TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more

Possible sea change for Saskatchewan television?

SCN’s prospective new owner, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., wants to spend less money on programming, at least according to CBC News Saskatchewan. Rogers wants to put 23 per cent of revenue generated by SCN towards independent films, rather than commit to fixed dollar requirements, as SCN is in “financial stress.”

In a related story, the 2012-13 Saskatchewan provincial budget announces the immediate termination of the Film Employment Tax Credit for film and television productions. Productions already registered by SaskFilm prior to April 1, 2012 will continue to be eligible for the credit, but new productions are ineligible.

The elimination of Saskatchewan’s FETC, according to the budget documents, is tied to a supposedly-heavier future reliance on subsidization. This is coupled with a decline in industry activity, and the fact that the FETC has required a public investment of over $100 million, since its 1998 introduction.

The FETC, an income tax credit equal to forty-five per cent of eligible labour costs, will be fully phased out in 2014. The FETC’s termination is supposed to save up to $3 million by the end of 2012, and $8 million annually.

Statement by the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association. They’re not fond of the FETC’s termination.

Continue reading TV, Eh? Industry Roundup – Saskatchewan television, Redemption Inc., more

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Heartland season finale airs Sunday

From a media release:

SEASON FINALE PUTS THE “HEART” IN HEARTLAND

  • Several relationships take surprising turns in the gripping season-ender Sunday, March 25 on CBC Television March 21, 2012

HEARTLAND, CBC-TV’s most popular family drama, wraps its fifth season Sunday, March 25 at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT) with a gripping finale that sees several main characters’ relationships take some surprising turns. When a mystery horse arrives at Heartland, Amy and Ty are sent down a path that will alter their lives. Meanwhile, Tim and Miranda realize they have to take their son Shane’s wishes into consideration, so they decide to spend some quality time together with surprising results. Peter drives Lou crazy when he takes over the plans for their second anniversary celebration but she is almost speechless when he reveals his surprise.

HEARTLAND is a sprawling multi-generational saga about a family getting through life together in both happy and trying times. Against the glorious backdrop and stunning vistas of the foothills of Alberta, HEARTLAND tells real stories about real people, people who Canadians from across the country have grown to love and welcome into their homes.

Fans of the show are encouraged to follow along with the finale drama on Twitter using the hashtag: #iloveheartland. They can also enhance their experience with Heartland Ranch – a branded Facebook social game that lets fans run their own virtual horse ranch, tending to injured horses and expanding their operation with the main characters from the show. The game is available as a Facebook App.

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Live chat with Little Mosque cast on Thursday

From a media release:

LIVE CHAT WITH THE CAST OF LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE THIS THURSDAYMarch 21, 2012

As CBC-TV’s LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE heads towards its conclusion (final episodes of the series air March 26 and April 2), the cast of the hit comedy series is gathering for an online chat, to have some laughs and share their favourite memories of the past six seasons of this groundbreaking show.

This Thursday, March 22 from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. ET, fans of LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE are invited to join the cast for a live chat on www.cbc.ca/littlemosque and www.cbclive.ca – or submit questions via Facebook or Twitter (@LittleMosque) to join in the fun.

Participating cast members include Sitara Hewitt, Manoj Sood, Zaib Shaikh, Sheila McCarthy, Arlene Duncan, Deb McGrath and Brandon Firla.

Airing Mondays at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC Television, LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE is the internationally acclaimed comedy about Muslims and Christians attempting to live in harmony with one another in the small town of Mercy, Saskatchewan.

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WGC Nominee Craig David Wallace on Todd & The Book of Pure Evil’s “A Farewell to Curtis’ Arm”

Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? will be posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Todd and the Book of Pure Evil co-creator Craig David Wallace was nominated in the TV Comedy category for the “A Farewell to Curtis’ Arm” episode, which he also directed.

Can you describe the episode, and how it fit into the Todd season?

“A Farewell To Curtis’ Arm” is the season one finale of Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil. Originally, it was written as the 8th episode of the season, but it was such a game changer for the gang that we had a hard time writing episodes after it, so we moved it to the end of the season. We have a mostly stand alone episode structure to the series, but the last few episodes of each season get more and more serialized and pay off all the little mysteries we have planted from the beginning. In this episode, it’s revealed just how Curtis lost his arm, and Todd’s role in said arm removal. It also sheds light on the Metal Dudes’ plan for Todd, his destiny as the Pure Evil One, and Jenny’s search for her missing father. In 22 minutes! That’s a lot of stuff.

What about this episode are you particularly proud of?

Out of anything I’ve ever written or directed (in this case, I did both), this episode turned out more awesome than I ever expected. For me, it really captured my voice as a writer-director, and I’m so lucky to have had a such a great support system (from the cast, the other writers, the other producers, the crew, and our broadcaster) to make it happen. All the weird jokes, the tricky shots, the mythology of the series, it all comes together in this one big crazy package. I got to do fight scenes with swords and demon arms, reverse shots with a blood canon, satanic senior citizens and an awesome flashback involving really potent marijuana and table saw and lots of blood. Plus I got to feature some of my favourite heavy metal songs. In short, it was heaven.

What does this recognition mean to you?

As the showrunner of the series, it’s great to be nominated for a writing award. I was nominated last year for a Gemini directing award for the same episode, which was great, but now I feel like I’ve proved that I’m the whole package: writer, director, showrunner. But in the end, so much input and inspiration comes from everyone involved in the production, so this award nomination is for all of us who helped build the world of Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil. It’s awesome to make the show you always wanted to make, but it’s even better when other people like it too.

And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?

If my wife has her way, I’ll probably have to wear at least a suit jacket on top of what I’d normally wear. Jeans and a T-shirt.

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