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Industry News

AMI announces the Accessible Writers’ Lab

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in partnership with ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto and the Miles Nadal JCC, and sponsored by the Canada Media Fund (CMF), is pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the Accessible Writers’ Lab.

Designed and led by Ophira Calof, the Accessible Writers’ Lab is an innovative, national lab for writers with disabilities and established showrunners/senior writers to experiment with what an accessible TV writers’ room might look like, breaking down barriers and creating pathways for creatives in the disability community to thrive in the Canadian television industry.

Right now, writers’ rooms, both in-person and virtual, are largely inaccessible for creatives with disabilities. There are barriers in communication modalities, sensory needs, structure, process and stigma. These barriers become glaringly evident in the recent Writer’s Guild of Canada Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report which showed that only 0.3% of Guild membership identified as a person with a disability, and writers with disabilities only accounted for 1% of TV writers across Canada in 2019, despite people with disabilities making up approximately 22% of the population.

The initiative is designed to address those barriers by focusing on collective accessibility, fostering relationships and knowledge sharing and culminates in a case study report that will be distributed industry-wide.

The Accessible Writers’ Lab is open to applicants who:

  • Are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • Identify as Disabled, d/Deaf, chronically ill, neurodiverse, Mad or sick*
  • Have storytelling experience (this may or may not be screenwriting)
  • Are interested in writing for the Canadian television industry
  • Are excited about collective accessibility and experimenting with unique writing methods

The Accessible Writers’ Lab will be shaped, in part, by the needs and interests of selected writers.

Location: Virtual, with the possibility of hybrid meet-ups, depending on interest, geography and availability

Timeline: September-November, with approximately 20 hours of scheduled programming, along with discretionary time spent developing a scene or script individually or with a partner

Payment: This program is free of charge, and each participant will receive a $1,350 honorarium

Deadline for submissions: August 4, 2022

More information: Check out the program webpage

Apply now: Fill out the Google document

Questions about the lab and application support: accessiblewriterslab@gmail.com

About Ophira Calof
Ophira Calof (pronouns: she/they) is a multi-award-winning disabled writer, performer and consultant who works to “crip the script,” centring disability knowledge and experience throughout process, production and presentation. Their credits include TallBoyz (CBC), Kids In The Hall (Amazon Prime), Generally Hospital (Canadian Comedy Award Nominee) and their solo show Literally Titanium (Next Stage Theatre Festival). Ophira has also created a number of disability arts projects, including Making Space: Stories of Disabled Youth Past and Present (Myseum Toronto/RAFFTO) and Dis/Play (MNJCC/RAFFTO/ArtWorxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021-2022).

Additionally, Ophira was the accessibility process lead for AccessCBC, the curatorial committee lead for the 2022 ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto, and has taught workshops internationally on storytelling, writing, music, accessibility and disability narratives. They have created the courses Sketch Comedy with Ophira Calof and Crip Storytelling, a series in partnership with Centre of Independent Living Toronto and the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.

*The program’s understanding of disability embraces The Accessible Canada Act definition, which is inclusive of visible and invisible disabilities, permanent, temporary or episodic in nature. We will honour the language writers use to self-identify, acknowledging that ablesim, audism and sanism can be experienced regardless of your relationship with the word “Disability.”

Presenting Sponsor: Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. Please visit cmf-fmc.ca.

Industry Partner: Accessible Media Inc.
AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

Presenting Partner: ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto
Presented by the Wagner Green Centre for Access & Inclusion at the Miles Nadal JCC in Toronto, the ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto is dedicated to showcasing the work and stories of Deaf and/or disabled communities and filmmakers from around the world.

For questions about the program and application support, please contact: accessiblewriterslab@gmail.com

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Industry News

The Canadian Academy expands successful Women in Post program in its second year, now offering training and guidance to Francophone creatives

From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today that applications are now open for the sophomore iteration of Women in Post, a talent development initiative designed to bolster the skills and knowledge of creatives who identify as women or non-binary working in post production. Applications can be submitted here through Monday, July 25, 2022.

Building on the success of the inaugural edition, the second year of Women in Post will expand from six participants to ten and will include a French-language component for Francophone individuals, offering placement opportunities at a post-production house located in Quebec. Women in Post provides in-depth industry access and professional development for emerging to mid-level creatives working in English and French in all areas of post-production. Participants are granted the opportunity to develop their technical, creative, and leadership skills through strategic learning modules led by industry experts, and a hands-on mentorship at a post-production company in Canada that aligns with their area of expertise. 

The Canadian Academy is also pleased to announce that the Canada Media Fund and the RBC Foundation in support of RBC Emerging Artists have joined the Women in Post program as supporting partners, which is presented by Netflix and supported by industry partners Company 3 and Rocket Science VFX. 

“There exists an urgent need to create a more equitable post-production landscape for creators who identify as women or non-binary, and we are thrilled to be part of this moment of change for the next generation of English and French Canadian creatives with the expansion of the Women in Post program,” said Louis Calabro, Interim CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “This expansion would not have been possible without the continued support of Netflix, and our new partners, the Canada Media Fund and RBC Foundation in support of RBC Emerging Artists, who share our common goal of creating a more inclusive and diverse creative industry in Canada.”

Following the closure of submissions on Monday, July 25, 2022, the Canadian Academy will conduct internal, peer, and juried reviews to determine the participants. Between eight and ten applicants will be selected to join the second cohort of Women in Post, which will be announced in the coming months.

Launched in October 2021 with the support of Netflix, the inaugural edition of Women in Post featured six English-speaking creators with a range of expertise from across the creative spectrum who received training from industry specialists and hands-on experience at Company 3 and Rocket Science VFX.

The Canadian Academy seeks to foster industry growth, knowledge, inclusion, and mentorship through a series of talent development programs aimed at creating a more equitable screen-based industry in Canada. In addition to Women in Post, programs include the WarnerMedia Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program as well as the WarnerMedia Access x Canadian Academy Directors Program, a pair of talent activation initiatives focused on experienced Canadian writers and directors respectively from underrepresented communities, and the Executive Residency Program, an initiative dedicated to providing executive-level access for mid-career industry professionals who are Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour.

Learn more about Women in Post and submit your application at Academy.ca/WomenInPost.

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Industry News, Sullivan's Crossing

Key casting details revealed for upcoming CTV original drama Sullivan’s Crossing

From a media release:

CTV, Fremantle, and Reel World Management announced today the all-star cast joining the new CTV Original drama series, SULLIVAN’S CROSSING. In the lead role of Maggie Sullivan, Canadian actress Morgan Kohan (TRANSPLANT) heads the cast alongside leading actors Chad Michael Murray (ONE TREE HILL) as Cal Jones, and Scott Patterson (GILMORE GIRLS) as Maggie’s estranged father, Sully Sullivan. With production on the 10-episode, one-hour series set to begin this summer in Nova Scotia, also joining the principal cast are actor, singer, and a Companion of the Order of Canada, Tom Jackson (CARDINAL) as Frank Cranebear; actor, singer, songwriter, Andrea Menard (THE VELVET DEVIL) as Edna Cranebear; Lynda Boyd (VIRGIN RIVER) as Phoebe Lancaster; Allan Hawco (JACK RYAN) as Andrew Mathews; and Amalia Williamson (NORTHERN RESCUE) as Lola Gunderson.

Executive produced by Reel World Management in association with CTV and Fremantle, SULLIVAN’S CROSSING is being produced as an interprovincial co-production with Nova Scotia-based producer Mike Volpe and Ontario-based producer Mark Gingras. SULLIVAN’S CROSSING is an adaption of the New York Times bestselling novels by beloved author Robyn Carr, reuniting her with Reel World Management’s Roma Roth and Christopher E. Perry, executive producers of the hit series, VIRGIN RIVER. Fremantle will handle global distribution.

In SULLIVAN’S CROSSING, Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Kohan) has her world turned upside down when a scandalous incident throws both her personal and professional life into turmoil. She leaves her life in the city and returns to Sullivan’s Crossing, a rural campground and outpost nestled amongst the sweeping vistas and cliffs she once called home, where her estranged father, Sully Sullivan (Patterson), still looks after the day-to-day operations catering to hikers, bikers, and mountain climbers. The 10-episode, hour-long romantic drama sees Maggie navigating her complicated present and confronting her painful past as she attempts to reconnect with a side of herself she had long ago forgotten. Tackling issues including family, community, conflict, loss, and love in a realistic and purposeful way, SULLIVAN’S CROSSING is a series about healing, letting go, and ultimately, opening yourself up to a world of new opportunities

Morgan Kohan
Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Morgan Kohan spent her childhood dancing competitively. Her focus quickly shifted to acting once she was accepted into the Triple Threat Program at Randolph Academy in Toronto and upon graduating, she set her sights on film and television. Since then, Kohan has quickly risen in the industry.

Kohan’s starring film projects have been screened across North America, including Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Whistler International Film Festival, and Fantasia Film Festival.

Kohan is most recognized for her work as lead character Lillian Walsh in the Hallmark original series, WHEN HOPE CALLS. Other television credits include guest-starring and recurring roles in Netflix’s YA series, CREEPED OUT, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY (CBS All Access), THE BOLD TYPE (Freeform), KIM’S CONVENIENCE (Netflix) and a major recurring role as Evie Beaumont in CBS’s RANSOM. Morgan has also recently been featured on BATWOMAN and CTV’s hit series, TRANSPLANT.

Chad Michael Murray
Chad Michael Murray was most recently seen starring alongside Bruce Willis in the film Fortress and its 2022 sequel Fortress: Sniper’s Eye. Previously, Chad amassed a dedicated following for his starring role in several fan-favourite series and films, including the beloved series ONE TREE HILL, GILMORE GIRLS, and DAWSON’S CREEK; and films such as A Cinderella Story and House of Wax. More recently, Chad had recurring roles on The CW’s hit series RIVERDALE and Lee Daniels’ STAR on Fox. He also starred in the critically-acclaimed western film, Outlaws & Angels, which made its debut at Sundance in 2016 and was named by Variety as one of the top films of the festival.

Chad Michael Murray is represented by Innovative Artists and Brillstein Entertainment Partners (JoAnne Colonna).

Scott Patterson
An accomplished actor in film, television, and theatre, Scott Patterson is well-known to television audiences from his seven seasons as diner owner Luke Danes in the hit series GILMORE GIRLS.

Patterson, born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey, attended Rutgers University and pursued a degree in comparative literature. He studied acting in New York with renowned coaches Robert Lewis and Sondra Lee and observed Paul Newman, Arthur Penn, and Frank Corsaro at The Actors Studio, where he appeared in numerous productions. The theatre company he founded in 1988 in New York City, Arc Light, produced the works of John Bishop, Sam Shepherd, Harold Pinter, and Shakespeare.

On the big screen, Scott starred as FBI psychological Profiler Agent Peter Strahm in the Saw franchise. He has also appeared in Her Best Move, Little Big League, Three Wishes, Highway 395, and Rhapsody in Bloom.

On television, in addition to his memorable role as Luke on GILMORE GIRLS, Patterson appeared on ALIENS IN AMERICA, SEINFELD, WILL & GRACE, IT’S LIKE, YOU KNOW, and FIRED UP. He has also guest starred on ARLI$$ and GET REAL, and voiced the character of Lieutenant Farraday in the 2004 animated series JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, from Warner Bros. Animation.

In 2021, Scott teamed with iHeartRadio to create and produce his GILMORE GIRLS rewatch podcast I Am All In with Scott Patterson, which just dropped its 100th episode and continues to be a top-of-the-charts stalwart.

Patterson resides in Malibu, CA with his wife and son.

Scott Patterson is represented by The Brillstein/Landsburg Company and Attorney Doug Stone at Glaser Weil.

Developed and produced in association with Bell Media, with the participation of Canadian Media Fund and Bell Fund, Reel World Management will executive produce with Roth acting as Showrunner and Executive Producer, and Mike Volpe and Mark Gingras producing.

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Acting Good, Industry News

Award-winning actor Michael Greyeyes joins directing team for CTV Comedy Channel’s original series, Acting Good

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From a media release:

CTV Comedy Channel announced today that award-winning actor, director, and choreographer Michael Greyeyes is tapped to direct five episodes of the brand-new original series, ACTING GOOD. Loosely based on the life of Anishinaabe stand-up comedian and series co-creator, Paul Rabliauskas, production on the half-hour scripted comedy is currently underway in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, and is set to premiere later this year.

Joining Greyeyes as directors for the debut season of ACTING GOOD are writer, director, and video artist Darlene Naponse (Anishinaabe), as well as series co-showrunners Amber-Sekowan Daniels (Anishininew) and Eric Toth.

ACTING GOOD stars Rabliauskas as Paul, a witty but sensitive comic who returns home to the fictional Grouse Lake First Nation after a botched attempt to move to the big city. Also joining the cast is actor, comedian, and series co-showrunner Pat Thornton, who stars as Brady, the “only white guy on the rez.” The homegrown lineup of cast and crew also features Billy Merasty (Elijah) as voice of the rez and radio DJ, Roger Laughingstick, Roseanne Supernault (THE DRIVE) as reformed bad girl and band councillor, Jo. Gabriel Daniels (The Ice Road) joins the cast as big-hearted Dean, along with series producer Tina Keeper (NORTH OF 60) as the family matriarch Agnes. And in their debut acting roles, Avery Claudia Sutherland stars as Jo’s rebellious daughter Chickadee, comedian Cheyenna Sapp as Paul’s, on-again-off-again girlfriend, Rose, Jason Mason as overzealous band constable Lips, and writer, poet, and radio host Rosanna Deerchild as First Nation Grouse Lake chief, Deedee.

About Michael Greyeyes:
Michael Greyeyes is a multi-hyphenate talent – an actor, director, choreographer, and scholar whose diverse career from stage to screen spans over 25 years.

Greyeyes recently starred in the thriller Wild Indian, directed by Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr, which premiered in competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. He garnered a Film Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award nomination for his leading performance. On television, Greyeyes returns for Season 2 of RUTHERFORD FALLS. He also received a Film Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award for his role in the series, marking a historical moment as he becomes the first Native Actor with two nominations in the same year for the awards.

His film work includes the role of Traylor in Blood Quantum and Sitting Bull in Woman Walks Ahead, co-starring Jessica Chastain. He has appeared in numerous other feature films such as The New World, directed by Terence Malick, Skipped Parts, Sunshine State, directed by John Sayles, Passchendaele, directed by Paul Gross, and Dance Me Outside, a cult-classic directed by Bruce McDonald.

As a director, he has created numerous theatre works including Bearing, a searing dance opera that premiered at the 2017 Luminato Festival in Toronto, A Soldier’s Tale, from thine eyes, and wrote Nôhkom. Greyeyes was nominated for a Dora Award for his direction on Two Odysseys: Pimooteewin / Gállábártnit, a full-length evening of Indigenous opera featuring two librettos in Cree and Sami.

He is Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. He graduated from Kent State University with a Master’s Degree in the Fine Arts at the School of Theatre and Dance and is also a graduate of The National Ballet School where he went on to join The National Ballet of Canada company. In 2010, Greyeyes founded a Canadian non-profit theatre organization, Signal Theatre, a company that explores intercultural and transdisciplinary live performance. He serves as the Artistic Director for the theatre.

About Darlene Naponse:
Darlene Naponse is an Anishinaabe writer, director, and video artist from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, ON. Her films have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, TIFF, and imagineNATIVE Film Festival. Her film Falls Around Her opened imagineNATIVE Film Festival in 2018, and took home the Audience Choice Award. Naponse’s fourth feature film, Stellar, in which she wrote, directed, and produced, just wrapped production.

ACTING GOOD is set in the fictional remote fly-in Grouse Lake First Nation, a world that lives by its own set of rules. The series location is inspired by Rabliauskas’ own isolated community of Poplar River First Nation.

ACTING GOOD is produced by CTV Comedy Channel, in association with Kistikan Pictures Inc., with the participation of Canada Media Fund and Bell Fund. Producers are Tina Keeper (Kistikan Pictures) and Jennifer Beasley (Buffalo Gal Pictures) with Phyllis Laing (Buffalo Gal Pictures) as Executive Producer and Paula J. Smith as Supervising Producer. Paul Rabliauskas is Executive Producer and writer, with Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Pat Thornton, and Eric Toth as writers and co-showrunners.

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