From Bill Brownstein of The Gazette:
CBC operating budget cut by $115 million
It’s the worst-kept secret in Canadian television. By 2014-15, CBC’s operating budget will shed $115 million, as part of Canada’s 2012 federal budget. In the same timeframe, Telefilm Canada will shed $10.6 million, while the National Film Board of Canada will shed $6.7 million. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is relatively lucky, as a $400,000 funding reduction is on tap for 2013–14.
CBC sent a press release on March 29, 2012. The press release states that its 2015: Everyone, Every way strategy will work around the budget reductions. Lobby groups and unions aren’t quite as sanguine about CBC’s budget cuts, including the Canadian Media Guild, ACTRA, and Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Studies applauds the budget cuts, as the CCPS calls for CBC’s “inevitable privatization.”
Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Update – CBC cuts, Last of the Dragons, State of Syn, more
The Firm, Global – “Chapter 12 – Loyalty”
Sarah tells Mitch the truth about her case, despite the potential danger this exposes her to. Meanwhile, Abby makes an important discovery with the help of Martin Moxon’s widow.
W5, CTV – “Senior’s Moments” and “Star’s Trek”
In an all-new investigation, W5 explores the shocking number of assaults in Ontario seniors’ homes. On Saturday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV and CTV Mobile TV, “Senior’s Moments” reveals that in just one year, there have been a staggering 1,788 resident-to-resident attacks in extended care facilities in Ontario. W5 further uncovers the changing face of nursing home patients: elderly and frail, near end-of-life patients are now living in mixed populations with patients aged 18 years and older. With the systemic closure of psychiatric hospitals in Ontario, long-term care facilities have become a dumping ground for violent patients in need of psychiatric care.
In the second story of the evening, W5 takes an in-depth look at the life and times of William Shatner. The iconic Canadian actor has a career on stage, screen, as a writer and director that spans seven decades and is still going strong. “Star’s Trek” features an insightful and candid interview and key moments from Shatner’s career. The W5 profile airs on the eve of Shatner’s role as host THE 2012 JUNO AWARDS the next night, Sunday, April 1 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.
Executive producer and director Gary Harvey has just come off a solid first season for Arctic Air — the most-watched debut season for a CBC drama series in 15 years. While he waits on news of a season two, he answered some questions about his career, his unusual role as a director/showrunner, and how giving back to the industry is a survival mechanism.
What do you think it was about that show at this time that caught the attention of an audience?
(Creator) Ian Weir always meant for Arctic Air to be a bit of a throwback to the classic adventure series. Imminent peril is obviously a big theme throughout and we deliver on those types of stories. There is also the environmental dilemma faced by the north and we touch on that through the relationship between Adam Beach’s character Bobby and the Ronnie Dearman character, played wonderfully by Brian Markinson.
We tend not to hang our stories on sex or violence episode to episode, although we don’t shy away from it when appropriate. I have been surprised by some of the audience’s responses describing the show as family viewing. It always seemed a bit darker than that in my mind but perhaps we’re tapping into something that is counter to our expectation of family viewing today.
Having said that, the show is also fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I think all those elements have resonated with audiences.
I also think that opening a window on a physical environment few people “south of 60” have experienced vis-Ã -vis the NWT has been a big piece of the puzzle. The north is a very interesting place, exotic in many ways. During my first trip to Yellowknife I knew how big it was going to be for the audience to experience as much of the world of the NWT as possible. I think we were quite successful delivering on that promise.
Continue reading Arctic Air’s director/producer Gary Harvey on moving forward and giving back
From a media release:
Bell Media Orders 13 Additional Episodes of THE L.A. COMPLEX
Bell Media confirmed today the order of an additional 13 episodes of its compelling original series, THE L.A. COMPLEX. Production begins in Toronto and Los Angeles in mid-April. Produced by Emmy®-nominated Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI) and executive produced, written, and directed by Martin Gero (HBO’s BORED TO DEATH, Young People F*cking), THE L.A. COMPLEX is a no-holds-barred, character-driven relationship drama that follows the exploits of young hopefuls in search of stardom in Hollywood. Slated to premiere on MuchMusic this July, new episodes will feature new characters and storylines. U.S. broadcaster The CW, which picked up the existing six episodes in January, premieres THE L.A. COMPLEX, April 24.
THE L.A. COMPLEX is executive produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn of Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI, INSTANT STAR) and Martin Gero. Directors are Martin Gero and Stefan Brogren. Writers for the additional episodes include Martin Gero, Brendon Gall, Karen Hill, Carl Binder, and Vera Santamaria. For Bell Media, Neil Staite is Vice-President and General Manager, Music and Entertainment; Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels; Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production; Trish Williams is Production Executive; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production; and Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
