Canwest Finds Prodigy's "Lost Girl"

Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting reports that principal photography has started on 13 one-hour episodes of the Canadian 'fantasy-noir' TV series "Lost Girl", filming throughout Toronto and Hamilton until June 25, 2010, for a debut on Canada's Showcase network this fall.

"'Lost Girl' follows supernatural seductress 'Bo' (Anna Silk), a 'Succubus' who feeds on the sexual energy of mortals. Growing up with human parents, Bo had no reason to believe she was anything other than the girl next door – until she drained her boyfriend to death in their first sexual encounter. Now she has hit the road alone and afraid. She discovers she is one of the Fae, creatures of legend and folklore, who pass as humans while feeding off them in secret, as they have for millennia. Relieved yet horrified to find out that she is not alone, Bo decides to take the middle path between the humans and the Fae while embarking on a personal mission to unlock the secrets of her origin.

"Bo's succubus nature tangles her in a sexy, romantic love-triangle with 'Dyson' (Kris Holden-Reid), a shape-shifting homicide detective, and 'Lauren' (Zoie Palmer), a human doctor who has found a way through science to help give Bo the sexual self-control she's been aching for. Navigating this complicated life with Bo is her human confidante and street-smart survivor, 'Kenzi' (Ksenia Solo)."

Episodic directors on the series include Érik Canuel, John Fawcett and Rob Lieberman, from teleplays by Michelle Lovretta, Jeremy Boxen, Peter Mohan, Emily Andras and Pamela Pinch.

A companion website for the series is being produced and will launch with the show to give viewers "an unprecedented, interactive experience".

"Lost Girl" was developed by Jay Firestone's Prodigy Pictures, in association with Canwest Broadcasting and Showcase for producer Wanda Chaffey.

“Our intention with this project is to create a new generation of female action hero," said Firestone. "One which fuses strength with sexuality and passion with intelligence..."

Anchor Bay Looks Into "Alternate Realities"- April 6

"Alternate Realities" from Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada, is a new, classic science fiction film collection, to be released on several DVDs, beginning April 6.

In director Aaron Lipstadt's 1982 feature "Android", starring Klaus Kinski, Bree Howard and Norbert Weisser:

"...Somewhere on the outskirts of deep space, orbits 'ULZ-53', a forgotten research station manned only by intense scientist 'Dr. Daniel' (Kinski) and his lonely android assistant 'Max 404' (Don Keith Opper). When three escaped convicts-including a beautiful woman- arrive aboard, Dr. Daniel finds the missing element to his outlawed experiments while Max discovers his own forbidden urges. Can a turned-on robot turn off his human insticnts and still get down to earth?..."

In "Astro Boy Greatest Astro Adventures", directed by creator Osamu Tezuka :

"...In the first ever 'Astro Boy' series created in full color, brilliant robot engineer 'Doctor Boynton' loses his son 'Toby' in an accident. The dedicated. heartbroken scientist then uses his technical skills to construct a robot in the boy's image. But hope was lost when he realized the robot could never fill the void left in his heart..."

In "Black Moon Rising", the 1986 action feature starring Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton and Robert Vaughn :

"...Master thief 'Sam Quint' (Jones) is hired by the government to steal top-secret data from a criminal organization, then hides the stolen information in an experimental supercar, called 'The Black Moon'. But when the car is stolen by high-tech auto thief 'Nina' (Hamilton), Quint must pull off the most daring heist of all: break into an impenetrable skyscraper and steal it back..."

In the 2009 feature "Chrysalis", directed by Julien Leclercq :

"...In Paris, circa 2025, a tough cop is haunted by a murder he could not stop and a young woman is scarred by a dark secret from her past, in a city where sleek technology meets a conspiracy of violence and corruption..."

In producer Roger Corman's 2009 period feature "Cyclops" starring Eric Roberts, Frida Farrell and Craig Archibald :

"...As a terrifying 'Cyclops' terrorizes the Roman countryside, the corrupt emperor 'Tiberius' sends in 'Marcus', his strongest general. Soon the monster is captured and brought to the great city to fight as a gladiator, but the tables quickly turn on Marcus who must fight as well..."

In "Dead Space: Downfall", the 2007 animated prequel to the 2008 EA "Dead Space" video game :

"...When a deep space mining operation discovers a mysterious alien 'Marker', they believe they have found evidence of man's creation. But the removal of the Marker unleashes a horrific alien species, which had been entombed within a remote planet and a desperate fight for survival ensues..."

In "Lightspeed", the 2007 feature from "Spider-Man" creator Stan Lee, starring Jason Connnery, Lee Majors and Nicole Eggert :

"...the covert world of government 'Ghost Squad' agent 'Daniel Leight' (Connery) comes crashing down when he is critically injured in a building collapse triggered by the genetically mutated terrorist 'Python' (Daniel Goddard). When Leight's subsequent radiation treatments are sabotaged, he discovers he has the ability to move at 'hyper speeds', risking potentially fatal metabolic damage..."

In the 2007 feature "The Man From Earth", based on the works of author Jerome Bixby, starring David Lee Smith, John Billingsley, William Katt, Ellen Crawford and Tony Todd :

"...On a cold night in a remote cabin, 'Professor John Oldman (Smith) gathers his most trusted colleagues for an extraordinary announcement. He is an immortal who has migrated through 140 centuries of evolution and must now move on. Is Oldman truly 'Cro-Magnon' or simply insane? Now one man will force these scientists and scholars to confront their own notions of history, religion and humanity, all leading to a final revelation that may shatter their world forever..."

"The Masters Of Science Fiction", the 2007 science fiction anthology TV series, lensed in Vancouver, includes all six episodes from the series, including the 'lost' episodes "Little Brother" and "Watchbird" :

"...Join host Professor Stephen Hawking for six expeditions into the outer realms of scientific imagination, starring Sam Waterston, Judy Davis, Anne Heche, Malcolm McDowell, John Hurt, Brian Dennehy and James Cromwell..."

"The Philadelphia Experiment" the 1984 time-travel feature from producer John Carpenter, directed by Stewart Raffil, stars Nancy Allen:

" In 1943, a top secret experiment is underway to make US Navy ships invisible to enemy radar...but something goes horribly wrong and the 'Battleship Eldridge' disappears..."

In "Recon 2020", the 2004 film directed by Christian Viel:

"...'The Caprini Massacre' follows the squad on a recon mission to a remote planet, investigating recent reports that defy rational explanation. Once deployed on the planet surface, they begin to experience bizarre nightmares, from vampires to threee-headed 'Hydras'. But these are no ordinary bad dreams...these nightmares can kill.."

In "Recon 2022", directed by Viel in 2007:

"...The 'Mezzo Incident' chronicles a mission to an ice planet whose perils are more dangerous than just blinding snow and constant cold. The squad encounters a city of 'cyborgs' while contending with giant 'snow worms' and other blood-thirsty alien entities. 'Galactic Marines' are well-drilled warriors, but on the planet Mezzo, they can also be prey..."

In "Sands Of Oblivion", a 2008 film, directed by David Flores, starring Adam Baldwin and George Kennedy:

"...In 1923, director Cecil B. DeMille constructed a replica of ancient Egypt in the California desert for his epic movie 'The Ten Commandments'. When filming was completed, he mysteriously ordered the entire set buried...until the set is uncovered unleashing an ancient horror..."

Warners and Dark Castle Join Up With "Splice"

Sneak Peek the new trailer for the Toronto-lensed horror feature "Splice", directed by Vincenzo Natali, that was picked up for distribution by Joel "Lethal Weapon" Silver and his Warners-based Dark Castle label, after the North American debut of the France-Canadian co-production @ the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, in the 'Park City At Midnight' program.

Filmed in Toronto at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Cinespace Film Studios and York University, "Splice" follows 'Elsa' and 'Clive', two young scientists, who defy legal and ethical boundaries, by splicing together human/animal DNA to create a hybrid chimera organism.

Named 'Dren', the creature develops from a deformed female into a beautiful winged creature, forging a bond with both creators.

"Splice" will be released theatrically this summer on 3,000 screens with additonal marketing support, budgeted between $25-40 million.

Dark Castle is optimistic that the genetic mutation thriller will be the next box-office busting "Paranormal Activity".

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Splice"...

Sneak Peek "Resident Evil : Afterlife"

Sneak Peek the new teaser trailer supporting the Toronto-lensed feature "Resident Evil: Afterlife" from Sony's Screen Gems, to be released in 3D and 2D venues September 10.

Written/directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the fourth installment, based on the best-selling series of video games, stars Anderson's wife Milla Jovovich with Ali Larter, Spencer Locke, Wentworth Miller, Shawn Roberts, Boris Kodjoe, Kim Coates, Norman Yeung and Kasey Barnfield.

"...'Resident Evil: Afterlife' follows 'Alice' as she continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. When her deadly battle with the 'Umbrella Corporation' reaches new heights, Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the 'Undead' leads them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of zombies as Alice and her comrades in arms are about to step into a deadly trap..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Resident Evil: Afterlife".....

"Resident Evil: Afterlife"- September 10

The Toronto-lensed feature "Resident Evil: Afterlife" from Sony's Screen Gems will be released in 3D and 2D venues September 10.

Written/directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the fourth installment, based on the best-selling series of video games, stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Spencer Locke, Wentworth Miller, Shawn Roberts, Boris Kodjoe, Kim Coates, Norman Yeung and Kasey Barnfield.

"...'Resident Evil: Afterlife' follows 'Alice' as she continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. When her deadly battle with the 'Umbrella Corporation' reaches new heights, Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the 'Undead' leads them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of zombies as Alice and her comrades in arms are about to step into a deadly trap..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Sneak Peek The Wizard World Toronto Comic Con

Entertainment celebrities and thousands of sci-fi/comic book fans attended the inaugural Wizard World Toronto Comic Con, a 3-day convention @ Exhibition Place's Direct Energy Centre, March 26, 27 and 28.

Wizard World is run by New York-based book/magazine publisher Wizard Entertainment.

400 exhibitors attended the event, hawking sci-fi, anime, comic books, video games, toys and original art.

"This is the culmination of movies, video games, TV, toys, comic books, sci-fi, horror and fantasy – all rolled into one," said Gareb Shamus, CEO, Wizard Entertainment.

The 2011 Wizard Entertainment Toronto Comic Con will return to the Direct Energy Centre, March 18-20..

“We were so pleased with how the city of Toronto and its fans got behind this event and made it such a success, that we wanted to commit to 2011 right away,” said Shamus. "The feedback from attendees, vendors and media has been overwhelmingly positive, and everyone who was a part of this show has already committed for next year."

The 2010 Toronto Comic con was the first of nine scheduled to date this year across North America. Anaheim is the next stop, set for April 16-18, 2010, at the Anaheim Convention Center, California.

Shamus founded Wizard Entertainment in 1991. Today, he publishes the consumer magazines "Wizard", "ToyFare", "FunFare" and numerous books about pop-culture’s top talent, comic books and toys.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek our exclusive video, featuring highlights from the Toronto Comic Con event...

Mickey Mouse Moving Into Toronto's CBC

According to reports, the Walt Disney Co. is in serious talks with Canada's Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to lease space at CBC's Toronto headquarters.

CBC spokesman Jeff Keay confirmed the CBC has been seeking tenants for unused space in the building "to make better use of its resources", with the federal Conservatives apparently approving a proposal by the CBC to lease part of its space to Disney for up to 10 years, in a deal worth $4 million.

Every Sunday night, CBC continues to be "...proud to present classic and contemporary Disney films the entire family can enjoy..."

Anchor Bay: "Alternate Realities"

"Alternate Realities" from Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada, is a new, classic science fiction film collection, to be released on several DVDs, beginning April 6.

In director Aaron Lipstadt's 1982 feature "Android", starring Klaus Kinski, Bree Howard and Norbert Weisser:

"...Somewhere on the outskirts of deep space, orbits 'ULZ-53', a forgotten research station manned only by intense scientist 'Dr. Daniel' (Kinski) and his lonely android assistant 'Max 404' (Don Keith Opper). When three escaped convicts-including a beautiful woman- arrive aboard, Dr. Daniel finds the missing element to his outlawed experiments while Max discovers his own forbidden urges. Can a turned-on robot turn off his human insticnts and still get down to earth?..."

In "Astro Boy Greatest Astro Adventures", directed by creator Osamu Tezuka :

"...In the first ever 'Astro Boy' series created in full color, brilliant robot engineer 'Doctor Boynton' loses his son 'Toby' in an accident. The dedicated. heartbroken scientist then uses his technical skills to construct a robot in the boy's image. But hope was lost when he realized the robot could never fill the void left in his heart..."

In "Black Moon Rising", the 1986 action feature starring Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton and Robert Vaughn :

"...Master thief 'Sam Quint' (Jones) is hired by the government to steal top-secret data from a criminal organization, then hides the stolen information in an experimental supercar, called 'The Black Moon'. But when the car is stolen by high-tech auto thief 'Nina' (Hamilton), Quint must pull off the most daring heist of all: break into an impenetrable skyscraper and steal it back..."

In the 2009 feature "Chrysalis", directed by Julien Leclercq :

"...In Paris, circa 2025, a tough cop is haunted by a murder he could not stop and a young woman is scarred by a dark secret from her past, in a city where sleek technology meets a conspiracy of violence and corruption..."

In producer Roger Corman's 2009 period feature "Cyclops" starring Eric Roberts, Frida Farrell and Craig Archibald :

"...As a terrifying 'Cyclops' terrorizes the Roman countryside, the corrupt emperor 'Tiberius' sends in 'Marcus', his strongest general. Soon the monster is captured and brought to the great city to fight as a gladiator, but the tables quickly turn on Marcus who must fight as well..."

In "Dead Space: Downfall", the 2007 animated prequel to the 2008 EA "Dead Space" video game :

"...When a deep space mining operation discovers a mysterious alien 'Marker', they believe they have found evidence of man's creation. But the removal of the Marker unleashes a horrific alien species, which had been entombed within a remote planet and a desperate fight for survival ensues..."

In "Lightspeed", the 2007 feature from "Spider-Man" creator Stan Lee, starring Jason Connnery, Lee Majors and Nicole Eggert :

"...the covert world of government 'Ghost Squad' agent 'Daniel Leight' (Connery) comes crashing down when he is critically injured in a building collapse triggered by the genetically mutated terrorist 'Python' (Daniel Goddard). When Leight's subsequent radiation treatments are sabotaged, he discovers he has the ability to move at 'hyper speeds', risking potentially fatal metabolic damage..."

In the 2007 feature "The Man From Earth", based on the works of author Jerome Bixby, starring David Lee Smith, John Billingsley, William Katt, Ellen Crawford and Tony Todd :

"...On a cold night in a remote cabin, 'Professor John Oldman (Smith) gathers his most trusted colleagues for an extraordinary announcement. He is an immortal who has migrated through 140 centuries of evolution and must now move on. Is Oldman truly 'Cro-Magnon' or simply insane? Now one man will force these scientists and scholars to confront their own notions of history, religion and humanity, all leading to a final revelation that may shatter their world forever..."

"The Masters Of Science Fiction", the 2007 science fiction anthology TV series, lensed in Vancouver, includes all six episodes from the series, including the 'lost' episodes "Little Brother" and "Watchbird" :

"...Join host Professor Stephen Hawking for six expeditions into the outer realms of scientific imagination, starring Sam Waterston, Judy Davis, Anne Heche, Malcolm McDowell, John Hurt, Brian Dennehy and James Cromwell..."

"The Philadelphia Experiment" the 1984 time-travel feature from producer John Carpenter, directed by Stewart Raffil, stars Nancy Allen:

" In 1943, a top secret experiment is underway to make US Navy ships invisible to enemy radar...but something goes horribly wrong and the 'Battleship Eldridge' disappears..."

In "Recon 2020", the 2004 film directed by Christian Viel:

"...'The Caprini Massacre' follows the squad on a recon mission to a remote planet, investigating recent reports that defy rational explanation. Once deployed on the planet surface, they begin to experience bizarre nightmares, from vampires to threee-headed 'Hydras'. But these are no ordinary bad dreams...these nightmares can kill.."

In "Recon 2022", directed by Viel in 2007:

"...The 'Mezzo Incident' chronicles a mission to an ice planet whose perils are more dangerous than just blinding snow and constant cold. The squad encounters a city of 'cyborgs' while contending with giant 'snow worms' and other blood-thirsty alien entities. 'Galactic Marines' are well-drilled warriors, but on the planet Mezzo, they can also be prey..."

In "Sands Of Oblivion", a 2008 film, directed by David Flores, starring Adam Baldwin and George Kennedy:

"...In 1923, director Cecil B. DeMille constructed a replica of ancient Egypt in the California desert for his epic movie 'The Ten Commandments'. When filming was completed, he mysteriously ordered the entire set buried...until the set is uncovered unleashing an ancient horror..."

Katie Boland: "Fateful"

"Fateful" is a new film, written/directed by actress Katie Boland, starring Boland, Linda Hamilton ("Terminator"), Steven Yaffee and Daniel Kash.

"...'Nomi' (Boland) is an intelligent, rebellious and lost sixteen-year old with a unique view of the world. Having grown up in a small town where no one reads books, the local kids get drunk every night and spend their days hung over, Nomi thought life was 'shitty' and just going to get worse. She believed she was incapable of feeling anything real.

Until she met 'Ted' (Steven Yaffee) a mysterious outsider.

Nomi fell hard and fast. She loved him more than she ever thought possible, with a heartbreaking vulnerability.

Until he took it all away.

'Fateful" is the story of Nomi's fragmented, poignant memories of love, loss and everything in between..."

"What I have tried to say with 'Fateful' is that someone you love remains forever immortal to you," said Boland.

"They live as vividly in your memories as they did in the flesh. That you never really break up in a permanent sense because the relationship lives on in your consciousness. So once you've loved someone, you are forever changed by them, whether you like it or not."

Boland lensed her 'extremely experimental' short film over three days, blending reality with fiction, including several scenes filmed with 'real kids doing real things' and flashbacks illustrating Nomi's subconscious memories.

"'Fateful' was one of the most creatively satisfying experiences of my career," said Boland, "and I hope that anyone who has loved and lost can see a little of themselves in 'Nomi'"...

Canada Media Fund Offers $350 Million

The Canadian government has announced the creation of the Canada Media Fund to finance TV/new-media production with C$350 million from the federal government, cable and satellite companies.

The Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund will be combined and rebranded, as the Canada Media Fund, with a mandate to ensure the production of 'quality content', to be available on multiple platforms.

"The Canada Media Fund will help our producers and broadcasters to do what they do best: create, entertain, and connect with Canadians," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The reformed and integrated fund will be fully implemented and in place by April 1, 2010, with the CTF and the CNMF continuing to operate for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Despite a mandate to 'level the playing field', if you are an independent content creator/producer and do not have access to high-powered lawyers that can structure complex government applications to secure funding, you will be out of luck, as the biggest industry players, per the status quo, will secure all the funding for themselves...