A Niagara College alum is shaping Canadian reality TV’s biggest hits.
Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program grad Jenny Reed (2016) – now Editor with Toronto-based Insight Productions – was recently nominated for two 2025 Canadian Screen Awards for her work on Top Chef Canada and Canada’s Ultimate Challenge.
From the start, Reed (from Burlington) had her eyes on a career in post-production. During her final term at NC, she interned with Cineflix Media and soon got her big break working on The Amazing Race Canada as an assistant editor.
“This was my first BIG show that I worked on in terms of multi-camera reality,” said Reed. “We’re talking 20-plus cameras and mics running simultaneously; it was quite overwhelming at first but I quickly got the hang of things.”
Since then, Reed has added her credentials to many high-profile Canadian television hits, including Wall of Chefs, Wall of Bakers, Crime Scene Kitchen, HGTV’s Frozen In Design, Recipe for Disaster, Dark Side of the Decade: The 90s, and more.
“Jenny has always been an amazing editor,” said NC program coordinator Dutch Vandenberg. “She showed early promise and a great amount of dedication to her craft while in BRTF. Jenny possess the right balance of hard work, a great attitude, and a genuine passion for storytelling.”
Her favourite project to date? Canada’s Ultimate Challenge for which she is among those nominated in the ‘Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition’ category.
The reality competition series turns Canada into a giant obstacle course in which five teams compete in spectacular challenges that put their physical and mental skills to the test.
“I love cutting the challenges because they’re the most energetic and exciting part of the episode,” said Reed, acknowledging fellow editors who worked on the large production. “I’m so grateful to be nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards…. I’m hoping one of those shows takes home the win.”
Reed fondly remembers late night editing sessions at NC.
“It was so much fun working alongside other editors in our suites, frantically trying to finish our film projects,” said Reed. “We had a lot of laughs, and it was great to be able to pop next door and ask someone for their opinion on your edit or a question about a function in the editing software. This very much reflects what it’s like working on major productions; it’s all a collaborative group effort and you become very close with your colleagues.”
When she’s not in front of the screen, Reed loves to disconnect from technology and get into nature, favouring hiking, foraging, birding and gardening – the latter which she turned into a side hustle.
Jenny Reeds’ edit suite door at the Insight Productions office. “It might not look like much, but it was from my first time working on a show in the office after the pandemic and it was really exciting to finally see my name put on a door!”
“In my spare time I love to film and edit nature-related social media content. I have a TikTok account (@littleurbangardener) where I share my passion for plants, gardening & foraging. I guess even when I take a break from editing… I can’t stop editing!”
Her professional journey was inspired, in part, by fellow BRTF grad Taylor McNutt (2014), who encouraged her to do an internship.
“My advice to current and future students would be to really start putting yourself out there and make connections,” said Reed. “What you know is very important, but this industry really is a lot of who you know.”
Reed recommends networking, staying connected with former colleagues, and perusing local Facebook film/tv groups.
“If you’re a hard worker and people enjoy working with you, that’ll be how you secure your next job.”
The winners of the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on June 1.
