By me in Canadian Screenwriter:
From a media release:
CTV’s FLASHPOINT To Conclude With Upcoming Fifth Season
CTV confirmed today that Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment have chosen to end its award-winning hit series FLASHPOINT following the conclusion of its upcoming fifth season. Production on the final 13 new episodes, to be broadcast in 2012-2013 on CTV, is currently underway in Toronto, ON.
“Producing FLASHPOINT over the last five seasons has been an exceptional adventure,†said producers Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos. “We’ve been incredibly lucky to work with committed and supportive broadcast partners who have enabled us to reach many millions of fans across North America. While the series is still at its creative apex, we’ve decided to end the series on a high note, and give those fans the satisfaction of a fitting series conclusion in our 75th episode.â€
“FLASHPOINT has paved the way for other amazing Canadian productions, proving that if you make great television, Canadians will watch,†said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “As a network, we’re privileged to have been involved with this amazing series for five powerful seasons. We look forward to exploring new projects with the superlative creative team behind this transformative Canadian series.â€
Originally developed by CTV, a pilot for FLASHPOINT (then called SNIPER) was shot in 2007. In January, 2008, CBS joined on as broadcast partner before the series began principal photography in the spring of 2008. FLASHPOINT premiered on July 11, 2008 on CTV and CBS, with 1.13 million viewers in Canada, and 8.72 million viewers in the U.S.
FLASHPOINT was the first Canadian series since DUE SOUTH to air in network primetime in both Canada and the United States, leading the way for several other Canadian series to head south of the border and air on U.S. networks. Over the next four seasons, FLASHPOINT went on to become a sure-fire hit, averaging 1.51 million viewers both in and out of simulcast. By the time the series concludes its fifth season next year, 75 episodes of the hour-long series will have aired.
FLASHPOINT has been nominated 80 times for numerous awards, including the Gemini Awards, Directors Guild of Canada Awards, Writers Guild of Canada Awards, ACTRA and PRISM. The series has won 11 Gemini Awards, including Best Dramatic Series, Best Writing in a Dramatic Series (Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern), Best Direction in a Dramatic Series (Kelly Makin), Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role (Enrico Colantoni), and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series (Sergio Di Zio).
In addition to ION Television in the U.S., FLASHPOINT is also licensed in more than 100 territories worldwide, including RTL2 in Germany, Canal Plus in France and Veronica in the Netherlands.
FLASHPOINT stars an impressive list of talent, including Hugh Dillon (DURHAM COUNTY) as Ed Lane, team leader and lead sniper; Enrico Colantoni (VERONICA MARS) as Gregory Parker, the team sergeant and head negotiator; Amy Jo Johnson (FELICITY) as Julianna “Jules†Callaghan, secondary negotiator and rappelling expert; David Paetkau (WHISTLER) as Sam Braddock, the young hot-shot sniper on the team; and Sergio Di Zio (JUST BURIED) as Mike “Spike†Scarlatti, explosives and tactical toys expert. Olunike Adeliyi re-joins the Strategic Response Unit (SRU) as officer Leah Kerns.
FLASHPOINT is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and ION Television. Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos serve as executive producers. Co-creators Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern helm the writing department. Trish Williams and Gosia Kamela are the CTV Production Executive working with the series. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. Vera and Tele Munchen are the international distributors.
Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? will be posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Aubrey Nealon was nominated in the TV Drama category for the “Day Game†episode of Flashpoint — one of four nominations in the category for the series, and his first ever TV script.
Can you describe the episode “Day Game” and how it fit into the Flashpoint season?
In “Day Game,” Team One is confronted by a bitter ex-cop named Gil whose life went off the rails when Parker rejected him from the force’s top unit, the SRU. Determined to prove himself, Gil orchestrates a heist at a stadium so that he can step in and save the day. Naturally things go violently haywire, and as the Team arrives to restore order, Gil gets Parker in his clutches. As the Team scrambles to rescue their boss, Parker is forced into a tense negotiation with a desperate and vengeful Gil. With his life on the line, the usually unflappable Parker erupts in an outpouring of pain and self-doubt that’s been building all season, leaving him questioning his ability to do his job.
What about this episode are you particularly proud of?
This was the first TV script I ever wrote, so I’m pretty proud that it got made at all. Like, someone put it on TV! That’s really cool.
But in terms of the writing itself, I did enjoy creating the character Gil, a guy who is intimately familiar with the SRU’s techniques and tendencies, and holds a deep, personal grudge against Parker. He makes for a fun and formidable opponent, I think — because it’s almost as if he’s watched the show before. He plays with the Team’s expectations about how critical incidents unfold, which allows me to play with the audience’s expectations about how Flashpoint unfolds — all while staying true to the spirit of the show.
What does this recognition mean to you?
A couple years ago I crashed the WGC awards party (paying the full $100 non-union entrance fee!) so that I could corner the Flashpoint showrunners, Mark and Stephanie, and grovel for a job. This year, thanks to this recognition, I’ll get into the party much more cheaply, and Mark and Stephanie will be obliged to talk to me whether I grovel or not.
Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? will be posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Larry Bambrick was nominated in the TV Drama category for the “Shockwave” episode of Flashpoint (one of four Flashpoint nominations in the category … and his first drama script).
Can you describe the episode and how it fit into the Flashpoint season?
In “Shockwave”, a routine call takes a horrible turn and most of Team One gets trapped underground with a powerful bomb. While Spike Scarlatti (the team’s tech expert) struggles to defuse the bomb, he gets news that his sick father won’t survive the night. Spike has to find a way to connect with an emotionally raw bomber, defuse the device and race to his father’s side. It’s the final chapter in a long arc about Spike and his often rocky relationship with his dad.
What about this episode are you particularly proud of?
I’m particularly proud of how quickly the entire writing team responded to last-minute production notes. Just days before shooting, it became obvious that the original script was simply too big. A couple of long days and late nights later — where we re-broke the last three acts — we turned around a new draft. The other happy surprise is that “Shockwave” is the first drama script I’ve ever written. To get a WGC nomination for it is simply overwhelming.
What does this recognition mean to you?
Two years ago, I took a chance moving into drama. I’d been working in news and documentaries for my entire career before deciding to see if I could make a living in the “non-factual” world. This nomination is just so humbling. This script — and my two years on Flashpoint — couldn’t be a better introduction to dramatic writing.
And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?
I’ll be wearing a black t-shirt and a lovely jacket my wife gave me. Likely shoes and socks too. Although if Michael MacLennan decides not to wear the patchwork pants he bought in Paris, I might borrow those.
Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? will be posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Michael MacLennan was nominated in the TV Drama category for the “The Better Man” episode of Flashpoint (one of four Flashpoint nominations in the category).
Can you describe the episode “The Better Man” and how it fit into the Flashpoint season?
The episode takes place on the night of a “rolling raid,” a city-wide drug bust that forces Team One to take down a kingpin with unexpected connections to an undercover cop. One thing that makes it special is that the mission forces the team to wrestle with their own secret, which ultimately results in this being the last mission of Wordy, one of the team’s beloved members.
What about this episode are you particularly proud of?
I really like how the episode structures two differing notions of what it is to be a “good cop,” how loyalty to a team or a mission can be compromised by personal agendas, however noble. And ultimately, how the different choices of Wordy and guest-star Naimeth result in markedly different fates.
What does this recognition mean to you?
To be recognized by one’s peers like this, based on the writing alone, it’s a wonderful thrill. This is my sixth nomination and it always sends my heart racing. This year I feel there are many more promising nominations than mine, so I’m looking forward to just seeing friends at the ceremony, and celebrating this wonderful time in Canadian television.
And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?
Wow, do I have to decide now? I haven’t even begun to short-list my stylist! Hm, in the spirit of fun, I might wear these patchwork pants I bought in Paris a few years back. That sounds horribly 80s but I think they’re pretty cool. Although what do I know — I spend half my life writing in sweatshirts and old stretched sweaters!
