Ellin, Poyres headline Banff master classes

A list of high-profile names will once again participate in master classes at the Banff World Television Festival, as revealed in the Monday announcement that executives behind a trio of notable U.S. TV series have signed on for the June event.

Doug Ellin, creator/showrunner of the HBO comedy Entourage; Michael Poyres, creator/exec producer of Disney’s kids series phenom Hannah Montana; and Craig Wright, creator/showrunner of ABC’s family saga Dirty Sexy Money will be part of the interview sessions that focus on the development and production of TV series. Master classes also provide opportunity for dialogue between the execs and the audience.

Other master class participants will include Hart Hanson, creator of Fox’s Bones, and Stephanie Savage, exec producer of The CW’s Gossip Girl. Hanson is also known for his work on Canuck shows including Road to Avonlea, North of 60 and Traders.

‘These professionals have created some of the most successful and cutting-edge series in television…it will make this Master Class series one of the best we’ve ever presented at Banff,’ commented festival executive director Jennifer Harkness, in a release.

The Banff fest runs June 8-11.