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Eastern Promises’ nationality crisis
Now, that’s some irony. David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises earns a Genie Award nomination for best Canadian film as well as a BAFTA nomination for best British film.
Sonoda set for Cooper’s Camera
Toronto helmer Warren Sonoda received an early Christmas present on Dec. 21 when he got the go-ahead from producers for his latest comedy, Cooper’s Camera, which goes to camera Feb. 13 in Toronto.
Nightingale teams with Mohan
The Nightingale Company has picked up the rights to the comedy/drama series Bodies and Soul, in a deal that will see creator Peter Mohan (Blood Ties, Mutant X) write and exec produce with company chief Debbie Nightingale (The Weight, Chicks with Sticks).
She has a Dream
Following up on its well-received reality series The Wilkinsons, Henry Less Productions will be back on CMT this month with Crystal: Living the Dream. The six-part profile of singer Crystal Shawanda debuts Feb. 12 on the country cable channel, following the rising star from her home on the Wikwemikong reserve in northern Ontario to a record deal with RCA and the verge of stardom in Nashville.
March scores with Ten
Aussie broadcaster Ten Network has prebought the children’s comedy Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist from locals SLR Productions, Parthenon Kids and Toronto’s March Entertainment (Chilly Beach), all three of which are now at work on the 26 x 30 cartoon, looking to deliver in the fall. The Canada/Australia copro follows a young naturalist who is tasked with conquering a mysterious alien epidemic while preserving the fragile ecosystem.
Thank God it’s Friday
Shooting has started on the reality Mr. Friday on locations around southern Ontario, following a green light by Slice. The 13 x 30 from Toronto’s Temple Street Productions follows an ‘ex fashion model and trust fund baby’ who, in order to stay on the family payroll, must swap jobs once per week with one of us reg’lar folks. The crew will follow him to un-glam jobs at spots like Reptilia, a zoo for lizards and such that is just north of Toronto, a tree farm in Drysdale and the local home of 1-800-GOT-JUNK. The person he replaces, meanwhile, gets treated to a day of la dolce vita.
Dirty work at Insight
Lifetime will soon be getting a half-hour pilot from Insight Film Studios, which this month will shoot Getting Dirty with Evan. The Vancouver production house is recruiting women for the would-be reality series, to be hosted by Evan Marriott – the faux catch of Joe Millionaire, who was, in truth, a construction worker. The show has Marriott giving women advice on light construction, landscaping and home renovations.
Kiwi throws first Punch
Montreal’s Kiwi Animation has seen its first series go to air, following the January debut of Punch!, an animated send-up of celebrities and the media. The 20 x 30 toon airs on Teletoon on Sundays and is ‘merciless satire,’ according to co-creator and exec producer Yves St-Gelais.
Domestic TV up, film and service shoots down
Only photographers will want to shoot the messenger when CFTPA president and CEO Guy Mayson delivers Profile 2008 to the crowd at Prime Time in Ottawa on Feb. 21. Overall production volume in Canada increased by 3% – to just under $5 billion – during the period from March 2006 to April 2007.
Creatives defend CTF, attack Shaw
Opening day of CRTC hearings brings high praise from actors, directors and producers for the fund, and harsh words for its most vocal critic
Indie Awards to fete producers
It is debatable whether the film and TV industry needs another awards show, but Canada’s producers will be feted at the new Indie Awards on the opening night of Prime Time in Ottawa on Feb. 20.
Indie Awards nominees
Following are the nominees for the CFTPA’s inaugural Indie Awards:
Q&A with Sandra Cunningham: New CFTPA chair equates Canadian ownership with control
‘The stakes have never been higher,’ says Sandra Cunningham, just weeks before she chairs the CFTPA Prime Time in Ottawa conference for the first time.
Domestic films and talent land major noms
Canada continued its impressive Oscars run of recent years, with one Canadian actress and two foreign performers in Canuck films placing among the best actor and actress finalists, as the Academy Award nominees were unveiled in Beverly Hills on Jan. 22.
Away from Her’s golden girls
In a year filled with prizes and accolades for Away from Her, the icing on the cake so far came when the Hamilton, ON-shot drama fetched Oscar nominations for one of its stars, 66-year-old British movie legend Julie Christie, and for first-time writer/director Sarah Polley.
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