Thank you for your interest in joining Production Ottawa. Clicking to visit this page is a great first step to showing you have the kind of passion we need from our team members. It’s only thanks to the support of our awesome contributors and partners that we can continue to provide Ottawa with the most in depth and up to date coverage on the local production industry.
What kind of person are you?
Are you a self-starter, able to work on your own without a nagging boss coming to your house and hovering over your shoulder to make sure you meet deadlines? Are you reliable, dogged, and resolute, so that we could count on you to get to and cover an event, even if your car breaks down in the middle of Ottawa’s annual freeze (read: winter). How about having a solid grasp of English and English grammar such that u’r not fallin bak on ‘net speak? Are you social, love meeting and talking with people, or at least able to fake it?
Most importantly, do you have an interest in what’s going on in this city and are passionate about either movie or theatre production? Then keep reading.
What are we looking for?
- Reporters: Production Ottawa reporters are creative, awesome, people who we can get out to cover events and write them up. This could include competitions, festivals, media calls, or on set/stage behind the scene hijinks. This could also be putting together a profile/story on someone who is making a name for themselves in the local scene. In some cases you’ll be given a video camera, or paired with a videographer, and will be asked to get video coverage of events, making prior video journalism and editing experience an asset (though not mandatory). (Available Openings)
- Videographers and Photographers: Our videographers and photographers see life through the lens of camera and don’t ask why the camera lens is round but videos and photos are square. They’re like reporters in that they’ll be out there covering events and reporting back on what’s happening with the big difference being they’ll do it with photos and video instead of words. Videographers might also be assigned to the review team to get reviews shot and edited making editing skills an asset. (Available Openings)
- Reviewers: Production Ottawa reviewers are movie or theatre fanatics who consume shows like there’s no tomorrow (or would if they could) and know how to talk about them intelligently. Particularly, telling people what they can expect from a show, including being critical (but fair) when something misses. Generally speaking, reviewers have to be comfortable in front of a camera since we favour video reviews over purely written copy. (Available Openings)
- Administrative Support: Production Ottawa administrators are the wonderful behind-the-scenes folk who help make sure everything runs smoothly. Jobs include processing notices posted to AuditionsOttawa.com and CrewJobsOttawa.com, listings to SeeOttawaMovies.com, maintaining the event calendar, or processing general correspondence and story ideas that come through the contact form here on Production Ottawa. (Available Openings)
- Editors: Production Ottawa editors are a classy and rare breed of bird of prey. They’re always on the hunt for new stories in their field, have an abnormally high awareness of what’s going on, and able to spot a typo or problem at a hundred yards. Our editors make schedules and see that they’re kept, hand out assignments, and make that sure articles and videos maintain a high standard of quality. When there’s not enough reporters to go around, they get that job, too. Because they’re that awesome. And deserve hugs. (Available Openings: Theatre Desk, Movie Desk)
To apply for any position with Production Ottawa, use the form at the bottom of this page and let us know a bit about your relevant background and what makes you cut out to join the Production Ottawa team. Start with the question: What are you passionate about?
Applicants to editor positions must have prior experience in a journalistic environment or have equivalent knowledge/skills.
About Regular Features
Do you have an idea and execution plan for a regular feature/column that would be a fit for us? Do you already run a monthly or biweekly podcast or vidcast that we could feature? We have a broad spectrum when it comes to what we’ll consider for a regular feature but our focus will always be on the local production industry and the people who work in it. Submit your ideas using the form below.
What can you expect?
In most cases, we’ll probably start you off easy, with a story here or there, and as we get to know you and your skills, we’ll start assigning you more things. It’s more convenient for us to have a core group we can rely on but we know the time that everybody can commit is hardly infinite so there’s new opportunities on our (virtual) news room floor all the time. And therein lies the catch. All Production Ottawa positions are on a volunteer-basis. Though you’ll get great access to what’s happening in the city and get the satisfaction of helping the local industry thrive as well as seeing your name on the bylines, we’re unable to provide financial remuneration. You’ll also be networking and getting your name out in the city, which never hurts if you’re looking to build a career here.
We also have internship options and work with school job placement programs making Production Ottawa a perfect opportunity for journalism students to gain practical experience as well as students in film or theatre programs.
