Tag Archives: premiere

INTERVIEW WITH ELLIE HARVIE WHO PLAYS CANDACE / MRS. BUBKES ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Some Assembly Required is comprised of great characters, funny dialogue, hilarious situations, big physical comedy, and relationship-based stories with heart. The multi-camera show is shot in front of a live studio audience and premiered on YTV Monday, January 6.

Ellie Harvie is an award-winning Canadian actor and comedian. Her talent, wit and charisma, both on and off camera, have made her a favourite among fans. On Some Assembly Required, Ellie plays Candace Wheeler – a high-powered, ruthless executive, who doesn’t care who she runs over on the road to success. She also doesn’t care who she runs over on the road to Starbucks.

Tell us about your characters on “Some Assembly Required”.
I am the evil adult.

How long does it take for you to be transformed into Mrs. Bubkes?
We have it down to 2.5 hours, although it started at 6!!!

Is it difficult to play two characters on this show?
It is actually really fun. While it appears I play 2 characters, I actually only play one character who is evil and sneaky enough to disguise herself as another person.

Do you have a favorite moment in your career thus far?
Having John Aston kiss my arm as Morticia was pretty surreal!!

How is the experience of being the adult with the cast of young actors?
I love it. They keep me up on technology and social media….and sneakers.

What is the best advice that you could give a young actor wanting to get into the business?
Start in theatre and focus on the work, not the fame.

What are you working on next?
I have a couple of irons in the fire but have to wait and see if we are going again for a second season.

You are often asked to host or be an MC of Award Shows, how do you prepare for these shows?
I am a pretty experienced stand up comic and improviser, that kind of transitions into MC. I am asked a lot to MC events and shows. I really like it. It is kind of my day job.

When did you know that you wanted to be an actor?
I knew since as far back as I can remember. I loved great old comedies like Abbott and Costello and Ma and Pa Kettle, Francis the talking Mule, Get Smart, Petticoast Junction, Green Acres, Gilligans Island, Beverly Hillbillies and of course The Addams Family. I knew then I wanted to do what they were doing.

Do you find that you get a lot of support from the acting committee in Canada?
The acting community in Canada is very supportive and close. Any time I get a good job I get all kinds of cyber high fives from my friends across the country.

What are your hobbies?
I am pretty handy. I am the tool person in the family. If something needs fixing or renovating – that my fun time. I also like to garden. Having a 6 year old only child so I am also into trampoline, baseball and camping and playing with lego.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @ellieharvie

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

INTERVIEW WITH TRAVIS TURNER WHO PLAYS ASTER ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Travis Turner is regularly featured in television and films, most recently gathering a role as Aster Vanderberg on Some Assembly Required. His character Aster is creative, confident, and completely comfortable with who he is. He enjoys the finer things in life, and doesn’t understand why anyone would ever want anything less than the best.

Tell us about your character.
Aster is the King of Swag. He is super into fashion and is in charger of the design of the toys. He likes people who look good and he likes to look good. He is fastidious and quick witted. He can be be quick to dish out some pretty funny liners. At times a bit sarcastic, but underneath his exterior he is a pretty nice guy, but don’t tell anyone.

What inspires your ambition?
I am inspired by life. My family, friends, and fans continue to inspire me daily. Movies and music of course too.

Favourite current hiphop artist?
Good question! Hard to say just one. Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and ASAP Rocky.

Your character gets to dress in some very creative outfits on “Some Assembly Required”, are you interested in fashion? Do you have any favorite designers or celebrity whose fashion you admire?
I really had to do my research on this character. I have never been really passionate about fashion. I related it to music though. If I hear something bad, its like nails on a chalkboard. I have to ask to change or leave the room. Aster is very much like that. If he doesn’t like your outfit he will let you know.

Since playing this role I have actually ganied a stronger love for fashion. He has influenced me to want to dress better. One celebrity comes to mind would be Justin Timberlake.

What is the most fun about being part of an ensemble cast?
I just love the positive energy. Everyone is unique and so talented. It is infectious.

Do you and your character Aster have anything in common?
Aster and I are both very blunt at times. We Make good first impression. We like looking good and people who look good. We have a sense of humor and have swag. We also are good at advice and a little wiser then we look.

Top 5 albums of all time?
Well way to many good albums I love! What comes to mind though is:

Eminem – Marshal Matters LP
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californiacation
2pac – All Eyes On Me
The Beatles – The White Album
Radiohead – OK Computer

What do you enjoy most about acting?
I love performing it is so fun just being a character and living as if something is new every time.

Who would you most like to have the experience of acting with in the future?
Jim Carrey would be awesome.

Social Media Handles

Twitter: @travisturner87

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

INTERVIEW WITH DYLAN PLAYFAIR WHO PLAYS KNOX ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Being fortunate to study under many talented coaches at Vancouver Acting School, Dylan Playfair has been pursuing a career in film, most recently with his role on YTV’s Some Assembly Required. Dylan plays a character named Knox – a teenage stuntman who seems to walk away from everything unscathed. Being an extreme sports junkie and amateur daredevil, Knox is a guy who will do, try, or eat anything.

Tell us about your character.
Knox is the prefect example of what it means to live in the moment. He takes most things literally and will do anything for his friends. A human crash test dummy with a heart of gold and a brain just as dense.

What do you like about working with an ensemble group of actors?
It’s been great working with the ensemble, not only are all the people on our show extremely talented but all have unique insights into what it means to be a performer. I have been able to learn a lot about the craft by watching and listening to my peers.

Are you and your character Knox anything alike?
Knox and I have more in common than you would think, we both love sports, we both love our friends, we both want to please people, and we both work for Knick Knack! I would like to believe I’ve got a slightly higher IQ… Although I’m sure you could find people who would disagree.

Favorite memory?
I have many “favourite” memories, one that sticks out strongly is the time my father won the AHL championship (the Calder Cup) in Saint John NB and brought myself, my two brothers and my mom onto the ice surface to share in the celebration. That was cool.

Who inspires you?
My family has been the strongest inspiration in my life. I look up to several successful actors as role models to mould my career such as Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Kitsch (hockey player turned actor).

You have been involved in sports all your life, how does being a part of an ensemble cast compare to being on a sports team?
Film and hockey have tons in common. In hockey you must be self driven to improve on and off the ice year round, you must play your role on the team wether it’s killing penalties or scoring in clutch moments, and you must have strong communication skills to lead people through adversity. I think these are all skills that are directly applicable to working with the “team” that makes a film production.

How supportive is your family on your acting career?
My family makes up the core of my fan base. They have been unbelievable supportive from when I first told them I was moving to Vancouver, to attending an indie screening my first film Grave Encounters 2… GE2 is an R rated horror film. No one in my family watches scary shows. My mom has nightmares watching Goosebumps. They’re die hard supporters.

What has been your favourite role that you have played so far?
I have had the most fun by far playing Knox on Some Assembly Required. If you watch the show it will become very obvious why.

What is your favorite hockey team?
My favourite hockey team is which ever one my dad is coaching, right now that’s Phoenix. I think I would get a lump if coal in my stocking if I said anything different.

What do you do on your down time when you have time off?
I spend a lot of my down time outdoors, I love hiking, going to the beach, playing with our dog (my roommates and I foster pit bulls through hug a bulls) and obviously playing ice hockey.

What is the most fun about being on this tv series?
This TV series is all about making people laugh and sending good vibes to viewers at home. The mechanics of what make a show like this work are very simple, don’t be afraid to be silly, come to work with a smile, and be funny. That combined with great people make this show fun.

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Dylan Playfair, Some Assembly Required
Twitter: @DylanPlayfair

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

INTERVIEW WITH HARRISON HOUDE WHO PLAYS BOWIE ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Harrison Houde has been busy creating an impressive film and television resume, most recently playing the role of Bowie Sherman on Some Assembly Required. His character Bowie excels at math and science, allowing him to quantify and explain why people don’t want to be around him. He wants to use his skills to design and engineer new toys, but unfortunately, his ideas range from bad to dangerous.

Tell us about your character.
My character Bowie Sherman is a little bit socially awkward and very quirky. He celebrates all of his holidays in August because it’s just way more efficient that way. He has some weird outlooks on life, but maybe it’s a good thing. We need weird people to have new ways of seeing things, and Bowie is the guy. Exploring the world one awkward step at a time, Bowie only has found one friend. His best friend; Jarvis Raines, probably his only friend, whereas Jarvis has many. Bowie does get along with the other kids working at Knickknack, but he definitely is a little bit of an oddball at the office.

How did you first get into acting?
Well, my older sister actually did it first for a few years but she is more the academic one, so she quit to focus on her studies in high school at the time. A couple years later when I was going into middle school I wanted to give it a try, mainly because I was really enjoying making YouTube videos and acting in them. I went to JRP in Vancouver for 2 years, travelling from the island every Sunday for 6 hours of classes. I loved it, and the next step was getting an agent (which was relatively easy), and then I started auditioning when I was about 12 or 13. My first role I booked and arguably one of my most famous ones so far into my career is Darren Walsh (the kid who started the famous ‘Cheese Touch’) in the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was a small role, but was my first and in a feature film. It was quite exciting !

What attracts you to music?
I have been into music my whole life, me and my sister would dance around crazily to all her favourites as kids. Spice girls, N-Sync, BSB (backstreet boys), also I remember loving Simple Plan, Weird Al, and the Arrogant Worms. Yes, I was a weird child from the start. I started playing piano when I was 4 years old, and I was asking to play guitar shortly after, which didn’t go so well. I was also always asking to play the drums, which I surprisingly received as a gift on xmas when I was 12 years old. I have always loved electronic type music, and have been quite tech-geeky as well since a young age, so I have been playing around a lot in the past couple years with synthesizers, drum machines, and other weird (maybe QUIRKY) electronic instruments… hah oh man.. I am too much like my character sometimes.

How are you enjoying the experience of being on “Some Assembly Required?”
As cheesy as it sounds; It is honestly, a dream come true. I have always wanted to work on something like this. Comedy is where my heart lies, (which I discovered shortly into my career, and always being a class clown in school). Some Assembly Required’s storyline is amazing first of all, haha. What kid didn’t dream as a kid, their best friend taking ownership of a toy company and being their boss? Oh, that was just me.. well then. This is another stellar kids sitcom we all watched as kids, rushing home to catch the new episode. So far, the insane things I have worn, and have been doing on the show has been a blast. I absolutely love working on this show.

What do you enjoy most about being an entertainer?
I love to make people laugh, and smile. I also will admit I am full of way too much energy all the time and being an entertainer is one way of getting rid of my crazy amounts of it. Not ONLY that, but I will admit that I love the attention. Most performers don’t admit this, but we all dig the attention haha.

What are your favourite albums right now?
I am loving Said The Whale’s new album ‘Hawaii’ ! (Vancouver based band, Van City represent !!!).

Also, I am really loving The Naked & Famous brand new album, ‘In Rolling Waves’. I went and saw them live at the Vogue downtown a month or so ago, and it was amazing. I love that band to pieces haha. Also, I have to shoutout Selena Gomez, I have a celebrity crush on that girl, and her recent album is perfect. These three artists I jam out to in the car on the way to set all the time. Anyway I could ramble on for pages about all the new music and favourite artists I am listening to right now, so I will just stop here.

Do you have any favorite actors and musicians that you look up to?
I love Adam Sandler, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz Plasse (McLovin), Chloe G Moretz, Steve Martin, and Brent Butt. These are just a few of my favourite actors.

One musician/artist I really look up to is George Watsky, or just known as Watsky. He is a rapper and poet and I absolutely love his stuff. Also, other musicians I have to mention.. The Brecker Brothers, Selena Gomez, Pentatonix, Naked & Famous, Said the Whale, The Zolas, Mother Mother, Brite Futures (previously known, Natalie Portmans Shaved Head), The Beatles (cant forget them), and Ratatat. Stopping myself once again before this goes too long..

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Stepping out of my Lamborghini, walking up to my penthouse suite in Vancouver, only to catch a helicopter to my other penthouse in LA. Hahahaha… but seriously.

Honestly other than that, I want to be working on some comedic features, and/or new shows, maybe writing some stuff. That is something I will be making sure is happening (can you feel my insane confidence yet?)
Possibly my music career can start somewhere in the next 5 years, as I always have wanted to play synths/drums and start a band.

What do you think that the audience will like most about “Some Assembly Required”?
The writers are great and pick up on really funny things a character will do, and then keep calling back on it, it’s so prime in my opinion haha. I also want to say, watch out for the ‘Phineas and Ferb’ effect, at least thats what I call it haha. I don’t want to spoil anything in the show yet, but I think that is the best way to describe it.

Social Media Handles

Website: HarrisonHoude.com
Twitter: @HarrisonHoude, @someassemblytv
Instagram: @HarrisonHoude
Facebook: Harrison Houde, Some Assembly Required
YouTube: youtube.com/xTurnipTimex

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

INTERVIEW WITH KOLTON STEWART WHO PLAYS JARVIS ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Kolton Stewart is thrilled to begin a new chapter in his life as he recently moved to Vancouver to play Jarvis Raines in the YTV series, Some Assembly Required. On the show, Jarvis is a passionate dreamer with a lot of big ideas. He’s a born leader with a winning personality who can charm anyone into doing anything for him, a trait that will come in handy as the new owner of Knickknack Toys.

Tell us about your character.
I play Jarvis Raines who is the owner of Knickknack Toys. Jarvis is a goal driven guy with a lot of big dreams and ideas now that he owns a toy store. Jarvis is very passionate about his company and co-workers and he wants to do whatever he can to run a successful toy company. He is smart, loyal and keenly aware he needs great skilled staff to make his toy company a huge success. He handpicked his staff because he knew they were the ones to make a successful team at Knickknack Toys.

How did you get involved in this TV series?
Last year I took some time off of auditioning as I was working on competitive dance and music. My agent knew I was not auditioning a lot but she got in touch with me and said this audition looked perfect for me. I went to the audition and then got a call back. I loved the script and Jarvis. I was pretty excited and hoped to get the role. I was completely blown away when I got told I was being invited to a Chemistry Read in B.C for the role of Jarvis. I had just graduated grade 8 two days earlier, but I packed my stuff and learned the script on the plane because it happened so fast! It was one of the coolest experiences of my life because I had never been flown to an audition! I knew I wanted this role when I auditioned in Toronto, but as soon as I did the Chemistry Read I just knew I had to get the role of Jarvis! I waited and waited and waited…then while I was at a camp in Seattle I got a call from my mom. She told me I got the role of Jarvis! I could not have been more excited! I couldn’t wait to move to Vancouver because I loved it there! I still feel really lucky to have been chosen for the role of Jarvis and I love working with the entire cast and crew of Some Assembly Required!

When did you know that you wanted to be an entertainer?
I have been performing music as a drummer since I was about 3 years old so I played infront of audiences before but didn’t know I was performing really. I just did it because I loved music. I joined a few competitive bands that travelled around North America but I never really thought of myself as a performer – I just loved to drum!

I also loved football and when I was 7 years old I was the starting quarterback for my football team. At a practice I got tackled and broke my leg. I decided to audition at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for The Music Man because I knew I couldn’t play football and Ioved performing as a drummer. I went to the audition with a full leg cast and played my snare drum and sang. After three long months of intense auditioning and a full leg cast, I was so excited to hear I got the role! By the time the rehearsals started my cast was gone and I was hooked! From the time I stepped up on that stage I never wanted to step off. It was truly the best feeling ever. When I saw all of the adult professionals acting, singing and dancing I was truly inspired and knew that I wanted to be an entertainer for the rest of my life! The following season at Stratford Festival I was offered two roles in two plays. I was cast in West Side Story as a soloist and cast member and then was McDuff’s Son in MacBeth.

I was approached by an agent to audition for Lion King while doing West Side Story in Stratford. I auditioned over a three-month period and was hired as Young Simba for the North American Tour of Lion King. Travelling all around North America with so many talented actors changed my life because I knew this is what I had to do for the rest of my life. I still loved sports, but this is where I wanted to be. As soon as I finished the tour of Lion King I decided to try auditioning for Television and Film. From that point on I worked on TV shows and movies which helped me develop my skills and get me ready for one of the biggest roles of my life – Some Assembly Required.

Tell us about your experience on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
I did a video with a friend and we just did it for fun. But around 25 000 views the producers from the Ellen Show contacted my mom and invited us to perform on her show. They told us this song was amazing and knew it would go viral. I did not even really understand what that meant – It happened so fast and being on The Ellen DeGeneres Show was so surreal! I was so scared that I would mess up the live performance but Ellen made me feel so relaxed. She came to watch our practice run and talked to us in such a calming way that it made everything amazing! Everything you think she is onstage, she is offstage. She is kind, personable and very humble. She met with us before the show and after the show and was genuinely interested in my life and where we lived. I have never met such an incredible honest and sincere person in my life. It was truly a remarkable experience and I will never forget her generosity and kind spirit. I hope one day I get to see her again and give back the way she gave to me. It changed everything for me and I’m very grateful for this.

Who are your top 5 favorite artists?
Well Ray Charles really influenced my life and I think I own every CD he has ever put out. I listened to him non-stop when I was little! My top 5 Favorite artists now that I listen to are John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber and Usher.

Favorite clothing in your closet right now?
At the moment I am absolutely obsessed with Hollister Clothing and GShock watches!

What do you like most about doing “Some Assembly Required”?
My favorite part about doing ‘Some Assembly Required’ is just being able to film an episode every week with a group of amazing actors. I feel very lucky to work with the talented writers, editors and producers because they are so incredibly talented. I love learning from everyone here on set at Some Assembly Required. Being able to know that every week I get to film an episode is so awesome and all of my fellow cast members are truly unbelievable. They are all so talented and have become great friends.

What excites you most about doing this TV series?
What I am most excited about is that I am filming in a series. I have always dreamed about doing something like this. I just did not know it was going to happen this fast! I feel so lucky to be here! Growing up I have always watched shows on YTV and thought to myself “wow imagine if I got to be on a YTV series! Now suddenly that I am actually fulfilling one of my dreams – its so amazing!

Why should people watch this show?
People should watch this show because it is filled with laughter, excitement and drama! We have a group of great writers and every week they never fail to give us hilarious scripts. It’s a very funny show with a lot of big surprises and people of all ages will like this show. The entire cast is super talented and I think people will love this show.

Do you like Twitter and Facebook to reach out to your fans!
I love Twitter and Facebook! Ever since being on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I have really been connecting with my fans and a lot of people have been connecting with me via Facebook and Twitter. Social Media is such a great way to reach out to your peer group, your fans and your friends. Check me out on Twitter (@kolton_stewart) and Facebook (Kolton Stewart Performer)! Some Assembly Required also has Twitter, Facebook and a YouTube channel so I hope we will see you there too!

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Kolton Stewart
Twitter: @kolton_stewart

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE STORWICK WHO PLAYS PIPER ON YTV’S NEW SERIES ‘SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED’

Our first interview is with cast member Charlie Storwick, whose fiercely independent attitude, edgy sense of style and musical talent led her to play Piper Gray on Some Assembly Required. Piper is a sardonic, alternative “hacker chick” (her term). She can program code, overclock a computer, and kick your butt at Halo. All that makes Piper a natural to head up the Knickknack Toys video game and app division.

Tell us about your character.
My character is named “Piper Grey”. She’s a very quirky feisty gal. She has lots of spunk, and a LOT of attitude. She likes the world to think that she doesn’t like people in general, but deep down she loves her co-workers at ‘Knickknack Toys’ and she wants the company to succeed. Piper is strong willed, and is NOT afraid to voice her opinion. She is very clever with technology, in fact, that’s her role at the toy company: “Technical programming and game design.” Piper is not your average girl. She has eclectic style, and a quick mind. She doesn’t let anyone or anything get in her way of completing a mission. She has one soft spot, and that is Jarvis Raines. Piper has had a HUGE crush on Jarvis since she started working at the company. He has no clue, but tries to express her love for him, but he tends to not see it.

What attracted you to “Some Assembly Required”?
I remember reading the audition sides for ‘Some Assembly Required’ for the first time. I instantly fell in love with the show. The concept of kids running a toy company just clicked with me. I had never heard of a show that was anything like this one. I like to look at the show as “misfit toys that run a company”. All of the roles in the show are so different from each other and yet they work so well together. The picture the script painted in my head just seemed so magical. The show just sounded like 100% fun, and it is.

Is this your first acting experience?
This is indeed my first acting experience, and I could not of asked for a better first experience. I am having a blast and learning every day.

What do you find is the best experience about being part of an ensemble cast?
The best part of being a part of an ensemble cast is definitely the bond we’ve created. I feel like I have a second family that has the love of the same thing I do. It could not be better. We are all learning and growing together, and it could not be cooler. We get to share laughs every day. We support each other, and we just love being together.

Why do you think that people should watch “Some Assembly Required”?
If you are looking for a good laugh and a unique show this is the perfect show for you. It has something for everybody.

Tell us about your experience when you were the winner on the fourth season of “The Next Star”.
The Next Star experience was insane. I was only twelve at the time, and I was learning to develop the skills that I have now. When I was crowned “The Next Star” I was speechless. That whole finale was a blur and still is to that very day. I cannot believe that I was crowned winner, and I cannot believe where that experience has gotten me.

Do you write songs?
I do in fact write songs. I’ve been writing since I can remember and I love it more than anything. I have this dream of giving people the special felling that music gives me, with my own songs. I write every day, hoping one day to publish and inspire others. Music is such a gift and I can’t imagine life without it.

Favorite concert you’ve been to?
I remember going to my first concert ever, which was “Hilary Duff’s Fly concert” It will always be my favourite concert, because that was the first time I had been exposed to music in such a energetic atmosphere. I remember wanting to be a musician the second Hilary Duff walked on stage.

What are your favorite fashion brands?
Some of my fave fashion brands are: Betsy Johnson, Chanel (I have nothing from Chanel, I just drool over the clothes when I see them in magazines), Urban Outfitters, Free people.. I could go on FOREVER. Anything vintage and eclectic is a definite yes!

Do you like using social media?
I love using social media for two min reasons.
ONE: I have this incredible opportunity to connect with my fans.
TWO: I love posting fun things, social media is such a fun thing. I look at it as a way to share smiles. I love being quirky and real on social media. I try to show people that I’m just a person, nothing more. I’m just as special as anyone.

Social Media Handles

Facebook: Charlie
Twitter: @SoooCharlie

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

YTV Adds Hilarious New Live Action Series ‘Some Assembly Required’ to its Winter Slate

Some Assembly Required premieres on YTV Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT

What kid wouldn’t love to be in charge of running a toy company? And what better way to get around the place than a full-scale indoor roller coaster? The sky is the limit for fun and imagination in YTV’s Some Assembly Required, a new live action comedy series, which follows an eclectic and mismatched group of kids who operate Knickknack Toys. The series premieres on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT, following Sam & Cat at 6 p.m. ET/PT on YTV.

Fourteen-year-old Jarvis Raines played by YouTube sensation, Kolton Stewart (I Declare War, The Next Step) is at the helm as President of Knickknack Toys. If Jarvis is going to succeed in running the toy company, he has to invent some of the most exciting, fun and creative toys in history and have a dynamic team to help him. His first hire is a girl from school Piper Gray, a computer-savvy “gamer dude” played by singer/songwriter Charlie Storwick (winner of YTV’s The Next Star, Season 4). Then, he rounds out the team by enlisting: his best friend with dubious talents, Bowie, played by Harrison Houde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); a charming personal assistant Geneva, played by Sydney Scotia (The Letter); Knox, an extreme sports daredevil played by Dylan Playfair (Mr. Hockey: the Gordie Howe Story), and Aster, fashion-forward “King of Swag” played by Travis Turner (Marley & Me: The Puppy Years). Surrounded by doubters, including the former owner Candace Wheeler (Ellie Harvie, The New Addams Family), Jarvis and his team try to prove to the world that not only can they run the company, they can make it better than ever, restoring honour to the name of the company’s founder, P. Everett Knickknack.

In the premiere episode, a Christmas toy gone wrong blows up Jarvis’ house. When Candace refuses to remedy the situation, a jury awards Jarvis the company, making him the new owner of Knickknack Toys. Jarvis and team invent their first toy, StrongSuit – a bodysuit for kids that makes them big and strong. They decide to test it out on a group of local schoolchildren, but when the kids refuse to give the StrongSuit back Jarvis must stop them before they destroy the company.

Shot in front of a live audience in Burnaby, British Columbia, Some Assembly Required is a YTV original series produced by Thunderbird Films. The series is created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody).
To be part of the studio audience viewers can email someassemblylive@gmail.com to reserve their seats.

Coinciding with the series launch in January, YTV.com will feature an innovative Some Assembly Required video mash-up tool that allows fans to create their own thematic videos using select clips from actual episodes of the show. Prior to the premiere, fans can play an all-new web game featuring 20 levels of fun and challenging game-play. A free-to-play app version will also be launched in the New Year along with 20 more levels of game-play.

About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel’s after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing, children’s animation and animation software. The Company’s multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), Cosmopolitan TV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B).

About Thunderbird Films
Thunderbird is an expanded multiplatform media production, distribution and rights management company based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Thunderbird is known for its collaboration with talented producers, maximizing the financial and creative benefits of Canadian co–production to assist in the financing, production and distribution of all genres of programming for the world market. The company is committed to delivering premium finished product that has broad appeal for broadcasters and their audiences worldwide. Today, Thunderbird has a catalogue comprised of more than 500 hours of Canadian and US television content and its programming airs on major networks around the globe.

Social Media Handles

Website: YTV.com, thunderbird.tv, mediacentre.corusent.com
Twitter: @someassemblytv, @YTV, @CorusPR
Facebook: Some Assembly Required

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Steve Nash Clubs, YTV Stars and Toys “R” Us Join Forces to Provide Kids With Toys For the Holidays

The cast of Some Assembly Required joins Nash team members for an in-store shopping spree to help Vancouver’s Salvation Army

Art imitates life as the cast of YTV’s highly anticipated new sitcom Some Assembly Required, a show about kids running their own toy company from Thunderbird Films, takes over a Toys “R” Us store. The young stars are lending their support to Steve Nash Fitness Clubs in the kick-off for its Holiday Campaign to benefit the Vancouver Chapter of the Salvation Army in its Adopt-a-Family program.

On Saturday, November 30^th at 9:30am at the Coquitlam Toys ”R“ Us store, Steve Nash team members along with cast members Kolton Stewart, Charlie Storwick, Harrison Houde, Sydney Scotia, Dylan Playfair, Travis Turner and Ellie Harvie will be given $4,000 by the Steve Nash Fitness Clubs to shop for toys and necessities to ensure children in the community have a happy holiday. Toys “R” Us is helping by generously providing a discount to help purchase as many toys as possible.

“We are very excited to have the cast of Some Assembly Required join our campaign this year. After hearing about the premise of the show, we knew it was a perfect fit – it’s like having our own personal ‘toy specialists’ to help,” says Brent Gaserowski, Nash Clubs Director of Marketing. “We value the work the Salvation Army does in our local communities and want to support what we feel is a wonderful and vital program for the Holiday Season. We are appreciative to have Toys “R” Us on board again this year and are grateful for the help from the Coquitlam store.”

As part of the local Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program, food and toys are packed up by volunteers in each community and given to families that are struggling this holiday season. Donation Bins will be set up in the Nash Clubs for the month of December and as well as on the set of Some Assembly Required for audience members attending the live shows who want to lend their support.

The Salvation Army Vancouver Community and Family Services Executive Director, Major Russ Holland says, “Steve Nash Fitness Club is a champion in the communities to which they are a member of and we are so grateful for their dedication and support in providing hope for so many deserving families in need this holiday season.”

The public are invited to come to Toys “R” Us in Coquitlam on November 30^th at 9:30am to cheer on the cast and are encouraged to buy or bring a toy to contribute to the Toy Drive. For more information on how to be part of the Some Assembly Required live studio audience, go to someassemblylive@gmail.com.

Filmed in Burnaby, British Columbia Canada, Some Assembly Required follows fourteen-year-old Jarvis Raines (Kolton Stewart) who ends up running Knickknack Toys after suing the toy company who produced a chemistry set he receives for Christmas destroys his house. Jarvis enlists the help of five friends and decides to prove to the world that he can not only run the company, but make it even better by creating the most amazing toys. Some Assembly Required premieres on YTV on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Social Media Handles

Website: snclubs.com, YTV.com, thunderbird.tv
Twitter: @SNSC, @someassemblytv, @YTV
Facebook: Steve Nash Fitness Clubs, Some Assembly Required

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Vancouver Feature Film LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN at THE 2013 EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Vancouver Feature Film
LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN
Directed by MATTHEW KOWALCHUK
based on the stage play by MORRIS PANYCH

AWARDED
THE CANADIAN FEATURE AWARD
& THE RISING STAR AWARD: FILMMAKING
to MATTHEW KOWALCHUK
& THE RISING STAR AWARD: ACTING to BEN COTTON
at
THE 2013 EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL

STARRING
BEN COTTON & DANIEL ARNOLD
with KATHARINE ISABELLE & AMY MATYSIO

Ameland Films and Quadrant Motion Pictures are proud to announce that the Telefilm Canada funded dark comedy LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN which premiered October 1^st to a sold out audience at the Vancouver International Film Festival has received the Canadian Feature Award; The Rising Star Award: Filmmaking to director Matthew Kowalchuk and The Rising Star Award: Acting to Ben Cotton at the 2013 Edmonton International Film Festival. The film will screen in Edmonton on Friday, October 4^th at 6:30pm and again on Saturday October 5^th at 12:00pm at Empire City Centre 9.

The film will screen again at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival on October 9 at 3:45 pm at SFU Woodwards.

At the BC Spotlight Awards, VIFF was thrilled to present the BC Emerging Filmmaker Award ($7,500 cash prize sponsored by UBCP/ACTRA and AFBS and $10,000 equipment rental credit from William F. White) to LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN, directed by Matthew Kowalchuk.

Lawrence & Holloman in this darkly ridiculous buddy comedy, Lawrence, an ever-optimistic suit salesman, lives a happy-go-lucky, charmed life, in which everything goes right — until he meets Holloman, a cynical and pessimistic credit collector, and everything starts to go wrong. Very wrong.

Is happiness determined by our outlook on life? Or can our destiny be changed … by another.

Based on the play ‘Lawrence & Holloman’ by two-time Governor General Award-winning Canadian playwright Morris Panych (Vigil, Girl in the Goldfish Bowl), the screenplay was co-written by Daniel Arnold (The Janitors) and Matthew Kowalchuk (The Janitors, Penguins). This is Kowalchuk’s feature film directorial debut whose short films and stage direction have garnered him several awards.

“Lawrence & Holloman is the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice, from an amazing team. And when you start out on this journey to make a film, you never know how or even IF you’ll find an audience. To be recognized in this way, in my hometown, is an incredible honour. Growing up in Edmonton, the community of artists and audience taught me to take risks and to follow my heart; lessons I haven’t forgotten, and that have helped make this film a reality.” –Director Matthew Kowalchuk

The film stars Ben Cotton (Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome, Cinemanovels) and Daniel Arnold (The PI Experiment, Penguins) with Katharine Isabelle (American Mary, Ginger Snaps, Cinemanovels) & Amy Matysio (inSAYSAble, Single White Spenny).

Heading up the Producing team are Paul Armstrong (Moving Malcolm, See Gray Fly, Ill Fated), Daniel Arnold & Matthew Kowalchuk. Mary Anne Waterhouse (Fido, The Thaw, Donovan’s Echo, That Burning Feeling) & Andrew Currie (Fido, The Delicate Art of Parking, Mile Zero) of Quadrant Motion Pictures serve as Executive Producers. Completing the team are Co-Producer/Line Producer Robyn Wiener (American Mary, The Wingman, Amazon Falls) & Associate Producer Don Thompson of Finalé Editworks.

The project attracted a talented team including story editors Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir (producer/story editors on 50/50, Goon, This is the End), story consultant Daniel Petrie Jr (Academy Award nominated writer of The Big Easy and Beverly Hills Cop), and award winning twin Cinematographers Nelson Talbot & Graham Talbot (Primary), Production Designer Guy Roland (Backmask), Costume Designer Jojo MacDowall (The PI Experiment), Composer Don Macdonald (Camera Shy, Kissed) & Editor David Legault (Kink). The film was cast by Emmy-nominated Candice Elzinga Casting.

The film received production funding from Telefilm Canada and development funding from The Astral Media Harold Greenberg Fund, Corus Entertainment & Creative BC. Super Channel & OutTV will broadcast the film following a film festival run and a theatrical release.

Social Media Handles

Website: lawrenceandholloman.com
Twitter: @LHthemovie
Facebook: facebook.com/lawrenceandholloman

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People

Lawrence & Holloman to Premiere at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival

Telefilm Canada funded Feature Film
LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN
to PREMIERE at
THE 2013 VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Directed by MATTHEW KOWALCHUK
based on the stage play by MORRIS PANYCH

STARRING
BEN COTTON & DANIEL ARNOLD
with KATHARINE ISABELLE & AMY MATYSIO

Ameland Films and Quadrant Motion Pictures are proud to announce that the Telefilm Canada funded dark comedy LAWRENCE & HOLLOMAN which filmed November 5-28, 2012, in Vancouver, Mission, Maple Ridge & Abbotsford, BC, Canada will have its world premiere at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival on October 1 and screen again Oct 9, 2013.

The film will also screen at the Edmonton International Film Festival Oct 4 and 5, 2013.

Lawrence & Holloman In this darkly ridiculous buddy comedy, Lawrence, an ever-optimistic suit salesman, lives a happy-go-lucky, charmed life, in which everything goes right — until he meets Holloman, a cynical and pessimistic credit collector, and everything starts to go wrong. Very wrong.

Is happiness determined by our outlook on life? Or can our destiny be changed … by another.

Based on the play ‘Lawrence & Holloman’ by two-time Governor General Award-winning Canadian playwright Morris Panych (Vigil, Girl in the Goldfish Bowl), the screenplay was co-written by Daniel Arnold (The Janitors) and Matthew Kowalchuk (The Janitors, Penguins). This is Kowalchuk’s feature film directorial debut whose short films and stage direction have garnered him several awards.

“We are very excited to premiere Lawrence & Holloman to the ‘hometown’ crowd first at the Vancouver International Film Festival. We shot the film here, nearly all our cast and crew are all local, Morris Panych (who wrote the play) lived in Vancouver; it’s homegrown in every way. With our industry in crisis, now is a time more than ever to showcase our own work. And with so many high quality productions coming out of Vancouver right now, we are honoured to be chosen among them.” – Director Matthew Kowalchuk

The film stars Ben Cotton (Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome, Cinemanovels) and Daniel Arnold (The PI Experiment, Penguins) with Katharine Isabelle (American Mary, Ginger Snaps, Cinemanovels) & Amy Matysio (inSAYSAble, Single White Spenny).

Heading up the Producing team are Paul Armstrong (Moving Malcolm, See Gray Fly, Ill Fated), Daniel Arnold & Matthew Kowalchuk. Mary Anne Waterhouse (Fido, The Thaw, Donovan’s Echo, That Burning Feeling) & Andrew Currie (Fido, The Delicate Art of Parking, Mile Zero) of Quadrant Motion Pictures serve as Executive Producers. Completing the team are Co-Producer/Line Producer Robyn Wiener (American Mary, The Wingman, Amazon Falls) & Associate Producer Don Thompson of Finalé Editworks.

The project attracted a talented team including story editors Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir (producer/story editors on 50/50, Goon, This is the End), story consultant Daniel Petrie Jr (Academy Award nominated writer of The Big Easy and Beverly Hills Cop), and award winning twin Cinematographers Nelson Talbot & Graham Talbot (Primary), Production Designer Guy Roland (Backmask), Costume Designer Jojo MacDowall (The PI Experiment), Composer Don Macdonald (Camera Shy, Kissed) & Editor David Legault (Kink). The film was cast by Emmy-nominated Candice Elzinga Casting.

The film received production funding from Telefilm Canada and development funding from The Astral Media Harold Greenberg Fund, Corus Entertainment & Creative BC. Super Channel & OutTV will broadcast the film following a film festival run and a theatrical release.

Social Media Handles

Website: lawrenceandholloman.com
Twitter: @lawrenceholoman
Facebook: Lawrence & Holloman

Contact The Promotion People

Lesley Diana – Founder, President and Publicist
lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca
604.726.5575

Website: thepromotionpeople.ca
Twitter: @PromotionPeople
Facebook: The Promotion People