Showrunners - Training Gaps Analysis - Cultural Human Resources ...

Showrunners Training Gap Analysis
Showrunner program; proposed CFC CTV Showrunner studio program). In the future,
broadcasters designing benefits packages could be directed to this and other Training Gap
Analyses for guidance. On-the-job training is principally funded within production budgets.
Enhancement of on-the-job training cannot be achieved without increased funds to provide an
incentive to train and to cover the cost of the intern or apprentice.
During the course of the interviews for this study, there was recognition of the need in the film
and television industry for a national and permanent source of funding for training. In Québec, all
companies with payroll of $1,000,000 or more contribute 1% of payroll to training. In the film
and television industry, these funds are administered by the Regroupement pour la formation en
audiovisuel du Québec (RFAVQ).
There are models elsewhere that provide best practice examples. The WGA West Showrunner
Program is funded by a training fund negotiated with the Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers. In the U.K. training programs in film and television are managed by a
national industry-based training organization, Skillset. 9 Funding for training is provided as a
commitment by broadcasters and by the Indie Training Fund. This latter fund is a remarkable
effort of member independent producers that contribute .25% of production value annually, up to
£100,000 10 in return for tailored training opportunities.
Some possibilities for funding in Canada include:
• Adapting the Québec 1% law to other provinces
• Producer and broadcaster supported training fund as per the Skillset model in the
U.K. funds could be transferred to a trainer, or put back in production budgets to
support on-the-job opportunities
• CTF funding could integrate a requirement for at least one above-the-line apprentice
or intern on a production budget, to receive the normal treatment for labour-based tax
credits
• Guild-managed training funds (as per WGA) could be negotiated in the context of
industrial agreements
Tuition is another source of funding. The earning capacity of those in the senior creative positions
in the film and television industry is among the highest of the cultural sector. 11 It should be
expected that, like other professionals, they are prepared to make a personal investment in their
career development.
9 See http://www.skillset.org/
10 See http://www.indietrainingfund.com/home/
11 See Cultural Sector Fast Stats (2004),
http://www.culturalhrc.ca/research/CHRC_Cultural_Sector_Fast_Stats_2004-en.pdf
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Deborah Carver and Benoit Dubois, January 2009