The TZ Experience At This Year's Zone Street Fair
Welcome to our recap of the vibrant Transmedia Zone at the Zone Street Fair, where creativity and innovation intersect! This year, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with students, engage in lively discussions, and even record a live podcast featuring a special guest, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, the Provost and Vice President of TMU. Her insights into the Zone Learning Network and its impact on higher education sparked inspiring conversations that highlighted the importance of experiential learning. We were also thrilled to have three of our founders showcase their exciting projects this year: Josh from Ten Four Pictures, Anto from InnerGenerational, and Angelina from Cat6. Join us as we delve into the highlights of this dynamic event and share the stories that emerged from our engaging interactions!
Josh Buxton (opens in new window) (below), founder of Ten Four Pictures, set up a booth to showcase their latest video projects, captivating attendees with innovative storytelling techniques and visual artistry. Alongside his talented team of filmmakers and educators, Josh generously shared insights and expertise with aspiring film and production students. He offered valuable industry tips and practical advice for navigating the creative landscape, all while fostering an encouraging environment.
Learn more about Ten Four Pictures here (external link, opens in new window) .
Anto Chan (opens in new window) (right), founder of InnerGenerational—a performance collective focused on engaging multi-generational audiences in the Asian community, especially youth—connected with performance students at the fair. His passion for storytelling and community engagement shone through as he shared insights on representation in the arts. Anto’s approachable style inspired students to think about how they could use their talents to foster dialogue across generations!
Find out more about InnerGenerational here (external link, opens in new window) .
Dan and Jessie brought their popular show, Toronto Tomorrow (external link, opens in new window) , to Gould Street, inviting students to step into the guest seat and share their thoughts on the future of the city. The atmosphere was electric as participants engaged in meaningful conversations about their visions for Toronto.
"In Canada, we're one of the few [universities] that really has this type of ecosystem on campus that students can access for free and [it] really adds value because that's what they need." - Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano
Adding to the excitement, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano (left) stopped by to offer her insights on Zone Learning, emphasizing its role in fostering collaboration and creativity among students. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved to explore the intersection of education and community in real time!
Angelina Almanza (opens in new window) (above), the brain behind CAT6—a tabletop console made for web designers—had everyone buzzing with excitement as she showcased the latest version of her device, complete with a fun, student-made game. Everyone flocked to her booth to try it out, diving into the interactive experience and discovering how gaming could spark their creativity. It was no surprise that Angelina’s booth became one of the most popular spots at the fair, as people loved getting together to play a classic arcade game!
A huge shoutout to the team at Zone Learning for all their hard work in pulling together the Zone Street Fair! Their dedication made it such a fun and vibrant space for creatives, students, and innovators to connect. From organizing activities to keeping everything running smoothly, they truly made the event a great experience for everyone. We really appreciate everything they did to make it happen!
Want to learn more about the Transmedia Zone? Find out more about programming, opportunities, and the community here: https://www.torontomu.ca/zone-learning/transmediazone (opens in new window)
Are you a student looking to learn more about the Entertainment Industry? All TMU students can now join our programming and be part of our community. Come to events, learn from guest speakers and gain mentorship and industry mapping from the TZ team! Join the TZ Student League (opens in new window) now!
