olympic.

2013 International Olympic Academy Application 

Portia Favro 

Portia casually "Bolting" at CTV Olympics HQ (August 2012) 

Unlike most fathers, my dad is not a sports man. However, every two years the Favro Family household became Olympics Central. 

Every television is turned to a different spoting event, and my family, clad in our Olympic gear, fully submit ourselves into the Games. 

As a little girl, I dreamed of being an Olympic figure skater or gymnast, but being an elite athlete wasn’t in the cards for me. 

Little did I know, the Olympics still were. 

Upon graduating from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2012, I was brought on to co-lead the social media team for Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Consortium, CTV Olmypics throughout the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

I spent the summer searching for Olympic trends, snapping photos and uploading them to Instagram, tweeting live events (like Usain Bolt’s 100 metre and Michael Phelps last race) and interacting with Canadian fans on our Facebook page. 

After London 2012, my eyes were opened to a completely new world of sport with the Paralympics. From a social media angle, this was the first time many in the Paralympic community had a voice. The achievements of so many athletes who had overcome various disabilities has changed the way I live my life. If these people can do this, I have no excuse not to jump at every opportunity that comes by. 

CTV Olmypics London 2012 Team 

I would love to attend the 2013 International Olympic Academy’s International Session of Educators this summer and learn as even more about the Games and share my knowledge about covering live events through social media.

I would especially be interesting in raising awareness and creating even more of a conversation about the Paralympics. 

Below are photos are from the Olympic Parade of Heroes in downtown Toronto (September 2012) and video from an opportunity I had to perform in a flash mob for the Canadian Olympic Committee (November 2012). 

London 2012 Torch (Photo by Portia Favro) 

Paralympian Summer Mortimer and Olympian Adam van Koeverden (Photo by Portia Favro)

Canada's London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Atheletes (Photo by Portia Favro)


Portia Favro performing in a flash mob for the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian athletes of Vancouver 2010, London 2012 and potentials for Sochi 2014. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

chase.

Currently at the top of my playlist this week - "Heartbeat (Chase and Status Remix" by Nneka. 

Enjoy! 

free.

No matter how much they deny it, every performer has a "moment" before they step in front of the audience. 

It's doesn't have to be classed as a full-fledged freak out, or even anxious twitching movement. Some deny it repetitively. 

"I'm fine, totally fine. Let's do this. I'm fine. Let's go. Yep. Yep. Yep." 

We've all been performing for long enough that it's second nature to just come out and lay it on the stage. I've been doing this since for 15 years - it all started at the recreation centre. Now I'm performing to sold-out crowds in Toronto. 

My moment always happens right before the music starts and waiting for the curtain to open. It just doesn't seem real to me, and more than once, I've thought to myself, what is my life? Whoa. 

The moment the light hits you, anxiety, doubt and pressure disappears. 

On stage, I'm free. 

Thank you to some of my dear friends who came out to see me dance last night. I can't wait to perform and finish choreographing our full-length show in June. 

Happy Sunday and have a great week. 

academy.

 

Holy smokes, where did March come from? 

This month is already filling up with some very cool opportunities, dance performances and projects. Maybe it truly is the luck of the Irish. 

I have had a very fun star week chatting still filled with Oscar buzz, - talking fashion with Jeanne Becker, all about the movies with critic Richard Crouse, and accessories (like Jennifer Lawrence's back -lace) with Shay Lowe.

 It's one of my favourite times of the year, and I'm thankful to have had access to some amazing voices who share my enthusiasm about everything to do with the awards. 

Wishing you a lovely and relaxing weekend - I'm prepping for a couple gigs and heading out of town next week, so things will be a little sparse on the blogette. More coming soon! 

process.

Whew, what a week it's been so far. Working out at the TV station, dancing, booking clients for social media training...and to cap it off, getting ready to perform this weekend. 

I have been thinking a lot about "the process" this past week. 

With both of my careers, my peers and I spend endless hours  training, researching, interviewing, watching, et cetera until putting together the final product. 

Whether it's an article, television segment or a show, I find the process, though the most  difficult part, can sometimes be my favourite piece of a project. 

True, there are few things better than seeing your name in print or that moment when you step into the lights. However, the process if vital to making that moment happen. 

In a world where it seems like everyone demands to be paid every moment they "work" it was interesting to see what I found off-hours. The process doesn't happen in the nine to five time frame. It happens when you're in an impromptu Can Can dance rehearsal. Or running to the library archive to find a document to quote in once sentence. 

It's through building relationships, keeping your eyes open and most importantly, stepping back. Looking at things from the outside personally help me work more effectively. 

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, so much of this is relates back to what Charlie Skinner says in an episode of one of my favourite shows, The Newsroom. At the end of all the hard work, sometimes we then forget to relish in the result of the process. 

"It's going to be a long night and we need you to work fast and we need you to work well. But once in a while, take three seconds- you can't spare more than that- take three seconds to notice where you are and what you're doing."

Just a thought.