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Masters of Horror takes AG-HVX200 to the big time
There was a time not long ago when the cost of shooting HD was prohibitive to some producers. But Showtime’s series Masters of Horror is demonstrating that you can shoot TV drama on an HD camera that costs $7,000 – in this case, the Panasonic AG-HVX200 HD camcorder.
HD lighting pros and cons on Whistler
According to director of photography Michael Marshall, the biggest challenge in shooting HD is in the lighting.
AAC banks on Bon Cop
Alliance Atlantis has brought out the big guns to conquer the two solitudes with its bilingual buddy cop movie Bon Cop, Bad Cop – with marketing campaigns totaling some $1 million in place for Quebec and the rest of Canada.
Big benefits package expected for CHUM sale
Bell Globemedia’s out-of-the-blue takeover bid for CHUM may be bad news for staffers at the latter’s TV and radio stations, and for those concerned about the concentration of ownership in the news media – but it could also lead to extra funding in the neighborhood of $170 million for independent producers, depending on the CRTC’s math.
Loewy, Théroux out at AAC
In a major and sudden shakeup at Alliance Atlantis’ Motion Picture Distribution, chairman Victor Loewy and CEO Patrice Théroux have left the company.
‘We are currently reviewing the strategic importance of the Motion Picture Distribution business and as promised, we will report back when this review has been concluded,’ said Phyllis Yaffe, Alliance Atlantis Communications’ CEO, in a statement.
Polley, Maddin, zombies to invade TIFF
The most sought-after launching point for Canadian movies is again proving to be a diverse draw, as the Toronto International Film Festival revealed on July 18 a lineup of homegrowns stocked with zombies, an Inuit shaman and the Rwandan genocide.
Temple turns over
Temple Street Productions – producer of CHUM’s Canada’s Next Top Model and the Showcase comedy Billable Hours – will change hands on July 27 as its heads of dramatic production, David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, acquire the Toronto prodco from principals Patrick Whitley and Sheila Hockin.
Buttignol exits TVO
Rudy Buttignol is no longer programming TVOntario but is still in charge of its documentaries, following a management shuffle that saw the nine-time Gemini Award winner exit the educhannel after 13 years.
Quebec funding squabble turns personal
Producer Denise Robert says she was ‘deeply hurt’ by recent remarks made in a Montreal newspaper in which colleagues, complaining about a lack of funding for Quebec filmmakers, questioned the wisdom of Telefilm Canada putting cash into her two latest projects.
Hot Sheet
The Hot Sheet tracks Canadian box-office results for the period July 7-13, 2006 and DVD sales in Canada for the period June 26-July 2, 2006.
Box Office: Ma mère hits mother lode
Ghyslaine Côté’s Le Secret de ma mère has managed to pack Quebec cinemas since its July 7 opening, taking in $606,778 on 88 screens in its opening week, for an impressive per-screen average of $6,895.
Home Video: Solid orders for Beowulf & Grendel DVD
Renters and retailers expect decent demand for Equinoxe Films’ Beowulf & Grendel, slated to street on July 18.
Top 20 TV programs
Top 20 TV Programs tracks ratings for the top 20 television shows in Canada for the period July 10-16, 2006.
Ratings: World Cup scores for CTV, CBC shows struggle
The final game of the FIFA World Cup tournament that saw Italy defeat France on July 9 brought in an average of 2.8 million viewers for CTV – peaking at four million for the match-ending penalty kick shootout – capping a record ratings month for soccer in Canada.
CHUM swept by layoffs amid news overhaul
CHUM’s big day ended with a big shock for the nearly 300 employees who were handed pink slips on July 12, within hours of news that the broadcast giant was being bought out by CTV parent Bell Globemedia, pending regulator approval.
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