After its success coproducing the series Robson Arms, Omni Film Productions already had the confidence of CTV when the net brought it on board for its newest comedy series, Alice, I Think. And the prodco has proven just as deft at forging smooth relationships with its creative collaborators as well.

Based on the book series by Susan Juby, Alice is about a socially awkward teenage girl and her whacked-out family and friends in Smithers, BC. The books were optioned by Toronto production house Slanted Wheel Entertainment and pitched to CTV. The broadcaster saw Robson Arms showrunner Susin Nielsen as ideal to head the writing staff for Alice, and with Nielsen’s connection to Omni ­- which coproduced Robson Arms with Halifax’s Creative Atlantic Communications – it was decided the prodco was the right choice to coproduce the B.C.-shot series. Slanted Wheel approved, and company president Jon Slan says Omni has been ‘a terrific partner’ through the first half of production.

CTV echoes this sentiment. Louise Clark, the network’s director of western independent production, says CTV liked what Omni brought to Robson Arms and felt it could do the job on Alice.

‘[Omni is] well respected in the community and brings community players to the table,’ says Clark. ‘They’re wonderful managers. They put every dollar up on the screen.’

This efficiency was on display in Robson Arms, which received critical acclaim for episodes that were shot on video and used emerging talent behind the scenes.

Alice, shooting in HD, stars Vancouver’s Carly McKillip in the lead role, with cast members Dan Payne and Haig Sutherland also based in B.C. In addition to Nielsen, executive producer/lead director Gary Harvey, directors Mark Sawers and Dwayne Beaver, and consulting producer Norm Hiscock are all B.C. residents.

CTV has ordered 13 half-hours of the series, with the first episode to be delivered in December, but an airdate has not been set.

Although Harvey and Nielsen both worked on episodes of Omni’s youth drama Edgemont, they really got to know the company and appreciate VP Brian Hamilton’s producing style when they all worked together on Robson Arms. Hamilton showed his hands-on approach by visiting every department on the production to familiarize himself with everyone’s role on the shoot.

Nielsen says she appreciates the faith Omni has shown by making her and Harvey showrunners.

‘That really meant a lot and I think we proved ourselves to them,’ says Nielsen. ‘There is a mutual feeling of trust and respect that I think is fairly unique.’

And although Hamilton is really the face of Omni on set, both showrunners say Omni president Michael Chechik has been as supportive of their efforts from the sidelines.

‘[Chechik] puts the same faith in his people that they then put in us,’ says Nielsen. ‘That sort of mentality and way of working starts at the top, and it has clearly had a great trickle-down effect for people like us.’