Pink Asparagus

TIFF runs this incredible program called the Media Inclusion Initiative, where a large group of emerging journalists are given the opportunity to cover TIFF. As an MII participant, you get a press pass, 10 public tickets, 4 informational panels with industry professionals, access to networking events, access to the festival media library, onsite support and other media opportunities. I did it this year and I would highly recommend that you do it too if you are an early career journalist looking for a way to break into the industry. If you want to apply next year, check out the media inclusion initiative page for more information.

Apply next year and need an outlet to write for? Build your own blog or… fill out the Pink Asparagus contact form and write for us! We are looking specifically for emerging artists and writers who can provide insight into what the industry looks like for those at the beginning of their career.

PANEL #1: Lab Series Session Rotten Tomatoes + NBCU

I attended a lab series session hosted by Jaqueline Coley from Rotten Tomatoes. The panelists were Valerie Complex, Erik Anderson, Kay-B and Esther Zuckerman, all of whom repeatedly assured a crowd of self appointed imposters that everything was going to be ok, at least professionally.

Some key takeaways for early career journalists:

— Lateral networking is essential.

— You should always set boundaries with your employer.

— People in the industry should be able to easily find you on a website or social media platform.

— Don’t be a snake! Share your contacts with your network.

— Don’t be mean to people, unless they want u to.

— Build good relationships with publicists, editors and festival staff. Be kind, polite and responsive.

— Make sure you find your voice.

— Pitches are just 3 or 4 little paragraphs explaining who you are, what you bring to the table, what you want to say and how it will add to the outlet.

— Sometimes people don’t want to publish you but that doesn’t mean you aren’t cool.

— Everyone feels like an imposter.

AFTERPARTY: Industry Mixer

It was great that the organizers decided to follow this panel up with an industry mixer. What is a panel but an hour long opportunity to stress about your career? The industry mixer was really fun. All the panelists were there giving all the nervous emerging journalists some advice and reassurance. There was an open bar and a taco stand. The best part, and forgive me for being heartwarming, was meeting people who were in the same place that you were: writes who are obsessed with movies but worried about making money in a world where even computer engineers are being laid off.