Experienced audio freelancers are invited to submit a pitch to the program, which is also open to all CBC employees – staff, contract and temps.
The program pairs up documentary makers with experienced CBC producers who provide guidance and mentorship through the process of making a radio documentary. Mentors are happy to provide feedback on pitches before the formal application process, so applicants are advised to contact the mentor they wish to work with before they apply.
Not all of the usual mentors are able to participate this time around, but the program is accepting applications to The Doc Project, The Sunday Edition and Now Or Never as well as the Emerging Indigenous Doc Maker Program.
Production on all documentaries that are accepted to the program must be completed by March 31st, 2020.
If your pitch is accepted to the Doc Mentorship Program, you’re advised to make sure you negotiate a contract up front before they start working on their project. If you need help with this process, you can contact CMG Freelance president Don Genova.
“There are typically two types of contracts used when the CBC commissions a documentary,” says Genova. “A Freelance Contributor contract pays at least the minimum rate based on number of minutes in the doc based on rates in the CBC-Canadian Media Guild collective agreement. For example, a 20 to 30 minute doc pays a minimum of $2817.03. The freelancer retains copyright in the documentary.”
With the other contract, Freelance Specific Services, the pay rate is supposed to be based on the same amount an employee would make if they were doing similar work.
“That amount takes a bit more figuring out, and the contract also calls for the freelancer to give up their copyright and all other rights in the documentary,” says Genova.
For more information on rates and contracts, check out this page on the CMG Freelance website. If you have any questions you can also contact CMG Freelance Branch president Don Genova at freelance@cmg.ca.
You can find more details about the Doc Mentorship Program and how to apply, on the Doc Makers website. And if you have any questions about applying to the program, you can contact CBC producer Joan Melanson.