Chris Chiu

Why did you choose creative industries as your undergrad program?

I’ve always had a passion for film and the arts in general, and I thought the Creative Industries program’s balance of arts and business – including courses covering HR and finance – would benefit me in the producer role that I am striving for. 

Where are you working now and what do you do in your role? 

I’m currently working at Entertainment One as a Development Coordinator, with a focus in unscripted and factual television within the Canadian division. This includes programs spanning lifestyle, food, renovation, and true crime. I oversee all the projects to make sure everything is organized and up to date, help with financing and paperwork, and work with the Director of Development to produce, cast talent, and brainstorm new ideas for programming. 

How have you applied what you learned in your modules to your professional life?

I chose Media Business and Storytelling in Media as my modules. Media Business taught me a lot about the management aspects of production, including copyright law, financing, and accounting, which have helped me in my role. Storytelling in Media gave me more hands on experience in media production, graphic design, and video editing, and its focus on film and television has also been very useful. 

What advice would you give to current creative industries students wondering about their professional futures? 

Always have a good work ethic towards everything you do. The industry is so small, and networking is so important – if you have a good attitude and put 110% into every task, no matter how small, you’ll do well in any field and people will want to work with you again.