Posted on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

News release: February 16, 2010

The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is looking for nine talented Canadian Aboriginal adults aged 18 to 35 who are seeking careers in film & TV for its NSI New Voices training program.

Chosen students will connect with industry professionals through skills development training and an eight week full-time industry work placement.

NSI New Voices begins in April and takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. There are a limited number of openings for non-Winnipeg residents; out-of-town program participants are responsible for covering the costs of their accommodation and travel.

Apply by Thursday, April 1, 2010, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

Read application guidelines and apply.

"NSI New Voices has become the cornerstone program of our Aboriginal training," said Susan Millican, CEO at NSI. "Over 50 students have graduated from the program in the past five years. They are working in the business in various capacities including production assistants, editors, and crew members.

"We’re pleased that NSI New Voices is meeting an identified training need in the market. The program continues to grow and develop each year to meet the changing needs of the marketplace and the changing skill sets of the young people applying."

Participants will receive minimum wage during the program, which runs in two phases:

1. Phase 1 - Skills development training: begins with 'Spirit Day.' Spiritual leaders and participants come together for a sharing circle, talk about personal goals and enjoy a Traditional Feast. The next six weeks of skills training takes place in the classroom and is designed to deliver a well-rounded understanding of industry job requirements.
2. Phase 2 - Work placement: provides an opportunity for students to put their new knowledge to work in a film or TV setting, exposing them to a variety of creative and technical opportunities. The contacts made with industry professionals during skills development and work placement are invaluable to students starting their careers.

The NSI New Voices Program Advisor is Lisa Meeches and Program Co-Managers are Ursula Lawson and Sam Vint.

Lisa Meeches has more than 20 years of experience in film and television and brings an essential Aboriginal perspective to the program. Ursula Lawson is Manager of Program Support at the National Screen Institute and has been with the organisation for five years working on many of its training programs in a variety of organizational capacities. Sam is an alumnus of the NSI New Voices program. For the last four years he has worked in various departments in the film and television industry, including production, development, camera, and post-production.

NSI New Voices Presenting Sponsor: Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism; Program Partners: Telefilm Canada, NBC Universal, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), and RBC Financial Group; Strategic Sponsors: Rogers, and Women in Media Foundation; Supporting Sponsors: Mother of Red Nations (MORN), Aboriginal Media Education Fund (AMEF), The Winnipeg Foundation, and The Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Fund; Provincial Sponsor: MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC. (2009 and 2010 program funders acknowledged).

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