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April | 2011

WIFT-T News & Events

2011 Industry Research Study
Request For Proposals Now Open

WIFT-T is seeking experienced research consultants with recognized expertise to perform quantitative and qualitative research that explores employment trends within Canada’s screen-based industries (film, television and digital media).

WIFT-T Industry Research Study Request For Proposals

The research report will be shared with industry stakeholders and educational institutions nationally, with the goal of driving policy on a national level. This research is designed to update our 2004 study, Frame-Work: Employment in Canadian Screen-Based Media—A National Profile. Download the English version, French version, or Executive Summary.

Key Dates
April 11, 2011 | Notice of intention to bid
April 11, 2011 | Deadline for submitting questions
April 21, 2011 | Request for proposals closes

Please forward all notices, questions and proposals to Kim Haladay, WIFT-T Development Manager, at khaladay@wift.com. Click here for more information.

Annual General Meeting
Nomination Slate Announced

As announced last week, the WIFT-T Board of Directors is pleased to support the nomination of the following candidates for election to the Board:

Jade Raymond, Managing Director, Ubisoft Toronto Inc.
Joanna Webb, Senior VP Programming, CTV

Click here for the complete nomination slate. The election of the 2011 Board of Directors will take place at the WIFT-T Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday May 12, 7PM EDT at Deluxe Postproduction (424 Adelaide St. E). Please note nominations will not be accepted from the floor at the AGM.

Everyone is welcome to attend the AGM; however, voting for the Board of Directors is restricted to Full members. If you are a Full member and are unable to attend, you may vote by proxy. The instrument of proxy will be available two weeks before the event.

M·A·C Beauty Trends Seminar
Only Five Spots Left

Limited space remains for Wednesday evening's member-exclusive M·A·C Beauty Trends Seminar! RSVP to mcohen@wift.com by 12PM tomorrow, Tuesday April 5.

Spring has sprung! And once again, WIFT-T members are invited to join M·A·C senior artists as they present the 2011 spring/summer makeup trends and offer helpful hints and pro tips on how to update your look.

When | Wednesday April 6, 7PM - 9PM
Where | M·A·C Bloor, 89/91 Bloor Street West
Cost | Complimentary, members only

WIFT-T Programs

Making Games Make Money
Deadline This Friday

Monday April 11 | 6:00PM – 8:30PM | NFB Cinema
Games are highly-addictive consumer fodder; but revenue recognition can be a complex process—whether your gaming components are part of a broader marketing strategy or are stand-alone products.

From social games, to mobile games, to massive multiplayer online games, this DigiScape session will explore various monetization models, including traditional banners, pay-per-download, free-to-play and virtual currency.

Hot off the heels of the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, our panel of industry experts will share insight on the process of designing and executing the right monetization mix based on theory, trends, genre, target audience and lifecycle stage.

Where | NFB Cinema, 150 John Street, Toronto
Cost | $10 Members, $15 Guests (prices include HST). Payment due upon registration.
Registration Deadline | Friday April 8 at 5PM EDT

To register, please complete a Programming Registration Form and return to wift@wift.com with DigiScape as the subject. Space is limited. Pre-registration is mandatory.

Astral Media Mentorship
One Week To Deadline

The Astral Media Mentorship is a national competitive program that gives one Canadian producer (male or female) who is a visible minority, Aboriginal, or an individual with a disability, the opportunity to develop their marketing strategy and hone their pitch and presentation skills for the 2011 Banff World Media Festival.

The winner receives festival registration, round-trip airfare, and accomodation in Banff, as well as a five-day pre-festival mentorship with industry consultants and an Astral Media executive. The 2011 Astral Media Mentorship takes place May 30 – June 3.

Click here for complete guidelines and the application form. Applications are due Monday April 11, 2011, at 5PM EDT.

WIFT-T Development Incubator
One Week To Deadline

The WIFT-T Development Incubator is a national competitive program designed to develop market-driven feature films and support the next generation of feature film professionals.

Five emerging/intermediate producer-and-writer teams, with feature-length projects in development, receive the opportunity to work intimately with international consultants and develop their screenplays with a story editor. The program includes small group sessions and one-on-one consultations with financial and creative experts.

When | June 21 - 24, 2011
Where | Downtown Toronto
Application Deadline | Monday April 11, 5PM EDT. Click here for complete guidelines and the application form.

Production Accounting
Starts Saturday

There are a limited number of spots remaining for the fifth and final module of the 2010/2011 WIFT-T Business Management for Media Professionals Program. The 2011/2012 cycle will begin this September.

Production Accounting explores the roles and responsibilities of the production accountant and staff. Participants follow a detailed analysis of the methods and procedures used by accountants working in various sectors of the screen-based industry. Through a comprehensive review of bookkeeping and specifics for media production, the course will familiarize students with the statements and processes required to operate a production company. Read more.

When | April 9, 16 & 30, 10AM - 3PM
Where | Chestnut Conference Centre, 89 Chestnut Street
Cost | Members $300 (+ HST), Non-members $400 (+ HST)
Registration | Complete a Programming Registration Form

Support WIFT-T

Industry Research Study

In spring 2011, WIFT-T will begin research to update its groundbreaking 2004 study on employment trends in Canadian screen-based media. The new research will focus on the impact of recent trends and the participation of women and people from diverse backgrounds in all areas of the screen-based media industry. Read more.

Women In Digital Media Summit

From October 23 – 25, 2011, WIFT-T will host an international summit in Stratford, Ontario that focuses on digital media content creation, implications for emerging technologies and business models, and the role of women in digital media globally. The Summit will bring together traditional and digital media communities, as well as global educational/research institutions, to explore innovation, skills gaps, policy and research in the content areas of gaming, mobile and social media. Read more.

Donate

Your donation to the Foundation for Women in Film & Television – Toronto supports mentorships, bursaries, research and programming for women. Our donors are recognized annually in our Crystal Awards program and through bursaries in their name. Help us build a foundation for women. Charitable tax receipts are issued for all donations. Read more.

WIFT-T Member Discounts

DOC Toronto
Careers in Documentary TV Series

Tuesday April 5 (tomorrow!) | Industry Partner Rate
The first in a series of panel discussions, this event brings together leaders in Canadian documentary and factual series production to shed light on who’s hiring, who’s commissioning, and what it takes to get ahead in a competitive documentary marketplace. WIFT-T members receive the Industry Partner Rate. Click here for details and registration. Email wift@wift.com for the promo code.

2011 Banff World Media Festival

Save $455 on registration for Banff 2011! Join industry leaders and decision-makers at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for a unique mix of networking, insight and learning, and to celebrate the best and brightest in the industry.

Festival highlights include Dana Walden and Gary Newman of Twentieth Century Fox; Mike Farah, President of Production, Funny or Die; and face-to-face meetings with top development executives from Comedy Central, Showtime Networks, ITV Global Entertainment and ABC Entertainment Group. View the schedule at a glance for more details or sign up for the newsletter.

Email wift@wift.com for your discount registration link. Register with two colleagues to save more. For more details, contact Katye Seip at kseip@achillesmedia.com.

FITC Toronto
The Design & Technology Festival

May 2 – 4, 2011 | Guvernment Entertainment Complex
WIFT-T members receive a 15% discount on registration for FITC Toronto 2011, featuring over 80 presentations, demonstrations, and panel discussions with unique and engaging presenters from around the globe. Now in its 10th year, the festival includes parties, networking opportunities, and the FITC Award Show—three days and nights that will leave you inspired and energized. Email wift@wift.com for the discount code.

Hot Docs 2011

April 28 – May 8 | Toronto
Members receive $50 off the price of an Industry Pass to the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival. Email wift@wift.com with Hot Docs in the subject line for the WIFT-T discount code.

NXNE Interactive 2011

June 15 – 18, 2011 | Hyatt Regency Toronto
Members receive a 10% discount for NXNEi 2011, a unique conference that brings together new media producers, digital creators, tech entrepreneurs, web designers and developers, and social media aficionados. This year's event will focus on connecting film professionals with interactive companies and technologies, while continuing 2010's emphasis on music content. Registrants will enjoy three days of conference sessions, panels and keynote addresses.

Master’s POV
Cinematography & Lighting

April 25 – 27 | Rochester, NY | ~~$595 USD~~ $295 USD
Members receive a $300 discount for Master’s POV 2011, a three-day cinematography event presented by The Film Training Company in Rochester, New York.

Held at the prestigious George Eastman House and Young Lion Studios, participants will enjoy inspirational and entertaining seminars, panel discussions, and lighting demonstrations with world-renowned cinematographers. Email wift@wift.com for the promo code, then click here to register.

Three-Day Pass | $295 USD* members, $595 USD* regular
Three-Day Student Pass | $195 USD*
*prices include taxes

Audio Network

Audio Network was launched in 2001 with the intention of being the best music library available. They now boast a growing library of more than 35,000 tracks, covering all genres from orchestral to hip hop.

Audio Network licenses music on a per production basis. WIFT-T members receive a 20% discount on the single production license fee of $495, which provides unlimited access to the entire library. For more information, visit www.audionetwork.com or contact Ms. Randi Gold at Randi.gold@audionetwork.com or 905-655-4897.

Bottle Blonde Productions

Bottle Blonde Productions is offering WIFT-T members a 20% discount on business affairs and production management services. Click here for more information.

Christine’s Fitness

WIFT-T members receive the corporate membership rate of $399 per year at Christine’s Fitness & Personal Training. Christine’s Fitness offers personal training at two locations and pilates, yoga, hydrotherapy, shiatsu, reflexology, chiropractic care, active release therapy and acupuncture at the 912 Yonge Street location. Visit christinesfitness.com or call Christine Steiger at 416-969-9912.

Deluxe

WIFT-T members receive discounts on Deluxe sound and laboratory services. Contact Diane for more information.

Drake Hotel

Members receive preferred corporate rates for accommodation at the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W). Click here for room types and amenities and email wift@wift.com for pricing details. Please note rates do not apply for black out periods.

Meet with Drake
From brainstorming sessions to team-building activities, Drake’s in-house events team puts a creative twist on every event. A wide range of venues allows you to host big, small and even tiny groups. With delicious catering, custom cocktail options and AV support in each room, Drake is fully equipped to help your meeting run smoothly.

Dynamix Solutions

Members receive a 10% discount on all Dynamix Solutions IT services. Contact Danny Vasic at 416-657-2449 ext. 6659 or email dvasic@dynamixsolutions.com to learn more. Let Dynamix Solutions simplify your IT while you take care of running your business. Visit dynamixsolutions.com.

The Media Concierge

The Media Concierge is pleased to offer WIFT-T members a 10% discount on Closed Captioning, Descriptive Video, Broadcast Transfers, PAL Standards Conversion and DVD & Blu-Ray services. Please contact Trevor Tyre at trevor@themediaconcierge.com for more information.

Propagation Media

Propagation Media is offering a 15% discount to all WIFT-T members for design services. Email info@propagationmedia.com for a quote or more information.

WIFT-T Partner News

WIFT-T @ Hot Docs 2011
Guantanamo Trap

Friday April 29 | 9:30PM | Royal Cinema
WIFT-T is pleased to announce our co-presentation of Guantanamo Trap, Thomas Selim Wallner’s feature documentary, at this year’s Hot Docs Film Festival (April 28 – May 8). Follow four lives changed forever by the infamous U.S. detention camp and witness the scars that remain, as experiences of torture are described by perpetrators, whistleblowers, victims and their defenders.

The Guantanamo Trap is a vital addition to a growing catalogue of documentaries emerging from the War on Terror. Highlighting four interconnected biographies that reveal the impact of gross injustice, this provocative study of humanity and democracy—and how easily they’re corrupted under pressure—is a testament to the times. Visit www.hotdocs.ca/festival for the full schedule and box office.

Praxis Centre for Screenwriters
Feature Film Screenplay Competition

Application Deadline | June 25, 2011
Praxis Centre for Screenwriters is now accepting applications for its 2011 Feature Film Screenplay Competition. Seeking new screenplays by Canadian writers, the initiative will provide approximately eight entrants with an invitation to the Fall Screenwriting Workshop in Vancouver, B.C.

Selected scripts are matched with a veteran screenwriter or story editor for three days of intensive analysis and development. Writers should leave these private meetings with a clear plan for their next draft. Producers, directors or co-writers are also invited to participate.

Writers who complete the program receive the opportunity to apply for Praxis’ Summer Readings, where their new drafts are cast professionally for table readings. Group sessions with producers and development personnel may also be scheduled. Over thirty Praxis scripts have been produced; most recently, Jacob Tierney's The Trotsky.

Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA)

The CMPA is now accepting membership applications for the new membership year, beginning April 1, 2011. The CMPA represents independent professional film, TV and digital producers in all genres of production from across Canada.

Members receive a wide range of benefits, including production discounts, access to mentorship programs, industry news and updates, industry development and regulatory support, and professional development and networking opportunities. For more information, click here or contact Lisa Moreau at lisa.moreau@cmpa.ca or 613.233.1444 ext. 229.

National Screen Institute (NSI)
Totally Television

Deadline | Tuesday May 3, 2011 by 4:30PM CT
The National Screen Institute (NSI) is seeking applications from writer/producer teams for NSI Totally Television, a training program designed to develop TV series through mentorship and workshops led by industry experts.

NSI Totally Television provides ten months of market-driven training, including the opportunity to work with story editors, showrunners, mentors and executive producers. The program features a week-long boot camp in Toronto in the fall, with the remainder of the training coordinated around participants’ working schedules.

Up to five teams are accepted for the initial phase of training. The teams with the top projects continue to Phase Two, where they develop the tools needed to pitch their projects at the Banff World Media Festival in 2012.

Recent shows developed through NSI Totally Television include Less Than Kind, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, ‘da Kink in my Hair and Wapos Bay. 50% of Phase Two projects have gone into development with a broadcaster and 50% of those have gone into production. Click here to apply!

Manhattan Short Film Festival
Now Accepting Submissions

Submission Deadline | July 31, 2011
This is the first year that the Manhattan Short Film Festival will show its film finalists in Toronto! Taking place in one week, the first global film festival showcases only the top ten short films from around the world. The winner is decided by voters and announced in New York City on Sunday October 2, 2011. For more information or to view last year’s finalists, visit www.ManhattanShort.com.

Toronto Reel Asian Film Fest
Now Accepting Submissions

Submission Deadline | June 1, 2011
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival's 2011 call for submissions is now open! The final deadline is June 1 ($20 fee). Show your work at Canada's premier pan-Asian international film festival taking place November 8 – 13 in Toronto and November 18 – 19 in Richmond Hill.

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT)

Breakfast Club Series | ACTRA & You
Wednesday April 20 | 8:15AM – 9:15AM
Get the facts about working with ACTRA! ACTRA Toronto President Heather Allin and staff will guide you through the simple steps to producing with ACTRA performers.

Where | ACCT Toronto Office, 49 Ontario St. Suite 501
Cost | $5 ACCT members, $20 guests
RSVP | 416-366-2227 ext. 239 or angie@academy.ca

26th Annual Gemini Awards | Call For Entries
1st Deadline | Tuesday April 12, 2011
The 2011 Gemini Awards are around the corner! If your production was broadcast between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011, now’s your chance to enter the competition. Visit www.geminiawards.ca to get started.

DOC Night Out
Documentary & NGOs Panel

Monday April 11 | 6:25PM – 9:00PM
Three local, esteemed documentary filmmakers present works produced in partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Join Lalita Krishna, Liz Marshall and Peter Mettler as they show clips from their films and participate in a roundtable discussion on their experiences as director/producers working with NGOs. Click here for details and registration.

Canadian Film Centre (CFC)

SHORTSNONSTOP
Deadline | April 15, 2011
Be in the running to win $1,500! SHORTSNONSTOP is a digital festival brought to you by TELUS and the CFC. Click here for full details.

CFC Go West Project Lab
Deadline | April 20, 2011
A five-day business and marketplace immersion experience held in Whistler, June 26 - 30, 2011. This year, applications are being accepted from producers nationwide. Click here for details.

CFC Actors Conservatory
Deadline | May 6, 2011
Offering actors a transformative professional on-screen experience. The program runs from August 2011 to February 2012. Click here for details.

Screenplay Giveaway Contest
Deadline | May 9, 2011
Short scripts win big prizes! Submit your short script for a chance to win a filmmaking package worth over $70,000. Click here for details.

Comedy Boot Camp For Film
Deadline | May 13, 2011
In collaboration with Just For Laughs, the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab presents Comedy Bootcamp for Film, to take place at the Just For Laughs Comedy Conference, July 28 – 30 in Montreal.

CBC Prime Time Television Program
Deadline | May 20, 2011
A team-based approach to TV series development for writers and residents, this program will help you master the tools required for surviving as a successful writer in television. Click here for full details.

A World of Shorts Goes Sci-Fi
April 20, 2011 | 7PM | NFB Mediatheque
Celebrate Astronomy Week with a dose of short film that steps outside the sci-fi box.

Where | NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St.
Tickets | $6 regular, $4 students/seniors/NFB members

Everyday Heroes Festival

April 15 – 24, 2011
Produced in partnership with Earth Day Canada, the Everyday Heroes Festival aims to help raise environmental awareness with 60-second silent films and videos that focus on ways we can all make a difference.

The jury has selected 14 talented and passionate Canadian filmmakers for inclusion in the 2011 festival. Official selections will be presented on hundreds of Onestop platform screens inside the TTC, as well as on digital displays in Ivanhoe Cambridge Shopping Centres across the country. As of April 11, all official selections will also be accessible for viewing and voting on the Everyday Heroes Festival website.

Toronto Urban Film Festival
Now Accepting Submissions

Early Bird Deadline | June 1, 2011
The only festival of its kind in North America, the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), is a ten-day public festival that reaches over 1.3 million subway commuters daily. Currently, TUFF is looking for the best silent one-minute films from across Canada and around the world.

The festival runs September 9 – 18, 2011, concurrent with TIFF. Films are presented on the Onestop network of 300 subway platform screens inside the TTC and featured on the TUFF website, where viewers can vote for the Audience Choice award. The final deadline is July 15.

The Cayle Chernin Memorial Fund
Online Auction Coming Soon

April 12 – April 26, 2011
Unique packages, exciting experiences, fabulous jewelry and amazing art—all in support of The Cayle Chernin Memorial Fund. Administered by the Creative Arts Savings and Credit Union, The Cayle Chernin Memorial Fund is dedicated to nurturing women’s careers in the performing arts. Click here to visit the auction website.

Cayle Chernin was an actor, documentary filmmaker, teacher, mentor, ACTRA Toronto union activist and star of Don Shebib’s classic Canadian film, Goin’ Down the Road. Known for her incredible smile, talent, generosity, tenacity, imagination and intellect, Cayle passed away February 18th. With a career that spanned more than four decades in film, on stage, and in developing new works and emerging artists, she was also respected for her commitment to women's issues.

Her final film, Down the Road Again, reunited Cayle with Goin’ Down the Road’s original cast members Jayne Eastwood and Doug McGrath. As with the rest of her career and life, Cayle’s persistence and charm were instrumental in making Down the Road Again a reality.

2011 ReelWorld Film Festival

April 6 – 10, 2011 | Toronto
Celebrating its 11th year, the ReelWorld Film Festival provides a platform to showcase Canadian filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and gives presence to films that reflect the Canada we see, day-to-day, on our streets.

Board of Directors

Susan Ross, Chair
Madeline Ziniak, Vice-Chair
Akhaji Zakiya, Treasurer
Kara Russell, Secretary
Wanda Bradley
Mary Bredin
Bonnie Brownlee
Prentiss Fraser
Victoria Ha
Maureen Judge
Gaye McDonald
Samantha McWilliams
Edith Myers
Muriel Solomon
Diane Williamson

Corporate Social Benefits Donors

Astral Media
Shaw Media
Corus Entertainment
CTVglobemedia
Quebecor Fund

Platinum Partners

Shaw Media
CBC Television
Deluxe
Kodak Canada

Gold Partners

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
Humber School of Media Studies & Information Technology
M.A.C. Cosmetics

Government Partners

Ontario Media Development Corporation
Telefilm Canada

Corporate Foundation Donors

Corus Entertainment
eOne Entertainment
Maple Pictures Corp.
Pinewood Toronto Studios
Scotiabank

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