As part of our plan to create a Production Assistantship program for Disabled Theatre Makers, we are offering an introductory session to the potential roles and careers available Backstage. This session is primarily oriented towards Deaf and Disabled artists and others who have been excluded from careers in production, so if you know of anyone who has an interest in backstage work but has been unable to find a way in, please direct them towards this session. 

And please share widely!

Here is the Registration link:

bit.ly/cripping-backstage-roles

Date: Tuesday, May 16

7-9pm via Zoom

ASL Interpretation and CART will be provided

Are We Building Back Better Yet?

Join Means of Production and special guests at the 2022 PMArts Conference, for a roundtable discussion on alternative working schedules, flexible deadlines, moving past a “show must go on” mentality, and the realities of doing production work in an ongoing pandemic.

Register at https://pmarts.ca/courses/are-we-building-back-better-yet/

Presented by Actors’ Fund of Canada

When we talk to industry members, a common theme that comes up is burnout. There is a perception that burnout is inevitable for those working in the entertainment industry – it is often viewed as a sign of getting consistent work. This notion is what leads to the belief that being overworked is a sign of success, but the pandemic has given many people time to pause and question the sustainability of this mindset. 

Burnout can have detrimental impacts on mental and physical safety, both on and off the job. At The AFC, we have learned that burnout can also lead to immense financial hardship, creating further precarity for workers. So what can individuals do to mitigate their risk of burnout while thriving professionally? Answering this question is easier said than done, so let’s talk about it! 

Dismantling the Burnout Badge is presented in partnership with the Associated Designers of Canada and Means of Production.

Join us as we engage in a rich discussion about the effects of burnout (personally and professionally), how it is perceived, and the different ways one can mitigate its effects.

CW: This panel discussion may include sensitive subject matter.

Moderator:

• Patrick Lynn

Panelists:

• Kyle Ahluwalia

• Carmen Alatorre

• Megan Potestio

• Leslie Ting

Accessibility: ASL interpretation and closed captioning provided.

About Lobby Chats

The AFC’s Lobby Chats bring people together who have experience, passion, and knowledge of critical topics that directly impact the members of Canada’s entertainment industry. Whether we’re talking to freelancers, leaders, administrators, or service providers, these conversations offer a compassionate knowledge-sharing platform where our community can come together to help each other grow and flourish in the industry on both personal and professional levels.

Lobby Chats focus on the individual’s experience, the person who is navigating what is known to be a precarious career path in arts and entertainment. These conversations will hone in on the areas of financial wellness, mental health, and career sustainability. At the end of each chat, audiences will have a chance to ask questions and join the conversation in the spirit of community support and learning.

Clean Toronto Together invites residents, community groups, schools and businesses to spend 20-minutes picking up litter and recycling that’s accumulated in local parks and other public spaces over the winter.

Means of Production has registered as a group to do a 2-hr community clean up at Alexandra Park, by Scadding Court at the intersection of Bathurst and Dundas Streets.

Register to join us!

Do you need a job? Do you have work to offer people? Join Means of Production on Wednesday, April 13 at 7pm EDT on Zoom, for our Get Work / Give Work Spring Fling Mixer! https://bit.ly/April13MoPMixer

This event is for Production Managers, Technical Directors, Crew, and related Arts Workers who want to meet new people and find connections to offer or accept new work. Please keep in mind our standards of work are $22/hr minimum to match the living wage in Toronto, and $30/hr minimum for Managers and Directors.

After a very successful virtual conversation around how to make tech week more sustainable (part 1), we’ll be offering a follow up session with some feedback that we received from our last participants! Stay tuned for more information on case studies and goals of the session.

Interested in joining? Please RSVP by Friday, May 28th at 5PM.