast and I didn’t’ even take my bike! I attended the ride and followed the riders in envy from a car taking pictures for this story. The riders met at Flying Pigeon and rallied up at York and Figueroa street to go over the route.

First Stop was THIS Gallery who was hosting it’s first opening. I loved how instead of greeting us with wine and cheese there was a bucket of ice that contained Pabst

Blue Ribbon, organic juices and Boxed water instead.

Second stop was 2 Tracks art studios. The place was a maze of art studios; where one exhibit ended another began. There was live charcoal drawing, food, music, a variety of artists displaying their work and artist performing their art forms.

Third stop was Café de Leche and the rest of the galleries on Ave 50. The riders parked their bikes and wandered in and out of the galleries. I was intrigued by the commotion happening at Outpost and walked over to watch the live screen printing.

The Art Ride came to a close at around 10:30 p.m. at The Bike Oven where everyone lined up for tacos. The Art Ride takes place every second Saturday of the every month. They meet at the Flying Pigeon in L.A. It is located on 3714 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065. The Bike Oven is always open for submissions so if you would like to get your work up your can shoot an e-mail with “Art Ride” as the subject to Veronica at [email protected].


KING TAKHe walks the dimly lit

room as the sound of his footsteps appear to align themselves with the sounds

of pencil on paper. Fifteen pairs of eyes study a naked human figure, while his eyes continue to examine them. He looks over their shoulder and corrects a student every now and then. The air of confidence radiates from him, as he takes a pencil and draws with deft motions, correcting a curve here and there. This is Tak Salmastyan, instructor at the Art Institute of California-Hollywood who teaches color theory, fundamentals of design, fundamentals of observational drawing, and perspective drawing. His name literally translates as “The King,” and it’s a role he does not mind wearing Born and raised in Armenia, Tak decided at five years old that he wanted to be a painter. He was fourteen years old when he graduated from The Academy of Fine Arts with Honors and Excellence. By sixteen, he knew he wanted to be a teacher. “I consider myself an American artist with Armenian flavor,” says Tak. Tak came from Armenia in 1990 to find a better future. Like many people from the Soviet Union, Tak was looking for freedom and liberty for his own mind. When Tak was young, he went through classical training in fine arts. As he grew up, a lot of inspiration came from the great masters like Picasso, Da Vinci, and many others. The most important thing to get good at drawing, in Tak’s opinion, is the human figure because “the teachers used to say if you can draw figure, than you can draw anything.” Tak has taught at the Art Institutes since 1997. He started out as the original drawing instructor for The Art Institute of California-Santa Monica, but after some time, he came to The Art Institute of California - Hollywood. He enjoys teaching and takes a lot of pride in what he does. Not only does he teach to the best of his ability, he learns from, and is inspired by, his students every day, adding “I enjoy my fellow colleagues and fellow students.” Tak enjoys being a teacher, and considers his students his investments. He believes that a good teacher gives the same energy, love, and passion to teaching them even if they have different skills and personalities. To him the ultimate reward to being a teacher is “when you inspire your students to be good” and do the best they can in all aspects of their life. He wants them to be a better person in their life in general. Tak’s paintings are unique. “I just like gold, it’s a symbol of being rich, but in a painting, I just want to show that the subject in the painting is intrinsically very rich,” Tak says about his use of 24 karat gold paint or gold leaf in his paintings to show their deep values. He rarely uses black because black has no light. “I would love to see light in everything. In misery, I’d like to see light.” Instead of black, he uses indigo blue. Geometry is also a recurring theme in many of Tak’s paintings. He believes that “it is the balance of the universe.” He says that it is hard to destroy geometry, but easy to rearrange, making it crisp, clean and balanced.

written by Violet Koncz | illustrated by Justin Fitzgerald

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.KING TAK A very distinct technique Tak uses in his paintings is how he puts both irises into one eye. He says that “sometimes [people] are so complicated that [they] wanted to see what they would look like simplified.” It is a simple strategy but creates interest in his paintings. Tak is intrigued by human nature and people. His paintings and drawings center around the human figure. “That’s why I ask a lot of questions. I want to know everything about human nature,” Tak says. This inquisitive man can make anyone laugh with his silly questions about why someone does something a certain way or how come people like this or that. It is very important to be inspired by simple things, Tak believes. When artists are young, they tend to look to other experienced artists for inspiration. As they get older, Tak has discovered their inspiration changes. They learn that everything around them can be a source of inspiration. Artists must learn that through experience and life they become their own inspiration, he thinks. “It starts with excitement, then you get inspired, and then you start working,” says Tak. “You never know where your next source of inspiration will be. It could be on the way to school, or at a museum. What inspires you could be anything: a leaf on the ground or even a stray hair on someone’s jacket. The possibilities really are endless.” Upon defining art, Tak realizes that “time defines art.” We have no legitimate definition for art because it is always changing. “It’s really hard to define art. It evolves,” Tak says. He thinks that today, art is when you look at something and it is more than what you see. He says that “it’s like a book. You have to be able to read it. If you understand the title than you can read the painting.” He believes that art should be deeper than what you see. It should make you wonder, fantasize, and ask questions about the world we are in. Tak believes that art is universal and should be understood by everybody, not just one group. He says that, “I care about people in general. If you are an artist then your art should be for everybody.” Not only should a painting please the observer, it should be thoughtful, meaningful, and somehow tell a story that is universal. People are easily inspired by this talented teacher/artist. He says that his affect on the school is positive and inspirational. The best compliment Tak has ever received was when a fellow colleague said to him, “Tak, you’re reputation exceeds you, all students want to be like you.” He even says that believe it or not, students themselves tell him they want to be just like him. Of course he jokes with them by asking “Do you mean bold like me?” With such a high reputation, it is no doubt that there can be a downside. “The truth is those complements are like heavy burdens because they make me like a role model and I do not have the right to disappoint anyone.” He is still very grateful for his position and status among the students.


By Tiffany Kantor

Surprise and devastation sweep the nation, as the country continues to mourn the death of British designer Alexander McQueen. McQueen was found dead in his home at the age of 40.

McQueen, one of the most influential fashion designers of the decade, was found hung in his home in London after committing suicide, the day New York fashion week began and the day before the funeral of his mother, Joyce, was to take place. A coroner official confirmed that McQueen’s body was found hanging in a closet in his London apartment.

His death came shortly after the tragic death of his mother a week prior. McQueen had been faced with a lot of heartache and depression following the suicide of his closest friend, mentor and

muse Isabella Blow, who committed suicide in 2007 after battling depression. In an upcoming article for Australia’s Harper’s Bazaar magazine, McQueen also confesses that he was also heartbroken by a relationship that went south with a mysterious Australian. The article will be published in the magazine’s April issue.

McQueen’s family and friends are comforted by the thought of Isabella, and hope the two will be reunited soon. The shock and devastation leaves his close family members, who were unsure whether or not to postpone his mother’s funeral, speechless of the events that took place the following day.

His

extraordinary design talent dressed many celebrities, including: Rihanna, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Lady Gaga, who wore his signature ‘Armadillo boots’ in her video “Bad Romance.”

“We are devastated to

learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. In such a short career, McQueen’s influence on street style, pop culture, and the world’s museum was astonishing. His passing marks an insurmountable loss,” said Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief

of Vogue.Shortly after McQueen’s

death, his clothes started flying off the shelves.

“The response was immediate,” said Kate Brindley, head of press at the London department store Liberty in an interview with The Times. “At about 4 p.m., just after the news broke, all of our Alexander McQueen stock

started flying off the shelves.”

Two of the most

requested pieces are the skull print scarf and a black shoulder-pad T-shirt from his summer collection.

McQueen had worked previously as the Chief Designer of the French Haute Couture House Givenchy, and more recently as the Creative Director of Gucci and having personal collections distributed in over 39 countries in specialty and department stores.

“Integral to the McQueen culture is the juxtaposition between contrasting elements: fragility and strength, tradition and modernity and fluidity and severity,” states McQueen’s officials website, alexandermcqueen.com.

Friends, family, and the fashion world mourn the passing of McQueen, but his legacy will live on in every garment he touched.

LiFe aND StyLe8MARCH 2010

McQueen’s Death Leaves Fashion World Stunned

Illustration by Justin Fitzwater/Canvas Staff


LiFe aND StyLe MARCH 2010

9

By Casey Sunich

Project ETHOS is rolling out its red carpet yet again in Los Angeles to kick off the spring season the right way with dozens of emerging talent. Taking place in the newly renovated Music Box in Hollywood, Project ETHOS is presenting ten up-and-coming fashion designers including two from the acclaimed hit reality television competition “Project Runway”.

The night’s long event not only will premiere rising designers but also musical talent and promising exhibition artists. On March 19, three of the biggest artistic industries merge for one special night to complement each other for this year’s Project ETHOS.

Upcoming Fashion Show to Debuts “Project Runway” Collections

By Tiffany Kantor

Textured concrete flooring lined with a brick basing, antique chandelier décor with exposed rustic brick, natural touches of plant centerpieces with small bird decorations on the walls, large wood-framed mirrors for a spacious interior of casual clothing from cardigans to silk dresses, dressing rooms detailed with antique white hangers and soft purple curtains. Sound intriguing? That’s only the décor.

Indexx, the casual chic store on Lankershim boulevard, offers a wide selection of clothing. Indexx has been in business for over ten years at another location in Studio City and for two and a half years in North Hollywood. The owner, Joy Yassan, saw North Hollywood as the up

and coming area that it is, and loves the trendy and artsy feel of the surroundings.

Indexx offers a wide variety of clothing, from urban to feminine, baggy to fitted, daytime to nighttime and downtown to name brand items. Indexx caters to women in their early twenties to late forties. They offer a versatile selection of garments from the plain white T-Shirt to a silk dress with also a small selection of accessories including belts and fedoras. Yassan did not only create the retail stores on her own, but she also pulls clothes for TV shows, such as Desperate Housewives and the Ghost Whisperer. Several celebrity clients also enjoy the clothes featured at Indexx. Some celebrity shoppers include Halle Berry, Kim Kardashian, and Victoria Beckham. Yassan

also makes frequent house calls for Jennifer Lopez.

Do not think Indexx carries only expensive clothing items, though. More recently, Yassan has sought to incorporate more inexpensive pieces as well. With prices that range from five dollars to three hundred, there is something for everyone’s budget. Indexx offers a ten percent discount to all students who show their ID.

Some of the popular brands they carry are J Brand Jeans and Viereek silk dresses. Indexx is not limited to the items in their store; they also order items on consignment and special order with no additional charge for you. In addition, they offer hem and alterations. With their continuous change of beautiful window displays, they keep the boutique filled with incredible

casual-wear pieces for all styles. What is great about Indexx, among other clothing stores, is that they work closely with their clients and offer image consulting to help you, as the client, be completely satisfied with your purchase. If requested they will also offer a little help and advice on what would suit you best in what you are looking for.

Sales representatives, Ann Erin and Kristina Menjivar, work closely with you, suggesting which items would work well with your body, as well as those pieces that would best complement your chosen garment. Indexx warmly encourages you to stop by and check out their great selection of clothing where they can confidently offer you a great shopping experience at their conveniently located boutique.

Stylish Boutique Brings High-End Style to NoHo

Photo Courtesy of Project Ethos

Performance by featured artist at last years event. Fashion, music and art come together at the Music Box March 19.

Photo by Baokhanh Hoang/Canvas Staff


FooD aND FuN10MARCH 2010

CANvAS: What made you decide you wanted to be a singer?EmmES: Since I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by music. my dad is a musician and used to be in a band when he was younger and I got a lot of musical influence from him growing up. I love the expression of emotion in song and find a real joy in singing.

CANvAS: Who are your biggest influences?EmmES: my dad is definitely a big influence. He is a self taught musician, playing the piano, harmonica and guitar. But I am a huge fan of singer/songwriters too, such as Amy Grant.

CANvAS: Who’s voice do you wish you had?EmmES: Sometimes I wish I had mariah Carey’s voice because of the amazing control she has, but I’m happy to have my voice.

Canvas: What was the first CD you ever bought?EmmES: Wow, I can’t even remember. I remember michael

Jackson’s Thriller but that was a 12” album.

CANvAS: Do you have a musical experience that changed your life?EmmES: Anytime I go to a concert, I am inspired and overwhelmed with emotion and by how much I want to be up there myself. It’s quite a rush to be onstage in front of thousands of people performing. I love it.

CANvAS: How did music come into play when you where recovering from your accident?EmmES: Besides God, music was my refuge and a huge help in keeping me sane and emotionally together. After getting hurt and laying in bed for so many months, it can really play havoc on your psyche, so I would listen to all my favorite musicians, cds, etc and just try to get lost in their emotion. Plus, I was inspired to write my own music and songs, chronicling my pain and heart while hurt.

CANvAS: What did you take away from that whole

experience?EmmES: I knew that those times can be difficult and you may lose things in your life that you feel are important, that there is always strength in God. I may have had to relearn a lot of things in my life after the accident and change careers and my outlook, but I realized that I still have a purpose and worth, especially through God and it was important for me to share that with others who are struggling with hard times. There is always hope.

CANvAS: How did you feel about winning the music award for Best Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year? EmmES: I was blown away when I won. I wrote the album while laying in bed nine months in pain every day. I wrote it to help me get through the monotony of pain and being in bed and in hopes that it might reach a couple of people and help them through their hard times. It made me realize that no matter what your situation is, there is always hope, you should never let your hard times keep you from your dreams.

By LA Canvas

After being diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a pain disorder that causes the body’s nerves to misfire and send a deluge of pain signals throughout the body in 2006, Andrea Emme’s saw music and song writing as her escape. After having a successful career in Las Vegas as a singer in a group, she diced to return to the Lord which inspired her songs for her first solo artist CD, “I’m On My Way.” Her love of music and resolve to get over her injury helped her win the Los Angeles Music Awards Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year in 2008. Check out Emme’s album “I’m On My Way” at http://www.andreaemmes.com/

LOCAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHTSinging Time With Andrea Emmes

Photo by Max Beard/Canvas Staff

Music › Khara Cloutier

In honor of National Women’s History month, here’s a tribute playlist to some of the female pioneering legends who have helped shape rock music history (well, at least by my American standard of what constitutes history).

Name Artist Album Atomic Blondie Eat to the BeatConnection Elastica Elastica Barracuda Heart Little QueenCan the Can Suzi Quatro Suzi Quatro Deceptacon Le Tigre Le Tigre Seether Veruca Salt American ThighsDoll Parts Hole Live Through ThisAngry Johnny Poe HelloNaked Eye Luscious Jackson Fever In Fever OutCannonball The Breeders Last Splash

volume

Photo by Baokhanh Hoang/Canvas Staff

ver wonder why green is so synonymous with St. Patrick's Day? According to ancient legend, the patron saint of Ireland (or "Patrick" to his friends)

used the three-leafed clover in an effort to explain the holy trinity. Today it is the registered trademark of Ireland but even the non-Irish are expected to wear at least the color green in his honor.

Though in recent years we've associated the green apple martini with the Big Apple in New York, the original recipe was first concocted in Ireland by mixologist

Barry Lovern. Included here are the makings for a Caramel Appletini courtesy of David Ballam at Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille. The lower alcohol content of Han Vodka is the perfect base for the fruity flavor of this drink.

From David Ballamat Eclectic Wine

Bar & Grille

1 3/4 oz of Han Vodka1/2 - 1 oz of

Rose's Apple Martini Mixsplash of triple sec

Swirl caramel into a martini stem glass and around rim of glass. Garnish with a slice of apple.

By Kyle Hogland

If Adam Sandler was testing wine here, he would say, "Now, now, dats' wut' i caw' some high quality wine!" A beautiful world of its own, with wine bars, a daily changing menu of deliciously filling food, family service, and a winery is the last of its kind left in L.A.

Is it good? As phone text-ers would say, "OMG". Yes, it is. The service is amazing, and the food is perfect. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine parties, whatever you want, the San

Antonio Winery gives it to you. First established in 1917 as a small house-sized business, the winery was able to survive the "prohibition" period by working with churches to produce their 'sacramental' wine. Now, in 2010, they are the only winery left in L.A. and one of the top 15 largest wine producers in the U.S.

Experience the fine life of Italy by taking a tour and seeing the hundreds of barrels lining the walls. San Antonio Winery, a global persevering leader in our world.


GameS & tecH MARCH 2010

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By Andrea Emmes

For those who have ever worked in the game industry before, long hours and demanding work situations have become the norm in recent years, but in November of 2004, Erin Hoffman, a spouse and employee of Electronic Arts (EA) made a monumental impact in the world of gaming.

Hoffman, like many others in the industry, were subject to long hours, no overtime, and little respect from management during what is known in gaming as “crunch time.” Crunch time is a critical moment in the production of a game, where designers, programmers, and testers spend 14-16 hour days feverishly trying to finish by deadline.

Ray Cobo, a former employee of EA, states that projects were run pretty much the same way as any other game studio in the world (long hours, crappy crunch food, no overtime, sometimes working six to seven days a week).

“One particular spouse [Erin Hoffman] was sick of never seeing her husband because he was coding for the game all the time, and when he was home, he was fried. So, she decided to write about it in her blog and it spread like a wildfire in Malibu. I think it had 5,000 responses in just a few days. Pretty soon, she was getting calls from lawyers and the next thing you know, EA had a civil lawsuit on their hands. The outcome resulted in some really positive regulations and a greater awareness to promote a stronger work and life balance,” said Cobo.

Late in 2004, Hoffman, along with her husband, Leander Hasty, were the main plaintiffs in the successful class action suit on behalf of software engineers at EA, which awarded the plaintiffs $14.9 million for unpaid overtime. A few weeks ago, another spouse from Rockstar Games, anonymously posted a blog on the well-known gaming magazine Gamasutra, criticizing “the harsh working

conditions at the company, asking it to stop lest legal action be taken.”

With the internet, there is not only a voice to be heard in the viral abyss, but that it can and will be heard by potential millions is a Godsend, to some. Long gone are the days where in order to air your grievances, you must write a letter to the editor of your local paper or news station in the hopes that your thoughts will be eventually published, and finally made known to the public. Another way to get your complaints heard and hopefully met with a response, was to write a letter to the corporate higher ups. However, most of the time, those means never produced desired results. Now we are in the blogging age which has become like an online diary for all to read.

If corporate higher ups from other game companies want to avoid any bad press and legal woes, they will have make necessary changes to make working conditions healthier for all.

Game Spouses’ Strike BackBy Ryan Stuhl

The evolution of the domestic internet connection is almost as fastidious as Darwin’s diagram of human evolution. Some of us remember the annoying beeps, squeaks, bobbles, and tones that were associated with our internet connection back in the early 90s, and we also remember how big of a deal it was when DSL first came out. Now we are Twittering about how slow DSL is and how awesome direct cable and FiOS systems are. But the ongoing problem isn’t always about the speed, it’s about bandwidth, and reliability. Until now ...

On February 10, Google announced that it is taking applications for locations throughout the United States

to test out a new hyper-speed fiber optic broadband system. The new system promises to deliver speeds of up to a gigabit per second, a speed that equal to more than 100 times faster than the average broadband speed in America. So, where should they test?

The answer is San Luis Obispo. The reasons are numerous, beautiful weather, a large population of tech people, a central location between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, but the most important is San Luis Obispo, a hub for connectivity between the United States and China. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has been advocating to the City of San Luis Obispo to formally apply for the testing in hopes that it would bring more business to the area.

Fiber Optic Breaks Ground on High Speed Internet

Cartoon by Justin Fitzwater/Canvas Staff


By Justin Fitzwater

As home theater systems

become more sophisticated and services, like Netflix and On-Demand digital cable provide consumers with a more convenient way to view the latest movies from the comfort of their own home, movie industry executives have begun to scramble in search of new ways to excite moviegoers and get them to their local cinemas. The success of James Cameron’s Avatar has everyone banking on 3-D as the experience that you just can’t find at home. Though the technology is coming, it will require customers to buy everything from a new 3-D compatible television to the DVD player required to play the new format.

While there have been plenty of movies recently that were created with 3-D in mind, even some originally filmed in 2-D are being converted to cash in on the excitement Avatar has spurred. To date, the film has grossed over two billion dollars in worldwide box offices according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. Utilizing a new ‘virtual camera system’ and the latest in 3-D technology, people are hailing Cameron’s latest as a ‘game changer’ and the savior of cinema.

Cameron designed the ‘virtual camera system’ as a way to

both capture a more realistic and affecting performance and to allow himself to be more involved in planning each shot as it was being recorded. Rather than filming actors’ motions and then taking that data and putting it into a computer and hoping for the best, he is able to view a monitor that displays a low-resolution rendering of what the shot will look like in real-time so he is able to make more accurate decisions about how he would like the scene to play out. More of the actors’ movement and emotion is preserved.

Aside from this new process, much has been made of the impact that 3-D has on the film. Movies like Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the

Titans, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows were all filmed on traditional 2-D film and converted to 3-D in the wake of Avatar’s success. Many other films, such as Transformers 3 and the final films in the Twilight series, might be filmed in 3D from the start.

3-D is meant to better immerse the viewer in the world they are experiencing. However, the question remains whether the push to convert everything to 3-D really benefits the viewer. Even films that have long since left theaters are being considered for 3-D. Cameron spoke out against the conversion in

a keynote presentation at the 3-D Entertainment Summit, and specifically against Alice in Wonderland’s conversion.

“It doesn’t make any sense to shoot in 2-D and convert to 3-D,” said Cameron.

With Cameron’s “virtual camera” technology and ever-evolving 3-D technology, directors are being given even more tools to shape their visions into something that people might want to go see. It is up to filmmakers to take these tools and use them creatively to excite audiences and get them into theaters. However, you feel about the new trend toward 3-D, it’s obvious it’s not going away anytime soon.

GameS aND tecH12MARCH 2010

3-D Tech Changes the Game

3D effects help to immerse viewers in the stunning world Cameron created.

By Andrea Emmes

Question. What kind of games do you like? Do you prefer to play puzzle games? How about simulation games? How about both? If I told you there was a fun PC game that offers both choices, you’d probably thank me, right? I mean who doesn’t want the best of both worlds? Well, Reflexive Entertainment gave me the unique opportunity to test Simplz: Zoo the day before it was available to the public. Let’s just say, that Simplz: Zoo is two for the price of one.

Not only an award winning game developer, Reflexive is one of the largest casual game distribution networks in existence reaching consumers with an extensive catalog of both PC and Mac games. In business since 1997, Reflexive has been

passionate about making great games. Russell Carroll, Designer and Producer, has nothing but high praises for his company and its games. “With our last game, Airport Mania, we set out to make people smile. Airport Mania did very well, and to date has been one of our bestsellers across the platforms. With Simplz: Zoo, we hope to delight even more people with a similar comical style and lots of make-you-smile goodness.”

Simplz: Zoo (available now www.simplzzoo.com) inventively combines the fun of a Match-3 puzzle game, with the casual enjoyment of a simulation game. Thus, challenging the player to create the number one zoo in the world. Simplz: Zoo is both fun and addicting.

All I can say, is “You’re welcome”.

Best of Both Worlds

Illustration by Justin Fitzwater/LA Canvas

Screen capture of Simplz:Zoo gameplay.


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LA Canvas Newspaper Issue 3