Unscripted Showrunner (Short-Form Pilot Series

Unscripted Show runner (Short-Form Pilot Series)

3 Month Contract

• Location:
  
  Primarily based in our Scarborough, Ontario studio with hybrid planning meetings as required
• Flexible engagement based on production schedule
• Competitive contract fee commensurate with experience

We are seeking an experienced Unscripted Show runner to oversee the creative and production execution of a slate of innovative short-form unscripted pilot projects. This is a hands-on contract role requiring someone who can efficiently guide multiple concepts from development through production and post-production while maintaining strong editorial standards, schedule discipline, and budget awareness. Unlike traditional unscripted productions, these pilots will be produced entirely within a controlled studio environment, leveraging our LED virtual production volume alongside archival footage and AI-generated visual assets to create compelling, visually distinctive programming.

The successful candidate will work closely with the executive team, producers, directors, and post-production teams to shape commercially viable formats with strong audience appeal.

• Lead the creative vision and editorial direction of multiple short-form unscripted pilots.
• Refine concepts, formats, story structure, scripts, and episode outlines.
• Develop production approaches that maximize the creative potential of an LED virtual production stage.
• Collaborate with directors, virtual production supervisors, designers, and technical teams to integrate virtual environments, archival content, graphics, and AI-generated visual elements into each production.
• Prepare productions for efficient studio execution, including scripting, talent preparation, and production planning.
• Oversee studio production, ensuring each pilot achieves its creative objectives while making effective use of virtual production technologies.
• Supervise post-production, including editorial, graphics, music, visual treatments, and final story shaping.
• Provide clear editorial feedback and approve cuts through to final delivery.
• Maintain schedules and production milestones across multiple pilots.
• Collaborate with executive producers on creative strategy, audience positioning, and platform requirements.
• Help identify opportunities to evolve successful pilots into scalable series.

• Significant experience as a Show runner, Executive Producer, or Senior Series Producer in unscripted television or premium digital content.
• Demonstrated success delivering factual, documentary, lifestyle, reality, competition, entertainment, or factual entertainment programming.
• Exceptional storytelling and editorial judgment.
• Experience producing studio-based programming and working closely with directors, post-production teams, and technical crews.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling using archival media, graphics, and emerging AI-assisted creative tools.
• Familiarity with virtual production workflows, LED volumes, or technologically innovative production techniques is highly desirable.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while working within compressed schedules and budgets.
• Strong understanding of contemporary streaming and digital audiences.
• Legal authorization to work in Canada and located in Ontario

• Curious and forward-thinking, with an enthusiasm for emerging production technologies.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to bring together creative and technical teams.
• Comfortable balancing editorial ambition with practical production realities.
• Passion for developing original formats with franchise potential.
• Interest in exploring new storytelling techniques through virtual production and AI-assisted workflows.

The successful candidate will oversee the successful completion of a series of short-form unscripted pilots, ensuring each project is delivered to a high creative and technical standard, on schedule and within budget, while positioning the strongest concepts for future commissioning.

Dark Slope’s accomplished team of trailblazers use advanced spatial and virtual production technologies to…