Program overview
The CMPA STAR Producer Program is a comprehensive professional development platform designed to help members advance their careers and grow their businesses. STAR is an acronym for Skills, Training, Access, and Resources, which the program will offer through an extensive range of development opportunities for producers at all stages of their careers.
The program is open to all CMPA members and participation requires no commitment other than being a member of the CMPA. Individuals will have the opportunity to sign up for programming and events on an individual, case-by-case basis, throughout the year. The STAR Producer Program is made up of six modules that reflect the lifecycle of a production project: Pre-Development, Development, Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production, and IP Commercialization.
Each of the modules will run for approximately two months and will feature programming, training opportunities, and supporting materials through the following pillars:
Presentations
Keynotes, webinars, or panel discussions featuring industry leaders, sharing knowledge and speaking about their career experience
Networking
Opportunities to meet and interact with fellow producers and other key stakeholders in the industry who can help you execute your next project, and expand your career opportunities
The Pre-Development module, which will launch the STAR Producer Program, will focus on topics related to identifying and acquiring intellectual property for a production project.
Presentation | Sweat & Hustle: Damon D’Oliveira on optioning books for the screen
December 16, 2020 – 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET / 10:00 am to 11:00 am PT
Our kickoff event will feature an “in conversation” webinar with Damon D’Oliveira (Conquering Lion Pictures), discussing his experience optioning books such as Lawrence Hill’s Book of Negroes and David Chariandy’s novel, Brother. The discussion will focus on how to option a book for a production project, and how to approach the adaptation project once it has been acquired.
Damon will be joined by veteran publisher Barbara Howsen, and the discussion will be moderated by Ontario Creates’ Erin Creasey.
More details will be sent to members in the coming days, but those who are interested can pre-register now:
Register→
Networking | Producers & Podcasters: Digital speed dating event
As the global podcasting industry booms, podcasts have become a growing source of IP for screen adaptations. Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming digital speed dating event that that will connect CMPA members with podcasters to discuss potential collaborations and business opportunities.
Mentorship | A call for established producers with IP acquisition experience
Mentors: We are looking for established producers with experience acquiring and adapting IP, to volunteer as mentors to support the STAR Producer Program mentorship pillar.
Mentors only need to provide a 30-60-minute time commitment, for short (15-minute) phone calls or Zoom meetings with early-career producers looking for advice and guidance related to identifying and acquiring IP.
We need you! This is your chance to give back to the broader production community. To sign up, please contact Sarolta Csete (Director, Development & Corporate Affairs).
Mentees: Once we have a critical mass of mentors for this module, we will put a call out for early-career producers who would like to be paired with an established producer for a short call or Zoom meeting.
Resources
We have scoured high and low for a wide range of helpful materials, focused on identifying, acquiring and adapting IP for the screen. Check out the STAR Producer Program resources page, to access these and other resources:
STAR Producer Program resources→
FAQ / contact us
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found below. Should you have other any questions about the STAR Producer Program, or if you have suggestions for future programming, events or content, please contact Andrew Addison (Vice-President, Communications, Marketing & Membership).
No you do not. Individuals will have the opportunity to sign up for programming and events on an individual, case-by-case basis, throughout the year.
Although some programming will be open to non-members, many of the components of the STAR Producer Program will be available to members only.
Interested in joining the CMPA? Click here.
The mentorship pillar of the STAR Producer Program is an opportunity for experienced producers to give back to the production community, sharing their experience and expertise with emerging producers, who are early in their careers.
To encourage participation, the time commitment required from mentors volunteers is minimal. Volunteers will only need to make themselves available for between 30-60 to participate in short 15-minute phone conversations or zoom meetings with emerging producers. Emerging producers will be asked to provide a short agenda to their mentor in advance, and come prepared with 3-5 questions they would like to ask during the call.
For more information, or to volunteer as a mentor please contact Sarolta Csete (Director, Development & Corporate Affairs).
No, The CMPA National Mentorship Program is a separate program, which coordinates job placement opportunities at leading production companies for aspiring producers. More information about this program can be found here.