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Les Lavigueur big winner at Gémeaux
MONTREAL: Unseasonable humidity and nasty storm clouds couldn’t keep the biggest stars of the French-Canadian television industry away from the Place des Arts complex Sept. 14, as Montreal played host to the 23rd annual Gémeaux Awards.
CRTC must rein in cablers, says APTN boss
APTN CEO Jean LaRose says the recent CRTC decision to penalize Shaw Cablesystems with a two-year licence renewal will do little to solve his channel’s long-running issues with the cableco.
People
• Veteran broadcaster Denise Donlon takes the reigns at CBC Radio as its new executive director on Sept. 29. The CHUM vet and former president of Sony Music Canada replaces Jennifer McGuire, and arrives following the overhaul of CBC Radio 2.
Sold!
• CBS has followed CTV’s lead and signed up for another 13 episodes of Flashpoint, extending the cop drama’s life in the U.S. into next year.
The Burning Question
Harper has no soul, Layton is un-electable and Dion is a sock puppet – which leaves few choices, all of them grim, as industry folk head to the polls on Oct. 14. But you gotta pick someone, right? So we ask:
Tierneys team up on Trotsky
MONTREAL: Actor/director Jacob Tierney has recruited some of Canada’s biggest stars to paint the town red in his upcoming comedy The Trotsky.
Infinity reaches Altitude
Infinity Features and Escape Factory in Vancouver have joined with Arclight Films (The Bank Job) in L.A. on the supernatural thriller Altitude, with shooting set to begin this winter in B.C. Comic book artist and shorts-maker Kaare Andrews (Unwritten) is signed to direct. International sales will be handled by Arclight’s genre label, Darclight.
Vallée setting Shoe Business with Walton
C.R.A.Z.Y. director Jean-Marc Vallée is putting the finishing touches on his next project, a disco-era comedy drama about two competing salesmen with an eye for what women want – at least on their feet. Vallée is co-writing the screenplay with Ginger Snaps screenwriter Karen Walton.
Nomadic takes Last Rites
Nomadic Pictures has linked arms with Texan filmmaker Tiller Russell on The Last Rites of Ransom Pride, sending the violent western to camera in Drumheller, AB until Oct. 14.
Reunion in the Black
Sword-swinging adventure Dragons of Black Roc has gone to post, just as Vancouver-based Reunion Pictures has closed deals with Movie Central and The Movie Network.
Forbes joins Durham
Montreal’s Muse Productions is back at work on Durham County, shooting another six hours of the acclaimed series in Montreal and Ste-Julie, QC, the nearby town that is home to the show’s signature and oddly spooky hydro towers. Michelle Forbes (Lost, Battlestar Galactica) joins the cast, working with returning stars Hugh Dillon, Hélène Joy (Murdoch Mysteries) and Laurence Leboeuf (Human Trafficking).
APTN eyeing Candy
APTN is eyeing a new talk show, following a pilot taping earlier this month of The Candy Show. Hosted by Candy Palmater, the late-night show shot a pilot earlier this month in Halifax, putting the comedian and activist on screen with sketch comic Réjean Cournoyer, bluesman Charlie A’Court, a local belly dancer and a tattoo artist. The project comes from Halifax-based Pink Dog Productions, and is the second late-nighter that has recently tried its luck in Halifax, following the pilot for Live! at 25:00 from Mill Reef Productions, which shot in June for CBC.
Canwest back on board as broadcast partner
Canwest is back on board as the Gemini Awards’ broadcast partner, taking over from CBC with a two-year commitment and a plan to showcase the annual Canuck TV awards extravaganza on both conventional channel E! and specialty Showcase.
Holly Dale Q&A: Helmer hot on both sides of the border
Torontonian Holly Dale is one of the hottest directors working in dramatic series on American and Canadian television. Stylish and efficient, she’s directed episodes of Heroes, Cold Case and Life in Los Angeles over the past two years, while contributing to the look and feel of Flashpoint, Being Erica (previously titled The Session) and Durham County back at home.
Hugh Dillon: Nominee for Best Actor, Drama Series
Hugh Dillon is nominated for a best actor Gemini for his leading role as the tormented detective Mike Sweeney in Durham County. Season one of the dark series from Montreal’s Muse Entertainment and Toronto-based Back Alley Films shot in Montreal in late 2006.
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