From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:
‘Slasher’ star Katie McGrath’s character gets a bloody good welcome
The individual characters in Slasher sure seem to spend a disproportionate and unhealthy amount of time alone.
And therefore, vulnerable. Continue reading.
Brands are increasingly shifting their ad spend from broadcast to digital platforms because a) more detailed measurement is available from those platforms than from broadcast and b) because audiences are increasingly shifting their viewing to digital platforms, many of which either allow the audience to skip ads (PVR) or strip the ads out (Netflix, Shomi and CraveTV).
So what to do to capture those online eyeballs? For a few years now brands have been experimenting with branded entertainment or branded content. Content can be any non-ad content created around a brand, such as a recipe or web series, while entertainment is specifically scripted content like that web series. TV people, particularly web series producers, have in turn dabbled with financing from brands resulting in a few crossovers such as the web series “Carmilla†funded by Kotex and produced by Shift2, a division of Shaftesbury. Many more are contemplating this funding model.
Recently I attended the BCon Expo conference put on by Brunico to bring together brands, agencies and creative to discuss best practices in branded content, to get a better idea of what was going on in this branded content world.  It was eye-opening to watch marketers discover concepts of storytelling that have been known to any form of media content creator since well, forever.  Examples:
It seems to me that the advertising industry needs to talk more to people in the television and digital media content industries instead of trying to invent the wheel all over again.
The conference did present an example of that kind of collaboration. Shift2 talked about their latest web series employing what I think of as the “Carmilla†model. Shift2 convinced the Royal Bank of Canada that a web series was the best way to reach millennials and created the 20 episode web series “V Morgan is Deadâ€. Similar to “Carmillaâ€, “V Morgan†is first a drama series aimed at engaging its audience rather than selling to them. The sales pitch is delivered with branded extensions on other platforms. RBC conducted research which demonstrated to them that the strategy worked by driving traffic to RBC sites and increasing brand awareness within the audience. Unlike “Carmilla†though, which has been renewed twice, RBC has not yet decided if it was successful enough of an experiment to warrant a renewal and a second season.
It is not yet clear whether this model is limited to the millennial demographic or can perhaps be replicated in the kids market or even older adults. Over lunch brand marketers who I talked to were definitely interested in exploring the model but questioned whether branded entertainment could drive purchase decisions as well as increase brand awareness.
This kind of cross-pollination is of concern though to the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (“CAVCOâ€), which has been seeing a trend of more and more branded content on broadcast television. When does a sponsored television show stop becoming entertainment and instead is advertising, and therefore ineligible for tax credits? CAVCO has launched a public consultation for assistance with guidelines to ease the process and review for both CAVCO and producers. In another consultation they are also exploring whether online distribution of linear productions can be a trigger for tax credits (currently a production must be licensed by a broadcaster or theatrical distributor), which would open up web series to the question of entertainment or advertising, in at least certain circumstances.
The Roses show some growth in these last two episodes. In episode 12, the penultimate of this second season, David negotiates a huge financial windfall for the owner of the Blouse Barn by daring to stand up to a large conglomerate. And when he is rewarded for his efforts with a $40,000 cheque, he is the responsible one saying they should save it. Sure it takes him a few tries to get the word out, but he eventually does.
Moira shows the nasty side of politics by “creating a stir” around someone stealing her campaign signs (she threw them out). Sneaky and underhanded for sure – but it turns out that Roland was even sneakier, using his position as mayor to force people to put up Jocelyn’s campaign signs. In the end, Jocelyn steps down, leaving Moira the winner. She’s thrilled until Johnny points out she will be working with Roland every day.
There were some great lines in this episode, but I didn’t laugh much, and the opening scenes with Moira and Johnny in the cafe, and later Johnny and Roland in the street fell flat. A bit cheesy slapstickish.
The season finale on the other hand was a winner. It’s Johnny and Moira’s anniversary and they narrowly escape a dinner out with Roland and Jocelyn. They run into snobby friends from their past (Beth and Don) and are laughing and having a good time at the restaurant when Roland and Jocelyn turn up. Not the kind of people Moira and Johnny would normally call friends and you can see they are a bit mortified to have them join them, even more so when Roland mentions the coupons.
But after Don and Beth have thrown one too many insults about Schitt’s Creek and the restaurant, Johnny realizes that Roland and Jocelyn have actually been better friends to them than Beth and Don were after they lost everything. And he tells them that, along with the fact that they live in Schitt’s Creek.
Meanwhile, Mutt is throwing a party and watching Alexis meet his new girlfriend is awkward. But for Alexis it makes her realize the pain she caused Ted. She finally comes out of her self-absorbed focus to truly see someone else. We also see a bit more of Stevie and David together in this last episode. The chemistry between them is fantastic as they both vie for male attention. And David running back inside to find Stevie after Jake (new hot guy on the scene) kisses him is laugh out loud funny.
The show ends with Moira, Johnny, Jocelyn and Roland crashing the party and insisting on a family dance as they express their love for each other. They truly have come a long way. It was a brilliant ending.
The show and the characters have evolved and it comes through in these last two episodes. They also set the stage for some interesting story lines in season 3. Moira will be on town council and David might have a new love interest.
From a media release:
When it comes to home renovation decisions, is it always ‘like father, like son’? HGTV Canada may have the answer. The network has proudly commissioned a brand-new, Canadian original series with Canada’s most trusted contractor, Mike Holmes, and his son Mike Holmes Jr. (MJ). Holmes and Holmes follows the unstoppable pair as they transform MJ’s modest bachelor bungalow into the perfect first home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa.
Production is currently underway on the six, hour-long episodes and the series is scheduled to premiere this fall on HGTV Canada.
While Mike and MJ share a last name, a strong work ethic, and a desire to help others, they don’t always see eye to eye. Their different approaches provide the foundation for unexpected moments of humour and drama – though they always vow to build it right. In addition to seeing the newest materials and building techniques in Holmes and Holmes, viewers will get a glimpse into the personal lives of the Holmes men.
From a media release:
DHX Media a global leader in kids and family entertainment content, is heading to this year’s MIPTV, the world’s biggest TV and digital content market, with new commissions for three series: Chuck’s Choice has been commissioned by YTV in Canada, and has already been licensed to Turner Broadcasting France; Space Ranger Roger is commissioned by Family Jr.; and season two of Inspector Gadget has been commissioned by TELETOON, in Canada. All three series are being produced at DHX Studios.
Taking place April 4-7, 2016, in Cannes, France, MIPTV gathers the world’s most successful distributors, buyers and producers to strike distribution and co-production deals. Please visit the DHX Media team at stand R7.A11, in the Riviera hall of the Palais des Festivals, to learn more about Chuck’s Choice, Space Ranger Roger, Inspector Gadget and other great DHX shows.
About Chuck’s Choice
Brand new original 2D animated comedy Chuck’s Choice (40 x 11′) is aimed at kids aged 6-11. Currently in production at DHX’s Vancouver studio, Chuck’s Choice is directed by Rob Boutilier, creator of the hit kids’ show Kid vs. Kat.
For Chuck McFarlane, life is all about making choices. But lucky for him, these aren’t just regular everyday choices! Through an intergalactic gift from the stars, Chuck is bestowed with what may be the greatest device in the universe…the U-Decide 3000, giving him the power to literally choose his next adventure! Some choices turn out great, others, not so much. After all, being given the power of flight sounds amazing. But what if it came with a larva sac attached to your abdomen? Suddenly everyone’s looking at you like you’re a bit strange. Of course Chuck’s life choices are a bit more mind-blowingly awesome, since he is…the DECIDER! While most kids have very limited choices, this 10-year-old gets to control his destiny and go on one thrilling adventure after another without any boring ol’ adults telling him what to do, and with his best friends coming along for the ride!
About Space Ranger Roger
3D preschool series Space Ranger Roger (13 x 30′), from DHX Media’s Halifax Studio, is created by Jeff Rosen (Animal Mechanicals, Bo On the GO, The Mighty Jungle, Monster Math Squad).
Space Ranger Roger is a plucky little alien hero sent to help a strange, faraway world…Earth! No assignment is too big or too small. Roger’s motto is, “A friend in need is a mission for me!” Along with his trusty squad of Ranger bots, and his bot dog, Rover, Roger can always get the job done.
Each day, Roger scans the surface of our small blue planet from orbit aboard the Friend Ship. When he picks up a distress signal from an Earth creature, it’s his job as a Space Ranger to gear up with his team of rambunctious fix-it bots, find out what the problem is and save the day in a fun and creative way.
About Inspector Gadget
3D animation series, Inspector Gadget from the DHX studio in Halifax, returns for Season 2 (26 x 30′).
The new Inspector Gadget is back – again! The stakes are higher than ever in season two for Inspector Gadget, his niece Penny and their trusty dog, Brain. Will they be able to defeat Dr. Claw and his nephew Talon? Or will the MAD villains finally be victorious? Both sides are more determined than ever to come out on top…even if Inspector Gadget still hasn’t got a clue.
