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10-mhe Canadien Champion, Friday, January 17, 2003 Aimation veteran Sehouten driving force behind new kids' series for Famiy' hane By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion A nimators dont schmooz with late-night television h-losts, find themselves on magazine covers or draw millions of dollars for individual projects. However, they can be compared to big-time movie stars ifl t least one regard. To truly suc- ceed in the world of animation, globetrottng eventually becomes a necessity. Native Mfiltonian Chris Schouten is a prime example of that. In order to ensure job security and stay on the cutting edge of bis chosen pro- fession, the cook turned commercial artist has ventured to such far-off places as China, Japan and Hungary. Its (travel) a pretty common requirement, especially to hetter oneseif," said the 45-year- old, who was boro and raised Iocally. "You can neyer stop learning, and often that forces you to move - begrudgingly sometimes if you've got a family ike me." Currcntly, Mr. Schouten finds imself back in Ottawa wbere he originally broke into thc ai- mation scene in the Iate-'70s. But witb rougbly a quarter of a century worth of experience, he returned to the nation's capital last year as the furthest thing froro a rookie. I fact, the Sheridan College animation pro- gram graduate is now tie driving force behind Amberwood Production'sThe Secret World of Benjamin Bear - a 26-episode chidren's series set to alr on The Family Channel in the falt of 2004. Having begun full-scale production just last week, Mr. Schouten and a crew of nearly two dozen amimators are in thc early stages of bring- ing to ife the original vision of Amberwood owner and executive director Sheldon Wiseman, who was inspired by the classic cbildren's song Teddy Bear Picnic. "This should keep us busy for Uic next year,' explained Mr. Schouten, wbo bas worked on such well-known projects as Inspector Gadget and Batman - The Dark Knight. "'Tr basicaly responsible for every detail of production, but 1 Uink I'm up to the challenge." Wbile holding down the director s chalr isn't exactly commonplace for Mr. Scbouten, he bas wom Uic mentie of leadership before - and bas ~-~$ I r:- Sheridan College animation program graduate and Milton native Chria Schouten la the driving force behind Amberwood Productiona mTe Secrat World of Benjamin Bear - a 26-epleode childrens eerl.a set ta air on The FamiIy Channel ln the faeu of 2004. certainty leamed a lot fromn industry icons ike '90s, highligbsing Uieir partnership wiUi Uie pro- Don BIuUi. duction of Anastasia - 20th Century Fox's firs The two worked side by ide tbrougb Uic mid- full-length animation feature film that delighted audiences in 1997. *'He taugbt me a lot," stresscd Mr. Schouten. ame TECHNOLOGy on page il Hearthside series will continue with swing music event Feb. 8 Romance witl be in Uic air at Halton Region Museumo Saturday, Feb. 8. Together with AM740 prime tiane radio, Uic museuro foundation will prescnt a pre-Valentines Day cvening - Hearthside Dinner and Music Series - as 7 pr. The fund-raising event will begin wiUi a buffet-style dinner, followed by a performance by George Grosman and Swing Noir - wbo play a mix of 1920s and '30s jazz and ethnic swing music. In its fifth year, Uic music series is one of a number of initiatives that Uic foundation bas established to assist wiUi Uic ongoing renova- tions and artifacts preservation at Uic Halton Rcgion Museum, locat- cd at Kelso Conservation Ares. Tickets for Uie event cost $35 a person and cen bc purchased by calling (905) 875-2200, ext. 0 or by visiting Uie Region's Web site at www.region.halton.on.ca./muse- 0: Why did the ~hr chicken cross Futurelmse the road? A:' To live longer. HM. 25 S. AT OERD.,R MILTON w