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Arctic Air

Arctic Air finale to be extended online

From a media release:

ARCTIC AIR SEASON FINALE TAKES THE SECOND SCREEN EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS

  • For the first time in North America, witness the ARCTIC AIR story continue online in tandem with the live broadcast on CBC-TV, Wednesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT)

For the first time in North America, the ARCTIC AIR story is extended online in tandem with the live broadcast on CBC-TV, Wednesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). Leading the charge in social television history and second screen experiences in North America, ARCTIC AIR has developed a transmedia storytelling event for a thrilling season finale. This interactive episode features a gripping plotline that takes place in parallel to the events happening on the TV screen, providing access to an additional online perspective to complete the story.

In this episode, Bobby and Loreen find out that Caitlin has been taken hostage, and her kidnappers don’t want money — they want Nelson. As viewers are watching the episode unfold in real time on TV, they can also follow the action online at cbc.ca/arcticair using their preferred second screen device: Smartphone, laptop or iPad. As each commercial break occurs, a prompt will occur on the tablet, indicating that a new piece of evidence or information is unlocked and ready to view. The use of television combined with a second screen element is a viewer experience designed to present the audience with multiple perspectives to enhance the plot during a highly dramatic period in the episode.

After the episode airs, a version of the experience will be packaged for fans to access on the ARCTIC AIR website, as an extended webisode with exclusive content.

The season finale will have fans on the edge of their seats. With the clock ticking, Bobby, Krista, Mel and Tommy must find a way to rescue Caitlin without getting Nelson killed. To experience the second screen interactive extended episode in real time, visit cbc.ca/arcticair on Wednesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) and follow @CBCArcticAir / facebook.com/arcticair for updates.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Highway Thru Hell completes filming season 2

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From a media release:

“Highway thru Hell” completes shooting Season 2 of the wildly successful Discovery Channel television documentary series

After more than four and half months of field work and collecting more than 2000 hours of footage, Great Pacific Television is pleased to announce that they have completed filming the second season of “Highway Thru Hell”. Shooting recently wrapped on the 13 episode Discovery Channel Canada series, which has been dubbed “the most realistic” show on TV. Producer Mark Miller extends a big thank you to everyone who helped make the show possible through their cooperation and commitment to safe travel on the mountain highways. “We are stunned at how drivers have changed habits this season; we saw more winter tires, slower speeds and fewer accidents,” says Miller. “We believe this is the result of the ‘Shift Into Winter’ campaign on the provincial government’s Drive BC website and the series.”

This original Canadian series is extremely successful across the globe. Debuting on Discovery Channel, it reached 1.7 million viewers – making it the highest series premiere in Discovery Channel Canada’s history. The second season sees the series increase from eight to thirteen episodes. “Highway thru Hell” can also be seen worldwide in 170 countries. “We believe the show has helped put the beauty of the region front and centre, and can only result in a higher tourism profile,” said Miller.

Produced by Vancouver’s Great Pacific Television, viewers can climb into the cabs alongside Jamie Davis and his heavy rescue crew in British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains. Davis works with trucking companies throughout the region to help keep their trucks safe during the demanding winter season. Jamie Davis thanks all the truckers that call on his rescue team when their trucks are in trouble.

The success of making BC’s highways 1, 3, and 5 safe is a team effort. The crew from Highway Thru Hell wishes to thank VSA, EAM, the RCMP, BC Ambulance, BC Ministry of Transportation, and the Heavy Rescue crews for opening their world to viewers around the globe. “We would also like to thank the people who live in and around Hope and throughout the region for being so welcoming to our television crews,” said Miller. “It has been a truly amazing year.”

The second season of Highway Thru Hell starts airing this September on Discovery Channel Canada.

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Bitten

Bitten cast adds Greg Bryk, Greyston Holt and Paul Greene

From a media release:

Male Leads Added to the BITTEN Pack as Production Begins in Toronto on New Original Series for Space

  • Greg Bryk (A History Of Violence), Greyston Holt (ALCATRAZ), and Paul Greene (THE CLIENT LIST) join previously announced lead Laura Vandervoort (SMALLVILLE) in principal cast
  • From No Equal Entertainment, Hoodwink Entertainment, and Entertainment One, BITTEN is set to premiere in early 2014 on Space

Space announced today that production has begun on its buzzed-about new Original Drama series BITTEN. Featuring three new male leads, the Canadian scripted series will shoot in studio and on location in Toronto, Hamilton, and in the Hespeler area in Cambridge, ON until late summer. Based on the critically acclaimed Women of the Otherworld novels by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong, the emotionally charged thriller stars previously announced Laura Vandervoort (SMALLVILLE, Ted) as Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf. Additional principal casting for the series announced today includes Winnipeg’s Greg Bryk (A History Of Violence, ROOKIE BLUE) as Pack Alpha Jeremy Danvers, and Alberta natives Greyston Holt (ALCATRAZ, Durham County) as Clayton Danvers and Paul Greene (THE CLIENT LIST, WICKED WICKED GAMES) as Philip McAdams. The 13-episode, one-hour series is set to premiere in early 2014 on Space, and is produced by No Equal Entertainment, Hoodwink Entertainment, and Entertainment One (eOne) in association with Bell Media.

A foster child, Elena (Vandervoort) had always craved a “normal” life and thought she finally found it with her boyfriend Clayton Danvers (Holt). But the secret life he kept from her ended up changing her forever. With one small bite, Elena was forced to survive life with the Pack as a werewolf. Still craving the normal life she lost, Elena finds refuge in Toronto working as a photographer and dating a new man. Hiding her werewolf existence from her ad-exec boyfriend Phillip McAdams (Greene), Elena is pulled back into her former life when bodies turn up in the backwoods of Stonehaven, the rural mansion that has served as a werewolf sanctuary for generations. Caught between two worlds and two loves, Elena returns to Stonehaven out of duty, turning to Clay’s foster-father and leader of the Pack Jeremy Danvers (Bryk) for support. But once back in the fold, Elena realizes that when push comes to shove, like any true alpha female, she’ll stop at nothing to defend her family.

Also joining the BITTEN cast are Paulino Nunes (THE FIRM, CRA$H & BURN) and Steve Lund (HAVEN, ALPHAS) as werewolf father and son Antonio and Nick Sorrentino; Natalie Brown (BEING HUMAN, HAPPY TOWN) as Diane, Philip’s sister and Elena’s best friend in Toronto; Michael Xavier (THE BEST YEARS, NIKITA) as werewolf Logan; Genelle Williams (WAREHOUSE 13, THE LISTENER) as Logan’s girlfriend Rachel; and Joel Keller (MEN WITH BROOMS, DURHAM COUNTY) as werewolf Peter.

“We’re so excited to see the rich world that Kelley Armstrong has created in her novels begin to take shape and come to life as we start production on this new series with an amazing cast,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “With Greyston and Paul joining Laura, the love triangle at the heart of the series is complete, and Greg is the perfect Pack leader.”

“After months of searching in Toronto, Vancouver, and Los Angeles, we couldn’t be more excited about casting Greyston Holt to play Clayton, Paul Greene in the role of Philip, and Greg Bryk as Pack Alpha, Jeremy Danvers,” said J.B. Sugar, Executive Producer, No Equal Entertainment. “We are truly excited to begin production and I can’t think of a more appealing and talented ensemble cast of actors to populate the world of our show.”

About Greg Bryk (“Jeremy Danvers”)
image007Greg Bryk was first introduced to audiences as Alexander ‘The Juggernaut’ Yount in the comedy Men With Brooms, and then starred as Weston Fields for four seasons on the critically-acclaimed series REGENESIS. Bryk has appeared in major TV mini-series and movies of the week including THE GATHERING, THE ROBBER BRIDE, RED: THE WEREWOLF HUNTER, MISTLETOE OVER MANHATTAN, and XIII: THE CONSPIRACY. Bryk has also appeared in numerous feature films including David Cronenberg’s A History Of Violence, Shoot’ Em Up, Weirdsville, The Incredible Hulk, Saw V, Saw 3D, Red, You Might As Well Live, Stephen King thriller Dolan’s Cadillac, and Act Of Dishonor. Bryk also played a major role in Tarsem Singh’s Greek mythology epic Immortals, and had an award-winning appearance in Clement Virgo’s gritty drama Poor Boy’s Game.

A Gemini Award-nominee for his work in the television movie Deadliest Sea, Bryk has enjoyed regular roles on CRA$H & BURN, and AARON STONE, and reprised his popular character, Col. Amos, in XIII: THE SERIES. Most recently, Bryk has been featured in guest starring roles on ROOKIE BLUE, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES, COVERT AFFAIRS, COMBAT HOSPITAL, AGAINST THE WALL, LOST GIRL, CRACKED, and NIKITA, and also starred in the TV movie THE PHANTOMS.

About Greyston Holt (“Clayton Danvers”)
image008Starring as Elena’s werewolf ex-boyfriend Clayton Danvers, Calgary-born Holt moved to Vancouver with his family at age two, eventually residing on Salt Spring Island. During his high school years, Holt took up guitar, formed a band, and performed at various venues in Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

After moving to Vancouver to enrol full-time in acting classes, he was cast in the award-winning Steven Spielberg mini-series Into the West. After that came a lead role in the TV feature Just a Girl, based on the true story of Gwen Araujo, a transgendered boy who was beaten to death for daring to be different. In August 2006, shortly after Just a Girl aired, Holt was tapped for a role on Durham County and shot six episodes that fall. From there, he had a guest-starring role on Smallville, was cast as Jordan in the pilot for Sabbatical, had a supporting lead role on the feature film Lost Boys 2, and booked his first lead role in Slap Shot: The Junior League. Holt reprised his role on the award-winning DURHAM COUNTY for Season 2, and has since appeared in numerous series including Fringe, Alcatraz, and Flashpoint, among others.

About Paul Greene (“Phillip McAdams”)
image009Starring as Elena’s live-in boyfriend Phillip McAdams, Greene was born and raised in the small town of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, and began acting at the age of 16 before moving to the U.S. to further his acting career. After his move, Greene landed a lead role on the series WICKED WICKED GAMES opposite Tatum O’Neill. Soon after, several guest-starring roles followed including David E. Kelley’s series THE WEDDING BELLS and a recurring role on Kelley’s next hit series HARRY’S LAW, starring Academy Award®-winner Kathy Bates. Greene also booked a coveted recurring role playing Maura Tierney’s love interest on the pilot THE WHOLE TRUTH, which ultimately got picked up to series. Other notable guest spots include NCIS, Emmy®-nominated series SHARK, MY OWN WORST ENEMY, and EASTWICK.

Greene went back to his Canadian roots when he accepted the male lead opposite Deanna Russo and Lauren Holly in the movie-of-the-week DO NO HARM. Most recently, Greene can be seen recurring opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in THE CLIENT LIST, and has an upcoming role playing Olivia Munn’s ex-boyfriend in Aaron Sorkin’s hit series THE NEWSROOM. In addition to television, Greene can be seen in the role of Ron in Sophia Coppola’s Somewhere.

Greene has also appeared in a number of television ad spots, and he has graced the cover of Men’s Health Magazine three times. An accomplished pilot, musician, and photographer, he currently lives in Los Angeles with his son, Oliver.

BITTEN is based on the critically-acclaimed series of novels by Kelley Armstrong, and is executive produced by J.B. Sugar (THE COLLECTOR, JPOD) for No Equal Entertainment, John Barbisan and Patrick Banister (WHISTLER) for Hoodwink Entertainment, and John Morayniss and Margaret O’Brien for eOne. Daegan Fryklind and Grant Rosenberg are Executive Producers and Co-Showrunners.

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Awards, Featured

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil’s Craig David Wallace on his WGC Screenwriting Award Nomination

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CraigDavidWallaceThis year’s Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award winners will be announced on April 22. We’ve been catching up with many of the writers nominated in the comedy and drama categories. Todd and the Book of Pure Evil‘s Craig David Wallace is nominated (along with Ian Malone and Charles Picco) for their episode “B.Y.O.B.O.P.E.”

Can you describe the episode “B.Y.O.B.O.P.E.” and how it fit into the Todd & the Book of Pure Evil season

In case you haven’t figured it out, “B.Y.O.B.O.P.E.” stands for Bring Your Own Book Of Pure Evil. For the longest time it was just called the House Party Episode, but then Ian came up with the most excellent title. We always wanted to do an episode that takes place entirely at a house party, especially since the show pretty much always took place at Crowley High. This was a pretty big episode in the mythology of the show: It’s where Todd loses his virginity, and where the gang find out that the only thing keeping Todd from becoming Pure Evil is him losing his virginity, so of course, hilarity ensues. It was also really unique in that the Book Of Pure Evil affects all these people in the background, but the gang is so caught up in their own stuff that they never even realize it, which was a real challenge to write but really satisfying. But the real memory of this episode is that it was one of the few that we shot on location – we took over a family’s house in Winnipeg, and it was a total blast for all of us to shoot.

What was the biggest triumph in this particular episode?

Oh so many things. But what I will always remember is being on set and needing a real button on the scene where Wanda is watching a dude chug down a beer and asks him “What else can you do with that mouth?” Literally, all the writers were on the back porch arguing about what it could be, and Charles kept pitching “I can suck my own dick.” He would not back down. Eventually, I said “Fine, he can say ‘I can suck my own dick’ but then the crowd has to cheer.” Charles went in to tell Warren Sonoda (the director of the episode), and he gave Charles a puzzled look and asked “Seriously?” Charles insisted, so Warren told the actor, who looked at Warren and asked “Seriously?” Warren shrugged, and they shot it, and it was AWESOME. At that moment I realized that I was working on the best show in the entire universe, and I would never have it this good ever again. So yeah, it’s bittersweet. Oh, and I get to say I was nominated for an episode where I wrote “It doesn’t count if he puts it in her bum, everyone knows that.” Now that is a once in a lifetime achievement.

What does this recognition mean to you?

Well, I won this award last year, so to be nominated again is mind-blowing. But even better this year, my co-writer on this episode Ian Malone is nominated along with me, and also Charles Picco who broke the initial story with us. And there’s so many contributions from the other writers from the show (Max and Adam Reid, and Garry Campbell), the producers, and the cast and crew that it feels like we threw a big party and somehow got nominated for an award for it. But really, overall, it just makes me really proud of the work that we did on the show as a whole. It was such a great experience and such a great show, and I really miss working with everyone involved.

If there was one Canadian show that is no longer on the air that you could see honored at this year’s awards, what would it be? (If you have a specific episode, even better).

It’s a bit of a trend that ONLY shows that are no longer on the air are nominated in the Comedy category at the WGC awards. Last year there were five shows nominated and they were all off the air, and this year only two shows (Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil and Less Than Kind) are nominated and both shows are over. But as much as I’m proud and excited to have an episode which I co-wrote be nominated this year, I really feel that our musical episode this year “Two Girls One Tongue” was unfairly passed over. It is by far the most jaw-dropping piece of crazy daring and just plain out there writing I have ever seen on television. The writer of the episode Charles Picco is sheer genius, and you put him together with Shawn Pierce, our amazing composer who wrote the music and James Genn who directed the episode, and it’s magic. MAGIC!

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Podcast

TV, eh? podcast episode 130 – “A Five-Fecta Bevy of Heavy”

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StrangeCBC announced its safe 2013-14 schedule and Diane and Anthony are less than impressed (Anthony’s more impressed by the Gordie Howe movie). Never Ever Do This At Home premieres May 6, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is in production, Vikings and Match Game were picked up for a second season, Storage Wars Canada is coming to OLN, Jonathan Torrens celebrates 25 years in Canadian TV, and the way we’re watching TV is changing thanks to HBO and Aereo.

Then, we get into the rage think piece of the week, more ranting on the Canadian media industry’s latest attempt to pat themselves on the back. And then Diane needed even more to drink.

Episode 130: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed.

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