TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1084
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Fresh TV and DHX team for Family’s Backstage

From a media release:

Fresh TV today announces start of production on a new Family Channeloriginal performing arts school drama, Backstage. The 30-episode, half-hour scripted series (shot docudrama-style) will follow a group of outstandingly talented teenagers as they live through the highs and lows that come with attending the prestigious Keaton School of the Arts – from the angst and disappointments to the new friendships and crowning achievements. The series films this summer in Toronto, beginning today, and is slated to debut on DHX Television’s Family in Spring 2016.

Through diary-style confessionals and dramatic cliffhangers, Backstage will lift the curtain on these would-be stars as they chase their dreams and deal with the day-to-day reality of being a student, a sister, a son, a girlfriend — a teen. Every episode will be jam-packed with dance, instrumental and vocal performances from rehearsals to concerts to opening nights.

Featuring an all-Canadian cast, the series stars Devyn Nekoda (Degrassi) as Vanessa, a gifted ballet dancer; Alyssa Trask as Carly, a dancer who is stuck in her best friend Vanessa’s shadow; Aviva Mongillo as Alya, an incredible singer who lacks confidence; Joshua Bogert as Miles, a mysterious musician with a big secret; Colin Petierre as Sasha, the school’s biggest gossip; Julia Tomasone as Bianca, who is being groomed by her casting director mother as “the next big thing”; Matthew Isen as Jax, a charming DJ and musician; Kyal Legend as Julie, the school president; McKenzie Small as Scarlett, a talented singer with a big ego; Romy Weltman as Kit, a DJ and musician who is fighting to garner recognition for her talents; Isiah Hall as Denzel, a fashionable designer; and Adrianna Di Lielloas Jenna an eager ballet dancer, always ready to seize an opportunity.

Backstage was created and developed by Fresh TV in association with DHX Television. Executive Producers are Brian Irving, who is also a producer; Jennifer Pertsch, who is also the creator, co-developer and a writer; Lara Azzopardi, who is also a co-developer, show runner, writer and director;Tom McGillis and George Elliott.

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Link: Ruby Rose to clash with Zoie Palmer’s android on Dark Matter

From Bridget Liszewski of TV Junkies:

Ruby Rose to clash with Zoie Palmer’s android on Dark Matter
If you’re anything like us here at The TV Junkies you can’t get enough of Orange is the New Black’s Season 3 breakout star Ruby Rose. Thankfully we’ll be able to get another look at the Australian actress when she guest stars on the July 24 episode of SyFy/Space Channel’s Dark Matter. Continue reading.

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Marblemedia begins production on YTV’s Drive Me Crazy

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Canada’s leading entertainment brand for kids, announced today that it has commissioned a new live action series called Drive Me Crazy (working title), produced by award-winning content creator marblemedia (Japanizi: Going, Going, Gong!, Splatalot) in association with Proper Television (Canada’s Worst Driver). The 20 x 30-minute series is currently casting for contestants and will launch in 2016.

In each episode, rookie tween/teen drivers are put through a fun-fueled driving course. In order to pass this driving test, contestants need a family member to teach them the ways of the road. Together, each team faces every driving challenge imaginable, all with the hopes that the driver will get the coveted keys to the family car. The series delivers an entertaining and unfiltered glimpse into what really goes on behind the wheel when a parent teaches their child how to drive.

Drive Me Crazy will be executive produced by marblemedia’s Matt Hornburg and Mark Bishop along with Guy O’Sullivan of Proper Television and Steve Sloan. marblemedia’s Vice President, Kids and Family Miklos Perlus, will serve as Co-Executive Producer and Kirsten Scollie will act as Line Producer.

The series is inspired by the UK format Driving Academy, which was originally produced by Lucky Day Productions (a Zodiak Media company) and aired on CBBC. marblemedia will lead the development of an interactive extension for the series and its distribution arm, Distribution360, will split territories with Zodiak Media. Additionally, the series has received funding from the Shaw Rocket Fund.

Drive Me Crazy is currently casting tween/ teens and their family members. The deadline for casting applications is August 1, 2015.

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