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Jump-start your career in media and get the business skills you need to join Ontario’s billion-dollar screen-based media industry (film, TV and interactive/digital).
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.
Modules focus on financing and business affairs, production management, production accounting, tax credits, and marketing and distribution. Courses are taught by industry professionals who are currently active and working in the sector.
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 women, men, and individuals of marginalized genders, WIFT Toronto members and non-members.
Participants who complete all four modules* will receive a certificate from Humber College, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts.
This program is open to ALL genders.
*You must attend 10 of the 12 sessions offered to be eligible for the certificate.
All days 10am - 4pm unless otherwise notified.
All sessions via Zoom.
Module #1 - Production Management - Saturday January 23, Saturday January 30, and Saturday February 6, 2021.
Module #2 - Production Accounting & Tax Credits - Saturday February 20, Saturday February 27, and Saturday March 6, 2021.
Module #3 - Business Affairs & Financing - Saturday March 13, Saturday March 20, and Saturday March 27, 2021.
Module #4 - Marketing & Distribution - Saturday April 10, Saturday April 17, and Saturday April 24, 2021.
Registration is SOLD OUT
Deadline (Full certificate program): Friday January 15, 2021 @ 11:59pm EST.
Click here to register for the full program.
Bursary deadline: closed.
Click here for bursary details.
Note: Bursaries are available for the full certificate program only.
Registration for individual modules is OPEN NOW
Deadlines for registration for each separate module are:
Full Program Cost (12 sessions total):
$1,400 + HST (WIFT Toronto Members)
$1,850 + HST (Non-members)
NOTE: a payment plan is available for the full program registration. Contact Laurie Januska, Director of Programming, to request registration through a payment plan.
Per Module Cost (3 sessions per module):
$400 + HST (WIFT Toronto Members)
$525 + HST (Non-Members)
Two (2) bursaries will be made available to cover the fee for two registrants. These bursaries are made possible through the Foundation for Women in Film & Television – Toronto.
Bursaries are only available for those enrolling in the full certificate program.
Bursarie - 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.
Sign up here, then send the following documents (PDF) to Patti McCabe in the order listed below, using this template MBE2021-Doc#-Full name-Title of file.pdf (e.g. MBE2021-1-Alex Talent-Bio.pdf):
Deadline to submit bursary application has passed.
Each module runs for three Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, unless otherwise noted. Please note: Dates, times, and instructors are subject to change.
All sessions will be held via Zoom. Note: You must attend 10 of 12 sessions to be eligible for the certificate.
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Instructor: Donna O'Brien-Sokic - Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts (FMCA) and Shannon Vieira - Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts (FMCA)
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.
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Instructors: Lisa Broadfoot - Vice President, Business Affairs & Production Financing - Boat Rocker Media and Lori McIndoe, CPA, CGA - SVP Finance & Studio Operations - Jam Filled Entertainment
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: Nancy Winsor - Production Finance Specialist at Corus | Nelvana
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 the steps of delivery to broadcasters and distributors.
Instructors: Tom Alexander (Director of Theatrical Releases - Mongrel Media); Judy Lung (VP Communications & Marketing - Touchwood PR); Haem Roy (Brand Marketing | Client Solutions & Branded Content | Creative Strategy | Brand Consultant | Speaker and Panelist)
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.
This Humber College certificate program is presented by Bell Media.
