Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big Time Decent Productions in production on four new unscripted originals, launches new scripted division Bread & Better Films

June 4, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Vancouver-based production company Big Time Decent Productions has announced that it is in production on four new docuseries and is expanding its unscripted slate to include a feature documentary, an IMAX nature documentary, and a new automotive vertical for YouTube including flagship channels Rust Bros and Wildman Garage. The company has also shared details on the launch of its new scripted division, Bread & Better Films, and a new partnership with Verve Talent and Literary Agency out of Los Angeles.

Big Time Decent Productions is currently in production on new docuseries with Corus Entertainment, as well as Bell Media. Underdog Inc., which has been greenlit by AMI, is a new docuseries following the life of Dale Kristensen, a little person raising a child while running a trucking business in small town BC. The company has also had a fourth docuseries recently greenlit by a Canadian broadcaster with a formal announcement coming soon.

“After a lot of hard work from our talented team, we are thrilled to be announcing some major company milestones. Since our launch in 2020, we have had the incredible opportunity to share fascinating stories of remarkable characters with global audiences through our unscripted content. Off the heels of this success, we look forward to continuing to expand our unscripted offering while ramping up our scripted development slate with Bread & Better Films,” said Matthew Shewchuk, Founder and Head of Production, Big Time Decent Productions. “Despite the overall state of the industry, we’ve experienced steady growth in our first four years and will continue to build on that foundation to position ourselves as a key Canadian content producer.”

Bread & Better Films, Big Time Decent Production’s new scripted division will focus on developing and producing feature films and scripted series. The new arm launched in partnership with Big Time Decent’s René Brar and Jeff Kinnon. The company is also bringing in industry veteran Robert Vroom as Producer. Vroom has produced a wide range of feature films including Blood Quantum (2019), You Can Live Forever (2022), and several TV movies. Bread & Better Films also welcomes writer, producer, and actor Juliana Wimbles to serve as Development Producer for the new label. Bringing 20 years of industry experience, Wimbles appeared as a regular on ABC’s The Good Doctor (2019) and is a familiar talent with the Hallmark Channel, having written six feature films for the broadcaster.

“We’re incredibly excited to announce the launch of Bread & Better Films and to have Rob and Juliana joining us. Our team has deep roots in the scripted world, and we look forward to expanding that side of the business and building a robust scripted slate together,” said René Brar, Head of Development, Bread & Better Films.

After building a successful foundation in unscripted television, Big Time Decent Productions is diversifying their unscripted offering, producing a feature documentary that will take part in a festival run in the fall, as well as their first IMAX nature documentary targeting a 2025 distribution. Following the enormous success of their highly acclaimed show Rust Valley Restorers (above), the production company is finding innovative ways of bringing automotive programming to a loyal fanbase with a collection of talent-driven YouTube channels, including Rust Bros and Wildman Garage, among others. Together these channels have accumulated over 100 million views across platforms in the first half of 2024.

The company has also signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency, one of the fastest-growing and most-reputable talent agencies in Los Angeles.

Canada's Ultimate Challenge, Featured

Team Wildcard wins Canada’s Ultimate Challenge; casting open for Season 3

June 3, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

After six weeks of intense competition filled with twists and turns, Team Wildcard shocked the country, upsetting Team Red in the final obstacle course to win season two of CANADA’s ULTIMATE CHALLENGE last night on CBC. Standing on the shores of Vancouver Island, host Brandon Gonez declared Brandon Rodwell (Woodstock, ON), Shasily Matowe (Edmonton, AB) and Whitney Beers (Saint John, NB) season two champions and winners of a VIP trip to cheer on Team Canada at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Season two of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE, including the finale episodes, are available to stream now on CBC Gem.

As the two-part finale began, teams Blue, Red and Orange travelled to Revelstoke, BC, in anticipation of the biggest elimination showdown of the season. There, they were faced with a terrifying gondola challenge atop the largest vertical drop in North America where Team Red secured their spot in the finale. Then, in the most surprising twist of the season it was revealed that eliminated Players Brandon Rodwell, Shasily Matowe and Whitney Beers were returning as the newly formed Team Wildcard and, after facing off in a kayak challenge, Team Orange was sent packing. Player tensions and rivalries came full circle as the remaining teams headed to Vancouver Island for the final three obstacles. Known for its gnarly trails and legendary precipitation, Mount Washington set the backdrop for a mountain bike relay that ultimately led to the elimination of the Team Blue, and pitted season favourites Team Red and underdogs Team Wildcard against each other in the final challenge of the season, “Canada’s Ultimate Log Jam.” In an intense obstacle course, Team Wildcard pulled off the ultimate upset and defeated Team Red for the win. They’ll be joining Season One winners Vinny Rojas (Dorval, QC), Alana Warnick (Winnipeg, MB), Bradley Farquhar (Halifax, NS), and Devon MD Jones (Toronto, ON) at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer.

The season finale comes fresh off the heels of the announcement that the series has been renewed for a third season. Casting for season three of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is open now. Season one of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards including Best Reality/Competition Series.

Hosted by Brandon Gonez, CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is an original reality competition format that transforms Canada into an epic obstacle course. Each episode takes place at an awe-inspiring location showcasing the beauty and grandeur of Canada. Players compete in a series of challenges that test every aspect of their physical and mental strength, pushing them to their limits. Season two featured 20 fierce competitors divided into teams of five who battled it out in St. John’s, NL, Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC, Ottawa, ON, Hamilton, ON, Canmore, AB, Revelstoke, BC and Vancouver Island.

Commissioned by CBC, season two of CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE is executive produced by Erin Brock, John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski, and Jeff Thrasher for Insight Productions (A Boat Rocker Company) and Phil Gurin for The Gurin Company.

Featured, Industry News

Bomanizer ventures into television with new Crave original series Made For TV with Boman Martinez-Reid, streaming July 12

May 29, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Can celebrated Canadian comedian, actor, and recent Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report honouree Boman Martinez-Reid successfully make the jump from social media star to television icon? In the all-new, six-episode Crave Original series MADE FOR TV WITH BOMAN MARTINEZ-REID, Boman embarks on a hilarious and slightly awkward quest for television fame as he explores various TV genres. With the guidance of real-life renowned celebrity advisors, he puts his skills to the test, hoping to discover the one that will propel him to television fame. Created by two-time Canadian Comedy award-winning comedian Natalie Metcalfe and produced by Alibi Entertainment in association with Bell Media, all six episodes of the series drop on Crave on Friday, July 12.

Featuring a lineup of esteemed celebrity guests representing a wide spectrum of television genres, Boman’s advisors include: reality star and influencer Francesca Farago (TOO HOT TO HANDLE); Chef Lynn Crawford and Audrey MacKinnon (JUNIOR CHEF SHOWDOWN); news anchors Nathan Downer and Sandie Rinaldo; Toronto Raptors broadcaster Jack Armstrong, former Canadian NBA star Jamaal Magloire, Canadian basketball coach Tamara Tatham; renowned drag queens Priyanka and Lemon; and THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC star Ashley Darby.

Known for parodying “Slice of Life” Reality TV, Boman assumes this genre will be a walk in the park, but is thrown for a loop when his advisor, Real Housewives of Potomac star Ashley Darby expects more than Boman is willing to give.

MADE FOR TV WITH BOMAN MARTINEZ-REID is produced by Alibi Entertainment, in association with Bell Media’s Crave. Bell Media distributes the series internationally. For Alibi Entertainment, James Hyslop is President and Executive Producer, Natalie Metcalfe is Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner, Jo Virgo is Executive Producer and Boman Martinez-Reid is Executive Producer.

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

AMI-tv announces new and returning original series to its sizzling summer schedule

May 28, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Summer programming at Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is hotter than ever! Today, AMI-tv unveiled new and returning original series to entertain and inform Canadians of all abilities in the coming weeks.

It all begins with the debut of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, the eight-episode satirical, half-hour news format which pokes fun at the ableist society people with disabilities face every day.

Returning series include Season 4 of the Canadian Screen Award nominated By Hook or By Cook, Season 2 of Breaking Character and a special episode of Mind Your Own Business filmed before a studio audience.

And, the new AMI-tv series Got Game explores coming-of-age in a board game café as six youths with disabilities share their stories in a round table discussion while playing inclusive tabletop games.

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

June

The Squeaky Wheel: Canada debuts Monday, June 24, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+

Be Loud. Be Disabled. Be Squeaky. Based on Steven Verdile’s popular web publication The Squeaky Wheel, The Squeaky Wheel: Canada is an eight-episode satirical, half-hour news format which pokes fun at the ableist society people with disabilities face every day. Directed by Lucy Belgum and Tobi Abdul, the series stars Graham Kent and Gaitrie Persaud as lead anchors Grant Gewürztraminer and Arianna Salara. The ensemble cast of Margaret Rose, Samantha Wyss, Sivert Das, Wesley Magee-Saxton and Yousef Kadoura are on the scene, ready to take on absurd situations and characters, including flipping the script and embodying obnoxious able-bodied/neurotypical personalities. The Squeaky Wheel: Canada is produced by Hitsby Entertainment.

By Hook or By Cook returns Friday, June 28, at 9 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv and AMI+

Bruce Cook (above) has dedicated the past 10 years to showing others what is possible, performing under the spotlight and proving to himself that his accident happened for a reason. He has accomplished more than he imagined post injury, establishing a foundation that allows others the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones. But what about his own? As the spotlights begin to fade, and Bruce’s life falls into a rhythm, he finds himself conflicted by who he wants to be, who he thought he would be and who he really is. This season will find Bruce on his way to accepting and coming to terms with who he really is after 10 years in a wheelchair. Watch the Season 4 trailer now! By Hook or By Cook is produced by Render Digital Media.

July

Breaking Character returns Tuesday, July 9, at 9 p.m. Eastern to AMI-tv and AMI+

Breaking Character is the first documentary series to explore the entertainment industry from the perspective of performers with disabilities. It comes at a critical time when the industry has finally started to recognize disability as the missing link of inclusivity. We capture the ups and downs of building careers while also fighting the battle for representation. The message is simple: talent is there; now it’s time for the talent to get opportunities. In Season 2, four new faces continue the fight to find a place for themselves and their circle. Breaking Character is produced by Winterhouse Films.

Mind Your Own Business: Then, Now and Next debuts Friday, July 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+

In this special, host Kevin Shaw and the business mentors welcome four entrepreneurs from past seasons. They’ll reveal how their businesses are doing and take questions from a studio audience. Mind Your Own Business: Then, Now and Next is produced by Apple Orchard Productions.

August

Got Game debuts Monday, August 14, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+

Got Game explores coming-of-age in a board game café as six youths with disabilities share their stories in a round table discussion while playing inclusive tabletop games. Got Game provides an outlet for youth with disabilities to share their feelings, frustrations, triumphs, ambitions, and general outlook on life with a disability. But it is not about defining these individuals by their disability; it’s about recognizing the individualism of these youth aside from their disability. Got Game is produced by Mountain Road Productions.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI+.

Featured, Industry News

Writers Guild of Canada ratifies new agreement

May 23, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Canadian screenwriters and producers have a new collective agreement governing English-language screenwriting in Canada. The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) announced today their members have ratified the new Independent Production Agreement (IPA), which will come into effect on May 22, 2024. This agreement sets the terms, conditions, and rates for writers, story editors, and story consultants until January 31, 2027.

As part of the newly ratified agreement, live action script fees will increase by 5 per cent, 4 per cent, and 3.5 per cent over the next three years. Animation script fees will increase by 5 per cent, 11.5 per cent, and 3.6 per cent over the same period. A minimum staffing provision was negotiated, requiring two Story Editors to be engaged during the bulk of principal photography on productions commencing on or after January 1, 2025, for one-hour productions with budgets over $2.5M per episode and half-hour productions with budgets over $1.5M per episode. Artificial Intelligence (AI) protections were also negotiated, requiring producers to disclose and contract under the IPA when providing writers with AI-generated materials, as well as no reduction in existing writer credit or compensation. Expanded protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace were also negotiated.

“We are pleased to have negotiated meaningful protections and fee increases for our members,” says WGC Executive Director Victoria Shen. “These achievements would not have been possible without the solidarity demonstrated by our membership. Special thanks to the Negotiating Committee, who volunteered months of their time, passionately represented the interests of screenwriters, and stood their ground to reach this deal.”

“Bargaining this agreement was extremely challenging but it has resulted in a more united and engaged membership,” says Bruce Smith, President of the WGC. “Our work will continue on many fronts, including fighting for equal compensation and protections for animation writers, advocating for a better funding system to address the needs of feature film writers, and ensuring our industry can flourish.”