Ryerson University’s RTA School of Media and GlassBox TV-owned comedy specialty channel Bite TV, with support of the Bell Fund, have partnered to form the RTA School of Bite, a transmedia comedy lab set to commence in January 2013.

The program will help 10 participants develop skills for producing next generation media content, led by expert mentors.

“Bite TV has always been committed to discovering up-and-coming comedic talent and next generation content in Canada. Together with Ryerson, we can collectively nurture this talent, developing content to set the stage for their comedic success in this new multi-platform media landscape,” said Bite TV founder and RTA S.o.B. co-director Jeffrey Elliott in a statement.

The program will focus on producing new media programming using comedy to engage audiences across multiple delivery programs, including broadcast, mobile, web, apps and games.

Initially, the group of 10 will generate and refine ideas for content and delivery.

The group will evolve into a structure similar to a production company,with the RTA S.o.B. as an incubator.

The goal is to produce five ideas to where they can be “field tested,” through distribution channels, some or all of which may be supplied by BiteTV.

The program is open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older, either students currently enrolled at Ryerson University who are 18 years of age or older, or individuals who have shown a demonstrable interest in comedy or technical innovation using comedy.

Opportunities are also available for industry professionals to become mentors, upon approval by the program directors, and work with the program in the production phase.

Information about the program is available at Bite.ca/SOB.

UPDATE Nov. 1, 2012 : This story has been updated to reflect that the program is also open to non-Ryerson students.