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Intensive training is underway for four talented Canadian writer/producer teams as part of the NSI Totally Television program, presented by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) in association with Bell Media. The program provides hands-on development training for teams serious about getting their TV series concept made.

The 11-month program starts with a week-long boot camp in Toronto where teams work with leading industry experts to hone their TV series ideas. This year’s industry experts include:

• Senior writers Adam Barken (Killjoys, Flashpoint), Noelle Carbone (Wynonna Earp, Saving Hope), Andrew De Angelis (Killjoys, Orphan Black) and Karen Walton (Ginger Snaps, Orphan Black).
• Broadcast executives Corrie Coe (Bell Media), Michelle Daly (CBC) and Carolyn Newman (Netflix).
• President and Co-Founder of Sundance Productions, Laura Michalchyshyn; Fox Television and Incendo Productions Vice-President of Program Sales, Brook Peters; and LA-based entertainment coach and strategist Carole Kirschner.

“NSI Totally Television boot camp is designed to immerse producer/writer teams in the industry from both a creative and market standpoint, rounding out their skills with sessions from a range of experienced industry pros,” said NSI CEO John Gill. “This program truly gives students personal access to a network of some of the best in the business that will impact their careers for years to come.”

“This is a very strong team of candidates with strong and creative ideas, and I know we’re all looking forward to seeing their projects come to life,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media.

Boot camp culminates with teams meeting broadcast, distribution and production executives to discuss their TV projects and next steps.

This year’s NSI Totally Television participants and their projects are:

• Tajana Prka (producer) and Tarique Qayumi (writer), Vancouver, BC – Bonavista Drive
• Michelle Ouellet (producer) and Nicholas Carella (writer), Toronto, ON – Ethics 101
• Stephanie Ouaknine (producer) and Sarah Goodman (writer), Toronto, ON – The Golden Mean
• Ian Bawa (producer) and John Titley (writer), Winnipeg, MB – The Lucky Ones

The program has produced 13 series that have been developed: six went to air, one was piloted and another was produced as a feature film which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Most recently TV series project Wolfville, developed through NSI Totally Television in 2017-18 by writer Jon Mann and producer Rob Ramsay, was optioned by Take the Shot Productions, a St. John’s, Newfoundland-based production company.

NSI Totally Television faculty are program advisor Julie Di Cresce and program manager Joy Loewen.

NSI Totally Television is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Bell Media; Program Partner Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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All media enquiries

Laura Friesen, Manager, Communications & Alumni Relations
Tel: 204.957.2999 or email: laura.friesen@nsi-canada.ca

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