Ideas From I (
Round 1) — Program Description
*APPLICATIONS CLOSED*
'Ideas From I' is a virtual concept development program for pan-Asian photographers and filmmakers aged 18-29 across the GTA, with no formal training in their discipline. From this 3-weekend workshop participants will walk away with a fleshed-out concept in the form of a treatment deck ready to be executed. 'Ideas From I' will provide mentorship and learning opportunities for emerging artists to safely express themselves. Our aim is to demystify industry knowledge and equip participants with the skills and confidence to communicate their ideas.
'Ideas From I' is a virtual concept development program for pan-Asian photographers and filmmakers aged 18-29 across the GTA, with no formal training in their discipline. From this 3-weekend workshop participants will walk away with a fleshed-out concept in the form of a treatment deck ready to be executed. 'Ideas From I' will provide mentorship and learning opportunities for emerging artists to safely express themselves. Our aim is to demystify industry knowledge and equip participants with the skills and confidence to communicate their ideas.
5-9 participants will split into two streams; photography and filmmaking. Participants will learn concepting, designing, referencing, writing, and pre-production skills while developing their treatment deck.
Funding for the project has been provided by the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and ArtReach.
Programming Dates
'Ideas From I' will take place over 6 sessions during 3 consecutive weekends in August 2021.
The length of each session will be 2-3 hours. Once successful applicants are notified a survey will be sent out to vote for the timing that works best for everyone. Plan for 1-3 hours a week to complete at-home assignments.
The deadline to submit your application is Monday, July 19 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.
All program dates will be held virtually until further notice.
Day 1 – Aug 7, 2021Day 2 – Aug 8, 2021
Day 3 – Aug 14, 2021
Day 4 – Aug 15, 2021
Day 5 – Aug 21, 2021
Day 6 – Aug 22, 2021
Programming Experience
PAM LAU
2020
Mentor for Business in the Streets’ ‘Monetize Your Art’ 9-week online program for marginalized youth.
2019
Designed and taught an art direction workshop for emerging photographers for Canon Creator Lab (90+ attendees)
2019, 2017
Panellist for Applied Arts ‘Creative Futures’ conference (2000+ students)
JIMMY VI
2021
Facilitator for BIPOC TV & FILM: Commercial Directing Workshop (130 participants).
2020
Wrote and received a $19k grant from MVP/Prism project to fund a music video for an emerging musician.
2020
Speaker for BIPOC TV & FILM: Commercial Panel, providing insight to BIPOC youth on the commercial industry.
Eligibility
Program Eligibility
Youth, between the ages of 18 and 29 during August 2021
Living in the Greater Toronto Area
Identify as Asian
Emerging photographer or filmmaker
Little to no formal training in your discipline
Available to attend the sessions in the dates listed
You Will Need
Access to reliable internet connection
A Zoom basic account and computer with webcam enabled
Have programs like Photoshop, Keynote/PowerPoint (not mandatory but is a plus)
Photo and film equipment not required. Please refer to the FAQ resource below for answers to common questions.
If you are not 100% sure if you fit eligibility please apply anyways! And we can reach out for clarification on your application if required.
FAQ
Q: Who can apply?
This is for you if you are a photographer or filmmaker between the ages of 18 and 29, live in the Greater Toronto Area, and identify as Asian.
We’d also like to acknowledge the tendency for East-Asian figures to dominate the Asian-Canadian discourse, and so our aim is to make room for all voices in our community. This includes South Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian, West Asian, mixed, adoptee. We will be cognizant of this in the selection process. Applicants of various intersections facing barriers such as financial, disability, housing, education, gender, LGBTQ are encouraged to apply.
Q: Is there a cost?
A: No, there is no cost to take the program. Ideas From I is funded by ArtReach; an organization designed to support community-based arts initiatives that engage youth from underserved populations who have experienced exclusion in Toronto.
Q: What level of experience do I need?
A: Emerging meaning typically under 5 years experience. This is for you if you’ve been shooting for a few years and want to plan a themed series. Or if you’ve worked in commercial areas of photography and want to flesh out an idea for a personal project. Emerging can also mean already working with music videos, commercials, narratives as a key creative (DP, director, producer, editor, art director) and you’re wanting to conceptualize a short film.
Q: What counts as formal training?
A: A post-secondary degree at a college or university in Photography, Film, and/or Media Arts. If you’ve taken courses in any of these subjects apply anyways, but know that applicants with no formal training will be prioritized.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Workshops take place over six days; Aug 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22. All program dates will be held virtually until further notice. The length of each session will be 2-3 hours. Once successful applicants are notified a survey will be sent out to vote for the timing that works best for everyone. You’ll get out of this what you put in. Plan for 1-3 hours a week to complete at-home assignments.
Q: What if I can’t make all the dates?
A: Ideas From I is a commitment to yourself to focus on mapping out the project of your dreams. You’ll benefit more if you can make the time but we understand it’s summer and scheduling conflicts happen. An honorarium will be given to attendees upon program completion, contingent based on a minimum 83% attendance.
Q: When will I find out if I got accepted?
A: Successful applicants will be notified on July 21, 2021.
Q: Will you be offering this program again?
A: Our funding via ArtReach allows us to run this program once in August 2021. Future iterations will be dependent on receiving successful funding and grants but currently there are no other cohorts planned.
This is for you if you are a photographer or filmmaker between the ages of 18 and 29, live in the Greater Toronto Area, and identify as Asian.
We’d also like to acknowledge the tendency for East-Asian figures to dominate the Asian-Canadian discourse, and so our aim is to make room for all voices in our community. This includes South Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian, West Asian, mixed, adoptee. We will be cognizant of this in the selection process. Applicants of various intersections facing barriers such as financial, disability, housing, education, gender, LGBTQ are encouraged to apply.
Q: Is there a cost?
A: No, there is no cost to take the program. Ideas From I is funded by ArtReach; an organization designed to support community-based arts initiatives that engage youth from underserved populations who have experienced exclusion in Toronto.
Q: What level of experience do I need?
A: Emerging meaning typically under 5 years experience. This is for you if you’ve been shooting for a few years and want to plan a themed series. Or if you’ve worked in commercial areas of photography and want to flesh out an idea for a personal project. Emerging can also mean already working with music videos, commercials, narratives as a key creative (DP, director, producer, editor, art director) and you’re wanting to conceptualize a short film.
Q: What counts as formal training?
A: A post-secondary degree at a college or university in Photography, Film, and/or Media Arts. If you’ve taken courses in any of these subjects apply anyways, but know that applicants with no formal training will be prioritized.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Workshops take place over six days; Aug 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22. All program dates will be held virtually until further notice. The length of each session will be 2-3 hours. Once successful applicants are notified a survey will be sent out to vote for the timing that works best for everyone. You’ll get out of this what you put in. Plan for 1-3 hours a week to complete at-home assignments.
Q: What if I can’t make all the dates?
A: Ideas From I is a commitment to yourself to focus on mapping out the project of your dreams. You’ll benefit more if you can make the time but we understand it’s summer and scheduling conflicts happen. An honorarium will be given to attendees upon program completion, contingent based on a minimum 83% attendance.
Q: When will I find out if I got accepted?
A: Successful applicants will be notified on July 21, 2021.
Q: Will you be offering this program again?
A: Our funding via ArtReach allows us to run this program once in August 2021. Future iterations will be dependent on receiving successful funding and grants but currently there are no other cohorts planned.