More than 300 applications received from
across Canada
TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, RBC and the Academy
of Canadian Cinema & Television (The Canadian Academy)
announced the nine grant recipients of a new initiative called the
MVP Project, which provides funding and networking support to
musicians and filmmakers for music video creation and
production.
The MVP Project was established in 2018, in a partnership
between RBCxMusic and the Prism Prize. Administered by The Canadian
Academy, the MVP Project was created to enable Canadians in
creative industries to explore their musicianship, hone their
filmmaking skills, and further their career growth.
Beginning in October 2018,
Canadians who identified themselves as "Emerging Artists" were
encouraged to submit their music and video treatments to a
peer-based jury of music and media professionals. As recipients in
the first round of the MVP Project, the artists and directors will
receive mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as funding
support through music video production grants.
"It has been great working with The Academy and this incredibly
knowledgeable group of jury members to identify the talented
recipients of the first round of grants," said Matt McGlynn, Vice-President of Brand Marketing,
RBC. "The quality of work submitted from the artists and directors
who applied was remarkable, and we can't wait to see how these
video concepts come to life."
Recipients include:
- Recording artist, Beatchild and the Slakadeliqs, Producer,
Rinku DasGupta and Director,
Dan LeMoyne (Toronto, ON)
- Recording artist, GOVI, Producer, Imad
Elsheikh and Director, Jorden
Lee (Ajax, ON)
- Recording artist, Jeremy
Dutcher, Producer, Julie
Baldassi and Director, Chandler
Levack (Toronto, ON)
- Recording artist, Jordan
Klassen, Producer, Shelby
Manton and Director, Farhad
Ghaderi (Vancouver,
BC)
- Recording artists, Milk & Bone, Producer, Sébastien Hotte
and Director, Soleil Denault
(Montreal, QC)
- Recording artist and Director, Sean
Leon, Producer Noor Khan (Scarborough, ON)
- Recording artist, Tim Baker and
Director/Producer, Jordan Canning
(St. John's, NL)
- Recording artist, Wild Black (Saskatoon, SK), Producer, Lindsay Goeldner, and Directors, Lulu Wei and Lindsay
Goeldner (Toronto, ON)
In addition to these recipients, a portion of funds from each
MVP Project funding round will be allotted to a Curated Music Video
Production, commissioning a piece from one recording
artist/producer/director team who have successfully collaborated in
the past.
For this first round, the recipients are recording artist,
Jessie Reyez, Producer, Mad
Ruk and director, Peter
Huang.
"We were thrilled to receive more than 300 applications from
regions right across the country, showing there is a real need and
appetite for music video funding," said Beth Janson, CEO, the Academy of Canadian Cinema
& Television. "We have such a diverse talent pool of musicians
and directors in Canada, and it
was great to see that come through in the submissions."
"I was honoured to be a juror for the first round of the MVP
Project, as it is picking up where past music video funding
programs left off, while creating its own identity," said
Winston Hacking, music video
director and MVP Project jury member. "It's supporting the next
generation of video vanguards across Canada's diverse music community."
Music from all genres was represented within the submissions.
The top four most-popular categories were Pop (22.2%), Rock (12%),
R&B (10.5%) and Hip Hop (10.2%). Regionally, Ontario had the largest representation, with
Quebec and Western provinces
following.
"The MVP Project grant is both timely and necessary, providing
support for creative collaboration between musicians and
filmmakers," said Jordan Canning,
director and MVP Project grant recipient. "With the help of
MVP, media and music-based artists will be enabled to work together
across distance and difference, to bring new voices, partnerships
and ideas to audiences across the country."
"The music video has become more vital than ever, as an art
form, as a platform, as a marketing tool," said Tim Baker, a recording artist collaborating with
fellow MVP Project grant recipient Jordan
Canning. "I'm delighted that the MVP Project has stepped up
to fulfill the need for creative music video support in
Canada, and of course even more
delighted to find out we received a grant from them for our video,
Dance."
The MVP project is part of the RBC Emerging Artists Project,
which helps Canadian artists bridge the gap from emerging to
established, and supports organizations that provide opportunities
to advance their career.
The next round of submissions will open on January 15, 2019. For more information, visit
www.mvpproject.ca.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with
a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading
performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring
our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients
thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest
in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified
business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional
experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn
more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives
through donations, community investments and employee volunteer
activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability.
About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest
non-profit professional arts organization in Canada. We are dedicated to recognizing,
advocating for and celebrating Canadian talent in the film,
television and digital media sectors. Our more than 4,500 members
encompass industry icons and professionals, emerging artists and
students. Collectively, we deliver professional development
programs and networking opportunities that foster industry growth,
inclusion and mentorship.
For information on membership and programming, visit
www.academy.ca.
SOURCE RBC