NEW!! This 4-day intensive workshop will answer the questions around how the creative elements of your concept can create engagement ... even in your most early stages. Participants will come out of this workshop with a stronger project/story concept, a verbal pitch, and a one-sheet that will include a short and long synopsis.
Topics to be address include (but are not limited to):
Each participant will have individual instruction and feedback, and will be given the opportunity to pitch to a panel of industry decision-makers (for the purposes of instruction only)
NEW !! This workshop will concentrate on the creative elements of developing a series concept for television. Through personal guidance and feedback from a range of professionals, we will explore and expand the creative elements - all with the goal of being able to effectively and convincingly express your concept. Participants will come out of this workshop with a stronger project/story concept, a verbal pitch, and a one-sheet that will include a short and long synopsis.
This 4-day workshop will take place over the following days:
Times: 10am - 4pm each day
This program will be delivered via Zoom.
Sign up online by 11:59 PM Friday May 14, 2021. Questions? Email Laurie Januska, Director of Programming.
Click HERE for information regarding applying for a bursary for this program.
This workshop was developed for entry level/emerging professionals who have a concept for a television project and have a synopsis created for it. You do not have to be far along in this project (i.e. you do not have to have scripts written), but you do need a synopsis for your concept. You will be working to develop your concept and your synopsis.
Up to two people PER PROJECT can attend this workshop (only one needs to register). A team will represent one spot.
Once registered, you must submit your synopsis for your project.
WIFT Toronto Members $400 (+ hst)
Non-Members $500 (+hst)
* WIFT Toronto Members, be sure to log in to receive your discount
One (1) bursary is available to cover the registration fee for one individual. Bursaries are made possible through the Foundation for Women In Film & Television – Toronto.
Bursaries - 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 underrepresented groups.
To be eligible for a bursary, you must identify as a woman, female, trans, genderqueer or nonbinary media professional. Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, those living with a disablity or that identify as a visual minority are encouraged to apply. Please self-identify in your Letter of Intent. Applicants should clearly demonstrate why they wish to be considered for a bursary in their Letter of Intent.
Bursaries cannot be used for any other purpose.
NOTE: This is a pilot program with a VERY limited number of spots available. Please understand that if you apply for a bursary and do not receive one, there is no guarantee that a paying spot will be available for you.
The workshop will kick off with a Master Class. Each participant will deliver a 5 minute pitch presenting themselves and their project as part of the Master Class. Topics covered will include (but are not limited to): clearly identifying your concept, story, character and theme development, understanding what makes your concept stand out in the marketplace.
On this day (morning), 4 participants will meet individually with the instructor, presenting a revised pitch (based on learning from Day 1) and will receive further notes to incorporate. Other participants are welcome to attend this session to observe and learn.
In the afternoon, we will have a presentation from a television writer (to be confirmed). Similar themes will be addressed as in Day 1, but will be addressed from the point of view of moving the story forward, as opposed to focusing strictly on the pitch.
On this day (morning), 4 participants will meet individually with the instructor, presenting a revised pitch (based on learning from Day 1) and will receive further notes to incorporate. Other participants are welcome to attend this session to observe and learn.
In the afternoon, we will have a presentation from a television writer (to be confirmed). Similar themes will be addressed as in Day 1, but will be addressed from the point of view of moving the story forward, as opposed to focusing strictly on the pitch.
Participants will present pitches to a panel of industry decision-makers from a variety of areas of the sector (content creators, funders, broadcasters) to provide informed and professional feedback.
** NOTE: the pitches on this last day are strictly FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Participants are not making an official pitch for their project.
Jan Miller
Over the past 2 decades, Jan has delivered one of the top Pitching and Content Development Workshops in the world. She’s presented her workshops coast to coast in Canada for most of Canada’s provincial agencies, festivals and major training facilities. Internationally she’s presented from Tehran to Cartagena and the Amazon, China’s GZDoc, Mexico’s Guadalajara Film Festival, Berlin’s Talent Campus, Poland’s ScriptEast, Cannes’ Producers’ Network, Cuba’s International Film School and Iran's Fajr International Film Festival.
Jan’s popular pitching workshops have now expanded to Export Ready Workshops for the Music Industry through the East Coast Music Association; for animation for Women in Animation in Vancouver; for Romance Writers through Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia; and the theatre community for the Magnetic North Theatre Festival.
Jan has won numerous awards for her achievements including ITV's Woman of Vision Award, WIFT-Toronto's first Crystal Award for Excellence in Training/Professional Development, and the Billington Award for her contribution and leadership in the Alberta screen industry. Jan received the WIFT-AT Wave Award for her contribution and support of the Atlantic screen industry. She served on the Atlantic Film Festival Board,on the Canadian Conference of the Arts Board including 2 years as national president, served on the inaugural Cultural Human Resources Council Board, the CFCN Production Fund Board, the Shaw Broadcast Fund Board, the Board of First Weekend Club, The Board of AFC and presently serves on the Women in View Board.
Click HERE to read more information about Jan Miller.
This program is presented in partnership with Ontario Creates