Tag Archives: The Promotion People

Helen Shaver, Gabrielle Miller, Jennifer Spence and Colleen Rennison star in actor/writer/director Ben Ratner’s feature film Down River screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Cinefest Sudbury and the Calgary International Film Festival

Down River has been selected to be the Gala Film for the October 5th spotlight on BC screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival

Gossamer Creative and Haven Films are pleased to announce that Down River has been selected to be the Gala Film for the October 5th Spotlight on BC Screening at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Vancouver International Film Festival – Showtimes
October 05, 6:30 pm
Vancouver Playhouse
600 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC

October 09, 4:30 pm
Rio Theatre
1660 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC

Down River will also be screening at Cinefest Sudbury on September 22nd and the Calgary International Film Festival on September 28th and 29th.

Calgary International Film Festival – Showtimes
September 28, 7:00 pm
Globe Theatre
617 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

September 29, 1:30 pm
Eau Claire
200 Barclay Parade SW, Corner of 2nd St & 2nd Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Written and directed by multiple award-winning writer/director Ben Ratner (Moving Malcolm), Down River is the emotionally stirring story of three young women teetering on the edge between creative breakthroughs and personal breakdowns, and their connection with the older woman they rely on for guidance, support and inspiration.

Gemini award-winning Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Call Me Fitz, Moving Day) portrays an in-demand but insecure actress. Gemini award-winning Colleen Rennison (DaVinci’s City Hall and lead singer of fast-rising band Nosinner) plays a gifted but self- destructive rock singer. Ratner’s real-life wife, Leo award-nominated Jennifer Spence (Continuum, Stargate Universe, The Killing) plays a dynamic abstract artist hiding under a paint-stained hoodie. And Gemini award-winning Helen Shaver (The Color of Money, Desert Hearts) plays their charismatic and caring neighbour who eventually leaves them to face the future on their own.

Inspired by Ben Ratner’s long-time comradeship with actress Babz Chula who passed away in 2010, Down River is a film about mentorship, friendship, living life to the fullest, and ultimately letting go.

Other actors joining this first-rate cast include Jay Brazeau (Fathers and Sons, Insomnia), Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls, Harper’s Island), Brian Markinson (Continuum, Mad Men) and Teach Grant (Cult, Gunless).

Written and Directed by Ben Ratner. Produced by James Brown. Director of Photography is Larry Lynn. Edited by Rob Wenzek. Executive Producer is Jack Ong. Original songs by Kevin House, Colleen Rennison and The Boom Booms. Down River was shot in Vancouver.

Social Media Handles

Website: downrivermovie.com
Twitter: @DownRiverMovie
Facebook: facebook.com/DownRiverMovie
YouTube: Down River Movie Teaser

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

“THE MAGIC FERRET” BEGINS FILMING IN VANCOUVER

Starring Jacob Tremblay, Beverley Elliott, Fred Ewanuick, Lisa Durupt & Falcor the Ferret

The film will feature the song “Magic” as sung by Singer/Actress Selena Gomez in its closing credits.

Canadian Film Director, Alison Parker, is proud to announce that her upcoming short film, “The Magic Ferret” will begin shooting on September 7, 2013 and will shoot over two days in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The film is slated for a late 2013 release.

“The Magic Ferret” is the first film ever to be produced by Pacific Backlot Services, an equipment rental house in Vancouver, BC. The award-winning script was written by Scott and Paula Merrow of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Alison Parker, Hugh Brompton and Synnove Godeseth are also producers, with Shawn Seifert as Director of Photography. Several major companies have secured product placement in the film, including Hasbro, Pop Chips, KIND, Marshall Pet Products, Red Dragon Apparel, Defenders of Wildlife, Crayola, Sunmaid and iHome.

“The Magic Ferret” is a family-friendly comedic story centering around a six-year old orphan named Sam (played by Jacob Tremblay, known for his role as “Blue Winslow” in the Sony Pictures feature film The Smurfs 2) and his pet ferret, Booger (portrayed by Falcor the Ferret). Sam is as cute as a button, but he just can’t seem to find a family who wants him. When the newest prospective parents come to visit, Sam decides to impress them with a few magic tricks. He becomes “The Great Sambini”, with Booger as his assistant. When his most amazing trick flops, Sam is deflated but not defeated, and with Booger’s help he conjures up a different kind of magic.

Also starring in The Magic Ferret is Beverley Elliott, known for her role as “Granny” on ABC’s TV series Once Upon A Time. Canadian actor Fred Ewanuick from the TV shows Corner Gas and Dan For Mayor and the 2005 film Just Friends and actress Lisa Durupt, who is best known for her role as Shandra on HBO’s “Less Than Kind”, join Elliott, Tremblay and Falcor the Ferret to round out the cast.

The film will feature the song “Magic” as sung by Singer/Actress Selena Gomez in its closing credits. The song, originally performed by the Scottish band, Pilot, in 1974, reached #1 on the Canadian music charts in July of 1975. Gomez’ version of the song, which has over 40 million views on YouTube, was also heard in the Disney Channel original Movie Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie in 2009. It was also featured in the film adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. In addition to Selena Gomez’ rendition of “Magic”, the soundtrack to “The Magic Ferret” also includes the hits “Spaceman” by Canadian singer Bif Naked and “This House” by Calgary’s own Cat Thomson.

Social Media Handles

Website: themagicferret.com
Twitter: @SamAndBooger
Facebook: facebook.com/TheMagicFerret

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

In demand actor Emmanuelle Vaugier returns to popular Showcase Series ‘Lost Girl’

Emmanuelle also guest stars on the popular CBC series Republic of Doyle

Stunning actor Emmanuelle Vaugier reprises her role for a fourth season on the innovative series ‘Lost Girl’, a Canadian supernatural drama. Since 2010 Emmanuelle has had a recurring role on this highly rated Showcase original show. Playing the role of The Morrigan, Emmanuelle breathes life into her vain and dangerously sociopathic character. The fourth season of ‘Lost Girl’ promises to be the most electrifying season yet. ‘Lost Girl’ premieres November 2013 on Showcase and January 2014 on SYFY.

Emmanuelle will also guest star in the premiere episode of Season 5’s ‘Republic of Doyle’ slated to air October 2, 2013. This popular CBC series, on air since 2010 focuses on Jake Doyle, and his father, as they run a private investigations agency in St John’s, Newfoundland.

Currently in production in Winnipeg, Emmanuelle co-stars in ‘Teen Lust’, a feature film about an awkward high school student who must lose his virginity before being sacrificed by a local religious cult. The film stars Cary Elwes (Saw, The Princess Bride), Kristin Bauer van Straten (“True Blood”), Jesse Carere (“Skins”), Daryl Sabara (The Philosopher, Machete) and Annie Clark (“Degrassi: The Next Generation”). Blaine Thurier (A Gun to the Head) is directing the film that he co-wrote with Jason Stone (This Is The End).

Extremely busy with MOW’s, Emmanuelle’s projects include starring in the lifetime movie ‘Hidden Away’ as Stephanie, a young mother who fakes her own death (and her daughter’s) in order to escape her abusive husband, which aired on Lifetime in July 2013. Vaugier also co-stars as Rebecca Scott, in ‘Absolute Deception’ alongside Cuba Gooding Jr., as an investigative reporter for Spyglass magazine, in New York City. Believing her husband had been killed in an auto accident, she is forced to deal with the repercussions upon discovering his death had been faked. ‘Absolute Deception’ was released to DVD in June 2013.

One of the roles that Emmanuelle connected most with was playing a woman who rescues animals in ‘Susie’s Hope’, a role for which she won best actress at the Greensville International Film Festival in 2013. ‘It’s Christmas, Carol!’, another starring role for Emmanuelle aired on the Hallmark Channel in December 2012, which won her a Leo Award for portrayal of a woman journeying through her past, present and future, with the help of her “ghost boss”. Emmanuelle will also star in two upcoming independent films; ‘The Wedding Chapel’, shot in July 2012, and ‘Clara’s Deadly Secret’ shot in May 2013.

Vaugier is best known for her popular role as Charlie Sheen’s ex-fiancée Mia on the award-winning CBS comedy “Two and a Half Men.” For three seasons she also played Detective Jessica Angell on “CSI: NY,” leaving fans devastated when her role came to an end. In 2010, Vaugier was cast alongside Piper Perabo in the USA Network crime series “Covert Affairs,” where she played the recurring role of Liza Hearn, a journalist and blogger not afraid to push boundaries.

Her other recent television appearances include a recurring role on FOX’s action/drama series ‘Human Target’ as well as guest roles on ‘The Mentalist’, ‘Big Shots’ and ‘Supernatural’. She was also the new female superhero for the television pilot of the comic ‘Painkiller Jane’ for the Sci Fi Channel, and had a starring role in the ‘Master of Horror’ series directed by John Carpenter. Her other television credits include: ‘One Tree Hill‘, ‘Monk’, the Fox Television series ‘North Shore’, UPN‘s hit series ‘Veronica Mars’, as well as ‘Call Me, The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss’, and the WB comedy ‘My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star‘. She also portrayed Dr. Helen Bryce; Lex Luthor‘s wife on the WB‘s hit drama ‘Smallville’.

Her feature film endeavours are just as impressive: Emmanuelle starred in the thriller ‘Mirrors 2’, a sequel to the hit 2008 horror ‘Mirrors’, starring Keifer Sutherland. Her appearance in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s acclaimed short story ‘Dolan’s Cadillac’, starring Christian Slater, can be seen on DVD. She also appeared in the feature ‘Hollywood Untitled’, directed by acclaimed director and producer Mun Chee Yong. Her other credits include ‘Saw II’, ‘Saw IV’, ‘Hysteria’, produced by former L.A. Laker Rick Fox, ‘Far Cry’ (Til Schewiger, Inglorious Basterds), ‘Bachelor Party 2’, ‘Unearthed’ (Charlie Murphy), ‘Secondhand Lions’ (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall), ‘40 Days and 40 Nights’ (Josh Hartnett), ‘House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim’ and a lead role in the comedy ‘Blonde and Blonder’, which premiered in Cannes.

Off-screen, Emmanuelle, an avid animal lover, is strongly involved in a project that is very close to her heart. She actively supports the charitable animal rescue organization Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends is an organization aimed at animal rescue and rehabilitation, ensuring the best life possible for injured or unwanted animals. For more information on the Best Friends Animal Society, please visit http://emmanuellevaugier.com/charity.htm or www.bestfriends.org.

This Vancouver native‘s inner and outer beauty shines through as Emmanuelle is among the select group of women to be on ‘Maxim‘s Top 100’ list twice. The stunning actress first made the list in 2006 and then again in 2011. She was also named fifth on Femme Fatal magazine’s 50 Sexiest Women on the Planet’, and was named ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ for the sixth time by Smartasses Magazine. Emmanuelle has graced the covers of Maxim, Femme Fatal, Dolce Vita, Flare, UMM, Status, Modern Dog, LA Health, Vancouver View, Vancouver Lifestyles, Western Living Condo, Donato and Infamous.

Photography credit:
Brie Childers
www.briechilders.com

Social Media Handles

Website: emmanuellevaugier.com
Twitter: @evaugier
Facebook: The Real Emmanuelle Vaugier

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

Rising young star Summer H. Howell stars as Alice ‘Curse of Chucky’ and as Nascien in the feature film “The Last Druid: Garm Wars”

Curse of Chucky to be released on Digital on September 24^th
and on Blu-ray^™ and DVD on October 8^th

Summer H. Howell, a young and upcoming actress is headed to the fast track of fame. This fall, Summer stars as Alice in the newest installment of the chilling Child’s Play franchise, Curse of Chucky. When a mysterious package arrives at the house of Nica, she doesn’t give it much thought. However, after her mother’s mysterious death, Nica begins to suspect that the talking, red-haired doll her visiting niece has been playing with may be the key to the ensuing bloodshed and chaos. Written and directed by Dan Mancini, the film stars Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif and Danielle Bisutti. Curse of Chucky comes exclusively to Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 8 and will also be available on Digital on September 24. The North American premiere was held on August 2 in Montreal at the Fantasia Film Festival and the World premiere was held on August 22 at the London Fright Festival.

Summer also stars in the feature film ‘The Last Druid: Garm Wars’, which will be in theatres Spring 2014. In a world where clone soldiers from three military tribes are locked in a perpetual battle of air, land, and technology, one clone is separated from the battle, and finds herself on the run with a group of unlikely companions. Directed by Mamoru Oshii, the screenplay is written by Geoffrey Gunn, draws inspiration from an original story by author Kazunori Ito, and stars Melanie St. Pierre, Jordan Van Dyck, and Summer H. Howell.

The Promotion People - Summer H. Howell

Growing up in St. Andrews, Manitoba, Summer has just turned 9 years old. Summer recently became interested in acting when her twelve year old brother Chase was noticed by talent scouts through an open casting call in Winnipeg years ago. Although Summer was still too young and shy to audition at the time, her parents noticed her potential talent. They noticed her impromptu actions and discovered how quickly she memorized a Crest commercial provided at a casting call.

Summer began helping Chase with his auditions and also took some acting classes with PTE. She then took an audition intensive course with Casting Director Jim Heber, who started calling Summer to audition for larger roles. Jim Heber raved about both kids to Jessica Martin, one of Toronto’s top agents, who has high praise for Summer, and anticipated she would do well quickly.

Summer auditioned for two horror movies last spring and landed the second audition for the role of Alice for Curse of Chucky, which filmed in Winnipeg last fall 2012. Director Don Mancini was blown away with her acting ability and was impressed with her professionalism on a movie set, for being such a young age.

“I have worked with many child actors during my career, and Summer is easily one of the best. She is exceptionally gifted, extremely intelligent, versatile, and “direct able.” Pegging a major film role on a child’s performance can be an intimidating prospect for a director. On Curse of Chucky, the bottom line is that Summer made our movie work. “On top of all that, she is a total hoot and a pleasure to be around.” says Don Mancini, writer-director, Curse of Chucky.

In April 2013, she filmed ‘The Last Druid: Garm Wars’ in Montreal. Both films were a rewarding experience for Summer. Serious about acting, Summer plans to continue auditioning and studying for potential roles.

Her parents are supportive and say, “Our smart, mischievous, and talented little bug works hard at everything she does”. In addition to acting, Summer enjoys singing, drawing, reading, writing, and playing soccer. She has two dogs; Angel, a 7 year old Miniature American Eskimo-Sheltie cross and a 3 year old Havanese Lhasa Apso cross. Summer is a determined and talented young actress to watch for on television and in future feature films.

Social Media Handles

IMDb: Summer H. Howell
Website: heroartists.com
Twitter: @1_SummerHHowell, @RealDonMancini, @HeroArtists, @curseofchucky_
Facebook: facebook.com/HeroArtists

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

LEA THOMPSON (BACK TO THE FUTURE,  “CAROLINE IN THE CITY”) AND MATREYA FEDOR  (“CEDAR COVE,” “MR. YOUNG”) STAR IN THE  UP TELEVISION PREMIERE: MY MOTHER’S FUTURE HUSBAND

Ensemble Cast Includes Sebastian Spence, Gig Morton,  Burkely Duffield and Everick Golding

Production began this week in Vancouver on UP’s Television Premiere My Mother’s Future Husband, starring Lea Thompson (Back to the Future, “Caroline in the City”) and Matreya Fedor (“Cedar Cove,” “Mr. Young”). The film is produced by Legacy Filmworks Ltd. and directed by George Erschbarner (“A Trusted Man”), who also directed Thompson in 2008’s “The Christmas Clause.” Julie Brazier (“My Name is Sarah”) wrote the script. My Mother’s Future Husband will make its world television premiere on UP in 2014.

The ensemble cast also includes Sebastian Spence (“Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome”), Gig Morton (“Mr. Young,” “Christmas Town”), Burkely Duffield (“House of Anubis,” “Supernatural”) and Everick Golding (Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, “Human Target”).

A mother and widow of five years, Rene Anderson (Lea Thompson) has thrown herself into running her cozy bistro with friend, cook and co-owner Lou (Everick Golding) and wrapped her entire social life around being her 15-year old daughter Headly’s (Matreya Fedor) BFF. While Headly still grieves the loss of her dad, she’s also discovering boys – specifically Bodie Miller (Burkely Duffield), the handsome jock who recently returned to town – and songwriting. Determined to get out of fancy dinners and zumba lessons with mom, Headly sets some secret romantic goals for them both – help Rene find love and get her own first meaningful kiss – before summer arrives. With her astronomy-obsessed best friend Willis (Gig Morton), Headly concocts a variety of schemes to find her mother’s “future husband,” from interviews in the park for “a Social Studies project” to creating an online profile and video link of Rene talking about herself and looking very pretty. After successfully maneuvering several nice guys into the bistro, sparks seem to fly with windowed dad Andrew (Sebastian Spence), but a misunderstanding threatens to derail Headly’s plans. Meanwhile, Headly discovers dating is more challenging than expected. With summer looming, Rene and Headly ultimately find that they must first deal with the past in order to open their hearts to the romantic possibilities in front of them.

“Mother-daughter relationships are one of the greatest in the world,” said Barbara Fisher, svp, original programming, UP. “This special film explores how this loving, funny, sometime aggravating, unbreakable bond provides the key to a mother and daughter both moving forward and discovering love in their lives again.”

UP presents a Legacy Filmworks Ltd. production. My Mother’s Future Husband stars Lea Thompson, Matreya Fedor, Sebastian Spence, Gig Morton, Burkely Duffield and Everick Golding. Directed by George Erschbamer. Produced by by Deboragh Gabler. Casting by Judy Lee. Director of Photography is Cliff Hokanson. Editor is Mauri Bernstein. Composer is Peter Allen. Script by Julie Brazier.

Follow our cast at:
Lea Thompson on Twitter @LeaKThompson
Matreya Fedor on Twitter @matreyafedor
Gig Morton on Twitter @Gigmorton or on his website www.gigmorton.com
Burkely Duffield on Twitter @burkelyduffield

For photos and more information, please visit: UPtv.com/MyMothersFutureHusbandPressRoom.

About UP
UP, based in Atlanta, is America’s favorite network for uplifting family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The UP brand is reflected in “Uplift Someone,” the network’s successful pro-social initiative. UP can be seen in more than 61 million homes on major cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Charter Communications, as well as DIRECTV on channel 338, DISH Network on channel 188, and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow UP on Facebook & Twitter facebook.com/UPtv & @UPtv.

About Legacy Filmworks
With offices in Vancouver and Los Angeles, Deboragh Gabler founded Legacy Filmworks Ltd. to create critically-acclaimed, financially successful movies for the international marketplace. Legacy is one of the most respected film production and distribution companies in Canada, with over 60 theatrical features, TV movies and series to its credit, including Bang, Bang, You’re Dead (Emmy, Peabody Award), My Name is Sarah (Prism Award), Miracle of the Cards (Epiphany Award) and Haunted (DGA award, Movie Guide Award).

Social Media Handles

Website: UPtv.com
Twitter: @UPtv
Facebook: facebook.com/UPtv

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

Canadian funny woman Jessica Holmes celebrates her milestone birthday in Toronto with a fundraising comedy event at Hugh’s Room on August 25th, 2013

Jessica currently tours the country with her unique brand of humour—appearing as a guest speaker at a variety of events

Ottawa native Jessica Holmes continues to delight and amuse national and international audiences with her popular comedy routines and celebrity impersonations. Holmes has opened for the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Leslie Nielsen and Ellen DeGeneres throughout her career. Jessica is a sought-after keynote speaker at high profile events across the country. Most recently, she appeared at the Women in Glaucoma Conference last month in Vancouver, and will be at The Women In Biz Network Go For It conference (designed to give women entrepreneurs the support and skills to enhance business performance) in October.

Between raising her family and her busy professional schedule, Jessica has also been gearing up to celebrate a milestone birthday. At the end of this month, Jessica will turn the big 4-0 and felt it was an important birthday to celebrate, while also giving back. “For a woman in my industry, aging can be considered a bad thing. So I wanted to turn that on its head and make my 40th birthday something I’m proud of, something I would shout from the mountaintops! And I found that opportunity: I’m celebrating my 15 year career, my friends in the industry, and my involvement in philanthropy in an intimate fund-raiser at Hugh’s Room,” says Jessica. “I’m happy, healthy, and submerged in community, friendship, and a career I love. Turning 40 is awesome!” The fundraising event, which offers a night chock-full of entertainment, supports Yellow Brick Road House—a shelter for abused women and children. More details on Jessica’s event at Hugh’s Room is available HERE.

Jessica is best known for her seven-year stint on the award winning CBC series “Royal Canadian Air Farce”. In 2002, Holmes landed her own sketch comedy show appropriately titled, “The Holmes Show”. The show featured dead-on personifications of Celine Dion, Liza Minnelli and Geri Halliwell. That same year, her musical comedy special “Holmes Alone” won the Platinum Award at WorldFest.

In recent years, Holmes has shifted her comedy from the stage to the print world as a comedy author. Her book titled, “I Love Your Laugh: Finding the Light in My Screwball Life”, offers readers her witty observations on everything from her hilarious take on parenthood, her eclectic upbringing by a Mormon father and feminist mother, and her experiences as a missionary in Venezuela.

Holmes has become on of the most sought-after speakers in Canadian business by creating a motivational comedy performance about positive psychology called “The 60 Minute Perspective Makeover”. She tours the country offering audiences her own tips and perspective on how to lead a more fulfilling and happy life through setting personal goals.

It’s hard to imagine that this funny woman didn’t always see the laughter in things. Holmes suffered from a near crippling depression that threatened her every day life and career. Once recovered, she made the decision to dedicate her life to discovering what creates lasting balance and fulfillment.

She originally majored in writing at Ryerson University’s Radio and Television arts program when a classmate dared her to try standup. The Second City, Just For Laughs festival and TV shows like “Little Big Kid” and “The Itch”, got her noticed by television casting agents.

Holmes is shooting the new web series That’s My JD, developing a comedic reality series with Pivotal Media and a tween musical series with Marblemedia, appearing as a frequent guest on shows like “Entertainment Tonight Canada” and “George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight”, and is set to release her second comedy book due out in 2014.

Social Media Handles

Website: jessicaholmes.com
Twitter: @happyfeetholmes
Press: huffingtonpost.ca

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

Valerie Harper, Lauren Holly, Cameron Bancroft and Lucie Guest Star in the UP Original Movie: The Town That Came A-Courtin’

Based on Novel by Best-Selling Author and  Syndicated Columnist Ronda Rich

Production began this week in Vancouver on UP’s Original Movie The Town That Came A-Courtin’, starring Valerie Harper (“Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Rhoda”), Lauren Holly (“NCIS,” “Motive”), Cameron Bancroft (“24,” “Beverly Hills: 90210”) and Lucie Guest (“Heath Nutz,” “Blackstone”). The film is produced by Odyssey Media Inc. and directed by David Winning (“XIII: The Series,” “Andromeda”). The movie is based on best-selling author and syndicated columnist Ronda Rich’s novel and loosely based on an experience she had during a book tour. Sheryl J. Anderson (“Charmed”) wrote the adapted script. The Town That Came A-Courtin’ will make its world television premiere on UP in January 2014.

Abby Houston (Lauren Holly) is a smart, beautiful, successful author and fiercely independent Southern woman. When we meet her, she is curiously being kept captive in a remote cabin in the woods by an obsessed fan. Days earlier, Abby and her publicist Jamie (Lucie Guest) were visiting the lovely town of Bliss, Mississippi on her most recent book tour. The town of Bliss, local Magnolia Blossom B&B owner Charlotte (Valerie Harper) and their well-meaning prayer chain have big plans for her – as the perfect match for their widowed Mayor Spencer Alexander (Cameron Bancroft), a single dad of two. A series of collisions, several bouquets and numerous good words later, Abby relents to having dinner with Spencer, and finds a handsome, earnest man. Eagerly encouraged by the entire town, they embark on a whirlwind, public romance. But just as they are about to share a first kiss, Spencer is reminded of his late wife and abruptly pulls back. Hurt and sad, Abby is determined to leave Bliss behind, only to find her obsessed fan waiting. With phones buzzing and the town mobilized, what happens next will determine her future.

“UP is thrilled to have the always inspirational Valerie Harper as part of our talented The Town That Came A-Courtin’ cast,” said Barbara Fisher, svp, original programming, UP. “Joined by Lauren Holly, Cameron Bancroft, and Lucie Guest, this uplifting, sometimes bumpy romance showcases how a community’s spirit and good will can help people connect and find each other.”

UP presents an Odyssey Media Inc. production. The Town That Came A-Courtin’ stars Valerie Harper, Lauren Holly, Cameron Bancroft and Lucie Guest. Directed by David Winning. Executive produced by Kirk Shaw, Stan Spry, Rich Middlemas, Marybeth Sprows and Eric Andrews. Casting by Bim Narine. Director of Photography is Curtis Petersen. Editor is Sabrina Pitre. Composer is Michael Thomas. Adapted screenplay by Sheryl J. Anderson.

Follow our cast at:
• Valerie Harper on Twitter @ValerieHarper and on her website, valerieharper.com
• Lauren Holly on Twitter @LaurenHolly and on her website, laurenholly.com
• Lucie Guest on Twitter @Lucieguest

About UP
UP, (www.UPtv.com) based in Atlanta, is America’s favorite network for uplifting family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The UP brand is reflected in “Uplift Someone,” the network’s successful pro-social initiative. UP can be seen in more than 61 million homes on major cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Charter Communications, as well as DIRECTV on channel 338, DISH Network on channel 188, and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow UP on Facebook & Twitter http://facebook.com/UPtv & @UPtv.

About Odyssey Media Inc.
With its head office in Vancouver BC and branch offices in Brisbane, Australia and Los Angeles, California, Odyssey Media Inc. is a leading international entertainment company specializing in film and television production, financing and packaging. Odyssey’s 2013 production resume includes the features “Drive Hard” (John Cusack & Thomas Jane), “Bad Karma” (Ray Liotta & Dominic Purcell), “Absolute Deception” (Cuba Gooding Jr. & Emmanuelle Vaugier) and “Way of the Wicked” (Christian Slater).

Social Media Handles

Website: www.UPtv.com, valerieharper.com, laurenholly.com
Twitter: @UPtv, @ValerieHarper, @LaurenHolly, @Lucieguest
Facebook: http://facebook.com/UPtv

Contact The Promotion People

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

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

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

Wild Wrecks, Old Rivalries, Failing Equipment, and Wicked Winter Storms…HIGHWAY THRU HELL Hits the Road for Season 2, Sept. 3 on Discovery

– Return to the Coq for a Season 1 Marathon on Mon., Sept. 2 beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT –
– New season will also feature four special “RELOADED” episodes featuring bonus content, production factoids, viewer Tweets, and more –

With bigger rigs and wilder wrecks, Jamie Davis Heavy Rescue is returning to the Coquihalla Highway and HIGHWAY THRU HELL for an all-new, expanded second season, premiering Tuesday, September 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery. An original Canadian series from Vancouver’s Great Pacific TV, HIGHWAY THRU HELL travels some of the most economically vital – and most inhospitable – trucking routes in North America. Plagued by winter storms, truckers spin out and smash up, and during the worst conditions, the big wrecks can come as often as every 12 hours. And when this happens, the call goes out for heavy rescue to clear the highway carnage and get the road open again. Viewers can revisit the crashes and conflicts from Season 1 as Discovery presents a nine-hour Labour Day marathon on the Coq, Monday, September 2, beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

Wicked weather and wild wrecks – HIGHWAY THRU HELL returns for Season 2 on Discovery, Sept. 3

New for Season 2, dynamic visuals including 3D maps depicting the locations of the wrecks and striking new animations take viewers back in time to the moment of impact, heightening the wreck stories featured this season on HIGHWAY THRU HELL. Also, building on first season’s original nine episodes and “After the Crash” special, Season 2 grows to 13 hours, plus four HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED episodes (details and schedule below), and extends online to deepen the viewer experience with exclusive content.

Last season, steep hills, lethal drop-offs, killer rockslides, and the worst weather in a decade captivated audiences, with HIGHWAY THRU HELL ranking as the #1 series premiere in Discovery’s history*. As Davis’ crew navigated the extreme roads and brutal weather that sweeps across British Columbia’s Cascade Mountains east of Vancouver, the series maintained an audience of more than 610,000 viewers 2+ throughout its’ nine-hour inaugural run. Now Davis’ crew is back for another winter season working the treacherous mountain highway. With a brutal winter forecast for 2013, Davis bulked up his team with new crew and invested in his biggest fleet yet to secure his title of “King of the Coq.”

The addition of skilled driver Scott Bird, returning from retirement, creates tension with the veterans on Davis’ team. After some particularly twisted wrecks and equipment failures early in the season, Davis is left wondering if he’s made some grave mistakes. And Bird isn’t Davis’ only staffing problem: Old Bruce is forced into semi-retirement, and Davis struggles with the idea of letting him go completely. By mid-season, a new competitor shows up on the mountain, and cuts Jamie Davis Heavy Rescue’s jobs in half, leaving him with no choice but to consider drastic changes to his operation.

Highlights from the first episodes of the new season of HIGHWAY THRU HELL include:

HIGHWAY THRU HELL: “Welcome To Winter”
Tues., Sept. 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
Jamie Davis, eager for the winter season to begin, has one thing on his mind – amp up his manpower and his equipment, so he’s ready for anything that happens on the mountain. He has brought back a big crew – Adam Gazzola, Narayan Samy, Kevin Ritchie, Rob Mitchell, Bruce Hardy, Ken Monkhouse, the new guy Gord Lundin, and Davis’ stepson Brandon Kodallas. Everyone has big, but not always realistic, expectations for the winter ahead. On the first job of the season, Davis’ team struggles to find their groove unloading and recovering an expensive B-Train full of lumber for an important client. Later, Davis begins to doubt the optimistic gamble he’s made this season and questions if he’s brought on too much manpower and possibly the wrong machines.

HIGHWAY THRU HELL: “Deadlift”
Tues., Sept. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
The closures of two major highways cause drivers to voice their frustration leaving Gazzola in a sour mood over all the grief he receives. Ken Monkhouse arrives at a job to find that the competition has gotten the jump on him. Responding to a woodchip wreck, Davis, Gazzola and Ritchie disagree on how to recover the wreck, leaving Davis to do his own swamping. Later, when a heavy SeaCan tips over, Davis and his rotator are pushed to their limit. Monkhouse, realizing he needs help in the car towing division, invites Kodallas for a lesson in a new truck, but Kodallas has words with his stepfather and walks off in a huff. Monkhouse then turns to the new guy – quiet, tattooed Lundin – testing him out on a tough tow lesson.

Building on incredible momentum of the first season, Season 2 extends to 13 hours, plus four HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED episodes. These new “reloads” feature at least five minutes of new content (extended scenes and bonus footage), plus an on-screen graphics package that includes the best viewer Twitter comments, “factoids” about the production and the crashes, and more. The first HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED episode revisits the Season 1 season-ender special “After the Crash,” and caps the Labour Day Marathon on Mon., Sept. 2 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The updated special includes new footage and catches up with Davis’ crew to set up the start of the new season. The additional “reloads” recaps the first episodes of the season, and air on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT starting September 6, preceding an encore of the current week’s episode, according to the following schedule:

Mon., Sept. 2
• 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL: Season 1 Marathon (8 episodes)
• 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED – “After The Crash”

Tues., Sept. 3
• 10 p.m. ET/ PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL – “Welcome to Winter” (Season 2 Premiere)

Fri., Sept. 6
• 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED – “After The Crash”
• 9 p.m. ET/PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL – “Welcome to Winter” (Encore)

Tues., Sept. 3
• 10 p.m. ET/ PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL – “Deadlift” (Premiere)

Fri., Sept. 13
• 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL: RELOADED – “Welcome to Winter”
• 9 p.m. ET/PT: HIGHWAY THRU HELL – “Deadlift” (Encore)

The twists and turns of HIGHWAY THRU HELL extends online, with full episodes (one week after broadcast); “Highway Heroes” vignettes profiling the people who work to keep the highway safe; and in-depth analysis from the cast and crew of some of this season’s most memorable wrecks. Viewers can also explore a clickable interactive map to reveal facts and photos about the highway, and also find additional show and episode information, research material, and production photos. Viewer engagement extends through on mobile via the Discovery App; and fans can join the HIGHWAY THRU HELL community on Twitter (@HWYthruhell) and at discovery.ca/highwaythruhell using the hashtag #hwythruhell.

About Discovery:
The world is just awesome! With compelling real-life programming that inspires and entertains, Discovery reveals the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. Discovery offers a signature mix of adrenaline-charged stories, larger-than-life personalities and vivid imagery for viewers with curious minds. With the best non-fiction programming from Canada and around the world, Discovery captures the excitement of a passion for life – one lived fully and at its most extreme. With exceptional and immersive storytelling, the channel offers in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the extraordinary people and places that shape our world. Launched in Canada in 1995, Discovery is now available in more than eight million Canadian homes. Discovery is offered in standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) simulcast – for viewers who want an even bigger and bolder experience. Discovery Canada is a joint venture between Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company, and Discovery Communications Inc. Find more information and interactive online features at Discovery.ca.

*Source: BBM Canada

Social Media Handles

Website: discovery.ca/highwaythruhell
Twitter: @HWYthruhell, @DiscoveryCanada
Facebook: facebook.com/discoverycanada

Contact The Promotion People

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

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

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

A Tribute to Cory Monteith

Our hearts go out to Cory Monteith’s family and friends.

We were lucky enough to work with Cory as his publicist from 2007 to 2009, while he was on his road to “Glee”.

Cory is one of the nicest people that anyone could ever meet. The last time we saw Cory from a far was with Richard Branson in Vancouver at a Board of Trade Luncheon. Of all people in the world, Richard Branson chose Cory to be his Virgin Unite Ambassador. Cory also supports Project Limelight for homeless youth in Vancouver to give them the chance to discover their strengths and potential through the arts.

Cory was a talent of course, but also a caring, lovely man who will be greatly missed. He had love and respect from everyone who knew him. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and Lea Michele. Cory was blessed with his long time agent Elena Kirschner, who guided Cory’s career from the beginning. We know how much they care for each other.

From the first time we meet Cory, we knew that he had a very successful career as an actor ahead of him. We were with Cory when he walked his very first Red Carpet at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It turned out to be the first of many. After an interview with the Biography Channel early on in his career, the reporter told us that Cory was one of the most amazing interviews that she had ever experienced. He was so honest about his struggles to succeed.

Cory drove to Los Angeles to audition for “Glee”. He had to pull into roadside rest stations to conduct press interviews along the way. We were so excited when Cory called to tell us that he had booked his role as Finn Hudson on the new Fox hit series.

Cory has had a US publicist since the explosion in popularity of “Glee”, so we were thrilled when we could work with him again at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, while promoting Carl Bessai’s Feature Film “Sisters & Brothers”, with co-stars Dustin Milligan, Amanda Crew, Gabrielle Miller, Ben Ratner, Gabrielle Rose, Camille Sullivan, Tom Scholte, Jay Brazeau, Kacey Rohl, Ali Liebert, Monica Delain and Beatrice King; all past/present clients. It was a very special time and Cory was genuinely happy to see me and gave me a huge hug. One I will always remember.

We join Cory’s family, friends, the cast of ”Glee”, actors, media and millions of fans everywhere when we say:

“Cory you will be missed. You left us all far too soon.”

– Lesley Diana and The Promotion People team

Press:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/glee-star-cory-monteith-dies-584965
http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/cory-monteith
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1816642/

Contact The Promotion People

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

Jasmyn Pozzo – Publicist
jasmyn@thepromotionpeople.ca
705.255.6887

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