Head of Digital Originals, Scripted Content (English Service)

CBC/Radio-Canada•Toronto, ON

3d•Onsite

About The Position

CBC Gem is Canada's free streaming service with the best of CBC and a whole lot more. The position of Head of Digital Originals works closely with and reports to the Executive Director, Scripted Content to manage and shape the quality of short form scripted comedy/scripted Gem Originals at CBC. This role is responsible for taking pitches, development, participating in the greenlight process and the daily management of series throughout the production cycle for release on CBC Gem. The role curates and manages the slate of short form content (under 15 min episodes) including: evaluating materials in terms of their creative strengths, relevance, series design qualities; overall "doability" (producer, writers, cast, key crew, budget); ability to attract and retain audiences (including new viewers) to CBC Gem; financing potential and their related cost factors and the potential creative risks and reward. Manages overall spend allocated to Digital Originals with ED and Finance team, with the support of production planning and business and rights team.

Requirements

University degree or equivalent and/or 5 years relevant experience (includes internships, job shadowing and learning spaces - e.g. BIPOC workshops).
Strong knowledge and understanding of, and/or connection to underrepresented communities across Canada
Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
High level of creativity required. Must be proactive, self-starting and able to provide imaginative and effective suggestions and input on pitches, scripts, cuts, casting, promotions, for GEM Originals. Decision making in these areas requires instinct and intuition, as well as knowledge.
Must read and absorb high volumes of material; view and provide feedback on "dailies and cuts", promotional materials, audition tapes, etc., listen to music samples, etc. Must be able to respond very quickly with notes and potential solutions. Requires constant juggling of a large number of projects at various stages (e.g. project(s) at the pre-production/script-writing stage vs. other one(s) in final editing stages, all with numerous episodes.
Screenwriting and post-production techniques in order to give notes on scripts and cuts.
Creative personnel: e.g. Canadian screenwriters and potential screenwriters (such as playwrights), comedians, actors, story editors, directors, producers, editors, etc. in order to make recommendations
Network creative mandates and audience targets; in order to evaluate potential and ongoing projects
Network business parameters and practices: working with in-house departments in order to monitor cost-related factors and possible legal issues in scripts and productions (e.g. copyright issues, sponsorship).
Canadian Television, Digital & Film industry; production companies, their employees and histories; past and current Canadian television series, movies, short films; broadcast industry "politics" such as CRTC guidelines and broadcast licenses; some familiarity with funding issues such as tax credits, etc. across Canada.
Short-form content expertise (series, micro-dramas) as well as television shows, films, books, etc.: in order to be as informed as possible in evaluating and discussing a very broad variety of creative topics.
Marketing and promotions techniques and campaigns.
Must be able to speak effectively at meetings and some public functions such as press conferences, professional juries and seminars, etc. Must be accomplished at providing detailed and comprehensive written correspondence on a daily basis.
Must be able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a very wide range of individuals such as producers, writers, directors, bearing in mind the sensitivity of creative issues, especially in the rushed and often stressful environment of television production.
Extremely organized, clear, and aware of priorities
Must maintain cordial and productive working relationships with colleagues both inside the Corporation and outside companies.
Must represent the CBC in a courteous and informed fashion, e.g. when explaining the basics of the television industry or CBC creative policies to members of the public who call to pitch an idea, etc.

Responsibilities

Proactively seeking out the very best content from the best creative sources, putting teams together, receiving pitches, assessing suitability for CBC Gem, and developing series outlines and scripts, working closely with industry stakeholders.
Evaluates short series scripts and series proposals for creative strengths and weaknesses, adherence to Corporate standards and policies, plot and character arcs over the length of the series run, and promotability.
Evaluates the quality of daily shooting and editing of series episodes and recommends changes as required.
Appraises all of the creative elements: performance (energy, pace, tone, story beats), blocking, hair and makeup, set decoration, camera work.
Negotiates changes with producers, story executives and editors.
Advises the Executive Director/General Manager re: candidates for production from the development slate.
Coordinates with independent producers, Marketing and Communications Department, Media Solutions and Presentation staff regarding promotions, publicity, marketing and star appearances.
Monitors the progress of productions against schedules to ensure timely deliveries; authorizes payments upon receipt and acceptance of creative materials per governing contracts and drawdown schedules; working with the Production Planning team, reviews budget requirements and production reporting, conferring with Business & Rights (CBC’s in-house Business Affairs) and other in-house Production Executives.
Participates in planning meetings, festivals and workshops and travels to these events.
Represents CBC as required on juries and panels; gives or participates in workshops for conferences, film schools and seminars.
Keeps abreast of all relevant competing network television programming, Canadian talent, and issues in culture, broadcasting and current affairs.