Canada Invests in Training and Education to Strengthen Film & TV Crew Base

Canada has long been recognized as a global film and television industry leader, with cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal serving as highly sought-after production hubs. For years, the country has been proactively building programs and initiatives to generate a steady stream of skilled cast and crew members.

Today, we'll examine why and how Canada is investing in training, education, and mentorship programs to build a strong, resilient workforce ready to fuel the future of Canadian production.

Solving the crew shortage in Canada

The combination of modern virtual stages and top-of-the-line post-production houses has made many Canadian cities—even those outside major hubs—well-equipped to support projects of any size and scope. But are there enough skilled workers to effectively support the volume of production?

Industry stakeholders have voiced concerns about the aging workforce, insufficient training for emerging roles in technology, and gaps in essential areas—including production accounting and technical below-the-line positions—for quite some time.

In recent years, government leaders and industry champions across Canada have prioritized building and replenishing local talent pools and filling these gaps. Training and education programs have been developed by local guilds, colleges, unions, and deeply vested companies, including Entertainment Partners.

As an example, to address a lack of qualified production accountants, the Director’s Guild of Canada Ontario (DGC Ontario) offers over a dozen accounting specific courses adding up to over 50 hours of training, and has partnered with EP to help deliver unique production accounting courses, including introductory courses on tax incentives and EP’s Smart Accounting software.

In addition, through its Guild Apprenticeship Program Trainee Assistant Accountant stream, DGC Ontario has successfully mentored more than 30 new trainees with on-the-job placements, 91% of whom have successfully transitioned to Associate Membership status. Another 23 trainees have been accepted into this year’s cohort. Victoria Harding, Executive Director of DGC Ontario, says, “To grow the workforce, we have to bring people in at the entry-level and hope that the quick learners are elevated through the ranks, learning more and more every step of the way.”

Also aimed at addressing the production accounting shortage, Toronto-based Cinespace developed a production accounting micro-credential program with York University. The six-week curriculum provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of accounting in the creative sector. Cinespace also has a CineCares Workforce Training Program, created in partnership with IATSE 873 and NABET 700, for below-the-line workers. The program focuses on training individuals to take on set dec, props, grip, sound, costume, and electric crew positions.

Beyond role-specific training opportunities, many Canadian universities offer accredited film degree programs.

Education opportunities for up-and-coming production leaders

From coast to coast, film schools across Canada offer immersive education programs designed to prepare students to take on a cast or crew role upon graduation.

Many schools and organizations partner with production companies, giving students the opportunity to work on professional sets throughout their schooling. As everyone in the production world quickly learns—technical know-how is important, but practical experience is the real success driver.

Here are a few of the many programs available:

• The University of British Columbia is home to one of the oldest film school programs in Western Canada. Class sizes are small, and students have access to an impressive alumni network. Graduates have had work screened at Sundance, TIFF, and Cannes.
• The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, is the largest university-based center for the study of film animation, film production, and film studies in Canada. The program offers special funding for out-of-province students.
• Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, offers an intensive two-year film program called Conflix. Students get to direct their own films—which are screened at an end-of-year on-campus festival—with a full crew. Students also have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and equipment.
• Newfoundland’s College of the Northern Atlantic offers training programs for entry-level, above-the-line, below-the-line, and post-production positions that feed the local crew base. The school also just started offering a Television and Film Creation program, which connects emerging directors, writers, actors, and producers with experts in the field who serve as instructors and mentors.
• The Canadian Film Center is home to a broad range of programs in film, television and digital media with the goal of shaping and advancing opportunities for Canadian talent to pursue successful careers in an ever-evolving industry.

This list only spotlights a few of the numerous programs offered at schools and universities throughout Canada.

New tech training: Virtual production (VP) programs

Production processes are in a constant state of flux, and the recent introduction of virtual production (VP) has introduced important changes. Modern studios with virtual stages allow producers to use a combination of CGI, game engines, and virtual reality technology to remove former logistical restrictions from the filmmaking process.

With new technology comes the need for a new cohort of talent. As a result, many schools are incorporating virtual production and other up-and-coming techniques into their curriculum. For example, Seneca College in Ontario offers animation, visual effects, and interactive digital media programs at its recently established Film Institute - including a Virtual Art Department artist program being offered in partnership with award-winning virtual production and visual effects studio Pixomondo (PXO).

With a focus on innovation in storytelling forms and technologies, these exciting initiatives and successful partnerships will help further Seneca’s goal of becoming one of the most comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable film training institutes in Canada.

Now, let’s look at programs and opportunities available to experienced production workers looking to add new skills to their resumes.

Canadian production mentorship and upskilling programs

EP knows that finding mentors and continually honing your skillset can have a big impact on your success in the entertainment industry—and we’re dedicated to making both readily accessible to production workers at every stage of their careers.

• Access to Mentorship: Connecting new industry entrants with tenured professionals is a great way to get a head start, and continually working with respected mentors at different career stages can open many doors. EP’s Production Lot helps workers build these important relationships. Production Lot is made up of a series of peer-to-peer forums with specific sections that cater to production accounting, producers, crew members, students, and film and television educators. Forum members can post and respond to questions. Members can also denote on their profiles if they are open to seeking or becoming a mentor.
• Career development: EP Academy makes it easy to gain new skills virtually. Our robust course catalogue provides practical training that aligns with real-world industry needs. With the help of expertly curated at-your-own-pace courses and access to industry-leading technology, enrollees can achieve certificates in production accounting, payroll clerking, and a variety of software solutions for production finance and production management.

In addition to providing development resources, Entertainment Partners works with various organizations across Canada to help diverse individuals build careers in production.

• In 2024, we provided funding support to launch the Black Producers Accelerator Program—a mentorship initiative that pairs emerging producers with established producers who provide job and skills training.
• Entertainment Partners also sponsors the Crazy8s filmmaking challenge each year, which is a program run by the Crazy8s Film Society. The challenge, which gives emerging filmmakers the opportunity to produce a short film while providing training opportunities to crew and cast members, has produced 145 worldwide festival award-winning short films since 1999.

Beyond funding, we help ensure organizations dedicated to supporting diversity in filmmaking have the tools needed to be successful. By providing in-kind donations, program participants receive access to industry-leading technology Movie Magic Budgeting and Movie Magic Scheduling. Our partner organizations include:

• Access BIPOC Producers, an organization that provides training and mentorship for Canadian producers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). This group trains up to twenty producers each year and provides writers with an opportunity to attend workshops and consult with script experts.
• The Shine Network Institute (TSNI), a national not-for-profit organization that provides professional development programs, advocacy, and mentorship, for Indigenous women, gender-diverse, and Two-Spirit students and professionals. TSNI offers culturally safe and culturally informed programs while recognizing the vast diversity within Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.
• FilmPEI’s market accelerator program for writers and producers, an intensive program, presented in partnership with the Whistler Film Festival + Content Summit. The program is designed to accelerate the careers of independent Prince Edward Island-based screenwriters and producers as they develop an original narrative or factual project.

We’re honored to work with these organizations to help provide unique development opportunities to a diverse pool of up-and-coming talent.

Solving labor issues to support a stronger future

When writer and actor strikes reached a fever pitch in 2023, the production world stood still. Resolutions put in place helped stabilize the workforce, and this newfound stability—combined with the influx of trained crew members from educational programs—set the stage for a busier, more productive industry through 2024 and into 2025.

As labor conditions continue to improve, Canadian productions are expected to continue to attract more domestic and international filmmakers. This will create more jobs, stimulate local economies, and reinforce Canada’s position as a key player on the world stage.

Canada is ready and eager to support more productions

Canada is all-in on making continued investments in both physical infrastructure and human capital needed to support a vibrant future of production in Ontario and across the country. The work being done to train and develop the next generation of talent is laying a foundation for long-term success.

Government, local universities, production companies, and supporting companies are universally aligned on the importance of providing up-to-date training, education, and credentialing programs to workers in every role and department. As a result, Canada has built (and will continue to add to) a deep talent pool of individuals capable of managing all aspects of modern production.

Canada has incredible appeal for domestic and international producers. If you’re interested in working with top talent, taking advantage of lucrative tax incentive programs, and utilizing modern virtual stages and best-in-the-business post-production facilities, get in touch to learn about your options.