Offered: October 3, 2024

CMPA members were invited to join us for an insightful, and interactive conversation featuring award-winning director and producer, Clement Virgo and filmmaker Maya Bastian, moderated by Kelly Lynne Ashton.

About the session
Canada’s media production sector has a long history of tackling difficult stories that are often rooted in personal or historical trauma. While it is important to bring such scripted and documentary stories to the screen, these projects can trigger trauma responses in those working on the productions, and require care in management.

This Wide Lens workshop will identify various types of traumas than can arise through the production of such projects and the shooting of difficult scenes, and provide guidance on how producers can create trauma informed workspaces, while also managing their own mental well-being.

Offered: April 11, 2024

The Black Screen Office (BSO) and the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) hosted the 2nd edition of our networking event between producers and writers from the Rogers-BSO Script Development Program, to help writers forge new connections and help producers find their next project. This event took place virtually over Zoom.

To kick off this event, participating writers shared details about themselves and their projects. Three rounds of pre-scheduled 15-minute meetings followed. Finally, an open networking round allowed producers and writers who have not met formally during the event to connect.

Offered: January 17, 2024 and March 14, 2024

CMPA members were invited to attend the webinar, Drafting effective community engagement plans, presented in partnership with the Black Screen Office (BSO).

Increasingly funders and broadcasters are requiring producers to submit a written plan that clearly outlines how a project will authentically represent the communities and subject matter to be presented in the story.

Authenticity can refer to stories focused on equity-deserving communities, but may also be required for stories on specialized subject matter such as nuclear science or professional hockey, for example.

The session, facilitated by Kelly Lynne Ashton and producer, director, writer, Sasha Leigh Henry, discussed the BSO’s recently published “Considerations for Writing Engagement Plans” guidebooks, and used case studies and audience participation, to highlight strategies and develop best practices for drafting successful community engagement plans.

This 90 minute session covered:

• • An overview of the different documents required by different funders and broadcasters (e.g. Community Engagement Plans, Narrative Positioning Statements, Diversity Plans)

• • What funders and broadcasters are looking for at Development and Production stages

• • How to use the guides for your project

Offered: October 26, 2023 and November 29, 2023

CMPA members were invited to participate in the webinar, EDI for producers as employers and people managers, hosted by Natasha Tony (Elevate Inclusion Strategies) and Richard Fowler.

The virtual session outlined how producers can create an inclusive workplace and foster a culture of belonging in both the production office and on set. The interactive session spoke heavily about real-world case studies, and provided significant opportunity for participation.

During the 90-minute training session the facilitators covered:

• How federal and provincial human rights legislation apply to the production sector
• Best practices in developing workplace equity, diversity and inclusion policies
• Inclusive recruiting and hiring
• Addressing bullying, harassment, discrimination and when to engage outside legal counsel