Unscripted Producers’ Lab
In Partnership with Bell Media
KEY DATES
Call for Applications:
Deadline to apply: 11:59pm - Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Lab Dates: November 17-20 2025, at Bell Media Studios in Toronto
The Unscripted Producers Lab is a four-day intensive for mid-career producers and aspiring showrunners working in unscripted, factual, and reality TV content production.
Developed in partnership with Bell Media and BIPOC TV & Film, the lab will focus on producing an unscripted series from start to finish. Topics will include unscripted storytelling, leadership and team management, casting, production and post-production workflows, financing and scheduling, and career development.
Following the intensive, participants will be matched with a mentor for individual support over a four-month period.
Eligibility Criteria
The BIPOC TV & Film Unscripted Producers’ Lab in partnership with Bell Media is open to Canadian residents who are Black, Indigenous, and/or racialized Persons of Colour. To be eligible, you must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
You have/had an unscripted, reality or documentary series in development with a Canadian or US broadcaster or production company; OR,
You have attained a producer-level credit on at least one season of a Canadian or US unscripted reality series or documentary series. Note: associate producer credits are eligible.
Topics to be explored
Unscripted Storytelling: Building the vision for your series
Building and Leading an Unscripted Team
The Ins and Outs of Casting
Production and Post-production
Financing, Budgeting and Scheduling
Building Your Relationship with Your Broadcaster/Network
Building and Evolving Your Career
2024 Unscripted Producers Lab Participants
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Jason Bailey
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Kerriann Cardinal
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Jermaine Bagnall
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Temo Primrose Gare
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Jonah Lee-McNamee
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Ryan Lindsay
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Tamiko Potts
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Matt Rubio
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David Trang
“I can’t say enough good things about the Bell Media Unscripted Producers Lab. It’s an invaluable experience of being immersed in knowledge, surrounded by masters of the craft who generously share their hard-earned wisdom. What stood out most was that support didn’t stop when the session ended; every speaker was open to staying in touch and offering guidance as I continued to grow in my career. If you’re on the fence about applying, take the leap. It’s more than a program. It’s a launchpad.”
Jermaine Bengall, 2024 Bell Unscripted lab Participant
“Day 1 reaffirmed that change is necessary and reasonable. I wouldn’t have met all these incredible people if I hadn’t left Bombay, India. I gained many fresh perspectives in a single day, and for a lifelong learner like myself, this is the stuff I live for. Most importantly, I’m reminded that despite our varied backgrounds, we are all human beings and respond to life similarly. To see Jen Pratt and everyone being so honest and vulnerable was beautiful. ”
Vatsala Aron, 2023 Unscripted Producers Lab Participant
