Bell Media Prime Time TV Program

2018 Bell Media Prime Time TV Sizzle

Overview

PROGRAM DESIGN

APPLY

IMPORTANT DATES

2020 dates coming soon...

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Working in series television means understanding the daily demands of creativity and production. The Bell Media Prime Time TV Program delivers a real world story room experience, develops strong series writers and creates original series content for the marketplace. You will work with an experienced creator and showrunner developing an original series.

The process allows you to develop your craft and voice while balancing the demands of the TV business. It develops, packages and launches you and your original series into the marketplace while building strong creative partnerships, skills and business opportunities.

ELIGIBILITY

This program is designed for writers who are deeply committed to expanding their craft and who are ready to tackle the rigours of working in a story room. We are looking for writers with unique, inspired voices, a strong understanding of TV and who are keen to collaborate.

To apply you must have a spec script for an existing series, an original series pilot writing sample (half-hour or one hour; drama or comedy), several original series idea to be developed, a proven commitment to writing and some exposure to the film and television industry.

Applicants must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.

TUITION & FEES

Please note that commencing in 2018, the tuition for the Bell Media Prime Time TV Program has increased from $6,000.00 to $7,000.00, however this increase will be automatically offset through CFC's Scholarship Funds.

If accepted into the program, you may also be eligible to receive scholarship support up to the full tuition amount through a scholarship application process.

Please note that there is a $100.00 application fee via PayPal for all Bell Media Prime Time TV Program applications.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please access our accessibility policy here or contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.

CONTACT

For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

About Bell Media

Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada’s leading content creation company with premier assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada's highest-rated television network; 30 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 215 music channels including 105 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across the country, all part of the iHeartRadio brand and streaming service. Bell Media owns Astral Out of Home with a network of more than 30,000 advertising faces in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec, and Nova Scotia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with its CraveTV and GO video streaming services; operates multi-channel network Much Digital Studios; produces live theatrical shows via its partnership with Iconic Entertainment Studios; and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

2019 BELL MEDIA PRIME TIME TV PROGRAM SUPPORTERS

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Presented in association with

PROGRAM PATRONS

PROGRAM SPONSORS

PROGRAM MEMBERS

PROGRAM FRIENDS

ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED THROUGH

APPRECIATION GOES TO

And the Toronto Performers Branch of the ACTRA Performers Guild.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2018/2019 MENTORS

Alexandra Zarowny | Executive Producer in Residence

Al Magee | Professional in Residence

Amy Cameron | Original Series Mentor

Marissa Richmond | Casting Director Mentor

Tom Third | Teaser Music Mentor

David Ostry | Teaser Filmmaker Mentor

Original Series Consultants

Ley Lukins

Patrick Smith

Susan Coyne

Sean Reycraft

Michael Maclennan

Jane Maggs

THANK YOU TO OUR 2018/2019 GUESTS

Susan Alexander
Emily Allen
Kerry Appleyard
Tara Armstrong
Fraser Ash
Kate Ashby
Helen Asimakis
Aaron Bala
Kerry Ball
Chris Bell
Nicolas Billon
Andrew Bush
Tassie Cameron
Noelle Carbone
Glenn Cockburn
Kim Coghill
Kirk Comrie
Elise Cousineau
Michelle Daly
Pam Davis
Miranda De Pencier
Shernold Edwards
Sheri Elwood
Shelley Eriksen
Zach Feldberg
Alexandra Finlay
Mitch Geddes

Gillian Geneer
Martin Gero
Sarah Glinski
Dr. Brian Goldman
Stephanie Gorin
Lesley Grant
Paige Haight
Lesley Harrison
Tom Hastings
Dennis Heaton
Sheila Hockin
Julia Holdway
Jennifer Hollyer
Jay Horwitz
Tina Horwitz
Beth Iley
Christina Jennings
Gosia Kamela
Chris Kelley
Andrew Kelly
Kevin Kirkst
Julie Lacey
Rachel Langer
Teza Lawrence
Elina Levina
David Leyes
Carl Liberman

Mark Little
Nolan MacDonald
Chad Maker
Megan Martin
Alan McCullough
Elaine McLachlan
Lisa Lang McMullen
AJ Mendez
Ilana Miller
Peter Mitchell
Isabel Gomez Moriana
Samantha Morris Mastai
Laura Notarianni
Ashley Park
Adam Pettle
Sandra Richmond
Nataline Rodrigues
John R. Rozema
Shanika Samuels
Brent Sherman
Mark Taylor
Sara Timmins
Aaron Unrau
Natalie Urquhart
Kathy Weinkauf
Jason Whiting

PROGRAM DESIGN

This is a full-time five-month program open to 6 TV writers. It delivers a team-based approach to series writing while nurturing individual voices and developing new series concepts. This program develops writers and helps you master the essential tools required to thrive as successful writers and creators in the television industry.

Core Components

Articulating the creative vision
Working in a story department
Elevating craft and storytelling skills
Building business and marketplace strategies
Accelerating project development

Outcomes

Brokers countless creative and business opportunities by offering access to key industry professionals, mentors and creative leaders
Delivers a rigorous story room experience and establishes strong, collaborative team skills under the mentorship of a top executive producer and creator
Develops, workshops and packages new TV series concepts in addition to the executive producer’s new show
Inspires creativity through high-level case studies and workshops
Deepens your understanding of the marketplace and how best to position yourself within the business
Actively engages writers in an exploration of the evolving entertainment landscape
Expands your portfolio for TV

LAB DESIGN

Craft and Collaboration: The Story Department

Working in a deeply collaborative manner, the story room experience puts writers through the rigours and discipline of series development with real turnaround expectations.

The Executive Producer in Residence introduces the world of the show, the characters and stories, strategically building their concept and breaking stories with the writers working as a story department. Writers will write and rewrite non-stop balancing the demands of the story room, story editing notes, broadcaster feedback and potential production concerns. The executive producer works closely with the team of writers to reach solid third drafts of the scripts and puts them to the test with professionally cast actor readings.

Project Development: The Original Series Pilot

You will have the opportunity to develop your own fresh and original series idea through group and individual story editing sessions, rewriting and packaging assignments. Under professional mentorship, you will be constantly pitching, turning around written material, round-tabling it for feedback and rewriting and analyzing the work in terms of design, impact and feasibility. This process culminates in a professionally cast actor reading of the pilot script and the production of a promotional teaser.

Productions and TV Teasers

Writers have the opportunity to showcase series idea through a modest production component called TV Teasers, a simple three-minute, professionally cast and crewed snapshot of your original series. Teasers are condensed trailers based on the characters and stories in your original series material that are intended to act as a promotional tool for your talent and series ideas. These productions put into play the same creative, collaborative and pragmatic challenges inherent in any television production experience.

Business and Marketplace: Professional Development

The program focuses on building greater awareness of the business aspects of television; shaping the writer’s portfolio for the broadcast marketplace and developing long-term career strategies. In-depth workshops, case studies, and business and career planning sessions with key industry players will:

Explore key aspects of the craft, including various processes and relationships
Access detailed information about series development, financing, production and broadcasting
Provide in-depth exposure to innovative and alternative TV models

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

CONTACT

For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.

APPLY

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.