TORONTO — BIPOC TV & Film announced today the launch of its first showrunner training bootcamp, a four-day workshop for mid- to upper-level Canadian writers and content creators.
“The bootcamp will be open to writers who are Black, Indigenous or People of Colour who have or have had a TV or web series in development with a Canadian broadcaster or production company, a minimum of co-producer credit on a Canadian TV or web series, or a story editor credit on an animated series,” reads a press release.
Led by writer and executive producer Anthony Q. Farrell, the bootcamp will include special guest instructors and panellists from Canada and the United States. The program was co-designed by writer and producer Jinder Oujla-Chalmers of Inner Vision Productions with support from BIPOC TV & Film.
“It was a painful experience creating my own television series, being given a greenlight, only to have the ‘showrunning’ position go to someone else,” said Oujla-Chalmers. “The truth is, I believe anybody who creates their own show should be given the opportunity to see their vision through. Anthony and I created this showrunner program to give people the opportunity to hear from the experts so that they can learn and expand their knowledge of what it takes, and not be afraid to run their own shows.”
The program “will train up to 50 Canadian BIPOC writers on best practices in managing and staffing their writing rooms, managing production and post-production schedules, and managing relationships with stakeholders, including production companies and broadcasters,” says the release.
“Participants will also be invited to observe Farrell showrun during one of his upcoming TV series writing rooms,” adds the release.
Farrell is the showrunner and executive producer of the sci-fi primetime comedy Overlord & The Underwoods, and he has served previously as showrunner for The Parker Andersons, Amelia Parker and Secret Life of Boys.
“The goal of this program is to get mid and upper-level writers ready for the jump to showrunning, demystify elements of the role that are new to them, and to inspire them to take creative control of their series. We’ll go through the nuts and bolts of the job so they’re mostly ready for the opportunity if and when it arises,” said Farrell, in the release.
“There are a growing number of excellent training programs geared for entry-level BIPOC creatives, however none are focused on levelling up experienced writers,” explained Kadon Douglas, executive director of BIPOC TV & Film.
“We are not only entry-level or emerging. We are also mid to senior-level creatives who are ready to take the lead. Through this BIPOC TV & Film Showrunner Training Bootcamp, we are equipping our community with the knowledge and business acumen to hold their own and revolutionize Canadian content. Knowledge is power; an investment in career advancement for mid to senior-level BIPOC creatives is key to transforming and modernizing the industry.”
Applications to BIPOC TV & Film’s showrunner training bootcamp are currently being accepted through to September 19, 2021. For more information, please click here.
