RTA Media alum helped to launch CNN streaming platform
RTA School of Media alum (‘19) Julianna D’Urzo was part of the recent launch of U.S. mega network CNN’s new streaming platform, CNN+ (external link, opens in new window) . The on-demand online news service provided audiences with a new way to keep on top of the latest news, stream award-winning original series and films, and, innovatively participate in live interviews. D’Urzo took on the role of associate producer for ‘Interview Club (external link, opens in new window) ’ on CNN+ and says her professional career took shape during her time at The Creative School, showing where drive and passion can lead you with the right support.
RTA Media alum Julianna D'Urzo at CNNplus offices
RTA Media alum Julianna D'Urzo at CNNplus offices
As of late April and under the new corporate structure of Warner Bros. Discovery, leadership made the decision to shut down CNN+ as a stand-alone product and incorporate CNN’s content into their larger streaming strategy.
From Cannes Film festival to RTA in LA
Julianna D’Urzo participates in an exciting internship at the Cannes Film Festival with Variety Magazine. Photo courtesy of D’Urzo
For D’Urzo, a decisive moment in her career trajectory was securing a scholarship to help participate in The American Pavilion which had come to what was then Ryerson University and now Toronto Metropolitan Univeristy, to pitch students on an exciting internship program. The American Pavilion brings professionals and emerging filmmakers together with the American film community at the Cannes International Film Festival, a hub of business, film and entertainment. “Students had gone in the past and I knew that there may be an opportunity to pitch [The Creative School] Dean Charles Falzon to see if I could apply for a scholarship to participate,” says D’Urzo.
Variety Studio interview suite at the Cannes Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Julianna D’Urzo
Variety Studio interview suite at TIFF 2019. Photo courtesy of Julianna D’Urzo
D’Urzo already had a sense of wanting to work in the U.S., and that she was interested in storytelling and journalism, with a particular interest in working with Variety Magazine, an outlet she knew would be at Cannes. She immediately made an appointment with the Dean’s office to make her case, and successfully garnered a scholarship.
Julianna D'Urzo, RTA Media alum and producer on CNN+
Not only did D’Urzo participate in the internship which offered students the opportunity to participate in the Cannes International Film Festival (and attend panels, roundtables, networking events, as well as gain access to the world's largest film market) but was paired with Variety Magazine for her internship, which led to her working with the leading entertainment outlet for the next three years and which took her to Cannes again, the Toronto International Film Festival, and Variety’s LA-based offices.
D’Urzo also credits the RTA in LA (opens in new window) intensive she enrolled in as another pivotal moment on her career path. The course allows students to connect with and learn from U.S. television industry leaders in Los Angeles, further immersing her within the US entertainment market and giving her a deeper understanding of the television industry. The international experience also allowed her to work with Variety again, all serving as important launching points for D’Urzo.
D'Urzo attends TIFF as part of her role with Variety Magazine
Achieving the dream: Joining the team at CNNplus
After graduating from the RTA Media Production program in 2019, D’Urzo set her sights on New York City. She completed a Master of Broadcast Journalism at Syracuse University but was forced to come back to Toronto when the pandemic hit, and began applying for jobs in the US, many, many jobs (she estimates in the hundreds). But a new role at CNN caught her attention in ways that aligned with her values and goals the most.
“I just knew that CNN was a good place to be,” says D’Urzo. “I dreamed about working there because it was an international company, not just an American news outlet. As a Canadian, I also knew that I wanted to be somewhere that stood for the same values as me. As a recent broadcast journalism grad I prioritized ethics in journalism. And I wanted my work to actually mean something and have value.”
Photo courtesy of CNNplus
D’Urzo’s role was as an associate producer for the innovative show, ‘Interview Club’, on the online streaming platform CNN+.
Interview Club was an interactive news segment show that invited CNN+ subscribers to submit questions to expert guests of the show related to timely topics. Audience questions were solicited both preceding the show and live while the show aired online. The new format was similar to CNN’s town halls and aimed to encourage audience interaction while supporting a deeper dive into issues, creating a richer experience for viewers.
“The audience controlled the conversation,” says D’Urzo. “They essentially had a direct line, let's say to Anderson Cooper to ask him about, for example, his parenting. It's very much a direct line to talent.”
A typical day on the job at CNN
D’Urzo’s job changed day to day and included pitching segments based on the talent and what was newsworthy and relevant.
Innovative show “Interview Club’ on CNN+ allows users to directly submit questions with experts before and during the show. Image courtesy of CNN+
“I was on two to three shows a week,” says D’Urzo. “I pitched, edited, and found and cleared important elements for the show, like graphics or video footage. I also did a lot of research.”
D’Urzo loved her job and felt like she was making a positive difference by sharing critical information to audiences and giving them perspectives that they might not have received from other news outlets. In a recent episode on the war in Ukraine she shares that an expert war correspondent candidly talked about the difficulties of his work directly with the audience and the importance of covering the war and showing the world what was happening on the ground.
A Canadian perspective on an international platform
Julianna D'Urzo, RTA Media alum and producer on new streaming platform CNN+
D’Urzo knew CNN was the right place for her because she felt her Canadian perspective would be valued. “I do feel like I offered a different perspective because I wasn't born and raised here, and I’m much more removed from American politics,” she shares. In one episode, D’Urzo was tasked with breaking down U.S. politics for a complex segment. Her supervisor was impressed and told her that sometimes the things that you don't know can be your greatest strength.
D’Urzo also shares some advice to aspiring storytellers; “Take on all opportunities and see them as the building blocks they are because it only takes one person to believe in you that can make the difference.”
About The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto. https://www.torontomu.ca/the-creative-school/