Tag Archives: Amaze Film + Television

Industry News, Orphan Black, The Lake

Amazon Prime Video begins production on the first scripted Canadian Amazon original comedy series – The Lake

From a media release:

Amazon Prime Video today announced the start of production of the first scripted Canadian Amazon Original series, The Lake. Set in cottage country, the 30-minute episodic comedy will film in northern Ontario from August to September. The Lake stars Jordan Gavaris (Orphan Black), Julia Stiles (Hustlers, The Bourne Identity) and Madison Shamoun (#blackAF, Black-ish). The series will launch in 2022 and be available exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

The Lake centres on the quintessential Canadian cottage experience, and one man’s attempt to recreate his childhood memories in an effort to re-connect with his biological daughter. Produced by AMAZE and filmed in northern Ontario, the series taps into the family bonding, relaxing in nature and the peacefulness of cottage country then turns it on its head, with petty rivalry, strained relationships, day drinking, and mosquito-ravaged sunburns.

In The Lake, Justin (Jordan Gavaris) returns from living abroad after a break-up with his long-term partner, in the hope of reconnecting with the biological daughter that he gave up for adoption in his teens. His plans to create new memories with his city-loving daughter Billie (Madison Shamoun) at the idyllic lake from his childhood go awry when he finds out his father left the family cottage to his “picture-perfect” stepsister, Maisy-May (Julia Stiles). Additional cast include Jon Dore (Funny As Hell, Humour Resources), Carolyn Scott (Pushing Tin, Goosebumps), Natalie Lisinka (Orphan Black, The Expanse), Travis Nelson (Tucker and Dale vs Evil) and Declan Whaley (Criminal Minds).

The Lake is produced by AMAZE, with Michael Souther and Teza Lawrence serving as executive producers for AMAZE (Carter, Call Me Fitz), and is written and executive produced by Julian Doucet (Killjoys, St Nickel). The Lake comes from Amazon Studios and is part of Prime Video’s continued investment in Canada. The Lake is the fourth announced Canadian Amazon Original series following the revival of the sketch comedy The Kids in the Hall, docu-series All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, and comedy-variety series LOL: Last One Laughing Canada. Since 2015, Amazon Studios has filmed 24 Amazon Original series and films in Canada, including The Man in the High Castle and Upload in Vancouver, The Boys and The Expanse in Toronto, Tales from the Loop in Winnipeg, as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Montreal.

The Lake will join the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and worldwide in the Prime Video catalog including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like The Tomorrow War, The Underground Railroad, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Emmy and Golden Globe award winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all on Prime Video, which is available at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members.

Prime members will be able to watch all episodes of The Lake anywhere and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets, Apple TV and stream online.

Image courtesy of Peter Stranks.

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Carter

Production begins on Season 2 of Bravo original series Carter

From a media release:

Bravo announced today that production is underway for Season 2 of its lighthearted mystery-crime drama CARTER, starring Jerry O’Connell. Shot in North Bay, ON, the sophomore season is set to debut later this year, exclusively on Bravo. Season 1 of CARTER is currently streaming only on Crave.

The 10-episode, one-hour series also sees the return of co-stars  Sydney Poitier Heartsong (Homecoming) as Sam Shaw and Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black) as Dave Leigh, as well as Brenda Kamino (The Glass Castle) as Dot Yasuda.

Canadian and CSA-winning actor Lyriq Bent (THE AFFAIR) joins the cast in Season 2 as Joyce Warwick Boyle, the new Interim Police Chief at Bishop PD. Described as a man with both swagger and edge, Boyle quickly establishes himself as a stern law man impressed with Sam and her abilities, while being equally unimpressed with Harley and his antics. As his admiration for Sam turns romantic, Harley and Dave discover Boyle is hiding an alarming and mysterious past.

CARTER revolves around Harley Carter (O’Connell), the star of a hit detective series who decides to take a break from Hollywood. Upon returning to his northern hometown, Harley discovers that his years of playing a fictional detective come in handy when he finds himself immersed in real-life mysteries, including the unsolved disappearance of his mother which culminated in the Season 1 finale.

In Season 2, Harley plants deeper roots as a celebrity P.I., using disguises to go undercover and doubling-down on his fame in a world where life continues to imitate TV. As Harley dives deeper into solving mysteries, he discovers that the toughest cases to solve are personal ones, as he finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with his best friend, Sam Shaw (Poitier Heartsong), and her new boss.

Outside of Canada, the series was commissioned by Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for AXN, returning for Season 2 in Spain, Latin America, Brazil, Japan, Central Europe, and Russia.  CARTER will also return to WGN America in the U.S. The series is distributed by SPT worldwide, excluding Canada. CARTER is produced by Amaze Film + Television and executive produced by the company’s founders Teza Lawrence and Michael Souther (Call Me Fitz, Saint Ralph) as well as series creator Garry Campbell, O’Connell, and Season 2 showrunner and EP Andy Berman.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Call Me Fitz, Carter, Industry News

Natalie Urquhart joins Amaze Film + Television

From a media release:

June 11, 2018 – Amaze Film + Television is proud to welcome Natalie Urquhart as their new Director of Development. Formerly an Associate Producer on the NBC/UNIVERSAL series SUITS, Natalie also produced the scripted half-hour comedy ROGUE BRIDAL for the Makeful Channel. Natalie is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the CFC – Canadian Film Centre.

Natalie will oversee development in Canada while working with Burrad Marsh who was recently promoted to Senior VP of Television, spearheading the US operations for Amaze Film + Television in Los Angeles. Burrad is a former TV Literary Agent for ICM and was VP of Development for Shed Media in the United Kingdom.

Most recently, Amaze Film + Television produced the one-hour comedic drama procedural CARTER, created by Garry Campbell and starring Jerry O’Connell. CARTER premiered on BRAVO to 1.1 million viewers during its first week in May, 2018. The 10-episode series has enjoyed a very successful global release through Sony AXN and Sony Distribution.  CARTER was recently added to CTV’s main network summer schedule and will air on UKTV in June.

Michael Souther and Teza Lawrence launched Amaze Film + Television in 2000. Amaze Film + Television produced four seasons of the internationally acclaimed series CALL ME FITZ for HBO Canada and 52 episodes of the multi-cam sitcom THE STANLEY DYNAMIC for YTV. Film projects include SAINT RALPH, FINN ON THE FLY, and in 2016 the documentary BEING CANADIAN. They currently have a diverse television slate including projects in development with Rogers, and Amazon.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail