New opportunities for freelancers with CBC Radio Doc Makers
CBC Radio is offering new opportunities this fall for audio freelancers to develop their skills under the guidance of experienced CBC producers.
The Doc Mentorship Program, which has been running for the past few years, is open to CBC employees, temps, and experienced Canadian audio freelancers. They program is looking for sound-rich, unique stories that push boundaries and take risks. If your pitch is successful, you’ll be paired with a mentor who will help you put your documentary together. Mentors are associated with a variety of CBC programs, including The Sunday Edition, Ideas, and Now or Never.
In addition to the long-running mentorship program, there’s also a new Advanced Doc Maker Program, which is affiliated with CBC’s flagship current affairs program, The Current. This program is designed for audio producers who have original journalistic stories to tell.
Finally, the Emerging Indigenous Doc Maker Program aims to develop a new generation of Indigenous audio producers. It’s open to freelancers, recent broadcast and journalism graduates and CBC staff. Candidates should have some basic experience in broadcasting, and an idea for a documentary. This program is facilitated by Duncan McCue, award-winning journalist and host of Cross Country Checkup. Documentary pitches for this program should be suitable for Day 6, Out in the Open, Unreserved or Tapestry.
The next deadline for all three of these programs is October 1st. If you’d like to try pitching, CBC’s new Doc Makers website is filled with resources offering advice on a wide variety of audio documentary-related topics, including focusing a pitch, interviewing, and telling stories with sound.
For more information, you can email docmentorships@cbc.ca.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Aug 28-Sep 4
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- 7 smart ways for freelancers to boost productivity [Freelance Hustle]
- On Labour Day weekend, ponder importance of unions, free press for our society [CWA Canada]
- Federal government eyeing new reforms to help precarious workers [Toronto Star]
- Nearly one in five British Columbians dig the gig over the cost of a boss [Vancouver Sun]
- Stop pushing student journalists to the side [J-Source]
- Trump insider David Pecker leaving Postmedia board of directors [J-Source]
- Precarious work a health threat for millennials [Toronto Star]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- 4 things writers need to know about fact-checking [Mediabistro]
- Erika Hayasaki on the reality of landing a big freelance story [Nieman Storyboard]
- Newsrooms are unionizing. What does that mean for freelancers? [Contently]
- How I broke into technical writing–and why you should too [Mediabistro]
- The Intern’s Survival Guide [The Open Notebook]
- 10 tips to beat stress as a freelancer [Freelancers Union]
Recently on Story Board:
- CMG Freelance September update: Here are a few things CMG Freelance is working on this month, including the upcoming Level Up conference and the “Say No to Bad Contracts” campaign…
- The state of the travel writing industry: Full-time freelance travel writers are few and far between. Travel writing, said Mike Fisher, a former newspaper reporter, “has always been an aristocratic hobby to a degree,” but it is becoming more so as technology disrupts traditional ways of reporting and presenting a story…
- Join CMG Freelance and receive admission to Level Up conference in Toronto: CMG Freelance is offering full-conference admissions for the first eight new members who join our union for independent workers. A one-year membership costs $150, while the cost of conference attendance starts at $375…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
CMG Freelance September update
Here are a few things CMG Freelance is working on this month…
The state of the travel writing industry
by Monte Stewart
Travel writer Mike Fisher
Mike Fisher has a decision to make.
He is among disgruntled veteran freelancers who say well-paying travel writing opportunities are becoming increasingly rare due to revamped newspaper travel sections with reduced budgets, the outsourcing of editing services, and the proliferation of online publications that expect free stories, among other factors.
“It’s getting to the point where I really have to question whether I can continue doing it,” said Fisher, a Calgary-based writer who has been freelancing for more than 15 years. “In my case, (travel writing) is in addition to a lot of other freelance work, too.”
Full-time freelance travel writers are few and far between. Travel writing, said Fisher, a former newspaper reporter, “has always been an aristocratic hobby to a degree,” but it is becoming more so as technology disrupts traditional ways of reporting and presenting a story.
“I know (travel freelancers) who are on social media platforms,” said Fisher, who has won a number of travel writing awards. “They’re expected to (post content) all day and all night, and it’s a tough gig. It doesn’t appeal to me in any way.”
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Join CMG Freelance and receive admission to Level Up conference in Toronto
CMG Freelance and PWAC, the Professional Writers Association of Canada, are putting on a weekend full of professional development in Toronto on September 21st and 22nd.
This conference, called Level Up, will offer sessions on contract language and negotiation, how to get your book published, networking and mentorship opportunities, and ‘working tours’ of St. Lawrence Market and Kensington Market with a story teller and a photographer. Along with some how-to’s of social media, the conference offers many solid opportunities to ‘Level Up’ your skills.
CMG Freelance is offering full-conference admissions for the first eight new members who join our union for independent workers. A one-year membership costs $150, while the cost of conference attendance starts at $375.
For a full list of membership benefits, visit this page on the CMG Freelance website.
The schedule for the Level Up conference is right here.
To take advantage of this offer, you must first contact CMG Freelance President Don Genova at freelance@cmg.ca by email.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Aug 21-27
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Ottawa union bargaining results may reverberate across Postmedia [J-Source]
- This Mag launches a national talk series [Canadian Magazines]
- CMG steps up fight for fairness in factual TV [CWA Canada]
- Bargaining at Postmedia awaits outcome of Ottawa vote [CWA Canada]
- Growing number of professionals face job insecurity, study finds [The Star]
- Will people pay for hyper-local news? [J-Source]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer [The Write Life]
- Erica Hayasaki on how to leave the newsroom and kill it as a freelancer [Nieman Storyboard]
- Freelancers Union is launching a hub for freelancers in NYC [Freelancers Union]
- The new freelancer: What it means to work in the gig economy in 2018 [The Freelancer]
- Do you need a science degree to be a science reporter? [Open Notebook]
- 6 tips to help you deal with rejection from editors [Mediabistro]
- Why time is the most valuable natural resource [Freelancers Union]
- The lazy trope of the unethical female journalist [The Atlantic]
- Before the ‘zero draft’ comes the ‘sub-zero draft’ — even a napkin will do [Poynter]
- European journalists stand in solidarity with US journalists [European Federation of Journalists]
- Freelancers aren’t protected by equal employment laws. So what should they do when they face discrimination? [Quartz at Work]
Recently on Story Board:
- Vancouver freelancer social night September 6: Vancouver-area freelancers, summer is coming to a close and soon it’ll be time to buckle back down to a regular work schedule. But before you get serious for the fall, come out to a casual social evening on Thursday, September 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Central City Brewpub…
- CMG Freelance is now on LinkedIn! If you use LinkedIn to promote and grow your freelance business, we’d love to connect with you there. CMG Freelance now has a company page on LinkedIn, where we’ll be publishing Story Board posts as well as other posts of interest to independent media, creative, knowledge, IT and communications professionals…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
Vancouver freelancer social night September 6
Vancouver-area freelancers, summer is coming to a close and soon it’ll be time to buckle back down to a regular work schedule. But before you get serious for the fall, come out to a casual social evening on Thursday, September 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Central City Brewpub (871 Beatty St).
CMG Freelance members and non-members are all welcome to drop by this semi-regular gathering for drinks, snacks and conversation. It’s an opportunity to catch up with your freelance friends or meet some new ones.
CMG Freelance president Don Genova will be meeting with the Vancouver and District Labour Council later that week as part of our campaign to find more work for our members. If you have questions about this effort or if you’re wondering what kind of work there is for freelancers with labour councils and unions, come out and chat with us and let us know your thoughts. We’ll also be talking with members about how to fill out your member profile in the freelancer directory on the CMG Freelance website.
Come out for some freelance camaraderie and build your professional network — we’d love to see you there. Please RSVP to freelance@cmg.ca to let us know if you can make it.
CMG Freelance is now on LinkedIn!
If you use LinkedIn to promote and grow your freelance business, we’d love to connect with you there.
CMG Freelance now has a company page on LinkedIn, where we’ll be publishing Story Board posts as well as other posts of interest to independent media, creative, knowledge, IT and communications professionals.
LinkedIn is just the latest addition to our presence on social media. If you’d like to get Story Board updates in your social media feeds, you can find us on Twitter or join our private Facebook group. And CMG Freelance also has its own Twitter account, which you can find and follow right here.
We also post job listings, calls for pitches and other opportunities on our email listserv The ‘Lancer. The ‘Lancer is part of the benefits package available to CMG Freelance members.
For more information about the cost and benefits of membership, check out this page on the CMG Freelance website.
Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer Aug 14-20
Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?
From Canada:
- Will people pay for hyper-local news? [J-Source]
- Rogers seeks buyer for magazine assets [Globe and Mail]
- Bell Media signs new long-term broadcast agreement with Vice Media [Financial Post]
- Rogers Communications seeks to sell 8 digital and print assets in a package deal [Canadian Magazines]
- CMG Firing Up Campaign for Freelancers [CWA Canada]
From The U.S. and beyond:
- How to Take Hold of the Gig Economy as a Freelance Writer [Freelance Writing Gigs]
- Awesome freelance advice: What 38 freelancers would tell their younger selves [Being Freelance]
- 200+ newspapers will write pro-journalism editorials. Will they also listen? [Poynter]
- Are You Savvy About Digital Security? [The Open Notebook]
- The meaning of freelance community [Freelancers Union]
Recently on Story Board:
- The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #37 — Leanne Allen: Leanne Allen is an award-winning producer, photographer and actor based in Victoria. She produces a television program called Culture Vulture TV, which explores the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and food in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island…
- The Born Freelancer Asks: Do We Ever Dare Take a Holiday? The fear most paramount in our minds is, of course, that during any holiday an offer of work will come up and by missing it we will lose a new wonderful revenue stream…
Spot a story you think we should include in next week’s Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.
The 5-Minute Freelancer Q&A #37 — Leanne Allen
In this regular feature, Story Board asks Canadian freelancers to share a few details about their work habits and their strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance life.
Leanne Allen is an award-winning producer, photographer and actor based in Victoria. She produces a television program called Culture Vulture TV, which explores the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and food in the Okanagan and on Vancouver Island.
Her eclectic career led her through the worlds of print and radio before she moved into television production. She previously created and published an alt weekly print magazine and hosted a show on CBC Radio.
Leanne took the time to speak with Story Board recently about the hustle of freelancing, the importance of taking risks, and the power of being small.
Where did your career in media start?
Back in 2000 when I was living in the Okanagan I saw a niche that wasn’t filled and that niche was for an alt weekly. I had seen Monday Magazine in Victoria. That was the alt weekly that I read. And when I moved to the Okanagan for a year – I wasn’t planning on doing anything in media, I was getting some practicum experience for an MA that year – but I really noticed a niche. And it’s the typical story, I felt like my voice wasn’t out there and it needed to be.
It’s called Off Centre Magazine. Off Centre still exists, I think, but just barely. It was bought. I started it in 2000 and sold it in 2007 and then I ran it for another year.
So you decided to publish your own magazine instead of writing for others because you wanted to put your own stamp on it?
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