The Whistler Film Festival and the Vancouver-based Praxis Centre for Screenwriters have announced the six Canadian screenwriters selected to participate in the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab, a joint feature script development program to be held from December 1 to 5 during the Whistler Film Festival + Summit. In addition, the parties have confirmed that the management of the program will move to Whistler.
Focused on advancing feature-length projects at the script stage into production by facilitating feedback and mentorship from industry experts across the business spectrum, the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab is designed to analyze the writer's intentions, rethink script-to-screen strategies, and chart a course for eventual production. Participants will engage in business tailored group discussions, one-on-one industry meetings, a boot camp pitch session, and a master class, as well as receive the opportunity to attend festival screenings and industry events. Advisors will include highly accomplished producers and other industry executives with extensive market knowledge.
The six screenwriters and projects selected for Wff Praxis Screenwriter Lab 2015 include:
Andrew McEvoy (BC) with suspenseful family drama "The Sounding Line"
Jesse Heffring (QC) with thought-provoking sci-fi thriller "Everything is Supernova"
Joadie Jurgova (Ns) with psychological drama "Trespassers Will Be Executed"
Katherine Wagner (BC) with character-driven sports thriller "Omertà"
Sara Beth Edwards (BC) with action/thriller "The Waitress"
Steven Owad (Ab) with small town drama of race and violence "Love in the Age of Terror"
After 28 years as an exclusive program of the School of Contemporary Arts at Sfu, the Praxis Centre for Screenwriters is moving into an expanded partnership with the Whistler Film Festival. Praxis founder and longtime Director, Sfu Professor Patricia Gruben, will continue as Director of the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab, but management of the workshop will move to Whistler. The parties are taking a break from the annual competition in order to shift the program to a June to December schedule in 2016. This year, instead of a new intake of scripts, six projects from previous workshops will be invited to return for a four-day business immersion experience during the Whistler Film Festival + Summit.
Since 1986, Praxis’ Fall and Spring workshop series for feature film scripts have brought together independent screenwriters from across the country to work with intensively with key film industry personnel in private and group sessions to develop both creative skills and marketing opportunities for their projects. More than 200 feature film and Mow screenplays by Canadian writers have been selected for an intensive workshop process with an exclusive list of international industry professionals, making Praxis a leader in the development of Canadian screenwriters. Praxis Fellows have come from all ten provinces and the Yukon, and advisors have covered a range from Hollywood producers, writers, and directors such as Christine Vachon and Michael Miner to independent Canadian screenwriters such as Atom Egoyan and Don McKellar. Over thirty-five Praxis scripts have been produced to date, including Mina Shum's "Double Happiness," Thom Fitzgerald's "The Hanging Garden," and Jacob Tierney's "The Trotsky," which opened the Whistler Film Festival in 2009.
“The Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab aligns Praxis’ leadership in the development of Canadian screenwriters and flagship feature screenplay competition with our robust slate of project development programs, Festival and industry Summit,” says Shauna Hardy Mishaw, Executive Director of the Whistler Film Festival Society. “Our ultimate goal is to have completed projects get developed and premiere in Whistler.”
"With this new program, which is focused on business development for screenplays that we've already worked with creatively, we'll connect with the great opportunities the Festival provides – connecting with directors, producers, marketing executives as well as Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch," says Praxis Director Patricia Gruben. "Plus, we'll be able to see the latest Praxis-workshopped film, "Numb," which is having its North American premiere at Wff."
From December 2 to 6, 2015, the Whistler Film Festival + Summit (Wff) will celebrate its 15th anniversary with fresh films, special guests, unique industry initiatives, epic events, and time to play in North America’s premiere mountain resort destination.
Focused on advancing feature-length projects at the script stage into production by facilitating feedback and mentorship from industry experts across the business spectrum, the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab is designed to analyze the writer's intentions, rethink script-to-screen strategies, and chart a course for eventual production. Participants will engage in business tailored group discussions, one-on-one industry meetings, a boot camp pitch session, and a master class, as well as receive the opportunity to attend festival screenings and industry events. Advisors will include highly accomplished producers and other industry executives with extensive market knowledge.
The six screenwriters and projects selected for Wff Praxis Screenwriter Lab 2015 include:
Andrew McEvoy (BC) with suspenseful family drama "The Sounding Line"
Jesse Heffring (QC) with thought-provoking sci-fi thriller "Everything is Supernova"
Joadie Jurgova (Ns) with psychological drama "Trespassers Will Be Executed"
Katherine Wagner (BC) with character-driven sports thriller "Omertà"
Sara Beth Edwards (BC) with action/thriller "The Waitress"
Steven Owad (Ab) with small town drama of race and violence "Love in the Age of Terror"
After 28 years as an exclusive program of the School of Contemporary Arts at Sfu, the Praxis Centre for Screenwriters is moving into an expanded partnership with the Whistler Film Festival. Praxis founder and longtime Director, Sfu Professor Patricia Gruben, will continue as Director of the Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab, but management of the workshop will move to Whistler. The parties are taking a break from the annual competition in order to shift the program to a June to December schedule in 2016. This year, instead of a new intake of scripts, six projects from previous workshops will be invited to return for a four-day business immersion experience during the Whistler Film Festival + Summit.
Since 1986, Praxis’ Fall and Spring workshop series for feature film scripts have brought together independent screenwriters from across the country to work with intensively with key film industry personnel in private and group sessions to develop both creative skills and marketing opportunities for their projects. More than 200 feature film and Mow screenplays by Canadian writers have been selected for an intensive workshop process with an exclusive list of international industry professionals, making Praxis a leader in the development of Canadian screenwriters. Praxis Fellows have come from all ten provinces and the Yukon, and advisors have covered a range from Hollywood producers, writers, and directors such as Christine Vachon and Michael Miner to independent Canadian screenwriters such as Atom Egoyan and Don McKellar. Over thirty-five Praxis scripts have been produced to date, including Mina Shum's "Double Happiness," Thom Fitzgerald's "The Hanging Garden," and Jacob Tierney's "The Trotsky," which opened the Whistler Film Festival in 2009.
“The Wff Praxis Screenwriters Lab aligns Praxis’ leadership in the development of Canadian screenwriters and flagship feature screenplay competition with our robust slate of project development programs, Festival and industry Summit,” says Shauna Hardy Mishaw, Executive Director of the Whistler Film Festival Society. “Our ultimate goal is to have completed projects get developed and premiere in Whistler.”
"With this new program, which is focused on business development for screenplays that we've already worked with creatively, we'll connect with the great opportunities the Festival provides – connecting with directors, producers, marketing executives as well as Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch," says Praxis Director Patricia Gruben. "Plus, we'll be able to see the latest Praxis-workshopped film, "Numb," which is having its North American premiere at Wff."
From December 2 to 6, 2015, the Whistler Film Festival + Summit (Wff) will celebrate its 15th anniversary with fresh films, special guests, unique industry initiatives, epic events, and time to play in North America’s premiere mountain resort destination.
- 9/23/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Two years after Australia went into a frenzy over a visit from talkshow host Oprah Winfrey, the country is to host another queen of Us daytime television – Ellen DeGeneres.
Kidman and DeGeneres announce the Swisse deal on the show today
DeGeneres will visit in Australia in March and record several segments for the show while she is here. She announced the visit during an interview with Nicole Kidman. The announcement will be shown on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres show fast-tracked by Arena to be broadcast tomorrow night.
The visit of Oprah Winfrey was seen as a significant coup for Tourism Australia. Four Australian episodes of the show were broadcast in the Us and in 145 other countries in December 2010 and repeated in 2011. It led to more than 86,000 media articles globally and
In the first 10 months of 2012, visitor numbers from the Us rose by 4.6% over the last 12 months – the highest growth since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Kidman and DeGeneres announce the Swisse deal on the show today
DeGeneres will visit in Australia in March and record several segments for the show while she is here. She announced the visit during an interview with Nicole Kidman. The announcement will be shown on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres show fast-tracked by Arena to be broadcast tomorrow night.
The visit of Oprah Winfrey was seen as a significant coup for Tourism Australia. Four Australian episodes of the show were broadcast in the Us and in 145 other countries in December 2010 and repeated in 2011. It led to more than 86,000 media articles globally and
In the first 10 months of 2012, visitor numbers from the Us rose by 4.6% over the last 12 months – the highest growth since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
- 1/11/2013
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
Tourism Australia’s popular Facebook page has hit 4m fans.
The announcement:
Tourism Australia’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/seeaustralia, has confirmed its status as the world’s most popular tourism destination page – now exceeding four million fans worldwide.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, said the national tourism agency was harnessing the power of Facebook and its other social media channels to allow advocates of Australia to share their stories about what makes the country such a unique and distinctive place to visit.
“Social media is now deeply ingrained and integrated into our marketing activities, including the latest phase of our There’s nothing like Australia global campaign, which was even launched in Australia on our Facebook page,” he said.
In August of this year, Tourism Australia launched a new app on its Facebook page, allowing travellers to tap into their trusted network of Facebook friends for inspiration and...
The announcement:
Tourism Australia’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/seeaustralia, has confirmed its status as the world’s most popular tourism destination page – now exceeding four million fans worldwide.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, said the national tourism agency was harnessing the power of Facebook and its other social media channels to allow advocates of Australia to share their stories about what makes the country such a unique and distinctive place to visit.
“Social media is now deeply ingrained and integrated into our marketing activities, including the latest phase of our There’s nothing like Australia global campaign, which was even launched in Australia on our Facebook page,” he said.
In August of this year, Tourism Australia launched a new app on its Facebook page, allowing travellers to tap into their trusted network of Facebook friends for inspiration and...
- 12/22/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Tourism Australia has unveiled a new logo, scrapping the existing version that has been around for eight years.
The new-look brand mark, devised by Interbrand – sister design studio to Ta’s ad agency Ddb – has been introduced “to stay relevant and reflect the organisation’s changing culture and identity,” according to the tourism body.
It cost $200,000 to develop.
The new logo sticks with the familiar kangaroo symbol, but in simpler form.
Richard Curtis, MD at Interbrand Sydney, explained: “There’s a lot about the existing logo that we wanted to keep. It has real vibrancy and a sense of movement. But some of the elements are unnecessarily complex and difficult to reproduce – like the sun’s glare on the kangaroo’s back, the kangaroo’s paws and ears.”
Curtis added that the current logo was too “childlike”, and did not reflect the “sophistication” of Tourism Australia’s brand positioning.
The...
The new-look brand mark, devised by Interbrand – sister design studio to Ta’s ad agency Ddb – has been introduced “to stay relevant and reflect the organisation’s changing culture and identity,” according to the tourism body.
It cost $200,000 to develop.
The new logo sticks with the familiar kangaroo symbol, but in simpler form.
Richard Curtis, MD at Interbrand Sydney, explained: “There’s a lot about the existing logo that we wanted to keep. It has real vibrancy and a sense of movement. But some of the elements are unnecessarily complex and difficult to reproduce – like the sun’s glare on the kangaroo’s back, the kangaroo’s paws and ears.”
Curtis added that the current logo was too “childlike”, and did not reflect the “sophistication” of Tourism Australia’s brand positioning.
The...
- 12/6/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Qantas has abruptly severed ties with Tourism Australia, because the airline feels the tourism body’s chairman – ex-Qantas boss Geoff Dixon – is attempting to destabilise the company.
“Qantas cannot continue to collaborate with an agency whose Chairman is a member of a syndicate committed to unravelling Qantas’ structure and direction,” the airline said in a media statement.
Dixon is part of a consortium of Qantas shareholders including adman John Singleton who are believed to be unhappy with the company’s strategic direction.
The relationship between Qantas and Tourism Australia is worth $50m over three years.
Qantas advised that it “remains committed” to supporting the tourism industry – but would do so with funds through the state tourism boards and not Tourism Australia, which is the national tourism body.
Ta responded by saying it would consider the matter of Qantas’ suspension of activities later today.
Tourism Australia MD Andrew McEvoy said: “Qantas...
“Qantas cannot continue to collaborate with an agency whose Chairman is a member of a syndicate committed to unravelling Qantas’ structure and direction,” the airline said in a media statement.
Dixon is part of a consortium of Qantas shareholders including adman John Singleton who are believed to be unhappy with the company’s strategic direction.
The relationship between Qantas and Tourism Australia is worth $50m over three years.
Qantas advised that it “remains committed” to supporting the tourism industry – but would do so with funds through the state tourism boards and not Tourism Australia, which is the national tourism body.
Ta responded by saying it would consider the matter of Qantas’ suspension of activities later today.
Tourism Australia MD Andrew McEvoy said: “Qantas...
- 11/28/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Tourism Australia has begun a global review of its advertising agency relationships.
The review will include the tourism body’s traditional and digital advertising services, and the contract will run for a three-year period from 1 July 2013.
The ad account is currently held by Ddb Sydney, which was behind the latest incarnation of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign – ‘It’s like love’ – which was named Australia’s favourite TV ad at the Mumbrella Awards.
Ddb’s contract was extended from June 2012 for another year in August, when the agency claimed ‘It’s like love’, a $4m production, was Tourism Australia’ most successful ever advert.
The announcement from the tourism body:
Tourism Australia has confirmed the start of a competitive tender process for its global creative services account.
The national tourism agency is required under Australian Government procurement rules to periodically review its agency partners to ensure the best service,...
The review will include the tourism body’s traditional and digital advertising services, and the contract will run for a three-year period from 1 July 2013.
The ad account is currently held by Ddb Sydney, which was behind the latest incarnation of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign – ‘It’s like love’ – which was named Australia’s favourite TV ad at the Mumbrella Awards.
Ddb’s contract was extended from June 2012 for another year in August, when the agency claimed ‘It’s like love’, a $4m production, was Tourism Australia’ most successful ever advert.
The announcement from the tourism body:
Tourism Australia has confirmed the start of a competitive tender process for its global creative services account.
The national tourism agency is required under Australian Government procurement rules to periodically review its agency partners to ensure the best service,...
- 11/7/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Tourism Australia and Qantas have teamed up with Icehouse singer Iva Davies to produce a four-minute video to mark the 30th anniversary of ‘Australia’s unofficial anthem’, Great Southern Land.
The film was made before Telstra’s Olympics ad, which featured another unofficial Australian anthem, Down Under by Men At Work – but after The Monkeys’ film for Sydney Opera House, which also features a succession of artists performing popular Aussie anthem Ship Song, by Nick Cave.
Great Southern Land, which was written while Davies was on a Qantas flight over central Australia in 1981, is performed in Ta’s video by artists including Katie Noonan, Van She, Eskimo Joe, The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Cut Copy.
Though made without involving Ta’s ad agency, Ddb Sydney, some of the footage in the video was taken from Ddb’s most recent incarnation of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign, which cost $4m to produce.
The film was made before Telstra’s Olympics ad, which featured another unofficial Australian anthem, Down Under by Men At Work – but after The Monkeys’ film for Sydney Opera House, which also features a succession of artists performing popular Aussie anthem Ship Song, by Nick Cave.
Great Southern Land, which was written while Davies was on a Qantas flight over central Australia in 1981, is performed in Ta’s video by artists including Katie Noonan, Van She, Eskimo Joe, The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Cut Copy.
Though made without involving Ta’s ad agency, Ddb Sydney, some of the footage in the video was taken from Ddb’s most recent incarnation of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign, which cost $4m to produce.
- 8/30/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Tourism Australian has created what it claims is a world first app, ‘Discover Australia Through Your Friends’ which merges Google Maps and Facebook.
Users can enter a planned destination and see which friends have been there.
The app shows comments, photos and check ins on a map which pins activity to the place it occurred.
It is intended to help people research and plan holiday destinations in Australia, based on research which showed people were influenced by their friends on social networks when choosing where to visit.
Tourism Australia conducted a survey of over 1,000 Australian Facebook users which found 73% check social media networks of their holidaying friends.
The app has some similarities to social media driven travel booking site Hooroo, launched by Qantas earlier this month with the backing of Tourism Australia.
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said in a press release: “We know from research that more and...
Users can enter a planned destination and see which friends have been there.
The app shows comments, photos and check ins on a map which pins activity to the place it occurred.
It is intended to help people research and plan holiday destinations in Australia, based on research which showed people were influenced by their friends on social networks when choosing where to visit.
Tourism Australia conducted a survey of over 1,000 Australian Facebook users which found 73% check social media networks of their holidaying friends.
The app has some similarities to social media driven travel booking site Hooroo, launched by Qantas earlier this month with the backing of Tourism Australia.
Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said in a press release: “We know from research that more and...
- 8/1/2012
- by Cathie McGinn
- Encore Magazine
The Qantas Group has launched a new social commerce site which allows users to discover and share new holiday destinations with their social networks and then book accommodation online directly from the site.
It is thought to be the first platform that connects social discovery with commerce in the travel category.
Tourism Australia boss Andrew McEvoy has backed the new site, which has launched with a digital campaign by Badjar Ogilvy Melbourne.
New research from Tourism Australia supports the business model, with results indicating social media updates from friends directly influenced 20% of those surveyed to book a domestic holiday.
The site primarily targets people taking driving holidays in Australia, which comprises 68% of the domestic accommodation market.
Hooroo marketing head Lija Wilson said in a release: “Travel is the most social of all categories – we all ask our friends for inspiration and suggestions and then share our experiences through our networks...
It is thought to be the first platform that connects social discovery with commerce in the travel category.
Tourism Australia boss Andrew McEvoy has backed the new site, which has launched with a digital campaign by Badjar Ogilvy Melbourne.
New research from Tourism Australia supports the business model, with results indicating social media updates from friends directly influenced 20% of those surveyed to book a domestic holiday.
The site primarily targets people taking driving holidays in Australia, which comprises 68% of the domestic accommodation market.
Hooroo marketing head Lija Wilson said in a release: “Travel is the most social of all categories – we all ask our friends for inspiration and suggestions and then share our experiences through our networks...
- 7/18/2012
- by Cathie McGinn
- Encore Magazine
Last year’s Mumbrella360 saw Andrew McEvoy, managing director of Tourism Australia share the inside story on Project Chicago – the tourism body’s eight year project to bring Oprah Winfrey to the country.
He also shared early data on the effectiveness of the large investment.
The video highlights
The thinking behind the ”There’s Nothing Like Australia” campaign Long-term plans for the “Nothing Like” campaign toward 2020 Getting Oprah and getting the most out of Harpo Productions Oprah and advocacy Attracting the ‘next Oprah’
At this June’s Mumbrella360, Tourism Australia’s executive Gm for marketing Nick Baker will reaveal – for the first time to an Australian audience – the next stage of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign.
Discounted earlybird tickets are available on the Mumbrella360 website until the end of next week.
He also shared early data on the effectiveness of the large investment.
The video highlights
The thinking behind the ”There’s Nothing Like Australia” campaign Long-term plans for the “Nothing Like” campaign toward 2020 Getting Oprah and getting the most out of Harpo Productions Oprah and advocacy Attracting the ‘next Oprah’
At this June’s Mumbrella360, Tourism Australia’s executive Gm for marketing Nick Baker will reaveal – for the first time to an Australian audience – the next stage of the There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign.
Discounted earlybird tickets are available on the Mumbrella360 website until the end of next week.
- 4/18/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
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