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Children's Programming

Link: How a comic book heroine inspired an animation empire

From Martin Knelman of the Toronto Star:

How a comic book heroine inspired an animation empire
When Hirsh, Loubert and Clive Smith formed a film-production company in 1971, they chose the name Nelvana because of the comic book. It had a nice mystical ring to it, it was Canadian and it sounded a bit like “nirvana.”

It took years before Nelvana became a powerhouse factory for TV animation for children. A turning point came in 1977 when George Lucas chose Nelvana to make a 10-minute cartoon as part of a holiday Star Wars project. That led eventually to two series of Star Wars cartoons. Continue reading.

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Children's Programming

Link: Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark and the Canadian Kids’ TV Boom

From Michael Rancic of Now:

Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark and the Canadian Kids’ TV Boom
Those factors, combined with a low Canadian dollar, add up to the cultural climate that spawned Are You Afraid Of The Dark. The show premiered in 1991 and was one of the first major live action children’s shows to be co-produced between Canada and Nickelodeon in the U.S., the network that carried AYAOTD had been importing Canadian-made shows in its early days like Special Delivery, Science International and most notably, You Can’t Do That On Television. But it was Night Heat, a live action adult-oriented drama co-produced between CTV and CBS that proved early on how successful co-productions could be in both markets. Continue reading. 

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Children's Programming, Industry News

Hockey legends and dance icons voice animated CBC special The Curse of Clara: A Holiday Tale

From a media release:

Smiley Guy Studios is decking the halls with THE CURSE OF CLARA: A HOLIDAY TALE, a new original animated special airing on CBC-TV as part of its holiday programming lineup. A young dancer’s dreams come true when ballet, hockey and the holidays converge. Inspired by the autobiographical short story “The Curse of Clara or My Big Fat Disappointment” by Vickie Fagan, the 30-minute special is set against the backdrop of The National Ballet of Canada’s The Nutcracker and the 1972 Summit Series, a Canada-USSR showdown that shaped hockey history. THE CURSE OF CLARA: A HOLIDAY TALE stars Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Phil Esposito and Bob Cole (Hockey Night in Canada) and National Ballet of Canada Prima Ballerina Karen Kain as themselves with Sheila McCarthy (Little Mosque on the Prairie, Emily of New Moon) as the narrator, Sara Botsford (E.N.G., Legal Eagles, Still of the Night) as the ballet mistress and Saara Chaudry (Max and Shred, Degrassi) in the roles of Vickie and Clara. THE CURSE OF CLARA: A HOLIDAY TALE premieres December 14 at 7 p.m. ET/PT (7:30 p.m. NT) and rebroadcasts December 25 at 5:30 p.m. ET/PT (6 p.m. NT) on CBC-TV.

In this delightfully heartwarming holiday tale, Vickie, a small-town girl, is accepted into the prestigious National Ballet School in Toronto, and lands the coveted role of Clara in the Company’s annual production of The Nutcracker. Things look like they couldn’t get any better. And they can’t, because that’s when Vickie finds out about the mysterious “Curse of Clara”. According to local legend, the young girls that star in the production almost never go on to become professional ballet dancers. Thankfully, she has a good friend, the 1972 Summit Series, and imaginary mentor Phil Esposito to keep her “on pointe”.

THE CURSE OF CLARA: A HOLIDAY TALE is produced by Smiley Guy Studios in association with CBC, and with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Executive Producer is Jonas Diamond (Odd Job Jack, Guidestones). Producers are Veronica Tennant (Vida Y Danza Cuba – Life & Dance, Celia Franca: Tour de Force), Vickie Fagan (Toronto Biographies, Adventures in Breathing), Jeremy Diamond (Pillars of Freedom, Odd Job Jack) and Denny Silverthorne (Warren United, Wussywat). THE CURSE OF CLARA: A HOLIDAY TALE is written by Jeremy Diamond and Vickie Fagan and directed by M.R. Horhager (Chirp, I Hate You Red Light) and Mike Valiquette (Captain Canuck, Chirp).

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Children's Programming

Link: After 25 years, an oral history of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’

From Tina Hassannia of The Globe and Mail:

After 25 years, an oral history of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’
The show quickly became essential viewing, introducing a generation of millennials to what was essentially Twilight Zone Jr. As the series approaches its 25th anniversary, The Globe and Mail presents an oral history. Continue reading.

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Children's Programming, Industry News

Frank Van Keeken & Laura Harbin launch Beachwood Canyon Productions

From a media release:

Multi-award winning producers, Frank van Keeken and Laura Harbin, are pleased to announce they have joined forces to launch Beachwood Canyon Productions.  Beachwood Canyon Productions will develop and produce original film and television programming, currently focusing on the tween market.

Canadian comedy and television veteran, Frank van Keeken, was a writer for the hit series Mad About You and Raising Dad.  After 10 years in Hollywood van Keeken returned to his Canadian roots and has served as Executive Producer and writer for The Dating Guy (Teletoon) and Billable Hours (Showcase).  He created and Executive Produced Wingin’ It (Family, Starz), and the hit tween series The Next Step. Most recently, he was creator and Executive Producer for Lost & Found Music Studios premiering in winter 2016 on Family Channel in Canada, CBBC in England, and Netflix in the rest of the world.

Laura Harbin began her career at Shaftesbury Films where she was on the producing team for over 35 titles, including Murdoch Mysteries (City TV), ReGenesis (TMN/MC/Global) and Life with Derek (Family).  In 2011 she joined Temple Street Productions as Senior Director of Scripted Programming, overseeing development and production of the highly rated, award-winning series Being Erica (CBC), Winging’ It (Family, Starz), the hit tween series The Next Step (Family, Hulu) and the music-based tween series Lost & Found Music Studios which she also Executive Produced. 

Beachwood Canyon Productions has numerous projects in development.  Frank van Keeken and Laura Harbin are also currently Executive Producing Season 4 of The Next Step for Temple Street Productions in association with Family Channel.

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