Regina-based Partners in Motion has a number of new non-fiction projects in the works, reports CEO Ron Goetz. From weather to barbecues to ordinary people, there seems to be something for everyone on PIM’s new slate.

The first project to speak of is Untamed Weather, five one-hours for History Television. According to Goetz, the series will look at weather phenomena in Canada from a historical perspective with a common-interest element, depicting the weather as a character with an ever-changing face. He says the structure of the series is still being fleshed out, even though some elements for various segments have already been produced.

Goetz is producing with Dana Lesiuk. Chris Triffo will direct, likely with others who have yet to be named.

The budget for the five episodes is approximately $750,000, with funding from the Cable Production Fund, Harmony Entertainment (PIM’s distribution wing), and tax credits. It is scheduled to premier in the fall.

Goetz is also executive producing Ordinary People, 13 half-hours for Life Network about people who seem to be regular Joes or Janes, but who have had something extraordinary happen to them, such as being involved in terrorist attacks or plane crashes. It will likely premier in the summer.

Nova Herman is producing for PIM on a budget of approximately $700,000. Triffo is directing and Harmony will distribute.

Goetz says he received interest in second and third windows at this year’s NATPE.

While these projects are in production, PIM is recouping its investment in a series to be known as Very Odd Jobs, about people who hold weird vocations (sperm bank operator, butler school operator, town crier, etc.). PIM is currently in production on 13 episodes for airing on CLT and SCN in the fall.

Initially, the prodco proceeded with the project without a broadcast licence and now other magazine-style shows are buying segments already produced while the show’s final edits are completed.

DB and U.K. partner to brave the Icefields

Coming off a pair of Genie wins for the feature The War Bride, Calgary’s DB Entertainment is in development on the feature Icefields, and according to DB president Doug Berquist, production could begin in Jasper, AB as early as May.

Berquist says the Canada/U.K. coproduction is an adaptation of the award-winning novel by Alberta-based writer Thomas Wharton. It’s about an English doctor at the turn of the 20th century who leads an expedition to Alberta to climb the glaciers. During the climb, the man falls, trapping himself in the ice where he sees a mythical image that haunts him. When he escapes, he gives up his medical practice to find the image once more.

DB is teaming with the U.K.’s Ellora Pictures to produce the approximately US$18 million Icefields, with Berquist producing on behalf of DB and June Dowad for Ellora. Bruce Dowad, who adapted the screenplay from the novel, will direct.

Cast and distributor have yet to be announced.

Idea Factory! looks at Life & Times of Pare

Edmonton-based The Idea Factory! is in production on an episode of CBC’s Life and Times series about renowned Canadian chef and author Jean Pare.

Pare, who was named the 1990/91 Alberta Entrepreneur of the Year, has penned dozens of cookbooks.

The Idea Factory’s VP of production Lindsay Speer is producing and Diane Yanch is associate producer. Drew Martin is directing and exec producing.

The budget for the one-hour doc is approximately $200,000, with funding from the EIP, LFP and the Alberta Film Development Program. Delivery is scheduled for May, but an air date has not been confirmed.