Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
News release: August 1, 2007
Two new Canadian TV series developed through the National Screen Institute's Totally Television training program will hit TV screens over the coming months.
'da Kink in My Hair will debut on Global Television on Sunday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Less Than Kind, currently in production, will be broadcast on CHUM Television in fall 2008.
The comedic-drama 'da Kink in My Hair by producer Damion Nurse and writers Trey Anthony and Ngozi Paul is based on the Canadian play of the same name and takes place at Letty’s, a bustling hair salon in Toronto’s Caribbean community where women go to let their hair down in more ways than one.
"The NSI not only supported our creative process but also provided us with access to industry professionals. They provided tools that helped us realize our vision. Our participation with NSI has been an invaluable part of our growth as artists and industry professionals," said Paul.
Less Than Kind, by producer Chris Sheasgreen and writer Marvin Kaye, is a Winnipeg-based comedy about a dysfunctional family. It follows Sheldon as he tries to manoeuvre through the maze of teenage angst and unrequited love. "NSI Totally Television gave us the guidance and encouragement to take our idea and make it a real show," said Kaye.
"The National Screen Institute's honest feedback, criticism and constant looming deadlines encouraged us to create a show that eventually attracted producers and a network. We now have an order for 13 episodes and our careers have been given a significant boost. We've recommended the program to colleagues who need to break into the biz and take their projects to the next level."
'da Kink in My Hair is executive produced by Nurse, Anthony and Paul along with Laszlo Barna. The showrunner was Shelley Scarrow (Instant Star) and the executive story editor was Annmarie Morais, whose feature film How She Move recently screened at Sundance.
Less Than Kind is executive produced by Breakthrough Films and Television and Buffalo Gal Pictures. Mark McKinney (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Kids in the Hall) is the creative producer/senior story editor for the series.
NSI Totally Television provides market-driven, individualized training for working professionals allowing them to fine-tune their television projects over 10 months. The program starts with intensive training in the fall and ends with pitching at the Banff World Television Festival.
Since NSI Totally Television began in 2002, seven out of 14 graduating teams have landed development deals with broadcasters.
Other NSI Totally Television successes include:
- Wapos Bay - There's No 'I' in Hockey, a pilot by producer Anand Ramayya and writer Dennis Jackson (2002-03), was broadcast on APTN in 2005. The team is currently in pre-production for episodes 14-19.
- This Space For Rent, a pilot by producer Jason James and writer Nick Citton (2002-03) was broadcast on CBC in January 2006. The series is also in production.
NSI Totally Television has been made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor CTV and the CTV/BCE Benefits. Additional funding has been provided by Program Partner Telefilm Canada. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of our provincial sponsors British Columbia Film and Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation which provided financial assistance for three BC-based teams and a team member from Nova Scotia, respectively, for the 2006-07 program year.
Media enquiries:
Glynis Corkal, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: 204-957-2995 | Email: glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca