Everything about Degrassi, eh?

Degrassi switches to RED digital camera

From a media release:

Degrassi switches to the RED digital camera to set a Canadian television milestone

Stephen Stohn, president of Epitome Pictures Inc. and executive producer of Degrassi, credits the PS Production Services Ltd. (PS) supplied RED digital camera as a key reason his company is able to produce the largest single season episode order of a drama series in Canadian television history.

While most viewers won’t notice the change to digital, behind-the-scenes the RED digital camera has made a significant difference. With the RED’s streamlined workflow and film quality digital output, Epitome Pictures Inc. has been able to produce a new episode of Degrassi every 2 ¾ days.

“After 30 years of shooting on 16mm, the switch to the RED digital camera for this season of Degrassi is a huge milestone,” said Stohn. “Without making the switch to RED we would have had a hard time shooting so many episodes. PS was instrumental in helping us make this transition and the resulting picture quality that we are seeing is way beyond our wildest dreams!”

With a tight production schedule and 48 episodes to shoot, the RED digital camera has been a welcome addition on Degrassi’s Toronto set for director of photography Alwyn J Kumst.

“Because of the volume of footage we shoot each day – the equivalent of maybe 24 to 30 rolls of 16mm – the RED has meant less loading time and waste and not generating short ends,” said Kumst. “PS has been very helpful and knowledgeable with the RED technology we have on set. They have served me very well in the past on other productions so it was comforting to take on Degrassi with its challenging shooting schedule knowing that PS could back up all our camera needs.”

PS has been proud to support this iconic Canadian series since its inception over 30 years ago. The Degrassi brand has since become a worldwide phenomenon. Degrassi is now licensed in over 150 countries around the world and is the top-rated show on TeenNick in the United States.

“I can still remember loading the gear for The Kids of Degrassi Street into a VW van,” recalled Doug Dales, founder and chairman of PS Production Services. “To see the show evolve from where it began three decades ago has been remarkable, and to have helped them take the next step to digital has been a great honour for our company.”

The new “shot on RED” season of Degrassi premiered Monday, July 19 at 9 p.m. ET and won its 9-9:30 p.m. timeslot for teens amongst all Canadian and US specialty networks. The series airs Monday-Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on MuchMusic with a two-hour marathon repeating on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. ET.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Degrassi seamlessly introduces transgendered character

From Kat Angus of Postmedia News:

  • Degrassi seamlessly incorporates transgendered character
    “Degrassi (MuchMusic, 9 p.m.) is three weeks into its telenovela format, and this week saw the introduction of Adam, the teen drama’s first transgendered character. And, to Degrassi’s credit, the show has seamlessly incorporated Adam into its existing storylines instead of awkwardly introducing him as transgendered.” Read more.
Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

TV, eh? podcast episode 4: Enrico Colantoni of Flashpoint plus The Movie Network/Movie Central/HBO Canada schedules

Episode 4: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Anthony and I mock Global’s upcoming show Canada Sings, the producers of The Bridge for thinking CBS is still on board, Degrassi ratings information, and each other. I praise The Movie Network/Movie Central/HBO Canada and Call Me Fitz but we mock their “terrible branding problem” and the vagueness of The Yard‘s premise.

We don’t mock Flashpoint but discuss the season three premiere, and I talk to Enrico Colantoni about his role as Greg Parker and how Flashpoint is a great example of Canadian storytelling. As we say during the podcast, the interview doesn’t have great sound quality and strict spoilerphobes should beware.

Your links

  • Canada Sings – I am excited at how much Anthony is going to hate this Glee-like reality show, even if I’m not excited about the show itself
  • The Bridge is cancelled on CBS, despite what the producers want to believe
  • Flashpoint season 3 premieres August 6
  • Degrassi is doing well. I think. If I’m parsing the media release correctly.
  • Haven and The Pillars of The Earth are in our rotation
  • The Movie Network/Movie Central/HBO Canada schedule
  • Enrico Colantoni is a very cool dude
  • For information on specific shows, check out the sidebar of TV, eh? under Categories, or search for the show title in that little search box

Your hosts

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Ratings: Degrassi wins timeslot in demo

From a media release:

DEGRASSI Wins Timeslot with Key Demo of P12-34 in Its First Week on MuchMusic

  • DEGRASSI is MuchMusic’s second most-watched series this BYTD
  • More Than 1 Million DEGRASSI Lovers Watch Season 10 on MuchMusic in First Week
  • New episodes air Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m. ET all summer long

It’s official. DEGRASSI ‘s new format is a hit with audiences! During its first week of its new telenovela format, DEGRASSI won its timeslot (9 – 9:30 p.m. ET) Monday to Thursday with MuchMusic’s key demo of P12 – 34 amongst all Canadian and US Speciality Networks. Within its first week, DEGRASSI also became the station’s second most-watched series this broadcast year to date with P12 – 34 audiences and in overall viewership. And more than one million viewers tuned in to watch the first week of DEGRASSI on its new, exclusive home, MuchMusic.

New episodes air Monday through Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET. This new daily format continues all summer long on MuchMusic. Viewers can get caught up on episodes by going to muchmusic.com.

Source: BBM Canada

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail