On Screen Manitoba

Canada’s National Screen Institute (NSI) is calling for applicants for its newest training program:

NSI Aboriginal Journalism. This pilot program is designed for Aboriginal candidates with prior journalism experience, or media experience in a related field, who want to hone their skills and abilities. After completing the program, participants will possess the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to accelerate their careers in journalism.

Apply by Monday, September 27, 2010, 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Details and an application form are here.

Up to 8 participants will be chosen for this pilot program. The NSI Aboriginal Journalism program combines workshops and case studies delivered by experts in the field, exposure to Winnipeg newsrooms and a four week internship at a media outlet.

"We’re thrilled to launch this innovative pilot program with the vision and creativity of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community, broadcasters, and Red River College,” said Derek Luis, CEO of the National Screen Institute. "We believe we’ve created a groundbreaking training initiative. There’s a need for well-trained Aboriginal journalists to bring an authentic voice and cultural perspective to the public through traditional broadcasters and online media."

Phase one – (eight weeks): Three days per week will be spent in classroom and workshop situations at the NSI Aboriginal Training Centre and two days will be spent in a local newsroom. Industry experts will share their experiences with students. Topics will include journalism principles, research techniques, critical thinking, pitching, online journalism, journalism law, social media, job preparedness and more.

Phase two – (four weeks): Participants who successfully complete phase one will be placed on a four week internship with a local media organization.

The Program Advisor is Neil Coligan. Coligan is an experienced journalist who has worked in radio, TV and print across Canada for more than 20 years. Most recently he was Executive Producer of News and Current Affairs for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). He has worked for CBC, CTV, Global and Citytv and the Government of Manitoba. Originally from southern Ontario, Neil has served as President of two festivals in Winnipeg and currently sits on the board of Freeze Frame, the media arts centre for young people, as well as the committee for the Manitoba Music Experience.

NSI staff members Brandice Vivier and Ursula Lawson are the Program Managers. Vivier has worked in film and TV for 15 years. At NSI she currently manages NSI Totally Television and works with the NSI Online Short Film Festival and the Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program. She has also worked with NSI Storytellers, NSI Drama Prize, NSI Pitch to Win!, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug and DiverseTV.

Lawson has been with NSI for over five years. She has worked on many of its training programs in a variety of capacities. Her responsibilities include Program Co-Manager, NSI New Voices; Coordinator, NSI Global Marketing; and Executive Assistant to the NSI Board of Directors.

NSI Aboriginal Journalism is made possible by Presenting Sponsors: The Government of Canada, The Manitoba Government; Program Partners: The Winnipeg Foundation, Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, CBC, APTN, CTV, Red River College; Strategic Sponsor: The City of Winnipeg.

The staff at the National Screen Institute has created a guest book which will be given to Susan, our outgoing CEO, as a memento of her time here. We would love you to contribute a short personal message for the book. Send your message to Lauren MacDiarmid no later than August 13.

After receiving a record-breaking number of applications (77), Canada’s National Screen Institute has chosen 5writer/producer teams for the 2010-11 NSI Totally Television training program.

The successful teams and their projects are:

Amnesia Girl: Pat Mills (writer and producer) – Toronto, ON
Dabbers: David Morgan (writer); Ben Wong (producer) – Calgary, AB
Pet Sounds: Simon McNabb (writer); Alex House (producer) – Toronto, ON
The Mark of Cain: Tammy Marlowe Johnson (writer); Shaun Johnson (producer) – Winnipeg, MB
The New 20: Tony Sekulich (writer); Jordan Gross (producer) – New Maryland, NB & Thornhill, ON

NSI Totally Television, run by Canada’s National Screen Institute (NSI), gives writer/producer teams the tools needed to successfully develop and pitch their TV series ideas and work towards landing a broadcast development deal. Shows that have been developed through NSI Totally TV include Wapos Bay (season 5 now in production), Less Than Kind (season 3 shooting this fall) and Todd and The Book of Pure Evil premiering this fall.

“We were overwhelmed with the wealth of talent and ideas presented by all the applications this year” said NSI Totally Television Program Manager Brandice Vivier. “Once again, it was an incredibly tough decision. Based on the strength of the projects that were ultimately chosen, we think these writers and producers are the ones to watch. NSI is proud to train and develop this talented group who will contribute to Canadian television for years to come.”

The NSI Totally Television teams will begin their training this September when they come together for boot camp to work with Program Manager Brandice Vivier and Program Advisor Samantha Linton along with many senior industry representatives. Over the course of 10 months the teams receive relevant market-driven training including the opportunity to work with story editors, showrunners, broadcasters and executive producer mentors to develop and shape their projects. Only the top teams with the strongest projects will go on to Phase 2 and attend the Banff World Television Festival in 2011.

NSI Totally Television is made possible by Presenting Sponsor CTV and the CTV/CHUM Benefits; Program Partner Telefilm Canada; Strategic Sponsors Rogers and Women in Media Foundation (WIMF); and Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

NSI Features First - training to help get your first feature film made

Canadian filmmaking teams working on their first or second feature film can apply for training through NSI Features First. Run by Canada’s National Screen Institute (NSI), the program prepares you for production through customized, intensive training and mentoring with industry professionals. It aims to help filmmakers hone their script while also understanding the business aspects of feature film development.

The teams chosen for the program are not required to pay tuition fees or relocate and, after initial training, learning opportunities are developed close to home.

Teams must apply with a feature film script. Up to four teams are chosen for this 10-month, three-phase program and are selected based on the strength of their film concepts and the potential development and packaging of their film projects. The curriculum includes script and story development, market research, legal requirements, pitching, financing, distribution as well as marketing and sales training - delivered by leaders in the Canadian film industry.

Guidelines and application forms are available here.
Applications must be received by 4:30 pm CST on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.

NSI Features First alumni have continued their feature filmmaking careers, producing many films that have won awards and been seen on screens across Canada. “NSI helped me get my first feature off the ground,” says Trish Dolman, producer, Screen Sirens and NSI Features First grad. “Ten years later, it seems I’m producing a feature film every year.”

Eleven features developed through the program have been produced. They have won awards, debuted at prestigious festivals and played in commercial theatres.

Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary

Along with his friends and colleagues, NSI established the Jim Murphy Filmmakers Bursary in memory of the former NSI Features First program manager.

In keeping with Jim’s incomparable film distribution, marketing and promotion contributions a $2,500 award is presented to a team going through the NSI Features First program that develops an inventive and creatively-integrated marketing plan as part of the program requirements in the first phase of training.

The NSI Features First project Heaven’s Door by the Vancouver team of writer/director Geoff Redknap and producer Katie Weekly was the most recent recipient of the bursary.

NSI is now accepting films for its NSI Online Short Film Festival.

Deadline to submit films, for free is 4:30 P.M. CST, Thursday, August 26, 2010.

Films must be no longer than 30 minutes. Drama, comedy, animation, short documentaries and experimental films are all eligible and must be Canadian.

New films are solicited four times a year. Get details and a submission form here.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round 100% Canadian short film showcase with new films and filmmaker interviews uploaded every week. All NSI website content can be accessed for free.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival has been made possible through the support of Presenting Sponsor Canwest, and A&E Television Networks which has generously funded the A&E Short Filmmakers Award.

Accomplished media professional Derek Luis has been named Chief Executive Officer of National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI). He replaces outgoing CEO Susan Millican. Derek joins NSI at a time of great growth and change in Canada’s screen-based industries.

Derek’s career includes 20 years of broadcast, print and online experience across news and current affairs, drama, factual, documentary, variety, performing arts and web content. He has worked as a writer, researcher, director, producer and executive producer for many Canadian broadcasters.

He’s an accomplished media educator having run projects, workshops, summer camps, and seminars, and he helped the National Film Board of Canada launch their innovative Toronto Mediatheque screening and experiential learning facility.

Luis distinguished himself as an industry champion for cultural diversity in Canada’s media scene and as a supporter of emerging technologies and talent.

As a SUN TV/Quebecor Media Executive , Luis directed Quebecor Media's support of professional development initiatives with several of Canada's national media training organizations to advance cultural diversity.

Earlier in his career he coordinated the first interactive storytelling and gaming workshop at the Canadian Film Centre, was an analyst for the Bell Broadcast & New Media Fund, an advisor to Ryerson's Interactive Broadcasting Group and a consultant to a number of dynamic web initiatives and portals.

Derek’s education includes various aspects of new media (such as interface design and digital narrative structures), communications, TV production, writing and executive management studies.

"In Derek we’ve found a dynamic and multi-talented individual to lead NSI," says Raja Khanna, Co-Chair of the NSI board of directors. "His breadth of knowledge in film, TV and new media in addition to his experience as an educator give him a wide perspective on the kinds of training content creators in Canada need."
"I’m excited to be joining NSI at a time when our sector is exploring new technologies and new ways of storytelling," says NSI CEO Derek Luis.

"The National Screen Institute has a solid reputation as a leading training school. I’m eager to work with the board and staff to continue providing professional training to writers, directors and producers and also launch dynamic new collaborations supporting the success of production companies, broadcasters and other industry stakeholders in every region of our great country."

In-class training has finished and on-the-job internships begin today for nine Aboriginal students hoping to break into film and TV thanks to a training program run by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI).

Through the NSI New Voices training program, young Aboriginal adults with a desire to work in film and television are put through classroom training and an internship. Students learn from professionals to develop their skills and then undertake a full-time, paid industry internship to put those skills into practice.

The internships hosts were matched to the skills and interests of the students, who are from Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina. The students will work for a variety of employers: local actor/producers Stan Lesk and Frank Adamson, Animiki See Digital Productions Inc., Strongfront A/V Productions, MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC, Media Rendezvous, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), filmmaker Noam Gonick, POMO Project and Buffalo Gal Pictures. They will work as production assistants, assistant directors, content creators, camera assistants and editors. Through these placements they will get hands-on experience.

* in preparation and execution of a live broadcast of Aboriginal Day celebrations on national TV;
* in the development of a television series already in production;
* in pre-production for a new television series;
* in pre-production and production work for several feature and documentary films; and
* in creating content for interactive installations in Winnipeg and at the world-renowned Winnipeg Folk Festival.

"The internship hosts are providing an amazing range of work options for the students," said Ursula Lawson, NSI New Voices Program Co-Manager. "The variety of opportunities has allowed us to closely match the students with their skills and the type of work they are interested in pursuing, and it gives the mentors a chance to see a potential employee in a work environment. We are grateful to the internship mentors for the time and value they provide to our students, committing to provide them with hands-on industry experience that our students can put on a resume right away."

Get more information about the NSI New Voices training program.

Back in March The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) held a panel called "Brave New Thinkers in Film Discuss Distribution in a Digital World" that discussed new models of film marketing, distribution and financing for the digital era. The panel was moderated by independent film marketing expert Sheri Candler and featured independent filmmaker Jon Reiss (named one of "10 Digital Directors to Watch" by Daily Variety) and David Geertz (described by Ted Hope as one of the brave new thinkers of the film world).

If you missed the event you can absorb all the knowledge in this nine-minute video on the NSI Website

Chief Executive Officer - National Screen Institute

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the successful candidate will be responsible for building on NSI’s considerable successes by securing, maintaining and refining current programs and by developing a sound direction and goals for the organization that will encourage growth. The scope of the role includes: corporate development, program development, government relations, industry outreach, brand management and staff development.

Required Skills

* Minimum 10 years corporate experience in Canadian film, television and digital media
* Proven track record in fundraising, business development, negotiation and deal closing
* Experience in corporate governance and senior level administration skills
* Experience in government and corporate funding practices
* Strong knowledge of digital media environments and platforms; ability to lead organization through technological transformation
* Currency in changing media environments
* Extensive contacts in industry
* Demonstrated successes in leading, managing, mentoring and developing staff
* Represent the organization at events, markets and fundraising
* Financial management ($2-5M)

Desired Attributes

* Passion for the Canadian media industry is essential
* Leadership
* Demonstrated work ethic
* Mentorship
* Willingness and "giving back"orientation
* Open communications style, good listening skills, strong written and verbal skills
* Ability to adapt and change
* Genuine drive to help others succeed
* Customer service orientation; client relationship management skills
* Strong initiative and problem solving abilities

Reply in confidence: If your experience reflects the above qualifications and skills, please forward a covering email with expression of interest and accompanying CV by 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday, April 19, 2010, to info@mediaintelligence.ca quoting "NSI-CEO" in the subject header.

We thank all candidates for their submissions but only those under consideration will be contacted.

The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI), a non-profit organization headquartered in Winnipeg, is Canada's longest running national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers.

NSI produces content that appeals to Canadians, while helping build and advance careers that will contribute to regional and national economies, stimulate long-term employment and ultimately grow Canadian industry.

With more than 23 years of training experience and over 600 alumni, NSI continues to develop and deliver training to meet the industry's needs. NSI believes the proper training of emerging content creators is the very bedrock of the future of Canadian media.

In recent years, NSI has enjoyed a period of dramatic growth by broadening its curriculum and programs, expanding its industry and government partnerships and graduating a steadily growing roster of talent - 96% of whom are working in the film, television and digital media industries. With a solid reputation and a unique training model, NSI has become a vibrant national brand, delivering much needed training to industry professionals in every region and territory of the country.

mediaINTELLIGENCE.ca: Canada’s leader in sector specific recruitment and integrated career management for media and entertainment professionals.

2009 and 2010 have been exceptional years for the success of TV shows developed directly through the National Screen Institute's training programs. NSI took seven scripts, seven teams and brought the projects to life.

Our NSI Totally Television, NSI Storytellers and DiverseTV programs have spawned the popular shows Wapos Bay, Less Than Kind, SOUL, 'da Kink in My Hair, Cashing In and - coming to a TV soon - Todd & The Book of Pure Evil, currently filming in Winnipeg.

On a side note, what's really cool is three of those TV shows are filmed in Winnipeg! Less Than Kind, Cashing In (both Buffalo Gal Pictures co-productions) and Todd & The Book of Pure Evil (Co-produced by Frantic Films)

NSI also designed and delivered training for the Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program which helped the mini series GUNS land on CBC last year.

Congratulations to the teams involved in the creation and production of these great Canadian shows. We know you work so hard to bring them to life. We're proud of you all!

Less Than Kind

Less Than Kind was created by Marvin Kaye and Chris Sheasgreen through NSI Totally Television. Currently in its 2nd season and being broadcast on HBO Canada, with a third season just ordered. Listen to our audio interview with Chris and Marvin.

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil was created by Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco and Anthony Leo and developed through the NSI Totally Television training program. Season 1 is currently in production in Winnipeg for SPACE.

Wapos Bay

Wapos Bay is an animated television series for children, now in its 4th season on APTN, developed through NSI Totally Television by Dennis Jackson and Anand Ramayya. Season 5 is in production and the series will end with a movie-of-the-week, scheduled to begin production in fall 2010. Listen to our audio interview with Dennis and series producer Melanie Jackson.

Cashing In

Cashing In was developed through the NSI Storytellers training program. Currently in its 2nd season on APTN and season 3 is in development.

'da Kink in My Hair

'da Kink in My Hair aired nationally for two seasons on Global; Season 1 is available on DVD. The show is currently repeating on Showcase. Developed by trey anthony and Damion Nurse through the NSI Totally Television training program.

Guns

Jennifer Holness took the mini series GUNS through the Telefilm Canada Spark Plug Program, designed and delivered by NSI. It premiered on CBC in September 2009.

SOUL

SOUL went through the DiverseTV training program. This six-part drama series was created by Andy Marshall and Abi Marshall and developed with Nigel Hunter. It debuted on VisionTV in February 2009.
 

Marise Strauss, Playback Magazine

A shared effort between APTN and the National Screen Institute - Canada continues to pay off as Cashing In readies for another season on the aboriginal-aimed cable channel.

The series, about a life in a casino on a reserve, sprang from Storytellers, a special one-time program at the Winnipeg school.

"[Executives at APTN] were finding that they were working with the same people often, and they wanted to expand the pool of aboriginal people that were coming to them with ideas [so] they asked us to design a program," says manager of programs and development Brandice Vivier.

Vivier says Cashing In is a real success story because it originated from a concept given to six new writers, who were tasked with breaking it out into six episodes under the mentorship of Peter Lauterman (North of 60). The series is currently airing its second season, while a third is in development.

APTN also had more money to spend. Director of programming Peter Strutt notes that an increase to APTN's broadcaster performance envelope led to an uptick in pilot and drama production.

"A few years back we'd [only] look at doing one series, which would be six episodes because we didn't have enough to fund more," he tells Playback Daily. The broadcaster is currently developing the new comedy series Health Nutz, about a retired hockey player who is forced to take over his father's juice bar.

NSI has likewise seen an uptick in the number of shows that have made it to broadcast after coming through one of the programs at the Winnipeg-based training center.

NSI helped launch no less than five current series including HBO Canada's Less Than Kind, Canwest's 'da Kink in My Hair, Wapos Bay (another one for APTN) and Space's supernatural comedy Todd & the Book of Pure Evil -- currently shooting in across town at Frantic Films. Most were born out of the Totally Television program, which aims to establish strong writer-producer teams to develop a TV series concept. Veterans such as Brian Hamilton (Defying Gravity, Robson Arms) and Ira Levy (Kenny vs. Spenny, Less Than Kind) serve as mentors.

Vivier says the school has a high success rate at getting development deals because broadcasters are comfortable taking pitches from participating teams. NSI was also involved in Vision's Soul, the Crossroads pilot for Citytv, and The Mighty Madigans, currently in development with CBC.

"Broadcasters know that [the pitches] are going to be focused, well-developed, and well-thought out," she notes.
 

The NSI Online Short Film Festival, hosted by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is currently soliciting new films.

Submit films for free by 4:30 P.M. CST, Friday, May 21, 2010.

Films must be no longer than 30 minutes. Drama, comedy, animation, short documentaries and experimental films are all eligible and must be Canadian. New films are solicited four times a year.

Get details and a submission form here.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a quality, year-round, 100% Canadian online film festival. New films are added to the NSI website weekly and the site also houses a growing archive of short film. All NSI website content can be accessed for free.

NSI Canada

Susan Millican, CEO of the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) since 2002, has advised the organization’s board of directors of her intention to step down from the position.

She will remain CEO until a committee completes a national search for her successor. She has agreed to act in an advisory capacity to the board both during the search process and through her replacement’s transition. Millican has also agreed to be available to NSI on an ongoing basis for occasional consulting.

Millican has led NSI through a period of dramatic growth as Canada’s oldest national training school by broadening its curriculum and programs, expanding its industry and government partnerships and graduating a steadily growing roster of writers, directors and producers - 96% of whom are working in the industry.

"Being the CEO of NSI has been an amazing and fulfilling experience for me," said Millican.

My intention was to be here for three years – it's been eight. That's proof that I truly enjoyed the opportunities that NSI offered. This is one of the best jobs in the country.

I have enjoyed working with our knowledgeable staff, accomplished board and the many talented content creators I have met over the years. NSI is flourishing. I have accomplished the goals that I set out to achieve and I feel the time is right for me to explore new professional opportunities, work on special projects, travel, and spend more time with family."

"Susan took a western-based, Winnipeg-headquartered organization with a solid reputation and a unique training model and transformed it into a vibrant national brand delivering much needed training to industry professionals in every region and territory of the country," said long-serving NSI board member Carole Vivier, CEO & Film Commissioner for MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC and one of the individuals who hired Millican to work for NSI.

"Without her intelligence and steady guidance during these significant years of industry growth and turmoil, NSI would not be the stable, well-respected and highly-valued national training school it is today."

Under Millican’s leadership NSI has grown in scope and scale expanding its suite of critically-acclaimed programs, building its national faculty of trainers and earning the respect of content creators and film and television industry professionals alike.

Today, NSI offers market-driven training for short film, feature film and television series development, and international marketing.

The organization has also become the national leader in film and television training for the Aboriginal community – one of Millican’s proudest accomplishments. NSI supports diversity training throughout its programs.

And NSI has positioned itself to adapt to the future content world by incorporating multi-platforming and transmedia through specific training initiatives like NSI playWRITE, and including transmedia training in its curricula.

NSI has significantly developed its website under Millican’s watch connecting writers, directors and producers with national and international experts in the film and television field. It also operates a popular online short film festival showcasing and celebrating 100% Canadian works.

Said Norm Bolen, long-time NSI board member and President and CEO of the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association, "The industry at large owes Susan Millican a huge debt of gratitude for her stewardship of our country’s longest-running national training school in film and television. The proper training of emerging content creators is the very bedrock of our industry’s future. Susan has built NSI into a powerhouse that continues to graduate qualified writers, directors and producers into the business who go on to have a significant impact on our Canadian cultural landscape as well as our national and regional economies."

A national call for a new CEO will be issued shortly.

Back in January NSI Canada's Liz Hover hosted a series of luchtime workshops all focused on the topic of social media. There were three seperate workshops that focused on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools.

If you weren't able to attend, you're in luck! NSI has put together a highlights reel featuring the best bits from the sessions.

Click here to watch Liz Hover's 'What is Social Media and How Do I Use It?'

NSI Totally TV - May 4th Deadline

Have a great idea for a TV show? Learn how to get it to air with NSI Totally TV.

NSI Totally Television, run by the National Screen Institute – Canada, gives you the tools you need to develop your TV show and pitch it to broadcasters with the ultimate goal of getting it made. Over ten months you’ll receive relevant market-driven training including the opportunity to work with story editors, showrunners, mentors and executive producers to develop and shape your project. Up to six teams will be accepted for the initial phase of training; only the top teams with the best market-driven projects will go on to Phase 2 and attend the Banff World Television Festival in 2011.

Apply for the program by Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

Guidelines and an application form are available on the NSI website.

"NSI Totally Television is all about training and connections. We give you the tools you need to successfully develop and pitch your project, and connect you with the people who'll help you get it made," said Brandice Vivier, Manager, Programs and Development, NSI. "Our participants' series have aired on Global, Citytv, APTN, HBO Canada, Showcase and CBC demonstrating the strength of projects and teams that have come through the program." This program gets results. 50% of Phase 2 projects have gone into development with a broadcaster and 50% of these have gone into production. Recent shows developed through NSI Totally Television include Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (shooting in Winnipeg this month), Less Than Kind (season 2 is airing now on HBO Canada), ‘da Kink in my Hair (season 1 available on DVD), and Wapos Bay (season 4 airs on APTN; series also airs in Australia).

The NSI Totally Television program can be done while you keep your day job. It features a week-long boot camp in Toronto in the fall for all participants and a shorter training session in Spring 2011 for Phase 2 teams. Project and professional development plans are created with maximum flexibility to allow you to keep working.

Brandice Vivier, Manager, Programs and Development, National Screen Institute - Canada
Brandice Vivier has worked in the film and television industry for over 15 years. As Manager, Programs and Development at NSI, Brandice develops and delivers many of our training programs. In addition to managing NSI Totally Television, she is currently working with the NSI Online Film Festival and Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program. Brandice has also managed NSI Drama Prize, NSI Storytellers, NSI Pitch to Win!, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug, and DiverseTV.

Samantha Linton – Program Advisor, NSI Totally Television
Sam Linton is an award winning producer, director and executive producer. She has worked as Head of Factual Programming at Cineflix, Head of Development for RTR Media where she helped create Maxed Out and From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis. She also worked as Head of Original Production for Discovery Channel Canada where she oversaw and executive produced hundreds of hours of programming.

NSI Totally Television is made possible by Presenting Sponsor CTV and the CTV/CHUM Benefits; Program Partner Telefilm Canada; Strategic Sponsors Rogers and Women in Media Foundation (WIMF); and Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is excited to announce a Winnipeg event featuring Jon Reiss (named one of "10 Digital Directors to Watch" by Daily Variety) and David Geertz (described by Ted Hope as one of the brave new thinkers of the film world) who will talk about new models of film marketing, distribution and financing for the digital era.

Independent film marketing expert Sheri Candler will moderate a panel featuring Jon Reiss and David Geertz who will talk about new models of film marketing, distribution and financing for the digital era.

Wednesday, March 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Venue: Urban Shaman: Contemporary Aboriginal Art
Admission $20
RSVP on Facebook

The National Screen Institute is offering a special price for students, On Screen Manitoba members, Winnipeg Film Group members and New Media Manitoba members: $10, valid student ID or membership card must be presented to receive discount.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Jon Reiss - filmmaker and author of the acclaimed book Think Outside the Box Office (Ted Hope calls Jon's book, '... mandatory reading ...") - will share his innovative perspectives on film marketing and distribution.

Jon is a critically acclaimed filmmaker whose films have screened at Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Tribeca, Los Angeles, Rotterdam and Seattle. He has produced and directed shorts, music videos and three feature films, most recently Bomb It (Tribeca 2007) about graffiti, street art and the battle over visual public space throughout the world. Based on his experience releasing Bomb It with a hybrid strategy and the classes he teaches at California Institute of the Arts, Jon wrote: Think Outside the Box Office: The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution in the Digital Era.

David Geertz - entrepreneur, crowdfunding expert, filmmaker and transmedia producer - will share ideas about new models of film financing including crowdfunding. With The Biracy Project, David hopes to transform film financing and promotion.

David founded The Biracy Project after he was asked by an investor for a film project to remove his cast, fire the director and put the investor’s girlfriend in the role of his leading male. David's mission with The Biracy Project is to ensure no one with a creative vision would ever have to compromise their ideas again.

For more information, please email Liz Hover or telephone 204-957-8481.

About the National Screen Institute (NSI)

NSI is widely known for its prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and producers working in film, television and digital media. Most programs are part-time so students keep their day jobs while they train. Participants do not have to relocate – intensive training happens in one place and participants return home to work with a mentor for the rest of their program. All training is delivered by senior industry experts.

Bring your lunch and join the National Screen Institute’s social media maven

Liz Hover

as she breaks down the hurdles to understanding Twitter, Facebook and sets you up with your social media tool kit.

Wed. Jan. 13 – What is Twitter and how can it help my business?
Wed. Jan. 20 – How to get your message out through Facebook
Wed. Jan. 27 – Your social media tool kit – it’s not just Twitter and Facebook

Where are the seminars?
NSI Aboriginal Training Centre – 400-141 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg.

When do the seminars take place?
Wednesdays (January 13, 20, 27) from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.

How much do the seminars cost?
$10 per session (Cash only, receipts available)

Should I pre-register?
Yes please, space is limited. Call Chris Vajcner at (204) 957-2998.

What should I bring?
Your lunch and your questions. We’ll provide the coffee and the answers!

About Liz Hover
Liz is a self-described web-chick and internet geek with a background in marketing and communications. She puts her passion for the web to work at the National Screen Institute managing their website and social media presence. Liz believes Twitter is one of the most educational tools a marketer can include in their toolkit and her dedication to social media and online marketing brought NSI into the Web 2.0 world. On her blog at lizhover.com, Liz writes about building your brand online, the social web and web design. Liz and her beloved Shih Tzu Sadie are avid bloggers, tweeters and Facebookers.

About the National Screen Institute
The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is a national training school widely known for its prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and producers working in film and television. Most programs are part-time so students keep their day jobs while they train. Participants do not have to relocate – intensive training happens in one place and participants return home to work with a mentor for the rest of their program. All training is delivered by senior industry experts.