WIDC CAREER ADVANCEMENT MODULE (CAM)

OVERVIEW

An intensive career advancement program for 4 participants per session, this module focuses on the personal skills needed to achieve success in screen fiction.  CAM sessions are held in various cities across Canada, delivered in conjunction with respected women’s film festivals (e.g. St John’s International Women’s Film Festival, the Female Eye Film Festival, Women In Film and Television-Vancouver) or other WIDC Events.  Follow up mentoring is conducted by phone and on line over the period of six months following the CAM session.

OBJECTIVES

¨       To advance the success of mid-career women screen fiction directors in achieving their career goals.

¨       To develop in participants greater self-confidence in areas including, but not limited to, self-assessment, branding, marketing, communication, leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving.

¨       To develop among mid-career women directors a set of trusted allies who can help spring-board their advancement, particularly in television fiction.

METHODS

¨       Reviewing the participant’s career goals.

¨       Reflecting on the participant’s experiences as a director; assets and gaps.

¨       Gaining perspectives from senior professionals and peers in a safe learning environment.

¨       Exploring and practicing methods/styles of pitching, promoting and marketing ones self and ones projects

¨       Identifying immediate and long-term action plans

¨       Reporting on the execution of these plans over a set period of time

PROCESS

¨       Participants are asked to complete profile surveys and reading before the session.

¨       Program personnel review survey results in advance.

¨       Participants meet with program personnel and fellow participants in a group and individual settings. 

¨       Specially designed curriculum and techniques developed by CWWA through the WIDC program help participants practice new skills.

¨       The session wraps up with confirmations of actions plans and final comments.

¨       The session is then capped by a public panel discussion with the program personnel

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

¨      Increased internal (personal) confidence and advanced competencies in pertinent aspects of filmmaking as determined by individual participant learning goals. 

      Including:
               - Greater clarity on career goals and priorities

                     - Increased understanding of professional competencies required for success

                     - Better understanding of personal brand

                     - Greater awareness of industry expectations and priorities

¨       Increased external (industry) confidence in women as directors of screen fiction.

¨       Increased connection between women directors and the film and television industry system

¨       Deepening of the screen director talent pool in Canada.

PERSONNEL

¨    Any mid-career Canadian women director may apply to the program.  Additional consideration will be given to candidates whose films are selected for the respective film festival where the CAM is being presented.

¨       Sessions and follow up are facilitated by WIDC Workshop Producer, Carol Whiteman .

¨       Senior Mentors (e.g. Broadcaster, Director, Producer, Marketing, and Leadership Experts), review the preparation materials in advance of the sessions and collaborate with the Session Facilitator to develop a mentoring plan for each participant. 

Criteria: See CAM Application Form
 

Application Deadlines:

September 15, 2009 - St John's Session
February 15, 2010 - Vancouver and Toronto Sessions

For more information contact: Carol Whiteman, WIDC Producer

St John's International Women's Film Festival
St John's, NL
October 20 to 24, 2009

Travel and lodging scholarships available for out of town CAM participants. 

For more information about the festival go to: http://www.womeninfilmfestival.com
 

Pictured above from the 2008 CAM in St John's (l to r): Paulina Abarca-Cantin, Allison Beda, Deanne Foley, Anne Marie LaPointe (mentor), Camelia Frieberg (mentor)

Female Eye Film Festival
Toronto, ON
 March 20 to 24, 2010 

Travel and lodging scholarships available for out of town CAM participants.

For more information about the festival go to: http://www.femaleeyefilmfestival.com
 

Special Collaborative Event
Vancouver, BC
Spring 2010

CWWA and WIFT Vancouver are planning a special collaborative event in spring 2010 at which the CAM will be presented.  Check back for more details.

For more information about WIFT Vancouver go to: http://www.womeninfilm.ca