Since his graduation in 1979, Joseph Interisano has led a highly successful career in television production and broadcasting that has seen him travel to numerous places in the world. His list of accomplishments while working with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) includes switching and directing for shows such as Hockey Night in Canada, Dragon’s Den, and even the Olympic Games. 

Upon graduating from the Broadcasting - Television program Joseph took some time off to travel across the country because as he shares, "it seemed like the right thing to do." When he returned, Joseph started looking for work, landing the first job of his career with the Maclean-Hunter television station in St. Catharines, Ontario as a program director. 

After a year and a half, Joseph felt it was time for a change. He started looking for work at television stations across the country, eventually securing an opportunity in Red Deer, Alberta, where he was told, “If you can get here in three weeks, you have the job.” So, Joseph packed up everything he owned, stuffed it all into his car, and took off to Alberta. He worked for the CKRD Television Station as a master control operator, later taking on the role of camera operator and then switcher/director. “There was a really good vibe in Red Deer,” says Joseph. “I enjoyed my time quite a bit.” 

Joseph worked for CKRD for four years before deciding he was ready to pursue his real dream. “I’d always wanted to work for the CBC,” says Joseph. “That was kind of, in the back of my mind, the company I wanted to work with.” It took countless applications, but eventually he was able to secure a position at the CBC station in Regina, Saskatchewan as a switcher. 

While working in Regina, Joseph married his wife, Lorri Interisano, and they had two children. 

Seven years into Joseph’s time at the CBC, their budget started getting cut and the Regina station found itself with less and less work. “I can recall myself and another switcher, we would stand in the hallways with little signs that said, ‘will work for promos!’ because there was just nothing to do,” says Joseph. “We were bored, and you can only drink coffee for so long.” 

Needing a change, Joseph applied for a position working for the CBC in Toronto. There, Joseph worked in news broadcasting, where he found it was the exact opposite of working in Regina. He was working long hours, weekends, and sometimes seven-day work weeks to keep on top of things. Eventually, some of the higher-ups noticed Joseph’s efforts, and his hard work started to pay off. 

“The technical producer started me on a variety show called Friday Nights with Ralph Benmergui,” says Joseph. “That kind of led the way into the entertainment sector as well as the sports sector, which let me branch away from news.” Over the next 25 years, he would work on televising variety shows, music shows, dance shows, sports events such as Hockey Night in Canada, federal elections, the Juno Awards, and three Olympic events in Beijing, Athens, and South Korea. Joseph also had the opportunity to direct the popular Canadian show Dragon’s Den for three seasons. 

After a successful 32 years career at the CBC Joseph retired and began freelancing. In the time since he has worked on several shows, most notably the final concert performed by beloved Canadian band The Tragically Hip and a performance by Cirque du Soleil in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.  

Joseph also spent five years working as a part-time professor for the Television & Broadcasting Program at Mohawk College. 

Throughout his career, Joseph has tried to live by a piece of advice that has helped him since he was a student, and that he hopes helps future students as well. “Find something you enjoy doing and do whatever you can in that field,” says Joseph. “Take every opportunity that you can to learn and move forward.” 

Joseph’s career shows just how important it can be to grab every opportunity presented to you with both hands and hold on tight. 

By Emmett Steele, Journalism Student