Understanding the Business of Film

Welcome to Scale Up Business Bootcamp, also known as Scale Up Biz – a comprehensive six-month Business Affairs intensive designed to empower Black-owned film, television, and digital media production companies. With a focus on fostering growth, this program offers transformative opportunities through in-depth workshops, mentoring, and networking experiences. Our esteemed partners, including WIFT-Toronto, Bizable Media, Black Women Film! Canada, RBC, and Advancing Black Canadian Media Professionals, are instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.

There is no cost to participate in the program

Our Goal

The Scale Up Business Bootcamp aims to enhance the value proposition of each participant's business to broadcasters, distributors, and venture capitalists. We leverage tax credits, funding sources, and revenue generation strategies to propel your business towards greater success.

The Scale Up Business bootcamp is a 6 month program, running from September to March, this Program is broken down into two modules:

  1. Intensive Bootcamp Workshops from September 27, 2023 to November 29, 2023

  2. Coffee Chat Sessions: Networking sessions with leading Canadian Broadcast executives from January to March. 

We carefully select a minimum of 10 mid-career producers to participate, providing them with opportunities to enhance their producing skills and expand their industry knowledge.

Join us at Scale Up Business Bootcamp and unlock your potential for growth and success in the dynamic world of Filmmaking. Take the leap towards elevating your business and securing a bright future in the industry. Apply now to be a part of this exclusive opportunity.

Testimonials

“This program provided my wife and I the tools to structure of business. We learned the value of collaboration and internal planning. It also allowed us to get into other programs that have furthered our career.”
— Tristan Barrock, Year 2 Alumni
“Each week, the presentations, case studies, and guest speakers are filling in the void, providing information in my blindspot to better understand how to navigate this often lonely journey of content producing.

”
— Ryan Singh, Year 1 Alumni

Application and Program details below.

Our Partners

This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Highlights of what you learn

Producer Roles and Responsibilities:  Understanding the role, ideal qualities, functions of a producer, and balancing creative and business aspects.

Rights and Development: Learning about rights acquisition, chain of title maintenance, contract negotiation and the process of developing a project.

Incorporation and Accounting Instructions on setting up a company, ongoing responsibilities, and best accounting practices.

Funding: Understanding the Canadian funding system, tax credits, interim financing.

KEY DATES

Interviews: August 21 - 31, 2023

Program Orientation: September 20, 2023

( Workshop sessions are hybrid, will be hosted in the OBAC office)

Program Start Date: September 27, 2023 

Bootcamp Workshops: Sep 27 - Nov 29, 2023

Sessions are Weekly - Wednesday & Fridays, 12:00 PM  - 2:00 PM

Pitch Workshop: January 2024 (date TBD)

Coffee Chats with Broadcasters: February - March 2024

Program End Date: March 29, 2024

These workshops will be administered by Bizable Media.

Bizable Media is a boutique consulting business based in Toronto that works with creative producers to facilitate, finance and manage exceptional screen-based content.  Bizable’s deep industry knowledge gives independent producers the support they need to effectively navigating the business and compliance aspects of the production process, from early development to delivery, to ensure a successful production experience for the producer and stakeholders.

I.M.P.A.C.T is a national, member-based non-profit organization created to combat systemic and anti-Black racism. We achieve this by breaking down barriers and opening the gates for producers of Afro descent and individuals who identify as Black, encompassing all intersectional identities. Our aim is to create a fair, equitable, and truly representative film, TV, digital media, and music industries.

Founded in 1984, WIFT Toronto is a member-based, not-for-profit organization.  They are passionate individuals who are dedicated to the education, engagement and empowerment of our members at all stages of their careers in the screen-based media industry. 

Who Can Apply?

Submissions are invited from Southern Ontario-based (see FAQs for detailed list of area) Black-owned production companies who have 1-2 projects in development. Applicants must have produced:

  • At least one completed projects (any genre) that have been selected at an applicable film festival (see FAQs for detailed list) or that have been broadcast traditionally or online.*

 *If broadcast through YouTube or similar, applicants must be able to demonstrate a level of critical acclaim or at minimum audience engagement of at least 3,000+ viewers.

 

Eligibility Checklist:

  • Self-identify as Black, a mid-career producer and be over the age of 18

  • Must be located in Southern Ontario (See FAQs for full list)

  • Be incorporated or ready to incorporate once being selected for the program

    (company must be a registered business in Canada)

  • Production company at least 51% Black-owned

  • Must have at least one screen-based project in development

  • Be available for ALL workshop dates:

    Weekly - Wednesday & Fridays, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM beginning Wednesday September 27 and ending Friday December 1.

Scale Up Biz is an inclusive program, and is open to applicants regardless of disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or socio-economic status as defined by the Equality Act. At least 60% of participants selected will be Black women-identified producers/production companies.

How Do I Apply?

Fill out this application form which will include the following components:

1. LETTER OF INTENT: Describe your short-term and long-term company goals. Why are you pursuing this program at this point in your career? Describe your producing and/or company experiences and identify what areas you hope to develop through the program. Outline your educational and professional development goals. (Max. 1-2 pages)

2. Resume / CV including education and professional work experience (Max. 2 pages)

3. Personal Bio (Max. 300 words)

4. One Letter of Recommendation from an industry professional (Max 2 pages)

5. Short treatment of a project your company has in development (company must hold the copyright) (Max 5 pages)

Please submit your files in PDF format and name according to the order listed below, using this template:  CompanyName-ScaleUpBiz2023–Description of File.PDF  (e.g. AlexTalentStudios-ScaleUpBiz2023– Bio.PDF)

Selection Process

OBAC will select at least 10 Companies (2 applicants per company max) who will develop their producing skills and industry knowledge through online development workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

Candidates that submit their applications by the deadline and meet all the eligibility criteria will have their applications assessed in full.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified  starting the week of August 14, 2023 and scheduled for an interview with the selection committee to discuss their application.

Interviews will be held between August 21 to August 31, 2023. 

Successful applicants will be notified between September 1- 8 , 2023

 

Assessment Criteria

If your application is eligible, an assessor will review your application, taking into account the following criteria:

  • The strengths of the applicant;

    • Including (but not limited to): demonstrable passion for the industry; previous knowledge and experience; how the participant meets the aims of the course

    • The likely career progression benefit for the applicant;

    • How the course content matches the applicant’s current career and company goals. 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

 FAQs

  • All applications must be submitted by 11.59pm(EDT) on July 31st, 2023 via the Application Form available on our website.

  • No.

  • Applications will be read and assessed by a jury of industry professionals.

  • Yes, Scale Up Business Bootcamp is for Southern Ontario-based producers who are mid-career.

  • Successful applicants will be notified between September 1 - 8 , 2023

  • This is your opportunity to tell us why you and your company should be offered a place in the programme; how this program will benefit your company; tell us about your background as a creative and business person, why you’re interested in producing films, and your company’s aspirations.

  • We are accepting applications from producers who are mid-career.

    Our starting point is to define a mid-career producer as a producer with at least 2 completed projects (any screen-based format or genre) that have been selected at an applicable film festival or that have been broadcast traditionally or online (if broadcast through YouTube or similar, applicants must be able to demonstrate a level of critical acclaim or at minimum audience engagement of at least 4,000+ viewers.) 

    Given the variable backgrounds filmmakers often have, particularly when facing structural barriers in the industry, we will consider applications that necessitate a different definition of “mid-career.” We expect a clear articulation of why your career trajectory positions you as mid-career if you do not fit this definition of mid-career as stated above.

  • Blood in the snow canadian film festival, Buffer festival, Canadian Film Festival, Caribbeantales Youth Film Festival, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, Cinefranco, Female Eye Film Festival, The Future Of Film Showcase, Hot Docs, Images Festival,  Imaginenative Film And Media Arts Festival, International Film Festival Of South Asian (Iffsa) Toronto, Inside Out-Toronto Lgbt Film Festival, Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival, Open Roof Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival,  Planet In Focus Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival (RPFF),  Reelworld Film Festival, TIFF Kids International Film Festival, Toronto After Dark Film Festival, Toronto Black Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Toronto Web Fest, Wilson Oakville Film Festival, Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF)

  • You must currently be located in the Southern Ontario region. (Regions include: Prescott & Russell, Stormont; Dundas & Glengarry, Ottawa, Lanark, Frontenac, Renfrew, Lennox & Addington, Prince Edward, Hastings, Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Durham, York, Simcoe, Toronto, Peel, Halton, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington, Bruce, Waterloo, Hamilton, Niagra, Haldimand, Brant, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth, Middlesex, Elgin, Lambton, Chatham & Kent, Essex, Huron)

  • Yes, however, you must fit eligibility criteria. 

  • This programme is for those 18 and older. 

  • Your project will be used as a tool for you to apply learnings from the workshops to advance the development of your project.

  • All copyright in the project remains with participants.

  • This is a Six month program taking place in September 2023 to March 2024. Workshops will be compulsory for the selected participants and will take place entirely online. Workshop sessions will be conducted during weekday lunch hours and will have 2 half day weekend sessions (TBA).

  • Yes, there are no conditions for reapplying.

  • Yes, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application.

  • No.

  • You can contact Valerie@oyablackarts.org