From Simon Houpt of The Globe and Mail:
Link: CBC and Vice Media seek different kinds of Canada
We live in tribal times, when even television networks are declaring allegiances and taking sides.
Every spring, the commercial broadcasters unveil their fall programming, making their annual promises to ad buyers – they’re going to deliver buzzy hits! massive audiences! – at the industry’s so-called Upfront presentations. Continue reading.
From Kate Taylor of The Globe and Mail:
Link: CRTC leaves Canadian television to fend for itself in Netflix age
As the chair of Canada’s broadcast regulator rides off into the sunset, he has been tossing a few last coins at the many supplicants who follow him wherever he goes. Cantonese and Punjabi newscasts; measures to slow the loss of local TV; more opportunities for female directors, writers and producers; more flexibility for broadcasters – the benevolent Jean-Pierre Blais, outgoing chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), seems to have a little something for most. Continue reading.
From a media release:
Big Cedar Films, founded by award-winning filmmaker Geoff Morrison, launched their original digital series, Brand Canada, on the CBC TV app and at CBC.ca/brandcanada today. Part of CBC’s 2017 programming, Brand Canada is a kaleidoscopic exploration of Canada the ‘brand’ – from the artwork and images that first symbolized Canada, through the building and appropriation of a collective identity, to how the country is viewed today. With 10 episodes varying in length from two to six minutes, this unique series covers a broad spectrum of stories relating to Canada’s brand.
Each episode is directed by a notable emerging or mid-career Canadian filmmaker, including shorts from Josh Raskin (I Met the Walrus), Aleysa Young (Baroness Von Sketch Show) and Tess Girard, whose contribution Canada the Good? premiered at Hot Docs this year. The filmmakers incorporated their own unique style, offering varied perspectives as well as creative approaches. Directors were encouraged to choose a filmmaking form that best suited their subject, rather than follow a prescribed series construct. This process fostered creative exploration and experimentation in a highly contemporary format.
Episode list:
Canada the Good?
Directed by Tess Girard
Official Selection: Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2017
Simon Anholt, the renowned policy analyst behind the Good Country Index, assesses the international perception of Canada — and whether or not we’re as ‘good’ as we think we are.
America’s Canada
Directed by Aleysa Young
A pop culture-fuelled audit of how American TV influences Canada’s brand — through the perspective of the denizens of Mexico City.
Rant & Rave
Directed by Daniel Roher
How a marketing guru inhaled Canadian identity and exhaled a new Canadian pride in Molson’s seminal TV ad, “The Rant.”
The Canadian Dream
Directed by Haya Waseem
A poetic exploration of Canada through the eyes of immigrants, as early impressions of their new home evolve into everyday experience.
Design is a Process
Directed by Randall Okita
An illustrated exploration of the power of Canadian design through iconic images of branding and culture.
Origin Story
Directed by Ryan J. Noth
How the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company created the first vision of Canada as a branded nation.
Meanwhile in Canada
Directed by Josh Raskin and Justin Broadbent
We meet the person responsible for the “Meanwhile in Canada†memes. All of them.
Brand Ambassadors: Drake & Shania
Directed by Geoff Morrison
Canada has a grand tradition of producing global pop superstars, but few of them rep their home country quite like Drake and Shania Twain.
Trudeaumania Redux
Directed by Ramon Perez and Mike Valiquette
As Trudeaumania returns, can a social media superhero survive the reality of 21st century leadership?
O Canada (Karaoke Video)
Directed by Josh Raskin and Justin Broadbent
A karaoke video of O Canada, featuring ketchup chips.
From a media release:
Following this week’s James Beard Award win for Gusto’s FISH THE DISH, Bell Media announced today that three new original Canadian series from Gusto Worldwide Media are set to join Gusto’s slate of homegrown programming in 2017/2018.
Celebrating all that is sweet and summery, the roster of new commissioned series all begin production across Ontario this summer in vivid 4K, including retro-themed baking series FLOUR POWER, helmed by Gusto newcomer Jessica McGovern; Ontario food market and local ingredient exploration series FRESH MARKET DINNERS; and barbecue cookout  WATTS ON THE GRILL starring chef extraordinaire Spencer Watts. Watt’s series FISH THE DISH recently won a 2017 James Beard Foundation Media Award in the Television Program, in Studio or Fixed Location category.
Gusto also announced today that it has begun production on Season 3 of original Canadian series and marquee production ONE WORLD KITCHEN. In its ongoing exploration of new and intriguing global cuisines, this highly-stylized series returns with a new set of hosts, this time shining a spotlight on modern and traditional Cantonese, Greek, Lebanese, and Vietnamese recipes. Episodes of ONE WORLD KITCHEN air Monday – Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on Gusto. For information on Gusto’s series, chefs, recipes, how-to videos, and more, visit gustotv.com.
Further details about Gusto’s new original programming is outlined below:FLOUR POWER (13, 30-minute episodes)
FLOUR POWER (13, 30-minute episodes)
FLOUR POWER is a fun, playful, and super-stylish baking show that is all about sharing the love and joy of baking. From sweet cream pies to tiramisu, host, Gusto newcomer Jessica McGovern, shows viewers just how easy it is to make these recipes at home.
FRESH MARKET DINNERS (10, 30-minute episodes)
This fun road-trip series brings viewers to farmer’s markets across Ontario to discover local food products, before heading to a fabulous “glamping†site, where the audience is shown how to make irresistible using the fresh ingredients.
WATTS ON THE GRILL (13, 30-minute episodes)
WATTS ON THE GRILL is a mouthwatering new series celebrating all things grilled. Beloved Gusto host Spencer Watts (FISH THE DISH) shows viewers how to barbecue like a pro, from sizzling steak, smoked chicken, and steamy seafood, to even flavourful fruit, veg, and breads.
FLOUR POWER, FRESH MARKET DINNERS, ONE WORLD KITCHEN, and WATTS ON THE GRILL are created by Chris Knight, President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media.
From a media release:
Just For Laughs and CBC Comedy are looking for the funniest new voices in Canadian comedy with the announcement of the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program — an open-forum pitch event which takes place Thursday, July 27th during the leading industry event of the comedy business – Just For Laughs ComedyPRO.
The CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program will offer five selected Canadian creator and producer teams the opportunity to pitch their original web or TV concepts to a panel of senior development executives and key creatives from CBC Comedy.
The event is open to Canadians, 18 years of age and over. Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2017. For details and guidelines visit: http://comedypro.hahaha.com/submissions/.
Series that have originated from Just For Laughs ComedyPRO include hit CBC digital original comedies My 90-Year-Old-Roommate and Newborn Moms.
All interested applicants will be considered for both the CBC Comedy Originals Pitch as well as the relevant short or long-form Stand Up & Pitch pitch programs. The deadline for Stand Up & Pitch has been extended to May 15 to accommodate the new program. Guidelines are posted at http://comedypro.hahaha.com/submissions/.
The CBC will also host ‘CBC Comedy Funny Lunch’ where delegates can meet Canadian comics, creators and representatives from CBC Comedy.
Just For Laughs ComedyPRO runs from July 26 – 29, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Montreal, part of the 35th annual Just for Laughs Festival, which takes place from July 12 – 31st, 2017.
