TORONTO — Netflix is setting up a dedicated production hub in Toronto, which film and TV creators hope will provide new opportunities for local talent.

The California-based streaming giant announced Tuesday it is expanding its presence in Canada by leasing two studio spaces along the downtown industrial waterfront area.

At Cinespace Studios, Netflix is leasing four new sound stages — along with spaces for office and support work — totalling approximately 164,000 sq. feet. At Pinewood Toronto Studios, Netflix is also leasing four sound stages and adjacent office space totalling 84,580 sq. feet.

Netflix said the commitment will provide jobs for up to 1,850 Canadians per year, and that the leases are “multi-year” but didn’t specify for exactly how long.

‘Great news’ for local industry

“This is great news for the Toronto and the Ontario community, because it’s an endorsement of the high quality of the work that comes out of our industry,” said Jim Mirkopoulos, vice-president of Cinespace.

“Netflix has made a commitment to the film and television industry here that they’re going to continue to do stuff and by making this announcement, they’re standing by that,” added Nanci MacLean, president of Pinewood Toronto Studios.

Cinespace said its sound stages leased by Netflix are under construction and set to be operational this summer.

Pinewood said Netflix will move a production onto one of its sound stages in the next couple of weeks. The four sound stages being leased are separate from Pinewood Toronto Studios’ previously announced planned expansion.

Projects already set to be made at the hub include the horror anthology series “Guillermo del Toro Presents Ten After Midnight” and the film “Let It Snow.”

Netflix has production facilities in Los Angeles and recently announced new hubs for Madrid and Albuquerque, N.M.

It also leases British Columbia’s Martini Film Studios and production sites across Canada on a case-by-case basis.

Its co-productions with Canadian partners have included “Anne with an E” and “Alias Grace” with CBC, “Travelers” with Showcase, and “Frontier” with Discovery Canada.

Toronto’s mayor mentioned the possibility in January

Speculation of a Toronto hub started swirling last month when Mayor John Tory, who has been making annual trips to Los Angeles to lure film and TV projects to the city, told The Canadian Press he had “a very high level of confidence” that Netflix would open one up.

Tory’s words drew positive reaction from local screen talent, who said they hoped it would foster Canadian projects.

“In television right now, they’re always going to be my first stop, frankly,” said Toronto producer J. Miles Dale, who is developing “Ten After Midnight” with del Toro, with whom he won an Oscar last year for “The Shape of Water.” Dale is also developing his own Netflix series, “44 Chapters About Men,” which he hopes will be at the hub.

“You can say whatever you want, you can show whatever you want, you can show real adult situations without the kind of censorship that comes in.”

Netflix is giving a similar freedom to filmmakers, said Dean DeBlois, the Aylmer, Que.-raised director of “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” out Friday.

“It’s the wild west of filmmaking within their particular format and I have several friends who have gone to Netflix with original projects and they’re just having the best time of their careers,” said DeBlois.

“They’re willing to take a chance on a completely original project and not just resurrect something that’s been done before.”

The move may make production easier for Canadian creators

Streaming services are also one-stop shops for Canadian creators who usually have to go through multiple avenues to find producers, sellers, distributors and financing, said Oscar-nominated Toronto director Hubert Davis.

“For filmmakers, that might be the best option for your project to get it going, as opposed to going to all of these different sources to get it made,” he said.

Vancouver-based producer and filmmaker David Paperny is looking forward to the possibility of conducting business within Canada.

“They could have their ear closer to the ground of the vast Canadian talent source out here,” said Paperny.

“So it will be easier to pitch them, it will be easier for them to work in collaboration with us on our productions.”

Netflix also faces criticism for not paying Canadian taxes

But some worry the hub will take up precious studio space that producers are clamouring for in Toronto.

Netflix has also faced heavy criticism from Canadian broadcasters and other industry players for not being on a level playing field when it comes to regulation in Canada.

Because it’s a foreign digital company, Netflix isn’t required to collect or remit federal or provincial sales tax.

So far Netflix also hasn’t fallen under federal regulations that require the country’s broadcasting companies to pay into the Canada Media Fund for the creation of homegrown programming.

Netflix has argued it shouldn’t be forced to pay into such funds, pointing to the money it’s already putting into the system by creating shows here.

In Sept. 2017, the company pledged to spend $500 million over five years to fund original content made in Canada, a number it recently said it will exceed.

“I’m all for (a hub), bring it on. I just care about Canada’s voice and Canadian content,” said Virginia Thompson, co-executive producer of “Corner Gas” and co-founder of Verite Films.

“If there are more jobs for people in the city, great. And if it increases the chance of people here making (stuff), then terrific,” added Toronto-based actor/filmmaker Jay Baruchel, star of “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”

“When a big corporation comes to town, it could be awesome, but it’s not guaranteed to be so…. Whatever puts resources in the hands of talented Canadian artists, I’m all for it.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Each month, the NFCA will highlight one of its corporate sponsors, allowing an inside look at those who support the NFCA and the sport of softball. For our February spotlight, we feature Jeff Schuldt, Chief Commercial Officer at Diamond Kinetics.

What does your company do?

Diamond Kinetics brings cutting edge, sensor-based motion data and analytics to players and coaches across all ages and skill levels to help drive player development and performance improvement.

NFCA member benefits?

Diamond Kinetics’ partnership with the NFCA provides tremendous opportunities, through education and access to coaches, to advance our organization mission to help players improve, achieve their goals and be the best version of themselves they can be. Coaches are a critical piece of that process and we are committed to help them in every way we can. Our mission as an organization is perfectly aligned with NFCA and the coaches we both serve. It is a true team effort with the ultimate goal to benefit players and the game overall.

What inspired your company to partner with the NFCA?

Every year we are inspired by the hundreds of coaches with whom we talk at the NFCA Convention from all over the country. They have incredible passion for the game of softball, a deep desire to see it continue to grow and prosper, and are committing their lives to those goals. Coaches devote a tremendous amount of time, talent and treasure to their work … that alone is very inspiring! What’s more, we have found NFCA coaches are are not only open to new ideas, approaches and technologies, but have a genuine thirst to learn and grow themselves.

As a company we believe strongly in lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Seeing so many highly successful coaches who continue to want to learn themselves, while teaching and mentoring others, is a standard to which Diamond Kinetics aspires and is inspired to achieve.

——————–

“We were thrilled to announce Diamond Kinetics as an NFCA Official Sponsor (in September). The use of technology has become very important within the fastpitch community and Diamond Kinetics provides our members with easy-to-use educational tools to help teams succeed.”

— Carol Bruggeman, NFCA Executive Director 

On the Web – www.diamondkinetics.com

On Facebook / You Tube – DiamondKinetics

On Twitter – @DiamondKinetics

On Instagram / SnapChat – diamondkinetics

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – All-American outfielder Haylie McCleney from Alabama has been selected as the 2016 Senior CLASS Award® winner in softball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
 
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. McCleney is the fifth student-athlete from Alabama to win a Senior CLASS Award.
 
“It’s a huge honor to be a Senior CLASS Award winner coming from this program. It’s an honor to wear the jersey and be mentioned alongside some of the best players in program history who have also won the award in Charlotte Morgan and Kayla Braud,” said McCleney, who is currently pursuing an NCAA Women’s College World Series title with the Crimson Tide. “Student-athletes are at such an advantage, especially at a university like this where we have so many resources. It’s instilled in us every day to work hard in everything we do and we’re driven on the field, which I think helps in all aspects of life. It helps in the classroom, and it helps in the community, just trying to make an impact every single day. It’s an honor to be rewarded in that aspect.”
 
Already a three-time All-American with the potential to become the program’s sixth four-time winner, McCleney continues to receive accolades from her on-field performance. One of the greatest to ever take the diamond for the Crimson Tide, McCleney owns Alabama career records in batting average, walks and on-base percentage and ranks in the top 10 in slugging percentage, hits, runs and stolen bases. She is a four-time All-SEC honoree, a four-time first-team NFCA All-South Region selection and a top-10 finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year award this season.
 
“I don’t know if I’ve ever had a more deserving student-athlete than Haylie for this award,” said Head Coach Patrick Murphy, who has guided the Crimson Tide to five SEC titles and one WCWS championship (2012) since taking over the program in 1999. “She truly does it all on the field, in the classroom and in the community. She is truly one of the greatest of all time, and it’s been a privilege to be her coach.”
 
As impressive as she is on the field, McCleney has risen to dominance in the academic field as well. For the second-straight year, she was selected as the CoSIDA Softball Academic All-American of the Year, earning first-team honors for the third-straight season after owning a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average in exercise science throughout her college career. McCleney also earned the SEC’s H. Boyd McWhorter Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season and was the 2015 SEC’s Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
With her commitment to competition and classroom excellence, McCleney prioritizes community involvement, volunteering for a number of causes throughout her college career. She and her teammates participate annually in the Halloween Extravaganza, through which Alabama student-athletes create a safe and fun Halloween environment for area youth, as well as Project Angel Tree and ReadBAMARead. McCleney also has made visits to the local Manderson Cancer and VA Hospital to encourage patients.
 
“Haylie is one of the most all-around excellent student-athletes in any collegiate sport right now,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “She truly epitomizes what we want to honor with the Senior CLASS Award, and we’re thrilled that the voters have chosen her as this year’s recipient. Our sincere congratulations to Haylie, her team and to the University of Alabama.” 
 

# # # #

 
Senior CLASS Award First-Team All-Americans

Caitlin Attfield, UAB

Jailyn Ford, James Madison 

Haylie McCleney, Alabama

Kelsey Nunley, Kentucky

Kelsey Susalla, Michigan

Senior CLASS Award Second-Team All-Americans

Elena Bowman, Manhattan College

Megan Cooley, Boston College

Kasey McCravey, Army West Point

Erin Miller, Oklahoma

Heather Stearns, Baylor

— Courtesy of Erik Miner, Senior Class Award

 
ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards a senior season can bring. Premier Sports Management manages the award. 
 
NCAA and Women’s College World Series are trademarks owned or licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

During today’s Direct, Nintendo revealed that Fire Emblem: Three Houses will launch on Switch on July 26, later than the Spring release window that had previously been announced.

Nintendo also showed off a large amount of story and gameplay details for Three Houses, which puts you in the role of a teacher at a neutral officer’s academy seated in the center of three kingdoms. You pick one of three houses to teach for within the academy, each representing one of the countries surrounding it, and grow and foster your units as students before taking them out on missions in the field.

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As with other Fire Emblem games, units will grow relationships with each other and can be specialized through training – Three Houses just does so in the context of a university setting as opposed to an all out war. You’ll be able to give units exams to teach them magic, learn skills like horseback riding, or to train them into specific roles.

That said, bringing your students out on missions will pit them against very real adversaries as you fight bandits or try to keep the peace between nations. During combat, you’ll still be able to see units as individuals on the grid map, but each one will actually be leading a larger battalion of troops when the camera zooms in for attacks, a departure from the solo fighting of previous games.

This is the most we’ve seen since a short trailer for Fire Emblem: Three Houses Back at E3. Be sure to follow IGN for the rest of our coverage from today’s Nintendo Direct.

Tom Marks is IGN’s PC Editor. Find him on Twitter @TomRMarks.

Let’s talk honestly about the Super Bowl: the game was boring, the halftime show a headscratcher, and the outcome proof that good things regularly happen to friends of Donald Trump. But lots of people still tuned in, either because they love football, they love ads, or they wanted to take part in one of the biggest cultural events of the year.

One of the big Super Bowl ads featured Canada’s own Michael Bublé in an ad for Bubly brand sparkling water. Lots of people think his last name is pronounced “bubbly,” his role in the ad is to convince everyone the water is actually pronounced “Bublé,” and, naturally, hilarity ensues.

“I am Canadian and I am a big fan of football,” the singer said in a statement about the ad. He added that the cans are “perfect for any Super Bowl viewing partés you might be having.”

Bublé actually has pretty good comedic timing. (Remember the “Ham and Bubbly” SNL sketch where Jon Hamm played a psychotic version of himself who strong-armed Bublé into opening a pork-and-champagne restaurant? Solid stuff.)

The ad was a tidy hit for an audience who was starved for something interesting and fun to watch.

Comedian Aparna Nancherla also appears in the ad, as a shopper who politely tries to correct Bublé’s pronunciation. She illustrated a lot of the friction surrounding this year’s Super Bowl with a tweet she sent out after the ad aired, promising to donate part of her paycheque to Black Lives Matter and the Flint Water Fund.

Many football fans had mixed feelings about tuning in to this year’s Super Bowl. Some took director Ava DuDernay’s lead and boycotted to game to protest the NFL’s treatment of Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t been signed to a team in what many people believe is direct retaliation to his decision to protest by kneeling during the national anthem. Both Rihanna and Cardi B turned down offers to perform at the halftime show, and Jay-Z allegedly tried to talk Travis Scott out of it.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. –  The 2016 NFCA Convention kicks off on Wednesday Dec. 7 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 10 at the New Orleans Marriott.  Over the course of four days, attendees have a wide array of opportunities to educate themselves, network, conduct business, be recognized for their achievements, discover innovative products and have fun.

To get those more acquainted with the on-going proceedings, this feature takes a look at the final day (Dec. 10) of activities, which includes Drills, Drills, Drills, the Champions Brunch, Chalk Talks, our final speakers and caps off with a celebration of softball returning to the Olympics as USA Softball hosts a Olympian Reunion game versus the Louisville Slugger Warriors.

2016 NFCA CONVENTION WEBSITE | REGISTER HERE | SPEAKER LINEUP | SCHEDULE | EXHIBITORS

Awards
The final recognition of coaching achievements takes place at 10:45 a.m. with the Champions Brunch. Following a hearty meal, our Easton Assistant Coaches of the Year and the national and regional Coaching Staffs of the Year will be honored. An added bonus this year is the opportunity to eat and mingle with former Olympians, who will be present and recognized for their achievements.

Educational Opportunities
Start your morning off right (9:00 a.m.) with the always popular “Drills, Drills, Drills.” This year Campbellsville Kim Borders Dunlap (pitching), Kansas’ Megan Smith (infield) and San Diego State’s Stacey Nuveman Deniz (hitting & catching) share drills in their areas of expertise.

Prior to that at 8:00 a.m., Texas Woman’s University will hold an open meeting about its master’s in coaching degree. What is unique about the program is the NFCA works in conjunction with TWU, allowing the association’s NFCC classes to supplement some of the University’s course requirements.

Chalk Talks (formerly called roundtables) kick off the afternoon’s education opportunities as coaches interact during each of the four forums. Our lead coaches in 2016 are Central Michigan’s Margo Jonker (Parent Orientation), Arkansas’ Matt Meuchel (How Statistics & Metrics Can Help You Win Games), Adelphi’s Bree Nasti (Creating Culture: Autonomy in Action) and Virginia’s Joanna Hardin (Rising in the Coaching Ranks).

Rounding out the convention schedule will be the final two speakers- Alabama’s Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro (Transition from Pitcher to Pitching Coach) and Denison’s Tiffany Ozbun (The Hidden Influence of Catching: Relationships & the Games within the Game).

Fun & Community Service
With it being the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal victory and softball returning to the Olympics in 2020, ASA/USA Softball in conjunction with the NFCA Convention hosts a reunion game, featuring a slow-pitch exhibition against the Louisville Slugger Warriors. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark, home of University of New Orleans baseball. Admission is free and there will be an autograph session immediately following the contest.

Prior to the game, the Diversity Committee will conduct an one-hour free clinic.

Note: Be sure to pick up your credential, because without your convention badge, you will be unable to attend all the great sessions offered in New Orleans.

For those arriving on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and who want to beat the crowd, a four-hour window (Noon-4:00 p.m.) is available to pick up your credentials. The registration booth will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7 and Thursday, Dec. 8. On Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, the booth opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at noon and 10 a.m., respectively.

In addition to picking up your credentials (for those who preregistered), members can also register on-site, renew their memberships and sign up for other convention related items.

SMITHERS, B.C. — A Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief told a crowd of First Nation leaders gathered in Smithers, B.C., that no elected band council or Crown authority has jurisdiction over the land.

Chief Na’Moks said agreements signed by pipeline builder Coastal GasLink are illegitimate and the support shown by those gathered, and by many people around the world, proves the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leaders do not stand alone.

“Our rights to those lands have never been extinguished,” Na’Moks said during the gathering on Wednesday.

First Nations leaders from across British Columbia travelled to Smithers for the rally to show their support for the hereditary chiefs, after RCMP enforced a court injunction last week allowing the natural gas pipeline company access into the territory.

Following the rally, chiefs and supporters marched along part of Highway 16, which cuts through the Wet’suwet’en territory.

Chiefs and elected council members from several B.C. First Nations, including Haida, Gitxsan and Babine Lake, stepped up to share their support and stories of resistance against industry during the gathering.

Wayne Christian of the Secwepemc nation told the crowd that “legislative genocide” had been waged against Indigenous Peoples for generations.

He said reconciliation cannot occur “at the end of a gun.”

Several leaders spoke about conflicts they have had with industry and cases where the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs have shown them support that they now want to return.

Harvey Humchitt, a hereditary chief with the Heiltsuk First Nation in Bella Bella, where a tug ran aground spilling diesel and lubricants into the waters, said it only takes one incident to cause devastation.

Murray Smith of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation said Na’Moks supported members of his nation trying to protect eel grass from industry at Lelu Island, and again when they appeared before the United Nations to appeal for their authority to be recognized.

“You are in charge of your land, make no mistake about it. We are in charge of our land. And at times, we need to rely on each other for support,” he said.

The Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline would run through the Wet’suwet’en territory to LNG Canada’s $40-billion export facility in Kitimat, B.C.

The company says it has signed agreements with the elected councils of all 20 First Nations along the route.

However many who oppose the pipeline says the company has authority without consent from the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.

The hereditary chiefs say elected bands administer the reserves while they have authority over 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory.

Ayla Brown, an elected councillor with the Heiltsuk First Nation, said divisions between elected councils and hereditary leaders has been overstated.

“We’re here to say we stand with you,” she said. “There is no division here.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, with the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said the hereditary system must be protected.

He said images of the RCMP arresting 14 people at a blockade of the pipeline last week have spread across the world.

“We know that small candle of flame that you had at the at the checkpoint has grown into a prairie fire across the country and the world,” he said.

Molly Wickham, a member of the Gidimt’en clan within the Wet’suwet’en nation who was arrested when RCMP enforced a court injunction and dismantled the checkpoint, said she never doubted the righteousness of what she was doing.

“I witnessed excessive force against Indigenous people on our lands,” she said.

The RCMP said it was launching a review of officers’ actions during the arrests, but police have said they’ve found no initial evidence of misconduct.

Wickham asked anyone who held the checkpoint with her to stand up and about half a dozen in the crowd stood with their fist in the air.

She said she and others will continue to defend the land.

“This fight is not over,” Wickham said.

By IGN Staff

There are an absurd number of video game movies that have been announced, planned, or are currently in production right now.

Only a handful of them will probably ever happen and only a fraction of those have actual release dates. We decided to round them all up anyway.

For the purposes of this list, we classify a “video game movie” as an actual film adaptation of an existing video game, so something like Wreck-It Ralph (which is just a movie about video games) wouldn’t qualify. They don’t have to be faithful adaptations – they just have to be based on a real game.