Latest posts from National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)

Are you an emerging producer eager to take on bigger projects and grow your business? Or are you a writer or director with a desire to learn about the craft of producing screen-based stories in a COVID-19 environment and beyond?

Introducing NSI Business for Producers – an online distance learning and mentorship program, from the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) and program partner the Canada Media Fund (CMF), designed to help up to 20 creative entrepreneurs nurture story ideas (of all genres) while navigating the logistics and legalities of screen-based storytelling.

Applications are being accepted until Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m. CT. Apply now.

“The world is filled with great stories but it takes a special skill set to shape them into viable productions for the global market – especially now that producers face additional hurdles with COVID-19,” said Joy Loewen, NSI’s CEO. “The training provided by NSI Business for Producers is designed to tackle these issues so producers can develop their projects and we can help increase the network of producing talent across Canada in a safe and responsible way.”

“The Canada Media Fund is committed to supporting the production community in all parts of the country,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund. “Our partnership with NSI creates a positive path forward for producers to not only to extend their skill sets and develop their projects, but also to better equip themselves to work within entirely new parameters.”

NSI is committed to selecting participants from a diverse community of voices including women and/or Indigenous and/or People of Colour and/or LGBTQ2+ and/or people with disabilities, and those from underrepresented regions of Canada.

Up to 20 participants will get exclusive access to presentations, roundtables, masterclasses, interactive and networking sessions with top industry producers and their peers who will share their experiences and knowledge through online training sessions and insightful case studies. Topics may include pitching, leadership and collaboration, budgeting, protocols for working with Indigenous communities, conflict resolution, tax credits, finance structure and cash flow, creativity post-COVID-19, fundamentals of business affairs and human resource management.

Phase 1 (online six-week boot camp intensive in October and November 2020) will focus on developing creative and business skills. Instruction will be presented by leading industry experts and plenty of opportunity will be given for hands-on, practical learning and networking.

During phase 2 (one-on-one mentorship in January and February 2021) participants will be matched with an experienced mentor from their region to identify challenges and areas of need, and receive guidance and support.

Jeff Peeler (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Still Standing) and Jennifer Podemski (Future History, The Other Side, Moccasin Flats) have signed on as program advisors. Ursula Lawson is the program manager.

NSI Business for Producers is funded by Program Partner Canada Media Fund (CMF); Strategic Sponsors Telefilm Canada and The Winnipeg Foundation; and Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment and Super Channel. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

The post Nurture your creative ideas while learning the essential elements of producing with NSI Business for Producers appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Netflix is continuing their search to discover stories from seasoned storytellers and undiscovered talent all over Canada.

From now until Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 8 p.m. ET, Netflix is accepting pitch proposals from Canadian creators for series or films across a variety of categories.

From these submissions, at the beginning of September Netflix content leaders will connect with Canadian creators through a series of virtual meetings. Additional details for the virtual sessions will be shared with the chosen participants.

Netflix particularly wants to hear from creators with ideas for original non-fiction, original animation, original series and original independent film. More detail is provided for each genre in the link below.

Get full details and apply.

The post Netflix seeking pitch proposals for original Canadian content appeared first on National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI).

Above: Burden of Truth

Continuing our series on alumni projects available on streaming platforms, today we turn to Netflix. We scoured their catalog to find a range of TV series titles across a number of genres.

For a recap of the series, see below.

• Part one – alumni projects on nfb.ca
• Part two – alumni projects on CBC Gem
• Part three – alumni projects on Encore+
• Part four – alumni projects on APTN lumi
• Part five – alumni projects on Crave

Got a favourite Netflix snack? Sweet or savoury, or a combo of both? Time to fill up the bowl and pour yourself a glass – lots to choose from on Netflix, thanks to our talented alumni.

TV series – drama

Anne with an “E” | Seasons 1 to 3 | 2017 | 44 mins

Director Norma Bailey (NSI Totally Television, NSI DramaLab)

A plucky orphan whose passions run deep finds an unlikely home with a spinster and her soft-spoken bachelor brother. Based on Anne of Green Gables.

Burden of Truth | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2018 | 44 mins

Executive producer Kyle Irving (NSI Global Marketing), co-executive producer Lisa Meeches (NSI Storytellers), directors Michelle Latimer, Jordan Canning (both NSI Drama Prize)

A corporate attorney returns to her hometown for a case involving high school girls falling mysteriously ill, but it leads her down a different path.

Degrassi Next Class | Seasons 1 to 4 | 2016 | 24 mins

Executive Producer Sarah Glinski, story editor Alejandro Alcoba (both NSI Totally Television)

Degrassi’s next generation of high-tech newbies and returning students navigates real-world high school drama. If you’re a teen, this is your life.

Frontier | Seasons 1 to 3 | 2016 | 46 mins

Writer Lisa Rose Snow (NSI Drama Prize)

In 18th-century North America, ruthless trappers and entrepreneurs fight to wrest control of the fur trade from the mighty Hudson’s Bay Company.

Ghost Wars | Season 1 | 2017 | 43 mins

Writers Karen Lam (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television), Sonja Bennett (TELUS STORYHIVE)

Local outcast Roman Mercer must harness his repressed psychic powers to save his remote Alaskan town from paranormal forces.

Heartland | Seasons 1 to 13 | 2007 | 45 mins

Executive producer Tom Cox (NSI DramaLab)

Spunky teenager Amy is reeling from the sudden death of her mother when she and her grandfather are threatened with the loss of their horse ranch.

Intelligence | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2006 | 45 mins

Executive producer Laura Lightbown (NSI Global Marketing)

Clashes both on the street and in the bedroom pits the female head of the Organized Crime Unit against the cocky leader of a pot-smuggling ring.

Murdoch Mysteries | Seasons 1 to 12 | 2008 | 44 mins

Writer/co-executive producer Simon McNabb (NSI Totally Television)

In Victorian-era Toronto, Inspector William Murdoch uses unconventional scientific methods to crack complex, high-profile murder cases.

The Order | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2019 | 48 mins

Writer/co-producer Jason Filiatrault (NSI Script to Screen)

Out to avenge his mother’s death, a college student pledges a secret order and lands in a war between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic.

Van Helsing | Seasons 1 to 4 | 2016 | 43 mins

Writer Karen Lam (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Totally Television)

After three years in a coma, Vanessa awakens to a world ravaged by vampires. Now, she and a motley band of fellow survivors fight to stay alive.

Wynonna Earp | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2016 | 42 mins

Executive producer Tom Cox (NSI DramaLab)

The outcast descendant of lawman Wyatt Earp teams up with an immortal Doc Holliday to rid the world of demonic revenants from the Wild West.

TV series – comedy

Kim’s Convenience | Seasons 1 to 3 | 2016 | 22 mins

Writer Sonja Bennett (TELUS STORYHIVE)

While running a convenience store in Toronto, members of a Korean-Canadian family deal with customers, each other and the evolving world around them.

Schitt’s Creek | Seasons 1 to 5 | 2015 | 22 mins

Director Jordan Canning (NSI Drama Prize)

Suddenly broke, the formerly filthy-rich Rose family is reduced to living in a ramshackle motel in a town they once bought as a joke: Schitt’s Creek.

TV series – animation

Carmen Sandiego | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2019 | 24 mins

Executive Producer Kirsten Newlands (NSI Totally Television)

A master thief who uses her skills for good, Carmen Sandiego travels the world foiling V.I.L.E.’s evil plans — with help from her savvy sidekicks.

Chip and Potato | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2019 | 22 mins

Executive Producer Kirsten Newlands (NSI Totally Television)

Lovable pug Chip starts kindergarten, makes new friends and tries new things — with a little help from Potato, her secret mouse pal.

Total Drama | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2007 | 22 mins

Creator/writer/executive producer Tom McGillis (NSI Global Marketing)

Heartwarming moments are interspersed with backstabbing, scheming, sabotage and broken alliances in this animated spoof of reality show competitions.

TV series – documentary

Real Detective | Seasons 1 + 2 | 2016 | 43 mins

Writer Thomas Michael (NSI Script to Screen)

This series blends documentary style with dramatic re-creations as actors portraying real detectives recall the cases that will haunt them forever.

Rust Valley Restorers | Season 1 | 2019 | 44 mins

Writer/executive producer Robert Hardy (NSI Totally Television), executive producer Trevor Hodgson (NSI Features First)

Old-school auto collector Mike Hall, his pal Avery Shoaf and son Connor Hall go the extra mile to restore retro cars – and hopefully turn a profit.

NSI alumni, if we missed your show on Netflix, please let us know in the comments section below.

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