Canadian Film Centre adds music training to its mix

CBC News

Posted: Jun 21, 2012 6:45 PM ET

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2012 6:44 PM ET

Norman Jewison, seen at the 2009 Canadian Film Centre BBQ, has unveiled a new music residency program for the Toronto training institute he founded. (Pawel Dwulit/Canadian Press)

Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre is adding music to its mix of film, television and new media training programs.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Jewison, who founded the Toronto institute, joined CFC chief Slawko Klymkiw and radio broadcasting mogul Gary Slaight to announce the upcoming Slaight Family Music Lab on Thursday.

The new initiative will offer a nine-month music residency to four music creators: two composers and two songwriters.

The participants will take part in an intensive training program that will boost their musical knowledge and skills, as well as help them develop new professional relationships and find work creating music for film, TV and new media productions.

"I believe the marriage of the moving image and music is perhaps the most powerful visual communication we have," Jewison said in a statement.

Slaight, representing the Slaight Family Foundation, added that he shared in Jewison's "belief that music is an amazing storytelling tool and I am excited to see how our worlds will come together to launch great talent and great content."

Singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy, Blue Rodeo co-frontman as well as a solo artist, will take part as the program's songwriting chair.

Meanwhile, award-winning film music composer Mychael Danna has accepted the post of composer chair. Currently working with Ang Lee on the forthcoming adaptation of The Life of Pi, Danna has previously worked with directors such as Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter), Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) and Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball).

The CFC is now accepting Music Lab applications, with the inaugural session to launch this fall.

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