From Etan Vlessing of The Hollywood Reporter:
Canadian TV Producers Take on Hollywood With Streaming Dramas
Canadians are headed to Hollywood again, only this time to get their digital-first dramas on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu slates.
After Canadian dramas like Flashpoint, The Listener and Rookie Blue nabbed co-production deals with the U.S. networks nearly a decade ago, a lack of subsidies back home for online dramas is once again driving indie producers south. Continue reading.
In a word, yes. Although we’re happy that the Canadian television and film industry are celebrated by a week of glitzy events, fan zones and a televised award ceremony, the Canadian Screen Awards are far from perfect.
As Diane, Anthony and I discussed on this week’s podcast, the decision to tape delay Sunday’s broadcast of the big categories is silly and antiquated in the world of social media. We weren’t alone in that belief, or the suggestion that some award categories be trimmed down so that the Screens don’t become, as TV critic Bill Brioux called them, the Needies.
So, how do we fix the Canadian Screen Awards? Will a live broadcast do it? What if we added a red carpet ceremony that was televised in the hour leading up to broadcast? Every award show in the U.S. does it, so why not us? Should the CSAs be moved to another time of year, or at least a couple of weeks away from the Oscars, so as not to send people into awards show overload? Do we go back to having an awards show solely devoted to Canadian TV?
Let’s put on our thinking caps and solve the problem! Send us your suggestions in the Comments section below.
From Melissa Girimonte of The Televixen:
CSA 2015 Red Carpet Chat: Lost Girl’s Paul Amos
During Canadian Screen Week, I caught up with Lost Girl‘s Paul Amos for a quick follow up to our interview from the day the CSA nominees were announced. Paul didn’t win in his category (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Series), but he is definitely a winner in the eyes of all Faenatics. Here’s our chat:
Last time we chatted you told me about the big Vex episode that was coming up, and then we saw it, the whole storyline with Mark during the storm.
Yes, indeed. Continue reading.
Diane, Anthony and Greg recap this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, and while we’re fine with who walked away with trophies, we had a lot of criticism aimed at CBC for some extra categories and the decision to tape-delay the celebration.
Other topics covered this week include the cancellation of Strange Empire, the ongoing battle between the CRTC and Bell Media over the Super Bowl and simsub. Finally, our latest poll asks for input regarding what Canadian literature should be adapted by the CBC for their next project.
Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.
Want to become a Patron of the Podcast? We’ve got a Patreon page where you can donate a small amount per podcast and get a sneak peek of each release.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Mena Massoud realizes the Canadian television industry is difficult. Often, you have to pay your dues over a period of years before snagging your first gig. But that didn’t happen for the Ryerson Theatre School grad, who scored his first acting role on Open Heart straight out of school.
“I had my first audition and then about a month later I got a call back and then a few weeks after that I got a screen test with Karis,” Massoud explains. “And then it all came together.” He laughs and quickly notes his story is one of extreme luck and timing. It’s also the story of a memorable character. The Markham, Ont., native portrays Jared Malik, the snarky and in-your-face head of the Youth Volunteer Program at Open Heart Memorial. Those under his supervision are Dylan Blake (Karis Cameron)—currently investigating the disappearance of her father—Mikayla Walker (Cristine Prosperi) and Wes Silver (Justin Kelly). Massoud’s role is a tough one: be too snarky and fans of Dylan’s will label you a villain. It’s a label the basketball fan is quick to dismiss.
“The one thing I want to do with all of my roles is make the characters real,” he says. “[Creator/executive producer] Ramona Barckert and [executive producer] Stefan Brogren and I sat down and really worked on him. As the show goes on it becomes more of a balancing act because he starts to open up and you see another side of him. That was journey in itself. I think that even when you meet jerks, there is a human side to them.”
Viewers have already gotten a chance to see that more human side of Jared; Open Heart’s lockdown a few weeks ago found Mikayla and Jared sharing some personal space—and a kiss— before the all-clear was called by security. How that smooch affects their working relationship has yet to be seen, though Wes made his feelings known by gagging when Mikayla confessed what had happened. Massoud had a lot of fun during production, reading scripts and observing how Jared evolved and interacted with the other characters and utilizing his comedic side. Who can forget that scene in the hospital supply closet when Dylan spilled cleaner all over Jared and he had to strip down to his skivvies?
“That’s the amazing thing about Jared and about this show,” Massoud says with a laugh recalling that scene. “It’s has a mystery and a thriller element to it, but it has some very funny moments. I think Justin and I have the most moments like that in the series. It’s very much like real life. Some days are really lousy and dramatic and other days are fun and funny.”
Open Heart airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on YTV.
