2013 We st ern M agazine Awards Finalist Summer 2015
$5.00
Film, TV, online and Digital Production IN Western Canada
Canadian Mail Publication Sales Agreement  Number: 40006834
Banff World Media Festival 2015
+
Continuum HumanTown Richard Lucas WolFCop 2 & more
anita adams S t r e a m i n g C a n a da’ s G r e at e st H i ts o n C a n a da S c r e e n s
Co nte n ts
Summer 2015
6 6
The Secret Origins of Lucas Talent
Canadian super agent on learning to walk before his agency took flight. - by Mark Leiren-Young
10
A nita Adams Channels Canadian Cinema
The First Weekend Club turns every day into Canada Day for Canadian classics with new online platform. - by Tom Hawthorn
14
Q&A with Simon Barry
Traveling the timelines - the past, present and future of Continuum.
20
Q&A with Ferne cohen
Going behind the curtain at the Banff World Media Festival.
24
ComedyCoup Kids Looking for an All New Hall
Sketch troupe HumanTown creates an new comic universe. — by Nathan Caddell
27
WolfCop Keeps on Howling
Even silver bullets can’t keep WolfCop from returning 2 the silver screen. - by Nathan Caddell
4 angle on Mark Leiren-Young 13 LEgal Briefs Nathaniel Lyman 19 Indie Scene Paul Armstrong 23 Western Tv, Eh? Diane Wild 29 Digitally Yours Erica Hargreave 30 The Window Mark Leiren-young
@reelwestmag coVer: Anita Adams; Photo by Phillip Chin. contents: Richard Lucas; Photo by Tav Rayne. Reel West Magazine is a wholly owned enterprise of Reel West Productions Inc. It exists and is managed to provide publicity and advertising that supports the growth of the Western Canadian Motion Picture Industry. Executive publisher: Sandy P. Flanagan. Editor: Mark Leiren-Young. Publisher: Ron Harvey. Sales: Randy Holmes, Adam Caddell creative Director: Andrew von Rosen. art director: Lindsey Ataya. Photo Editor: Phillip Chin. Contributors (editorial): Paul Armstrong, Nathan Caddell, Erica Hargreave, Tom Hawthorn, Nathaniel lyman, diane wild. Contributors (photography): Tav rayne. Copy Editor: Caroline Dyck. Reel West Magazine is published Four times per year. Subscriptions Canada/US $35.00 per year (plus $10.00 postage to USA). Reel West Digest, The Directory for Western Canada’s Film, Video and Television Industry, is published annually. Subscription $35.00 per year (plus $10.00 postage to USA). Both Publications $60.00 (plus $10.00 postage to USA) Prices include GST. Copyright 2014 Reel West Productions Inc. Second Class Mail. Registration No. 0584002. ISSN 0831-5388. G.S.T. # R104445218. Reel West Productions Inc. 2221 Hartley Ave., Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, V3K 6W9. Phone: 604-553-1335 Toll Free: 1-888-291-7335 Fax: 604-451-7305 Email: info@reelwest.com URL: reelwest.com. Volume 30, Issue 2. Printed In Canada. To subscribe call 604-553-1335 or visit our website at reelwest.com. Reel West welcomes feedback from our readers, via email at editorial@reelwest.com. All correspondence must include your name, address, and Phone number.
Reel West Summer 2015
3
A ng le o n
Rocky Mountain Hi! Finding Inspiration at Banff w r it t e n By M ark Le ire n-Yo u ng
M
y first time attending
tory it was more like the mastodon
alert: either they weren’t as ama-
We also asked Banff boss, Ferne Co-
the Banff World Tele-
in the room.
teur as they looked, or someone on
hen, for her take on the evolution
TV sent their hit counts spiraling
of the festival and what to expect
into the stratosphere.
this year.
vision Festival in 1999
We were still on the cusp of TV’s
convinced me that I really wanted
golden age - before TV became HBO.
to write for TV. I was a playwright
It’s easy to forget that prior to the
I also saw a lot of elk, ate some
Two years ago the Banff Festi-
and journalist, I’d just sold my first
age of the Sopranos it was still such
great late night pizza and spent as
val was the scene of the launch of
screenplay and I couldn’t imagine
a shock when movie stars like Lowe
much time as possible hanging out
CineCoup’s first feature - WolfCop.
why I’d want to get serious about
deigned to appear on the small
with old friends from across the
This issue writer Nathan Caddell
television.
screen that any time it happened
country and making new ones.
looks at ComedyCoup - and the re-
Then I attended a Master Class with a writer who’d written a
they tended to be showered with Emmys and Golden Globes.
On the work front - which is what the Fest is officially about and
turn of return of officer Lou Garou in WolfCop 2.
Broadway smash that turned into
Sorkin’s answer was that TV
I’d better be clear on that for Rev-
For this issue’s cover story Tom
an Oscar-winning feature film be-
writers who created and ran their
enue Canada and anyone who just
Hawthorn profiles Anita Adams -
fore writing his first TV series, a
own shows were like writers spon-
convinced their boss to spring for
the First Weekend Club’s first star,
sitcom. Now, instead of going back
sored by the Medicis and that no
their registration and four nights at
- who just launched a platform to
to Broadway - which, to my mind
writer in history ever had as much
the Fairmont— I remember my first
showcase our movies, Canadas-
was the Holy Freaking Grail - or try-
room to play as a writer with their
TV agent telling me that everyone
creens.ca
ing to win another Academy Award,
own TV series. He was the first writ-
I could possibly want to meet was
If you haven’t logged in yet,
which is a trophy most writers
er I’d ever heard explain what I’ve
at the closing BBQ. Others swore by
please bookmark the site now. It’s
would put on the mantle next to or
since heard a million times - that
the karaoke nights.
okay, I’ll wait...
above the Grail, this guy was devel-
movies are a director’s medium and
Just the idea of all of our ma-
oping a new TV series. He wanted
TV is a writer’s medium. Theatre, of
jor TV producers cutting loose in
Adams is making her first visit
to show us the promo trailer and
course, is a rare medium.
cowboy boots, or belting out their
to Banff in about a decade and
favourite
she’s excited to find out what’s
Pretty impressive catalogue, eh?
rolled what was very likely a tape.
Then Sorkin talked about cre-
There was Rob Lowe in bed with a
ating universes and I thought… I
made the idea of making Canadian
changed...
woman talking about his mysteri-
want to do THAT.
TV seem less daunting, more like a
hear things have changed a lot, but
place I wanted to play.
of course the environment is the
ous boss named, “POTUS”.
The Banff Festival is more of a fo-
high
school
anthems,
besides the name. “I
After watching one of the first
rum for producers than writers, but
Our wonderful Western Canadian
same, which is truly magnificent.
ever sneak peaks of The West Wing,
almost every year I’ve attended I’ve
TV, Eh? columnist Diane Wild was
One of the things I loved most then
someone asked Aaron Sorkin the
come away inspired by a speaker,
also inspired by a Banff panel. In
though was going down to the Saint
same question I was dying to.
a panel and, of course, the other
this issue’s column, Wild shares the
James pub at the end of the day
guests.
story of how Banff helped trans-
and connecting with all these big
form her into a true champion of
wigs in a more casual environment.
the Canadian TV scene.
It helped to break the ice in some
Why TV? Why not keep writing for Broad-
Personal Banff highlights include
way, or Hollywood, or… The mod-
attending an eco-media talk featur-
erator avoided bluntly asking what
ing Dr. David Suzuki and Daryl Han-
Paul Armstrong talked to a few
cases. I can’t wait to experience it
everyone was secretly, or not so
nah, a Master Class with Michael
producers who are making the
this year.” Neither can the other two
secretly, thinking, “something re-
Moore and a fantastic talk on the
rounds at this year’s festival (be
thousand or so people set to attend.
spectable and prestigious,” but it
secret origins of some of the world’s
sure to say, “hi” to them). And Erica
And whether you’re at this year’s
was the elephant in the room. Or
first viral videos that revealed how
Hargreave is intrigued by one of the
Banff Fest or not, you may be work-
since Banff is near dinosaur terri-
online hits really happened. Spoiler
Fest’s new new media programs.
ing on a show that launches there. n
4
Reel West Summer 2015
Photo by tav rayne
Op e ning R e e l
Life with Lucas How a Mosquito Bite Turned Richard Lucas into a Super Agent
M
Writ t e n By M ark Le ire n-yo u ng y first encounter with future Canadian super agent
dent reviewer is Last Call, the professional debut of Morris Panych and Ken
Richard Lucas was in 1981, when I attended a play he’d
MacDonald, who’ve gone on to become two of Canada’s most acclaimed
directed at the University of British Columbia. Lucas
theatre creators. I remember thinking Panych and MacDonald were going
was a seasoned Master’s student delivering his thesis
places. I thought Lucas was too. I expected him to graduate to a major
production - a modernized take on Moliere’s classic
Canadian theatre company.
comedy, The Misanthrope. I was a smart-assed undergrad reviewing for the
Instead, I didn’t see him again until just after Expo 86. He wasn’t direct-
campus paper. Over thirty years later I can still conjure flashes of the show
ing anymore, he was an agent running his own small talent company out
Lucas staged in the Dorothy Somerset Studio. It was colourful, vibrant and
of an office in Gastown.
funny and I have vague memories of the upbeat, energetic, musical score.
In July, 2014, his not-so-small company took-over JR Talent and Muse,
I was delighted and terrified to discover my review for The Ubyssey now
Lucas moved to Victoria (although he’s still working with his company
exists online - until I saw that I began by saying what a shame it was
every day) and agent Eric Edwards took over as Lucas Talent’s leading
that more people wouldn’t get to see the show I described as a,” dynamic
man (his official title is president). “It seems like we’re the second largest
comedy with a lot of style and a lot of flair.” The review went on to use the
agency in Canada now,” says Lucas. “I think Characters in Toronto is a little
word “fun” a half dozen times.
bit bigger than us.”
The only other production I still remember from my brief stint as a stu-
6
I knew Lucas was one of Canada’s top agents, I knew his clients loved
Reel West Summer 2015
him, but I’d always wondered what happened to the promising director I’d admired at UBC. Meeting in his classic oh-soBritish English Cottage style home in Victoria to discover how Lucas Talent became western Canada’s largest agency, I finally found out why Lucas left the theatre. We were in his cozy living room and a framed script page signed by comedy legend Lucille Ball was resting on his piano. Since I had a hard time believing that an agent who reps some of Canada’s biggest stars was easily starstruck, I was curious about the story behind the only autograph he ever collected. It turned out the Lucy story is the
“I opened up with names of people who casting directors already liked and knew, so even if they didn’t know me they had to deal with me because I was their agent...”
- Ri c h ard Lucas
Lucas story. After directing The Misanthrope, Lucas went on the road doing the
tered. “I couldn’t walk or talk very
stars Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and
wrapped Oct. 13th. Lucas Talent
dinner theatre circuit as an actor
well and I couldn’t act again be-
Patrick McKenna, plus a pair of now
launched two days later.
and director, working with Lucy’s
cause I would have brain seizures
ubiquitous Vancouver comic actors
His roster included actors Lucas
longtime on-screen foil, Gale Gor-
and slur my words and not walk
- Gary Jones and Denalda Williams.
knew from programming the Fly-
don (best known as the banker Mr.
straight.” He certainly couldn’t fin-
“I was literally dealing with agents
ing Club and from his days as a
Mooney in The Lucy Show). If you’re
ish his degree, because he could
from all over the world - Japan, Ger-
student at the University of Alberta
not old enough to recall Lucy, she
no longer read. “The words would
many, L.A., everywhere, and the ones
(where he’d done his undergrad).
was wacky and Gordon was her
jump around on the page. I couldn’t
in Vancouver weren’t that great. So
“Because I’d worked professionally
perpetually-exasperated
drive because my brain would tell
at the end of the fair, my boss, Nancy
acting and directing already, I had
me the light was red when it was
Boake, came up to me and she said,
a lot of contacts. So I opened up
yellow. It was really scary,” says Lu-
‘What are you thinking of doing after
with names of people who casting
cas. “It was really scary.”
the fair?’ I said, ‘Well, I’m not sure,
directors already liked and knew,
straight
man. “Gale kind of stopped yelling at her and started yelling at me,” says Lucas with a laugh. “We did these
Instead of returning home from
but I see there’s film and television
so even if they didn’t know me they
shows in Calgary, Edmonton, Regi-
a successful tour, Lucas returned
work starting to come in and I have
had to deal with me because I was
na, Winnipeg. He went around yell-
to Vancouver for rehab and slowly
some good contacts and the agents
their agent.”
ing at me in different shows. I was
regained the ability to read, write
in Vancouver -’”
making the big bucks.”
and walk. Even after he recovered,
Boake finished the thought for
of the comedians he’d booked into
His first official client was one
Lucas planned to save all his
Lucas no longer felt sure enough
him. ‘You need to open an agency,’
Expo - Rosie O’Donnell. Lucas of-
money, then return to UBC to fin-
on his feet to step back on stage.
she said, ‘You’d be really good at it,
fered to be her Canadian agent and
ish his oral exams. “In my time to
He had to do something different,
you should.’ So I did.”
even though she didn’t need much
get a Master’s degree - in addition
something that wouldn’t require a
to all the course work and two the-
return to the spotlight.
Just before his job ended at Expo,
agenting
in
Canada,
O’Donnell
Lucas took a quick vacation to Los
agreed and Lucas Talent had a
sis productions - you had to have
In 1986, Lucas began working
Angeles. “That’s how I got to meet
headliner. There were eleven other
a working knowledge of a second
part-time, lining up talent for Expo
Lucy.” Lucas was visiting Gordon
clients on a brochure he produced
language. And you had to do oral
86, Vancouver’s upcoming World’s
on set when the grande dame of
to announce his agency’s existence,
exams from basically Aeschylus
Fair. This led to his first full-time
comedy came over and introduced
including his Second City vets
to modern day and get quizzed in
job since getting sick. He was hired
herself. “Lucy sidled up to me and
Stiles and Williams and his U. of A.
front of a panel.”
to produce on-site entertainment
she said, ‘Gale’s never had people
classmate, Frank C. Turner.
Everything changed when he
and program the comedy venue
on set all the years I’ve worked
was getting yelled at by Gordon in
known as The Flying Club. His gig
with him. You must be pretty spe-
Winnipeg and Lucas lost his voice.
included booking comedians like
cial, honey. Do you want me to sign
Turner credits the theatre back-
Literally. He’d been stung by a mos-
Rosie O’Donnell and casting his
something for you?’ And I went, ‘I’d
ground with his longtime agent’s
quito - and it wasn’t infected with
own made-in-Vancouver version of
love that.’ So, she ripped off —”
success. “Having worked as an ac-
gamma radiation.
Second City. “I dealt with Vancou-
“I just about died,” says Lucas.
ver agents, trying to get as many
“Me and ten cows got encephalitis
B.C. people as we could in the com-
and I had to learn how to walk and
pany. It was a great company.”
He looks towards the memento resting against his piano.
“The actors felt that I, you know, spoke their language,” says Lucas.
tor for a few years he has a great understanding of the peculiarities
“That’s the front page of Gale’s
of the actor’s life,” says Turner.
script for the week. It’s not the last
“He’s also one heck of a negotiator.
talk all over again. My brain and
Great is an understatement. The
episode that they ever shot, but it’s
Actors make very poor self-pro-
my nervous system were fucked…
Second City material the troupe
the last one that ever aired. And
moters. He really goes to bat for his
Did you ever see the movie Awak-
was given to launch their show was
she signed it for me. It was pretty
clients.”
enings with Robert De Niro? Yeah?
stale, but the talent Lucas put on
cool.”
That’s encephalitis.”
stage was astonishingly fresh. His
Then Lucas returned to pilot-
Lucas has his pet theory ready.
players included future comedy
ing the Flying Club. His Expo job
“There’s a book that’s a bit of a bible
His life - and career - were shat-
Reel West Summer 2015
Asked what makes a good agent,
7
“Our business gets ugly sometimes, so we really do try to take care of people as well as we can. You try to steer people the right way. I’m not going to tell anybody what their values are or aren’t, but you know, we tell our clients, ‘Don’t ever do anything that hurts your soul. You’re allowed to say no.’” - R i c h a r d Lu c as
tion to every clause in every contract. “Some of those contracts, they can be like 40 pages of gobbledygook in terms and conditions, and standard terms. I find that a lot of people don’t read them. To me, it’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle. I love those things.” In order to have the time to study those jigsaw puzzles, Lucas says his agency is careful about who they take on - and always limits the size of their roster. “We’re not the Sears catalogue of talent.” But their catalogue seems to have someone for every casting agent. It’s tough to turn on the small screen without spotting at least one Lucas client in a leading role. Louis Ferreira is the male lead on CTV’s Motive. Matt Frewer is on TNT’s The Librarians, SyFy’s Olympus and Cinemax’s The Knick. Sophia Lauchlin Hirt is another Olympus goddess. Mitchell Kummen and Rhys Bond were just cast as leads in UP TV’s Ties That Bind. Paul Johansson played Ferg Donnelly on Mad Men. And Emily Bett Rickards is leading lady Felicity Smoak on CW’s Arrow. Lucas says his agency grew in part because people asked to come on board. The company began representing writers in 1991, when Dacia
that Michael Shurtleff wrote called
Dear, wonderful, young people.
mention names, but a client who is
Moss asked to become his first lit-
Audition and I think that sums it up
Most recently, Cory Monteith was
well-known and had a leading role
erary agent. Moss has since retired
best. He says - and I’m not going to
a Lucas Talent client when he got
in a well-known series shooting in
and Anna Archer now reps off-
quote it exactly from memory - but
Glee, and just the nicest kid in the
Ontario phoned and said, ‘They’ve
screen talent like directors, writers
he said that all agents are shits but,
world. He was banging pots and
just given me a new scene. I’m
and editors.
if you’re lucky, you’ll get one with
pans in our taping room for his au-
nude and it’s a love scene with an-
Edwards joined nearly twenty
a mothering instinct. That kind of
dition. And another, I don’t know
other woman.’ And I was just like,
years ago after a stint with To-
sums it up. I think one of the rea-
if you remember Julie Patzwald.
‘no fucking way, not in a million
ronto’s Livent. He was sent to Van-
sons that we’ve been so successful,
She won lots of awards and was
years.’”
couver to keep an eye on the Ford
and why those other companies
very well-known. You know, these
Lucas called the producers to
Centre. Then Lucas had an opening
were happy to join us, is because
are wonderful young people who
discuss the script - and the deal
for a new assistant. “And lucky me,”
we have a great reputation. We’ve
just...” He takes a moment to find
he’d drafted.
says Lucas. “He applied and moved
never screwed anybody. We work
the words.
“I ripped them up one side and
on up from there. Eric is awesome.”
ethically and we know we have a
“Our business gets ugly some-
down the other. ‘Read the contract,
Lucas shared an office with JR
really, really good reputation in
times, so we really do try to take
we don’t do that unless you pres-
Talent for five years. “We just loved
the business. I like to sleep well at
care of people as well as we can.
ent it to us and it’s discussed. She
them and they wanted to be part of
night. I’ve never done anybody out
You try to steer people the right
has full approval if something like
Lucas. And then we reached out to
of a dime.”
way. I’m not going to tell anybody
that happens blah blah blah blah
Muse Talent, which is an awesome
Mothering definitely comes with
what their values are or aren’t but,
blah.’ Never heard anything back,
agency that Kim Barsanti had start-
the job. “Part of the excitement
you know, we tell our clients, ‘Don’t
checked in the next day, ‘How’d ev-
ed and we worked out a deal where
of the business is trying to help
ever do anything that hurts your
erything go?’ She said, ‘Oh, it was
they happily joined us and that’s
people make good choices and to
soul. You’re allowed to say, no.’”
fine. They were good with me, but
how we became so much bigger.”
grow a career and stay mentally,
Part of protecting a client is cov-
that poor other girl, they made her
and emotionally, and money-wise,
ering their butts in contracts - and
take all her clothes off and do some
healthy. And our business is really
making sure the contracts keep
nasty stuff.’ So that’s why it’s worth
hard. We try very hard, but we’ve
their butts covered regardless of
having a good agent.”
had three clients along the way
what the director wants them to
Lucas says moments like these
lar. Everything comes up and ev-
who sadly have committed suicide.
do. “Another good story, I won’t
are why agents have to pay atten-
erything goes down, right? And we
8
Lucas says the timing of the expansion made sense for everyone. “Our business is just like the market, or real estate, or the dol-
Reel West Summer 2015
felt we were at the start of another up and it was time for us to make some big moves and we guessed right. Last year was a great year and this year isn’t any better, but it’s still good. So we guessed right on the dollar and call me smart, call me lucky, whatever you want. The dollar went from around par down to eighty cents. And in our business I don’t give a shit what anybody says, it’s about the money, it’s always about the money. People can talk about, ‘we have lovely crews, we have a great talent pool, blah blah blah blah blah’ it’s all about the money.” Since
taking
over
JR
and
Muse, Lucas Talent now has 15 agents and Edwards offers up the client stats: “We have approximately 450 actors in total on our combined rosters who act in films, TV, on stage and in commercials. Each agent looks after their own, smaller number of clients. We have an exclusive roster of 25 writers, directors and picture editors. Our background division represents 225 extras.” As an agent, Lucas is resigned to the idea that most of the work for his clients is in the service industry and that a key to keeping careers thriving is staying visible and viable in the US. Lucas says it’s vital to make sure clients like Tricia Helfer (Killer Women) don’t disappear from the American radar. So even when he books Helfer on a Canadian shows he wants to insure that it’s on the air in the US. “As much as
Lucas Talent’s grand opening brochure, sent out into “the world” in November of 1996.
she loves Canada and is a proud Canadian, she’s worked too frick-
images c/o lucas talent
ing hard to not have a platform in US television.” As a fan of Canadian culture, Lucas keeps hoping local shows and
thing positive to say. The thing that
ing. He’s sharing some amazing
up in Laval. “You can do the movie
companies will catch fire, but over
has changed most is people like
stories he’s come across about an
script,” says Lucas with a laugh. “A
almost thirty years in the biz he’s
myself and other people in the
unknown part of Canadian theatre
drag queen being chased by the Ge-
watched a lot of sparks fizzle out. “I
industry who have made a living
history. The working title of his the-
stapo. Son of an Italian count. Gets
wish I saw signs that we were grow-
from it, but it makes me sad that
sis - The Untold Stories of LGBTQ Pio-
on a boat to Canada and becomes a
ing our industry,” says Lucas. But
we’re not more evolved with our
neers of Canadian 20th Century The-
famous drag queen performing for
after rattling off new players he’s
homegrown product.”
atre. “I’m jazzed about this,” says
integrated audiences and becomes
One thing that has changed. Lu-
Lucas with a huge grin on his face.
a star playing the female leads in
cas finally delivered one last thesis
“I’m having a ball. I’m having the
straight plays under the name of
“There are some wonderful peo-
project to UBC (a 55 page paper on
best time of my life right now, just
Gilda. But we don’t know anything
ple trying to make it happen, but
The Misanthrope) and received his
being able to kinda keep my hand
about her,” says Lucas - frustrated
85 per cent of our work right now
Master of Fine Arts degree in 2012.
in the things that interest me.”
that this potential icon has van-
rooting for, he follows with an even longer role call of the departed.
is about the US and they’re here
Now he’s living another dream.
His fave stories of Canada’s LG-
ished from our collective memory.
with the tax credits and the 80 cent
He moved to Vancouver Island, in
BTQ pioneers include the implau-
Once again Lucas is set to fulfill
dollar. I wish I could see it change,
part to go back to school at the Uni-
sible tale of a Quebecois drag phe-
what seems to be his true destiny
but I don’t see it changing, which
versity of Victoria to get his PhD in
nom he learned about years ago
- making other people he believes
is sad. I’m trying to think of some-
Theatre. This time he’s not direct-
from a former boyfriend who grew
in famous. n
Reel West Summer 2015
9
Photo by Phillip Chin
10
Reel West Summer 2015
Cove r Fe atu re
Anita Adams: Working for the Weekend Canadscreens.ca Creates New Platform For Canadian Cinema
F
Writ t e n By To m H awtho rn
riday night, staying in. Can’t decide what to watch, so let’s check
was prepared to say goodbye to a good idea that was simply too difficult to
in with Atom Egoyan, who knows a thing or two about movies.
bring to market.
He suggests Barney’s Version. Who doesn’t like Paul Giamatti? But I’ve seen it.
‘We were close to throwing the towel in,” she said. “So frustrating.” The plan was in limbo.
He suggests Cosmopolis. Love David Cronenberg (and, hey, more
In October, 2013, Adams attended the annual MIPCOM (Marché Internatio-
Giamatti) but it’s been a tough week and I’m eating takeout and I’m not sure
nale de Programmes Communications) trade conference in Cannes. Telefilm
I’m in the mood for bodily fluids à la Cronenberg.
invited her to join their table for one of the keynote presentations. Also at
He suggests Incendies. Great reviews, but heavy subject matter. Anything lighter?
the table was Deborah Drisdell, a Canadian film and television veteran who was responsible for the NFB’s digital initiatives. “I was telling her my woes
He offers Defendor. Arthur Poppington haunts tough city streets at night
about trying to get this platform off the ground,” Adams said. It was a casual
seeking to bring down his nemesis, Captain Industry. Woody Harrelson as
conversation, but the NFB had a platform, so a partnership seemed possible.
the star-crossed crime fighter. Elias Koteas as the villain. Sandra Oh being fabulous, as always. Perfect.
Adams presented a proposal and talks continued. At one point, Adams felt another face-to-face meeting would be helpful. At the time she was tem-
Truth be told, I don’t know Atom from Adam. The director is one of ten
porarily living in the south of France at Montpellier. By coincidence, Dris-
celebrity curators who offer picks at CanadaScreens.ca, a video-on-demand
dell, who lived in Montreal, was preparing to visit a daughter in Paris. Adams
service launched online in April.
hopped on a high-speed train for the three-hour journey north and the wom-
The creation of the First Weekend Club, whose mandate is to promote
en met again over a glass of wine. Their rendezvous — in the 6th arrondisse-
Canadian film, in partnership with the National Film Board, the new ser-
ment at the prestigious Café de Flore, selected because the café’s name is
vice offers a selection of homegrown movies for online rental. The first 45
also the title of Jean-Marc Vallée’s romantic drama from 2011.
titles range from such well-known films as Egoyan’s The Sweet Hereafter and
A third part of the puzzle was solved when the Toronto-based indepen-
Cronenberg’s Naked Lunch to lesser-known fare such as the French-language
dent distributor eOne signed up, making available its catalogue of Canadian
Starbuck and Sarah Prefers to Run. There’s Gunless and Hobo with a Shotgun and
movies.
The Bang Bang Club, as well as Pompeii, La Florida, and 3 Days in Havana. And if you don’t like those, there’s SUCK, Fubar and The F Word. The service is intended to make available across this vast land a selection of Canadian films, some of which had limited theatrical release in a nation in which only a handful of cities even screen the domestic product.
Adams was at a movie event in Vancouver when Marguerite Pigott of the Canadian Media Production Association suggested the idea of celebrity curators. Adams’ response: “Damn, that’s a good idea.” The original plan was to invite a dozen stars with the hope of getting four. They wound up with ten.
“If you live in Yellowknife, good luck seeing a Canadian film,” said Anita
“People might know Tatiana Maslany or Jason Priestly, but they might not
Adams, 46, executive director of the First Weekend Club, a non-profit organi-
be familiar with Waydowntown or another lower-budget Canadian film. Or
zation that supports and promotes Canadian films.
even The Trotsky, ” she said.
In an echo of the famous Variety headline “Sticks nix hick pix,” the hope is
The star curators include Egoyan, Cronenberg, Maslany, Priestly, Guy Mad-
that the Canada Screens service will generate headlines reading, “Sticks pick
din, Michael Dowse, Sarah Gadon, Robert Lantos, Zoie Palmer (“I know I’ve
hoser flicks.”
seen a great movie when I feel somewhat exhausted by the end”), and Sarah
The ease of ordering the movies — a few clicks and you’re good to go — belies the many years it took to bring the platform online.
Polley. The films Polley selected are not yet available for rental. One of the oddities was the correlation between the selections by Maddin and
The original plan was for the First Weekend Club to go it alone. After three
Dowse, two filmmakers with distinctly different visions. Both picked Incendies,
years of wrestling with e-commerce glitches and security headaches, Adams
Monsieur Lazhar, Naked Lunch, The Sweet Hereafter, as well as Dowse’s headbanging
Reel West Summer 2015
11
cult comedies Fubar and Fubar 2.
some really good stuff. The mental-
mother. She also made several ap-
The model readily lent itself to Cana-
The fee for the online rentals
ity is if you don’t hear about it, if it’s
pearances in the television series,
da, where many domestic films were
starts at $3.99 and lasts for 48 hours.
not in movie houses, if there’s no
The Dead Zone.
opening and closing in about the
The service enters a crowded mar-
star power around it, it’s not going to
ketplace where the likes of Netflix of-
be good. Boy, is that ever wrong.”
She produced short films, worked
time it took to watch Hockey Night in
as a development officer for Orca
Canada. A movie booked for one week
fers a wider selection of movies and
Born in Vancouver, her father was
Productions, and served as associate
does not leave enough time for word-
television series at a flat monthly fee.
a stockbroker while her mother op-
producer for the Crazy8s filmmaking
of-mouth to spread across a city. The
Canada Screens rejected that model.
erated a private, post-secondary
project.
First Weekend Club picked worthy
“You need a substantial library to
school. Her earliest film memories,
In 1998, she began a script-read-
Canadian films, creating enough box-
make that work,” Adams said. “You’d
like so many of us, revolve around
ing series called Alibi Unplugged.
office interest on the opening week-
have to pay a lot more to the rights
the trauma of Bambi bereft at his
“I wanted to get back in the lime-
end to ensure the movies would have
holders upfront. We don’t have the
mother’s death. (“So devastating.”)
light,” she said. “The intention be-
longer theatrical releases.
financial backing to do that. The
Then as now, Adams is a sucker for
hind that was I would solicit scripts
The First Weekend Club later
route we’ve chosen makes the most
the big, entertaining blockbuster,
by selling the idea to writers that I
spread across the country and now
sense for us.”
from Indiana Jones to the Star Wars
would cast their scripts with some
boasts about 15,000 members. The
Only in Canada, a land where
saga. (“Probably saw Star Wars seven
of the best actors I knew. I’d in-
nonprofit organization, which relies
some video stores classified Cana-
times in the theatre. I felt so alive
vite production companies and di-
on federal funding, has promoted
dian movies as “foreign films” would
and transported.”)
rectors to come and find scripts.
more than 200 Canadian films.
domestic cinema be considered a niche product. Adams knows only too well how difficult it can be to win people over to the original visions found in Canadian filmmaking.
Though she works trade shows
Quite a successful little venture.”
Though the Canada Screens proj-
and schmoozes at galas these days,
It had been her hope to return to
ect has launched with a modest
she began her career in front of the
acting, but she found she could not
number of titles, Adams is working
camera.
host, produce and perform. Instead,
on plans to add ever more content,
the performance fell away and she
including television series, which
became an event producer.
should be online within a year. As
“I was always seeking attention,” she said. “I travelled all over the
“I had the attitude I fight against
place modelling. That was clearly
The success of the script-reading
well, she wants to include short
now,” she said. “I was a snob about
going to come to an end and I still
series led to the First Weekend Club,
films, web series, and low-budget
Canadian film. That Canadian film
wanted to be in the spotlight, so I
which began in Vancouver in Febru-
independent films, including those
was not worth seeing. That it was
moved into acting. I was never par-
ary, 2003. The idea was borrowed
that have never had a theatrical re-
garbage. That was me. I was one of
ticularly good at it, but I loved it.”
from the United States, where an Af-
lease. Now, thanks to Adams, wher-
Her credits include A Wrinkle in
rican-American group organized out-
ever you are in this vast land, if you
What changed her attitude?
Time, a Disney-produced, made-for-
ings to movies produced by, directed
have an internet connection, you
“Being exposed to it. Wow, there’s
TV movie in which she portrayed a
by, or starring African-Americans.
can find a slice of CanCon bliss. n
those people.”
12
Reel West Summer 2015
L e g al B rie fs
A review of APTN’s Terms of Trade Agreement By Nath a n iel Lyma n
I
ndigenous producers and film-
less than 51% owned by First Na-
tion does not apply to a fee-based
• APTN may also acquire, at the
makers, and those seeking to
tions, Inuit, and/or Métis Canadian
producer (with no equity participa-
producer’s discretion in exchange
partner with indigenous pro-
persons. In addition to the produc-
tion), or if the producer is acting as
for a 50/50 revenue share, trans-
ducers or filmmakers, should be
tion company ownership require-
a mentor, a volunteer, a minority
actional
aware of the Terms of Trade Agree-
ment, the production itself must
partner or in support of an emerg-
in-flight and DVD rights in Canada;
ment which is specific to the Ab-
have an aboriginal person in at
ing filmmaker.
original Peoples Television Network
least two out of the three positions
(APTN). This Agreement was negoti-
of producer/executive
ated between APTN and the Alliance
writer, or director.
of Aboriginal
Media
Profession-
producer,
There is a cap in the Terms
Other
key
counterpart between the Canadian Media Producers Association and the major Canadian broadcasters, the Terms of Trade Agreement regulates the development, production and licensing of original programs, and is aimed at striking a balance between the broadcaster and independent producers. In APTN
fulfilling and
the
its
mandate
CRTC
of
require-
ments, the Terms of Trade Agreement facilitates
the
production
of indigenous programs to meet the broadcaster’s Canadian content quota. All development and license agreements between Canadian producers and the APTN must conform to the Terms of Trade Agreement. However,
the
download,
• Producers retain the rights highlights
of
the
to enter into foreign distribution
Terms of Trade Agreement include:
agreements in all media, subject
• No less than 20% of the broad-
only to a limited holdback to al-
cast license fees are payable upon
low APTN to exploit its “world pre-
als (AAMP), and came into effect on September 1st, 2014. Much like its
on-demand,
miere” rights; and
To be eligible to apply for development or enter into licensing agreements with APTN, an independent producer must be a Canadian production company that is no less than 51% owned by First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Canadian persons.
Agreement
• APTN may contribute equity financing and/or pay a “super-license fee” to obtain a higher revenue share percentage and/or profit participation in the production. In many ways the Terms of Trade Agreement follows the model of its CMPA counterpart. The Terms of Trade Agreement is set to expire when APTN’s broadcasting license is up for renewal in 2018. In early May 2015, it was announced that APTN is partnering with
Castalia
Communications,
a US-based media company, to launch a cable channel providing similar programming for indigenous and non-indigenous audiences in the United States. This development offers potential for new licensing opportunities within
does not apply to second window
of Trade Agreement which re-
signing a broadcast license agree-
APTN and its affiliates, and may
or shared window agreements, in-
stricts the same independent pro-
ment, and no more than 15% may
have an impact on future iterations
house and service productions, pro-
ducer from entering into more
be held back until final delivery of
of the Terms of Trade Agreement. n
grams based on formats, or pro-
than two broadcast licenses with
the project (payment schedules for
grams that are acquired by APTN.
APTN in the same fiscal year. This
development fees are individually
Nathaniel Lyman is an associate at
To be eligible to apply for de-
limit is meant to promote access
negotiated);
Chandler Fogden Aldous Law Corpo-
velopment or enter into licensing
to the broadcaster by the broader
• APTN acquires exclusive Cana-
ration, a Vancouver-based boutique
agreements with APTN, an inde-
indigenous production community,
dian broadcast, internet streaming,
entertainment law firm. He practices
pendent producer must be a Cana-
and encourage diversity in pro-
and free and subscription on-de-
in the areas of film, television, digital
dian production company that is no
gramming. However, this restric-
mand rights in all languages;
media, and music.
Reel West Summer 2015
13
photo by Diyah Pera
14
Reel West Summer 2015
Q u e st io n & A nsw e r
Exploring the Past, Present and Future of Continuum with Creator Simon Barry W r it t e n By M ark Le ire n-Yo u ng
Continuum may explore the future, but as the made-in-Vancouver sci-fi series proved every episode, no one can truly predict it. The cast and crew of the critically acclaimed Showcase series about a time-traveling cop, a revolution and the fine line between heroes, villains and martyrs was facing two separate timelines at the end of their third season. In one timeline, the series ended. In the other, the characters would live at least one more season. Then, in the kind of plot twist that defines the series, the broadcaster offered a third timeline at the last possible moment. Continuum would come back - but the team would only have a half dozen episodes to wrap up a multiverse full of plotlines. Creator Simon Barry told Reel West the future was never in doubt. He always believed Continuum would come back. I talked to Barry about the past, present and future of the series that gave the talent behind some of the world’s best sci-fi shows the chance to create a made-in-Canada glimpse of the future, set in Vancouver, playing the unfamiliar role of Vancouver. Q: Was there a date when you
Did you have a date like that? If
that Hugh Dillon was not able to
log meeting Escher in an art gallery.
thought… I guess this is done?
you approached it or passed it,
return to the show due to a pre-
We used the existing scene and re-
Simon Barry: That day never
what was that like?
vious commitment. It was a real
wrote it because Kellog now had
happened. Because nobody ever
SB: Yes we had a date where we
problem because his story was not
information he didn’t have in the
said ‘you’re cancelled’ you simply
lost our option on the cast. We were
resolved and he was obviously still
previous version. Time Travel can
fall into the belief that it’s going
renewed prior to that date, but be-
alive. I wrote a scene where early in
be handy some times. We were able
to come back, no matter how long
cause the order was only six, it void-
season three, Kellog murders him.
to re-shoot Stephen Lobo only, so
you’re asked to wait. It might take
ed some of the actor options that
Hugh was unable to shoot that
we changed his dialogue and used
time, but the absence of a definite
guaranteed a longer season. It was a
one scene. We realized we were
the existing season two footage of
‘no’ feels like a delayed ‘yes’ always.
bit unnerving to know some actors
screwed until we noticed that be-
Hugh Dillon. Then, at the end of the
Now you know what an optimistic
could simply say no, but I knew the
cause Alec and Kiera had travelled
scene, we see a double for Hugh get
person I am in general.
cast were eager to come back and it
back a few weeks, we could re-play
killed. It worked because Hugh is
Q: I know from working on se-
wasn’t going to hold us up.
some scenes from season two and
in the whole scene right up to the
ries TV that there’s a specific date
Q: Did you have to replace a set or a
have the outcome change based
final shot. We simply re-edited his
where contracts run out and the
cast member or a key crew member?
on Alec and Kiera traveling back in
performance to match the changes
cast no longer has to come back.
SB: In season three we found out
time. One of those scenes was Kel-
we made to Kellog’s lines.
Reel West Summer 2015
15
Q: The day you got the word the show was back… How did you find out? Who was the first person you told? Who had the coolest reaction?
SB: The day we found out for sure was a relief, but I had known for months that the network was looking for a way to work with us and bring Continuum back for a final season. The real news was that it would be only six episodes. I think the first person I told was my wife, Jacquie. The reaction from everyone was pretty much the same. Thrilled that we were going to be able to finish the story, worried that we wouldn’t have enough time to do it. Q: What was it like reassembling the team?
SB: Reassembling the crew was the most surprising aspect of coming back. because we’d been off for a long time, and because we only had a short season, I was worried that most of our crew and department heads would have moved on. I was wrong. About ninety percent of our crew came back to finish the show. It still boggles my mind that so many talented people either held off taking work, or left the show they were on to come back to Continuum. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of as a producer - That we built an environment where talented people wanted to come work and create and make a show they could be proud of. Q: How was the first day back on the job?
SB: First day was me and the writers looking at each other with blank sheets of paper. I had a pitch for the end of the show, but I wanted to hear their ideas first. It was an amazingly productive and collaborative day and the end result is a shared vision for the end of Continuum. Q: What was it like on your first day back in the writer’s room, realizing you had to end the series?
SB: It was fun to riff with the writers and reflect on all the previous seasons and storylines and draw from that to make the ending better. Q: Was there a day where you got to watch something coming together - a performance, a set,
(Top) Amanda Tapping directs Rachel Nicols while stunt coordinator Kimani Ray Smith looks on. (Middle) Filming Continuum in Vancouver. (Bottom) Simon Barry directs SMITH and NICHOLS. photos by Diyah Pera.
16
Reel West Summer 2015
something cool in post… and you
less attractive. We had a real chal-
thought yeah, we’re back?
lenge finding a location for our fina-
SB: I think cutting episode 401
le. We finally found a great location
with Allan Lee made me feel like
that satisfied everything we needed.
I’d never left. There’s a large aspect
We knew we had the Plaza of Na-
of making Continuum that is a force
tions police station set as we were
unto itself. Something you can’t
holding it in the event we were re-
tame or control, you only think you
newed. That was a gamble that paid
can. In this way, the show kind of
off. We made a decision to use it
comes together with its own per-
knowing it wouldn’t be used again.
sonality. When I watched 401 it re-
Yes that’s a major hint.
minded me that I was simply wit-
Q: A key moment/day delivering
nessing a process that is made up
that first episode?
of many, many moving parts. That’s
SB: I literally just delivered it yes-
what makes the show unique.
terday. I’ll let you know after the
Q: What can you tell us about com-
network gives me their notes.
ing up with the idea for the ending?
Q: Are all the airdates set in Cana-
SB: I had been preserving an end-
da and elsewhere?
ing idea from the first season, but
SB: Only Canada. July 26th pre-
it was not contextual to the new
miere on Showcase.
things we had added to the show
Q: Any cool responses from other
in the form of mythology and
countries?
characters and some plot points.
SB: We discovered that there is a
I wanted my original ending to fit
big fan base in Brazil and Turkey.
into the new elements of the show.
They have been very vocal on social
It only took a week for myself and
media and disproportionately ac-
the writers to find a way to make it
tive compared to other territories.
work inside the new reality of the
Q: Any amazing fan responses/
show since season one.
campaigns you’d like to let people
Q: That first day reconnecting with
know about?
stars, what had to be done to get the
SB: Some of our most active Twit-
team back together?
ter fans have become friends online
SB: We all got together for the
over the 4 seasons. We found a way
first cast read-through dinner at
to get them all together in Vancou-
L’Abbatoir a few days before shoot-
ver to meet in person for the first
ing started. It was a big love fest
time and visit the set. They came
and a lot of laughs. Victor was the
from the UK, various U.S. States
only one missing because he was
and eastern Canada. It was cool to
still in Brazil shooting his new
be part of that meeting.
show. He Skyped in and we put him
Q: Anything you can tease about
at the end of the table on a laptop
killing/wrapping a favourite actor
like he was just another guest. It
that isn’t a major spoiler?
was a celebration of sorts.
SB: No spoilers. Ever.
Q: And your first day back on set?
Q: Anything you can tease about
SB: It started with myself, Pat Wil-
the last episode?
liams and Rachel Nichols giving a
SB: It will be epic and everything
short speech to the crew, thanking
the fans expect from an episode of
them for coming back and remind-
Continuum.
ing them to enjoy the camaraderie
Q: Any chance of Continuum con-
and creativity and to treat this sea-
tinuing after this - a rescue by an-
son as a ‘Victory Lap’. The days work
other network? A movie? A comic
involved a majority of the cast which
book?
made it a lot of fun but slowed things
SB: I doubt it will continue in the
down from a shooting perspective.
same form, but there are definitely
Kind of like the first day back at
spin off opportunities that could
school after summer vacation.
play out in TV, novel or graphic novel
Q: A key moment or three with
form. A movie could work for sure.
production/crew/locations - like
Q: And what are you up to next?
were there any challenges around
SB: My new company, Reality Dis-
losing key sets because you were
tortion Field has now set up six
down so long?
new genre projects with both US
SB: We re-designed the season to
and Canadian companies. Hope-
not be dependent on a studio space
fully that means a new series goes
as the short schedule makes that
to production sooner than later. n
Reel West Summer 2015
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Reel West Summer 2015
I ndie S ce ne
Producers Prep To Make the Best of the Fest By Pau l Ar mstr on g
T
he Banff World Media Festi-
er on the Best Short Film winner,
decision makers and commission-
I worked on a film called, The Twist-
val, held this year June 7 to
Anxious Oswald Greene, which gar-
ing editors, it is integral to success
ed Slipper which is in the Short Film
10, remains one of the lead-
nered a total of 13 Leos.
to attend Banff. It takes time to build
Corner. My goal for 2015 was to step
ing festivals in the world for media-
The latest short he executive
trust and genuine relationships with
up my game as a director/ producer
makers to pitch a project. Originally
produced through the contest, The
people, which is sometimes more
and build a stronger international
a TV-only event, Banff has become
Timekeeper, was recently selected
important than building relation-
presence whilst strengthening my
a global showcase for all forms of
by the Cannes Short Film Corner as
ships with companies, as execu-
relationships with colleagues out-
digital media.
one of 38 films out of 2,393 shorts
tives move from one company to the
side of Canada. I have five feature
Three BC filmmakers heading to
entered to be profiled in their Coups
next,” says McCarthy. She’s planning
films that I am pitching in Cannes.
Banff this year are first-timers writ-
de Coeur and was nominated for
to meet with Bell, Corus, CBC, TNT,
The films are all listed on Cinan-
er-director Mark A. Lewis and pro-
nine Leo Awards.
TBS, MarVista, Fox, Super Channel,
do. Most of my meeting requests
ducer Robert Heimbecker and Banff
Heimbecker
Yahoo, and BBC.
for Cannes are follow up meet-
vet S. Siobhan McCarthy.
says,
“self-distri-
bution via the internet is exciting
Plus, she adds, “there are a lot of
ings from the initial meetings that
Lewis and Heimbecker will be
I took at the EFM and Berlinale in
pitching several projects including
February. I am focused on build-
School Of Fish, a TV series targeting
ing relationships with sales agents,
internet-based consumers.
and distributors whilst seeking out
In School Of Fish, Jason, a talented actor, quits acting and runs from his girlfriend. Debauchery ensues and Jason’s best friend decides to make a documentary about him. Before long the camera captures truths Jason would prefer to keep hidden. “Our objective at Banff is to develop relationships with television and internet broadcasters and distributors as well as established production companies that are interested in the direction we are taking with School Of Fish and our development slate,” says Heimbecker. Adds Lewis, “we are interested in telling provocative and personal stories. The kind of content you would find Sundance and HBO excited about it. The landscape of television is changing as broadcasters discover that there is an appetite for darker and more challenging content. We are Canadian
“The landscape of television is changing as broadcasters discover that there is an appetite for darker and more challenging content.”
and are looking for partners in the
- M a r k A . Le w i s
Canadian broadcast world who are open to taking risks with this type
potential co-production partners in England and Ireland. As a Canadian born to immigrant parents, I hold English and Irish Citizenships and am presently learning how to navigate financing and co-productions in the EU so that I can best serve my slate of productions accordingly”. At Banff she brings a slate of projects, both web and traditional broadcast, and will be pitching a number of them with business partner, producer Tracey Mack. Projects to be pitched include the award-winning series Parked, an edgy comedy about stay at-home dads and breadwinning moms, for which they are seeking to finance season two; Whiskey Fabric, a scripted comedy series about a group of female friends breaking into the whiskey world hoping to find love, lust, and laughter; a serialized edgy dramatic series with the working title 1% penned by actor Camille Sullivan; and a feature film, Glendale, which McCarthy plans to direct in
of content.”
the Yukon next year.
Telling stories on his own terms
but limited. Selling our content to
networking opportunities.
It is a
Despite the intensity it will take
has worked well for Lewis. His first
established broadcasters and in-
great place to meet fellow producers,
to pitch at Banff, McCarthy is find-
feature, Ill Fated, loosely based on
ternet distributors is still the most
writers and people you may want to
ing the time to pay it forward, giving
his own adventures in small town
effective way of reaching audiences
collaborate with in the future.”
back to Women in Film in Vancou-
BC, premiered at TIFF. He followed
and finding a sustainable financial
And McCarthy can collaborate
ver and Toronto, who have support-
that up with The Thaw starring Val
return.” And Banff is the place to
on many levels, being a producer,
ed her at Banff in the past, by men-
Kilmer.
find them.
director, writer, showrunner and ac-
toring whomever they choose as the
Heimbecker wears many hats
Vancouver based S. Siobhan Mc-
tor. A short she co-stars in and be-
scholarship recipient this year.
including producer and actor and
Carthy of red trike media has no ar-
came a co-producer on, the Crazy8s
That is the spirit of Banff. n
is an executive producer of the Cel-
gument with that, having attended
Twisted Slipper, played in the Cannes
luloid Social Club’s Hot Shot Shorts
Banff countless times.
Short Film Corner last month.
Contest, for which he won a Leo
“As a West Coast based producer,
“This year I am attending Cannes
Award last year for being a produc-
who doesn’t have regular access to
as a part of the Producers Network.
Reel West Summer 2015
Paul Armstrong is a film producer who also produces The Celluloid Social Club and the Crazy8s Film Event.
19
Q u e st io n & A nsw e r
Banff Boss Ferne Cohen Connects Over How to Connect at Banff W rit t e n By M ark Le ire n-Yo u ng
Do you Banff? How do you Banff? Should you Banff? The Banff World Media Festival (formerly the Banff Television Festival) turns 36 this summer. Reel West quizzed executive director Ferne Cohen about her origins, the secrets to a successful festival experience and how Banff fits into the Canadian cultural landscape. Q: Can you share your secret ori-
without Banff.
gins. How did you end up with the
For the last few years we’ve com-
Festival?
missioned an independent study at
Ferne Cohen: Not so secret. I
Banff and it has shown most recent-
was a television production lawyer
ly that over two billion dollars in
for Alliance and then with Alliance
deals are attributable in some way
Atlantis after the merger for many
to Banff – so we are definitely hav-
years. After leaving law, I found my
ing a huge impact on the industry.
way to Banff where I could stay in
Q: The festival has evolved over the
the entertainment industry, which
years from TV to “media” - how is it
I love so much, in a more creative
still evolving?
role - and get exposed to all aspects
FC: It is still evolving as the indus-
of the industry.
try evolves – digital used to be its
I get a bird’s eye view of the in-
own stream whereas now nextME-
dustry and the incredibly talented
DIA is inextricably linked into much
people and companies who are
of what happens at Banff – the cen-
creating the world’s best content.
tral theme is content across all plat-
It is an amazing role and I am very
forms and genres. We are evolving
appreciative of the opportunity to
with the industry to highlight new
serve the industry in this way and
business models like MCN’s, OTT
hopefully make a difference, and al-
- VOD and SVOD, Virtual Reality,
low amazing deals and content to
etc. through our nextMEDIA stream.
come to fruition in part because of
Q: Was there a debate over switch-
the platform we offer.
ing from “TV” to “media”?
Q: When I first attended the fes-
FC: No, it was fully endorsed by
tival the idea was that instead of
the Board of Directors who wants
flying to Toronto for the “$1000 cup
the event to be current, forward-
of coffee” with execs I could meet
Photo submitted
looking, and to best reflect the reali-
them closer to home. Is that still
ties of the industry and their busi-
part of the formula?
book all the meetings you want over
festival?
nesses.
FC: The idea is that Banff offers a
four days – in addition to network-
FC: Each year I hear anecdotally
Q: What’s new and exciting at
comprehensive program and offers
ing opportunities to reinforce new
about so many deals that are start-
Banff this year?
synergies and efficiencies that don’t
contacts and thought leadership to
ed, moved along or closed at Banff
FC: We’re launching a Brand +
exist without it – rather than book-
position you for success in the in-
– every year people tell me that this
Content Exchange to examine the
ing separate business trips you can
dustry.
or that project would never have
integration of brands into content
come to Banff and see everyone you
Q: What are some of the biggest
been made or this or that partner-
and examine new business models.
need in one place at one time and
deals that have been made at the
ship would never have happened
The program will consist of thought
20
Reel West Summer 2015
“Nowhere else can producers and broadcasters attend such a comprehensive event dedicated to the development, production and monetization of content across all genres and platforms.”
leadership keynotes, fireside chats, sessions and case studies; curated face-to-face
meetings
between
brands/agencies and content executives and a VIP dinner to bring decision makers from the brand and content side together. We also have new market access programs including 1) the Telus Fellowship Program; 2) the Shaftsbury/ Smokebomb AMP Accelerator Digital Pitch Competition; and 3) the Independent Production Fund Digi Producer Program. A+E Networks’ President and CEO, Nancy Dubuc and Shaw Media President Barb Williams are also
which is really effective to help del-
broadcasters/buyers from around
Q: Which other countries do you
hosting the first inaugural Global
egates manage their time.
the US to attend?
chase
Our website is always being up-
FC: Broadcasters and buyers from
from - and what are the challenges?
is an invite only event.
dated and offers the latest news
the US want to attend as they know
FC: We are successful in bring-
Q: Are there any secrets for hav-
on keynotes, master classes, ses-
Banff is the largest event dedicated
ing in international delegations
ing a successful festival experience
sions, networking, workshops and
to the development, production
from around the world – this year
(i.e. booking meetings in advance,
roundtables, receptions and special
and monetization of content. They
we have broadcasters/delegations
which I always forget to do)?
events like our Awards Galas.
want to use Banff as a platform to
from the US, UK, Mexico, China,
Women In Power Luncheon, which
broadcasters
and
buyers
FC: Yes! Really studying the sched-
We offer a session at the begin-
do business, take meetings and net-
Ireland, Australia, France, Argen-
ule for an event like Banff is key –
ning of Banff on Sunday afternoon
work with peers from around the
tina, Germany and more. The chal-
there is a lot going on and so much
for newcomers or anyone who
world and have access to amazing
lenge is the number of competing
to take advantage of. The key is to
wants a refresher course in taking
content and development opportu-
events and making sure you get in
plan ahead and make sure you are
pitch meetings while at Banff – we
nities. Our program competition is
touch early enough that they can
aware of everything we have to offer.
really try to help delegates achieve
the biggest in the world and many
get Banff in their calendars with
success.
broadcasters come to represent
enough advance notice.
Q: What’s involved with wooing
their nominated content.
Q: Why should producers and
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The Art of Raw 21
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broadcasters attend the festival?
categories and is not just for TV as
FC: Nowhere else can producers
it once was.
chartereD accountants
and broadcasters attend such a
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The chance to celebrate such in-
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digital and more.
to the overall experience at Banff
We offer thought leadership and
Registered Foreign Legal Consultant with the State Bar of California
components.
creators of both TV and digital
Q: The festival used to have more
content where delegates can learn
of a training component. When I
from the biggest players in the in-
first attended there were a lot more
dustry.
workshops and seminars - I’m just
We offer a forward-looking per-
wondering why those were phased
spective to ensure our delegates
out and is it possible they’ll be
know where the industry is going
phased back in?
and help them prepare and open up
FC: Not sure what specifically has
new business opportunities.
been phased out, but yes, this year
Q: How does the festival select the
there are numerous workshops and
special award winners?
roundtables to allow smaller groups
FC: The board of directors has an
of interested delegates to delve
awards nomination committee who
more deeply into niche issues. We have returning market access
laboration with the festival team
programs like the Shaw Writers
and myself.
Apprentice Program and the Shaw
Q: Have you ever been starstruck by
Showrunners
any of the special guests?
which offer invaluable opportuni-
• Work Permits
FC: Yes, absolutely! It was amaz-
ties to its participants to experience
• Permanent Resident Applications
ing to meet the lovely Julia Louis
the Festival.
• Business Applications: Entrepreneur and Self-Employed
Dreyfus when she came to accept
Q: How do you feel the festival fits
the Variety TV Impact Award in
into the Canadian cultural land-
2013, because I am a big fan of her
scape?
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FC: It is the biggest industry event
the incredibly friendly and person-
in Canada of its kind – Canadian pro-
able Lifetime Achievement Award
ducers get access to the biggest in-
winner, Dan Rather, was a very
dustry players from across Canada,
humbling experience to get to hear
the US and many from around the
his first-hand accounts of some of
world. Producers get face-to-face
the biggest world events of all time.
meetings to pitch their projects and
Truly, we have so many incredible
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from Canada, Hollywood
and sessions with industry leaders.
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Our special achievement awards Gala also has new categories which
genres and platforms.
Canada hosts this amazing festi-
for most of each Festival!
val, which positions us as thought
Q: How have the Rockies evolved
leaders in the digital space and the
over the years?
evolving industry.
FC: The Rockies Program Compe-
The Festival promotes produc-
tition is the largest of its kind cel-
tion of content, including, of course,
ebrating content across numerous
Canadian content, and new busi-
different platforms and genres. It
ness partnerships/models across all
has evolved to encompass digital
genres and platforms. n
Reel West Summer 2015
W e st e rn tv, eh?
My Banff Baby By D ia n e Wild
M
y last time at what’s
and access to screeners and in-
talk about the future of Canadian
– often long after their cancella-
now the Banff World
terviews from US networks, but I
TV, and how its survival depend-
tions – and wondered why these
Media Festival — my
hadn’t even heard of some of the
ing on making shows that would
Canadian
fourth time in five years — I’d had
Canadian shows mentioned on
appeal to international audiences.
weren’t more concerned with mak-
enough. The TV festival had just
Dead Things on Sticks, uninflected im-
Someone mentioned Corner Gas –
ing shows that Canadian audienc-
merged with NextMedia, the digi-
ages juxtaposed, and The Legion of De-
one of the biggest homegrown suc-
es want to watch. Or at least that
television
executives
tal add-on in previous years, and
Canadians know exist so they can
was suddenly treating online me-
choose to watch or not.
dia as not just the poor cousin of mainstream media, but as the poor cousin twice removed. Besides, I felt like I’d heard all the pontificating before and I was no longer covering US shows, which represented the bulk of the programming. Why was I no longer covering American shows? Because my first time at Banff had inspired me to create a website called TV, eh? to cover exclusively Canadian series. That first time I resembled one of the Rocky Mountains’ ubiquitous deer, and the other attendees were like so many headlights. It was 2006, and I’d been writing about TV and movies online for a few years. I’d come for David Shore, since I’d been covering House regularly. I also wanted to hear Paul Haggis and some other great speakers. That my inspirations for attending were Canadian – both from London, Ontario, seriously? — was
That first time I resembled one of the Rocky Mountains’ ubiquitous deer, and the other attendees were like so many headlights.
I wrote companion pieces called The Invisible Networks and then The Invisible Audience about this newto-me attitude in the industry. I lamented the lack of a Futon Critic or TV Tattle for our local industry and I’d been challenged in the comments to do something about it. My reply was why would I? Not my circus, not my monkeys. But what I heard at Banff swirled in my brain and I decided to float a test balloon. I started a crude Wordpress site and when I felt like I might continue, I started letting the people whose blogs I’d been commenting on for the past year know about it. And they told other people, and I had a naming contest and bought a domain and tv-eh. com was born. I’m sure other babies have come out of Banff liaisons, but hopefully none from the kind of frustration and anger I felt listening to the
incidental. In my recent quest to
people who greenlight shows in
understand how television was
Canada dismiss Canadian audi-
made, stumbling onto blogs by
ences. n
Canadian TV writers, I’d had the
cency, to name a few of those blogs
cesses — as an example of the kind
epiphany that homegrown shows
(may the first two rest in peace).
of show that didn’t work globally.
Diane Wild is the Vancouver-based
Then in Banff that first time, I
And I thought of Robson Arms
founder of the TV, eh? website (www.
sat in a giant conference room at
and Alice, I Think and Godiva’s and
tv-eh.com), covering news, reviews
I lived in Canada, I covered tele-
the Fairmont and listened to a lot
other shows I didn’t know existed
and interviews about Canadian televi-
vision, I was getting news releases
of Canadian television executives
until long after their premieres
sion shows.
would come and go without me even noticing.
Reel West Summer 2015
23
24
Reel West Summer 2015
Fe atu re Sto ry
ComedyCoup Winner Preps for CBC Special HumanTown Sets Out to Conquer The World
M
W rit t e n By N athan C adde ll ost friendships
out or something,” replies Macleod,
that begin in
and by the tone in his voice, it’s
the first year
clear he’s not really joking.
of high school are
hard
Asked when the possibility of
to
actually
winning
ComedyCoup
hold onto. Each year new cliques
started to hit home, there’s a mo-
are formed and old friendships drift
mentary silence until Doheny gets
apart. For six young men their 2003
the ball rolling: “For me, not until
freshman year at a Vancouver high
we were in the final five.”
school was the start of a friendship
From there, in typical Human-
that would see the sextet transform
Town fashion, it snowballs. “I don’t
into the sketch comedy group, Hu-
know if jaded is the right word. But
manTown.
just because we had done a couple
The name refers to a fictional
of these and done well, but noth-
community – think SCTV’s Mel-
ing had really come of it, for me
onville - where each small scene
the whole time it was like ‘okay, if
serves a larger purpose in the story
we make it, awesome,’” says Stew-
of HumanTown. It’s a different take
art, referencing the group’s finishes
on the classic sketch comedy troupe to go along with a brand of humour
(Left to right) Humantown’s Jack Heyes, Daniel Doheny, KI Kwiatkowski, Kane Stewart, Miles Chalmers and Liam Macleod.
you won’t see in most towns, fic-
Photos by Steven Morgan
as finalists in both the NexTV Webseries Competition and the Bite TV Webseries Competition.
tional or not.
Kwiatkowski chimes in. “I was
Last December, the high school
ways wanted to work for Stephen
question is asked and the cycle
kinda the same as Daniel where I
pals conquered ComedyCoup, a
Harper,” says Stewart, getting guf-
starts over.
didn’t really think about it until we
ten-week humour Hunger Games
faws from around the room before
And even though Joly refers to
that offered the winners $500,000
everyone else throws in their jibes
the ComedyCoup challenge as “the
in production costs and a half-hour
and jabs.
easy part,” it’s a good thing the men
Doheny says he still wasn’t sold.
“He seems like a fun guy,” adds
of HumanTown are able to laugh
“I always felt like it was kinda out
comedy special on CBC
were doing the live pitch at the end like ‘Oh. We could win.’”
“That was the easy part,” says
Doheny. “His Sweet Child O’ Mine
and joke together or else they might
there, so I never thought we were
J. Joly, founder of ComedyCoup
video, have you guys seen that? He’s
have ripped each other’s heads off.
gonna win really.”
(and its father, CineCoup) who has
got this whole band, he sings Sweet
The competition required the group
“It was definitely one of the big-
joined the group at the east side
Child O’ Mine. It’s horrible; it’s so
to work together every day, while
gest concepts to grasp and explain,”
Vancouver home of one of the Hu-
empty and soulless.”
still holding down their day jobs.
says Kwiatkowski.
manTowners for an interview. “The
That’s kind of how this group op-
Most of the shooting for Comedy-
“And we’re young; we’re pretty
hard stuff is now, now you’ve gotta
erates. A question is asked and one
Coup took place in the wee hours
young too,” Chalmers replies, get-
work with the CBC.” Joly’s new stars
of the members tackles it thought-
– think 8 pm to 3 am – so having a
ting in on the action.
- Kane Stewart, Kajetan Kwiatkows-
fully. When that Human is done
group of six had its benefits.
ki, Daniel Doheny, Miles Chalmers,
talking, another one throws a joke
“Having so many of us helps be-
Jack Heyes and Liam Macleod - are
in and they all laugh, each putting
cause we just fill in when someone
happy to chime in.
their shots in for another minute or
can’t be there,” says Heyes.
“I think our whole lives we’ve al-
Reel West Summer 2015
so. When the room quiets, another
“To tap in, when someone passes
Heyes brings it home. “We were essentially a joke.” They may not have thought they were going to win until their names were called, but that doesn’t repre-
25
proached us to help write a feature film because he knew a relatively well-known actor who was looking to make a low budget comedy,” says Stewart. “So he approached us to help write some material and he only knew us from making short films, so he pushed us to write as many short comedy ideas as we could, which he would then, we weren’t sure how, he was going to connect them all in some Monty Pythonesque way. So we got together for two weeks and just tried all these crazy ideas and he came back to us months later with this feature film script.” “Which wasn’t what we thought it would be, really, or where it would go,” interjects Macleod. “Long story short, that never happened,” says Stewart with the resigned sense of disappointment that comes with almost making it numerous times. “The actor sort of dropped out. So we ended up with all this material we had come up with. And we were pretty happy with a lot of it. So we thought about the best way to fit our talents and we decided that TV was the best medium. And we started compacting all these ideas together. And then when thinking how to create a sketch show we landed on this idea of a cohesive universe.” It’s hard to imagine something like HumanTown airing on the CBC, as many of the group’s sketches aren’t
exactly
family-friendly.
There’s a recurring one about a camera expert who tries to sell (Top) HumanTown’s Kane Stewart and Daniel Doheny. (Above) Stewart and DOHENY with KI Kwiatkowski.
products to customers while show-
Photos by Ian Macdougall
ing them various pictures of his activities - including dressing up
sent a seed of doubt in this group.
remember getting any sleep. We fin-
graduated and we said, ‘Alright, let’s
as a member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Ask if any of the challenges were all
ished recording it at like 3 am and
keep doing this,’” says Macleod, who
Another sketch involves an Orc who
that challenging and you can liter-
then did a mix and went to work
lives almost exactly a straight shot
strives to be a human, but ends up
ally feel the room shrug. “It wasn’t
right after finishing it.”
all the way across the city from
being beaten by police officers. It’s
that stuff was difficult, it was more
It would be impossible to have
where he and his fellow Human-
definitely not stuff you’re used to
like getting the resources together
reached the heights HumanTown
Town members met at a high school
seeing and that’s exactly the point.
and spending the time. The one
is starting to breach without ex-
on Vancouver’s west side.
competition we decided to do in a
treme dedication and, to a man,
Chalmers also cites support from
and we always go ‘Ah, it’s just the
musical number challenge,” says
each member is steadfast in the
the same teacher. “[He] was a huge
same thing that we’ve seen before,’”
Stewart. The group responded with
company line. They claim there has
influence in one of those first proj-
says Doheny. “So we want to do
a roast of all the other groups, which
never been any doubt that this is
ects in that we were forced to spend
something different.”
may have identified them as the
what they have always wanted to
time together.”
frontrunners. “That definitely took
do and they have always believed
the most work… On the Monday we
they could pull it off.
came up with the idea, on Tuesday we wrote it all out, on Wednesday we wrote and recorded the song.” Macleod
interjects.
“Thursday
we shot the whole thing.
26
I don’t
They also give credit where credit is due. “We had a film teacher early on
“We’ve seen a lot of stuff on TV,
“Especially in Canadian televi-
It’s not uncommon for teachers
sion, nobody’s really doing anything
to guide the way for students in
that’s different or that’s going to
their early formative years, but the
cause a stir,” says Macleod. “Even
story doesn’t just stop there for Hu-
if somebody’s really put off by it,
manTown.
that means in some ways like we’re
who started putting us in festivals
“I guess the Cliff notes of it is that
probably doing something right be-
so we did a lot of that and then we
our high school film teacher ap-
cause it’s not just a straight down
Reel West Summer 2015
S ide re e l
the middle thing. We don’t want to
CineCoup’s WolfCop 2 Howl Again
do another thing that’s just completely normal, we want to push ourselves and see what it can be.” “I think we’ll see ourselves as failures if we don’t do a bunch of ‘First time on CBC, HumanTown did…’” Stewart opines. “I really think that’s part of our game plan. Why can’t Canadian television be as edgy as American television,” asks Doheny. Because of the unique structure of the show that they’re trying to make, where all the characters and scenarios within HumanTown are specific to the show, the group has one general guideline: No pop culture. “It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s more just like from a genesis standpoint, we don’t wanna do a Saturday Night Live like ‘Oh, Liam does a great Christopher Walken, so let’s do Christopher Walken every second episode,’ says Stewart. “But we still want the show to be about the day-to-day pop culture that people are soaking up. So much of our humour is absurd and surreal
Photo c/o Cinecoup
and sensationalized. So we want it to all come from within HumanTown, not from an external place.” Kwiatkowski says he hopes they can avoid humour that stale dates as soon as the current events are no longer current. “That’s why The
Story by Nath a n Ca dell
Simpsons holds up and other shows like that, that have a lot of in-uni-
It doesn’t seem that improbable now, but
ewan folk art - the people who worked on it, the people
It’s clear that the creators of Hu-
the fact that WolfCop 2 is currently in Pre-
behind it. And now it’s an international success.”
manTown see their half-hour spe-
production is pretty unbelievable. The hor-
The logical result of all this, it seems, is a WolfCop 2
cial for CBC as the start of what
ror/thriller about a drunken cop who morphs into a
with triple the budget of the original. But what will that
they hope will be a long run.
wolf had a seriously Snakes on a Plane vibe. This wasn’t
cost on other fronts?
verse characters and humour.”
“Everyone who’s working on this
born out of a need for Samuel L. Jackson to say “Moth-
Joly is currently in discussions with producers and
is looking to package it into some-
erfucking snakes” though. The original was conceived
the Saskatchewan government, trying to get the sequel
thing that’s just going to keep go-
as part of CineCoup – a Dragon’s Den style competi-
shooting in that province, but that might be as tough
ing,” says Macleod in a serious tone.
tion that pits aspiring Canadian filmmakers against one
as going claw to claw with a wolf cop. Joly makes no
“We’re all working hard on every
another in a fan-driven vote that would see the winner
bones about how he is with studios or what he says
end to make sure that we’re ready
taking home a million dollars in financing and a guaran-
to them; rather he admits that he is willing to be the
to take it into something that peo-
teed theatrical release.
bully to get Canadian content made. “I realize that my
ple can accept as a new thing that
The film quickly went after cult status in Canada,
they can just follow and be onboard
with lead Leo Fafard even showing up in a cameo as
cineplexes and convince them to put money behind
with and that we’re going to carry
‘Werewolf Bad Guy’ in Corner Gas: The Movie. When
something. I said ‘Listen, I don’t know what this movie
in to a full season, second season,
the film hit Netflix in April, the cult status was con-
is, but I can promise it will be successful and we’ll be
third season, etc.”
firmed. “It just got released in the states on April 1st
able to do more of them.’”
superpower is being able to bully around, to get to the
“Well I think the idea is ‘How long
and people thought it was an April Fool’s Joke on Net-
WolfCop 2 will hopefully move from pre-production
has Saturday Night Live been on?’”
flix,” says CinceCoup founder J. Joly. “They didn’t think
into full swing in July, but that’s not the only promis-
says Stewart.
it was a real movie. Since then, it’s gone ballistic, just
ing development coming from the franchise. A graphic
In a room of less-confident 24
crazy. I had a guy call me who makes distortion pedals
novel and a full on WolfCop novel are both in the works,
year-olds, a statement like that
for guitars in the U.K. and he wants to make a WolfCop
as is the development of a TV series. “This all just sort
might give some pause. Not here
fuzz pedal.”
of came from the idea that I had to try and showcase
though. “HumanPlanet!” someone shouts. Everyone laughs. n
Reel West Summer 2015
The original was truly born and bred in Saskatche-
Canadians because I really think they are really funny,
wan, as Joly likes to point out. “Ninety percent of that
really fucked up people,” says Joly. Motherfucking
movie is an authentic piece of dysfunctional Saskatch-
snakes indeed.
n
27
Photo: Liz KearsLey
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TV, eh? covers news, reviews and interviews about Canadian television shows, with the odd foray into the odd industry that produces them.
For 35 years, Reel West has been the one-stop source for people in film, tv, online and digital production in Western Canada.
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Reel West Summer 2015
D ig i tally Yo u r s
What Broadcast Media Can Learn From Bloggers About Community Building By er ica ha r gr eav e
T
hose of you who have been
and hope the sales come rolling in.
ies of their blogs and become part
offensive troll behaviour. If someone
paying attention to all the
Building a loyal fan base is a two
of the community of their readers.”
is turning a story negative for the
news coming out of the
way conversation and needs a hu-
~ Raul Pacheco-Vega of raulpacheco.
community, and you have tried to
Banff World Media Festival may be
man approach.” ~ Hayley Griffiths
org. The authenticity and trust that
respond in a manner which creates
aware that one of the new and argu-
of the Lovepuffin Travel Blog. To add
Raul mentions are why brands want
space for a positive debate, yet they
ably overdue additions to the festival
to Hayley’s advice, if you are sim-
to work with bloggers to help them
continue to respond aggressively
is the AMP Accelerator presented by
ply broadcasting your story, you
to tell their stories.
and offensively, making the space
Shaftesbury. The AMP Accelerator
are missing the social part of social
• Keep the scripted content to
and the story toxic, then for the good
focuses on branded storytelling in
media and, quite frankly, missing
the show. Scripted content in your
of the community do not be afraid
the form of scripted digital series
the mark. To build an engaged fan-
social media will be the death of
to delete their comments and ban
and warns that “great story isn’t
base and ultimately a community,
it, and make you look unauthentic
them from the community. Remem-
enough… you need to know who
you need to listen and respond. If
and unengaged.
ber, this is still your story, and these
your audience is, where they are and
your audience feels listened to and
• “Don’t fear negative feedback.
trolls are in all likelihood not your
what they want - and once you have
as though they are a part of your
Social media has created a culture
target audience, so don’t let them
them, how you keep them with you.”
community, they will have a per-
where people demand to comment.
destroy it for those who are.
For anyone who is a decent digi-
• Finally, building an engaged
tal storyteller and/or blogger, this is
digital community is not a “build it
nothing new - building not just audience, but COMMUNITY is the way to reach sizeable worldwide audiences that trust you. Here are some of the lessons traditional broadcast storytellers can learn from bloggers:
You are the story’s guide and decide which roads to take.
• Start developing your story
and they will come scenario,” rather “build it, find your niche community, engage that niche community, and that niche community will help you to grow.” While you are too late to apply for this year’s AMP Accelerator, it should be interesting to check out the pitch-
and/or characters on social media
sonal stake in your story and help
Often traditional media will close
es in the Cascade Ballroom from 10
and in digital niche communities in
to make sure you are a success.
comments on controversial top-
- 11 am on Tuesday June 9th at the
early conception and development.
• Allowing your audience to en-
ics or delete Facebook comments
Banff World Media Festival, and keep
This will allow you to test out your
gage with your story and take a per-
and it’s deadly, because it signals
your eyes open for this or similar
ideas, grow your community, and
sonal stake in it does not mean los-
that the audience’s opinion is of no
competitions at the 2016 festival.
create different opportunities and
ing control of your story’s direction.
value. It’s important for me to give
Don’t forget to connect with Reel
revenue streams for your story.
You are still the story’s guide and
readers the opportunity to provide
West on twitter at @reelwestmag
decide which roads to take.
• Don’t chase after building on
an alternate opinion. This is what
to stay tuned to what we are up to
popular platforms, rather choose
• “Sound, feel and look truthful.
can grow a community, people vest-
before, during and after the Banff
the platforms to build on that make
One of the most valuable elements
ed in a site, because the publisher
World Media Festival. n
sense to your story and that will al-
of blogging is the trustworthiness
values them as readers.” ~ Aynge-
low you to connect with your digital
and community building element.
lina Brogan of Bacon is Magic
niche community.
By being authentic, bloggers are able
• While what Ayngelina says here
weaving stories across platforms, and
• “It’s no longer acceptable for a
to transcend their specific niche
is true, remember there is a differ-
teaching cross-platform storytelling and
brand to broadcast their message
and even the electronic boundar-
ence between healthy debate and
digital media at BCIT.
Erica Hargreave gets her kicks out of
@reelwestmag Reel West Summer 2015
29
T he W indow
Remembering the TV-Pocalypse of 2012 w r it t e n By Mark Le ire n-Yo u ng
F
or years the media warned
tween porn sites it vanished when
Lorre, creator and executive pro-
Telefilm
us that 2012 was the end
the festival’s marquee guest, CNN
ducer of The Big Bang Theory and Two
from some of Canada’s most suc-
Canada, representatives
of the world as we know it.
icon Larry King, canceled his flight
and a Half Men, and Glen Mazzara,
cessful content providers talked
They were close. Apparently 2012
to Alberta at the last second be-
the exec producer who kept the
about what they were up to, but
was the end of the media as we
cause he was “unable to travel” and
zombies animated on AMC’s hor-
mostly they talked about alterna-
knew it. Who knew those wacky
the emergency replacement for the
ror hit, The Walking Dead — but as
tive platforms, transmedia and, of
Mayans were predicting the end of
headliner’s slot was Steve Hannah,
cool as showrunners are to people
course, branding.
television?
president and CEO of the satirical
like me who work in TV-land these
Alex Gault, vice president of Mob-
online, The Onion.
weren’t the names that excited the
ovivo cited stats from Yahoo and
The fact that the most familiar
taxi driver who was wondering, “if
Nielsen claiming that 86 percent
face representing traditional TV
there were any famous people here.”
of mobile internet users were us-
That was my takeaway at the 2012 edition of the Banff World Media Festival. My most recent previous visit
was supposed to be a semi-retired
to the Banff International Televi-
And
I
thought...
Where
are
ing some sort of digital device while
talk show host on the edge of turn-
Obama Girl and the Star Wars kid
watching TV and thirty-one percent
sion festival was in the prehistoric,
ing 80, and the default assumption
when you need them?
of internet use was taking place in
pre-iPhone era in 2007, when every-
when people heard he’d canceled
The big Banff bash — a post con-
front of the TV. Mobovivo was pio-
body was buzzing about how me-
neering a new tech — and possibly
dia would “converge” in the future
next year’s buzz term — “Secondary
world of web 2.0 and the inescapable buzzword of the festival was “monetize.” In 2012, as over 2,500 media makers (aka “content providers”) and
broadcasters,
narrowcasters
and online outlet reps (aka “platform providers”) from around the globe met at the Banff Conference Centre to whine and dine, do deals and maybe even create something we’d be watching on some as yet unimagined device, the future was
It didn’t seem right to be burying TV when the medium — especially dramatic programming — was at the top of its game...
here and the word of the week was
Screen Apps.” These are apps that allow you to interact with what’s up on screen and make the internet an extension of your television experience. But looking at all the shiny places to point and click on the demo, and thinking about how many people still don’t know how to use half the buttons on their iPhones and Androids, it hit me that Gault already knew that as soon as there was a tablet in every house, television would simply become an extension of our internet experience.
“branding.”
As I walked outside the Confer-
Heck, speaking of branding, the
was that he’d had his four hun-
ference party — had three hosts on
ence Centre and looked around
TV festival wasn’t even a TV Fes-
dredth heart attack, seemed like
the ticket, but the name in big block
the Canadiana postcard come to
tival anymore. They ditched that
both a plausible Onion parody item
letters at the top of the list was Net-
life that is Banff there was a song
name in 2011, when they joined
and an unnerving metaphor for the
flix. Meanwhile, YouTube was in at-
I couldn’t shake, a song I hadn’t
forces with NextMedia — a tiny
state of TV nation. But it could have
tendance to launch their first sitcom.
heard in years... by the Buggles... It
event about what was up on the in-
been worse, they could have flown
It didn’t seem right to be burying
was their one hit, you know the one,
terwebs that took place a few days
out Piers Morgan.
TV when the medium — especially
“video killed the radio star.”
before the grown-ups arrived to talk
It was also telling that most peo-
dramatic programming — was at
TV. In 2011, the two converged to
ple probably found out about King’s
the top of its game and even a lot
thrummed in the back of my skull
become the Banff World Media Fes-
no show courtesy of their Twitter
of the cheese is closer to brie than
I was absolutely sure the internet
tival.
feeds.
processed cheddar. Was this really
would kill the video star, except for
the time to replace Don Draper with
one confusing and contradictory re-
double rainbow dude?
ality… the brass ring for every web
If there was any doubt the busi-
With King abdicating, the big-
ness was changing faster than a
gest TV celebs in attendance were
teen with ADHD could scroll be-
a couple of showrunners - Chuck
30
At a panel discussion hosted by
And
as
the
karaoke
version
series is still a slot on network TV. n
Reel West Summer 2015
PERFORMANCE CAPTURE
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