The Slaight Family Music Lab
Overview
PROGRAM DESIGN
APPLY
CFC/Slaight Family Canadian Music Fund
SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY
2021 PROGRAM DATES
PROGRAM START: |
March 2021 |
PROGRAM END: |
December 2021 |
*2022 program application dates are to be determined. To receive email notifications regarding key program dates, please SIGN-UP HERE.*
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Slaight Music Residency is an unparalleled creative and business experience for up to six music creators a year. Chaired by Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Marc Jordan and internationally acclaimed composer and musician Lesley Barber, this part-time nine-month program fully integrates composers and songwriters into the onscreen narrative storytelling process.
The Residency affords music creators the opportunity to:
- Deepen their understanding of the relationship between music and film/ TV through high-level case studies and workshops
- Effectively translate their musical talent to onscreen applications
- Accelerate business opportunities through access to international guests, mentors and industry professionals
- Create original music for a number of productions while expanding their onscreen music reel
- Position and package themselves for work in the screen entertainment industry
- Extend their creative community and establish strong collaborative partnerships with other artists/creators
Ultimately, the Slaight Music Residency exposes music creators to many perspectives and practices. The more composers and songwriters experience working within different frameworks, with different creative and business partners and with different narrative material, the better equipped they will be to navigate, adapt to and engage with the wider screen-based industry.
To date, the Slaight Music Residency has launched 38 music creators, who are generating some of the most exciting scores and songs heard on screens today.
ELIGIBILITY
Designed for composers and songwriters who:
- Are deeply committed to their craft
- Have a distinct musical voice and strong storytelling instincts
- Are ready to explore their practice as it relates to onscreen music creation
- Have a strong desire to collaborate within an immersive environment
COMPOSERS
To apply, composers must have scored features, short films, television or web series, commercials, documentaries, video games, or theatre.
SONGWRITERS
To apply, songwriters must have written songs that have been placed in film, television or web series, commercials, video games, theatre, or released by a record label or have a publishing contract.
Ideally, both composers and songwriters have experience working with Logic Pro.
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
TUITION & FEES
Thanks to the generosity and ongoing commitment of the Slaight Family Foundation, there are no tuition fees for this program. Successful candidates will receive a set bursary amount to help offset some of their expenses while in the program.
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.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
PROGRAM PARTNERS

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

PROGRAM SPONSORS

PROGRAM FRIENDS
APPRECIATION GOES TO
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2018 CHAIRS & MENTORS
Lesley Barber | Composer Chair
Marc Jordan | Songwriter Chair
Tom Third | Music Mentor
Mark Korven | Composer Mentor
John Herberman | Music Mentor
David Ostry | Filmmaker Mentor
Ingrid Veninger | Filmmaker Mentor
Darren Fung | Slaight Music Lab Program Consultant
THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 GUESTS
Adrian Ellis
Alexander Stewart
Allie X
Alyson Richards
Amin Bhatia
Amy Fritz
Amy Nostbakken
Andrea Higgins
Andrew Cohen
Anita Camarata
Ari Wise
Bill Skolnik
Bob Hunka
Camille Mathews
Chandler Levack
Christophe Beck
Clement Virgo
Damon D'Oliveira
Dasmarie Alvino
David Hayman
Dennis Patterson
Effie Brown
Erica Grayson
Erica Procunier
Fred Brennan
Janal Bechthold
Jay Stutler
Jeff Morrow
Jennifer Price
Jennifer Shin
John Kavanaugh
John Paizs
John Rodd
John Rowley
Kaylin Frank
Keith Power
Kevin Frank
Kirk Elliot
Larissa Giroux
Liam Titcomb
Liana White
Lisa Merchant
Lorraine D'Allesio
Maria Machado
Marissa Richmond
Maureen Dorey
Michael Jewison
Michael Nunan
Michael Perlmutter
Mina Shum
Mo Ahmad
Mychael Danna
Neil Parfitt
Norah Sadava
Norman Orenstein
Patricia Rozema
Paul Spurgeon
Paul Stillo
Peter Chapman
Rachel Levy
Renee Van Kessel
Rob Duncan
Ron Broitman
Ron Korb
Rosalyn Dennett
Sam Diaz
Sean Callery
Sean Mulligan
Shawn Piller
Stan Meissner
Stephanie Copeland
Steve London
Todor Kobakov
Tony Scudellari
Tonya Dedrick
Trevor Yuile
Viginia Kilbertus
Yuri Sazonoff
SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY
This part-time nine-month program for composers and songwriters promotes their integration into the onscreen storytelling process. Throughout the program, they will refine their technical and storytelling skills, collaborate with creators across a number of projects and generate a strong onscreen portfolio of work.
The Slaight Music Residency offers music creators continued opportunities to put their learning into practice, with guidance and feedback throughout. Music creators will hone their unique creative contributions to the onscreen process and expand their professional opportunities by:
ENHANCING THEIR CINEMATIC STORYTELLING
Music creators participate in sessions and master classes led by accomplished music and film/TV creators that examine the powerful connection between music and cinematic storytelling. Music creators are continually exposed to a variety of approaches and techniques that strengthen their understanding of dramatic, cinematic storytelling.
EXPANDING THEIR ONSCREEN REEL & COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Music creators will constantly produce original music across a variety of genres. Composers and songwriters will leave the program with a robust body of produced work that showcases their original music and speaks to their creative and technical onscreen abilities.
As part of the larger creative ecosystem at the CFC, music creators in the Slaight Music Residency work closely with creators and talent across a range of programs and disciplines. Through this creative collaborative process, music creators will continually exercise their storytelling skills, strengthen their technical abilities, and learn to communicate effectively with other creators and deliver on a shared vision.
ELEVATING THEIR CRAFT & BEST PRACTICES
Music creators will participate in a number of practical workshops and an intensive multi-week boot camp, delivered in association with the Screen Composers Guild of Canada and the Songwriters Association of Canada.
They benefit from the exchange of best practices with industry professionals ,helping to build their understanding of the script-to-screen process, professional workflows, their rights as music creators and the wider screen-based business.
BUILDING THEIR CAREER AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Music creators meet with a range of guests, experts and key decision makers who share insights into different aspects of the onscreen business and strategies on managing and building their careers. The program expands a music creator’s professional network and provides them with the tools, confidence and expanded portfolio to secure and professionally deliver on any job.
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.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY
NOMINATIONS
Applicants must be nominated by an established songwriter, professional or gold member of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, or an established film, television, documentary director, producer, showrunner, music supervisor or music executive.
The nominator must email the contact information of the composer or songwriter they are nominating to programs@cfccreates.com. The CFC will follow-up with the composer or songwriter via email and forward the online application instructions.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
As part of the online application form, you will be asked to upload PDF files of each document listed below. Be sure to include your full name on each document.
1. Letter of Intent (ONE PAGE)
This is our introduction to you. Please outline what your immediate and long-term goals are as a composer/songwriter. What do you hope to achieve by attending the Slaight Music Residency, and how might the program help you advance your craft? What skills would you like to further develop as a songwriter/composer and how do you plan to do that within the Residency?
2. Resume/ Curriculum Vitae
A current and brief account of your previous work experience, education, training, and related qualifications.
3. Letters of Reference (MAX 2)
Letters from individuals familiar with your musical abilities. The letters should emphasize your proven commitment to your craft, professionalism and speak to your collaborative spirit. Letters should be addressed to the ‘Slaight Music Residency Selection Committee,’ and can be uploaded with the application, or emailed directly by the referee to programs@cfccreates.com.
4. Demo Reel
Composers:
Demonstrating your range and talent, composer demo reels should include a variety of complete scenes from feature or short films, television programs, web series, or commercials. Unless submitting a feature film, please keep the total running time to under 15 minutes.
Songwriters:
The songwriter demo reel should consist of links to your original produced music that is accessible online. If applicable, please include any songs that have been placed in films, television or web series, commercials, video games, or theatre. Please provide the name of the produced project(s). Links can include SoundCloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.
SELECTION PROCESS
APPLICATION
The application form is sent to nominated musicians. Please review all application requirements in advance of submitting.
All applicants will be notified via email of their application status no later than the end of April. Due to the high volume of applicants, feedback will only be offered to shortlisted applicants.
INTERVIEW
A selection committee comprised of industry professionals from across Canada and key program staff are involved in the review process.
If you are shortlisted, interviews will take place in May. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by phone of interview dates and times.
In advance of the interview, you will be asked to complete a short onscreen music exercise.
The interview is intended to clarify each applicant’s expectations and assist the committee in determining which candidates will best contribute to and benefit from the program’s design.
You will be notified of acceptance shortly after the interview.
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.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
ABOUT
The CFC/SLAIGHT FAMILY CANADIAN MUSIC FUND promotes the onscreen use of Canadian original music and score created by Slaight alumni.
ELIGIBILITY
Music Fund access is reserved for CFC/Slaight Music alumni.
SUPPORTED PROJECTS
Projects Supported by CFC/SLAIGHT FAMILY CANADIAN MUSIC FUND include: