TORONTO – The Canwest Emerging Writers Program and the Canwest Showrunner Training Program were launched today by the Banff World Television Festival and Canwest.
The two programs, part of the $140 million cultural benefits package coming out of Canwest’s purchase of Alliance Atlantis, “aim to build a solid foundation for the development and future success of innovative home-grown television series,” says the press release.
They will officially launch at the 29th Banff World Television Festival, taking place at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada, June 8 – 11, 2008.
"We are very excited to announce this extraordinary initiative that will have its launch at Banff, a pre-eminent industry event," says Barb Williams, executive vice-president, content, Canadian Broadcasting. "Canwest is committed to growing the television series business in Canada, and this partnership with the Banff World Television Festival will ensure that the country’s most talented writers and producers remain working in the Canadian broadcasting industry."
The Canwest Emerging Writers Program offers Canadian screenwriters the opportunity to gain insight into the demands of writing for series television, says the company. Up to five writers will participate in a professional development program that will help them hone their creative skills and introduce them to a wide range of industry professionals working in series television. The successful applicants will be invited to attend the Banff World Television Festival where they will have access to all events offered there as well as attending seminars, pitch sessions and master classes designed especially for them. After the festival, they will meet with story teams working on existing Canadian series productions to better understand the workings and expectations of writing on Canadian series.
The goal of the showrunner program is to better position Canada’s television writers to take on the responsibility of the showrunner. Up to 10 experienced series writers will be chosen to participate in a program that will provide further insight into producing series television from the best in the business, both here and from abroad. Successful candidates will have their own shows to pitch at the Banff World Television Festival. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to attend master classes and be part of case study sessions with renowned showrunners. At the end of the program, these writers will travel to Los Angeles for a week to meet with a variety of story teams on existing U.S. series.
The winners will be selected by a jury consisting of three jurors: Tecca Crosby, director of the programs, a representative from Canwest, and one representative from the Banff Television Festival Foundation.
Crosby began her career at Saturday Night magazine where she worked as assistant to the editor, then head researcher and finally as an associate editor. In 1986 she went to the newly formed Ontario Film Development Corporation as the senior development officer, and in 1992 assumed the post of Executive Coordinator, Production and Development with direct responsibility for numerous feature film and television production investments, including such titles as Exotica, Million Dollar Babies, and Dance Me Outside. From 1995 to 1998, Crosby worked as a freelance production consultant. During that time – as story editor in residence at the Canadian Film Centre – she helped establish the Professional Screenwriting Programme and also worked with Susan Coyne and Rhombus Media to create and develop the acclaimed television series Slings & Arrows. In 1998 Crosby went to work at CTV as director of dramatic programming, where she supervised the development slate for original Canadian drama and worked as a production executive on a variety of award-winning movies, miniseries and dramatic series. She is currently an independent production executive.
"We are thrilled that someone of Tecca’s calibre will be at the helm of these programs," says Jennifer Harkness, executive director, Banff. "The knowledge she brings will enrich the experience for participants, providing incredible access to some of the top creative minds in television today."
To download an application form, and for more information, go to: www.banff2008.com. Deadline for applications is April 18, 2008.
