The Bizable Media team works with creative producers and other rights holders to facilitate, finance, manage and deliver exceptional screen-based content. Our clients are passionate creators of stand-out dramas, documentaries and comedies who appreciate our deep industry knowledge and our effective navigation of the business and compliance aspects that ensure a successful production experience.
We Advise
• Corporate and project structuring to enhance producer’s position
• Project budgeting, financing and recoupment
• Tax credits and interjurisdictional opportunities
• Identifying and clarifying underlying rights issues
• Accounting set up and statutory compliance
We Administer
• Contractual deliverables
• Accounts receivable
• Tax credits
• Interim financing
• Statutory and guild requirements
• Reporting
We Assist
• Early stage development
• Identifying funding/financing opportunities
• Key talent negotiation
• Longer term business development strategy
As one of Canada’s most respected business-minded producers, Janice brings to Bizable Media decades of business and financing expertise and valuable industry relationships. Janice has produced and overseen hundreds of hours of award-winning dramatic, documentary, factual and interactive content. She has been involved in all aspects of the production lifecycle, from initial rights acquisition through to marketing and international sales. Her extensive management experience includes eight years as Vice-President Production for White Pine Pictures. Over her career, she has formed strong relationships with the creative community, broadcasters, buyers, financiers and lenders. She is a passionate mentor and is often invited to guest lecture on the topic of Canadian film and tv financing. She is a champion for independent Canadian producers and has volunteered her time to DOC, CMPA and Ontario Creates Screen-based Industry Advisory Committee. Janice frequently appears with a large golden retriever on her zoom meetings.
Kathy Avrich-Johnson, Advisor: Kathy is a trusted business and legal advisor, supporting the realization of creative producers’ visions. Prior to Bizable Media, she was instrumental in building organizations (ACFTP - predecessor to the CMPA, the Aspergers Society of Ontario) and managing and professionalizing private companies (Norstar Entertainment, Canadian Accents, Ilana C Frank Films). Producer of more than 160 hours of television drama, Kathy has also produced several features, both documentary and dramatic, and 50+ web related extensions of television series. An entertainment lawyer since 1983, Kathy is an expert in listening to and advising clients, negotiating, drafting and implementing entertainment agreements. Kathy authored the often referenced and helpful guides “Canadian Production Finance: A Producer’s Handbook” and the companion “Development and Other Production Challenges”. Kathy may often be seen splattered with clay or learning the art of dinking on the pickleball court.
With a wealth of experience and relationships in the film and television industry, Lucy leads clients through the business aspects of development, financing, corporate organization and production with expertise and efficiency. Prior to her promotion to Vice-President, Lucy held the position of Director of Business Affairs and Production at Bizable for nearly four years. Lucy has also served as Business Affairs Analyst in the entertainment group at Dentons Canada LLC, Business Affairs Coordinator at Shaftesbury, and Director of Development and Associate Producer at Accent Entertainment. Lucy is credited on some of Canada’s most high profile award-winning series and films. Following completion of a Bachelors in Radio and Television Arts, Lucy worked in Los Angeles at a boutique talent management company that specializes in bringing Canadians to L.A. She is an active member of WIFT-T and in 2022 completed the Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law. She is also a perpetual volunteer - sitting on two student councils, an equity and inclusion committee, and multiple mentorship programs. Lucy prefers her music analog, and has an ample vinyl and cassette collection.
Audrey has over a decade of progressive experience in production accounting and finance in film and television. Earlier in her career she developed an expertise and excellent reputation in documentary production accounting and financial management for artists. More recently, she applied her knowledge and organizational skills to supporting arts organizations and small film and television companies streamline their accounting and financial processes. Her relationships and skillset are highly valued at Bizable Media where she interfaces directly with clients, giving them a financial picture that is clear and comprehensible. Prior to attaining her position as VP Production Financing, Audrey served as Bizable’s Controller and, independently, she provided accounting services to many of Bizable’s producer clients. Audrey’s passion to support creators manage their finances and grow their businesses led her to pursue formal accountancy education which she completed in 2022. When she’s not working, Audrey can be found quilting and watching Jeopardy.
Liam brings a valuable balance of analytical and creative talents to the Bizable Media team. After completing a BA with a focus on English and finance at the University of Ottawa, he launched a career in the area of data management and communications, while pursuing his passions in writing and music. He now utilizes his experience and skills at Bizable in the role of Business Affairs Analyst to collect and organize critical data, draft administrative and financial materials, and prepare a variety of applications for project funding and certification. Liam’s critical analysis skills and his understanding of the creative process contribute to the wholistic approach Bizable takes to supporting clients’ business needs. In his free time, Liam continues to pursue his hobbies of music performance (piano and trumpet), vinyl collecting, and maintaining a personal website dedicated to writings about music, politics, and more.
Brittany is a freelance producer and arts administrator with experience in both live entertainment and screen-based media. Working across disciplines and roles, Brittany has dedicated her career to nurturing new works created by Indigenous and culturally diverse artists. Her work as the General Manager of Signal Theatre, an Indigenous led trans-disciplinary performance company, and at Nightswimming, a dramaturgical theatre company focused on creation, inform her approach to business, which is based on collaborative decision making and the centring of artistic process. Brittany’s work as a production coordinator for documentaries strengthens her attention to detail and contributes to her rigorous organizational and financial skills, all of which make her a valuable part of the Bizable Media team. In her spare time, Brittany loves to play ultimate frisbee — sometimes even competitively!