Professionals will tell you that writing is rewriting. And successful pilot scripts that get noticed get that way thanks to multiple rounds of feedback and dramaturgy by smart, professional readers. You’re bidding on a chance to to have a script (one half-hour or one one-hour) read and professionally noted by a senior, award-winning television writer, whose credits include X Company, The Border, Less Than Kind, Continuum, Bitten, and Stargate: Universe. Your written notes will include analysis of structure, character, plot & story progression, originality, clarity and thoughts on saleability potential. Your reader has been an Executive Producer in Residence at the Canadian Film Centre, and taught writing at Ryerson University for more than 10 years.
Availability: November 2015, script to be delivered in PDF form. Notes will be delivered in writing, with an option for in-script feedback, depending on program used.
All proceeds from the auction will go to Kids Help Phone — a free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth.
Steven Sabados issued a statement Friday regarding the passing of Chris Hyndman, his longtime partner and co-star on CBC’s Steven and Chris.
“I, our families and friends, wish to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of tenderness, love and tribute in honour of my beloved Christopher,” Sabados posted on the Steven and Chris Facebook page.
“Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing his generous, larger-than-life spirit lives on.
From the moment I met Christopher, we went forward in life, side by side and shoulder to shoulder. He was my best friend, my confidante, my partner, my one love.
Over 27 years, we built a beautiful life together; always remembered, always cherished.
As we find our way through this difficult time, we are asking for privacy.
Thank you for your understanding.â€
The message comes after Hyndman’s body was found Monday, Aug. 3, in an alleyway near the home he and Sabados shared in Toronto’s Queen St. and Broadview Ave. neighbourhood. It’s believed he was sleepwalking on the terrace of his penthouse apartment when the accident happened.
A native of Newfoundland, Hyndman teamed with Steven Sabados over 15 years ago to form The Sabados Group Inc.; the group specializes in event planning, product launches and set design.
On CBC’s Steven and Chris, the couple—along with expert guests—offered a unique take on decor, beauty, health care, relationships, food and parenting. CBC’s media site notes Steven and Chris airs in more than 40 million households in the United States. Sabados and Hyndman starred in HGTV’s Designer Guys, Design Rivals and So Chic with Steven and Chris.
12 Awesome Canadian TV Show Theme Songs
Wow, what a lot of memories! Great to see the Kids in their prime. I always got a kick out of Seeing Things. Loved the show. The theme wasn’t as good as the ones you’ve picked, perhaps, but it went with the show and it was funny. —Rita
Today’s Special and The Polka Dot Door. —Stevie
I’m a little biased but Less Than Kind‘s credit sequence and theme song “I Hate Winnipeg” (a.k.a. “One Great City”) by The Weakerthans is a pretty cool thing. —Marvin
How about Junior Forest Rangers and the original Littlest Hobo theme from the 60s? I mention these two because I’m an old fart and they were an important part of my childhood.
Also Mosquito Lake—although there was little love for the show from critics and it lasted just one season, Ian Thomas wrote the catchy tune. Still plays in my head from time to time. No link to that I’m afraid. Seems the only memories of that show are as “the worst Canadian sitcom ever.†My little claim to fame. —Dan
Face Offs and frigid temperatures on The Amazing Race Canada That was the most dramatic episode of the Race I’ve seen in years. Still not sure how I feel about the Face Off automatically giving a penalty, but apparently it’s only 15 minutes in other versions of the show. And we didn’t get to see it work properly anyway so I can’t judge it yet. I bet the producers were freaking out behind the scenes.
I’m not sure but I thought the teams (in the U.S. version at least), depart for the next Leg 12 hours after they check-in at the mat. (After time penalties have been applied as needed). So I assume last week’s leg finished at 1:30 in the afternoon.
I probably would have done the same as Gino/Jesse in trying to flush out the Express Pass. Although, it was an easier Detour so Brent and Sean had a good chance of keeping it regardless. Although Nic and Sabrina may annoy them at the next airport.
How much dumb luck can Nic and Sabrina have? Three weeks ago they survived a penalty with about five minutes to spare, indirectly helping Brian and Cynthia eliminate Dana and Amanda. Two weeks ago they survived because Hamilton lost his passport. This week they got U-Turned but didn’t have to do the task because it was dangerous to be on horses after dark, and two other teams took time penalties, so Nic and Sabrina are still safe and didn’t have to do the Face Off with no penalty!
They didn’t say how long Nic and Sabrina got penalized for the horse-ride did they? It probably won’t matter with two other teams also serving penalties, and not being able to do the task is not really Nic and Sabrina’s fault there either, so it shouldn’t be as long as other penalties.
I kind of respect Kristin for at least finishing the horse thing. They are probably the next team to go though with her new leg problems plus they and Simi and Ope still have Face Off penalties to wait out. —Dan
Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh.
“We can’t expect miracles.” Sabrina’s throwaway comment midway through Wednesday’s newest episode of The Amazing Race ended up being prophetic for she and Nic, Simi and Ope and Neil and Kristin, as the trio of teams were not only saved from elimination but from serious injury too.
Who knew one of the smallest parts of Canada, Les ÃŽles-De-La-Madeleine, Que., would be the most difficult and dangerous? All of the teams suffered from bone-chilling temperatures (I spotted snow on the ground, so yeah, it was cold) but it was Kristin who was affected the most; she was taken to the hospital suffering from leg cramps after spending what looked like hours buried in cold sand. The result? They had to pass on the Kayak Hockey Face Off challenge because Kristin’s legs wouldn’t allow her to compete, incurring a four-hour penalty.
Simi and Ope suffered the same issues with cold because of the Face Off test; they spent so much time unsuccessfully fending off attackers on the water they took the four-hour penalty as well, hoping other teams would meet the same fate.
I liked the Face Off. The prospect of pitting teams head-to-head is an interesting idea and puts a certain amount of intimacy into the Race, but I think using it during the same Leg as a Double U-Turn nullified its power. I’m hoping the next Face Off is done as a stand-alone extra challenge so it matters more.
As for the Double U-Turn, I understood Gino and Jesse’s plan to flush out the Express Pass by putting Sean and Brent’s picture up there. Props to the East Coast brothers for refusing to use it and gutting out both Detours; not only did they save the Pass but they proved themselves to be fierce competitors. But Sean and Brent U-Turning the already last-place Nic and Sabrina? While I get they were making sure they’d give themselves plenty of time to complete the Ride It challenge, U-Turning the down-on-their-luck couple seemed like kicking someone when they’re down, especially since they incurred a time penalty because it was too dark to ride the horses.
Here’s how the teams finished in Season 3’s first non-elimination Leg:
Gino and Jesse
Brian and Cynthia
Nick and Matt
Dujean and Leilani
Brent and Sean
Nic and Sabrina
Neil and Kristin (time penalty)
Simi and Ope (time penalty, non-elimination)
Notes and quotes
I’d love to know how the producers decide when teams will depart on a Leg of the Race. Why 1:30 a.m. for this Leg?
“Married, no kids … but I still like the boys.” Brian’s comment to Cynthia made me laugh out loud.
“Punch it, Chewie!” Brian is quickly becoming my go-to for favourite quotes.
Can we sign a petition to have Kayak Hockey added to the Summer Olympics?
“Come on, Gino, work those nipples.” I’m leaving that one alone.
The Amazing Race Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.
One of the amazing items up for bid in the 3rd TV, eh? Charity Auction for Kids Help Phone is courtesy Denis McGrath for all you writers out there — professional notes on one of your scripts. As Denis says:
