From a media release:
SPACE Begins Production on Groundbreaking Original Reality Series, PANIC BUTTON
- From Canadian-based 11 Television, PANIC BUTTON is set to premiere on SPACE in 2013
SPACE and 11 Television Canada announced today that production is underway on the new groundbreaking original reality series, PANIC BUTTON. The innovative new format developed by Kevin Healey (DESTINATION FEAR, BETTY WHITE’S OFF THEIR ROCKERS, SCARE TACTICS) and Jonathan Dueck (DESTINATION FEAR, PAWNATHON) follows real people as they face their innermost fears. Filming runs until Oct. 19 in Toronto, with 10 episodes of the one-hour reality series set to air in 2013 on SPACE.
PANIC BUTTON is a high-impact, bone-chilling, reality series where a group of select participants become brave subjects in an elaborate and daunting maze. Each week, six people are confronted by the thing that terrifies them most, including: confinement, fear of the unknown, germs, snakes, spiders, or swarming. The Panic Button maze presents them with four ever-escalating and ever-changing levels of fear. Only the most courageous will get to the end without hitting their panic button.
“The PANIC BUTTON arena is a multi-phased, ever-changing labyrinth of fear that is customized for each person,” said series Co-Creator and Executive Producer Kevin Healey. “PANIC BUTTON is different from every other reality show because it’s not a contest against other people – subjects are playing only against themselves.”
“PANIC BUTTON is both gripping and frightening,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “As the participants work their way through increasingly scary and eerie situations, the audience experiences the fear and bravery of the participants through their eyes.”
PANIC BUTTON is produced by 11 Television Canada in association with Bell Media. Entertainment One (eOne) is selling the series in all media as well as format rights. Directed by Leo Scherman (SCREWED OVER), editing by Aren Hansen (CANADA’S GOT TALENT, SCARE TACTICS), and production design by Andy Barry, Joel Klein (FEAR FACTOR) serves as a creative consultant, and Dr. Steven J. Stein, Ph.D, provides consultation. Jonathan Dueck is Producer. Kevin Healey and Jesse Fawcett are Executive Producers. Robin Johnston is Director, Independent Production, Factual and Reality, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
