In the mid-’80s, the ACTRA Awards, an in-house, untelevised awards ceremony, was the only event honoring Canadian television. Robert Lantos, then president of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, felt the awards didn’t do justice to the industry. In 1986, with the support of the rest of the Academy, he kick-started the Gemini Awards.

Over the past 12 years, the Academy has been awarding the dual-faced sculptures to top players in all areas of Canadian TV.

‘I think ultimately they mean various things, but the most relevant is the pleasure of being recognized and applauded by your peers,’ says Lantos today.

Fair enough. With the next round of awards at hand, Playback went to past Gemini winners to see what winning meant to them. Life changing? Not exactly. A hat rack for some (see Linden MacIntyre, below). But still, a sense of pride predominates. Interviews by Pamela Swedko.

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– Steve Smith: Producer

Gemini win: 1989 Best Variety Series, Smith & Smith Comedy Mill

Steve Smith sees winning a Gemini as a double-edged sword.

‘It’s encouraging, that’s the good side, the other is once you win one you have to do more and do better, you can’t just keep on doing what you were doing.’

Smith won a Gemini in 1989, 11 years after he started in tv, for best variety series with Smith & Smith Comedy Mill. And while he has had many nominations – ‘I’m a bridesmaid forever,’ he jokes – he handed his one award over to chch-tv for all the years they supported his show.

– Alyson Feltes: Producer

Most recent Gemini: 1998 Best Dramatic Series, Traders

The night that Traders picked up the Gemini for best dramatic series, one thing was certain; the award was going home with Alyson Feltes, like it or not.

‘When we were standing up there giving our acceptance speech, Hart [Hanson] was going to take the award from me so I could have my hands free when I went up to talk at the mike,’ says Feltes.

‘He looked down at my knuckles and they were white clutching the award. You could barely pry my fingers off it. I was the one who went home with it that night. I brought it to work and we put it on display at Atlantis for ages, but definitely that first night, it was coming home with me.’

As a producer, Feltes says that when she sees ‘Gemini winner’ on a resume it raises everything a notch and she tends to look at the person differently. As for herself, she believes that having those words after her name might have had some pull in getting her newest series, Justice (Atlantis Communications for Global Television), off the ground.

‘To be part of the Traders team was great. Later, when we were pitching Justice, they knew we could deliver a smart and potentially award-winning show.’

– Pat Ferns: Producer

Most recent Gemini: 1992 Best Dramatic Miniseries, Young Catherine

Prior to his position as wrangler of the Banff Television Festival and famed host of Two In a Room, Pat Ferns spent 25 years doing what he calls ‘hard labor’ as an independent producer.

‘Glory Enough for All was a sweep that year [1989], I think we won in every category we were nominated for,’ Ferns remembers. ‘Everyone was nominated except for the director, Eric Till, and I think every acceptance speech praised him for his extraordinary contribution; in a sense we went in thinking, let’s win this one for Eric.’

A less tense year for Ferns was 1992 when Young Catherine took home the Gemini for best miniseries. With only two programs nominated in the category, being executive producer on both meant he couldn’t lose.

‘In tv, awards are important, they are about setting standards and rewarding good work,’ says Ferns. ‘The Geminis are about an industry celebrating its own excellence.’

Ferns says he has a bookcase in his bedroom with a line of rather odd-looking awards from various parts of the world, but ‘Gemini has a place of pride.’

– Joan Hutton: Cinematographer

Gemini win: 1998 Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series, The Newsroom

‘There is that great satisfaction knowing that people think your work is really good,’ says Joan Hutton, whose award sits on the mantel in the boardroom of her company High Road Productions.

‘It shows that you have gotten to a certain level. Even if people don’t know what you won it for, just the fact you won means something.’

– Linden MacIntyre: Journalist

Most recent Gemini: 1998 Best Overall Broadcast Journalist, the fifth estate

The fifth estate anchor Linden MacIntyre has five Geminis, each of which he considers a special act of recognition.

‘The recognition is coming not on the basis of celebrity or popularity but on the basis of what other professionals think of your work, and this is what makes it all worthwhile.’

MacIntyre, who has been nominated about 15 times, has scattered his awards. One is part of a display at the office, while another is being used for a more functional purpose – as a hat rack.

– George Bloomfield:

Director/producer

Most recent Gemini: 1997 Best Dramatic Series, Due South

‘What took so long?’ said George Bloomfield as he stepped up to the podium to accept his first Gemini.

‘I was amused by it because being nominated is a beautiful thing, it means recognition by your peers and it makes you feel very good, but then winning…

‘I have been around for so long by the time I won everybody probably thought I had won many times. Many people remember your nominations as victories anyway.’

Bloomfield, who just finished directing Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang (Shaftesbury Films) in Toronto, has a shelf in his basement screening room where he keeps the awards he has accumulated throughout his career for producing as well as directing.

– Al Waxman: Actor

Gemini win: 1997 Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program Or Miniseries, Net Worth

Past chairman of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Al Waxman calls his Net Worth Gemini ‘very much appreciated and flattering.’

Waxman says he’s ‘very proud’ to see Canadian broadcasters and other media promoting shows as Gemini Award winners.

‘All awards have some impact and are all worthwhile in terms of promoting Canadian talent. The public knows about them now, so if you were to say `He’s a Gemini winner’ to the public, generally speaking they will know what you’re taking about, and if they don’t, you just give them a little nudge and they say, `Oh, yeah?’

– Linda Schuyler: Producer

Most recent win: 1989 Best Dramatic Series, Degrassi Junior High

Although Linda Schuyler doesn’t believe there is a direct correlation between winning an award and working the next year, she says it does seem to build up your ‘credibility factor.’

‘Phone calls get answered a little faster and meetings are perhaps a little easier to get. It doesn’t assure any future projects,’ she says, ‘but it may help you get access to the people you want to be talking to about new projects.’

Schuyler believes the Geminis are gaining strength and that more and more people are starting to recognize what the award means.

– Rick Mercer: Actor

Most recent Gemini: 1997 Best Writing In A Comedy or Variety Program or Series, This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Since he began his career doing sketch comedy in Newfoundland, Rick Mercer had his mind set on winning a Gemini of his own.

‘I went to Greg Malone’s [codco] house and he had all his Geminis there. I could say I was guilty of worshipping false idols. I did want one.’

And now, with several statues under his belt for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, being a Gemini winner still means a lot to him, at least more than those fitness awards he won in school (he didn’t make bronze).

‘When you’re doing a show like 22 Minutes you often feel like you are cloistered in Halifax, kind of away from the center of the universe. So when you get an award like this it means something. It’s nice to know your peers think your work is good.’

Mercer’s first writing Gemini, in 1995, meant the most, he says. He gave that one to his mother and held on to the rest.

– Wayne Grigsby: Writer

Most recent Gemini: 1992

Best Writing in a Dramatic

Series, E.N.G.

Although Wayne Grigsby doesn’t feel that winning a Gemini opened any doors for him – at the time, he was already in the midst of a development deal with Fogbound Films partner Barbara Samuels and Alliance Communications – it was the culmination of a good two years as executive story editor for e.n.g.

‘The thing about any award at that level is that it’s peer recognition. Others who do the same work are looking and saying, `That was pretty good,’ ‘ says Grigsby. ‘On the other hand, we all understand it’s a lottery and a bit of a crap shoot as to who is going to win any given year.’

Grigsby sums up the Geminis like this: ‘It doesn’t hurt or make your career. If you like to get dressed up and stand up and make a speech, I suppose it is a rich and rewarding experience. If you don’t, I suppose it can be slightly painful.’

– Laura Bertram: Actress

Most recent Gemini: 1998 Best Performance in a Children’s or Youth Program or Series, Ready or Not

When Laura Bertram won her first Gemini, contrary to her parents’ advice to write a speech, she attended the event unprepared and was caught totally off guard when her name was announced.

‘I was in a category of people who I thought were way above and beyond my level. I was just so excited to be there and see so many people I grew up watching that winning didn’t really cross my mind,’ says the 19-year-old actress, who shed a few tears on the podium. ‘It was probably one of the scariest moments of my life, getting up to talk in front of all these people.’

– Pat Mastroianni: Actor

Gemini win: 1988 Best performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role, Degrassi Junior High

At age 16, when Pat Mastroianni picked up his Gemini, the terms ‘opening doors’ and ‘opportunity’ meant little to the teenage talent. He did, however, take the win as a nice pat on the back.

‘It was cool to be nominated with veteran actors and to be acknowledged, and to actually win. I just thought… what?… are you kidding me?’

Mastroianni, who is now based in l.a., says the award meant there were people who believed in him and supported him.

Today the Gemini sits on top of the vcr in his parents’ Toronto home (his mom likes to show it off).’ It motivates me,’ he says. ‘There were a lot of people supporting me back then and I don’t want to let them or myself down. It’s a nice little inspirational piece.’

– Peter Mansbridge:

Journalist

Most recent win: Best Host, Anchor or Interviewer in a News or Information Program or Series, Election Night 1997/The National

Between 1988, when he won a Gemini for best performance by a host interviewer or anchor, and 1998, when he won for best host, anchor or interviewer in a news or information program or series, cbc’s Peter Mansbridge has earned five Gemini awards, and while he says it is exciting to win, the nomination itself means more than the award.

‘Seeing that I have sat on a number of juries I know the process involved in selecting the final cut. When your peers watch your work and choose you as one of a small group who they feel have provided the excellence needed to be considered for the award, that is very special.’

– Dennis Foon: Writer

Gemini win: 1997 Best Writing in a Dramatic Program Or Miniseries, Little Criminals

Dennis Foon says by the time he won a Gemini, most people had already made up their minds about his writing talent. ‘Those who think I can write still think I can, and those who think I can’t still think I can’t.’

For Foon, winning a Gemini was an affirmation of a very successful and satisfying project.

‘Ultimately you have to look to your colleagues for affirmation. They are the ones who understand what you do the best, and when that is recognized, it is extremely satisfying.’

– David Barlow: Producer/writer

Most Recent Gemini: 1993 Best Writing in a Dramatic Series, Max Glick

After winning his first Geminis for best comedy series in ’86 and ’87 for Seeing Things, David Barlow thought maybe he was in the right job after all. After picking up another statue for Max Glick, his reaction was ‘Gee whiz, maybe I belong.’

Barlow keeps his Geminis on the window sill in the basement next to the washer and drier in the home office.

‘I have this little saying on my desk that reads, `So I haven’t written much lately. Neither has Shakespeare,’ and above that on the sill are the Geminis looking down on me, reminding me that once I thought I could do this. Or at least other people thought I could.’

– Michael Maclear :

Writer/producer

Gemini win: 1994 Best Documentary Series, Best Writing in an Information/Documentary Program or Series, Acts of War

Michael Maclear won the Gemini in 1994 for best documentary series with Acts of War, which also took the best editing and writing categories.

‘tv is never one person’s achievement,’ says Maclear. ‘It is crucial that we have an award of standing; the Gemini is probably the only one in Canada that is recognition for all the effort that goes into the production.

‘Acts of War,’ adds the producer, ‘involved meticulous research and filming all over the world, deserved recognition and thankfully got it.’

– Jeff King: Producer

Most recent win: 1997 Best Dramatic Series, Due South

Producer Jeff King got his first Gemini in 1986 for Night Heat, followed by a bunch for e.n.g. and then some for Due South, for a total of 10 awards filling two shelves.

‘The first time it was a shock and the last time it was a shock too. It’s always surprising and gratifying to win.’

Although King, currently working on Alliance’s Total Recall: 2070, doesn’t feel that the volume of awards has translated into economic rewards, he says each win raises his own quality bar.

– John Brunton: Producer

Most recent Win: 1996 Best Youth Program or Series, Ready or Not

John Brunton’s company Insight Productions produced the very first Gemini Awards show in 1986. Since then, their presence at the event has been more in front of the camera, winning several awards over the past few years.

‘Certainly the Geminis have helped in terms of our relationships with Canadian broadcasters,’ Brunton says. ‘The Canadian-ness and quality of the programming that Canadian broadcasters produce is assessed by the crtc and all broadcasters want to be seen as doing quality Canadian programming. One of the definitions of quality Canadian programming is the Gemini.’

– Keith Ross Leckie: Writer

Latest Gemini win: 1992 Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries, Journey Into Darkness: The Bruce Curtis Story

Keith Ross Leckie, who has been nominated several times, looks forward to the Geminis as a chance to schmooze and celebrate the nominations and winnings of his friends and associates.

‘To be nominated is great because you get to be part of the party. If you lose, that’s too bad, but at least you feel like you’re there for a legitimate reason.’