OTTAWA – Bell Media has announced the recipients of its first Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab, a two-part program designed to assist the career advancement of mid-level Canadian producers.
Eight participants will begin on March 10 with a six week broadcaster internship at Bell Media headquarters in Toronto. They will also attend an industry event or conference, as well as participate in case studies and coaching sessions. After the internship, two producers will be selected for a production apprenticeship with a top independent Canadian production company or Bell Media In-House Productions, in order for them to become more familiar with executive producer roles and responsibilities. The program is part of Bell Media's TV Skills Development Initiative, which invests $1.8 million annually in a suite of national training programs.
The first-ever Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab participants are:
– Trey Anthony (Toronto)
- Award-winning playwright, executive producer, actor, stand-up comedian, and founder of Trey Anthony Studios whose credits include the television and theatrical production of 'Da Kink In My Hair.
– Rosalie Chilelli (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
- Owner and managing director of Edge Enterprises, which provides facilitation, services, and consultation in the areas of financing, scouting, casting, crew recruitment, and training.
– Shane Corkery (Originally from Saskatchewan, now residing in Toronto)
- Co-founder of Counterfeit Pictures and previously the Manager of Development at WestWind Pictures, the production company best known for Little Mosque On The Prairie (CBC), on which he also served as producer for two seasons.
– Lauren Grant (Originally from B.C., now residing in Toronto)
- Genie Award-winner and principal of Clique Pictures, a production company focused on working with female creative talent both in front of and behind the camera.
– Shaun Johnson (Originally from Winnipeg, now residing in Toronto)
- Head of Production at Aircraft Pictures with credits in the drama, documentary, lifestyle, feature, live comedy, and interactive new media genres; previously a producer at Frantic Films where he was involved in several successful TV series, including Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil (Space) and Guinea Pig (Discovery).
– Sally Karam (Toronto)
- Gemini-nominated producer currently developing her second feature film, Truck Stop; recently completed production on the breakthrough CGI series Alien Mysteries (Discovery), an original Canadian series using state-of-the-art CGI and green screen techniques.
– Tracey Mack (Vancouver)
- Film, television, and digital media producer who, through her production company Urban Safari Entertainment, created the multi-platform property Kids' Cookhouse, which is currently in development and recently won the TelusOptik TV Award at Merging Media 2013.
– Jennifer Pun (Toronto)
- Producer of more than 45 hours of live action television whose credits include the award-winning tween live-action comedy series How To Be Indie (YTV) and action/adventure series Connor Undercover (Family Channel); currently developing several television projects through her production company Courier Ink.
"We are very excited to welcome the first group of producers to the inaugural Bell Media Producer Accelerator Lab," said Corrie Coe, SVP of independent production at Bell Media, in the announcement. “We've worked hard to ensure that this program enhances the skill level of its participants who already have a wealth of experience in the industry, and give them a unique perspective into a Canadian broadcaster."
