2018
In April, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival is recorded live-to-tape at the historic Pantages Theatre and the 5 x 1 hour series will broadcast later in 2019. This is the 10th season of the series Frantic has produced for CBC.
Production commences on season five of Still Standing, season four of Baroness Von Sketch Show, season two of Backyard Builds and season two of The Stats of Life.
Season four of our award winning and hit series Still Standing airs. It’s nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards, taking home the Best Writing, Factual award. The series also took home a Rockie Award for the Music, Performance, Arts and Variety category.
Season three of Baroness Von Sketch Show goes to air in Canada and the US. It’s nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards, taking home the Best Sketch Comedy Program or Series award, the Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy award, and the awards for Best Direction, Variety or Sketch Comedy, Best Picture Editing, Comedy, and Best Performance, Sketch Comedy. The series also took home a Canadian Comedy Award for Best TV Show.
Principal photography was completed on the feature film, Stand! The film will be released in 2019 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the real events that provide the backdrop to this period musical drama.
In Plain Sight, internationally known as Killer In Plain Sight, completed production of 52 episodes of true-crime documentary and launched on Investigation Discovery in the United States.
2017
In April, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival is recorded live-to-tape at the historic Pantages Theatre and the 5 x 1 hour series will broadcast in primetime later in 2018. This is the 9th season of the series Frantic has produced for CBC.
Backyard Builds, (HGTV) 8 x 30’ series with hosts Sarah Keenleyside and Brian McCourt, went to air in April garnering positive reviews and strong ratings.
Season three of our award winning and hit series Still Standing airs, becoming one of the highest rated programs of the summer. It’s nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards, taking home the Best Factual Program or Series award, the Best Writing in a Factual Program or Series award, and the Best Host in a Lifestyle, Talk or Entertainment New Program or Series award.
Production commences on season four of Still Standing and on season three of Baroness Von Sketch Show.
Season two of Baroness Von Sketch Show goes to air in Canada while seasons one and two are aired on IFC in the US. Rave reviews from the likes of the LA Times, New York Times and Vogue confirm this is one of the funniest new shows on TV. Back home it’s nominated for five Canadian Screen Awards, taking home the Best Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series award, the Best Writing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series, and the Best Picture Editing in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series award.
A new factual series called Stats of Life finishes shooting in the fall of 2017. It’s a fun factual entertainment series that layers graphics and statistics over intimate stories of real people representing important parts of our society. We explore how households across the country compare to one another while allowing the viewer to discover where they fit into the bigger picture.
Indictment: The Crimes of Shelly Chartier is co-produced with Frank Digital. The one hour documentary is a riveting true story about a reclusive young woman from a small First Nations reserve who captivated the international press and made headlines with a shocking internet “catfishing” scheme. The film aired on ABC’s 20/20, CBC Docs POV and premiered at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival where it was honoured with the Alanis Obomsawin Award for Best Documentary Work Long Format.
Principal photography completed on the feature film, Into Invisible Light from writer/director, Shelagh Carter. It is generously supported by Telefilm Canada, Manitoba Film and Music and will be distributed by A71. The film is slated to be released in 2018.
In March, Frantic Films was acquired by Kew Media Group. http://kewmedia.com/
2016
At Realscreen, Frantic announces a partnership with Loud Television in the US. The agreement will see Frantic represent Loud concepts in Canada and Loud represent Frantic projects in the US.
The documentary series pilot, Anything But Average, airs on CBC and the format is released internationally.
The galas for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival 2016, are recorded live-to-tape at the historic Pantages Theatre in Winnipeg for broadcast in 2017.
Season two of Still Standing airs, sharing a one-hour time slot with the premier of Frantic’s sketch comedy series Baroness Von Sketch Show. Production commences on season three of Still Standing and on season two of Baroness Von Sketch Show.
Buy It, Fix It, Sell It is nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in the category of Best Lifestyle Series.
Still Standing is nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, taking home the Best Factual Series or Program award.
2015
The half-hour series, Still Standing, starring comedian Jonny Harris launches on CBC and becomes the highest rated new Canadian comedy of the summer season. Production commences on season two. Frantic produces the Winnipeg Comedy Festival 2015 for CBC and season two of Buy It, Fix It, Sell It airs on HGTV Canada.
Sporting Chance, a documentary on the history of Canadian women in sport, is co-produced with Frank Digital and airs on Sportsnet during the 2015 Pan Am Games. A feature length version of the documentary is released on-line.
Baroness Von Sketch Show is green lit and six episodes head into production during the summer and fall. Meet the Family is nominated for four Canadian Comedy Awards including Best TV Show and is nominated for Best Picture Editing in a Comedy Series at the Canadian Screen Awards.
A Dore to Winnipeg, produced as part of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, is nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards.
Frantic wins a national competition for a new format idea requested by the CBC and international distributor, Banijay and is green lit for production on the series pilot for Anything but Average. Frantic enters into a first look deal for branded content driven unscripted projects with Highway Entertainment, a division of Omnicom.
Jamie Brown is re-elected chair of the CMPA and Jeff Peeler is re-elected co-chair of On Screen Manitoba.
2014
Frantic begins principal photography on Still Standing, a warm-hearted and quirky comedy for CBC. Buy It, Fix It, Sell It premieres on HGTV to high ratings, 13 more episodes of Meet the Family are produced for Rogers City TV and five more one hour galas of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival are produced for CBC. Frantic also gets the green-light for 14 additional episodes of Buy It, Fix It, Sell It.
Meet the Family is nominated for four Canadian Comedy Awards, including Best TV Show, Best Direction in a TV Series, Best Female Performance in a TV Series and Best Writing in a TV Series or Special. Pitchin’ In is nominated for both Best Lifestyle or Talk Program or Series and Best Host at the Canadian Screen Awards and Engraved on a Nation: The 13th Man, wins for Best History or Biography Documentary Program or Series
Frantic welcomes Graham Ludlow as Senior Development Consultant – building on Frantic’s strengths in comedy and scripted television. CEO and Executive Producer, Jamie Brown, is elected the new Chair of the Canadian Media Producers Association.
2013
Frantic produces: 8 episodes of Meet the Family, a wildly funny unscripted prank show for Rogers City TV, 6 episodes of the very successful Buy It, Fix It, Sell It for HGTV, and 5 more gala episodes of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival for CBC.
Todd & the Book of Pure Evil wins Best Achievement in Casting, and Best Sound in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series, Pitchin’ In wins Best Lifestyle Program at the Yorkton Golden Sheaf Awards and Verdict wins the Signature Award for Best Website.
Frantic Films sells its’ Manitoba based commercial production division to Mid Canada Production Services.
2012
In February, Frantic welcomes respected UK producer, Bernard Periatambee, as its new Vice President, Unscripted Development, who relocates from London to the Toronto office.
Todd & The Book of Pure Evil wins Best TV Comedy at the WGC Awards. Princess is nominated for a Banff World Media Festival Rockie Award and a Realscreen Factual Entertainment lifestyle award. The 13th Man becomes the highest rated documentary ever to air on TSN with over half a million viewers tuning in on Thanksgiving Monday.
2011
The Frantic team relocates to new office space in Toronto and Stephanie Fast joins the company as Post Production Manager.
Frantic produces new seasons of hit lifestyle series, Pitchin’ In and Princess, the second season of the multiple award-winning scripted series Todd & The Book of Pure Evil, the second Don Cherry mini-series: Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II and helps celebrate the return of the NHL to Winnipeg with the CBC documentary Fuelled by Passion: the Return of the Jets. Season three of Frantic’s production of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival hits new ratings records on CBC and the company is honoured with the Spirit of Winnipeg Award for Medium Business.
Princess and Til Debt Do Us Part win Gemini awards for Best Host in a Lifestyle/Practical Information, or Performing Arts Program or Series, and Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series respectively. The second season of Todd & the Book of Pure Evil earns eight Gemini nominations coming home with hardware and winning editing and directing awards at both the Leo and Hugo Television Awards. NOS Energy Drink Challenge, a 4-episode short format series created for The Hive and Coca-Cola, wins two Telly Awards for Internet / Online Video and Online Program in the Sports category.
2010
Frantic productions: Pitchin’ In (Food Network), Winnipeg Comedy Festival (CBC), Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story (CBC), Rocket Booster Rescue (History Television & National Geographic International), Rags to Red Carpet (CosmoTV/W), The Opener (Food Network), Princess (Slice), Men with Brooms (CBC) and Surviving the Future (CBC) all go to air.
Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil becomes the highest rated original premiere ever broadcast on Space Network. Til Debt Do Us Part, Pitchin’ In and Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story receive 9 Gemini Award nominations and the latter wins Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series.
Wheels of Change, a sponsored feature documentary on bicycles in Africa, is produced by the Branded Content department, airs in Canada on CTV and 40,000 DVD copies are distributed at Free the Children’s We Day celebrations. The NOS Energy Drink Challenge is launched on-line. The 4-episode short format series, created for The Hive and Coca-Cola, follows three contestants as they modify and race golf carts. The series and on-line community are nominated for Best Use of Social Media at the Canadian New Media Awards.
2009
The 3rd season of Guinea Pig is nominated for a prestigious Banff Television Festival Rockie Award and the company receives 2 Gemini nominations for Chef School (Best Direction in a Lifestyle/Practical Information Series) and The Disappearing Male (Best Science, Technology, Nature, Environment or Adventure Documentary Program).
Frantic Films animation team, led by Creative Director, Bill Stewart, contributes to Cordell Barker’s short animated film Runaway. The film, produced by the National Film Board, wins the Petit Rail d’Or for Best Short Film at the International Critics’ Week in Cannes and garners The Special Jury’s Prize at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Frantic acquires the rights to 170 hours of programming from Vancouver-based The Eyes. Part agenda part budget binder; the 2009 Til Debt Do Us Part Life Planner, made available only at Shopfranticfilms.com, sells out.
2008
Til Debt Do Us Part continues to be a huge ratings success and 6th and 7th seasons are ordered as is a 3rd season of Guinea Pig. HGTV orders a pilot for a new series, House Poor, which is later ordered to series.
Jamie Brown is honoured with the Canadian Film and Television Production Association Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Til Debt Do Us Part receives a Gemini nomination for Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series. Forever Changed, produced by the Commercial Division for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, wins numerous international accolades including multiple Telly Awards, a Cine Golden Eagle Award, Summit Award and a DV Award.
The Commercial Division formally rebrands as Frantic Branded Content + Commercial and expands operations to Toronto. Frantic acquires Red Apple Entertainment including 162 hours of completed programming and 3 new shows in late stage development. The company also consolidates its Toronto operations with the Red Apple offices.
2007
In January, Live Action’s new series Guinea Pig debuts on Discovery Channel and becomes a ratings success, quickly garnering a second season order. OLN airs surfing doc Breakbound and Til Debt Do Us Part is renewed for its fourth and fifth seasons.
Frantic receives its first of two Academy Award nominations for Visual Effects, as Superman Returns and Poseidon compete in the category. Music Rising and Devil’s Brigade receive 3 Gemini Award nominations, Music Rising wins a Golden Sheaf Award for Best Documentary (Arts & Culture) and 2 Accolade Awards. Peter Jordan’s Grey Cup Adventure wins a Gemini Award for Best Sports Feature Segment. The opening title sequence for Music Rising, created by Frantic’s Commercial Division, wins a Silver Telly Award for Best Use of Animation in a TV Program. The companion website for Devil’s Brigade developed by the Commercial Division is short listed for a Gemini Award. A strategy game called Devil’s Brigade Lux, created for the site, is selected as iTunes Game of the Week.
In November, Frantic’s Visual Effects division is sold to Prime Focus Group, India’s largest film and television post-production company. Frantic’s visual effects facilities in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia are part of the overall deal.
2006
It’s a busy year for Frantic VFX with work on Superman Returns, X-Men: The Last Stand, Poseidon, Silent Hill and Idlewild. Frantic is named one of Deloitte’s “Technology Fast 50” winners.
Til Debt Do Us Part wins a Gemini Award for Best Lifestyle/Practical Information series and is ordered for two more seasons. Two other projects earn Gemini nominations: Bomber Boys: The Flying Lancaster (Best Reality Series) and the one hour documentary Ken Leishman: The Flying Bandit (Best Biography Documentary). Music Rising, which details efforts to bring live music back to areas hardest-hit by Hurricane Katrina, airs to strong numbers on CTV, the legal series Almost Legal airs on the Life Network and the living history series Devil’s Brigade premieres on History Television.
The company secures a $5-million equity investment from Toronto-based Priveq Capital Funds.
2005
Frantic VFX works on the 20th Century Fox thriller Stay and the Wes Craven werewolf feature Cursed. On the other side of the globe, Frantic VFX opens an office in Sydney, Australia to accommodate work on Superman Returns.
Live Action’s first lifestyle series, Last Chance for Romance, premieres on Global Television. Jamie Brown’s living history series turn to the military for Bomber Boys: The Fighting Lancaster. The biopic Ken Leishman: The Flying Bandit airs on History Television.
2004
As Frantic begins a four-year run on Canada’s Profit Magazine “100 Fastest Growing Companies”, and Frantic is named as one of Canada’s Innovation Leaders by the National Research Council of Canada.
The latest installment in the Quest series – Quest for the Sea – debuts on History Television. Movie-of-the-week. Zeyda and the Hitman (starring Danny Aiello, Judd Hirsh and Mercedes Ruehl) airs on CTV.
2003
The VFX Division creates sequences for X2: X-Men United, The Italian Job, Paycheck, The Core, Catwoman and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The Live Action Division’s third living-history series, Klondike: The Quest for Gold airs on History Television to further rave reviews and network topping ratings.
Frantic forms its Software Division and at SIGGRAPH 2003 in San Diego, the division unveils an early version of Flood, its ground breaking fluid dynamics software. The technology is critical in the creation of the Tar Monster for Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
In June, Frantic announces the opening of its Los Angeles office. At the Banff Television Festival, CEO, Jamie Brown, is recognized with the Lions Gate Innovative Producers Award. Jeff Peeler assumes the role of Vice-President and Executive Producer of the Commercial Division.
2002
The Live Action Division’s television production Quest for the Bay becomes the highest-rated series of the year for History Television. Frantic spins out its commercial business into its own division.
2001
The Warner Bros. feature Swordfish (John Travolta/Hugh Jackman/Halle Berry) is released. The film features the incredible “Ventura Bank Explosion” sequence, which becomes Frantic’s VFX calling card in the film industry. The company expands with the opening of its West Coast office in Vancouver. Frantic is named as one of Profit Magazine’s “Top 50 Hottest Startups” and wins CanWest Global’s I.H. Asper Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
2000
Jamie Brown moves from Credo Entertainment to become a partner at Frantic, taking on the responsibilities of CEO and Executive Producer. Fresh off the success of living-history sensation Pioneer Quest: A Year in the Real West, Brown also begins assembling the new Live Action Division.
1999
Stephen King’s Storm of the Century airs on ABC; the project ultimately earns Frantic an Emmy nomination for its visual effects (VFX) work. Commercial projects continue to draw attention, garnering a Blizzard Award, a Gold PROMAX Award and a Signature Award.
1998
Frantic sets its sights on the television and film industry and creates CGI storm effects for Stephen King’s Storm of the Century. Frantic’s commercial work results in several major awards, including a Signature Award and a CanPro Award. The honours help to build the groundwork for what is to become Frantic’s Commercial Division.
1997
Frantic Films is formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba as an animation company. The company makes an immediate impact with commercial clients such as Proctor & Gamble.