From Cassandra Szklarski of the Canadian Press:
By Rachel Langer for TV, eh?
I was fortunate enough to sit down with Simon Barry, the showrunner of one of my favorite new sci-fi series: Continuum. Barry has written for feature films and television in both the US and Canada. He was gracious enough to let me dissect his views on the writing room, TV in Canada, and the voracity of the science fiction fan.
You’ve written for both features and TV; can you talk about the difference in your process between those two things?
As far as movie projects go, a lot of the movie work is driven by assignments, adaptations, rewrites, and polishes, so the majority of that work tends to be, for me, taking other material and managing it into feature film mode, and it’s good work! I mean, it’s great work for developing good habits, but it’s not the most creative work because you’re working within the constraints of previous material.
Whereas for TV, from my experience (and this is probably unique for me because I haven’t worked for anyone else in TV, I’ve only ever worked either developing original ideas or executing them), I find it to be more creatively fulfilling in that sense. Not to say I don’t want to do movies — I absolutely love doing movies — but there is more on your shoulders in TV in terms of thinking everything through from not only the inception of the idea, the execution of the pilot, the planning of the series and then the management of all those other scripts, it’s a much more encompassing writer’s job.
In a movie job you can sort of be a cog in a bigger machine. In TV you’re part of the machine, so it’s a bit of a different approach. It’s the same craft, it’s just applied differently.
Continue reading Simon Barry of Continuum talks Canadian TV with Rachel Langer
Flashpoint, CTV – “A World of Their Own”
Team One is on the trail of Cole Berkley (Andrew Walker, Lawman), a desperate man who kidnaps a prominent politician in a last-ditch effort to save his land. Struggling to connect with Cole, the Team discovers he’s risking his life for his deaf nephew (Connor Price, Good Luck Chuck) who’s scarred by a traumatic past. But when the team learns that Cole himself is being used, Team One faces an explosive situation, with the life of Cole’s nephew hanging in the balance.
The Nature of Things, CBC – “The Norse: An Arctic Mystery”
An intrepid Arctic archaeologist is on the verge of proving that the first meeting between Europeans and North Americans happened centuries before Christopher Columbus. There are the tantalizing bits of evidence, like the Norse ship station in Newfoundland. But nothing has been found there or anywhere else to suggest that Arctic peoples and the Norse met face to face a thousand years ago. Until now.
Doc Zone, CBC – “Tales From KP”
Stories of some of the most carefully guarded secrets of Kingston Penitentiary with some of the most unlikely characters —on both sides of the law!
The Liquidator, OLN – “No Rest for the Wicked”
After reaching his breaking point, Jeff reluctantly lets his family take him on a brief vacation to help him de-stress from work. Will the vacation stop him from making deals?
Match Game, Comedy
Holy BLANK! It’s D. L. Hughley (D.L. HUGHLEY BREAKS THE NEWS), Steve Smith (THE RED GREEN SHOW), Sabrina Jalees (COMEDY NOW!), and Laura Cilevitz (VIDEO ON TRIAL) on the panel!
From Bill Harris of Canoe.ca:
From a media release:
DECK THE HALLS WITH CBC HOLIDAY MAGIC
CBC is bringing holiday magic to Canadians this festive season. From the classics to the soon-to-be classics, from music, comedy, sports and everything in-between, CBC is offering holiday programming for everyone on CBC-TV, Radio One, Radio 2, CBCMusic.ca and CBC.ca. For the complete holiday schedule, go to CBC.ca/holiday.
Highlights of CBC-TV’s holiday programming include a special episode of DRAGONS’ DEN, the new animated TV special THE MAGIC HOCKEY SKATES featuring the voice of Don Cherry, the CCMA Holiday Special: I’LL BE HOME… and star-studded figure skating specials STARS ON ICE and HOLIDAY FESTIVAL ON ICE.
DRAGONS’ DEN HOLIDAY SPECIAL – Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT)
In this special holiday episode of Dragons’ Den, an entrepreneur looks for a little leverage; a redesigned holiday classic attempts to dazzle; and a hot money game is looking for a cold cash deal. Plus a toy maker tries to sleigh the Dragons with his line of action figures.
THE MAGIC HOCKEY SKATES – Dec. 13 at 8:30 p.m. (9 p.m. NT)
In this brand new animated special, Joey is determined to prove to his older brother Zach, that he can be an all-star hockey player too – all he needs are some new skates. Much to Joey’s dismay, he has to settle for a pair second-hand blades. Joey is skeptical when he is told the skates are magic, but all that changes when he hits the ice. Listen for CBC’s Don Cherry and legendary announcer, Bob Cole.
CCMA Holiday Special – I’LL BE HOME… – Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT)
Join country music’s brightest stars as they perform holiday classics. The CBC is thrilled to partner with CCMA, CMT and CBC Music to create a unique holiday music special. Celebrate as the brightest stars in country music light up Canadian homes. The spectacular lineup includes Lady Antebellum, Dean Brody, The Band Perry, Gord Bamford, Jimmy Rankin, Billy Ray Cyrus, Paul Brandt, Beverly Mahood and The Tenors, Terri Clark and Johnny Reid.
STARS ON ICE – Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT)
Choreographed by Four-Time World Champion Kurt Browning, world renowned figure skaters such as Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Joannie Rochette, Jeffrey Buttle, Shawn Sawyer, Cynthia Phaneuf and others come together in a sparkling one hour special.
HOLIDAY FESTIVAL ON ICE – Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT)
A returning family favourite, this year’s program will feature performances by a star-studded cast and live music, including Kurt Browning, Elvis Stojko, Jeffrey Buttle, Joannie Rochette, Kimmie Meissner and more. International Opera sensation Measha Brueggergosman will perform hits from her latest release ‘I’ve Got a Crush on You’.
In addition, viewers will be treated to special holiday-themed episodes of
STEVEN AND CHRIS beginning December 10 at 2 p.m. (2:30 p.m. NT)
Looking for some holiday décor inspiration, the latest trends in festive fashion or the best in seasonal culinary delights? This season the guys, along with their special guests, will bring you everything you need to make your holiday shine; simple DIY projects, great party-planning tips and fabulous gift ideas.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with CBC with a whole night of humourous and insightful programming beginning at 7 p.m. with the THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Holiday Special, followed by the ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FARCE New Year’s Eve Special at 8 p.m. RON JAMES NEW YEAR’S EVE airs at 9 p.m.. GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS TONIGHT wraps up 2012 at 11:30 p.m.
