Tag Archives: Counterfeit Pictures

Production underway on Season 2 of Crave original comedy The Office Movers from Counterfeit Pictures

From a media release:

They’re back! Counterfeit Pictures and Crave today announce that production is underway on Season 2 of the hit Crave Original comedy series, THE OFFICE MOVERS. Created by and starring Brampton-born content creators and brothers Jermaine “Jae” and Trevaunn “Trey” Richards, the new season is filming in and around Toronto through the end of June and will feature six new half-hour episodes.

Season 1 introduced viewers to the Saunders brothers, Everett (Jae) and Eric (Trey), who run a dysfunctional office-moving company, reluctantly following in their father’s footsteps. Season 2 picks up where they left off, with Everett and his unreliable crew hustling to compete with Zenithon Logistics, a corporate giant set on crushing every small-time mover in the city. But after overpaying for a new warehouse—complete with a new, oddball landlord—Everett turns to a series of increasingly desperate money-making schemes to stay afloat. He drags Ricky into an explosive insurance scam, pressures Carla to fudge a DEI grant application, and bankrolls Cousin Cloudy’s half-baked attempt to convert their basement into a short-term rental unit. As his plans unravel, Eric starts to question his loyalty—and whether Zenithon might offer a smoother ride.

“We’re hyped to be back for Season 2! This season takes everything we built in Season 1 and cranks it up – more chaos, more schemes, and way more laughs. We’ve got some wild storylines and amazing talent coming back, plus a few more surprises we can’t wait for people to see. Shooting in Toronto and telling stories that reflect where we’re from means a lot to us. Let’s get moving!” – Jae & Trey Richards, creators and stars of THE OFFICE MOVERS.

Reprising their roles for Season 2 are the talented ensemble cast, including digital creators and comedians: Heather Gallant as Carla Morris, Lucas Lopez as Ricky, Marina Nedic as Trisha Roosevelt, Hassan Phills as Hassan Ahmed, Andy Agyepong-Ntra (WatswithAndy) as Cloudy, Michael Charles as Marcus Adeyimi, Solomom Kehinde as Michael, and Baldeep Sehmbi as Prince.

Joining the cast this season are Danny Martinello as Shazam’s newest hire Doug, Gervail Sean Lemo as Shamez, Shazam’s new landlord, ZlamDunk as Zlad, the bad boy son of Zenithon’s CEO, and Marlon Palmer as Carla’s love interest Chrisss.

Ranked among Crave’s Top 20 titles during its release week*, the first season of THE OFFICE MOVERS was created by Jae and Tre– who became household names through their YouTube channel, Jae & Trey Vlogs. Season 1 generated millions of views and impressions across social and digital platforms. All episodes are now streaming on Crave, with behind-the-scenes content available on Crave’s YouTube page, and on @CraveCanada and @TheOfficeMovers.

THE OFFICE MOVERS is produced by Counterfeit Pictures in association with Crave. The series is created by brothers Jermaine and Trevaunn Richards, who also serve as executive producers, along with Clara Altimas and Counterfeit’s Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery and Anton Leo. Season Two will see Sebastian Cluer and Clara Altimas directing. Counterfeit’s Chris Kelley will serve as producer.

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It’s moving day! From Jae and Trey Richards, the new Crave original comedy The Office Movers premieres October 11

From a media release:

On the heels of Labour Day weekend, Crave announced today that its all-new original comedy series, THE OFFICE MOVERS, is being delivered to audiences beginning Friday, October 11. This first-ever television project from Brampton-born comedy duo Jae and Trey Richards takes viewers behind-the-scenes of a fictional moving company and showcases the hilarious, yet very relatable, struggles of working in a family business. Produced by Counterfeit Pictures in partnership with Crave, the first two episodes of THE OFFICE MOVERS drop on October 11 with two new episodes streaming on subsequent Fridays.

Shot in and around Toronto, the six-episode, half-hour comedy follows Everett (Jae) and Eric Saunders (Trey), two brothers reluctantly following in their father’s footsteps in commercial office moving. Everett, the owner of Shazam Moving, is fighting to keep his business afloat against stiff competition. Alongside his brother Eric, and a quirky crew of co-workers, Everett struggles to keep it together to land a big enough contract to be bought out by Zenithon Logistics, a moving industry giant. The Saunders brothers battle each other, their family and their crew as they face the unforgiving nature of the Toronto office moving game to make a last-ditch attempt to cash out and leave moving behind for good.

“We spent 10 years of our lives as part-time movers for our father’s office moving company. We endured long hours of back-breaking work while managing unreliable equipment and vehicles alongside some of the funniest (often inexperienced) co-workers,” said Jae and Trey Richards. “On our most chaotic days our fellow movers would turn to us and say we have to make a TV show out of this job one day. We’re grateful for the opportunity to do just that. Though the office-moving world is niche, we’re certain viewers will find relatability and comedy in this show; much of which is based on true events we experienced at work.”

Joining Jae and Trey on the show are a talented group of Canadian comedians, digital creators, and collaborators, including: Jack Innanen, Lucas Lopez, Noel Miller, Hassan Phills, Jesse Sebastiani, and WatswithAndy. Tyco, one of Jae and Trey’s most iconic characters, also makes a cameo appearance throughout the series.

THE OFFICE MOVERS is created by Jae and Trey Richards, and produced by Counterfeit Pictures in partnership with Crave. Directed by Sebastian Cluer, Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery and Anton Leo of Counterfeit Pictures executive produce, along with Showrunner Clara Altimas, and Jae & Trey.

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Comedy veteran Zoe Rabnett joins Counterfeit Pictures as Director of Talent and Comedy Development

From a media release:

Counterfeit Pictures is thrilled to announce today that the Toronto-based production company specializing in scripted and non-scripted television comedy projects has hired Zoe Rabnett as Director of Talent and Comedy Development, effective immediately. Rabnett, a mainstay of Canada’s comedy scene, recently wrapped up her long-held position with Montreal’s Just For Laughs as Director of Canadian and International Programming. She previously held positions at Diamondfield Entertainment, where she produced and booked the Rivoli’s famed ALTdot COMedy Lounge for 10 years.

While at Just For Laughs, Rabnett was responsible for finding and booking comedy talent from Canada and around the world for the prestigious festival, as well as for the organization’s tours and TV specials. It was in this capacity that she first collaborated with the Counterfeit Pictures team, acting as a producer on Counterfeit/Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night With Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy), and a variety of stand up specials for Crave.

Counterfeit Pictures was established in 2013 by partners Anton Leo, Shane Corkery, and Dan Bennett, who rallied together around the goal of amplifying and creating platforms for Canadian comic talent. The company’s past projects include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). Counterfeit is also currently in post- production on the new scripted half-hour comedy SHELVED for CTV, created by award-winning showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell (Overlord and the Underwoods, The Office) and slated to premiere in 2023.

About Zoe Rabnett
Zoe knows and loves Canadian comedy. As a junior agent right out of university at Diamondfield Entertainment, she learned about representing comedians for commercial, television and film work. At the same time, she began producing live shows, booking, and running the weekly ALTdot COMedy Lounge at The Rivoli in Toronto for 10 years. Prior to Counterfeit, in her position as Director of Canadian & International Programming at Just For Laughs, Zoe was responsible for finding and booking the best comedy talents from across Canada and from around the world. Scouting talent year-round, Zoe programmed countless festivals, tours, and TV productions. The scope of her scouting was enormous, and included cross-Canada showcases yearly as well as internationally, at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In the past two years, she assembled and worked with hundreds of comedians to create more than 25 audio albums under the Just For Laughs Originals label. She has been a producer on the Counterfeit / Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy) and a variety of stand-up specials for Crave. Zoe’s passion and enthusiasm for Canadian comedy is her focus as she seeks out unique and funny voices to collaborate with.

About Counterfeit Pictures
Counterfeit Pictures was established by Anton Leo, Shane Corkery and Dan Bennett. Their credits include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). They have also produced, in association with Just For Laughs, six stand-up comedy specials, including Mark Forward Wins All the Awards and Debra Digiovanni: Here’s the Thing (Crave). Most recently, they co-produced a new season of The Stand-up Show with Jon Dore (CTV Comedy), three seasons of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy) and Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC). They are currently in post-production on Shelved from creator Anthony Q Farrell (CTV).

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CTV Comedy Channel, Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures partner for all-new original series, Roast Battle Canada

From a media release:

CTV Comedy Channel and Just For Laughs are stepping into the ring together to bring Canadians the all-new original series, ROAST BATTLE CANADA. Based on the format from ViacomCBS International Studios Distribution, the eight, half-hour episode series builds on the success of Bell Media’s French-language version, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL, which is consistently a top-ranking series for Z. The English-language adaption, ROAST BATTLE CANADA, is produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures and will film later this year.

ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees two pairs of Canadian comics faceoff in each episode, hurling ruthless jokes at each other in hopes of coming out unscathed and crowned the victor by a distinguished panel of judges. Presiding over each episode are megastar comedian Russell Peters; writer, producer, actor, and all-around funny person, Sabrina Jalees (CAROL’S SECOND ACT); and Season 1 ROAST BATTLE semi-finalist, LETTERKENNY’s own K. Trevor Wilson. Actor and comedian Ennis Esmer, slated to appear in the upcoming CTV original series, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, serves as host.

Based on ROAST BATTLE, the U.S. television series created by comedians Jeff Ross and Brian Moses, the original format has also been adapted in Germany, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, and the UK. Each original airing of Bell Media’s successful French-language adaptation, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL has been the most-watched series of the broadcast season for Z.

ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Anton Leo serves as Executive Producer, along with Dan Bennett and Shane Corkery of Counterfeit Pictures. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien.

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CTV and Just For Laughs wrap production on an all-new season of The Stand Up Show with Jon Dore

From a media release:

CTV and Just For Laughs announced today that production has wrapped on an all-new season of THE STAND UP SHOW WITH JON DORE. Amid COVID-19 safety protocols, eight half-hour episodes were filmed in front of live, socially distanced audiences at Crow’s Next Theatre in Toronto last month.

Produced as part of Bell Media’s ongoing partnership with Just For Laughs and hosted by Canadian comedian Jon Dore (THE JON DORE TELEVISION SHOW, FUNNY AS HELL), the second season is slated to premiere on CTV Comedy Channel, with broadcast details to be confirmed later.

Featuring Dore’s notorious offbeat humour, the newest episodes features performances from some of Canada’s most sought-after homegrown comedians including Al Val, Debra DiGiovanni, Nour Hadidi, and Salma Hindy, as well as many coveted Just For Laughs’ New Faces: Canada alumni like Cassie Cao, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Dave Merheje, Hoodo Hersi, Hisham Kelati, Nick Nemeroff, Ron Josol, , Yumi Nagashima, and many more.

THE STAND UP SHOW WITH JON DORE is produced by CTV, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Anton Leo serves as Executive Producer, along with Dan Bennett and Shane Corkery of Counterfeit Pictures.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail