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Discovery investigates the greatest marine mysteries with Disasters at Sea, premiering April 16

From a media release:

When tragedy strikes on the high seas causing ships to sink, the truth of what happened is often lost to the depths of the ocean. In Discovery’s latest original Canadian series, DISASTERS AT SEA, experienced and dedicated marine investigators track down new evidence to solve the mysteries behind some of the most devastating and unexpected real-life marine disasters in recent history. The six-episode, one-hour docudrama premieres in the network’s coveted timeslot, Tuesday, April 16 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, exclusively on Discovery, following the Season 15 premiere of the Emmy®-winning fan-favourite series DEADLIEST CATCH. The series joins the slate of spring premieres announced by the network this morning.

Each episode of DISASTERS AT SEA tells the unimaginable true story of a maritime disaster, combining harrowing re-enactments with expert analysis from marine investigators. Whether it’s survivor testimony about a sudden sound, GPS data about the ship’s speed, or the scatter pattern of wreckage at the bottom of the ocean, each piece of evidence helps investigators build a dramatic picture of the deadly chain of events.

Armed with the newly-discovered facts uncovered by investigators, archival footage is combined with evocative re-enactments, CGI, and special effects to immerse viewers in each story and dramatically convey the catastrophic events. Each episode delivers a suspenseful journey into one of the deadliest jobs on the planet, the working men and women who choose this dangerous life, and the marine investigators who work tirelessly to help make the high seas a safer place.

DISASTERS AT SEA was commissioned by Discovery, in conjunction with Smithsonian Channel in the U.S. and Seven Network in Australia. The series was produced by Discovery’s Exploration Production Inc. (EPI) in a purpose-built studio in Hamilton, Ontario and on-location throughout Canada and the U.S. The production is the biggest and most comprehensive partnership of its kind for EPI.

Through international rights manager Exploration Distribution Inc. (EDI), the series has been sold in more than 110 markets, including the U.K. and Germany. DISASTERS AT SEA is currently in production on a second season in Hamilton, Ontario, and will debut on Discovery next year.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New seasons of Mighty Cruise Ships, Last Stop Garage, and Jade Fever crop up on Discovery this spring

From a media release:

Discovery sails into spring with the return of several of the network’s fan-favourite original Canadian series, including LAST STOP GARAGE (Season 2), MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS (Season 3), and JADE FEVER (Season 5). Also on deck for March is a special presentation of the conservation documentary TIGERLAND, an official selection of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Jam-packed with homegrown programming, the spring schedule kicks into gear when the Discovery original LAST STOP GARAGE returns for Season 2 Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning March 21. With two new half-hour episodes airing weekly, Season 2 follows the rag-tag team of mechanics from CRB Automotive in North West River, Labrador, the sole auto repair shop in their remote town of 553 people. Each half-hour episode follows the staff of CRB as they use backwoods ingenuity and mechanical wizardry to fix and build just about anything for anyone.

Then, the world’s most luxurious and cutting-edge cruise ships are highlighted when the Discovery original series MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS sets sail for Season 3, airing Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT beginning March 31. The six-episode season takes viewers to the tropical refuges of the Caribbean and French Polynesia, the classic waterways of the Mediterranean, and the remote coastlines of Norway and the high Arctic, highlighting the best vessel on which to set course for each tantalizing destination. Every episode delivers a see-all, hear-all journey through every moment above and below deck, from the mechanics of modern sea-going to the human dramas of the seafarers and guest service staff. Produced by Discovery’s in-house production unit, Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is distributed to 110 countries worldwide by EPI’s distribution arm, Exploration Distribution Inc. – the international distributor for all of EPI and Bell Media programs.

With demand for jade skyrcocketing in China, the Bunce family continues their hunt for Grade A jade in Season 5 of Discovery’s unscripted original series JADE FEVER, airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT beginning April 8. With two half-hour episodes airing back-to-back each week, the Bunces are in desperate need of success after failing to find Grade A jade in the previous mining season. With their life savings on the line, Claudia hopes her father Steve, a jade mining veteran, will be her lucky ticket, but fireworks ensue when three generations of her family attempt to work together. Adding to the complications, treacherous roads, freak spring snowstorms, and raging wildfires threaten to derail their mining season.

From Academy® Award-winning filmmakers Ross Kauffman (Born into Brothels) and Fisher Stevens (The Cove), Discovery presents the feature-length documentary TIGERLAND on Saturday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The film illustrates how shifting political realities in Russia and India created a lucrative poaching underworld that decimated the tiger population. Inspired by the documentary, Discovery Canada’s parent company Discovery Networks International (DNI) and World Wildlife Fund US have partnered to help preserve Russia’s Bikin National Park, which is featured in TIGERLAND, as part of its Project C.A.T. initiative. DNI has committed to fully funding the site through 2022, bringing the total amount of preserved land through Project C.A.T. to more than 5.6 million acres since its launch in 2016.

Subscribers can access live streaming of Discovery programming through the Discovery app, and catch up on full seasons of Discovery series on demand through the Discovery app and at Discovery.ca.

Below is a closer look at Discovery’s new and returning programming highlights for March and April. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit discovery.ca to confirm local broadcast times; programming subject to change).

Thursday, March 21
9 p.m. – LAST STOP GARAGE – “Medi-Sled” – *Season 2 Premiere*
The CRB crew reboots a ski club’s snowmobile and builds a custom rescue sled with a detachable stretcher for the trails.

9:30 p.m. – LAST STOP GARAGE – “Dog Sled Van”
Collin and Corey help the owners of an adventure trekking business transport their huskies and sled across the rough roads of Labrador.

Saturday, March 30
9 p.m. – TIGERLAND – *Special Premiere*
In the span of only a handful of generations, the tiger has been transformed from a venerated creature into a major source of revenue, and the population of wild tigers in Asia has dropped from more than 100,000 to less than 4,000 as a result. In the face of corruption and cultural apathy, Russian scientist Pavel Fomenko and the conservationist family of Kailash Sankhala of India lead inspirational tiger-preservation movements to keep the legendary animal from disappearing entirely.

Sunday, March 31
7 p.m. – MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS – “Koningsdam” – *Season 3 Premiere*
Sail through the Norwegian fjords on Holland America’s Koningsdam, the newest, largest, and most technologically advanced ship in the Holland America fleet. Sailing the narrow Norwegian fjords presents numerous challenges for the bridge team, whether it’s snaking through the winding channels carved by the glaciers, searching for suitable anchor sites, or ferrying guests ashore with the ship’s tender boats. But it’s well worth the effort, leading to one of the steepest train rides in the world, waterfalls that cascade into verdant valleys, and hikes that climax with picnics on sheer cliff tops.

Monday, April 8
10 p.m. – JADE FEVER – “The Long and Grinding Road” – *Season 5 Premiere*
With no jade to show for last season, Claudia is desperate to start digging out the huge jade lens they found late last year. The crew set out on the first trek of the season to their mine, but deep mud and high waters turn the trip into a major disaster. For Claudia, it’s an ominous start to a critical season.

10:30 p.m. – JADE FEVER – “Nose for Jade”
With the road into their camp unpassable, Claudia puts mining on hold and sends Guy and Gary out to repair the torn-up road. Meanwhile, the newest member of the crew arrives – Claudia’s father, Steve. He placer mined the Two Mile claim 40 years ago and with everything on the line this year, Claudia’s desperately hoping he’s the lucky ticket she needs to turn this make-or-break season into a success.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Spring has sprung! AMI-tv announces exciting original series and documentaries to celebrate the season

From a media release:

The snow is melting, the days are growing longer, and Canadians are excited about the arrival of spring. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is too. Today, AMI-tv unveiled new original and acquired television series and documentary programming designed to shake off the cold, invigorate and motivate.

In keeping with AMI’s mandate of making accessible media for all Canadians, the original series and documentaries utilize Integrated Described Video (IDV) to make them accessible to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.

Highlights of AMI-tv’s upcoming spring programming include:

Heart to Heart (Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET)
We love a good love story and Heart to Heart has them. This AMI original special tells the tale of three couples—Olivia and Carolyn, Terry and Anne, and Brian and Krista—who all share something in common: one of the partners has a disability. Offering an honest, insightful and light-hearted dive into what love can look like, Heart to Heart proves one thing: love is awesome.

Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo (Saturday, March 16, at 9 a.m. ET)
Prepare yourself for mind and body rejuvenation through Reflect and Renew with Kevin Naidoo. Those with all levels of mobility can join host Kevin Naidoo on a journey through thoughtful meditation and yoga practices. These will lay the groundwork for mental and physical wellness and positivity providing clarity, focus, balance, inner strength, and greater mobility. Start your day with this AMI original to see and feel a new you!

Our Community, “Paralympic Sports Association” (Thursday, March 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET)
Based in Edmonton, the Paralympic Sports Association (PSA) is a charitable, volunteer-driven organization that provides sport and recreation opportunities for children, youth, teens, adults and seniors of all abilities. In this episode of the AMI original, Our Community, participants and volunteers explain why programs like this must exist, and we explore how the Paralympic Sports Association has created a community within its walls for over 30 years.

Level Playing Field (Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. ET)
This AMI original documentary series, hosted by Greg Westlake, showcases and celebrates the power of sport by introducing audiences to the athletes, community groups, healthcare professionals and grassroots innovators who demonstrate a desire to help drive positive social change through sport. This month we travel to Kelowna, BC, to meet Rob Shaw, an international wheelchair tennis champ from North Bay, ON, who is ranked Top 10 in the world in quad wheelchair tennis.

Without Limits: Australia (Saturday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET)
This inspiring two-part BBC documentary observes ex-army Captain Martin Hewitt as he leads a team of British and Australian ex-servicemen and women with disabilities as they embark on an extraordinary nearly 1,000-mile expedition across Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region.

Seen & Heard (Friday, May 24, at 5 p.m. ET)
Filmed in English, American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), Seen & Heard follows a troupe of actors and stage crew —who are Deaf and hearing—as they present a unique Deaf-themed version of The Little Mermaid. Many of the cast and crew have little or no theatre experience, and most of the Deaf actors use LSQ and are unfamiliar with ASL or English. Will the group unite and pull off this once-in-a-lifetime performance? The special presentation of the acquired program Seen & Heard leads into AMI-tv’s Friday night movies.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI.ca or the free AMI-tv App.

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Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch ’19

From a media release:

Submissions are now open for the largest and longest-running comedy pitch program, the 10th annual Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch in Montreal. CBC Comedy, Project 10 Productions and Tubefilter return as presenters of this unique program, running from July 24-27, 2019 during ComedyPRO, Just For Laughs’ elite comedy industry conference.

With submissions being accepted from all over the world, Stand Up & Pitch: The Comedy Content Search will offer five finalists in each category the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch their digital or TV concept to a panel of seasoned development and production executives, in a room filled with over 100 comedy industry tastemakers and accredited industry professionals. Furthermore, a total of five Canadian projects will be selected to pitch directly to CBC executives and members of the Canadian creative community as part of the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program.  One winner will be selected from each session format and will be invited back for the 2020 edition of Just For Laughs ComedyPro. He/she will receive one (1) free trip to the Just For Laughs Festival, including flight, a hotel room for up to three (3) nights, and a festival pass.

Several successful digital and TV series got their start during Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch, including Fatal Murder Mystery (Shaftesbury/Just For Laughs), That’s My Bus (FOX), My 90-Year-Old Roommate (CBC Comedy), Newborn Moms (CBC Comedy) and Epic Studios (Maker Studios).

Open to comedians, writers, producers and creators, Stand Up & Pitch offers two (2) formats for submission, in addition to the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program:

From Set to Screen: TV, OTT, SVOD and More

Presented by Project 10 Productions, submissions are now being accepted for single or multi-camera scripted sitcoms, game shows, reality shows, variety, sketch or animation series. These pitches are intended for television programs running 30mins. Previous panelists for this program have included executives from esteemed companies including Amazon, Bell Media, CBS, Comedy Central, FOX, HBO and more.

Beyond the Box: Playing It Short

Presented by Tubefilter, submissions are now being accepted for digital-first shows aimed for YouTube or other digital platforms, including scripted, animation, factual, variety and sketch. These pitches are intended for shows running 15mins or less. Previous panelists for this program have included executives from notable companies including Above Average, Adult Swim, Bell Media, Funny or Die, YouTube, and more.

CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program

Presented by CBC Comedy, submissions are now open for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Projects will be drawn from both Stand Up & Pitch formats (Beyond The Box and From Set to Screen). The CBC is a long-time partner of Just For Laughs ComedyPRO, having helped develop the following programs from previous years in this program including How To Buy A Baby, Newborn Moms, My 90-Year-Old Roommate and the upcoming Diversity League.

Deadline to submit projects for this year’s event is May 6, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

 For additional details, full submission guidelines, and to submit for the 10th annual Stand Up & Pitch program, visit the Just For Laughs ComedyPRO website at www.comedypro.hahaha.com/submissions.

 

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Pacific Screenwriting Program announces a Toronto Screenwriting Conference Fellowship for Five BC Writers

From a media release:

The Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) launches a fellowship with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, giving five BC writers the opportunity to forge new relationships and showcase their talent on a national scale.

“The mission of the PSP is to provide professional development to BC screenwriters across the full range of seniority and experience.”, said PSP Board Chair, Brian Hamilton. “We are excited to partner with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference on this opportunity, which is ideally suited to mid-level BC writers looking to network with and learn from top screenwriters from across North America who come together to focus on their craft.”

The May 4-5 event is a celebration of form and inspiration. “Unlike other screenwriting events, the attendees at this conference are working professionals looking to elevate their storytelling craft,” says Raila Gutman, PSP Program Director, “the PSP strongly believes in the value this will bring to our five writers.”

Professional screenwriters are invited to apply for one of five fellowships. Applicants must be able to show proof of BC residency. Successful applicants will receive full conference registration to the 2019 Toronto Screenwriting Conference, including flights, and three nights’ accommodation.

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