Lara Champion
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About
Lara is a Toronto-based award-winning television producer, writer and director with over 10 years experience in a variety of genres including factual/documentary, entertainment, fashion, lifestyle, science/tech, news and current affairs. This includes contributions to highly-rated, prime-time shows such as "Shark Week" (Discovery), "Sarah's House" (HGTV) and "Fashion File" (CBC).
From the red carpet to military training zones, Lara has a proven track record in field producing, story editing, directing talent, booking, and interviewing high profile guests. She excels at delivering scripts, promotional material and compelling content that generates buzz and ratings.
Lara has helped create and produce multiple hit entertainment shows. From managing teams to writing rundowns for daily programming, she has extensive experience in the control room and in large, multi-camera studio spaces for broadcasts in live, taped, and live-to-tape formats.
During her stint at Discovery Channel, her seasons were the first in the 20+ year history to be awarded a double-digit ratings build, receiving a Canadian Screen Award, New York Festival and WorldFest award for Best Information Series. She also forged brand partnerships with international corporations such as Volvo, Royal Caribbean, Air France, and Hyundai and worked one-on-one with notable luminaries such as Jane Goodall and the late Rob Stewart ("Sharkwater.")
Lara is also a seasoned freelance writer and contributor for outlets such as The Toronto Star, Elle Canada, Chatelaine, and Pitchfork Media, specializing in news, arts/entertainment, current affairs, fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
Prior to becoming a journalist, Lara spent more than a decade in sales, marketing and training in the fashion, hospitality and publishing industry.
Lara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the Graduate Program at Ryerson University as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) double major in English Literature and Humanities from York University.
Interested in seeing more of Lara's work?
Go to: https://vimeo.com/showcase/2695212 -
Education
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Bachelor of Arts English and HumanitiesYork University2003 - 2006• Honours double major - English and Humanities • Member, Dean’s List
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Bachelor of Applied Arts JournalismRyerson1997 - 1999• Honours - Journalism, Broadcast Television, 2 year Graduate Studies Program
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Experience
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Creative DirectorCanadaMar 2016 - Present (8 years 8 months)* Responsible for producing and directing full-service aerial, video and photography solutions for media outlets, production companies and corporate clients.
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Freelance WriterJan 1999 - Present (25 years 10 months)• Interview and write features for outlets such as The Toronto Star, Elle Canada, US Weekly, and Chatelaine.
• Arrange/conduct interviews with celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Alanis Morissette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Keanu Reeves, Steve Coogan.
• Film columnist and reviewer at www.ellecanada.com and www.musicOMH.com
• Music columnist/reviewer at www.pitchfork.com and bluntreview.com
• Lifestyle and Beauty Columnist at www.woman.ca -
Researcher, Content Creator and WriterMar 2020 - Jan 2021 (10 months)Write Research and develop content making complex ideas and theories entertaining and accessible a global audience for " What If " one of the most popular science channels on YouTube as well as "How to Survive," "VS, " and "Debunker."
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ProducerFeb 2013 - Aug 2016 (3 years 6 months)Responsible for producing/directing feature stories, generating content, pitching ideas, writing scripts, non-linear editing (avid) * Interview guests ranging from famed scientists (Jane Goodall) to celebrities (Penn Jillette) along with inventors, athletes, academics, and titans of industry. * Oversee and direct production crews on-site and via remotes * Organize field schedules for travel and remote production commission graphics, sourcing supporting video, music and sound effects. * Write daily science news stories using iNEWS for Discoveries, Trending and Top 10 lists. * Produce and research stories for daily news, chase produce one-day turnarounds
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Story Producer/EditorSarah's House, HGTVMay 2008 - Nov 2011 (3 years 6 months)* Write, produce and story-edit half hour episodes of Sarah's House, Sarah's Farm, Sarah's Cottage, and Dirty Business for HGTV.
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ProducerFashion File, CBCSep 2006 - Feb 2008 (1 year 5 months)* Produce segments on international collections, designers, features and trends. * Interview designers, celebrities and pundits for events such as Toronto Fashion Week. * Field produce, research, direct and shoot as required.
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ProducerToronto 1/Sun TVJun 2004 - Mar 2006 (1 year 9 months)* Helped create "The A-List, " a live daily entertainment show.
* Served as control room producer, providing content and direction for talent/crew.
* Write and vet scripts, overseeing content and production.
* Write daily lineup using iNEWS for intros, headlines, bumpers, Top 5 lists.
* Write to available visual elements, making adjustments to time where necessary.
* Write daily promos, episodics and entertainment updates for news and promotions.
* Assign stories, chase produce, interview, direct, write, research, and field produce. -
ProducerLast Call, Toronto 1CanadaMar 2004 - Jun 2004 (3 months)* Book, screen, pre-interview guests for daily late-night pop culture show. *Last Call."
* Served as control room producer, providing content and direction for talent/crew.
* Pitch and write stories, features and headlines. Organize daily content and lineup. * Served in the role of Supervising Producer, signing off on all aspects of the live show. * Lead production meetings, vetting segments, overseeing hosts/producers/crew. -
Copy EditorThe Toronto StarApr 2003 - Aug 2003 (4 months)* Write, edit and fact check copy for the arts and entertainment section. * Write headlines, decks and cutlines for photos. Select photos to accompany stories. * Research current stories from the wires and news services for upcoming content.
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Segment ProducerFashion Television, ChumCityApr 2002 - Dec 2002 (8 months)* Write, research and cut segments on fashion, art, design and culture. * Write voice-overs and throws. Select clips and music. * Fact-check material going to air. Paper-edit scripts. Pitch story ideas.
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CTVTalk TVAug 2000 - Dec 2001 (1 year 4 months)* Pitch stories. Chase/book/handle guests. Compile research. Prepare questions. Organize viz/props, oversee and direct hosts during live tapings
* Daily chasing of news/current affairs.
* Produced weekly one-hour segments on music, film, print, tv and pop culture.
* Responsible for music segments and bookings (ranging from Coldplay and No Doubt to Shane MacGowan to Eartha Kitt.)
* Responsible for entertainment booking: i.e.: authors, actors, directors, athletes along with organizing events such as the Toronto International Film Festival.
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Awards
Gold Remi, Worldfest Houston.
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@larachampion, member since 2017
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