Interview with Daniela Battistella, Canadian television producer

It was a great pleasure to interview Daniela Battistella, producer of series, broadcasts, reality shows and documentaries for different Canadian TV networks. I asked her about her experience as Senior Offsite Producer of MasterChef Canada and about her current experience as Country Producer of The Amazing Race Canada.

D: Daniela, what does it mean today making television?

R: These days the television industry is rapidly changing as more and more viewers break away from cable and conventional TV networks and turn to their wireless devices for their favourite programming. The old model (companies buying TV ads that pay for the programming) is dead as our developing technology allows viewers to bypass commercials. Try to remember the last time you actually watched an ad during a TV show. Everyone now watches his/her favourite programs either by streaming from the internet or from their Pay On Demand menu. In either case, ads are no longer relevant. What this means is that the old industry model is dead. Networks can’t guarantee people will actually watch the commercials, so corporate executives are spending their advertising millions elsewhere. No ads means no money to pay for the TV content. This is why we’ve seen such a big push for large format (expensive), reality competition shows such as Big Brother, MasterChef, Amazing Race and the rest. These are the only types of shows that can still guarantee a large audience will watch when the show is actually aired, and so guarantee viewers will see the commercials. These programs, along with large sport events, are the only real money makers left on TV.

What this means in terms of making TV in Canada today, is less variety of truly original programming. Successful international TV franchises rule the airwaves. These are very expensive shows to make, which means networks and production companies are putting all their eggs in one or two baskets. Where ten years ago they may have invested in a dozen smaller, moderately priced, original programs, today they invest in only two or three very expensive shows. This means less work for everyone in the business, and less variety for the viewers. There’s little room for true originality because the stakes ($) are too high.

Actually some of the most interesting and original programs can now be found on the internet, and everyone in the business is trying to figure out what the new model will be.

D: What are your tasks as a TV producer?

R: There are different kinds of TV producers – some work in scripted TV: dramas, comedies, etc., while others like me work in unscripted TV programming: current affairs, lifestyle and reality tv. As a producer of lifestyle/reality TV shows I am responsible for working with the network executives and the production executives to deliver the show they want, on time and on budget. Sometimes this means actually working with them to create the original show format, other times the format is already in place. The producer usually hires his/her team, all the people necessary to get the show done. The producer is responsible for the creative and production aspects of the show – from what type of camera is used to shoot the program, to the casting, to the editing, and the publicity.

D: What do you like most in your work?

R: The creative aspects of the work are what I enjoy most. Essentially we are modern storytellers, and that’s the part I like the best. A good show allows you to tell great stories about interesting people. A few years ago I created a program called “The Surgeons” which featured the best and most talented surgeons in Canada. Over the 3 seasons we featured 39 surgeons, each with their unique expertise, and their unique stories of success and drama. I remember absolutely loving going to work during that production, and thinking that even if I won the lottery I would continue to show up for work.

D: Let’s talk about MasterChef Canada. What did you like most in doing this program?

R: As the Senior Offsite Producer I led the team that created all the challenges outside the MasterChef studio. That meant finding unique and interesting locations, creating unique challenges for the MasterChef teams, and facilitating the movement of a small army of production crew members, cast, and equipment, from the studio to each location. I loved the challenge of finding the locations, negotiating the permits, working out the challenges of transporting all those people and equipment to each location, and working with the culinary, art and wardrobe departments, to make each challenge unique and memorable.

D: What is the most amazing aspect of The Amazing Race Canada?

R: Amazing Race is one of those programs that everyone who works in TV is in awe of just how it’s done, so having the opportunity to be a part of this incredible production was unforgettable. There’s really no other show like it, and once you’ve worked on it you’re  proud to belong to a small elite of professionals with the expertise to do something quite unique and incredible. Even though we were behind the cameras, all of us on the production team felt as though we were also running the Amazing Race. Watching the racers go through all the challenges we set up for them was very exciting. We cheered for them and were sad as team after team was eliminated, and ecstatic for the winning team at the end. It was an incredible adventure with everyone doing their very best, working around the clock, in conditions most other TV shows never have to face. It was wonderful!

D: You have been also in Macau, China. Would you tell us what did impress you most in this experience?

R: Working in Macau was an unforgettable experience. I had never been to China before so that in itself was very exciting. I landed in Hong Kong after a 15 ½ hour flight from Toronto. I then had a 1 hour ferry ride across the bay to Macau. Macau is an amazing city. Colonized by the Portuguese it is a unique mixture of Chinese, American and European influences. One moment you are steeped in Chinese culture at the ancient A-Ma Temple, next you think you’re in a steroid-injected version of Las Vegas, and the next you’re transported somewhere in the Mediterranean as you walk through Senado Square.

D: Which was the most exciting experience from a professional point of view?

R: It was both thrilling and challenging to work in a non-English speaking location. I was very fortunate to have a wonderful team of young TV and film professionals, but there were times when language issues made my job much more difficult. In the end we were able to understand each other and surmount all the many challenges, and the episode turned out to be fun and memorable.

D: You lived both in Europe and in Canada. Which differences are there between Europe and Canada as concerns doing business?

R: I don’t know if I can truly answer this as I never worked in Italy, but I can point out some unique differences based on culture and geography. Italian TV producers are in some way more fortunate for 2 reasons – Italy has a population of almost 61 million people, compared to Canada’s 35 million. A larger population means more income potential, and greater resources.  Italy’s language and culture also means Italian viewers are less likely to look elsewhere for their programming. Our reality here in Canada is quite different as we are constantly striving to tear Canadian viewers away from American programming. Our language and similar (although not identical) culture mean Canadian viewers can easily enjoy shows produced south of the border, and because of their population (10 times that of Canada) American producers have the kind of money and resources that Canadian producers can only dream of. As a result the Canadian government’s CRTC has long required that Canadian networks invest part of their profits in producing uniquely Canadian TV shows. This balance is now at risk as the former Canadian television business model is failing. Despite huge profits, networks are constantly applying to the CRTC to lower their Canadian content quota.

D: Are there also things in common between Europe and Canada?

R: The one difference on the Canadian television landscape is Quebec, which I believe comes closest to resembling a European TV experience. With its unique language and culture, Quebec has succeeded in creating a thriving TV industry, with shows and personalities that Quebec viewers love and follow.

D: What would you suggest young people interested in working in the television industry?

R: Do something else ☺. All kidding aside, this is a very interesting moment for people wanting to work in the television industry. As one business model disappears, there will be wonderful opportunities for new ventures, ideas and entrepreneurs. We have seen how technology has revolutionized the music world, as well as the publishing industry. We in the TV industry will also need to look for new opportunities as we continue to produce interesting shows and tell entertaining stories.

D: What would you suggest people in Italy who are looking for work experience in Canada?

R: Of course it’s critical for anyone considering a career in Canadian television to be fully fluent in English (or French if they aim to work in Quebec). Having a background in Italian television production would naturally be a tremendous asset, especially if they’ve worked on shows that are recognized in North America, or were extremely popular in Italy.

D: Last but not least, what would you suggest businesswomen and businessmen who are reading this interview?

R: The Canadian television business is like any other business in the world in that to succeed you need the same qualities – dedication, intelligence, professionalism, creativity and perseverance. I have been working in Canadian TV since 1978, starting out as a young production assistant. Some of my friends and colleagues have followed a more corporate route and become TV executives, running their own production companies, or working for large networks and broadcasters. I’ve always enjoyed the world of production too much to give it up in favour of an office job. The important thing is to be a team player, while having the ability to work independently, and make decisions on the fly. I think these are qualities important in any business, and companies that recognize and support these skills are the companies that ultimately succeed.