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.