Children's Entertainment Program Offers Career Ready Skills

Writing for children's media, marketing children's entertainment products, project management, pitching, TV and multi-platform production, team building for creative production, child development, licensing and merchandising, the legal and regulatory aspects of children's media, personal branding and career planning and navigating the domestic and international marketplace are all part of the children's entrainment professional's job.

Whether you want to launch as career as a children's writer, marketing specialist, project manager, content manager, children's TV producer, children's multi-platform producer, you must first attend a Children's Entertainment program such as the one offered at Centennial College.

This child entertainment Toronto - based offering is actually the first of its kind in Canada and covers topics in a hands-on way with high-level industry professionals teaching career-ready skills and helping students to connect with the industry. Students gain a solid developmental understanding of their audience, a strategic and entrepreneurial approach to their careers, a global perspective and the passion and commitment to become tomorrow's industry leaders. Specific courses in this offering include: Survey of Children's Entertainment, Licensing and Merchandising, Producing the Project, The Business of Children's Entertainment, Children's Books and more.

This learning occurs in the Story Arts Centre, which houses tools of the trade (such as professional software) to enhance the knowledge and skills that it takes to create a wide range of entertainment products (i.e. film, TV, books, education products, games, mobile and interactive media) for the rapidly growing children's market. Additionally, students attend an industry field placement that allows them to apply what they have learned to the real world, network with professionals and enhance their resumes by working in the field prior to graduation.

This only children's entertainment production, management and writing program Toronto has to offer was launched in September 2009. It was designed for those with college diploma or university degree program in any discipline; or those with partial post-secondary education (minimum two years) and relevant work experience. It is worth noting that in addition to these admission requirements, students must also attend a mandatory program admission session where they will submit an up-to-date resume and complete a writing assessment.

The offering came into existence with the help of the most respected contemporary producers, writers and industry leaders in Canada. It is continuously guided by an active program advisory committee with members from across the spectrum of areas that involve and affect children's entertainment — from education and early childhood specialists to toy manufacturers to interactive digital media producers.

During the short span of time the program has existed, graduates have already found employment opportunities in diverse areas, including the independent television production sector, industry funding bodies, freelance writing for television and cross-platform production.