Creative Industries & Careers

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Creative Industries & Careers Q& A WITH

Brandon Gonez Brandon Gonez, a titan in the media industry, sat down with Mediaplanet to talk about breaking barriers, sharing stories, and the value of his education.

How Brandon Gonez Is Shaking the Room in Canadian Media

It was time to shake the room! Canada’s media landscape has not been serving Canadians the way they deserve to be served. It was very clear that there were way too many stories that were not being told, especially stories relating to people of colour. On top of that, so much Canadian talent had no platform to share all the amazing work they were creating. I wanted to fill that gap. That’s why I started Gonez Media Inc. (GMI). I’ve always dreamed of starting my own media company and felt this was the perfect opportunity to take that risk and give it a try. With technology changing at light speed and Canadians abandoning traditional media, I wanted to create a platform where Canadians could receive their

news, information, and entertainment right at their fingertips.

Where do you see the future of media and entertainment headed?

The future of media and entertainment will be more consumer-driven than ever before.

I predict we will see more niche platforms and programs catered to people’s specific interests. This will no doubt cause extreme challenges for legacy media. Still, it does provide a new atmosphere and ecosystem for new diverse voices and platforms to succeed in the digital era.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in journalism?

It has never been easier to be a journalist.

You no longer need a camera operator or an editor to help produce news content. Instead,

you can do it right on your phone! And what’s so amazing is that the barriers to entry have been significantly reduced. And hopefully, that will allow us to see and hear more voices and perspectives in storytelling

Having attended both university and college, what unique value did you derive from each educational experience?

Attending university helped me gain a deeper understanding of the different philosophies of the world. It broadened my perspective and thought process and exposed me to different ways of thinking and looking at the world. My college education helped me learn the hands-on skills to succeed in this field.

It provided me with hands-on training to know how to do the job. They’re two very different experiences but put together, they’re invaluable.

Learn more at gonezmedia.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIA VANCOUVER

What motivated you to start Canada’s fastest-growing online media company, Gonez Media Inc., following your career in legacy media?

Creating Equal Representation On and behind the Screen with WIA Vancouver Women in Animation Vancouver discuss diversity, mentorship, and the future of Canadian animation.

Kylie Ellis, Chair, WIA Vancouver

W

omen in Animation (WIA) Vancouver is a chapter of WIA Global, with its headquarters based in Los Angeles, California. The female industr y leaders in Vancouver, B.C. felt a need to create a chapter in Vancouver because there was an obvious opportunity gap for marginalized folks seeking creative roles in our animation community.

The popularity of animation has grown and has a diverse audience. As the growth continues, so does the need to ensure that the content represents the world we live in, which means equal representation on and

behind the screen.

WIA’s global mission is 50/50 gender parity by 2025. To support this mission, one of WIA’s goals is to help advance women in key creative roles. A personal goal was to see more intellectual property created in Vancouver. We needed data to quantify how many women held key creative roles in the animation industry in Vancouver. We collected data on the roles of director, writer, art director, animation director, and producer. The results were very clear — our key creative numbers were very low.

Mentoring and training are key to setting

women up for success and providing them with the skills to excel in their roles. It also helps studios to be more confident in taking the chance to hire women into new positions, as they know they have the background and experience for them to be successful.

We see the future of Canada’s animation as being rich — rich with diversity, rich with content, rich with passion, and growth for everyone. There are so many hard-working individuals and organizations creating programs like this one, all with the goal of advancing BIPOC, 2SLGBTQQIA+, women, and Canadians in our industry.

Learn more on WIA Vancouver’s Programming at ace-program.com.

Publisher: Nicole Kansakar Business Development Manager: Melanie Kosev Strategic Account Manager: Sierra Nardella Strategic Account Director: Jessica Golyatov Content Strategist: Emma Yordanov Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Giuliana Bandiera Lead Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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Q& A WITH

Scotia Boyd Mediaplanet sat down with film and television makeup artist Scotia Boyd to discuss her experiences, how she built the foundation of her career, and the evolution of the creative space.

How Scotia Boyd Broke Through in the Creative Industries Where do you see the future of makeup within film and television headed, and how do you stay up to date?

In this age of information and technology, I see advancements within the film industry happening every day. The cameras are changing, the products that we use as makeup artists are changing, trends are changing, and even the structure of a film set is changing. In this climate, I see makeup artists and other film technicians who continue to ride to the top and those that get left behind.

Those who develop a negative attitude — resisting change and holding onto the past seem to evade getting the jobs they feel they ought to have. Producers and Hollywood executives want to include people in their projects who will use the most up-to-date methods in the industry and are as passionate about the project as they are. The artists that remain open, learn, upgrade themselves, and strive to make the industry a better place rather than staying true to old values, are the ones that get hired on

the top projects.

I’m a major proponent of lifelong learning.

I believe that it not only helps us to advance our careers but that it’s also what makes us happier people.

In my career, I strive to be malleable and embrace growth as the industry evolves. I plan to keep learning from my colleagues — those above and below me — attending courses, experimenting with new products, and staying up to date with all the wonderful content that’s available.

not always viewed as “real” jobs. I feel lucky for growing up with parents with unconventional jobs, as it allowed me to see that creative jobs are jobs too.

Of course, as with anything meaningful, it’s been a long and sometimes difficult road to get to where I’m now. In my career I’ve worked on shows for companies like Netflix, Disney, and Paramount. Despite all of the challenges along the way, following this path has never ceased to bring me joy and satisfaction.

As a film and television makeup artist, what has been your overall experience in the creative industries thus far?

What advice would you give to someone looking to break through in the creative industries?

Although my love for the arts began through painting and admiring renaissance art, the career I’ve chosen professionally is a film and television makeup artist. I thank myself every day for having decided to pursue what was most meaningful to me — a career in the arts.

So many people hold back from pursuing their passions because careers in the arts are

My advice is to learn to keep working through that critical voice in your head that’s telling you that you can’t do something. If you’re getting a million reasons not to do something, that’s likely the very thing that matters to you the most. In the end, it’s taking chances and overcoming challenges in life that make us most fulfilled.

Learn more at scotiaboyd.com.

Building Leaders in an Evolving Media Industry As creative industries adapt to changes in technology and culture, Loyalist College is too — ensuring media students are well-prepared for the workforce.

W

ith an ever-increasing demand for content, Canada’s creative industries are booming — generating more than $57 billion in national revenue,1 and spawning a host of new careers in podcasting, content creation, animation, digital media design, and more.

To maintain a legacy in media and creative industries, Loyalist College in Belleville, Ont., recognized ea rly on t hat it’s essential to adapt to t he changing media landscape.

Content creation is in a constant state of flux, and we make it a priority to stay on top of industry trends.

Paul Papadopoulos Professor, Television, Filmmaking & Digital Content Creation Program, Loyalist College

Creative legacy

For over 50 years, Loyalist College has been the prov ince’s best-kept secret in creative education, steadily blazing a trail of excellence in media arts education. Loyalist’s on-campus radio station, run by 91X FM, is one of the few Canadian colleges with a CRTC broadcasting license, and its Photojournalism program graduates have won national and international recognition, including National Pictures of the Year Awards, the World Press Photo Contest, and News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) Photojournalist of the Year.

“Content creation is in a constant state of flux, and we make it a priority to stay on top of industry trends,” explains Paul Papadopoulos, a professor in Loyalist’s Television, Filmmaking & Digital Content Creation program.

“Each program relies on a Program Advisory

Committee of industry professionals to tell us where the industry is going, informing the curriculum we teach.”

Heeding employer demands for programming that could prepare graduates for a content-hungry industry, Loyalist launched three innovative content creation programs in 2021: Advanced Filmmaking – Digital Content Creation; Television, Filmmaking & Digital Content Creation; and Journalism – Communications.

Recognizing that today’s market requires fluid content that can adapt across platforms, students in the new programs share a common first year, along with other creative industries programs like Photojournalism and Radio, to allow them to explore and develop a full suite of skills in audio, visual, digital, and print media.

Hands-on experience Ontario is the heart of Canada’s in-demand film and television production sector, with a staggering $3.2 billion operating revenue in 2019.2 Students in the Loyalist film programs get hands-on experience, including placement opportunities.

Filmmaker and co-owner of award-winning film studio Eighty Twenty Studio in Belleville, Victor Cooper recognizes Loyalist’s versatile education style made him adaptable.

“They instilled it in us early that we have to be quick to change. And in the industry, we’re seeing huge changes, and Loyalist prepares you to be ready for that — they want you to be ready to adapt to anything.”

As an industry influencer, Cooper knows the value of his placement experiences at Loyalist and is creating those opportunities on his own sets. “We’ve had students come out from Loyalist to work on the show as interns.

This hands-on experience is vital to helping students figure out what they want to do.”

Be a name, not a number Loyalist graduate Jessica Pearce has worked as a visual effects editor and post-production manager on some of the world’s largest-grossing films, including Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars. She credits her success to Loyalist’s tight-knit community and support. “The teachers get to know you; they work with you to hone your skillset and ensure you’re on the right path,” Pearce says. “I felt like I had great support.”

Because it’s a smaller-sized college and surrounding community, students get oneon-one time with professors that larger institutions cannot match.

“At Loyalist, we’re invested in your success,” Papadopoulos adds. “Our faculty really care about you getting the most out of your college experience academically, socially, and personally.”

Take the next step Whether it's news, business, or social advocacy, the media industry is transforming.

Forward-thinking institutions like Loyalist College are working alongside industry partners to adapt to these changes to ensure students have the in-demand skills to succeed and flourish. “You graduate from Loyalist with experience and connections,” Cooper says.

“And ready to take on whatever changes are coming to the industry.”

Heritage, Canadian. “Government of Canada Creative Industries.” Canada.ca. / Gouvernement du Canada, October 27, 2021. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/ services/exporting-creative-industries.html.

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P H OTO C O U R TE SY O F LOYA LI ST C O LLE G E

Katherine Cappellacci

Ontario Creates. “Industry Profile - Film & TV.” Ontario Creates. Accessed September 15, 2022. https://ontariocreates.ca/research/industry-profile/ip-filmtv

Turn your passion into a career at loyalistcollege.com.

This article was sponsored by Loyalist College.

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