From Bill Harris of QMI:
I usually try to stay away from politics on this site but I’m being asked for my comment on Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett, who called some Canadian television “shit” at the Banff World Television Festival. I was in the session, and here’s what I said on my personal blog:
EDIT: Audio file posted here
From a media release:
The Beat presents a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by the Beat Enforcement Team’s Squad Three, as they tirelessly work to maintain order in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community. The Beat premieres with back-to-back episodes Sunday, July 11 at 10pm and 10:30pm on Citytv.
With unprecedented access to the police that patrol one of the most controversial neighbourhoods in Canada, and all of North America, audiences can see rooming house raids, undercover sting operations, stakeouts, petty thieves and major drug busts, all through the eyes of six members of the Beat Enforcement Team.
Led in turn by Sergeant Toby Hinton, a 20-year veteran of the beat and newly minted Sergeant Mark Steinkampf, a former jail guard and SWAT team member, Squad Three features Constable Shane Aitken, a veteran of the first Gulf War and model of poise under pressure; Constable Tim Russell, the unit’s youngest and most precocious member; and Constable Kristie Fisher, who struggles to balance the rigor of her daily patrols with family life. Overseeing the squad is inspector John McKay, a well-respected 35-year veteran on the force.
The Beat was created and executive produced by Michael Kronish. Lewis Cohen (Cirque Du Soleil: Fire Within) and Gregory Fine (Webdreams) are supervising producers. Todd Serotiuk (Ice Pilots NWT) and Eli Gorn (Buy Me) directed. Stacey Tenenbaum (Mystery Hunters) produces. Galafilm exec producers are Arnie Gelbart and Jesse Fawcett. The Beat was produced in association Citytv with the participation of the Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Quebec Tax Credit Program administered by SODEC and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit.
From a media release:
TELETOON BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH LATEST ORIGINAL PRODUCTION SLATE
TELETOON Canada inc. today announced that five new Canadian original series have been greenlit for production. New projects include comedy series Crash Canyon and Detentionaire, live-action/animation hybrid series Mudpit, a social, web and TV-integrated series called GeoFreakZ, and My Babysitter’s A Vampire, a live-action series based on the MOW of the same name.
In addition to these titles, TELETOON is developing the following new series: Quasitoon Tim (Sardine Productions), Artificial Idol (DHX Media), Gofers (Neptoon Studios), Sherlock Legacy (Bejuba) and the older-skewing Senior Years (Fresh TV Inc.).
TELETOON’s fall 2010 schedule also boasts a large number of original productions including new seasons of popular series Total Drama World Tour and Johnny Test along with new shows Skatoony, My Babysitter’s a Vampire (MOW) and Dating Guy.
TELETOON is a major supporter of the Canadian animation industry and kids television industry and has invested more than $225 million in the creation, development and production of Canadian content since 1997. As part of its commitment to the industry, TELETOON is proud to sponsor the Kids and Animation Program at the 2010 Banff World Television Festival.
Additional information on TELETOON’s original production slate:
CRASH CANYON
Breakthrough Films & Television • 18 x 30 min
When the Wendell family leaves for a vacation in their camper trailer, only one thing can happen: disaster. Motoring between tourist attractions, scenic vistas and the occasional point of interest, the trip turns to catastrophe when the family vehicle goes off a cliff. As the Wendells stumble out, they realize that not only are they alive, but also that they are not alone as the same fate has befallen several others before them, forming a community known only as Crash Canyon. This comedy series is produced by Breakthrough’s Ira Levy, Peter Williamson and Executive Producer Joan Lambur with Joel Cohen (Co-Executive Producer, The Simpsons).
DETENTIONAIRE
Nelvana • 14 x 30 min
Lee Ping is about to start grade 10 – the best year of his life – when he is blamed for pulling off an epic, mind-blowing practical joke and sentenced to spend the rest of the school year in detention. It’s goodbye freedom, goodbye girls and hello worst year of his life. Detentionaire follows Lee in his attempts to uncover the mystery behind the practical joke and clear his name. Detentionaire is created by Daniel Bryan Franklin & Charles Johnston, produced by Tracey Dodokin and executive produced by Doug Murphy.
GEOFREAKZ
CCI Entertainment • 22 x 90 sec
GeoFreakZ is an integrated social, web and TV experience combining the treasure-hunting family sport of geocaching, the social network potential of the web and the storytelling power of television. In this multi-platform futuristic world, treasure hunting-teenage mutant alien FreakZ Pipes, Squizz, Freakachu, Mona and M-Flip are just trying to have fun, hang out and save the Virtual Universe from complete destruction. This innovative series bridging the gap between traditional television and interactive entertainment is executive produced by Arnie Zipursky and Charles Falzon and produced by Kristine Klohk and Chris Gudgeon.
MUDPIT
Cookie Jar Entertainment • 13 x 30 min
This live-action and animated comedy series tells the story of four teens who form a virtual rock band in hopes of becoming real rock stars. Using a new high-tech videogame called Muzika, ubergamer Reese and alterna-girl Geneva create avatars to rock the online world for a chance to win a recording contract and world tour. Produced by Michael Hirsh, Toper Taylor, Bruce Kalish, Jamie Waese, and Jeff Biederman.
MY BABYSITTER’S A VAMPIRE
Fresh TV Inc. • 13 x 30 min
Based on the TELETOON movie of the same name, My Babysitter’s A Vampire is a live-action series featuring the adventures of sci-fi geek Ethan, his best pal Benny and their recent vampire recruit, Rory. With the help of Ethan’s smokin’ hot babysitter Sarah, the teens must defend their town against an avalanche of scary supernatural phenomena. Executive Producers are Tom McGillis, Jennifer Pertsch, Brian Irving and George Elliott; Associate Producer Robin McLeod and Producer Manny Danelon.
From a media release:
marblemedia Set to Produce New Series Splatalot for Canada, the U.K. and Australia
marblemedia today announced it will produce Splatalot, a hilarious medieval-themed physical game show geared to the 8-12 year-old audience, for YTV in Canada, BBC in the U.K. and ABC in Australia. The 26-episode series features Canada’s largest extreme obstacle course with more wipe outs and spills ever imaginable. It will be shot north of Toronto this summer, and delivered spring 2011.
Three versions of the series will be shot and customized for each of the participating countries, with two hosts selected from Canada, the U.K. and Australia respectively. Each episode will feature a different group of 12 thrill-seeking teen contestants, dubbed Attackers, competing in three cringe-inducing rounds: Cross the Moat, Storm the Castle, and Steal the Crown. The Defenders of Splatalot, an international squad of six medieval-themed gladiators, will do their best to protect the castle from the Attackers – only leaving one to be crowned Prince or Princess of Splatalot.
marblemedia is developing an interactive online environment, where the splat-stick comedy will continue with a series of flash games, taking the Splatalot experience to the next level. The website will offer games such as Master Splatter, a strategy game where players create their own sludge-filled obstacle course for an army of invaders; Splatapus, a highly addictive game with puzzle-like levels where players take on the role of Defender and wipe out the Attackers in the most splat-tastic ways possible.
International distribution of Splatalot will be handled by Distribution360.
For more information, please visit www.marblemedia.com.