All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.
Featured

Comments and queries for the week of May 18

Which summer shows are you looking forward to?

The Amazing Race Canada. I’ve watched every season since the show started. I have never watched the U.S. version though. My summer schedule was Rookie Blue and of course The Amazing Race Canada. Now I’m down to one show to watch. —Robin

Baroness Von Sketch Show in great part because IFC shows it here in the States. Hopefully, IFC has learned by now what a Caesar is. —Chad

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. As one of those “unruly” neighbours to the south, I’ve been watching for years. I love the recurring characters, especially Cyrus Lane’s Newsome boys. He makes me laugh so hard with a simple expression or gesture. I noticed his familiar face in a painting at the Newsome estate. Is it possible that Roger and Rupert resemble other relatives like Mother Newsome? Would love to see more of Lane next season especially portraying more than one character in an episode. Maybe a Henry and Ruth wedding episode where wedding preparations uncover a literal skeleton in the Newsome closet??? Just a thought. Thanks for bringing this wonderful series to the world for another season. —Joanie

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Featured, Web series

Web series Step Sisters is hilarity on a shoestring budget

Web series have taught me that if you’ve got a great idea and some gumption, you can create something wonderful. Maddy Foley and Sharon Belle have gone one further, proving you don’t need a huge budget to create something wonderful.

The duo needed just $500 to write, direct and produce 17 episodes of Step Sisters, a raunchy, biting, hilarious and heartfelt sketch comedy web series—available now on YouTube—about two best friends, Maddy and Sharon, who discuss life while sitting on the steps outside a house. Belle and Foley met on the set of fellow web series Allie and Lara Make a Horror Movie and made offhand jokes during downtime in production. Belle says the idea of “Step Sisters … they sit on steps,” was laughed about and then dismissed. Three months later the pair reunited and decided to write something.

“We didn’t really know where to start and we were like, ‘What about Step Sisters? Was that a legit idea?” Belle recalls with a laugh. “Was that anything at all? We explored it and it turned into this world.” It’s an odd and realistic world. Sandwiched between an infectious musical theme written by Adam Parkinson, Maddy and Sharon analyze the minutiae of the world from the steps in front of their apartment.

Maddy Foley (l) and Sharon Belle

In Episode 1, Maddy is shocked when Sharon emerges from their place wearing a patch over her right eye. When Maddy blurts out, “Oh my god!” Sharon waves a dismissive hand and thinks Maddy’s shock is at the ugly sweater she’s wearing. Nope, it’s the patch Maddy noticed. Turns out there is some major pink eye going on under there. Minutes are spent talking about the eye infection, and whether Sharon should be going to the party or a doctor before the patch is lifted and Maddy throws up. The five-minute instalment is simple, effective, funny and totally relatable.

Basic plot points served as outlines for each episode of Step Sisters, but everything else was almost completely improvised and delivered in a single take, giving the series—filmed over the course of four days in Toronto—a realistic and frenetic feel.

“Ever since we met, we realized that the best stuff that we got in a scene was always the improvised bits,” Belle says. “Going into this we said we needed to keep that freedom because that’s where the funny comes out.” There was no writer’s room for Belle and Foley; they met in the former’s living room to hash out initial ideas before taking advantage of common room space at the University of Toronto to talk about their lives and improvise scenes. Friends were called upon to help in the production of Step Sisters; the pair admits they owe a lot of favours.

And while the $500 budget was a challenge, it didn’t stop the pair from creating something great.

“I feel like the budget really helped,” Foley says. “We went into this project knowing we wouldn’t be spending any more than that. It clarified the vision and it put limits on what we could do that was almost freeing.”

Season 1 of Step Sisters is available on YouTube now.

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Awards, Pure

Screen Nova Scotia announces 2018 award winners

From a media release:

Screen Nova Scotia hosted its fourth annual awards show on Wednesday, May 16th, in front of a sold-out crowd at Casino Nova Scotia. Featuring the Screen Nova Scotia Awards, the ACTRA Awards, the Digital Animators of Nova Scotia Award, the Film Crew Excellence Award, and the Women in Film and Television Atlantic Award, the evening was a celebration of the incredible talent, creativity, and passion that are the trademarks of Nova Scotia’s film, television and animation industry.

The event was co-hosted by a star-studded cast that included some of Nova Scotia’s brightest talents, such as Jonathan Torrens, Cathy Jones, Bette MacDonald, and Robb Wells. Presenters included producers, directors, crew members and actors, with musical accompaniment from the Bill Stevenson Trio.

The night’s finale was the Screen Nova Scotia Award for Best Feature Film, which was awarded to the indie drama Black Cop, the debut feature film from writer/director/performer Cory Bowles and his producing partner, Aaron Horton. The film — about a Black man torn about his role as a police officer — was made with support for Telefilm Canada’s Micro-Budget Production Program (rebranded earlier this year as the Talent to Watch Program) and recently picked up for distribution in the U.S. by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Critically acclaimed crime drama Pure was the winner of the Best TV Series Award. Produced by Two East Productions, the second season is scheduled to begin production in Nova Scotia later this month and anticipated to premiere on Super Channel in early 2019.

Double-nominee Jennie Raymond took home the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Female Role for her portrayal of Maria Roach in the TV series Sex & Violence, while Shelley Thompson won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role for her terrifying turn as Monica the innkeeper in the NS horror film The Child Remains.

Filmmaker Daniel Boos’ film Thug won the Best Short Film Award, with the film’s actors also taking home top prizes. Simon Paul Mutabazi was awarded Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Male Role, and Emmanuel John won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role. The film portrays the cast’s real-life struggle to participate in the film industry stereotypes that affect their experience off-screen.

Following an emotional memorial video tribute to the iconic Nova Scotian actor John Dunsworth, ACTRA Maritimes announced the creation of the John Dunsworth Screen Actor’s Fund, which will support the professional development of Nova Scotia performers. More information on this fund will be made available shortly.

The Best Documentary Film Award went to Sickboy, directed by Andrew MacCormack and produced by Dream Street Pictures. New this year, Women in Film & Television – Atlantic presented the Best Director Award, which honours the outstanding achievement of a female director based in Nova Scotia. This inaugural award went to Donna Davies, director of the documentary High Hopes.

Digital animation was spotlighted at the awards, with Lorna Kirk winning the DANS Award for Outstanding Animation for her short film Him and Copernicus Studios taking home the trophy for Best Animated Series for their work on the Emmy-nominated Amazon show If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

Scenic Artist Kevin Lewis (IATSE 849) won the 2018 Film Crew Excellence Award. Kevin’s recent production credits include The Lighthouse, Let’s Get Physical, Polaroid, The Mist, and several seasons of Haven. The Community Recognition Award was presented to VanEssa Roberts (Director of Community Development, Tourism & Recreation) and the Town of Windsor, Nova Scotia for their

THE FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS:

Screen Nova Scotia Awards:
Best Feature Film: Black Cop (Blac Op Films)
Best Television Series: Pure (Two East Productions)
Best Documentary Film: Sickboy (Dream Street Pictures)
Best Short Film: Thug (Oneiric Films / Make Your Day Productions)
Best Animated Series: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

ACTRA Maritimes Awards:
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Female Role: Jennie Raymond (Sex & Violence)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Male Role: Simon Paul Mutabazi (Thug)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role: Shelley Thompson (The Child Remains)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role: Emmanuel John (Thug)

WIFT-AT Award for Best Director: Donna Davies (High Hopes)

Film Crew Excellence Award: Kevin Lewis, Scenic Artist

Community Recognition Award: VanEssa Roberts (Director of Community Development, Tourism & Recreation) & the Town of Windsor, Nova Scotia.

DANS Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Animation: Lorna Kirk (Him)

Screen Nova Scotia would like to thank our generous partners and sponsors: their support helps us to produce a world-class event that celebrates Nova Scotia’s media creativity. Special thanks to the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

Image courtesy of Michael Tompkins.

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Industry News

The Canadian Academy partners with Netflix on The Apprenticeship for Women Directors Program

From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) today announced the return of its Apprenticeship for Women Directors program. This year, the program expands to include French language participants. The Canadian Academy also announced the addition of its new Principal Partner, Netflix, and the continued support of the RBC Emerging Artists Project and Canada Media Fund. The application process to the coveted program opens tomorrow, and those interested in applying can do so online at no cost. The application period is Friday, May 18 to Friday, June 15, 2018.

The Apprenticeship for Women Directors is aimed at providing emerging* female directors from across the country the opportunity to further develop and enhance their careers across all platforms. The intensive six-month program will run from September, 2018 to March, 2019, and match each apprentice with an established director currently working on a project.

Female directors accepted into the program will receive one-on-one professional development and on-the-job training, access to virtual discussions with industry and filmmaker guests, two-day summit meeting with industry executives during TIFF, as well as a conference pass to the festival, and a one-year membership to the Canadian Academy. This year, up to eight applicants will be chosen, and with Netflix’s sponsorship, two participants will be Francophone.

Last year’s inaugural program was met with great success. Six women, including Anna Cooley, JJ Neepin, Reem Morsi, Aisling Theresa Chin-Yee, Leah Johnston, and Jen Walden were welcomed at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Whistler Film Festival and attended Canadian Screen Week, as well as had mentoring opportunities with the award-winning The Handmaid’s Tale; Mary Kills People; Designated Survivor; Patricia Rozema’s new feature, Mouthpiece; Marie Clements’ Red Snow; and a new, narrative interactive VR project with Secret Location. Participants were also given the opportunity to have virtual discussions with industry professionals such as showrunners Stephanie Morgenstern and Mark Ellis, storyboard artist Sam Hudecki, director of photography Luc Montpellier, first assistant director Michael Lerman, and many more.

Applications will be reviewed by a diverse and established group of directors, producers and executives, who will identify a short list of 12 by August 6, 2018. Those shortlisted will participate in interviews with the selection committee, with the chosen participants announced in late August, 2018.

For more information on the project and full details on applicant requirements, please visit www.academy.ca/women-directors.

*For the purposes of the program, an emerging director is defined as those who have been working in the industry and have a director or assistant director credit on one of the following: no more than one feature film, a minimum of two short films, a minimum of 15 minutes of digital content in any format, or one or more music videos.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Production underway for Discovery’s newest original Canadian series, Vintage Tech Hunters

1 Comment

From a media release:

Discovery announced today that production is currently underway for its latest original Canadian series, VINTAGE TECH HUNTERS. Co-commissioned by Discovery and Boat Rocker Studios, and distributed internationally by Boat Rocker Rights, VINTAGE TECH HUNTERS is produced by Crooked Horse Productions. The 14 x 30-minute series is filming in cities across North America, including Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Ont., Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.

VINTAGE TECH HUNTERS features charismatic collectors Shaun Hatton and Bohus Blahut, who have turned an obsession with retro pop culture finds into their dream jobs. The vibrant duo scours Canada and the U.S., rooting through rickety attics, dusty garages, flea markets, and auctions for rare and nostalgic treasures. From original Nintendo Game Boys and priceless first-edition computers to animatronic toys, the pair aims to uncover rare and nostalgic treasures – because to the right collector, they’re worth a fortune.

VINTAGE TECH HUNTERS is produced by Crooked Horse Productions in association with Discovery Canada and Boat Rocker Studios, and distributed internationally by Boat Rocker Rights. Executive Producers for Boat Rocker Studios are Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, along with David Lerech and Bree Tiffin from Crooked Horse.

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