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Friday, January 6, 2012

Television Pet ER looks to Halifax

Newfoundland-based TV series searching for true-life pet emergency stories

Posted by Carsten Knox on Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 3:47 PM

Best Boy Entertainment, a TV production and entertainment company our of St. John's, is collecting true pet medical emergency stories from the public for Season Two of its docu-drama series, Pet ER.

Pet ER currently airs on the Pet Network (Shaw Direct Channel 556 Classic/187 Advanced) and features families who face life-threatening pet medical emergencies. Each episode is a combination of interviews with the pet's owners and dramatic reenactments. Anyone who submits a story to Pet ER and is chosen to be part of the series will play a big part in the episode.

"We are looking to collect stories and work with individuals and families in the HRM," explains Best Boy's Sarah Murphy.

First person stories and contact information can be submitted online at Pet-ER.ca or via email info@bestboy.ca.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Television Memorial for LEXX co-creator this Sunday

Lex Gigeroff to be feted at Bubba Rays

Posted by Carsten Knox on Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 4:00 AM

click to enlarge

The cast of LEXX

For six seasons (1997 to 2002), LEXX was the biggest show in town, a sexy science-fiction TV series with an international pedigree (a Canadian co-pro made with British, German and US support) shot in Halifax.

Writer/actor/director and LEXX co-creator and head-writer Lex Gigeroff was a big part of the success of the show. Gigeroff died of heart failure last week at his home in Fredericton, NB.

He will be remembered---with a few pints, no doubt---by his friends in and out of the local film and TV production business at Bubba Ray's Sports Bar (5650 Spring Garden Road, 405-4344) on Sunday, January 8 from noon to 1pm.

"He was an inspiration and an icon to me before I even met the guy," says filmmaker Jason Shipley about Gigeroff. Shipley was a fan of LEXX---which he describes as "really weird, really funny and really dark"---before he started working on it, as a 2nd Assistant Director. He and Gigeroff continued to work together in the years since on short films and children's shows. Shipley reports Gigeroff remained prolific, even writing a play called Conrad and Barbara, about Black and his wife in a hotel room, contemplating skipping the country on the eve of his sentencing.

Gigeroff's first feature film as a director was in the works, called Gillian and Giles, to have been shot in the Dominican Republic. Shipley says the script is ready, and though his passing has put plans to shoot it on hold, it may still get made. "He was a great guy," says Shipley. "A legend."

LATE ADDITION:

We've learned that John Dunsworth will be hosting the Bubba's event, and there will be speakers including LEXX co-creator Paul Donovan. Attendees are encouraged to stay into the afternoon to enjoy the NFL wildcard weekend.

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Monday, October 24, 2011

Television Local doc Facebook Follies airs Thursday

Geoff D'Eon's social networking documentary to show on CBC Doc Zone

Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Facebook Follies is a hour-long doc written and directed by local CBC wizard Geoff D'Eon and produced by Tell Tale Productions. It's airing Thursday, October 17 on CBC's Doc Zone, 9pm.

The doc takes a look at the unexpected consequences of people sharing their personal information on the world’s most successful social networking site. It shows people who lost their jobs, their marriages, their dignity or even ended up in jail thanks to Facebook. But it's not all bad news, with stories of family reconnection thanks to Mark Zuckerberg's ubiquitous creation.

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Monday, July 11, 2011

Television Rhonda's Party wins CBC Short Film Face-Off

Nova Scotia short film wins national TV contest

Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 10:31 AM

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Congratulations to filmmaker Ashley McKenzie, writer Christine Comeau, producer Nelson MacDonald and all their collaborators, whose film Rhonda's Party won the big prize on the CBC Short Film Face-Off this weekend.

The show, until this year broadcast only in Atlantic Canada, went national in 2011. McKenzie's film was up against pictures from Newfoundland and Ontario when it went into the final round, decided by public vote. McKenzie and her peeps will receive $50,000 in cash and equipment rentals towards their next shoot.

Rhonda’s Party tells the story of a nursing home resident who's devoted months to planning her best friend’s 100th birthday celebration, only to learn her friend passed away the night before the party. It was created through the AFCOOP Film Five program and screened last fall at the Atlantic Film Festival. It stars Marguerite McNeil and Karine Vanasse.

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Television Rhonda's Party through to final round of Short FIlm Face-Off

Nova Scotia short got the nod

Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Jun 20, 2011 at 12:14 PM

As we reported last week, Ashley McKenzie's short film Rhonda's Party is in competition on the CBC show Short Film Face-Off, now shown nationally. On the season's first episode aired Saturday night, Rhonda's Party was chosen to go on to the final, where it will compete against two other films, still to be named. The public will be able to vote for the winning film, whose filmmakers will be given $50,000 in cash and equipment rentals towards their next production.

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Friday, June 17, 2011

Television CBCs Short Film Face-Off goes national

Nova Scotia film Rhonda's Party first up on Saturday

Posted by Carsten Knox on Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 3:04 PM

click to enlarge

Following three successful seasons of broadcasting to Maritime audiences, the CBC's Short Film Face-Off is going national with its new season, starting Saturday June 18 at 8pm.

For those who don't know, in each episode of Short Film Face-Off three films are screened for a studio audience and for viewers. A panel of judges---this season it's Laurie Brown, Mohit Rajhans and Sherry White---who provide commentary and discuss the creative and technical aspects of the films with the directors. The studio audience then votes to choose a finalist from each episode and then the viewing audience at home will ultimately choose the top film via telephone and internet voting beginning July 2.

One of the first films to be considered in competition is the Nova Scotian representative, Rhonda's Party, directed by Ashley McKenzie. Produced through AFCOOP's Film Five Program, Rhonda’s Party tells the story of a nursing home resident who's devoted months to planning her best friend’s 100th birthday celebration, only to learn her friend passed away the night before the party. It stars local theatre veteran Marguerite McNeil (Marion Bridge) and Genie-Award winner Karine Vanasse (Polytechnique). Rhonda's Party also features the work of cinematographer Becky Parsons and editor Thorben Bieger.

In order to reach the final round, Rhonda's Party will compete against Down to the Wood by Newfoundland filmmaker Kelly Davis, and In Between by Toronto's Nadine Valcin.

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Monday, May 30, 2011

Television Luke and Jock get rejected

Halifax comedy duo make a career out of reality TV

Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, May 30, 2011 at 12:26 PM

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Being in a musical comedy duo is tough work. Especially in this age of insta-fame via the internet and reality TV. Everyone and their pet are comedians online. But Halifax comedians Luke and Jock are making a liability into a career, by being rejected from big name reality TV shows.

Luke Conrad, 30 and Jonathan Hiltz, 28, are from Halifax and Chester respectively. They started to take their comedy on the road in 2007, but their niche only presented itself recently.

They first tried Canadian Idol, then American Idol and Dragons' Den. They started to notice a trend.

"We realized we were getting a lot of media attention from being ‘rejected’ by all these popular reality shows," explains Conrad. "In the past few months we have appeared on a new Food Network show Recipe to Riches and filmed on Dragons' Den for a second time, these shows will be airing in the fall."

Their freshest comedic failure/success will be televised Wednesday, June 1, as the duo appear on So You Think You Can Dance, an audition filmed in New York.

"They loved the song and are going to air it along with our audition clip," says Conrad. He admits that he and his partner can't dance at all."We really think we are doing something very unique and never done before."

Luke and Jock have recently been chosen to host a documentary series this summer and have also received funding and broadcast licences for their own reality show called Reality Rejects.

"We will have a camera crew following us around while we are rejected by some of the biggest shows on television while capturing our crazy antics," says Conrad.

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Monday, April 4, 2011

Television Hope for Wildlife returns for season two

Seaforth NS-shot nature show goes again

Posted by Dave Lalonde on Mon, Apr 4, 2011 at 4:00 AM

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Animal-lovers should tune into Oasis HD (Channel 792 on Eastlink) tomorrow, Tuesday April 5, at 9pm for the second-season kickoff episode of Hope for Wildlife.

The show follows animal-rescuers working for the Hope for Wildlife rehabilitation centre based in Seaforth, NS. It's produced by Halifax‘s own Arcadia Entertainment, and will feature 13 one-hour episodes this season.

Tomorrow’s episode focuses on the annual springtime flood of orphaned birds and mammals. But Hope Swinimer, the team's fearless leader, gets snagged with health issues. Will animals be saved? Probably. The centre rescues, rehabs and releases more than 1,000 injured animals every year. Check out tomorrow’s premiere to see if the trend continues.

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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Television Walter Forsyth’s Land & Sea episode to air tomorrow

Local filmmaker looks at Nova Scotia folk art

Posted by Carsten Knox on Sat, Apr 2, 2011 at 4:00 AM

Make a note to be home or DVR tomorrow’s episode of Land & Sea on CBC TV. It airs at noon. Helmed by former AFCOOP wizard, director and producer Walter Forsyth, it’s all about Nova Scotia folk art. Music is by The Smokin Contra Band and Dusty Keleher. Featuring Barry Colpitts, Bradford Naugler, Calvin Woodworth, Jeff Halliday and many more, with clips and pieces from Maud Lewis, Joe Norris, Leo Naugler, Eddie Mandaggio, Chris Huntington and a whole lot more.

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Friday, April 1, 2011

Television 5 x 5 Advanced Television Doc Screening

Five 10-minute documentary films by first time filmmakers screen today

Posted Fri, Apr 1, 2011 at 4:00 AM

Free this afternoon at 2:15pm for about an hour? Head over to the University of King's College for five 10 minute docs by students in Sylvia Hamilton's Advanced Television class. The titles of the docs are "You Don't Care": Voting on the Price of Education, First/Last, Laser Ventures, Lovely Lady Bumps and The People's Violinist.

The films will screen in Alumni Hall at King's, 6350 Coburg Road.

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Monday, December 6, 2010

Television / Shooting Darrell Dexter announces changes to film industry and digital media tax credits

Adjustments to help keep Nova Scotia's film and animation biz competitive.

Posted by Carsten Knox on Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 4:00 AM

"It's really an amazing announcement, it's going to support the growth of the entire industry here in Nova Scotia."

So raves animation studio co-owner Paul Rigg about today's announcement that residency requirements for both the Film Industry and Digital Media tax credits have been updated. The tax credits now includes someone who is employed on a production, whether film or animation, who may only be a resident in the province during the production period. The total production cap for the Film Industry Tax Credit has also been removed. These changes are effective on productions as of December 1.

Animation is typically a very labour-intensive industry, says Rigg. "What we had in the previous tax credit was a cap, a percentage of total production or a percentage of total labour. We weren't able to capture any advantage of the huge labour pool we were engaging on our productions."

Rigg is one of the owners of Copernicus Studios, a seven-year-old animation shop located down on Hollis Street employing between 15 and 20 staff. He says he and his industry has been working with government over the past year, looking at ways to strengthen the animation, film and television sector. As a result of these changes, he anticipates his studio will expand in 2011.

"We're expecting to grow many more jobs due to today's announcement. Were thrilled about this."

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Tags: Nova Scotia film, Film Industry and Digital Media Tax Credits

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Television Magdalen magnified

Donna Davies' new documentary owes its origins to moonshine.

Posted by Matthew Ritchie on Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 9:24 PM

Halifax based filmmaker Donna Davies' new documentary on CBC-TV's Land and Sea wouldn't have been possible without some moonshine. Not necessarily the ingestion of it, but interviews from a previous documentary involving the trade on her native PEI. A search for interview subjects brought her to the town of Souris and its ferry port to the Magdalen Islands, five hours off the coast, under Quebec jurisdiction.

Recent years have shown a surge in population in the remote area. "A lot of people were going away to places like Montreal or Toronto, but the quality of life was so great on the Magdalen Islands that they decided to come back," says Davies.

The Magdalen Islands film, which airs Sunday, December 5 at noon, focuses on how this tight-knit community continues to not only survive, but prosper with what they have. "Talk about resilient people with ingenuity!" exudes Davies. The documentary aims not to promote tourism, but to educate its maritime audience to see how small communities can be sustainable with what they have. Davies says, "I think there is a lot to learn from isolated people in a small area who have a certain amount of materials, are sustainable, and aware of the environment that they're in."

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Tags: Donna Davies, Magdalen Islands

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Friday, March 12, 2010

Television Winter Wave Riders premieres Sunday

See Eva Madden-Hagen's Nova Scotia winter surfing doc, CBC at noon.

Posted by Sue Carter Flinn on Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 3:11 PM

Eva Madden-Hagen and surfer Lesley Choyce

Riley Smith
Eva Madden-Hagen and surfer Lesley Choyce

And if you don't have a TV, no probs—the doc goes online Monday at cbc.ca/landandsea/. Read more in Carsten Knox's interview here.

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Tags: Eva Madden-Hagen, Nova Scotia surfing

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Television Dolly Parton and Halifax friends together again

The Book Lady airs Sunday on CBC TV.

Posted by Sue Carter Flinn on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 6:47 PM

Can't get enough Dolly Parton? Me neither. Lucky for us, The Book Lady is airing for the first time on Canadian television, on CBC TV, Sunday at midnight.

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Tags: The Book Lady, Dolly Parton

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Friday, October 9, 2009

Television More Ellen Page: actor to write "hipster comedy" for HBO

Stitch N' Bitch teams Page with Whip It costar Alia Shawkat!

Posted by Sue Carter Flinn on Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 1:59 PM

No doubt Ellen Page will be calling in a few editing favours from Diablo Cody when she writes Stitch N’ Bitch, a single-camera comedy for HBO. Page will be co-writing with fellow actors Sean Tillmann and Alia "Maebe" Shawkat, who co-starred in Whip It with Ellen Page, and also had a great performance in Amreeka, which screened at the Atlantic Film Festlval. Jezebel recently ran clips of an interview with Page and Shawkat, suggesting the two are convincing real-life best friends, so there must be some truth to that.

According to reports, "The trio will executive produce the project, which follows two painfully cool hipster girls as they relocate from Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood to Los Angeles’ Silver Lake enclave in hopes of becoming artists—of any kind."

Yes? No? Too squee for words?