TORONTO – Bell Media announced today the creation of a new apprenticeship program to help develop the next generation of small-screen producers in Canada.
With a yearly commitment of up to $1 million, the Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab says it is a catalyst to fast-track the advancement and skills of qualified television producers. As the latest program supported by the Bell Media TV Skills Development Initiative, the Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab provides emerging producers from across Canada with the opportunity to gain unique hands-on experience – at both Bell Media and at leading production companies – to assist them advancing their careers within Canada’s TV industry.
The new program has two components: a multi-week broadcaster internship at Bell Media’s Toronto headquarters where participants will be exposed to the fundamental operations of Canadian broadcasting, including learning about the business model and economics; and a production mentorship, where the top producers from the broadcaster internship advance to a specialized eight-to-ten month mentorship at a production company or Bell Media In-House Productions. Successful participants will receive up to $50,000 each payable over the duration of their mentorship.
Applicants for the Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must hold a degree or diploma with an emphasis on television or film studies, or have an equivalent four years of production experience. Full details will be announced in the coming months. The program is expected to launch by the end of the year.
The Producer Accelerator Lab joins current national training programs that the Bell Media TV Skills Development Initiative supports in association with leading TV and film organizations, with overall funding of up to $1.8 million each year.
