ABOUT
Our Media Business Essentials (MBE) program is a career-enhancing learning experience for emerging media professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of the business of film, television, and interactive media production.
This program is comprised of 4 modules (x 3 days each) divided into: Production Management; Production Accounting & Tax Credits; Business Affairs; and Marketing & Distribution. Taking the full program is discounted and will provide participants a certificate of completion from our academic partner, The Creative School, Toronto Metropolitan University. Courses are taught by industry professionals who are currently active and working in the sector.
"The MBE program provides the behind-the-scenes production and business education you need to advance and accelerate your career. Led by expert industry professionals with real case studies and a veritable wealth of resources, this program provides exceptional value for your time and money. I can't recommend it enough." (anonymous post-program evaluation)
This program is recommended for recent graduates and/or emerging professionals looking for applied learning. While open to all career stages, this program would be most beneficial to those in our "Early Career" and "Emerging" cohorts. It is also recommended for professionals looking to upgrade or sharpen existing skills, or change industry streams. The MBE program is open to all genders, and to WIFT+ Toronto members and non-members.
There are TWO ways you can take advantage of this program:
OPTION #1 - The Full Program
This includes all 4 modules taught over 12 days: Production Management; Production Accounting & Tax Credits; Business Affairs; and Marketing & Distribution. Participants who complete the full program will receive a certificate (as mentioned above). This is the most cost-effective way to enhance and build on your management career.
OPTION #2 - Per Module
Unsure what's right for you? Contact Laurie Januska, Director of Programming, at ljanuska@wift.com.
Module One: Production Management
Module Two: Production Accounting & Tax Credits
Module Three: Business Affairs & Financing
Module Four: Marketing & Distribution
2026 FEES
Full Program Cost (12 sessions total)*:
WIFT+ Toronto Members: $1,575 + HST
Non-members: $2,100 + HST
Module Cost (3 sessions per module):
WIFT+ Toronto Members: $475 + HST
Non-Members: $650 + HST
*Note: a payment plan is available for the full program registration.
Contact Laurie Januska, Director of Programming, to request registration through a payment plan at ljanuska@wift.com.
LOCATION
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
One (1) scholarship will be made available for this program (full program only).
Scholarships - open to WIFT+ Toronto members and non-members - are made available through the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto for the purposes of providing financial assistance as well as opportunities for advancement to members of underrepresented groups.
To be eligible for a scholarship, you must identify as a woman, female, trans, genderqueer, 2 spirit or nonbinary media professional. Preference will be given to members of the Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and the LGBTAIQ+ communities, as well as individuals living with a disability and those that identify as a member of an equity seeking group.
Please self-identify in your Letter of Intent. Applicants should clearly indicate in their Letter of Intent how this scholarship will aid in their professional development and why they should be considered for the scholarship (explaining financial hardship, etc).
ELIGIBILITY
This program is recommended for recent graduates and/or emerging professionals looking for applied learning. While open to all career stages, this program would be most beneficial to those in our "Early Career" and "Emerging" cohorts. It is also recommended for professionals looking to upgrade or sharpen existing skills, or change industry streams.
The MBE program is open to all, regardless of gender expression, and to WIFT+ Toronto members and non-members.
2026 SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS
Module 1: Production Management
Production Management enables participants to manage the creation and implementation of screen-based projects. This module examines critical methods for moving from script to screen and offers strategies that maximize resources and time frames. Management methods, time lines, and project life cycles are examined with a focus on the relationship between the producer, production manager, and first assistant director.
Instructor: Carmen Arndt
Carmen is a well-established and sought after Toronto based Canadian Production Manager with North American and international experience in docudrama, television and feature films. She has collaborated with producers, directors and actors on a wide scope of productions including the film Cruel Justice with Gregory Hines, the series Kojak with Ving Rhames, Disney’s The Cheetah Girls, Frenemies with Zendaya, The Passion of Ayn Rand with Helen Mirren, the popular series Suits and most recently, Falling with Viggo Mortensen and Luckiest Girl Alive with Mila Kunis. Other notable experiences include co producing The Conan O’Brien Live Show in Ontario and the comedy competition Last Comic Standing.
Carmen’s career began in the late 70’s in Winnipeg working with visual artists in the new medium of video art. She relocated to Toronto in the early 80’s and honed her skills further in the corporate world travelling across the country with small crews producing industrial videos. As her career progressed, she transitioned to working on television movies starting out as a production coordinator and eventually becoming a Production Manager. Carmen is a long standing member of The Directors Guild of Canada and she has served as an Executive Board member of the Ontario caucus. She continues to serve the film community in whatever way she can.
Module 2: Production Accounting & Tax Credits
The Production Accounting & Tax Credits module will explore the role of the Production Accountant and the staff of a typical film production accounting department. There will be a review of the methods and procedures that are used within the department and the results that must be obtained through the use of the forms, policies, and programming tools. The participants will be introduced to business structures, budgets, cash flows, controlling costs through cost reports, the workflow of the accounting department, applying for and estimating the refundable tax credits, eligibility requirements and application processing for funding agencies such as the Canada Media Fund.
Instructor: Sasha Boersma
Sasha Boersma is Co-Founder/Producer of Sticky Brain Studios Inc., creating family-friendly interactive content and video games. Sasha was first introduced to accounting concepts during a summer job in a manufacturing company where her aptitude for organizing data was first tapped, and she worked for four years as a costing clerk. After she finished her applied degree in Radio and Television Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), she worked as a Program Manager for a collection of private funding agencies for television and video games, where a former production manager taught her bookkeeping skills. She spent the next five years as an independent producer, where she held a series of roles in business affairs, and as an interactive producer, where she worked closely with the accounting and bookkeeping teams to track costs, manage cost reports, and prepare for project audits.
Module 3: Business Affairs & Financing
The Business Affairs & Financing module covers the funding and financing available for media projects, and the business affairs related to production from development to delivery. Learn the common contractual obligations, government regulations, how provincial tax credits work, and delivery steps to broadcasters and distributors.
Instructor: Lucy Veale
Module 4: Marketing & Distribution
This session is designed to empower new and emerging content creators with practical knowledge and insight to help them make proper business decisions regarding the marketing, sales, and distribution of their media content through traditional and digital platforms as they relate to feature films, television and branded online content. Using case studies and in-class examples, the module will cover various forms of marketing materials to assess their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their relevance to the target audience. The course will also present practical and timely information regarding the business of distribution and sales. The module will include a review of a typical producer/distributor agreement, projections, sales reporting, and expenses. The course will review current market trends for branded digital and traditional content with an emphasis on future growth opportunities.
Instructor: TBA