From CMF:
From a media release:
Quick Hit: FLASHPOINT Presents a Special Season 3 Sneak Peek July 16 on CTV
Buckle up FLASHPOINT fans! The summer just got hotter as CTV announced today that the Gemini Award-winning series presents a special Season 3 sneak peek episode on Friday, July 16 at 10 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). A quick-hit teaser of a third season locked and loaded with hard-hitting storylines, painful decisions, and Team One’s toughest adversaries yet, the mid-summer primer is a can’t miss target for FLASHPOINT fans. Earlier this month CTV announced the pick-up of a fourth season which will begin production in Toronto for the 2010/2011 season. Following its television broadcast, the Season 3 sneak peek will be available on demand on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca.
In the Season 3 sneak peek, entitled “Unconditional Love†(July 16), Team One must resolve a standoff at a seedy motel with a fugitive whose shot two police officers and taken a teenager, Paul Wilder (Devon Bostick, BEING ERICA), hostage. At first, Paul seems like a good kid in a bad situation, but as the team digs deeper it uncovers chilling secrets that reveal Paul is far from innocent. What began as a standoff ends as a desperate chase through the city’s sewer system, and it’s up to Parker (Enrico Colantoni) to stop Paul from making a mistake that will change him forever. Meanwhile, Ed (Hugh Dillon) discovers that his cop brother Roy (Colin Cunningham, DA VINCI’S INQUEST) might have been responsible for one of the officers getting shot … and that his wife is, unexpectedly, expecting.
Also launching on Friday, July 16 on CTV.ca/FLASHPOINT is FLASHPOINT: TRAINING DAY, an interactive, online simulation game that gives FLASHPOINT fans the chance to become virtual members of the Strategic Response Unit (SRU). Adopting the role of a rookie recruit, website visitors enter FLASHPOINT: TRAINING DAY and explore SRU training with tactical and strategic training modules, including real time negotiations with a hostage taker. FLASHPOINT: TRAINING DAY uses actors from the show to create a realistic training environment, bringing players inside the SRU. Players undertake a recruitment test and training modules and eventually the final tests to see if they have what it takes to become an SRU officer.
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; Michael Cram (STARGATE: ATLANTIS) as Kevin “Wordy†Wordsworth, who specializes in close quarter combat; and Sergio Di Zio (Just Buried) as Mike “Spike†Scarlatti, explosives and tactical toys expert.
FLASHPOINT is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment and Avamar Entertainment in association with CTV and CBS Television Studios. Anne Marie La Traverse and Bill Mustos serve as executive producers. Co-creators Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern helm the writing department alongside co-executive producers Melissa R. Byer and Treena Hancock. Trish Williams is the CTV Production Executive working with the series. Brett Burlock is Director, Program Development for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. Vera and Tele Munchen are the international distributors.
From a media release:
Season 3 of YTV’s THE NEXT STAR Premieres July 19
After a cross-Canada search where over 4000 talented Canadian kids showed up to audition, Corus Entertainment’s YTV delivers its popular top-rated talent series The Next Star beginning on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m. In its third season, families at home can once again join in to witness the entertaining journey unfold from audition process through to the live finale, which has been known to host stars like heartthrob Justin Bieber.
Produced by leading Toronto distributor and producer Tricon Films and Television in association with YTV, the first three episodes take place during the nationwide audition period and feature hopefuls aged 15 and under as they try to make it to the next round. Sixteen aspiring singers continue to participate in episodes four and five with six finalists chosen to be mentored throughout the remaining seven episodes. All six are challenged in every aspect of the biz from vocal exercises to participating in media interviews to perfecting a signature look. The six finalists will also record an original song that will be released on a compilation album. Only one of the six will become The Next Star and receive the grand prize package at the series’ finale on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. live from Canada’s Wonderland.
Modelled after the previous two seasons, viewers will vote for their favourite performer via YTV.com and text message. The finalist with the most viewer votes will become The Next Star and take home the coveted prize package which includes: Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software, a distribution deal with Universal Music Canada for the winner’s two songs, and a Songwriter Deluxe Acoustic Guitar courtesy of Gibson Guitar.
Beginning on Monday, July 19 through to Monday, August 9, YTV is giving fans another chance at stardom with The Virtual Next Star. Eligible participants can log onto YTV.com for a chance to be crowned The Virtual Next Star and win a trip to Toronto and two VIP tickets to the series’ live finale at Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. ET. The prize includes: one round trip economy flight to Toronto for the winner and a parent or guardian, three nights standard accommodation and $500 CDN.
Once the series has launched on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m., The Next Star website, found at YTV.com, will once again be centre stage for audience interaction, full length episodes and the voting process. Beginning on Tuesday, August 10 until Sunday, September 26, as viewers cast their votes, they can be included in a draw to win the Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software – everything one would need to have their own recording session at home.
Viewers will also be able to find show info, surf finalist pages, download extra content and watch exclusive behind the scenes footage on YTV.com. They can also join the community of fans through The Next Star message boards and sign up to receive a The Next Star newsletter which will feature breaking news and show developments. YTV.com will also grant fans special VIP access to additional content online when they tune into the show and receive a special code. If fans think they’re the biggest Next Star fan, they can also login to participate in the Think You Know The Show Contest for a shot at a cash prize of $2,000 CDN.
About the mentors:
Award-winning singer, Suzie McNeil, performed her Olympic-inspired song “Believe†at the 2010 Olympics closing ceremonies. Hot on the heels of a Canadian tour with superstar, Colin James, she recently released her third album, Suzie McNeil – Live Acoustic. JUNO Award-winning composer and MuchMusic’s first VJ, Christopher Ward, has written a number of chart-topping singles including Black Velvet for Alannah Myles and most recently penned songs for Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel. It was Steve Cranwell’s 23 years of experience in music marketing that led to the newest chapter of his life, Executive Director of MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity.
From a media release:
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! “TIL DEBT DO US PART†NOW CASTING FOR SPECIAL HOME & BABY EDITIONS
Eight seasons of “Til Debt Do Us Part†and 104 families later, viewers are still asking to see more of SliceTM’s money maven and fan-favourite host, Gail Vaz-Oxlade. Set to start shooting this summer in the Greater Toronto Area, Frantic Films is now casting for 14 special episodes of “Til Debt Do Us Part†with Gail focusing on the unique financial problems created by home ownership and new parenthood.
The Home Edition will focus on couples besieged by the challenges of home ownership and facing a conflict when it comes to managing their money. From bidding-war buyers to renovators gone way over budget to compulsive consolidators, Gail will help couples in over their heads from losing the roof over them.
The Baby Edition will focus on couples or single parents struggling financially with the recent or impending arrival of a new baby.
“We’re looking for couples in the Greater Toronto Area who have newborns up to one year old, or who are expecting before December 2010,†says Jennifer Horvath, Series Producer, “Til Debt Do Us Partâ€Â. “If their debt is due to anything baby-related, such as fertility treatments, multiples, an unexpected pregnancy, newly single moms going it alone or suddenly unemployed dads with babies in daycare, then we want to hear from them.â€Â
“Viewers write me weekly asking for more shows and I’m delighted to be able to give them what they want,†says Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of “Til Debt Do Us Partâ€Â. With the potential of a cash reward and loads of solid advice, Gail has a lot to offer participants. “If you want me to come to your house and help fix your financial mess, get me now!†she laughs.
For more details and how to apply visit Casting Calls at www.slice.ca or download an application at www.themoneytest.com and send to franticfilmscasting@gmail.com
From a media release:
SHAFTESBURY STARTS PRODUCTION ON KEN FINKLEMAN’S HOTLY ANTICIPATED NEW SERIES, GOOD DOG
Shaftesbury Films, Canada’s leading creator and producer of original content, today announced that the company has commenced production on Good Dog, a half-hour comedy created, written and directed by Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom). Starring Finkleman and Lauren Lee Smith (CSI, The L-Word), the 13-episode series will be shot on location in Toronto until August. Produced in association with Astral’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central, Good Dog will premiere in 2011.
Good Dog centers on the life of George (Finkleman). He’s self-absorbed, neurotic and he lives with Claire, (Smith) a gorgeous ex-model, half his age. It’s a hot May-December relationship in which George discovers he must be a “Good Dog†if he wants it to work out. Did we mention Claire has two young children and a nanny, who over time come to live with them? George’s friend, Doug (Jason Weinberg), bears the brunt of most of George’s “bright ideas,†which generally end badly, but not without revealing a nugget of truth.
Finkleman is best known as the writer, creator and producer of the International Emmy award-winning series, The Newsroom for CBC TV and PBS. He also produced Married Life (Comedy Central) and Foolish Heart, Foreign Objects, More Tears and At the Hotel. Finkleman’s first novel, Noah’s Turn, will be published by HarperCollins in late August 2010.
After an extensive casting search, Vancouver native Lauren Lee Smith has been selected for the role of Georges ‘ much younger girlfriend, Claire. Smith returns to Canada after playing CSI agent Riley Adams in season nine of the international hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation alongside Laurence Fishburne. Smith is also known for her starring role in Clement Virgo’s award-winning film, Lie with Me, and the Showtime series The L-Word. Rounding out the cast is Jason Weinberg (Law & Order, Casino Jack) as George’s friend, Doug.
Good Dog is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, Movie Central and The Movie Network. The series is executive produced by Shaftesbury’s Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie and by Ken Finkleman, and is produced by Peter Meyboom for Shaftesbury. Ken Finkleman writes, directs and stars in the 13-episode half-hour series. Shaftesbury Sales Company holds international sales and distribution rights.