2008 annual report

2 0 0 8 A N N UA L R E P O RT
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
In 2008 we invested a record $12.3
million in diverse projects connecting
audiences across Canada and around
the world. During these times of
economic uncertainty, the Shaw
Rocket Fund believes more than
ever in the necessity of our funding
initiatives.
Since its inception, the Shaw Rocket Fund has nurtured Canadian producers to
a position of strength and confidence, supporting programming that inspires
and unites Canadians, in particular Canadian youth who comprise 25% of our
overall population.
The viewers of today are the leaders of tomorrow. The Shaw Rocket Fund is
proud to be a voice for Canadian children’s production, fostering programming
that speaks our languages, celebrates the rich fabric of our communities, and
motivates our youth.
Coast to coast, we are united through our children and through our combined
response to the challenges and possibilities facing our industry today.
Together, we will continue working to secure a bright future for children’s
programming across Canada.
Annabel Slaight, Chair
Mission
The Shaw Rocket Fund is dedicated to investing in the Canadian children’s independent
production industry as funder and as a champion of the best in children’s programming.
9%
OF OVERALL
FUNDING
WEST COAST
Canada’s rich first nation’s heritage plays a key role in
our cultural identity. When the traditions of Aboriginal
storytelling are applied to children’s and youth programming,
wonderful things can happen, as witnessed by many of the
projects coming out of Canada’s West Coast. The Shaw
Rocket Fund has supported a wide range of productions in
this region, including such innovative Aboriginal productions
as MYTV, Nehiyawetan and Tiga Talk!.
Production
Production Company
Broadcaster
A Shine of Rainbows
Smudge Ventures Inc.
Movie Central
MYTV Season 2
WoneWomanWorks Productions Ltd.
APTN
Nehiyawetan Season 2
Nehiyawetan Productions Inc.
APTN
See the Sea Season 2
See the Sea Productions II Ltd
CBC
Tiga Talk!
Hummingbird Take Two Productions Ltd.
APTN
Zeke's Pad Season 1
My Pad Productions Inc. / Bardel Entertainment Inc.
YTV
ZEKE’S PAD
In this half-hour animated comedy series, artist extraordinaire and no-holdsbarred skateboarder, Zeke Palmer, repurposes a mysteriously wired electronic
drawing pad to wickedly transform the world around him from fun but ordinary
humdrum to wacky and extraordinary wonderfulness!
As interactive offscreen as it is onscreen, Zeke’s Pad will soon feature a
friends-2-friends gamespace, a multi-model skateboarding game, and mobile
downloadable, episodic tie-ins that let viewers “create, challenge and share”
with friends online any time!
A SHINE OF RAINBOWS
The universally transforming power of the imagination illuminates this magical
feature film in which the orphan Tomas’s friendship with the nature-loving and
imaginative Mairi empowers Tomas to guide Mairi’s grieving husband to a reengagement with himself and the amazing island world in which he lives.
Based on the novel by Lillian Beckwith, A Shine of Rainbows demonstrates
the rewards of translating compelling material into different media, and, as a
co-production between Canada and Ireland, the benefits of diversifying and
expanding communities internationally as well as nationally.
2008 FUND FACT
INVESTMENT BY
CO-PRODUCTION
FAMILY BIZ 14%
(FRANCE)
A SHINE OF RAINBOWS
17% (IRELAND)
ZEKE’S PAD 14%
(AUSTRALIA)
WIBBLY PIG 11%
(UK)
ROB THE ROBOT 9%
(FRANCE/AUSTRALIA)
SARILA 9%
(FRANCE/UK)
BUSYTOWN MYSTERIES 18%
(SINGAPORE)
DOGGY DAY CARE 8%
(BRAZIL)
This year the Rocket Fund celebrated the connecting power of
media through investment in a number of outstanding coproductions between Canada and various
other countries.
7%
OF OVERALL
FUNDING
PRAIRIES
Perhaps it is Canada’s often harsh, physical landscape that
explains our penchant for dramatic storytelling. Dramas that
explore such themes as community, conflict and personal
development have helped put Canadian family and youth
programming on the map internationally. In the prairies,
this tradition has continued through such Rocket funded
programs as Heartland and Drug Class.
Production
Production Company
Broadcaster
Heartland Series II
Rescued Horse Season Two Inc. / Dynamo Films Inc.
CBC
Promise
Burning Bridge Entertainment Inc.
CBC
Drug Class Season 2
101093537 Saskatchewan Ltd.
SCN
Wapos Bay Eps 20 – 26
Wapos Bay Productions Episodes 20 – 26 Inc.
APTN, SCN
HEARTLAND
Love, family and life connect, collide and reconcile in this dynamic family
drama, in which fifteen-year-old Amy Fleming uses her gift of healing horses to
negotiate the turmoil and exuberance of adolescent life on Heartland, the busy
Alberta horse farm run by her grandfather Jack with the help of Amy and her
sister, Lou.
Complementing the life-changing twists and turns that occur at Heartland
Ranch are its downloadable shows and music, blog, behind-the-scenes diary,
and Facebook fan page.
DRUG CLASS
The freedom to tell their stories without criticism
or judgment gives the Drug Class kids and their
audience the tools to imaginatively reinvent
themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. In
teacher Randy Teed’s drug class, it isn’t drugs or
alcohol but trusting conversation with supportive
friends that creates strong individuals and stronger
communities.
An online site with information links and a
Facebook page provide further excellent resources
for kids wishing to learn more about addiction and
how to confidently reach out to others, both peers
and adults, for guidance, support and positive
connection.
2008 FUND FACT
INVESTMENT BY GENRE
VARIETY 2%
DRAMA 81%
MAGAZINE 5%
DOCUMENTARY 12%
Committed to productions that enhance our individual and community
awareness, the Rocket Fund supplied a record $10,012,526 to 35
drama projects, 81% of its overall funding for 2008.
45%
OF OVERALL
FUNDING
ONTARIO
Given Canada’s cultural diversity, multiculturalism is one of
the hallmarks of our creative identity. In Ontario, the sheer
diversity of the productions funded by the Shaw Rocket
Fund is a testament to the many different perspectives and
experiences that contribute to our industry.
BUSYTOWN MYSTERIES
Helping the under-5’s imaginatively connect in
new and interesting ways with their immediate
environment and with the larger world beyond are
the colourful characters of Busytown Mysteries, a
cartoon series based on Richard Scarry’s popular
Busytown books. Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, Sally
Cat, Hilda Hippo, Pig Will and Pig Won’t use an
innovative blend of humour and learning, along
with some unique transportation, to solve each
episode’s intriguing mystery from everyday life!
Of course, solving a mystery is only half the fun.
Asking questions, finding clues and piecing all
those clues together to find the ultimate answer
– and all from the unique perspective of the
preschooler – is where the real fun and the real
imaginative journey begins!
Production
Production Company
Broadcaster
The Adrenaline Project Season 2
marblemedia Adrenaline 2 Inc.
YTV
Booky's Crush
Booky III Inc.
CBC
Busytown Mysteries Season 2
Cookie Jar Entertainment
CBC, SRC
Carl Squared IV (53 – 65)
Carl Squared Productions IV Inc.
Teletoon Canada
Connor Undercover
Connor Undercover I Inc.
Family Channel
Degrassi: The Next Generation Cycle 8
Epitome Pictures Inc.
CTV
Dino Dan Season 2
Sinking Ship (Dino Dan) Productions Inc.
TVO, Knowledge Network
Franny's Feet Series 3
Decode / Franny Productions 3 Inc.
Family Channel
How To Be Indie
Indie 1 Inc.
YTV
The Latest Buzz Season 3
Decode / Buzz Productions 3 Inc.
Family Channel
Listen to This
Proximity Films RP Inc.
TVO / Bravo
Majority Rules
Go Girl Television Productions Inc.
Teletoon Canada Inc.
Mighty Machines Series 3
Mighty Machines Series 3
TVO, TFO, SCN, Knowledge, Access
Overruled
Shaftesbury High Court I Inc.
Family Channel
Overruled Season 2
Shaftesbury Overruled II Inc.
Family Channel
Rob the Robot
Amberwood Productions (Rob the Robot) Inc.
TVO, SRC, Knowledge
This is Turtle Island
Summerhill Productions Nine Inc. / Media Rendezvous Inc.
APTN
Wibbly Pig
WP Productions Inc.
TV Ontario, Knowledge
THE ADRENALINE PROJECT
This weekly prime-time reality competition series
dares thrill-seeking teens to compete in a range
of intense physical and mental challenges. Fear
Factor meets Survivor as participants fight their
fears and phobias, testing their mettle as they go
head to head in and around Boomer’s Basecamp!
A strong online presence keeps The Adrenaline
Project’s challenges and rewards front and centre
of real teens’ lives, connecting them through their
computers with the exciting world of the great
outdoors where anything is possible!
2008 FUND FACT
INVESTMENT BY AUDIENCE
PRIMARY (6–9) 7%
ELEMENTARY
(9–12) 35%
FAMILY 13%
YOUTH 14%
PRESCHOOL 31%
Out of 357 hours of Rocket-fuelled programming, 243 hours
spoke directly to the needs to children under 12 for quality
programming, equalling an overall investment of
more than $9 million.
18%
OF OVERALL
FUNDING
LA CACHE
Twelve recruits (6 girls and 6 boys) compete
to join La Cache Agency using new navigational
technologies like Global Positioning to go on an
old-fashioned outdoor treasure hunt. The treasure
troves in question are “geocaches” or “caches,”
and, like The Apprentice or The Amazing Race,
individual problem-solving skills along with lots of
enthusiastic teamwork are a must for participants
and their viewers.
Technology in La Cache connects youth with one
another and with the outdoors world beyond the
screen. Participants not only engage with their
immediate environments; they also creatively
connect with a multicultural, age-diverse global
community.
QUEBEC
Quebec’s production industry not only contributes to
French Canadian culture, it contributes to Canada’s
linguistic and cultural diversity through programming that
speaks to a wide range of audiences and experiences – and
with programs like La Cache, this year was no exception.
DOGGY DAY CARE
The dogs at Doggy Day Care are a motley crew of rambunctious, exuberant, funloving characters who make every day action packed for themselves and their
two caretakers. These gender-neutral canines make approachable role models
and lovable furry friends for a young audience.
Dynamic flash animation enhances the interactive nature of this series,
which is broadcast in both French and English and celebrates the values of
tolerance, mutual respect and understanding across different cultures and
language groups.
Production
Production Company
Broadcaster
Active-Toi!
6845550 Canada Inc.
TFO
CineMission Season 2
Productions La Fete (Cineastes) Inc.
TFO
Doggy Day Care
4469101 Canada Inc.
SRC, TVO, APTN, Knowledge, SCN
Family Biz
DITA Productions (Muse) Inc. / DITA Productions (Summit) Inc.
YTV
I'm a Dinosaur
Subsequence Entertainment (Dinosaur) Inc.
3206674 Nova Scotia Limited
TFO, TVO, Knowledge, SCN
In the Real World
Florence Productions Inc.
YTV
La Cache
NOVEM Television Inc.
VRAK TV
Leon II
9161-0345 Quebec Inc.
SRC
Mystery Hunters Season 4
9117-3112 Quebec Inc.
YTV
Sarila
CarpeDiem Film & TV / 9129-4181 Quebec Inc.
SRC
Sont ou tes Elephants?!
Productions La Fete (Tocade) Inc.
The Movie Network, Movie Central, Super Ecran
Toc Toc Toc Season 3
Telefiction Productions Inc.
Societe Radio-Canada, Tele-Quebec
Une grenade avec ca? (Cycle VII)
Zone3 – XXIII Inc.
VRAK TV
W Season 3
9145-8083 Quebec Inc.
Teletoon Canada
2008 FUND FACT
PROJECTS BY LANGUAGE
OTHER 2%
ENGLISH, FRENCH
& ABORIGINAL 4%
ENGLISH &
ABORIGINAL 6%
ENGLISH & FRENCH 8%
FRENCH 12%
ENGLISH 68%
The Fund is proud to note its extensive support of programming
in French, Aboriginal languages, and many other languages
reflective of the immense scope of linguistic and
cultural experience in Canada.
21%
OF OVERALL
FUNDING
ATLANTIC
As interactive media continue to blur the boundaries
between traditional television and online content, Canadian
productions have been quick to adapt and even lead the
way. In Atlantic Canada, the Shaw Rocket Fund helped fuel
the development of programs such as Bo On the Go, which
encourage kids to participate physically but also in a variety
of interactive platforms such as games and online videos.
BO ON THE GO!
Just try staying still while watching Bo on the Go!
This animated TV series uses both high- and lowtech multimedia to get children up and moving in
energetic and expressive interactions with their immediate environments and with the world at large.
A colourful, kid-friendly website lets viewers
become active participants in Bo’s world, with
online games, activities, and videos designed
to keep both children and their parents actively
learning and growing as dynamic individuals and
communities!
Production
Production Company
Broadcaster
Animal Mechanicals Season 2
Snapp II Productions Inc.
CBC
Aquateam
Aquateam Productions Inc.
Discovery Kids Canada, YTV
Bo on the Go! Season 3
Bo Go III Productions Inc.
CBC, SRC
Bo on the Go! (Eps 17-40)
Bo Go Productions II Inc.
CBC, SRC
Canada's Super Speller
Egg Head Productions Inc.
CBC
The Mighty Jungle Season 3
Mighty Jungle 3 Productions Inc.
CBC
Pillars of Freedom
Nexus Media Inc. / Smiley Guy Studios
TVO
Razzberry Jazzberry Jam
Trapeze Animation Studios Ltd. / Razzberry Productions Inc.
CBC
RAZZBERRY JAZZBERRY JAM
Like any language, music connects you with
yourself and with others. Music certainly brings
the animated Razzberry Jazzberries together as they
interact through stories and jam sessions to teach
music fundamentals to older preschoolers.
The Razzberry Jazzberries invite active participation
from their viewers, who can make their own
music, jamming with the band and with each other
through a special line of electronic instruments
that interface with the program’s online space.
2008 FUND FACT
INVESTMENT BY MEDIUM
PUPPETS 3%
COMBINATION 11%
ANIMATION 35%
LIVE ACTION 51%
Invested in connecting children with a positive range of experiences, the
Rocket Fund contributed $12,306,202 to programming that utilizes a
range of media to address young audiences’ need for energetic
communication, interaction, and community.
SHAW ROCKET PRIZE
The Shaw Rocket Prize is a single, winner-take-all $50,000 award for
the best independent Canadian children’s television program. One
of the largest prizes of its kind in Canada, the Shaw Rocket Prize
represents the pinnacle of children’s television production, helping
to inspire creativity, generate excitement and maximize publicity for
prize winners, finalists and Canadian children’s television in general.
2008 is the fourth year of this exciting award!
From left to right: Agnes Augustin (President, Shaw Rocket Fund), Frank Dietz, Finn Arnesen, Adina Pitt, Marc Buhaj, Michael Carrington
INTERNATIONAL JURY
This year’s international panel of jurors are
acknowledged leaders in their field, bringing to
their selection of this year’s finalists a breadth of
understanding of what constitutes the best value,
entertainment and innovation in programming
targeted to children under 12 both in Canada and
across the world.
Michael Carrington, Controller, CBeebies, BBC Children’s
Under his leadership, CBeebies has enjoyed its highest ever
ratings success thanks to Michael Carrington’s expertise
in creative content acquisition and delivery across multiple
platforms.
Finn Arnesen, Senior VP and GM for Original Series and
International Development, Turner Broadcasting
Frank Dietz, Head of Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Deputy
Programme Director, Super RTL / RTL Disney Fernsehen GmbH & Co.
A leader in developing programming for international markets,
Finn Arnesen promotes the development of impactful, popular
and fully interactive new content, and has a particular interest in
original animation.
A long-standing Rocket Prize jury member, Frank Dietz is an
acknowledged leader in strategic development and acquisitions
with extensive experience in dealing with major distributors and
producers worldwide.
Marc Buhaj, Senior VP of Programming, Jetix Europe
Adina Pitt, VP, Content Acquisitions and Co-Productions,
Cartoon Network and Boomerang
An expert in multiplatform initiatives, multimedia programming
and administration, Marc Buhaj also has extensive experience in
directing programming and acquisitions in the US and Asia.
With an impressive background in overseeing internationally
viable, competitive inventories, Adina Pitt coordinates global
acquisition contracts and negotiates multiplatform exposure for
major programming markets.
SHAW ROCKET PRIZE FINALISTS
JOHNNY TEST SEASON 2
Cookie Jar Entertainment, Teletoon
Johnny Test – Season 2 chronicles the adventures of a fearless 11-year-old boy,
his genetically engineered super dog Dukey and his 13-year-old super genius
scientist twin sisters. When it comes to adventures, Johnny and his super mutt
are a team obsessed with pushing the limits – speed limits, time limits, physical
limits. Johnny is the ultimate test pilot where no mission is too insane.
Produced by Pamela Slavin, Scott Fellows, Loris
Kramer-Lunsford, Michael Hirsh, Leslie Taylor, and
Toper Taylor.
Roll Play
Sinking Ship Entertainment Inc., Treehouse, SRC
Roll Play s a pre-school television series that gets kids up and moving in
sync with the actions of original puppets from the Famous People Players as
stories unfold. Original music tracks are created by some of Canada’s greatest
performers, and many prominent Canadian children’s book authors provide
their writing talents.
Produced by Blair Powers, JJ Johnson, Matthew Bishop,
and Elizabeth Haines.
LIFE WITH DEREK SEASON 3
Shaftesbury Films, Family Channel
Life with Derek is a live-action comedy about a blended family of three girls
and two boys thrown together in the same house when their parents marry.
Battling for control is the achiever, Casey, and the schemer, Derek – two type-A
personalities who agree only to disagree.
Produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Daphne
Ballon, Laurie McLarty, Jeff Biederman, and
Suzanne French.
Student Jury
The international jury may get to pick the finalists,
but it’s the student jurors, the shows’ regular
viewing audience, that have the final say in who
takes home the prestigious Shaw Rocket trophy
and prize money.
Selected from schools across Canada participating
in the Royal Conservatory of Music’s innovative
Learning Through the Arts (LTTA) Program, some
700 grade 4, 5 and 6 students screened the finalist
programs as part of their classroom curriculum,
and declared Life with Derek the hands-down
2008 Shaw Rocket Prize winner!
“Great job! I really liked Life
with Derek because the story
was clear and balanced. The
lighting and camera were
perfect, I think the house they
chose was perfect. The camera
movement was awesome and
the music was great!”
– Grade 6 Student Juror
The Winner:
Life with Derek
“Life with Derek is one of those
really well crafted funny live
action shows that the market is
looking for. It’s a well-written,
well performed show that really
makes you giggle.”
Life with Derek begins with the fateful decision by Nora
MacDonald and George Venturi to marry and blend their
families – definitely an eventful and dramatic decision
considering that the blending involves two willful teenagers,
Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Derek (Michael Seater), each
used to being in charge and each determined to keep it
that way! Derek and Casey don’t find their own genetic
siblings a threat, but when forced to live together, they find
themselves in a take-no-prisoners fight for control of their
house, their school and their world.
www.shaftesbury.org
“This series is a really good
example of a show that is well
cast and well scripted. Life with
Derek has a good sense of fun
and narrative. The acting is
really good and it’s got a tight
script. Life with Derek is an
entertaining show and it stood
out as something that’s just easy
to watch and makes you want to
know the characters more.”
– International Juror, Finn Arnesen
Turner Broadcasting, UK
– International Juror, Michael Carrington
BBC Children’s, UK
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Every great organization needs great
backers, and the Shaw Rocket Fund is no
different in this respect. Our contributors
truly share the Rocket Fund’s commitment
to promoting and supporting programming
that positively impacts children’s lives
across Canada and around the world. In an environment where funding for kids’
TV is increasingly scarce and uncertain,
the vital dedication of our contributors
gives us the confidence and drive to keep
working to secure a bright future for our
industry and the audiences it serves.
Shaw Communications
The Shaw Rocket Fund is fortunate to be backed by an
organization that has made a sustained commitment to quality
Canadian children’s television and the development of a strong
Canadian independent production industry. Shaw is the country’s
largest private funder of independent children’s television
production and has had a considerable impact on establishing
Canada’s leadership position with respect to the development of
programming that educates, entertains, and ultimately inspires
youth. Thank you, Shaw Communications!
Eastlink Cablesystems
The Shaw Rocket Fund has benefited tremendously from the
support of EastLink Cablesystems since 1998. This unwavering
support has contributed directly to the production of
programming that gives children the skills and the confidence,
both as Canadians and as world citizens, to meet future
challenges and opportunities. The Shaw Rocket Fund is proud
to have the backing of an organization that has consistently
recognized the importance of youth and education in the Atlantic
region, through its financial contributions. Thank you EastLink!
CONNECTING AND STRENGTHENING
COMMUNITIES
One of the outcomes of quality children’s programming is that
it connects children with their immediate communities and
with communities worldwide. Our contributors have a history
of recognizing the value of community through a wide range
of initiatives alongside their active support of local community
programming. In addition to their dedication to children and
media, our contributors support kids through charitable
donations, educational partnerships and health initiatives, and
are striving to make a difference in Canadians’ lives.
board & team
Annabel Slaight, Chair
Founder of Owl Magazines, Books and Television, and now Chair of the Owl Children’s
Trust, Annabel Slaight is the recipient of many awards including the Order of Ontario,
Canadian Film and Television’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Royal Canadian
Institute’s Sir Sanford Fleming Award. In addition to her dedication to the Shaw
Rocket Fund and creative content for children, she is on a crusade to save and protect
Lake Simcoe.
Gigi Boyd, Vice-Chair
Former Manager of Business Affairs and Director of Telefilm’s Western Broadcast Unit,
Gigi Boyd is a Gemini award nominated independent Producer (Cold Squad, Godiva’s).
She is a graduate of the Canadian Film Centre Producer Program and sits on the CFTPA
– BC Branch Industrial Relations Committee. She is also a member of the Directors Guild
of Canada Production Manager Caucus.
Chandra Deedman, Business Analyst
Chandra joined the Shaw Rocket Fund in 2006 as Business Analyst after working for
five years at Seven24 Films, formerly Alberta Filmworks, in business affairs. Chandra
brings hands-on experience with Canadian media funding and business practices. Prior
to entering the television industry, Chandra was a property manager for Connelly &
Company Management Ltd.
Ken Stein, Board Member
Ken Stein, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for Shaw
Communications Inc., has broad public and private experience. He served two Prime
Ministers extensively involved in broadcast and communication policy issues. He is past
President of the Canadian Cable Association from 1990 to 1994 and Chairman of the
Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).
Agnes Augustin, President and Board Treasurer
Agnes Augustin proudly oversees the Shaw Rocket Fund in its championing of Canadian
children’s programming through sound investments, through engagement with
regulators and the production industry, and through the much celebrated Shaw Rocket
Prize. Prior to joining the Shaw Rocket Fund, Agnes was Manager and Vice President of
Business Affairs for various production and distribution companies, Head of Production
for CMT as well as an independent producer.
Kim Morrison, Administrative Assistant
Managing the day-to-day administrative flow, Kim comes to the Shaw Rocket Fund from
various administrative positions. She was a manager at Crown Optical for many years
before starting her work in the film and televisions business.
CONTACT US
210, 2421 – 37th Avenue NE
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6Y7
T 403 750 4517
F 403 750 4635
E info@rocketfund.ca
This limited edition report is printed on
paper made using sustainable forestry
practices. A downloadable pdf of this annual
report is available at www.rocketfund.ca
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