Company Profile

We are proud to announce that Verdict took home a Signature Award yesterday for Best Website along with Tactica Communications.

Congratulations to the hard working folk at Verdict!

Pitchin' In Season 4 has been nominated in the Lifestyle category at the Banff Rockie Awards 2013! Congratulations to director Meagan McAteer and executive producers Jamie Brown & Daniel Gelfant!

Pitchin' In Season 4 has been nominated in the Lifestyle cateogry in the Yorkton Film Festival's Golden Sheaf Awards 2013! Congratulations to director Meagan McAteer and executive producers Jamie Brown & Daniel Gelfant!

Click here to learn how YOU, yes YOU, can help SAVE Todd and The Book of Pure Evil! Spread the Word!

Frantic Films is proud to announce it has received 11 nominations in the first annual Canadian Screen Awards! The Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story 2 earned 4 nominations, while Todd and The Book of Pure Evil earned 6 total nods. Pitchin' In was also nominated for Best Lifestyle Program or Series. 

Congratulations to all of the nominees and we'll see you March 3rd on CBC!

"Women Who Kill" with Caroline Rhea

Tuesday, December 4, 2012   9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST  on  CBC TV

Produced by FRANTIC FILMS, CAROLINE RHEA hosts this rip-roaring event – a one-hour television special that features some of the world’s best comedians - DON'T MISS IT!

 Stay tuned for the rest of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s 2012 lineup! The next episode is “Observational Comedy Disorder” hosted by Harland Williams on December 11th, 2012.

The season lineup can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/winnipegcomedy/lineup.html

TSN’s highly anticipated original documentary series ENGRAVED ON NATION kicked off with an average audience of more than half-a-million viewers (530,000) on Thanksgiving Monday for THE 13th MAN – making it the most-watched documentary ever on TSN.

Overall, more than 1.5 million Canadians tuned in to watch some or all of the broadcast on TSN.

Canadians were also engaged on Twitter, with #13thMan and #EngravedOnANation trending nationally throughout the broadcast.

From documentary filmmaker Larry Weinstein, THE 13TH MAN examines the unique love affair between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their fiercely loyal fans against the backdrop of the team’s heartbreaking loss at the 97th Grey Cup.

THE 13TH MAN aired immediately following TSN’s broadcast of the Saskatchewan-Toronto game on Monday. With an average audience of 1.057 million viewers, the game is the most-watched CFL regular season game to air in the past two years.

Could you and your family be the next "Duck Dynasty" or "Honey Boo Boo" reality stars?

If you want to celebrate your "down home" heritage and show the world your "blue collar" roots in a big way, we want to hear from you!

We're looking for funny, larger than life "redneck" families with great stories for a new reality series.

If you'd like to know more, contact:

Liam Brennan - info@franticfilms.com

300-70 Arthur Street

Winnipeg, MB

R3B 1G7

Be sure to catch “The 13th Man” - Monday, Oct. 8 on TSN as part of TSN’s Original Documentary Series, “Engraved on a Nation”

The documentary explores the unique love affair between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their fiercely loyal fans – known as the “13th man” – which lives far beyond what happens on the field.  On the cusp of winning the 97th Grey Cup, the Saskatchewan Roughriders suffered a 13th man penalty that triggered a dramatic defeat. The unprecedented twist in CFL history shattered an entire province and left millions of Canadians heartbroken.

THE 13th MAN airs immediately following the CFL ON TSN game with Saskatchewan @ Toronto beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Encore presentations of the documentaries will air on Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET on CTV Two and Sundays at 5 p.m. ET on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).  Fans can also watch all the documentaries on demand following their television broadcasts online at TSN.ca and iTunes. 

RDS presents French-language presentations of the documentaries in October and November.

The Frantic Films production, "The Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story 2" has been nominated for three Director's Guild of Canada Awards in the categories of Best Direction in a Television Movie/Mini Series, Best Sound Editing in a Television Movie/Mini Series, and Best Television Movie/ Mini Series.

Congratulations to the nominees and best of luck!

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil has been nominated in the comedy category at this year's Yorkton Film Festival.

We are proud to announce that Todd and The Book of Pure Evil took home two awards from the 45th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival!

Episodes "See You Later, Masterbator" took home a Silver Remi, while episode "Jungle Fever" took home a Bronze Remi.

Congrats to the cast and crew!

Congrats to "Todd and The Book of Pure Evil" showrunner Craig David Wallace on his win tonight at the WGC Awards for Best TV Comedy for his script Todd & the Book of Pure Evil Ep113 "A Farewell to Curtis' Arm".

Keep up the great work, Craig!

Frantic Films is proud to announce that Kathryn Dickson has been nominated for her work as editor on Fuelled by Passion: The Return of the Jets.

Congratulations to Kathryn and surely this is just the first in a long line of nominations for the production in the near future!

We are proud to announce that Princess has been nominated for Best Lifestyle & Information Program at the 2012 Rockies Program Competition!

A 2012 Realscreen Global 100 Production Company: Frantic Films has been awarded a place on the prestigious Realscreen list, celebrating the best and most influential non-fiction programming from the 2011 season.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 29, 2012 – Frantic Films is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Mr. Bernard Periatambee as Vice-President of Factual Development for Frantic’s ever-growing development and production team.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Bernard’s calibre join our team,” says Jamie Brown, CEO of Frantic Films. “He has an impressive track record of creating and selling programs in both the UK and US.  We’re looking forward to having him help us generate new and fresh programming for our broadcast partners.”

For the last fifteen years, Bernard Periatambee has developed and produced numerous hit formats over a wide range of genres for some of the UK’s top producers, from long running lifestyle and factual series to quirky reality formats, high volume studio talk shows and arts films.  His credits include, 'Cash In The Attic,' 'Natural Born Dealers, 'Built From Disaster', 'The Ugly Face of Beauty',  'The Farm of Fussy Eaters', 'Angela and Friends', 'The Man Who Shot The Sixties' and 'I'm Your Number One Fan'.

Frantic Films is one of Canada’s leading producers of live action film, television and commercial content.  It has produced over 400 hours of award winning programs that have set many ratings records.  The Branded Content + Commercials division specializes in creating original integrated multiplatform entertainment content and has been recognised as an industry leader for over a decade.  With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, Frantic has also won numerous awards for corporate leadership and financial performance. www.franticfilms.com.

Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story Part 1 re-airs Sunday Jan. 29 and  Sunday Feb. 5 at 8pm on the CBC

Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II airs Sunday March 4 and Sunday March 11 at 8pm on the CBC

"CROSSING THE LINE" with JON DORE

Tuesday, January 3, 2012   9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST  on  CBC TV

How far is too far?  Host Jon Dore explores the boundary between good behaviour and bad behaviour with very funny guests John Wing, Darren Frost, Shazia Mirza, Sean Keane, Mike Ward, Elvira Kurt, and Dan Licoppe.


Produced by FRANTIC FILMS, JON DORE hosts this rip-roaring event – a one-hour television special that features some of the world’s best comedians - DON'T MISS IT!

 

Clips from the 2011 televised showcases can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/2011WpgComedyFest

 

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s 2011 lineup! The next episode is “The All-Star Super Good Musical Variety Special” hosted by Andrea Martin.

The season lineup can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/winnipegcomedy/lineup.html

Make a date to watch a very special episode of Princess tonight featuring our first male Princess! You can check out the teaser on the Princess Facebook page, or on our Tumblr page:

http://princessonslice.tumblr.com/PrincessSpencer

TONIGHT ON CBC! New Episode of the CBC WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL!

 "HYSTEREOYTPES" with JASON PRIESTLEY

Wednesday, December 7, 2011   9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST  on  CBC TV

Stereotypes are hysterical!  Just ask host Jason Priestley and comedians Chris Gibbs, Nile Seguin, Jimmy Tingle, Ryan McMahon, Daryl Lenox, Darcy Michael, and Sherri D. Sutton.  It’s comedy that won’t be pigeonholed.


Produced by FRANTIC FILMS, JASON PRIESTLEY hosts this rip-roaring event – a one-hour television special that features some of the world’s best comedians - DON'T MISS IT!

 

Clips from the 2011 televised showcases can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/2011WpgComedyFest

 Stay tuned for the rest of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s 2011 lineup! Upcoming shows include “The All-Star Super Good Musical Variety Special” hosted by Andrea Martin and “Crossing the Line” hosted by Jon Dore.

The season lineup can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/winnipegcomedy/lineup.html

TONIGHT ON CBC! New Episode of the CBC WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL!
"DOES THIS JOKE MAKE ME LOOK FAT?" with NIKKI PAYNE

Wednesday, November 30, 2011   9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST  on  CBC TV

Comedians laugh at bodies and body image in this uproarious special hosted by NIKKI PAYNE. 

Produced by FRANTIC FILMS, NIKKI PAYNE hosts this rip-roaring event – a one-hour television special that also features the hilarious stand-up of Ryan Belleville, Carla Collins, Andre Grose, Mrs. Hughes, Dana Alexander, Big Daddy Tazz, and Pete Johansson… so DON'T MISS IT!

Clips from the 2011 televised showcases can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/2011WpgComedyFest

Stay tuned for the rest of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s 2011 lineup! Shows include “The All-Star Super Good Musical Variety Special” hosted by Andrea Martin, “Misfortune Tellers” hosted by Brent Butt, “Hystereotypes” hosted by Jason Priestly, and “Crossing the Line” hosted by Jon Dore.

New Episode of the CBC WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL!

"MISFORTUNE TELLERS" with BRENT BUTT
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. CST on CBC TV
Why do the funniest comics have the worst luck? Host BRENT BUTT joins a stellar line-up of comedians sharing their best bad luck tales.

Produced by FRANTIC FILMS, BRENT BUTT hosts this rip-roaring event – a one-hour television special that also features the hilarious stand-up of Steve Patterson, Claire Brosseau, John Hastings, K Trevor Wilson, Maureen Langan, Pete Zedlacher, and Rob Pue… so DON'T MISS IT!

Stay tuned for the rest of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s 2011 lineup! Shows include “The All-Star Super Good Musical Variety Special” hosted by Andrea Martin, “Does This Joke Make Me Look Fat?” hosted by Nikki Payne, “Hystereotypes” hosted by Jason Priestly, and “Crossing the Line” hosted by Jon Dore.

Check out some clips on the youtube channel:
http://youtu.be/IWfKOO96Huo

Toronto, ON (October 25, 2011) – In pure evil preparation for the Season 2 launch of the original scripted series TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL on SPACE and SPACE HD, the twisted minds behind the show have created a new online game. “Descent into Crowley Heights” unleashes more of the Book’s evil power on computer screens at toddandthebookofpureevil.com and Facebook pages.

“Descent into Crowley Heights” is a web-based, side-scrolling game that takes players through the world of TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, playing as one of the gang members from the series with characteristic weapons. The game utilizes the well-known locations, enemies, and a slew of monsters featured on the program. Each player is taken through five bloody levels on their mission to try to capture the Book of Pure Evil. The art direction is representative of the rich texture and tongue-in-cheek style from the TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL television series.

“Descent into Crowley Heights” leverages cast audio, clips and of course the attitude that viewers have come to know and love. The game guide takes the form of Todd’s mentor, Jimmy (Jason Mewes), with his typical crude approach to advice. A variety of mini game challenges are also available on Facebook as well as an unlockable character to play once the user finds the code.

Hot off a Gemini Award win for Best Ensemble Cast in a Comedy Series, TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL debuted as one of the highest-rated premieres for a SPACE original series last year and continues to gain momentum. Following an amazing run on SPACE, Season 1 was the most-watched Canadian program on The Comedy Network this summer among all key adult and male adult demos. The first season’s gory goodness can also currently be found on MuchMusic, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET. Viewers in the U.S. made a pact with the devil when the first season of TODD began airing on the horror channel FEARnet in August. The series returns to SPACE and SPACE HD with brand new bloody hilarious episodes Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

“Descent into Crowley Heights” is produced by Corvid Pictures, Aircraft
Pictures and Frantic Films. Service Production and Project Management by lunch with Amy Miranda as Executive Producer and Lily-Ann Lee, producer. Game Design by Scott Hiers, Game Development by Relish Interactive, Game Programming by Pixelpusher, and 3D Animation by Alchemy.

“Descent into Crowley Heights” is produced with the participation of Bell
Broadcast and New Media Fund and the Canadian Media Fund.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL stars Alex House (DARK ORACLE) as potsmokin’, heavy-metal-rock-god-wannabe Todd Smith; Maggie Castle (The Time Traveler’s Wife) as righteous babe Jenny Kolinsky; Bill Turnbull (BEING ERICA) as Todd’s best bud Curtis Weaver; Melanie Leishman (TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET) as big-brained Hannah B. Williams; Chris Leavins (SLINGS AND ARROWS) as Crowley High’s sub-par guidance counsellor Atticus Murphy Jr.; and Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) as the foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed custodian, Jimmy.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is co-created by Craig David Wallace,
Charles Picco and Anthony Leo. Executive Producers are Anthony Leo and
Andrew Rosen (Aircraft Pictures), Craig David Wallace (Corvid Pictures), and Jamie S. Brown (Frantic Films). Producers are Leo, Rosen, Sarah Timmins (Corvid Pictures), Shaun Johnson (Frantic Films) and Shawn Watson (Frantic Films). Rebecca DiPasquale is Production Executive for Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media.

LINKS

DESCENT INTO CROWLEY HEIGHTS (game)

For more information on the game, please contact:
Travis Dudfield, FanTrust Entertainment Strategies, travis@fantrust.com

For more information on TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL on SPACE, please contact:
Andrea Allen, Bell Media, 416.384.5375 or andrea.allen@bellmedia.ca

FUELLED BY PASSION: THE RETURN OF THE JETS

The Jets are back! As part of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada’s action packed opening weekend, FUELLED BY PASSION: THE RETURN OF THE JETS tells the incredible story of the devastating loss and against-all-odds return of the Winnipeg Jets. It airs on CBC Television, Friday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), and again on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. ET.

In 1996, the Winnipeg Jets played their final game in the Winnipeg Arena. To the shock and disappointment of Winnipeggers and fans across the NHL, the team was sold to Phoenix and became the Coyotes. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, an indefatigable team of
people led by long-time believer Mark Chipman worked for 15 years to get the NHL back to Winnipeg—arguably the biggest comeback in NHL history.

The documentary contains many poignant interviews and conversations, including Barry Shenkarow (former owner of the Winnipeg Jets) on receiving death threats; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sharing a wager with Chipman on the future of the team; and a rare interview with
current co-owner David Thomson.

FUELLED BY PASSION: THE RETURN OF THE JETS follows the players through rookie camp on to training camp, and then as they start to gel as a team as the regular season fast approaches. Featuring interviews with head coach Claude Noel and executive V.P. and general
manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, the film gives new insight into how they make the tough choices to select who stays, and who goes. Featured player interviews include Jets captain Andrew Ladd, NHL veterans Eric Fehr and Chris Mason, along with new hopefuls: Winnipeg’s own Derek
Meech and newcomer Mark Scheifele, whose explosive pre-season play allowed the 18-year-old to follow the path of his Barrie Colts coach and mentor, Dale Hawerchuk. We’ll also find out how former Jets great Hawerchuk was instrumental in leading his protégé to Winnipeg.

About CBC/Radio-Canada:
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in
the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada is celebrating 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

About Frantic Films
Frantic Films is one of Canada’s leading producers of live action film, television and commercial content. The company has produced over 350 hours of original live action programming, winning numerous creative awards and setting many ratings records. Its library of intelligent and
innovative scripted and unscripted programming is seen in over 180 countries. Its Branded Content + Commercials division, specializes in creating original integrated multiplatform entertainment content. With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, Frantic has won numerous corporate awards for leadership and financial performance. www.franticfilms.com

For further information, please contact:

James Lamont, Veritas Communications
lamont@veritascanada.com
416-859-5870

Lynne Skromeda, Frantic Films
lskromeda@franticfilms.com
204-975-5117

Congratulations to everyone involved on winning a 2011 Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series!

Congratulations to everyone involved on the Gemini wins for Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series for "Til Debt Do Us Part" and Best Host in a Lifestyle/Practical Information, or Performing Arts Program or Series going to Gail Vaz-Oxlade for "Princess."

Frantic is up for an additional 9 awards - which will be held August 31 and September 7, 2011.

Congratulations to Todd and the Book of Pure Evil on their 2011 Director's Guild of Canada nomination for Best Sound Editing - Television Series for Episode 112 - "Checkmate."

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 3,000 key creative and logistical personnel in the film and television industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing.

Selected from close to 175 submissions, the 76 nominees in 19 categories represent a cross section of the industry's outstanding talent in film and television.

The Awards will be presented at the annual Gala on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the prestigious Royal York Hotel. Hosted by multi-talented radio-host, musician and writer Jian Ghomeshi, the 2011 DGC Awards marks the 10(th) anniversary of the Awards.

Congratulations to everyone involved on the Frantic Films productions that received 2011 Gemini nominations!

Best Host in a Lifestyle/Practical Information, or Performing Arts Program or Series
Pitchin' In - Chicken
Food Network Canada (Shaw)
Lynn Crawford

Princess - Princess Nicola
Slice (Shaw)
Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or Series
The Opener – Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Food Network (Shaw)
David Adjey

Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series
Pitchin' In
Food Network Canada (Shaw)
(Frantic Films)
Jamie Brown, Daniel Gelfant

Til Debt Do Us Part
HGTV/ Slice (Shaw)
(Frantic Films)
Jamie Brown, Jennifer Horvath

Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series
Men With Brooms - Favour Math
CBC (CBC)
Trevor Ambrose

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - A Farewell To Curtis' Arm
Space /CTV (Bell Media)
D. Gillian Truster

Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - Checkmate
Space/CTV (Bell Media)
Garry Campbell

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - The Phantom of Crowley High
Space/CTV (Bell Media)
Charles Picco

Best Achievement in Casting
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - How To Make a Homunculus
Space /CTV (Bell Media)
Sara Kay, Jim Heber, Jenny Lewis

Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series – Sponsored by Tribute.ca
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - The Phantom of Crowley High
Space /CTV (Bell Media)
Alex House, Maggie Castle, Angela Jill Guingcango, Chris Leavins, Melanie Leishman, Jason Mewes, Bill Turnbull

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - The Phantom of Crowley High
Space /CTV (Bell Media)
Chris Leavins

Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - The Phantom of Crowley High
Space (CTV) (Bell Media)
James Dunnison

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - A Farewell To Curtis' Arm
Space (CTV) (Bell Media)
Craig David Wallace
The 26th Annual Gemini Awards Air on CBC Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 8 pm ET

For Immediate Release

Frantic Films Announces Expanded Summer Production Slate

Toronto, CANADA – August 2, 2011 – Frantic Films is well into summer production with a slate of over 30 hours of programming, including new seasons of lifestyle series Pitchin’ In and Princess, the second season of the multiple award-winning scripted series Todd & The Book of Pure Evil and the miniseries Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Sequel. 

In season three of Pitchin’ In (13 x 30’), produced for Food Network Canada, Chef Lynn Crawford continues her travels across North America in search of the best, freshest ingredients - even if it means putting herself in some risky situations. She’s harnessing a bold sense of fun and adventure to bravely take on all kinds of challenges while relying on locals to show her how it’s done.  

Season two of Princess (32 x 60’), produced for Slice™, is currently filming around the Greater Toronto Area. Popular financial guru Gail Vaz-Oxlade (Til Debt Do Us Part) is tackling the newest generation of pampered and spoiled spenders in an effort to change their disastrous spending habits with some practical, no-nonsense financial advice.

Pitchin’ In and Princess are distributed internationally by Cineflix, which also recently picked up Frantic Films’ documentary The End of Men (1 x 60’), about the change of identity of men in today’s society, and the 2010 edition of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival 2010 (5 x 60’).

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil is a horror-comedy that follows the crazy, half-baked antics of a slightly unhinged, horny high school metal head who must save the world from the Book of Pure Evil, whether he wants to or not. Season one of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil recently won a Hugo Television Award and two Houston World Film and Television Festival Awards.  The series is co-produced with Corvid Pictures and Aircraft Pictures and is a SPACE original production.

And just wrapping up after taking over arenas and local rinks in and around Winnipeg is CBC’s Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Sequel (2 x 120’), a two-part miniseries, which continues chronicling the life of Canada’s legendary hockey personality, Don Cherry. Along with Frantic’s CEO and Executive Producer Jamie Brown, co-executive producing partners include Lazlo Barna (Pier 21), Tim Cherry and Wayne Thompson (5 for Fighting) and Margaret O’Brien (eOne).

ABOUT FRANTIC FILMS
Frantic Films is one of Canada’s leading producers of live action film, television and commercial content.   The company has produced over 350 hours of original live action programming, winning numerous creative awards and setting many ratings records.  Its library of intelligent and innovative scripted and unscripted programming is seen in over 180 countries.  Frantic’s engaging programming includes feature films, MOWs, documentary and lifestyle programming such as Gemini Award-winning Til Debt Do Us Part (Slice™), Pitchin’ In (Food Network Canada), Guinea Pig (Discovery Channel) and the Gemini Award-winning documentary The Disappearing Male (CBC). Its award winning Branded Content + Commercials division, specializes in creating original integrated multiplatform entertainment content.  With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, Frantic has won numerous corporate awards for leadership and financial performance. www.franticfilms.com.

###

Media Contact:
Mary Powers, MPowers Communications +1 416 767 8692 mpowers@mpowers.ca

For Immediate Release
June 24, 2011

Frantic Project Selected in National Competition

MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC partners with IPF on funding web series

Frantic Films will begin production on a new web series thanks to an investment from the Independent Production Fund (IPF) and MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC. Verdict, which will consist of fifteen 5-minute episodes, is being written by Manitobans Tammy Marlowe Johnson and Mike McIntyre and produced by the Winnipeg-based Frantic Films.

According to the IPF, this year’s web series competition received 160 applications, while only 15 recipients were chosen from across Canada. Verdict was the only Manitoba project selected.

The IPF created the web series competition in 2010 to support the exploration and potential for high-quality, story-driven drama for web audiences. Their guidelines stress the need for consistent original content and interaction with fan communities.

“We are excited to branch out with original series production on a new platform and to be partnering with the Independent Production Fund and MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC on this compelling new project,” says Jamie Brown, CEO and Executive Producer of Frantic Films.
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC partnered with the IPF to provide funding to a successful Manitoba project. Funds will be administered to Frantic Films through an equity investment.

“We are thrilled to have Manitoba represented in such an innovative and competitive program,” says Carole Vivier, CEO of MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC. “There is an ever-growing appetite for online content and we are proud to be on the ground floor working with the IPF. Our sincere congratulations to Frantic Films.”

Frantic Films is an award-winning film and television production company that has produced over 350 hours of content setting numerous ratings records and selling to over 130 countries worldwide. The company has earned an outstanding reputation for producing compelling, innovative and premium entertainment, including feature films, MOWs, documentaries, and scripted and lifestyle series including award-winning Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Til Debt Do Us Part and Pitchin’ In. The Frantic Branded Content + Commercials division is a multi-disciplinary production facility that creates original integrated entertainment for use across the entire range of traditional and emerging media platforms.
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC is a statutory corporation of government funded by the Province of Manitoba through the Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism. MFM exists so our film and music industries flourish!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Shaun Johnson
Producer
Frantic Films
sjohnson@franticfilms.com
Office : 204-949-0070
www.franticfilms.com

Ginny Collins
Communications and Marketing Director
MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC
ginny@mbfilmmusic.ca
Office: 204-947-2040
www.mbfilmmusic.ca

Congratulations to Todd and The Book of Pure Evil on their 2011 Leo Award win for Best Direction in a Dramatic Series!

The Leo Awards are celebration of artistic excellence in British Columbia film and television.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL Season 2 Production Is Underway

- Season 1 of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil now airing on The Comedy Network while U.S. Season 1 premiere starts August 2 on FEARnet –

Winnipeg, Manitoba (June 8, 2011) -- Aircraft Pictures, Corvid Pictures, and Frantic Films in association with SPACE, announced today that production has begun for Season 2 of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil. The deadly cast and crew headed back to Winnipeg to shoot 13 new killer episodes. It is expected to wrap late this summer.

 Todd & The Book of Pure Evil follows a book of awesome power that makes teenagers’ deepest, darkest desires realized at horrifying cost. This horror/comedy series is a tip of the hat to 80s teen and horror flicks that is best described as The Breakfast Club meets Evil Dead.

 Ending Season 1 with an epic cliff-hanger, Todd Smith and the gang return from the depths of hell for another round of gore-afying adventures. Season 2 sees our reluctant heroes battle among many otherworldly things, a killer birthday cake, skin snatchers, deadly nerds, and stage a rock opera so spectacular the cast of GLEE would be envious.

 Season 1 of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil really struck a nerve with viewers and for those who missed it, The Comedy Network has picked up this wickedly funny series and is airing two, back-to-back episodes every Sunday night at 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers south of the border will also be possessed by Todd & The Book of Pure Evil’s infectious fun as US network FEARnet starts airing Season 1 on August 2.

 Todd & The Book of Pure Evil stars Alex House (DARK ORACLE) as pot-smokin’, heavy-metal-rock-god-wannabe Todd Smith; Maggie Castle (The Time Traveler’s Wife) as righteous babe Jenny Kolinsky; Bill Turnbull (BEING ERICA) as Todd’s best bud Curtis Weaver; Melanie Leishman (TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET) as big-brained Hannah B. Williams; Chris Leavins (SLINGS AND ARROWS) as Crowley High’s sub-par guidance counsellor Atticus Murphy Jr.; and Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) as the foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed custodian, Jimmy.

 Todd & The Book of Pure Evil was created for television by Anthony Leo, Charles Picco, and Craig David Wallace. Executive producers are Craig David Wallace of Corvid Pictures, Jamie Brown of Frantic Films, and Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen of Aircraft Pictures. Leo and Rosen also produce with Shawn Watson and Shaun Johnson of Frantic Films, and Sarah Timmins of Corvid Pictures.

 Todd & The Book of Pure Evil is a SPACE original production. Rebecca DiPasquale is Production Executive for SPACE.

ABOUT THE CAST:

 Alex House, who plays teen metal-head Todd, played the lead role on the YTV series Dark Oracle and guest starred on many shows including Corner Gas and Degrassi: The Next Generation. Alex is a film fanatic, particularly of Korean cinema, and enjoys riding his bike in downtown Toronto and watching cartoons with his younger brother.

 Maggie Castle plays Jenny, a no-nonsense kind of girl who doesn’t take crap from anyone, including Todd who has a major crush on her. Since she began acting at the age of five, Maggie has garnered more than 30 professional credits to her name. She has worked with some of the biggest names in film including Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, and alongside Rachel McAdams in The Time Traveler’s Wife.

 Todd’s loyal best friend is Curtis, played by Bill Turnbull. Bill can be seen in recurring roles on Being Erica and The Jon Dore Television Show. He recently completed shooting The Vow, a feature film with Rachel McAdams, which will be in theatres this winter. Bill is also a talented singer/songwriter/drummer, and has been a sought after member of many bands that have toured across Canada and the US. 

 Rounding out ‘the gang’ is reckless science nerd Hannah, played by Melanie Leishman. Melanie is currently lending her voice to Nelvana’s Detentionaires. Previously, she was best known for her roles in David Bezmozgis’ Victoria Day (Sundance Film Festival 2009), Darcy’s Wild Life (NBC/Discovery Kids) and House Party (Comedy Network). She studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.

 Chris Leavins plays Crowley High’s creepy guidance counsellor Atticus Murphy Jr. Chris is a double Gemini Award nominee, most recently for his role in the popular television series Slings and Arrows. He was previously nominated for his work on the series Traders. His new podcast “The Chris Leavins Story Hour”, which features comedic essays written by Leavins and performed in front of live audiences in Toronto and Los Angeles, recently topped the Canadian iTunes chart.

 Jason Mewes plays Crowley High’s helpful but cryptic janitor Jimmy. Jason once worked at a video store with Kevin Smith, where he unknowingly became the muse for Kevin’s film Clerks. With Jason in the role of Jay, Clerks was hailed at festivals worldwide and became a cult classic. Jason has played in most of Smith’s films like Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Most recently Jason has been blazing up the internet with Smith on their popular podcast “Jay & Silent Bob Get Old” and their daily radio show “Jay & Silent Bob Get Jobs”.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION:

 Todd & The Book of Pure Evil is based on the short film of the same title written by Craig David Wallace and Max Reid, and directed by Wallace. The short film was produced through the Canadian Film Centre’s Short Dramatic Film Programme, and kicked off an international festival tour by premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2003.

 First developed for television through the National Screen Institute’s Totally Television programme, Todd & The Book of Pure Evil was developed by SPACE with the assistance of the Canadian Television Fund.

 Six overly-caffeinated writers contributed to the 13 hysterical stories that make up the series. They are Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco, Garry Campbell, Ian Malone, Adam Reid and Max Reid. The series is directed by James Dunnison, James Genn, Warren P. Sonoda, Craig David Wallace and David Winning.

ABOUT AIRCRAFT PICTURES:

Aircraft Pictures is an independent film, television and digital media production company creating entertaining and thought-provoking productions for a worldwide audience. Founded in 2005, the Toronto-based company’s principal producing partners are Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen. Aircraft Pictures is currently in production on the second season of the supernatural comedy television series Todd & The Book of Pure Evil for SPACE (a co-production with Frantic Films and Corvid Pictures) and recently wrapped production on their first season of the web/television series What’s Up, Warthogs! for Family Channel. Aircraft also co-produced four television movies in the Roxy Hunter series for Nickelodeon and Family Channel, which have been sold in over 100 countries.  Aircraft has several television and feature film projects in development, including a film based on the award-winning book The Breadwinner and the dramatic feature The River of Blood based on the true-life story of Somali-Canadian hip hop artist K’naan, set for production in 2012. www.aircraftpictures.com

ABOUT CORVID PICTURES:

 Toronto-based Corvid Pictures produces provocative screen media combining the talents of producing partners Sarah Timmins and Craig David Wallace. Recent productions include the first season of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil for SPACE, international award-winning feature film The Tracey Fragments, starring Academy Award nominated actress Ellen Page (Juno) and directed by Bruce McDonald (Hard Core Logo) and the zombie rom-com short Love Letter from an Open Grave, starring Kristin Booth and Jonas Chernick and written by black-list feature writer Elan Mastai. Upcoming projects include the sci-fi thriller feature Ten Thunders and black-comedy Friends Like Us. www.corvidpictures.com

ABOUT FRANTIC FILMS:

Frantic Films is an award-winning film and television production company that has produced over 300 hours of content setting numerous ratings records and selling to over 130 countries worldwide. The company has earned an outstanding reputation for producing compelling, innovative and premium entertainment. Frantic Films’ programming includes feature films, MOWs, documentaries, and scripted and lifestyle series such as the award-winning Til Debt Do Us Part (Slice Network) and Pitchin’ In (Food Network). The Frantic Branded Content + Commercials division is a multi-disciplinary production facility that creates original integrated entertainment for use across the entire range of traditional and emerging media platforms.

www.franticfilms.com

ABOUT SPACE:

SPACE is Canada’s national science fiction, horror and fantasy channel. SPACE is truly the boutique station for all those who dare to challenge their imagination. SPACE is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. For more information about SPACE, visit spacecast.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Websites

Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil website

SPACE Website

Chris Leavins website

Facebook

Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil Facebook page

SPACE on Facebook

Twitter

The Book Of Pure Evil Twitter

SPACE on Twitter

Jason Mewes on Twitter

Todd & The Book of Pure Evil is produced and developed in association with SPACE, and produced with the participation of the Canadian Media Fund, Manitoba Film & Music, Government of Manitoba – Manitoba Film & Video Production Tax Credit, Ontario Media Development Corporation – Film & Television Tax Credit, and The Canadian Film and Video Tax Credit.

Congratulations to Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil on winning 2 Houston Film and Television Awards!

First Place Platinum Remi Award - Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil - Cockfight

Gold Remi Award - Best Direction TV Series - Todd And The Book of Pure Evil - Rock N' Roll Zombies Know Best

WorldFest offers competition in TV Production, Documentary, Corporate & Business Films, Student & Experimental, TV Commercials, Film & Video Production, Music Videos, New Media (Interactive & Web Sites) and unproduced Screenplays. It is one of the oldest and largest film & video competitions in the world, with more than 4,500 category entries received from 37 countries.
 

Frantic Films is thrilled to announce that Princess has been nominated for a 2011 Factual Entertainment Award.  These awards receive hundreds of entries from around the world and narrow them down to 38 programs in 12 categories.

The awards are given out on June 1, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

The juries for the 2011 Hugo Television Awards have announced the award winners for this year’s competition.  The 2011 Hugo Television Awards has granted the following awards to Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil:
 
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - 'Cockfight' - Gold Plaque - Special Achievement: Editing

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - 'Rock 'N Roll Zombies Know Best' - Certificate of Merit - Special Achievement: Directing

This honorable work was expressly chosen from a long list of submissions, both domestic and international.

SPACE continues to reign supreme when it comes to original genre programming, by announcing the return of TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL for Season 2 and the order of a one-hour, sci-fi drama pilot, BOREALIS. Principal photography on Season 2 of TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is set to start this Spring in Winnipeg, while BOREALIS heads to Alberta in the Fall.

Ending Season 1 with an epic cliff-hanger, Todd Smith and the gang return from the depths of hell for a second round of gore-a-fying adventures in the hallways of Crowley High. Following a book of awesome power that makes teenager’s deepest, darkest desires realized at horrifying cost, TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is a tip of the hat to 80s teen and horror flicks that is best described as Breakfast Club meets Evil Dead.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL stars Alex House (DARK ORACLE) as pot-smokin’, heavy-metal-rock-god-wannabe Todd Smith; Maggie Castle (The Time Traveler’s Wife) as righteous babe Jenny Kolinsky; Bill Turnbull (BEING ERICA) as Todd’s best bud Curtis Weaver; Melanie Leishman (TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET) as big-brained Hannah B. Williams; Chris Leavins (SLINGS AND ARROWS) as Crowley High’s sub-par guidance counsellor Atticus Murphy Jr.; and Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) as the foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed custodian, Jimmy the Janitor.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is co-created by Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco and Anthony Leo. Executive Producers are Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen (Aircraft Pictures), Craig David Wallace (Corvid Pictures), and Jamie S. Brown (Frantic Films). Producers are Leo, Rosen, Shawn Watson and Shaun Johnson (Frantic Films).

Frantic Films is thrilled to announce that Branded Content + Commercials has been honoured with seven Telly Awards.

Over 13,000 entries are received annually for these prestigious awards honouring the work of advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable companies and corporations around the world.

Winner: Documentary Television, Bronze
Wheels of Change
Cadbury

Winner: Social Responsibility Television, Bronze
Wheels of Change
Cadbury
Winner: Local Television-Bank, Silver
The ACU Story
Assiniboine Credit Union

Winner: Local Television-Health & Wellness, Silver
Journey
Manitoba Nurses’ Union

Winner: Local Television-PSA, Bronze
Journey
Manitoba Nurses’ Union

Winner: Internet/On-line Programs-Sports, Bronze
NOS Energy Drink Challenge
Coca-Cola Canada

Winner: Internet/On-line Video-Sports, Bronze
NOS Energy Drink Challenge
Coca-Cola Canada

Frantic Films has been honoured with six nominations for the Yorkton Film Festival’s Golden Sheaf Awards.

Frantic Films is nominated in the following categories:

•    Documentary Social/Political: End of Men

•    Lifestyle: Pitchin' In - Chicken

•    Lifestyle: Til' Debt Do Us Part

•    Comedy: Edumacation:  Winnipeg Comedy Festival 2010

•    Comedy: Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil: The Ghost of Chet Sukowski

•    Comedy: Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil: The Phantom of Crowley High

The 2011 festival will take place from May 26-29, 2011 in Yorkton, Saksatchewan.

Lisa Mann, Creative Director, Branded Content at Frantic recently directed "Singin' in the Rain," for Dove’s new Nourishing Oil Care shampoo. The music video style spot was produced by Revolver Film Company with support from Frantic and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/DoveCanada

Another new episode of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival airs this Tuesday (March 22) at 9 p.m. EST/8 p.m. CST on CBC TV.
---
Frantic Films presents the Winnipeg Comedy Festival special  "WHOSE CANADA IS IT ANYWAYS?" with Scott Thompson.

AIRS: Tuesday March 22 - 9:00 p.m. EST on CBC TV

Canada is proud of its honourable position as a cultural mosaic of multiculturalism. Every ethnicity is represented in our country's rainbow of races, colours and creeds. But with the spectrum spread so wide, it begs the question - What exactly IS a Canadian?

"Whose Canada is it Anyways?" explores this country from a variety of unique - and hilarious - cultural perspectives. Kids in the Hall legend Scott Thompson hosts this laugh-a-minute mosaic, featuring Don Kelly, Derek Seguin, Franco Taddeo, Sam Easton, Rich Hall and Gilson Lubin.  DON'T MISS IT!

For episode clips please visit our YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8svhYXNVSE

This episode is one of a series of new galas from the Winnipeg Comedy Festival television series, airing each Tuesday evening on CBC over the next month:
March 15    - Open House with Tim Nutt
March 22    - Whose Canada is it Anyways? with Scott Thompson
March 29    - True Stories and Other Lies with Steve Patterson
April 5        - Jest Obsessed with Peter Keleghan

Congratulations to Frantic Films for WINNING the 2011 Spirit of Winnipeg Award for medium sized business.

This award from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce honours innovation and entrepreneurship that help define our city.

The recipients for 2011 were announced at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Winnipeg on Friday, March 4.

Lynne Skromeda, Frantic Films President of Production, has been nominated for a 2011 YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

These awards are a celebration of talent, achievement, imagination and innovation, honouring Manitoba women who have made a unique and exemplary contribution to the development of others in our community.

The awards will be presented on May 4, 2011 at a gala dinner honouring all nominees.

For Immediate Release

Toronto, CANADA – February 16, 2011 – Frantic Films announces their award-winning food series Pitchin’ In (13 x 30’), hosted by renowned Chef Lynn Crawford, has been renewed for a third season on Food Network Canada. Season two of the series premiered on Food Network Canada on January 3 this year and currently airs Mondays at 10pm ET/11pm PT. 
 
“We are delighted with the continued success of Pitchin’ In on Food Network Canada,” said Jamie Brown, CEO & Executive Producer, Frantic Films. “Lynn Crawford’s honest passion for diving into the life of the true artisans who provide the best ingredients North America has to offer, continues to resonate with food lovers.”   

Whether competing against Bobby Flay in Iron Chef America, hosting Food Network's Restaurant Makeover, or having worked as executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City, Chef Lynn Crawford receives tremendous media attention wherever she goes.

In Pitchin’ In, Lynn has left behind her high profile position at the Four Seasons Hotel to hit the road for the ultimate culinary adventure. Travelling to far-flung locations across North America, she does whatever it takes to get to the best and freshest ingredients, and has a rollicking good time along the way. Throughout her journey, she’ll take on any challenge, relying on locals to teach her their trade in exchange for her cooking them a fabulous meal with their product. Season one of Pitchin’ In won the 2010 Banff World Television Award for Lifestyle & Information programming. Season two currently airs Mondays at 10 pm ET/11 pm PT on Food Network Canada.

ABOUT FRANTIC FILMS
Frantic Films is one of Canada’s leading producers of live action film, television and commercial content.   The company has produced over 350 hours of original live action programming, winning numerous creative awards and setting many ratings records.  Its library of intelligent and innovative scripted and unscripted programming is seen in over 180 countries.  Frantic’s engaging programming includes feature films, MOWs, documentary and lifestyle programming such as Gemini Award-winning Til Debt Do Us Part (Slice), Pitchin’ In (Food Network Canada), Guinea Pig (Discovery Channel) and the Gemini Award-winning documentary The Disappearing Male (CBC). It’s Branded Content + Commercials division, specializes in creating original integrated multiplatform entertainment content.  With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, Frantic has won numerous corporate awards for leadership and financial performance. www.franticfilms.com.

For further information and additional photos:
Mary Powers, M. Powers Communications
+1 416 767 8692  mpowers@mpowers.ca

Frantic Branded Content + Commercials is thrilled to announce that its documentary “Wheels of Change” produced for Cadbury Canada in conjunction with The Hive, has been accepted into the Africa World Documentary Film Festival. Through the festival, screenings of the 45-minute film will occur throughout the spring in Barbados, Cameroon, and the United States.

Congratulations to Frantic Films for receiving a nomination for the Spirit of Winnipeg Awards. 

This award from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce honours innovation and entrepreneurship that help define our city.

The recipients for 2011 will be announced at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Winnipeg on Friday, March 4.

The updated Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner is now available at www.shopfranticfilms.com.  Reformatted as a 52-week guide to successfully managing your money and your life there’s never been a better time to take control. Follow up on your favourite show couples, learn good habits with weekly financial tips and get in the game with show challenges you can do at home.

Jeff Peeler, President, Frantic Branded Content + Commercials will be the guest speaker at a networking lunch held by the Canadian Marketing Association Manitoba on January 27, 2011. For more information please visit: www.cmamanitoba.com/events.php

For Immediate Release

Toronto, Canada - January 18, 2011- Frantic Films is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Bre Hamilton as Director of Development, Factual and Lifestyle in the company’s growing development and production arm.

“Bre has tremendous experience developing and overseeing highly successful lifestyle television programmes and we are delighted to have her on board,” said Jamie Brown, CEO of Frantic Films. “Her talent and creativity are a very welcome addition to our busy development department.”

Bre Hamilton joins Frantic Films from HGTV Canada where, as Executive in Charge of Production, she oversaw the creation, development and production of over thirty-five highly successful, original, unscripted series for HGTV, Food Network and Slice. Prior to that, Bre was  an award-winning independent producer of exceptional content, producing or consulting on over twenty feature documentaries, feature films, short films, unscripted series, live in-studio productions and multi-platform projects, one of which earned an Emmy™ nomination. 

ABOUT FRANTIC FILMS
Frantic Films is one of Canada’s leading producers of live action film, television and commercial content.   The company has produced over 350 hours of original live action programming, winning numerous creative awards and setting many ratings records.  Its library of intelligent and innovative scripted and unscripted programming is seen in over 180 countries.  Frantic’s engaging programming includes feature films, MOWs, documentary and lifestyle programming such as Gemini Award-winning Til Debt Do Us Part (Slice Network), Pitchin’ In (Food Network Canada), Guinea Pig (Discovery Channel) and the Gemini Award-winning documentary The Disappearing Male (CBC). It’s Branded Content + Commercials division, specializes in creating original integrated multiplatform entertainment content.  With offices in Toronto and Winnipeg, Frantic has won numerous corporate awards for leadership and financial performance. www.franticfilms.com

For further information, please contact:
Mary Powers, MPowers Communications (416) 767 8692 mpowers@mpowers.ca 

Top hostage rescue forces from around the world base their strategy and tactics on a sophisticated body of knowledge secretly developed and shared between them, known as The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) Playbook. ASSAULT AND RESCUE: OPERATION THUNDERBALL, an original Canadian production by Frantic Films, cracks open the Playbook in an extraordinary moment-by-moment case study:  The 1976 Entebbe hostage crisis. 

Bound from Tel Aviv to Paris, Air France Flight 139 was hijacked on June 27, 1976, by a group of Palestinian and German terrorists and flown to Entebbe, Uganda. There were 246 passengers and a dozen crew on board – more than half of them Israeli citizens. After several days, all non-Jewish passengers were released; secretly, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepares to mount one of the most complicated – and radical – missions ever to rescue the 102 hostages who remained. 

Nearly 35 years later, while much has been reported and dramatized about the incredible Entebbe hostage rescue mission, the logistics of the operation remained classified until recently – even the internal Israeli Defense Forces report on Operation Thunderball was not completed until 2004. With gripping re-enactments and first-person accounts with the commandos, pilots, strategists and covert intelligence gatherers, ASSAULT AND RESCUE: OPERATION THUNDERBALL goes inside the situation rooms, assault staging areas and deadly firefights that made the seemingly impossible happen.

Congratulations to Sarah Manninen on her nomination for an ACTRA Toronto Award for Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, co-produced by Frantic Films!

Keep Your Head Up Kid : The Don Cherry Story won 2 awards at the 2010 Gemini Awards.  Best Photography and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series went to Jared Keeso for his portrayal of Don Cherry.

Frantic Films, 'Til Debt Do Us Part was honored with two Accolade Awards.  We received An Award of Excelllence for on-camera talent (host: Gail Vaz-Oxlade) and an Award of Merit for reality programming. 

The Accolades honor outstanding craft and creativity in film, television and videography.

Frantic Branded Content + Commercials is thrilled to announce that its on-line video series, NOS Energy Drink Challenge, produced in partnership with The Hive, has received a nomination for Best Use of Social Media at the 2010 Canadian New Media Awards. The awards will be given out December 1st in Toronto.

Congratulations to everyone involved on winning Best Television Movie/Mini Series for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story!

Tells the rags-to-riches tale of a brash kid with a big dream.

2 part mini-series

Original broadcaster: CBC

“Wheels of Change” a documentary on the transformative power of the bicycle will air in Canada on CTV Saturday, October 2nd at 2PM Eastern. The 45 minute film was produced by Frantic for Cadbury Canada and The Hive.

To view the trailer please click here

Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series: Til Debt Do Us Part

Best Host in a Lifestyle/Practical Information, or Performing Arts Program or Series:  Chef Lynn Crawford for Pitchin’ In

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Sarah Manninen for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Jared Keeso for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series: Glen MacPherson for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Fiction Program or Series: Rejean Labrie for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Tim Cherry for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Jeff Woolnough for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

Best Costume Design: Patti Henderson for Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story

The 25th Annual 2010 Gemini Awards will air on Saturday, November 13 on Global and Showcase!

SPACE Raises Hell with Premiere of Original Series
TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL, Sept. 29
 
– Jason Mewes goes back to school as Jimmy the Janitor –
– SPACE launches series with sneak peek at Toronto’s Fan Expo convention, Aug. 28 –
– INNERSPACE takes viewers behind the scenes with TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL Special, Sept. 22 –

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/atEklV

Toronto, ON (Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010) – For many teenagers, high school is hell. For students at Crowley High, hell is in their high school. On Wednesday, Sept. 29 SPACE debuts its bloody good, all-new, original scripted series, TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL with two, back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET. A 13-episode, half-hour original SPACE spawn, TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is a tip of the hat to 80s teen and horror flicks that is best described as Breakfast Club meets Evil Dead and a testament to the channel’s devotion to wicked programming. A week before the mayhem is unleashed, INNERSPACE plunges into the depths of hell with a TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL special, Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers can relive the mayhem online at spacecast.com.

On Saturday, Aug. 28 at 5 p.m. ET, the entire cast invades Toronto fan entertainment event FAN EXPO Canada™ for an INNERSPACE LIVE: TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL panel. Hosted by INNERSPACE genre experts Teddy Wilson and Ajay Fry, the one-hour panel features a sneak peek at the entire first episode, followed by a Q&A with the cast.

**Media Note** - Download photography at www.ctvmedia.ca/space.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL follows a book of awesome power that makes teenagers’ deepest, darkest desires come true, but at a horrifying cost. It’s The Book of Pure Evil and it’s loose in Crowley High. Thankfully, one horny teenager stands between the book and the end of the world as we know it. His name is Todd Smith and he will save their asses whether he wants to or not.

In the 13 horrifically hilarious episodes, The Book of Pure Evil unleashes its power in all manner of ways: via a giant evil baby, a vengeful penis monster or voracious zombie Goth band, to name a few. In the premiere episode, “Todd the Metal God,” Todd becomes the reluctant hero when he uses the Book’s power to transform himself into a heavy metal guitar god to impress his dream girl Jenny. Unfortunately glory comes with a hefty price and once the Book’s evil powers are unleashed, Crowley High’s teen dreams quickly turn into nightmares.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL stars a deadly cast including Alex House (DARK ORACLE) as pot-smokin’, heavy-metal-rock-god-wannabe Todd Smith; Maggie Castle (The Time Traveler’s Wife) as righteous babe Jenny Kolinsky; Bill Turnbull (BEING ERICA) as Todd’s best bud Curtis Weaver; Melanie Leishman (TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET) as big-brained Hannah B. Williams; Chris Leavins (SLINGS AND ARROWS) as Crowley High’s sub-par guidance counsellor Atticus Murphy Jr.; and last but not least, Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) as the foul-mouthed, sex-obsessed custodian, Jimmy the Janitor.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is a SPACE original production, shot in Winnipeg.  Isme Bennie is Vice-President and General Manager for SPACE. Rebecca DiPasquale is Manager of Development for SPACE.

TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is the brainchild of co-creators Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco and Anthony Leo.  Executive Producing this madness are Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen (Aircraft Pictures), Craig David Wallace (Corvid Pictures), and Jamie S. Brown (Frantic Films).  Producers are Leo, Rosen and Shawn Watson (Frantic Films). TODD& THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL is based on the short film of the same name by Max Bernard Reid and Craig David Wallace, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2003.

SPACE’s ongoing support of Canadian independent productions has been a major contributor to the success of series such as SANCTUARY, THE LISTENER, DEFYING GRAVITY, STORMWORLD, RABBIT FALL, GIRLY GHOSTHUNTERS and TRIPPING THE RIFT. Documentaries include FAMOUS MONSTER and PRETTY BLOODY.

SPACE is Canada’s national science fiction, speculation and fantasy channel.  SPACE is truly the boutique station for all those who dare to challenge their imagination (www.spacecast.com). SPACE is owned by CTV Limited, a division of CTVglobemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company.


SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Websites
SPACE Website
Chris Leavins website
Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil website

Facebook
SPACE on Facebook
Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil Facebook page

Twitter
SPACE on Twitter
Jason Mewes on Twitter
The Book Of Pure Evil Twitter

For more information, please contact:

Mary Costa, Senior Publicist, 416.384.7702, mary.costa@ctv.ca
Sara McLaren, Communications Manager, 416.384.6104, sara.mclaren@ctv.ca

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved - on receiving the 2010 Rockie Award at the Banff World Television Awards!

Pitchin’ In : Shrimp
WINNER in Lifestyle & Information Programs

A big congratulations also goes out for our nominations for Til Debt Do Us Part: Blended Family Blues and Til Debt Do Us Part: For Richer or for Poorer.

A series of 1/2 second theatrical release spots, directed by Lisa Mann, has been awarded a prestigious ADC merit. Ten spots were  created in total along with an interactive rear screen projection installation in a store front window on college street in Toronto. The 89th annual awards presented by the Art Directors Club in New York honored a series of half second cinema spots for DUSKTV with a merit award in Broadcast Media Innovation. The campaign was developed by zig Toronto for Corus Entertainment. Lisa Mann is Creative Director, Content Development of Frantic Branded Content + Commercials.

The NOS Energy Drink Challenge produced by Frantic for Coca-Cola’s NOS Energy Drink has launched at www.drinknos.ca and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/drinknoscanada

CONGRATULATIONS to Frantic Films on receiving the 2010 Golden Sheaf Award for "The Opener: Twisted Lemon"- WINNER in Lifestyle Category!

 Frantic Branded Content + Commercials for the Government of Manitoba has been awarded a Silver International Creative Summit Award.

Content produced by Frantic and its partners for CentrePlace Manitoba at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics will be available for viewing at the Red River Exhibition in Winnipeg from June 18 to 27, 2010.

Frantic Branded Content + Commercials is proud to announce that McKim Cringan George picked up Advertising Association of Winnipeg Signature Awards for two projects produced by Frantic – Manitoba Hydro’s “In Home Energy Evaluation” television commercial and a recruitment video for The University of Manitoba.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Milla Jovovich Headlines Psychological Thriller
FACES IN THE CROWD BEGINS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

May 10th, 2010 (Regina, CANADA) – Oscar-nominated writer/director Julien Magnat’s feature length debut FACES IN THE CROWD began principal photography in and around Winnipeg, Canada on Saturday, May 8.

Milla Jovovich (THE FOURTH KIND, RESIDENT EVIL) stars alongside Julian McMahon (NIP/TUCK, FANTASTIC FOUR) in the psychological thriller being produced for Minds Eye Entertainment, Forecast Pictures, Radar Films and Frantic Films – the Canada/France team of Kevin DeWalt (Saskatchewan), Jean-Charles Lévy (France), Clément Miserez (France) and Jamie Brown (Manitoba) will produce alongside Hollywood veterans Scott Mednick and Sylvain White.  Executive producers are Christopher Petzel and Milla Jovovich.

The film is a Saskatchewan-Manitoba interprovincial Canada-France co-production with key technical and creative personnel from both provinces.  Principal photography will take place in Manitoba and post-production including all computer generated visual effects will be completed in Saskatchewan.

Magnat’s script chronicles the account of elementary school teacher Anna Marchant (Milla Jovovich) who is attacked by a serial killer known only as Tearjerk Jack and survives, but is left to struggle with a neurological disorder commonly referred to as face-blindness (prosopagnosia).

Four Frantic Branded Content + Commercials projects have been nominated for Advertising Association of Winnipeg Signature Awards.

Jeff Peeler, President of Frantic Branded Content + Commercials, will be a panel guest at the inaugural Branded Content Summit in Toronto on June 4^th, 2010.

Frantic Films is pleased to announce the appointment of three new development executives to its rapidly expanding team. Anne-Marie Varner and Alberta Nokes both join the Toronto office as Vice-President, Development for the factual division. In Winnipeg, Melissa Kajpust was named Executive in Charge of Development, Scripted Programming.

“We are very excited to expand our development team with such incredibly high calibre people,” says Jamie Brown, CEO of Frantic Films. “Each has a combination of stellar broadcast and production experience that will give Frantic one of the strongest development teams in the country.”

Alberta Nokes has developed, financed, executive produced and commissioned more than 500 hours of television from long-running factual series to award-winning feature documentaries on subjects ranging from archaeology to outlaw bikers. Her previous positions include Director of Independent Production for Vision TV, Production Executive for History Canada and Executive Producer and Head of Development for Associated Producers Ltd. She has worked with Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA, Peabody, Juno and Gemini award winning directors and producers. At Frantic, she will concentrate on developing programmes for the factual division from the Toronto office.

Broadcast veteran Anne-Marie Varner recently acted as Executive Producer of In-House Programs at Discovery Channel. Under her helm, in 2008 alone, Discovery won a record 16 awards for content excellence. She previously worked as Head of Original Productions for Canwest Mediaworks, where among her many successes she launched their Global Currents doc strand. Most recently, Anne-Marie ran her own production and consulting firm Varner Productions Limited. In her new role at Frantic Films, Anne-Marie, who will be based in the Toronto office, will develop programmes for the factual division.

Award-winning author, screenwriter and playwright Melissa Kaipust joins Frantic Films from Super Channel where she developed numerous projects and served as story editor on over 100 feature film and television projects. Previously she worked on and developed series for CTV, W, SLICE, APTN, Treehouse, Citytv, YTV and Movie Central. At Frantic Films, Melissa will concentrate on sourcing and developing scripted properties. She will be based in Winnipeg.

In addition, award winning producer Rachel Low, former President of Red Apple Productions, transitions to her new role at Frantic Films as Executive Producer and Development Consultant. Martha Kehoe also maintains her role as Director of Development.

All appointments are effective immediately.

Lisa Mann, a director, creative producer and designer whose distinctive aesthetic has found its way into more than 100 music videos, short films, commercials and even architecture, has signed on as Creative Director, Content Development for the Branded Content + Commercials, a division of Frantic Films.

In her new role, Lisa will work directly with agencies and clients to go beyond the traditional 30 second spot by developing audience-focused longer form content that extends brand personality and product attributes.

“Lisa is distinctive and utterly original,” says Jeff Peeler, President and Executive Producer, Frantic Branded Content + Commercials. “Our clients expect us to define the medium, not mirror other people’s approaches. We’re rewriting the playbook on this and to do that we wanted to work with someone who knows how to make fundamental, organic connections between brand and lifestyle. There’s a primal aspect to this form of communication that Lisa understands intuitively.”

“For me, the opportunity to fully explore the potential of branded content with Frantic is irresistible,” says Mann. “I push the boundaries of whatever medium I’m working in, and Jeff Peeler has always done the same. We’re a perfect fit, and I’m excited by the prospect of what we can achieve together.”

From Avril Lavigne to Blue Rodeo, M.A.C. cosmetics to The Drake Hotel, Mann has crafted a career out of shifting paradigms. At once elegant and visceral, her body of work spans the divide between stark reality and unbridled fantasy, unrepentantly exposing elemental forces that both construct and manipulate our perceptions, creating images of indelible impact. It’s an approach not without risk, and one that Frantic Branded Content + Commercials has wholeheartedly embraced.

Mann’s creative style incorporates her varied talents in fashion, production and interior design. In addition to Blue Rodeo and Avril Lavigne, her credits include work with Jakalope, Faith Hill, The Used, Yellowcard, Apocalyptica, and Sam Roberts, along with major corporations including M.A.C., BMW, Labatt, Molson, and AGFA.

With M.A.C., Mann wrote, directed and produced a series of television commercials and short films and conceptualized several ground-breaking print campaigns. She has also written and directed short films including one inspired by designer Bruce Mau’s “An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth” for the Toronto Art Awards, another based on author Douglas Coupland’s book “JPOD”, as well as “i-Robot Poetry” by Jason Christie. All three films debuted on Bravo! Anxious to put her cinema-verite sensibilities to work, the architectural design team at 3rd Uncle Design collaborated with Mann to design the Drake Hotel in Toronto. Ikea then engaged 3rd Uncle and Mann in launching a new catalogue and product line.

On the branded content front, Mann directed Dusk Network’s launch spots for cinema release and an interactive multimedia rear screen film installation in Toronto.

Leading Canadian film and television production company, Frantic Films, today announced the rebranding of Red Apple Entertainment, the Toronto-based production company it acquired in December 2008. Red Apple will now operate solely under the Frantic Films banner. The rebranding means that all operations in film, television, commercials and branded content all carry the Frantic Films name.

“A single brand will offer a clearer identity to our clients and further integrate our two operations in Winnipeg and Toronto,” says Jamie Brown, CEO & Executive Producer, Frantic Films.

The rebranding comes on the heels of the recent acquisition of the international rights in the library of Peace Arch owned production house, The Eyes. These programs, along with Frantic’s existing library, and 67 hours currently in production bring Frantic’s library to over 500 hours.

About Frantic Films: Formed in 1997, Frantic Films is an award winning producer of film and television programs, branded content and commercials. Frantic's programs have set numerous ratings records and have been sold to over 130 countries worldwide.

For further information, please contact:
Susan Stafford
UNIT:PR Inc. (for Frantic Films)
416-506-1238
susan@unitpr.com

Frantic Films announces the growth of its television distribution library with the acquisition of the international rights to factual entertainment programming produced by Vancouver based production company, The Eyes Television Production Ltd., a division of Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc.

Known for producing series such as “The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp,” “Bulging Brides,” and “Air Dogs,” The Eyes’ library includes over 150 hours of programs, the bulk of which has never been sold in the international market.

The transaction increases Frantic Films’ library to approximately 500 hours – including 67 hours currently in production – and supports greater international distribution revenues. Peace Arch has retained the US and Canadian rights to the programs acquired by Frantic Films.

“The Eyes programming is the perfect addition to our existing library,” says Jamie Brown, CEO of Frantic Films. “They are very successful programs in Canada and the United States that have been underexploited internationally to date. We know there is a strong appetite for high quality programs like these in the international market.”

“This is a win-win situation for both companies – Frantic is able to expand their distribution library and we are happy to see The Eyes’ programming actively selling internationally,” said Michael Taylor, President of Peace Arch Television Ltd.

“In addition to the titles Frantic has acquired, we have several new series in various stages of piloting as well,” stated Blair Reekie, President of The Eyes. “We look forward to working with Frantic on the distribution of the collection of our shows that they have picked up.”

The acquisition is another milestone for the fast-growing Frantic Films. In December 2006, the company secured a $5-million equity investment from Toronto-based Priveq Capital Funds. In December 2007, Frantic successfully divested its visual effects and software divisions to India and UK-based Prime Focus Group (PRFO: BSE) to focus on film and television production. Last year, Frantic acquired successful Toronto production company Red Apple Entertainment.

Canada-based Frantic Films announces the launch of Frantic Branded Content + Commercials, a multi-disciplinary production facility that specializes in creating original integrated entertainment content for use across the entire range of traditional and emerging media platforms. With offices in both Toronto and Winnipeg, the award-winning studio has a powerful history of success, working cooperatively and creatively to deliver high-quality, deep-impression content and advertising solutions for brands, agency partners, and entertainment outlets. Frantic’s projects include traditional broadcast television series, feature films, documentaries, and branded content for clients such as the Discovery Channel, Slice Network, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Canola Council of Canada.

The company works across and beyond traditional broadcast TV, attaching its roster of seasoned producers and creative talent to agencies or acting independently to create branded content for all media channels. VP/EP Jeff Peeler explains, “As advertisers shift away from high-priced 30-second creative, the relationship and dependence on experienced producers who can also act as creative partners will continue to increase. Frantic can be that partner. With our track record and access to the right talent, our goal is to be the authority on branded content, helping our clients and agencies create effective content for this new form of advertising.” The Branded Content team creates targeted
entertainment programming for integrated advertising, including television series, short and feature films, animation, digital advertising, as well as traditional television commercials. These original content solutions can be distributed in numerous ways including traditional broadcast, online, wireless, and digital out-of-home. Frantic is currently in development of a ten-episode network television series that not only features an actual advertising agency at its core, but also brings an advertising brand to the forefront of each episode.

Led by Jeff Peeler and EP Wai Pheng Gan, with oversight from Frantic’s CEO Jamie Brown, the team works collaboratively to create innovative media strategies that engage and entertain. Jamie, who received the inaugural Lion’s Gate Innovative Producer Award at the Banff World Television Festival, has developed and produced some of the highest rated programs ever aired on specialty channels and is known for bringing the living-history genre of television programming to North America. Jeff has helped big brands such as Wal-Mart, Verizon, MTV Worldwide, and Monsanto establish awareness through internationally distributed long and short form advertising and promotional content. An industry veteran with over fifteen years experience, Wai Pheng developed her production talents as inhouse agency producer at DDB, Ogilvy & Mather, Lintas Worldwide, and McCann Erickson for powerhouse clients such as Volkswagen, Sony, KFC, Johnson & Johnson, Hasbro, Tower Records, Kodak, MasterCard, and Pepsi. Incorporating an extensive background as a designer/illustrator/animator, Creative Director Bill Stewart leads a team of accomplished in-house artists and designers who deliver creative solutions for the wide range of projects at Frantic.

The Frantic Films family also includes a traditional film and television division, creating factual and dramatic television series, as well as feature films. Til Debt Do Us Part, which airs in Canada on Slice Network and in the U.S. on American Life, as well as in the U.K. and Asia, is an award-winning lifestyle program in which a financial wizard helps save debt-stricken families and failing marriages. Guinea Pig, which airs on Discovery Channel in Canada, the U.K., and Germany, and Viasat in Europe follows an unflinching host who acts as the subject of extreme science experiments that test the limits of the human experience. With an ability to draw from a wealth of experience in content development, broadcast production and finishing, Frantic Branded Content + Commercials has a unique position in the industry with its capacity to provide full-service content solutions for both brands and agency partners.