Hi Folks, We actually had someone answer some questions posed in our last blog post. "We are family, I got all my sisters -" (ed. Get on with it, I have to go out into the sun before the recapture or whatever it is on Saturday)
Apparently the "Drunk and On Drugs Happy Funtime Hour" a new series from the Trailer Park Boys has not shown up on Showcase as originally scheduled. Frank magazine opined that it was a potato too hot (ed. offensive, racist, sexist, etc.ist) and weren't going to show it. But I was e-mailed that it was being "burned off" on another Showcase/Global network perhaps higher in the Tiers.
No trace of it on the Showcase website, (ed. somebody should really update that thing with, I don't know, Current Information!) There is a facebook page set up and in response to the question, the keepers responded that it may be shown in June/July. We'll keep on top of this hot potato.
Say I never got a response to my query for box office numbers from my last post from telefilm. Better e-mail them again. They're probably busy watching top-notch filims.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Friday 25 March 2011
My What a Lovely Quarter
So there's a whole bunch of stuff happening RIGHT NOW! My editor for today and everyday is Lunchmeat Harold (ed. Howdy).
So Picnicface started shooting their series today. Seems like yesterday these kids were shooting 8mm films of themselves goofing around and now here they are making funny on The Comedy Network. (ed. where comedy goes to die?). But these kids are smart and funny (ed. You're sure they're on The Comedy Channel?) and young enough to - GO TO THE STATES! GO RUN NOW, WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE!!!
Coincidentilly, the "Upfronts" are happening in L.A. This is where the U.S. networks invite Canadian networks to come on down, party like it's 1999 and buy your self some good ole Yankee TV. "
Have some more champagne, Yeeehaaaa. Quick CTV, Global's looking this way. This show rat here may be this year's "Modern Love". Oh, bad example, but you should buy it so no one else in Canader will have it. You buy this and we'll throw in a half-season of a Paul Reiser show. He's very popular, sort of like an American version of, um, oh right you ain't got no TV stars up there. Is your'all television in color yet?" (ed. ooo, left out the "u" . Good one).
Other than that there's Wipeout Canada (ed. shouldn't that have "TV Industry" on the end of it?) airing on TVTropolis which is basically the American Wipeout made with your tax dollars.
Speaking of PicnicFace, where's their movie? It was shot about a year ago and no sign yet. And where's producer Jay Dahl's other film the monster one? That was shot like three years ago. And Paul Kimball's "Eternal Kiss"?
Speaking of Canadian films, I have not seen any reviews for Whirlygig, Chaz Thorne's recent film. (ed. Well, there was The Coast - oh yeah, nevermind). Apparently it was held over for a second week. That's major for a Canadian Film. Has it stayed for a third week? Is it any good? (ed. this matters because...?) How much money did it take in? In fact how much money did Hobo With a Shotgun take in? Maybe I'll just go ask Telefilm. Hang on, brb.
" Hi Telefilm, how are you? I'm good.
I write a blog that reports on film and television in Canada and more specifically, Halifax. I understand that Telefilm invested in several local features including "Whirlygig" and "Hobo With a Shotgun". I'm wondering if you could send me any statistics you have on box office dollars for these two films. Oh, and "The Corridor" too.
Also, "Gunless".
Thank you for your time."
There, just interested. We'll just wait for them to send those numbers back to me.
Oh and speaking of numbers, it looks like production or whatever is gradually moving from Toronto to Halifax by the appropriately named Halifax Film Company (Full disclosure, the writer owns 1000 shares of said halifax - I mean DHX- shares.(ed.Sounds like an awesome bike!)
I think a lot of it has to do with FilmNS taking the production cap off the NS tax credit. Because animation is so labour intensive, it makes up most of the cost of a TV show but the 25% production cap always limited how much a company could claim. Now we can claim 50% of all the labour which will be a pretty penny indeed. (ed. FYI Nova Scotia's the closest thing we have to Asia). Also they've made the residency requirements easier (ed. i.e. vaguer) so anybody moving here to work, who's living here now, who has a parent living (ed. or deceased) here, once saw a postcard of Nova Scotia or drank a Keith's beer is now considered a resident. The beauty part of this is that previously if DHX needed money to produce a show, it had to go cap in gown (ed. that's "hand") to FilmNS, fill out a form and submit an application with "othes". And there was the sometime chance that the province ran out of money. And they would have been "partners" with the province and share any potential revenue (ed. See "Coming to America"). Opening up the Tax Credits makes like so much easier and pradictable and moneyful. And it's absolutely unlimited with no one over their should watching them spend "their" money (ed. Suck that Department of Finance!)
So I'm going to close now but there are still so many unanswered questions that i won't go on and on and on - (ed. Got it) about. I'll just put them in question form.
- How many films are currently shooting in the Shelburne studios?
- Where's the new TPB TV series? Frank magazine said some lss than complementary things about the show a while back. It was shot last spring but has yet to be shown on Showcase.
Finally, a quick shoutout to FilmNS CEO Ann MacKenzie and staff who are currently working for you and me on the beaches of Cannes. The province will surely benefit from their presence there because...um, well, they show films, it's not really a place to pitch locations, but I'm sure it's money well spent.
Goodnight and stay out of the rain.
Oh and if anybody can give me an honest review of the aforementioned films please do.
This film festival
So Picnicface started shooting their series today. Seems like yesterday these kids were shooting 8mm films of themselves goofing around and now here they are making funny on The Comedy Network. (ed. where comedy goes to die?). But these kids are smart and funny (ed. You're sure they're on The Comedy Channel?) and young enough to - GO TO THE STATES! GO RUN NOW, WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE!!!
Coincidentilly, the "Upfronts" are happening in L.A. This is where the U.S. networks invite Canadian networks to come on down, party like it's 1999 and buy your self some good ole Yankee TV. "
Have some more champagne, Yeeehaaaa. Quick CTV, Global's looking this way. This show rat here may be this year's "Modern Love". Oh, bad example, but you should buy it so no one else in Canader will have it. You buy this and we'll throw in a half-season of a Paul Reiser show. He's very popular, sort of like an American version of, um, oh right you ain't got no TV stars up there. Is your'all television in color yet?" (ed. ooo, left out the "u" . Good one).
Other than that there's Wipeout Canada (ed. shouldn't that have "TV Industry" on the end of it?) airing on TVTropolis which is basically the American Wipeout made with your tax dollars.
Speaking of PicnicFace, where's their movie? It was shot about a year ago and no sign yet. And where's producer Jay Dahl's other film the monster one? That was shot like three years ago. And Paul Kimball's "Eternal Kiss"?
Speaking of Canadian films, I have not seen any reviews for Whirlygig, Chaz Thorne's recent film. (ed. Well, there was The Coast - oh yeah, nevermind). Apparently it was held over for a second week. That's major for a Canadian Film. Has it stayed for a third week? Is it any good? (ed. this matters because...?) How much money did it take in? In fact how much money did Hobo With a Shotgun take in? Maybe I'll just go ask Telefilm. Hang on, brb.
" Hi Telefilm, how are you? I'm good.
I write a blog that reports on film and television in Canada and more specifically, Halifax. I understand that Telefilm invested in several local features including "Whirlygig" and "Hobo With a Shotgun". I'm wondering if you could send me any statistics you have on box office dollars for these two films. Oh, and "The Corridor" too.
Also, "Gunless".
Thank you for your time."
There, just interested. We'll just wait for them to send those numbers back to me.
Oh and speaking of numbers, it looks like production or whatever is gradually moving from Toronto to Halifax by the appropriately named Halifax Film Company (Full disclosure, the writer owns 1000 shares of said halifax - I mean DHX- shares.(ed.Sounds like an awesome bike!)
I think a lot of it has to do with FilmNS taking the production cap off the NS tax credit. Because animation is so labour intensive, it makes up most of the cost of a TV show but the 25% production cap always limited how much a company could claim. Now we can claim 50% of all the labour which will be a pretty penny indeed. (ed. FYI Nova Scotia's the closest thing we have to Asia). Also they've made the residency requirements easier (ed. i.e. vaguer) so anybody moving here to work, who's living here now, who has a parent living (ed. or deceased) here, once saw a postcard of Nova Scotia or drank a Keith's beer is now considered a resident. The beauty part of this is that previously if DHX needed money to produce a show, it had to go cap in gown (ed. that's "hand") to FilmNS, fill out a form and submit an application with "othes". And there was the sometime chance that the province ran out of money. And they would have been "partners" with the province and share any potential revenue (ed. See "Coming to America"). Opening up the Tax Credits makes like so much easier and pradictable and moneyful. And it's absolutely unlimited with no one over their should watching them spend "their" money (ed. Suck that Department of Finance!)
So I'm going to close now but there are still so many unanswered questions that i won't go on and on and on - (ed. Got it) about. I'll just put them in question form.
- How many films are currently shooting in the Shelburne studios?
- Where's the new TPB TV series? Frank magazine said some lss than complementary things about the show a while back. It was shot last spring but has yet to be shown on Showcase.
Finally, a quick shoutout to FilmNS CEO Ann MacKenzie and staff who are currently working for you and me on the beaches of Cannes. The province will surely benefit from their presence there because...um, well, they show films, it's not really a place to pitch locations, but I'm sure it's money well spent.
Goodnight and stay out of the rain.
Oh and if anybody can give me an honest review of the aforementioned films please do.
This film festival
Monday 14 March 2011
Hobo With a Shotgun - Embarrassing ?
Dear Friends as I write this something amazing is happening in this country.
Hi, I'm Stuart Sutcliffe the 4th, the 18th Beatle. (ed. Not!. Hi I'm Bev Oda) Not.
Anyway, helping me blog tonight is the always breathing Lunchmeat Harold. (ed. Howdy)
The amazing thing that's happening in this great land of ours is that a Canadian movie is opening nationwide and people are actually either going to see it or looking forward to seeing it. (ed. Going Down the Road? Whirleygig?)
Hobo With a Shotgun is a small budget, Canadian (ed. redundant) movie (ed. Excuse me, we don't make movies, we make "films")
There are actual advertisements in the newspaper and the internet is all abuzz with chat on this movie. Is it any good?
No idea. Haven't seen it and since I can't leave the apartment, I probably won't see it until it's released on DVD.
Apparently this film is not for everyone, it's definitely a niche film with a lot of killing, bloodletting and senseless mayhem and fun.
People seem to like it and the reviews have been glowing. And there dear friends, is the problem.
Telefilm has invested in this project. But not because they wanted to.
There's no gay angels, no desperate failed dreams, no meandering, pointless plots; in short, nothing for Canada to tout at tents (ed. say that 5 times fast) at FilmFestivals as important "message" films that we do so much better than the Yanks (ed. and that no one will see).
This movie started as a trailer that won a Quentin Tarentino contest which meant it got exposed in the U.S. And on YouTube. So a lot of people saw it, and liked it and a buzz grew. And thus (ed. a little Biblical, aren't you) when asked, Telefilm was able to say, "nay, this is not for us. Too common and there's no Eqoyan's attached to this. It does not scream 'Canada' in a 'put it in a box and forget about it way'. We can't finance this." Then they went and had shrimp cocktails and held another meeting/party/red carpet.
But they forgot something. Years ago they had a review/plan/meeting/conference/report where they got all "that" and hissy and asked Producers across this great land, "Oh yeah? Well, since we suck so much at deciding what works, you tell us, smartypants, how shall we divide the pool of money that we have to spend this year."
And the wise producers went away and talked and conveneed and spent telefilm's money making reports with graphs and said "for the benefit of the marketplace and to encourage creativity, to foster growth within the industry and help Canada emerge as a powerplayer (ed. they talked like that?) we have decided the best way of spending the taxpayers money is for you to give it to us."
And the Telefilm leaders, all on salary, with bonuses not attached to performance said "what the hell. This will give us Fridays off"
And thus ENVELOPES were born. So when Telefilm said no to Hobo and went off to have more shrimp cocktails, a producer, nay ProducerS stepped up and said "Wait! we've made a lot of films at taxpayers expense and we've got a pocket of money we have to spend. Let's give it to these kids to make their little Hobo film."
More tomorrow on this.
Hi, I'm Stuart Sutcliffe the 4th, the 18th Beatle. (ed. Not!. Hi I'm Bev Oda) Not.
Anyway, helping me blog tonight is the always breathing Lunchmeat Harold. (ed. Howdy)
The amazing thing that's happening in this great land of ours is that a Canadian movie is opening nationwide and people are actually either going to see it or looking forward to seeing it. (ed. Going Down the Road? Whirleygig?)
Hobo With a Shotgun is a small budget, Canadian (ed. redundant) movie (ed. Excuse me, we don't make movies, we make "films")
There are actual advertisements in the newspaper and the internet is all abuzz with chat on this movie. Is it any good?
No idea. Haven't seen it and since I can't leave the apartment, I probably won't see it until it's released on DVD.
Apparently this film is not for everyone, it's definitely a niche film with a lot of killing, bloodletting and senseless mayhem and fun.
People seem to like it and the reviews have been glowing. And there dear friends, is the problem.
Telefilm has invested in this project. But not because they wanted to.
There's no gay angels, no desperate failed dreams, no meandering, pointless plots; in short, nothing for Canada to tout at tents (ed. say that 5 times fast) at FilmFestivals as important "message" films that we do so much better than the Yanks (ed. and that no one will see).
This movie started as a trailer that won a Quentin Tarentino contest which meant it got exposed in the U.S. And on YouTube. So a lot of people saw it, and liked it and a buzz grew. And thus (ed. a little Biblical, aren't you) when asked, Telefilm was able to say, "nay, this is not for us. Too common and there's no Eqoyan's attached to this. It does not scream 'Canada' in a 'put it in a box and forget about it way'. We can't finance this." Then they went and had shrimp cocktails and held another meeting/party/red carpet.
But they forgot something. Years ago they had a review/plan/meeting/conference/report where they got all "that" and hissy and asked Producers across this great land, "Oh yeah? Well, since we suck so much at deciding what works, you tell us, smartypants, how shall we divide the pool of money that we have to spend this year."
And the wise producers went away and talked and conveneed and spent telefilm's money making reports with graphs and said "for the benefit of the marketplace and to encourage creativity, to foster growth within the industry and help Canada emerge as a powerplayer (ed. they talked like that?) we have decided the best way of spending the taxpayers money is for you to give it to us."
And the Telefilm leaders, all on salary, with bonuses not attached to performance said "what the hell. This will give us Fridays off"
And thus ENVELOPES were born. So when Telefilm said no to Hobo and went off to have more shrimp cocktails, a producer, nay ProducerS stepped up and said "Wait! we've made a lot of films at taxpayers expense and we've got a pocket of money we have to spend. Let's give it to these kids to make their little Hobo film."
More tomorrow on this.
Monday 7 March 2011
Marches In Like a Lion With the Swords and Stuff that you see on Coats of Arms. Or is it Coat of Arms?
So yeah, busy, busy, busy last couple of months. And I have to be quick because I'm stealing (ed. sharing in the greater good) wifi from the neighbour. I just wish he hadn't called his network "Hey Porn!". Anyway, who am I to judge. I can't afford internet and the new TV cable rates that Eastlink has imposed, but they have a perfectly good reason for hiking the rates. I'm sure. Otherwise Billionairre John Bragg wouldn't. I guess.
My editor tonight is the indafatigueable Lunchmeat Harold (ed. Howdy).
So Men With Broom has been cancelled. (ed. I believe they use the term "not re-newed" or "failed" or "sucked"). can't comment, never saw it (ed. Neither did -) Anyway CBC announced next years line up which includes the ever popular Rick Mercer (ed. duh), Blades of Glory (ed. duh) and InSecurity (ed. D - really?).
CTV and Global (ed. Shaw!) announced their american programs so we're alright there. Don't know why I'm paying for the same programs twice but what the hell, actually I'm not. (ed. Shush)
Oh, Harold went to various Christmas parties. Since I can't leave the apartment he's my ears and eyes and I guess taste buds. Harold?
(ed. Old news now but I went to the FilmNS party at the Halifax club. Two free drink tickets were nice but there could have been better snacks. That greenish cheese left me bound up for days. Anyway, there were new boardmembers there and Jeff Rosen and Michael Donovan. Luckily FilmNS CEO, President, Commander in Chief Ann MacKenzie was wise enough to keep the important people rounded up and she ran interference anytime any "norm" approached.
I was also at the panel they usually have for "hopefuls" to meet the broadcasters. Always a sad get-together but they had free coffee. Michael Donovan must have been at one of his vacation houses since this one was hosted by Charles "the Green Arrow" Bishop. The guy never ages, I swear. Anyway the whole laughable pretence of broadcasters down here to "explore Opportunities" was nostalgic. But you think Global would have at least played along but 2nd year in a row, they couldn't be bothered. And that's all the parties I went to.)
Wow, not like in my day when there was wall to wall parties. Even Telefilm had a national meeting before their party which I guess was a Pooper. Highlight was Telefilm saying that the 5% box office goal had not been achieved. So in the spirit of government they said they would not set that as a goal. Great! Any questions? Yes, Thom? Yes, your next film will be financed. Anyone else - ? No, can't here you...
Okay, gotta be quick. FilmNS also announced that the 25% cap on the tax credit is gone. Done. Finis! This was mostly done because animation uses a higher percentage of labour than normal production. I think we all know we have Michael Donovan to thank for this, I saw his picture in the paper when the press release was issued (ed. But Paul Rigg pestered the gov't - )
The beauty about this is that the gov't doesn't have to say "we've committed X number of dollars." That's always a drag the few times anyone even notices. Increasing the tax credit means we won't worry about paying it for years. Plus, (ed. full disclosure the blogger owns 1000 shares of DHX) there's none of the pesky asking FilmNS for money in competition with, shall we say, not so capitalistic entitities. And with the extra money being tax credits, the province is no longer an equity shareholder; i.e. the province owns parts of stuff it gives money to. (ed. See, even writing it out is hard to explain)
Other changes in the tax credit mean that the pesky living in NS rules to qualify for the tax credit rules will be loosened. Come on (ed. to your temporary) home Ontario animators.
Last thoughts "Hobo With a Shotgun" is doing extremely well (ed. Telefilm did not want to invest but Paul Gross's company did.) PicnicFace's "Rollertown" has gained a lot of momentum on-line and through Breakthrough's series deal with the group (ed. Telefilm did not want to invest).
Michael Clattenburg starts shooting "The Guys Who Moved Furniture" soon. (ed. can't imagine Telefilm wanting to be part of something titled like that but he has been successful in other things that Telefilm didn't want to sponsoer. Am I sensing a theme?)
K. Gotta go. BTW where is Eternal Kiss, Whirly Gig?
My editor tonight is the indafatigueable Lunchmeat Harold (ed. Howdy).
So Men With Broom has been cancelled. (ed. I believe they use the term "not re-newed" or "failed" or "sucked"). can't comment, never saw it (ed. Neither did -) Anyway CBC announced next years line up which includes the ever popular Rick Mercer (ed. duh), Blades of Glory (ed. duh) and InSecurity (ed. D - really?).
CTV and Global (ed. Shaw!) announced their american programs so we're alright there. Don't know why I'm paying for the same programs twice but what the hell, actually I'm not. (ed. Shush)
Oh, Harold went to various Christmas parties. Since I can't leave the apartment he's my ears and eyes and I guess taste buds. Harold?
(ed. Old news now but I went to the FilmNS party at the Halifax club. Two free drink tickets were nice but there could have been better snacks. That greenish cheese left me bound up for days. Anyway, there were new boardmembers there and Jeff Rosen and Michael Donovan. Luckily FilmNS CEO, President, Commander in Chief Ann MacKenzie was wise enough to keep the important people rounded up and she ran interference anytime any "norm" approached.
I was also at the panel they usually have for "hopefuls" to meet the broadcasters. Always a sad get-together but they had free coffee. Michael Donovan must have been at one of his vacation houses since this one was hosted by Charles "the Green Arrow" Bishop. The guy never ages, I swear. Anyway the whole laughable pretence of broadcasters down here to "explore Opportunities" was nostalgic. But you think Global would have at least played along but 2nd year in a row, they couldn't be bothered. And that's all the parties I went to.)
Wow, not like in my day when there was wall to wall parties. Even Telefilm had a national meeting before their party which I guess was a Pooper. Highlight was Telefilm saying that the 5% box office goal had not been achieved. So in the spirit of government they said they would not set that as a goal. Great! Any questions? Yes, Thom? Yes, your next film will be financed. Anyone else - ? No, can't here you...
Okay, gotta be quick. FilmNS also announced that the 25% cap on the tax credit is gone. Done. Finis! This was mostly done because animation uses a higher percentage of labour than normal production. I think we all know we have Michael Donovan to thank for this, I saw his picture in the paper when the press release was issued (ed. But Paul Rigg pestered the gov't - )
The beauty about this is that the gov't doesn't have to say "we've committed X number of dollars." That's always a drag the few times anyone even notices. Increasing the tax credit means we won't worry about paying it for years. Plus, (ed. full disclosure the blogger owns 1000 shares of DHX) there's none of the pesky asking FilmNS for money in competition with, shall we say, not so capitalistic entitities. And with the extra money being tax credits, the province is no longer an equity shareholder; i.e. the province owns parts of stuff it gives money to. (ed. See, even writing it out is hard to explain)
Other changes in the tax credit mean that the pesky living in NS rules to qualify for the tax credit rules will be loosened. Come on (ed. to your temporary) home Ontario animators.
Last thoughts "Hobo With a Shotgun" is doing extremely well (ed. Telefilm did not want to invest but Paul Gross's company did.) PicnicFace's "Rollertown" has gained a lot of momentum on-line and through Breakthrough's series deal with the group (ed. Telefilm did not want to invest).
Michael Clattenburg starts shooting "The Guys Who Moved Furniture" soon. (ed. can't imagine Telefilm wanting to be part of something titled like that but he has been successful in other things that Telefilm didn't want to sponsoer. Am I sensing a theme?)
K. Gotta go. BTW where is Eternal Kiss, Whirly Gig?
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