Toronto PROGRAM November 18-20, 2015 THANKS tO tHe 2015 ChIlDrEn, YoUtH & MeDiA CoNfErEnCe sponsors MAIN SPONSOR PRESTIGE SPONSORS EXCELLENCE SPONSORS 2 SPECIAL THANKS Youth Media Alliance would like to warmly thank its 2015 Children, Youth & Media Conference advisory committee: NATALIE DUMOULIN / 9 Story Media Group MARTHA SEPULVEDA / RACHEL MARCUS / Guru Studio Breakthrough Entertainment MICHELLE MELANSON CUPERUS / CLAUDIA SICONDOLFO Radical Sheep Productions JULIE STALL / Portfolio Entertainment LYNN OLDERSHAW / Kids’ CBC TRAVIS WILLIAMS / Mercury Filmworks MIK PERLUS / marblemedia SUZANNE WILSON / TVO Kids JAMIE PIEKARZ / Corus Entertainment And the volunteers: KELLY LYNNE ASHTON, KAYLA LATHAM, HENRIKA LUONG, TATIANA MARQUES, JAYNA RAN and MARCELA LUCIA ROJAS. TABLE OF CONTENTS Words from Chair .............................................................................p. 4 Words from Executive Director ............................................................p. 5 Schedule and Venue ..........................................................................p. 6 General Conference ..........................................................................p. 8 Workshop with Sheena Macrae ............................................................p. 12 Workshop with Linda Schuyler .............................................................p. 12 Prix Jeunesse Screening ....................................................................p. 13 Speakers’ Biographies .......................................................................p. 15 YOUTH MEDIA ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Directors GUILLAUME ANIORTÉ / Frima Studio Chair JUDITH BEAUREGARD / Tobo J.J. JOHNSON / Sinking Ship Entertainment ATHENA GEORGAKLIS / Teletoon Secretary MICHAEL GOLDSMITH / DHX Television MICHELE PARIS / Knowledge and BBC kids MADELEINE LÉVESQUE / Sardine Productions IRA LEVY / Breakthrough Entertainment Treasurer MARTIN MARKLE / Kids’ CBC / 9 Story Media Group VINCE COMMISSO PETER MOSS / PDM Entertainment JAMIE PIEKARZ / Corus Entertainment ALEXANDRA RAFFÉ / Thunderbird Films KIM WILSON YMA OFFICE TEAM CHANTAL BOWEN / Executive Director LYNE CÔTÉ / Special Events and Communications 3 WORDS fRoM ChAiR The Lion King was my first introduction to the idea of the circle of life; the concept that we’re all connected and that when something dies it gives new life to another. Heady stuff for 15-year-old me. Twenty years later and I’m starting to appreciate that there is a circle of production as well. We develop, we pitch, we re-develop, we scavenge for money, we produce, we deliver, and then the cycle starts anew. Admittedly, at times during that process it feels like you’re being run over by a herd of wildebeest—mo notes, mo problems. (Network executives, please do not read into this that you’re the wildebeests…) But no matter the challenge, the struggle, or the hardships, we all can’t seem to stop ourselves from doing it over and over again. The only reason I can think of why is because what we all do truly matters. Whether it’s teaching young audiences about their world or giving them a break in their day with a laugh– everything our industry makes brightens a kid’s day. That, will forever be worth the hooving. Thank you so much for joining us here today, I hope you have an incredible conference filled with inspiration, commiseration, and excitement for the bright future ahead. J.J. JOHNSON 4 WORDS fRoM ExEcUtIvE DiReCtOr We are very pleased to welcome you to the 2015 Children, Youth & Media Conference at the St. Andrews Club & Conference Centre and CBC. Not only are we proud to present outstanding guest speakers, we’re also very excited to launch the latest YMA project: The Digital Toolkit. This year’s themes range from traditional and digital TV content to developments in animation to the shifting landscape of virtual reality. Talks and workshops like this are a golden opportunity for us to join forces with industry and share the expertise, knowledge and talent that have made the reputation of Canadian children’s and youth productions at home and abroad. We anticipate an exciting few days and I’ll remind you that YMA’s new website also features our calendar of events, which you can consult throughout the year. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors, the conference advisory committee and CBC/Radio-Canada for their support, and above all, our unfaltering sponsors for their generous financial contribution that’s been so instrumental in making us the success we are today. Enjoy the conference! CHANTAL BOWEN 5 Schedule AND VENUES NObr VeM E 18: GeNeRaL CoNfErEnCe ST. ANDREW’S CLUB & CONFERENCE CENTRE 8:30–9 a.m. Registration and Breakfast GARDEN HALL – 9–9:15 a.m. Opening of the Children, Youth & Media Conference 16TH FLOOR by YMA Executive Director 150 KING STREET WEST 9:15–10 a.m. A Conversation with Dan Signer TORONTO, ON 10:15–11:15 a.m. Showrunners in Animation M5H 1J9 11:15 a.m.– 12:15 p.m. Initiatives for Social Change PHONE: 12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch (416) 366-4228 (including the State of the Union with Broadcasters) 1:30–2 p.m. YMA Annual General Meeting (for members only) 2:15–3:15 p.m. One-On-One with Howy Parkins, Supervising Director of Disney’s new series, The Lion Guard 3:30–4:30 p.m. Innovation in Virtual Reality Initiatives 4:45–5:15 p.m. Launch of the Digital Toolkit 5:15–6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception NObr VeM E 19: WoRkShOpS WORKSHOP WITH SHEENA MACRAE CBC’S CANADIAN Director, Storycake BROADCASTING “Creativity, social awareness and business: Making them work together” CENTRE ROOM 1B315 8:45–9 a.m. Registration & Coffee GROUND FLOOR 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Workshop with Sheena Macrae 250 FRONT STREET W. TORONTO, ON M5V 3G5 WORKSHOP WITH LINDA SCHUYLER CBC’S CANADIAN Executive Producer, Epitome Pictures along with Sarah Glinski, BROADCASTING Matt Huether and Stephanie Cohen CENTRE “How to make TV that lasts” ROOM 1B315 GROUND FLOOR 12:45–1 p.m. Registration & Coffee 250 FRONT STREET W. 1–4 p.m. Workshop with Linda Schuyler TORONTO, ON M5V 3G5 6 NObr VeM E 20: PrIx JeUnEsSe SCREENING SCREENING OF PRODUCTIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CBC’S CANADIAN CHILDREN’S TV FESTIVAL PRIX JEUNESSE (MUNICH). BROADCASTING The discussions will be facilitated by Jan-Willem-Bult, Chief Editor, WADADA CENTRE News for Kids and Head of Children, Youth & Media, Free Press Unlimited. ROOM 1B315 GROUND FLOOR 9–9:15 a.m. Registration 250 FRONT STREET W. 9:15–9:30 am. Welcome and Introduction TORONTO, ON 9:30–11:30 a.m. Screening – Preschool and Primary Programming M5V 3G5 • I know an animal – 11 min – Germany • The summer with dad – 5 min – Norway • The Show with the Elephant: sign language – 25 min – Germany • Wombo – 7 min – Germany • Get well soon – 14 min – United Kingdom • Masha and the bear – 7 min – Russia • Friends of nature – 22 min – Denmark • Operation Ouch – 29 min – United Kingdom 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Discussion 12:15–1:15 p.m. Lunch (included) 1:15–1:30 p.m. WADADA News for Kids 1:30–3:45 p.m. Screening – Tween and Teen Shows • Labyrinth – 26 min – Sweden • My father – 7 min – Netherlands • The Games – 7 min – Norway • Bente’s Voice – 30 min – Netherlands • Burka Avenger – 24 min – Pakistan • My life breaking free – 28 min – United Kingdom • Mimoun – 26 min – Netherlands 3:45–4:30 p.m. Discussion 7 GENERAL CONFERENCE A CoNvErSaTiOn WiTh DaN SiGnEr Prolific Canadian television producer and writer Dan Signer is the creator and executive producer of three hit live-action series for kids: A.N.T. Farm (Disney Channel), Mr. Young (YTV/DisneyXD), and most recently YTV’s top-rated sitcom, Some Assembly Required (YTV/Netflix), which he co-created with Howard Nemetz. He will share his extensive experience in the multi-cam sitcom format. Dan and the show’s producer Alexandra Raffé will also address the challenges and successes of working in that genre in Canada. PANELLISTS: • Alexandra Raffé, Vice President Production, Thunderbird Films • Dan Signer, Co-creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner of Some Assembly Required MODERATOR: • Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon Canada l Corus Entertainment ShOwRuNnErS In AnImATION PRESENTED BY What exactly is a showrunner? How does a showrunner ensure the creative integrity of a project from start to finish? Join Dave Beatty in conversation with Scott Fellows (Big Time Rush, Johnny Test) Lienne Sawatsky & Dan Williams (ToonMarty, Franklin, Wishfart) and Simon Racioppa & Richard Elliott (Fangbone, George of the Jungle) as they explore what it means to be a showrunner and discuss how they keep their shows creatively on the rails against all odds! How does the process differ in an animated production from a live action show? Are Canadian shows run differently than American shows? Our team of showrunners will unpack some of the challenges they face and exchange ideas on how to best overcome them as they strive to maintain a solid creative vision from script to screen. PANELLISTS: • Scott Fellows (Big Time Rush, Johnny Test) • Simon Racioppa & Richard Elliot (Fangbone, George of the Jungle) • Lienne Sawatsky & Dan Williams (ToonMarty, Franklin, Wishfart) MODERATOR: • Dave Beatty, Producer and Writer, Portfolio Entertainment 8 InItIaTiVeS FoR SoCiAl ChAnGe Get ready to think outside the box! This panel will feature three unique initiatives designed to promote social change. Ollie The Boy Who Became What He Ate, a television, digital and educational project, based on a book by Sheena Macrae, aims to instill good nutritional habits in children. Andrew Kavanagh’s Dougie Noir animation series is a detective show with a difference. Dougie Noir presents a tangible role model for children with ADD/ADHD and treats ADHD as a “difference” rather than a “disorder”. Maritza Basaran and Dr. Elaine Bidiss’ Botley’s Bootle Blast is an interactive video game for use in home-based therapies for children with Cerebral Palsy. The purpose is to make an often difficult and frustrating therapy more fun by connecting it to a gaming system using the Microsoft Kinect (a motion tracking camera) to capture the movements of players. Television shows, online projects, and outreach initiatives with an agenda for social change carry with them unique considerations, challenges, and rewards.