FAQ
How do I become a BYP2I participant?
Background
How long has BYP2I been running for?
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BYP2I began in 2018 and will host its last cohort from 2020-2021.
Who is the program funded by?
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We are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Black Youth Action Plan.
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BYP2I falls under the ‘Industry-Led Career Initiative’ subsection.
Who initiated the program?
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BYP2I is the brainchild of Alison Duke, renowned Black Canadian filmmaker. The programme is specifically funded under the Black Youth Action Plan. BYP2I exists as a programme of Alison's production company, Goldelox Productions.
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Alison was recently awarded the WIFT-T (Women in Film and Television Toronto) Crystal Award for Mentorship for her contribution via the Pathways programme.
Prospective Participants
Who can apply to the program?
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Participants must be:
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Black-Identified
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Aged 18-26
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Graduated from a post-secondary institution
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Located in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area)
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We do accept a limited number of participants who are enrolled in their last few years of school.
What is the application process?
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Applications open February 1st and close March 29th.
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Selected applications will be contacted for two rounds of interviews in the beginning of April.
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Successful applicants will be notified at the beginning of May.
How many youth are accepted per cohort?
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We take up to 20 participants per year.
How long is the commitment?
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Programming takes place from May 2020 - March 2021. The number of workshops per month varies.
Logistics
Where does the program take place?
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Most workshops take place out of our office in Leslieville, Toronto.
When do workshops take place?
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Most workshops tend to take place between 6-9pm on weekdays, or during the daytime on weekends.
How much does it cost?
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The program is free for all participants.
Programming
What is this year’s focus?
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We will be producing a season of a web miniseries as a team.
What is this year’s schedule?
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This year, our schedule is the following:
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May - Aug: Program orientation and workshops
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Sep - Dec: Pre-production and shooting
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Jan - Apr: Post-production
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The detailed schedule will be released to participants after they are selected.
How does BYP2I do skills-building and networking?
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Select participants will also be invited to exclusive industry mixers and will be offered job opportunities as they come.
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Workshops are taught by renowned filmmakers, directors, writers, etc.
What did past cohorts focus on?
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Class of 2019: Digital Archiving
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Class of 2020: Production
What are the other bonuses of participating in the program?
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We provide monthly travel passes for all participants.
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We provide food at all workshops and events.
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We are a trauma-informed and empathetic staff and are always willing to accomodate for our participants’ life circumstances.
How do you support youth after they graduate from the program?
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Alumni are welcome to workshops that take place after they graduate.
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After graduation, we offer membership to a union (NABET, Director’s Guild, Writers Guild etc) or media art centre (Charles Street Video, Trinity Square Video, or LIFT - Liaison of Independent Filmmakers Toronto) of the graduate’s choice.