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Industry News

Saloon Media announces the greenlight of Witches of Salem for Travel Channel and T+E

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From a media release:

Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, announces the greenlight by Travel Channel (US) and T+E (Canada) of The Witches of Salem, a new four-part docudrama series about America’s infamous 17th-century witch trials. The series will be produced by Saloon Media in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel, and T+E.

The Salem witch trials is one of the most gripping real-life dramas in history. It began in February 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. In just 220 days, 200 were accused and 20 were executed. It was a period of mass hysteria that opens a window into the darkest side of human nature.

The Witches of Salem (4 x 60’) draws on extensive historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are still susceptible to the same hysteria today.

The Witches of Salem is Executive Produced by Michael Kot, Julie Chang, Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Executive in Charge for Travel Channel is Charles Nordlander and the Head of Original Content for T+E is Sam Linton. The series is produced by Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, in association with Talos Films, Travel Channel (US), and T+E (Canada). International content distributor Blue Ant International Ltd has exclusive worldwide rights to the series.

Blue Ant Media is a privately held, international content producer, distributor and channel operator.

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Burden of Truth, Coroner, Heartland, Industry News, Kim's Convenience, Murdoch Mysteries

CBC announces first round of renewals for the 2019-20 season

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From a media release:

As Canadian Screen Week kicks off and CBC celebrates 236 nominations at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, the national public broadcaster is confirming an initial round of original scripted and unscripted renewals for the upcoming 2019-20 season on CBC and the CBC Gem streaming service. To date, 17 titles across drama, comedy, factual, arts and documentary programming have been confirmed to return, with additional renewals across all genres and content areas to be announced later this spring.

Returning series for 2019-20 confirmed to date are as follows:

  • ANNE WITH AN E (Season 3, 10×60, Northwood Entertainment)*
  • BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (Season 4, 10×30, Frantic Films)*
  • BURDEN OF TRUTH (Season 3, 8×60, ICF Films, Entertainment One and Eagle Vision)
  • CBC ARTS: EXHIBITIONISTS (Season 5, 26×30, CBC Arts)
  • CBC DOCS POV (Season 5, 18×60)
  • CORONER (Season 2, 8×60, Muse Entertainment, Back Alley Films and Cineflix Studios)
  • THE DETECTIVES (Season 3, 8×60, WAM Media GRP Inc.)
  • DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 14, 10×60, CBC)*
  • FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES (Season 3, 10×60, Shaftesbury)
  • THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 3, 9×60, Proper Television)*
  • HEARTLAND (Season 13, 10×60, Seven24 Films and Dynamo Films)
  • IN THE MAKING (Season 2, 8×30, White Pine Pictures)
  • KIM’S CONVENIENCE (Season 4, 13×30, Thunderbird Entertainment)*
  • MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 13, 18×60, Shaftesbury)
  • THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 59, 18×60)
  • SCHITT’S CREEK (Season 6, final season – 14×30, Not A Real Company Productions Inc.)*
  • STILL STANDING (Season 5, 13×30, Frantic Films)*

*Previously announced as returning

CBC is celebrating 236 nominations at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, a new record for the national public broadcaster. ANNE WITH AN E and SCHITT’S CREEK each received 15 nominations – the most for any scripted series this year. THE NATURE OF THINGS was honoured with 21 nominations and CBC DOCS POV received seven. Other returning titles that were nominated include: BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (5), FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES (5), THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (5), MURDOCH MYSTERIES (5), STILL STANDING (4), IN THE MAKING (3), THE DETECTIVES (2), BURDEN OF TRUTH (1) and DRAGONS’ DEN (1).

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Bad Blood, Industry News, Letterkenny

New Metric Media bolsters original slate with three development deals from critically-acclaimed authors

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From a media release:

New Metric Media, the independent production company behind Hulu’s hit series “Letterkenny” and the popular Netflix series “Bad Blood”, has optioned the rights for multiple projects from three renowned authors including bestselling Criminologist Dr. Michael Arntfield (“Murder City: The Untold History of Canada’s Capital of Serial Homicide”), veteran author and Toronto Star’s lead investigative reporter for organized crime Peter Edwards and popular online personality Anne T. Donahue, announced today by Mark Montefiore, President, New Metric Media.

Based on the book by best-selling true-crime author Dr. Michael Arntfield, “Monster City” divulges the true account of the serial killers who terrorized Nashville’s music scene for over three decades in recent history — and the cold-case Murder Squad determined to bring an end to the sadistic killing sprees of ‘The Motel Killer’, ‘The Fast Food Killer’ and ‘The Rest Stop Killer’ among others. An industry-leading consultant on crime trends and emerging forensic methodologies, Arntfield is attached to consult on the project. Monster City is published by Little A, the literary fiction and nonfiction imprint of Amazon Publishing.

New Metric Media is extending its partnership with Peter Edwards, currently serving as an Executive Producer on the hit TV series “Bad Blood” which is based on one of his books. The indie prod-co will develop multiple television series to create the “Peter Edwards Universe”, based on optioning the rights to a selection of his novels. Some of his most notable books under the deal include “Unrepentant: The Strange and (Sometimes) Terrible Life of Lorne Campbell, Satan’s Choice and Hells Angels Biker” and “The Bandido Massacre: A True Story of Bikers, Brotherhood, and Betrayal”, both of which were national bestsellers as well as upcoming titles such as “The Wolfpack” to be published by Penguin Random House this year.

 “Nobody Cares” is a frank, funny personal essay collection by the author of popular newsletter ‘That’s What She Said’ Anne T. Donahue.  The prolific and raw memoir about work, failure, friendship, and the messy business of being alive in your twenties and thirties also deftly tackles the subject of mental health. As she shares her hard-won insights from screwing up, growing up, and trying to find her own path, Anne’s essays offer all the honesty, laughs, and reassurance of a late-night phone call with your best friend. Donahue is attached in the adaptation.  “Nobody Cares” is published by ECW Press.

 Michael Arntfield is repped by Sohrab Merchant at The Characters, Grace Freedson at Grace Freedson’s Publishing Network and Danny Webber at Hall Webber LLP. Peter Edwards is repped by Juliet Forrester from Top Left Entertainment and Premier Artists’ Management. Anne T. Donahue is repped by Addison Duffy at UTA and Carly Watters at PS Literary.

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Industry News

Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch ’19

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From a media release:

Submissions are now open for the largest and longest-running comedy pitch program, the 10th annual Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch in Montreal. CBC Comedy, Project 10 Productions and Tubefilter return as presenters of this unique program, running from July 24-27, 2019 during ComedyPRO, Just For Laughs’ elite comedy industry conference.

With submissions being accepted from all over the world, Stand Up & Pitch: The Comedy Content Search will offer five finalists in each category the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch their digital or TV concept to a panel of seasoned development and production executives, in a room filled with over 100 comedy industry tastemakers and accredited industry professionals. Furthermore, a total of five Canadian projects will be selected to pitch directly to CBC executives and members of the Canadian creative community as part of the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program.  One winner will be selected from each session format and will be invited back for the 2020 edition of Just For Laughs ComedyPro. He/she will receive one (1) free trip to the Just For Laughs Festival, including flight, a hotel room for up to three (3) nights, and a festival pass.

Several successful digital and TV series got their start during Just For Laughs’ Stand Up & Pitch, including Fatal Murder Mystery (Shaftesbury/Just For Laughs), That’s My Bus (FOX), My 90-Year-Old Roommate (CBC Comedy), Newborn Moms (CBC Comedy) and Epic Studios (Maker Studios).

Open to comedians, writers, producers and creators, Stand Up & Pitch offers two (2) formats for submission, in addition to the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program:

From Set to Screen: TV, OTT, SVOD and More

Presented by Project 10 Productions, submissions are now being accepted for single or multi-camera scripted sitcoms, game shows, reality shows, variety, sketch or animation series. These pitches are intended for television programs running 30mins. Previous panelists for this program have included executives from esteemed companies including Amazon, Bell Media, CBS, Comedy Central, FOX, HBO and more.

Beyond the Box: Playing It Short

Presented by Tubefilter, submissions are now being accepted for digital-first shows aimed for YouTube or other digital platforms, including scripted, animation, factual, variety and sketch. These pitches are intended for shows running 15mins or less. Previous panelists for this program have included executives from notable companies including Above Average, Adult Swim, Bell Media, Funny or Die, YouTube, and more.

CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program

Presented by CBC Comedy, submissions are now open for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Projects will be drawn from both Stand Up & Pitch formats (Beyond The Box and From Set to Screen). The CBC is a long-time partner of Just For Laughs ComedyPRO, having helped develop the following programs from previous years in this program including How To Buy A Baby, Newborn Moms, My 90-Year-Old Roommate and the upcoming Diversity League.

Deadline to submit projects for this year’s event is May 6, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

 For additional details, full submission guidelines, and to submit for the 10th annual Stand Up & Pitch program, visit the Just For Laughs ComedyPRO website at www.comedypro.hahaha.com/submissions.

 

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Industry News

Pacific Screenwriting Program announces a Toronto Screenwriting Conference Fellowship for Five BC Writers

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From a media release:

The Pacific Screenwriting Program (PSP) launches a fellowship with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, giving five BC writers the opportunity to forge new relationships and showcase their talent on a national scale.

“The mission of the PSP is to provide professional development to BC screenwriters across the full range of seniority and experience.”, said PSP Board Chair, Brian Hamilton. “We are excited to partner with the Toronto Screenwriting Conference on this opportunity, which is ideally suited to mid-level BC writers looking to network with and learn from top screenwriters from across North America who come together to focus on their craft.”

The May 4-5 event is a celebration of form and inspiration. “Unlike other screenwriting events, the attendees at this conference are working professionals looking to elevate their storytelling craft,” says Raila Gutman, PSP Program Director, “the PSP strongly believes in the value this will bring to our five writers.”

Professional screenwriters are invited to apply for one of five fellowships. Applicants must be able to show proof of BC residency. Successful applicants will receive full conference registration to the 2019 Toronto Screenwriting Conference, including flights, and three nights’ accommodation.

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