VisionTV has shortlisted three comedy and drama series for development, chosen from about 270 submissions that the multi-faith channel received in response to a recent call for proposals.

The projects are: Local 69 — a comedy about a middle-aged factory worker who unexpectedly becomes a union boss — from Toronto-based Hungry Eyes Film & Television and creators Jennifer Holness, Min Sook Lee and Sudz Sutherland.

Saint Michael is the story of a self-involved priest who is assigned to a retirement home. The project, from Shaftesbury Films and Henry Less Productions, was created by writer/actors Steve Cochrane, Phyllis Ellis and Adriana Maggs.

The third project is Taking on Water, an ensemble comedy set on one of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands. The series revolves around a psychiatrist who returns to her childhood home and must contend with her unconventional mother, her gay brother and a host of eccentric hangers-on. It comes from Vancouver-based Soapbox Productions, created by veteran producer Nick Orchard and Toronto comic Naomi Snieckus.

Once the producers finish the first phase of development — which will include the creation of a pilot script and series bible — one of the three projects will get a 13 x 30 order. Vision hopes to broadcast the completed series in the fall of 2010.

From Media in Canada