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
Module 5 will focus on IP monetization, with the goal of helping producers identify and maximize opportunities to develop and commercialize intellectual property. Programming in this module includes a virtual networking event that will connect CMPA members with leaders from interactive digital media (IDM) companies across Canada, as well as a webinar that will explore practical IP monetization business models.
Networking | Canadian Interactive Alliance virtual meet-up
On Wednesday May 4, we hosted a virtual networking event via Zoom that connected leaders working in Canada’s interactive digital media industry with the independent production sector. Presented in partnership with Interactive Ontario, the event included IDM companies from across the country who are part of The Canadian Interactive Alliance / L ‘Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC), which includes provincial associations such as DigiBC, Interactive Nova Scotia, New Media Manitoba, SaskInteractive, and others.
Executives and independent producers were connected to discuss their work and focus, and potential collaborations. The event was split into a number of 15-minute breakout sessions, followed by an open networking round.
Presentation | Maximizing your IP monetization opportunities
On Wednesday May 11, the CMPA hosted a webinar that looked at how producers can extend the value of their produced content through a range of IP exploitation and monetization opportunities. Drawing on their deep experience, our panelists examined a series of practical case studies that aimed to help producers keep IP exploitation top-of-mind from pre-development and on through the entire production lifecycle.
Moderated by Irene S. Berkowitz (The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University), the panel featured:
- Cassandra Butcher – Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Creative Director, BRON Studios
- Sarah Nathanson – Chief Operating Officer, Thunderbird Entertainment
- Jeff Pestell – President, Champ & Pepper Inc.
- Haydn Wazelle – President/Producer, Tabula Dada Productions
Coaching program
The CMPA is currently in a transitional phase of the STAR Producer Coaching Program as we design and implement a more robust, easy to use platform that will help connect established and emerging producers. Stay tuned!
Resources | IP monetization
CMPA staff have carefully pulled together an extensive range of materials, focused on IP monetization. Use the filter by category button to search through resources from this module below. For resources from past modules, click here.
- STAR Producer Program - Module 5
- Resource
- Article
- Program / event
- Podcast
- Video
Defending our Rights Series: An Intellectual Property Strategy for Canada
The series, Defending our Rights, lays out the first principles for understanding the importance of intellectual property protections, and seeks to support the government’s goal, stated in the 2017 federal budget, of crafting a new intellectual property strategy for Canada.
Entertainment Law Building Blocks Series (Part 1): Content ownership and control
A podcast that dives into a deeper conversation about content ownership and questions such as who actually owns the final film? What is “title” and why do we track it? And who really has creative control?
From page to screen
An event created to promote the adaptation of Canadian fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature published by Ontario publishers to the big and small screens. It provides a forum for Ontario film and television producers to meet with publishers in scheduled, one-on-one meetings.
Past modules
The STAR Producer Program consists of a series of modules, offered throughout the year, which reflect the lifecycle of a production project. To access content from past modules, please click below.
Past Modules →
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 coaches 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.