staying on top of the industry

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“The people who do are the people who actually get somewhere.”

~Shonda Rhimes on shifting dreams to reality, producer & screenwriter, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal

By gaining knowledge and experience, women multiply their capabilities and their confidence. The industry at large benefits from a committed, connected and well-trained workforce.

connections that make a difference

Mentorships

We believe wholeheartedly in the power of mentorships. Tremendous change can be catalyzed through these connections, both for the individual and for the industry at large. Every year, WIFT-T seeks to connect industry leaders with talented female professionals eager to expand their knowledge and their network. In 2015, we awarded five incredible WIFT-T members with just such an opportunity.
“One (but by no means the only) way to improve things would be to ensure that those of us who do manage to break through make a commitment to employing and mentoring other women.”

~Amma Asante, screenwriter and director, Belle

spotlight on

Nimisha Mukerji
“DGC Ontario and WIFT-T’s support means so much to me! Working with innovative leaders in Canada’s film industry and attending TIFF this year is going to make a big difference for my latest project.”
~Nimisha Mukerji, director, 65_RedRoses

An experienced and award-winning director, Nimisha Mukerji received our highly coveted and deeply enriching Director Mentorship, offered in partnership with the Directors Guild of Canada Ontario.

“There is huge value in being on a set and watching other directors work. If you don't get mentored or shadow another director how can you really see all the ins and outs of directing? It is particularly significant for women because we don't get the chances men do.” 

~Mentor Gail Harvey, director, Lost Girl


Fostering and nurturing exciting female director voices is of utmost importance to WIFT-T, as we strongly believe that diversity in the industry serves to strengthen it.

Nimisha received a focused mentorship with seasoned director Gail Harvey, most recently known for her work on Lost Girl. “Knowledge is truly empowering, and Gail was incredibly generous with sharing information,” said Nimisha. She also benefited from several one-on-one sessions with an industry professional and got a TIFF Industry pass. “Not only was I able to network with a team of professionals, but I gained experience on how different shows operate.”

more

Mentorships

William F. White Production Manager Mentorship

Holly O’Brien: Holly was given immersive hands-on production training and paired with established production managers Anna Beben (Orphan Black) and Melinda Ramsay (Air Emergency), as well as producer Lisa Baylin (Guidestones). She also received a $1500 equipment rental grant at William F. White.

“I feel so privileged – the relationships and knowledge I will leave the mentorship with will certainly help propel my career to the next stage.”
~Holly O’Brien, producer, Pop-Up Porno

Ubisoft Toronto Producer Mentorship

Chelsea O'Hara: Ubisoft has a vision based on shrewd industry insight, “the best games are made when there are successful collaborations between team members of varying perspectives and expertise. We can strengthen the game industry by continuing to find ways to diversify our teams, especially by attracting more women to game development.” This unique mentorship took Chelsea through a full cycle of game creation, from inception to final product.

“This mentorship honestly feels like a dream come true!”
~Chelsea O’Hara, digital media producer, IFDS Canada

DELUXE PRODUCER INTERNSHIP

Ciara Murphy: An excellent platform to help bridge the gender gap for women working behind the camera, Ciara landed a remarkable opportunity to learn from outstanding professionals at Deluxe’s new innovation studio. A wonderful experience for producers at the start of their careers.

“I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to develop my understanding of post-production at one of Canada’s leading studios.”
~CIARA MURPHY, CO-FOUNDER OF WOMEN ON SCREEN & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR, PIER 21 FILMS

CBC Business of Broadcasting Mentorship

Jensenne Roculan: Through comprehensive one-on-one sessions with expert staff, Jensenne gained valuable knowledge about how CBC operates behind-the-scenes, what motivates decisions behind programming, and how various departments interconnect using a CBC show as a case study.

“[An] incredible and truly unique opportunity to emerging female producers.”
~Jensenne Roculan, producer, DARKNET

exceptional education

intensives

Our intensives are game-changers. In 2015, we continued to provide high-quality, subsidized professional programs that foster and advance the development of screen-based professionals. 67 diverse and talented individuals expanded their minds, their networks, and their abilities. We were also ecstatic to add a new intensive to our program lineup – The Shaw Media Management Accelerator (SMMA).
“It’s all building your toolbox. Just keep working your way up the ladder and learn, learn, learn.”

~Daegan Fryklind, showrunner, producer & writer, Bitten, Being Erica

spotlight on

Shaw Media Management Accelerator
“I’m extremely excited to have been selected for this program #awesome #learning”
~@CherMerlo, Manager, Whites Interactive, William F. White International Inc.

“We developed a strong community of support and encouragement, which was built on trust and a safe environment. ... I am able to apply the core learnings daily. The SMMA was a strategic investment in myself.” 

~Jennifer Thanasse, National Account Executive, Shaw Media

12 outstanding participants were invited to attend our inaugural managerial intensive, designed specifically for “the emerging leaders of tomorrow,” as described by Barbara Williams, EVP and President, Shaw Media. “The [SMMA] is a fantastic forum for industry professionals to hone their managerial skills and receive vital training.”

Much learning and fun was had by the chosen cohort, who exemplified a dynamic slice of our industry. The lively group dove into the industry-focused material offered by academic partner The Chang School at Ryerson University. They were privy to a mind-expanding 56-hours of intense training from some of the industry’s best, followed by placement into a customized post-program mentoring group. From developing strong negotiation and facilitation skills to strategic planning and essential financial concepts, our members gained the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to move into higher levels of leadership and decision-making.

Presenting Partner: Shaw Media
Academic Partner: The Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

select additional

Intensives

Development Incubator

As Lindsay MacKay, writer/director of Wet Bum attests, “it’s really difficult [to get a film made]. You kind of have to prove yourself and how do you prove yourself if no-one’s giving you the opportunity?” In 2015, our Development Incubator assisted five writer-producer teams with one piece of that puzzle. Four days + 1 Dedicated script editor = 1 Market-ready feature film script!
2015 Presenting Partners: NBCUniversal, Telefilm Canada
Supporting Partner: City of Toronto
Community Partner: Technicolor

“This was a game-changing experience.”
~Kirsten Carthew, writer, director & producer, The Sex Lives of Librarians

Digital Media Bootcamp

Continuing to help women adapt to the ever-changing digital environment, WIFT-T again offered our popular Digital Media Bootcamp. Content creators learned about interactive storytelling, designing the user experience, and defining, planning and building the project. Participants left confident and inspired, with a better understanding of what it takes to get original and digital extension projects successfully executed.
2015 Presenting Partner: OMDC
Supporting Partners: Bell Fund, City of Toronto

“Building out a multi platform strategy for new show idea in the @WIFT Digital Media Bootcamp. Excellent exercise.”
~Shasha Nakhai, director & producer, Compy Films

Media Business Essentials

Focused on the needs of entry-level professionals, this robust intensive illuminated essentials about the business of film, tv and interactive production. Five 3-course modules were rolled out, covering crucial subjects such as financing, production management and accounting, marketing and distribution.
2015 Presenting Partner: NBCUniversal
Academic Partner: Humber School of Media Studies & Information Technology

“Seasoned professionals used relatable, real world, experiences to connect the dots between theory and practice. The program helped me … better apply skills I’ve acquired.”
~Ciara Murphy, Associate Producer, The Beaverton Pilot

hot topics, lively conversations

Panel Discussions

The screen-based media industry is constantly changing. If it’s not a new technology, it’s a new business model to be adapted, or new thinking about how best to distribute or market your content. Then there is the frustratingly ever-present challenges facing women in particular or business in general. Our panel discussion programming revolves around giving women opportunities to stay on top of the current issues so they are able to make smart decisions with confidence.

Over the past year, WIFT-T hosted sessions covering significant topics of interest, such as “Women on Boards: How to be One” and “Strategies for Building a Successful Web Series.” Clarifying insights were shared at each event, such as how “content is still king” online. Big smiles appeared around the room as Lisa Baylin, VP Content & Production at iThentic urged people to “go back to core story. There are no drop dead dates to abide by in digital, unlike in the broadcast world. So get a good team and spend time developing it.”
“Get a well rounded education and keep reading and researching because there are new developments in the film business every week.”

~Sheri Candler, Director of Digital Marketing Strategy, The Film Collective

stimulating discussions

Panel Programming

Industry Sessions

Our after-work series continued to draw crowds in 2015, with screen-based media professionals sharing knowledge and engaging in stimulating discussion. Topics of vital importance in navigating today’s digitally-focused industry were the focus for the year, including Making Money in the Digital Space, Insights on Business to Consumer Marketing, and Creating Purposeful Digital Media Projects.

2015 Presenting Partners: Bell Fund, OMDC
Community Partner: Goodmans LLP

Executive Breakfast Series

WIFT-T’s experienced and established cohorts have interests and challenges unique to the particular stage of their careers they are traversing. Our extremely popular, invitation-only executive series caters to their perspective, focusing on topics of interest within the business world. The year led off with an intensive workshop that was very-well received on how to leverage personal and corporate brands in the social space.

2015 Presenting Partner: Aver Media Finances, BMO Financial Group

“Learn everything you can…and feed your own creativity.”

~Kim Peirce, director, Boys Don’t Cry, Carrie

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