Christina Jennings |PDG de Shaftesbury Smokebomb

Christina Jennings

CEO

Shaftesbury Smokebomb

Created On: August 23, 2016
Sector:
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Business & Economics,  Drama,  Social Sciences

Learn About My Career

Christina Jennings is the CEO of Shaftesbury Smokebomb.

I was born/grew up in: Northallerton, Yorkshire, England

I now live in: Toronto Ontario Canada

I completed my training/education at: BA from the University of Toronto

I am the leader of both the creative team and the business team. I help "pick" the creative projects we focus on. I help "pick" the team that works on the project. I help figure out how to get the project made and who to sell it to. On the business side, figuring out how to finance the budget is a big part of my job. In our business, financing is often achieved through multiple partners. So, that requires ensuring that everyone is on the same page creatively. Outside of my computer and a calculator, no other specialized equipment are required.

I had a general undergraduate degree. I am very much a generalist. I was an entrepreneur from my teenage years and had several careers before I settled on being a filmmaker/producer. Never for one moment did I think it would be this career at Smokebomb. I did realise that all the jobs I had before led me to this place. I knew that I had the skills to help creative people get their projects made. And ultimately, I realised that I had stories or story areas (like history and science) that I wanted to work on. There were certainly failures along the way and they made me stronger.

This is a perfect career for me since I get to work on numerous projects at the same time. And, I get to use different skill sets - creative and business. I get to work with creative people to help them get their projects made. I get to "connect" people with others and people with projects. I love taking an idea and watching it go through the various stages and then seeing it made and seeing it enjoyed by audiences.

I have always seen entertainment as a way to tell stories that matter. We aim to reach a large audience and perhaps to have influence on that audience. Some examples of content we have created are (all scripted TV series): Regenesis was about science; Murdoch Mysteries content is about history; Life with Derek is about blended families; and now Emerald Code about girls and coding/STEM.

I work out twice a week - yoga and pilates. I volunteer with the Canadian Film Centre (where I am also chairman) as a way to give back. I am mentor to many young filmmakers. For fun, I spend time with my family.

Try everything. When you are young, volunteer so that you get experience. Don't be afraid to fail. Failure makes you stronger and smarter.

What I do at work

I am the leader of both the creative team and the business team. I help "pick" the creative projects we focus on. I help "pick" the team that works on the project. I help figure out how to get the project made and who to sell it to. On the business side, figuring out how to finance the budget is a big part of my job. In our business, financing is often achieved through multiple partners. So, that requires ensuring that everyone is on the same page creatively. Outside of my computer and a calculator, no other specialized equipment are required.

My career path is

I had a general undergraduate degree. I am very much a generalist. I was an entrepreneur from my teenage years and had several careers before I settled on being a filmmaker/producer. Never for one moment did I think it would be this career at Smokebomb. I did realise that all the jobs I had before led me to this place. I knew that I had the skills to help creative people get their projects made. And ultimately, I realised that I had stories or story areas (like history and science) that I wanted to work on. There were certainly failures along the way and they made me stronger.

I am motivated by

This is a perfect career for me since I get to work on numerous projects at the same time. And, I get to use different skill sets - creative and business. I get to work with creative people to help them get their projects made. I get to "connect" people with others and people with projects. I love taking an idea and watching it go through the various stages and then seeing it made and seeing it enjoyed by audiences.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I have always seen entertainment as a way to tell stories that matter. We aim to reach a large audience and perhaps to have influence on that audience. Some examples of content we have created are (all scripted TV series): Regenesis was about science; Murdoch Mysteries content is about history; Life with Derek is about blended families; and now Emerald Code about girls and coding/STEM.

Outside of work I

I work out twice a week - yoga and pilates. I volunteer with the Canadian Film Centre (where I am also chairman) as a way to give back. I am mentor to many young filmmakers. For fun, I spend time with my family.

My advice to others

Try everything. When you are young, volunteer so that you get experience. Don't be afraid to fail. Failure makes you stronger and smarter.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Foods and Nutrition
  • Geography
  • History
  • Literature and English language arts

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Brought people together
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Liked reading
  • Didn't really care about grades
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
  • Learned best “by doing”

Related Topics

Business Careers Entertainment Entrepreneurship Film Management

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen