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Resume


PROFILE:

Jessica Jennings is a producer with passion on a mission to capture hearts, transform minds and change the world around her – one story at a time.  With over 13 years of experience working in the screen-based industry, she has honed her creative and business skills towards the development and production of original content for the domestic and International market. Versed in scripted, digital media and factual production, Jessica is highly versatile, tenacious and an innovative leader.

PRODUCTION / DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE:
Hemmings House Pictures
 Producer                                                                                                               March 2017 – Present
·       Hemmings House is a certified B Corp Production Company based out of Saint John, NB.
·       I'm a freelance Producer of a CBC 1-hour Documentary called "12 Dogs Drive" and of a 10-min tourism video and commercial for the Fundy Trail.

Meat the Future Inc.
Production Manager                                                                                        January 2018 – Present
·       "Meat the Future" - Documentary Feature Film called directed by award-winning director Liz Marshall for the CBC's Documentary Channel.

Sharkwater: Extinction
Production Coordinator / Business Affairs                                                       June 2017 – Present
                          ·       "Sharkwater: Extinction" - 
                       ·         Responsibilities:  Coordinate a shoot in Costa Rica, business affairs coordinating 
                                 to close financing, fulfillment of Kickstarter and IndieGoGo Perks, and end credits.
 
Proper Television (CTV)
Contra & Sponsorship Producer                                                              August 2017 – December 2017
·       “MasterChef Canada” – Season 5
·      Responsibilities:  Secure contra partnerships and sponsorships for cookware and wardrobe for celebrity judges. Host broadcast partners and track product placement.

Antica Productions
Production Coordinator                                                                               May 2017 – August 2017
·       Antica is part of Entertainment One's group of companies with offices at eOne, and a first look deal in place. They produce one of the largest independent podcast networks in Canada, and numerous branded content and documentary productions.
·       "Secret Path" - Digital webisode’s on the Gord Downie legacy project for CBC.
·       "Spurred On" - a WW1 Passchendaele interactive documentary shot in Belgium and France

Momentum Media
President / Creative Producer                                                                    June 2012 – May 2017
·       An independent production company with a mandate to provide creative and producing services to television, film, interactive & web productions.
·       Work with television and digital media creators to develop scripted or factual properties, write pitch and research packages, produce sizzle reels/trailers, source new stories and talent, draft budgets, create production schedules, etc.
·       Various optioned and self-created projects in development.

White Pine Pictures
Story Producer                                                                                        February 2017 – April 2017
·       (Part-time) Assist the Head of Factual Production with research and story development for various documentary and factual series in development. Book interviews and follow story leads.

Proper Television  (CTV)
Production Coordinator                                                                                 July – December 2016
·       “MasterChef Canada” – Season 4
·       Responsibilities:  Dedicated coordinator working with the casting/story department. Booked crew, travel, prepared callsheets, etc for the cross-country auditions and home shoots. Handled vendor and studio set-up, security, accounting, etc. Assisted the Line Producer.

Sinking Ship Entertainment (CBC, Amazon Prime)
Production Manager                                                                             September 2015 – May 2016
·       “Bookaboo” – Live Action/Animated Kid’s Puppet Series. *Nominated for 5 Emmy Awards
·       Responsibilities:  Managed production unit, crew and expenses. Prepared research reports and assisted with casting. Prepared carnet, work visa’s and oversaw two 2nd Unit LA green screen shoots, acting as liaison for producers on location. Wrote a spec script.

Sinking Ship Entertainment (TVO / PBS)
Production Manager                                                                                   July 2014 – September 2014
·      “Odd Squad” – Live Action/Animated Kid’s TV Series. *Winner of 4 Emmy Awards
·      Responsibilities: Interim PM for 3 months. Managed crew/cast, approved production costs, bi-weekly payroll, secured equipment and personnel, etc.

IFC Films / D Films / Fella Films
Production Manager                                                                          August 2013– November 2013
·       “Backcountry” – Feature Film directed by Adam MacDonald. Premiered at TIFF and released theatrically across Canada and USA in fall 2015.
·       Responsibilities: Hire and supervise crew, contracts, equipment, approve all costs/call sheets, green the film, line produced during production and prepared budget drafts, etc.

D Films /  Movie Central / National Geographic
Project Manager / Line Producer / Release Coordinator            Feb. 2013 – Sept. 2013
·       “Revolution” – Feature documentary with Web/Mobile app directed by Rob Stewart.
·       Project Manager: Managed the web/mobile application, content writing and coordination, oversaw budget and crew, etc.
·       Line Producer: 22-minute making-of documentary for broadcast on Global and National Geographic, and five 10-minute world issue videos for the website/app/youtube channel and MSN. Also handled CRTC applications, broadcaster/distributor deliverables.
·       Release Coordinator: Responsible for all film and marketing elements (poster, graphic assets, transcript, community outreach, social media, study guide, closed captioning, dubbing, final credits, etc) for the Canadian and USA theatrical and television release.

Shaftesbury Films Inc.
Line Producer                                                                    October 2012– January 2013
·       “Dirty Singles” – Ensemble comedy feature film directed by Alex Pugsley
·       Responsibilities: Casting, hire crew, manage budget, contracts, clearances, payroll etc

The Bakery Communications
Development Producer     August 2012 – October 2012
·       A branded content production company where brands tell stories on multiple platforms.
·       Responsibilities: Developed tv/web properties that integrate appropriate branding narratives.

Whizbang Films Inc.
Producer’s Assistant                                                          September 2008 – May 2012
·       Assistant to Frank Siracusa on film & television projects in development & production.
·       Responsibilities: Assisted in all facets of the company, including: development, script coverage, research, script breakdowns in MMS, business affairs, broadcast deliverables, funding applications, clearances, product placement, sponsorship, administration, calendar/travel.
o    “Christmas Rescue” - MOW CTV Bell Media - Director: Anne Wheeler - 2012
o    “Cottage Country” - Feature Alliance – Director: Peter Wellington, Stars: Malin Ackerman - 2011
o    “Breakaway” - Feature Alliance/CBC – Stars: Rob Lowe, Russell Peters - 2011
o    “The Yard” – TV Mini-Series HBO Canada/TMN – Director: Michael Mabbot – 2011
o    “Hobo With a Shotgun” - Feature Alliance – Premiered at Sundance - Stars: Rutger Hauer - 2011
o    “Blue Bloods” - TV Pilot   CBS Paramount – 2010
o    “The Good Witch’s Family” - MOW Hallmark/Movie Central – 2010
o    “Crash & Burn” - TV Series – 1st SSN Global / Showcase – Creator: Malcolm McRury – 2009
o    “U.S. Attorney” - TV Pilot   CBS Paramount – Director: Mimi Leder – 2009
o    “The Good Witch’s Gift” - MOW Hallmark/Movie Central – 2009
o    “The Good Witch’s Garden” - MOW Hallmark/Movie Central – 2008

Flashpoint Productions Inc. / CTV / CBS
Producer’s Assistant January 2008 – September 2008
·       “Flashpoint” - Assistant to Bill Mustos, Anne Marie La Traverse on this award-winning series.
·       Responsibilities: Provided support to the Executive Producers and other senior production staff, booked travel, conducted research, among other duties.


Xybermedia Inc.
Producer’s Assistant                                                             April 2005 – December 2007
·       Assistant to William Marshall – Receiver of the Order of Canada and founder of TIFF, NIFF and the Academy of Canadian Film and TV, as well as being a film and events producer,.
·       Responsibilities: Assisted on innovative film and television projects, and on the Toronto International McLuhan Festival of the Future. Drafted research reports, funding applications, creative & business decks, budgets, and final reports.

Please See Full Credit List for Complete Details

PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE:

Niagara Integrated Film Festival - NIFF
Programming Manager / Programmer                                               March 2014 – June 2014
·       Founded by Bill Marshall, founder of TIFF. (Was his assistant 10 years prior)
·       Responsibilities: Managed and set the infrastructure for all facets of the programming department in its inaugural year, including: running the budget, supervising a team, programming the screening line-up into venues, delivering the locked screening schedule, drafting contracts, rules and regulations, while overseeing and implementing the print traffic and guest services departments. Liaised with all filmmakers, distributors and staff to gather deliverables, and coordinate technical specs.
·       As a Programmer, Jessica maintained the artistic vision of the festival, selected Canadian features and short films, wrote programmer reviews, introduced films and hosted Q&A’s. She facilitated and adjudicated the World’s Smallest Film Festival (a mobile short film competition) and helped with programming industry events.

Vortex Videogame Competition
Program Coordinator            June – September 2007
·       A professional development conference and competition for emerging videogame entrepreneurs.
·       Responsibilities: Coordinated all aspects of programming, the educational boot-camp, pitching sessions, and production for live web-streaming.

Abormedia Inc.
Production Assistant           October 2004 – April 2006
·       Abormedia is a multi-media company that focused its mandate on assisting Aboriginal businesses through educational conferences, printing, marketing and film services.
·       Responsibilities: Assisted on conference coordination and in the development of corporate, promotional and factual projects.

Toronto Film School
Curriculum Designer / Instructor                October 2004 – July 2005
·       Taught two courses in the Acting for Film and Television program: Directing 1 - about the director’s perspective through the process of filmmaking, and Directing 2 - about rehearsal techniques and casting. Developed both curriculums.

EDUCATION: 

·       2013-2014 – Centennial College / Centre for Entrepreneurship:
Certificate - Independent Television Producer Program
·       2012 – Schulich School of Business / York University:
Certificate - Media Leadership in partnership with WIFT / Bell Media
·       2010-2011 – Humber College:
Certificate - Business Management for Media Professionals
·       2003-2004 - Toronto Film School:
Honor’s Diploma – Advanced Digital Film and Television Production. Received a scholarship and an Award of Excellence in screenwriting for the 2003/2004 class

TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
·       2011-2017 – WIFT: Panels on technological, regulatory and creative shifts in the industry
·       2015 – Business Development Lab for Producers – 3-day conference with Shaw Media, WIFT.
·       2012 – Toronto Screenwriting Conference: Extraordinary keynotes with high-profile showrunners
·       2011 – Raindance Canada: Panelist/adjudicator in film/TV pitching competition.
·       2011 – DocSHIFT Summit: Two-day conference on interactive and multi-platform documentaries.
·       2010 - CBC Television: WIFT Crystal Award Recipient of the CBC Business of Broadcasting Mentorship Award. Received creative and business support from key industry players while learning the fundamentals of Drama, lifestyle & Live Broadcasting for one week.