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.
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.
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.
iam 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!
Bizable supported the producer in the business aspects of growing this series from YouTube to CBC Gem.
Bizable provided production and business affairs support for three seasons of this successful CBC legal drama produced by eOne, ICF Films and Eagle Vision.
Bizable helped launch the first season of this interprovincial co-production between IGP and The Broken Clown Company in strategic planning, contracting with financiers, loan management and accounting for tax credit compliance.
Bizable Media is a proud mentor for this Black producer training program
Bizable supported this pre-school series from development to delivery. Now in Season 2!
Kathy as production counsel and the Bizable team provided legal and business affairs support, to ICF and the eOne team, from early development to delivery of this new drama for Global TV.
Bizable provided executive producer and business affairs services for this award-winning, impactful documentary.
Bizable provided back-office and business affairs support to Accent Entertainment for this CBC breakout sketch series.
Bizable worked closely with Halfire Entertainment to bring this CBC/Netflix mini-series to the screen.
When Copper Quartz needed some business support, we delivered on this charming documentary
Bizable supported this acclaimed feature film directed by Danis Goulet in securing official co-production status, interim financing and tax credits
Bizable worked with filmmaker Marc de Guerre on the financing and insurance overall business needs of this impactful documentary for CBC.
As executive producers, Bizable structured and implemented timesaving business practices on the third and fourth season of this successful drama.
Bizable provides production and business affairs support including key cast and crew deals and tax credit applications for this successful CBC legal drama produced by eOne, Ilana C Frank Films and EagleVision, starting its third season.
Bizable successfully mentored the creative partners through the establishment of their production company and producing 3 seasons of their popular series.
Bizable worked closely with producer Christine Kleckner to secure the financial partners, shape the production and bring this important doc to audiences.
Bizable helped launch the first season of this interprovincial co-production between IGP and The Broken Clown Company in strategic planning, contracting with financiers, loan management and accounting for tax credit compliance.
Bizable provided back-office and business affairs support to Accent Entertainment for this CBC breakout sketch series.
Bizable provided executive producer and business affairs services for this award-winning, impactful documentary.
Bizable worked closely with Halfire Entertainment to bring this CBC/Netflix mini-series to the screen.
Kathy as production counsel and the Bizable team provided legal and business affairs support, to ICF and the eOne team, from early development to delivery of this new drama for Global TV.
Bizable worked closely with The Cutting Factory to secure financing and provide business support on this TVO documentary.
Our team provided business and tax credit administration for Season 3 of Pier 21’s successful satirical news show.
Over the two seasons of Jennifer Podemski’s doc series for APTN, Bizable has provided ongoing corporate, business and financial management support.
“Bizable Media provided invaluable guidance, advice, and humor during our first show as a production company. Their belief in us helped us find our path.. Bizable = Good!”
Shereen Ali & Phil McCordic
Producers, Windy Isle Entertainment
“As a Nunavut-based production company with limited access to Canada's film and television Industry, Bizable has been instrumental to us in reaching our goals of producing our first independent television series.”
STACEY AGLOK MACDONALD
Partner/Producer at Qanukiaq Studios Inc.
“All the talent in the world isn't worth much without locking down the deals. Bizable Media knows how to stickhandle the business to make sure you land them."
MICHÈLE HOZER
Filmmaker, The Cutting Factory
“Excellent business affairs services with experience, patience, and a sense of humour. I couldn't imagine producing without having Bizable on the team!”
SUSAN CAVAN
President/Accent Entertainment/EP of TallBoyz
“The support that Janice & Kathy have provided A Better Man has been invaluable. Offering the highest standard in business affairs and strategic planning for our film, Bizable has helped us achieve the excellence that we envisioned for our project. I look forward to working with Bizable’s team on future projects.”
CHRISTINE KLECKNER
Partner/Producer at Intervention Productions Inc.
“Bizable are adept and accomplished. I’ve never had a production run better. They do it all – strategy, planning, packaging and it’s painless. The best decision I’ve ever made in the biz.”
DEREK DIORIO
President of Distinct Features/EP of Hard Rock Medical
“Bizable is a pleasure to work with in every way. They are efficient, courteous and strategic. Best of all, they’re nice people who care about their work.”
Michael McMahon
President, Primitive Entertainment
“So incredibly thankful for Bizable’s know-how and support in bringing nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up into the world.”
TASHA HUBBARD
Filmmaker
“I found Bizable to be a pleasure to work with. They provide invaluable and efficacious assistance to any production drawing on an incredible breadth of knowledge and industry experience.”
DANIEL IRON
Vice-President, Blue Ice Pictures
Phone: 647-822-2496
Email: info@bizablemedia.ca
Web: www.bizablemedia.ca