Is Canada’s new media legislation a historic pivot or policy hot button? Host Irene Berkowitz; Dean Charles Falzon (The Creative School); and Jenn Kuzmyk (Playback publisher) introduce The Sessions. Four provocative conversations with the top tier of the production industry, the regulator, the key funder, and equity deserving groups reveal what’s really in the new bill, C-11, The Online Streaming Act.
SPEAKERS: Host Irene Berkowitz, Charles Falzon, Jenn Kuzmyk
Irene Berkowitz: On February 2, 2022, the Canadian government tabled Bill C-11, The Online Streaming Act. We were there. Ready to capture history, as Canadian media prepared to launch into the online era, enter the global battle for attention, and seize the opportunity to thrill audiences around the world. But wait, is C-11 historic legislation, or a policy hot button? We'll find out.
The Sessions is a groundbreaking collaboration between Playback, the #1 source for news & analysis for Canada's screen industry, and The Creative School, Canada’s #1 school for media education, research and innovation.
Our special series digs deep for truth on Bill C-11. What’s really in it? What will it mean for the future of Canada’s media industry on the global stage? Over four episodes, we bring you must-listen conversations with key stakeholders, including the production industry, the top regulator, the top media funder, and equity deserving groups. If you are part of Canada’s world-class media sector, an aspiring media creator, or one of thousands of co-production partners around the world, listen as we dive deep into what Bill C-11 means for you.
I’m Irene Berkowitz, Senior Policy Fellow in the Audience Lab at The Creative School. I spoke with Charles Falzon, Dean of The Creative School, and Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director of Banff World Media Festival, Vice President & Publisher of Playback, about what this inaugural partnership means for both organizations.
Charles Falzon: As Dean of the Creative School, as well as having been a producer for over four decades and part of the CMPA when it first started, I really sensed the high stakes involved. We all agreed that the gravitas of this moment was incredible, and that it would transform the industry and concern everyone, legacy and new media workers including the careers of our students at The Creative School now and for years to come.
Jenn Kuzmyk: At Playback, we were thrilled to partner with The Creative School to provide thought-provoking, insider perspectives on one of the most important pieces of legislation to ever impact our industry. Being an alumna of RTA at The Creative School myself, I am so proud of the incredible talent that comes through program, and we look forward to future collaborations.
Irene Berkowitz: Our team is so excited to bring you this series because our purpose is to help future-proof Canadian media. Please feel welcome to share this podcast with your colleagues, friends on social media, post a comment, or be in touch with me. My email is on our website. I’m your host, Irene Berkowitz, and welcome to The Sessions.