Could you write a great Canadian TV series?

Winnipeg – The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) wants to hear from talented Canadian writer and producer teams who have an idea for a great television series. Through the NSI Totally Television training program, NSI is offering qualifying teams the chance to fine-tune their idea and work towards landing a broadcast development deal.

Since the inception of the NSI Totally Television program in 2002, seven out of eight NSI Totally Television graduating teams have landed development deals with broadcasters and so far, two have been produced and broadcast nationally.

Apply for the program by May 15, 2006, 4:30 p.m., Central Time.

Guidelines and an application form are available on the NSI website by visiting the link below:

www.nsi-canada.ca/totallytelevision/registration.shtml

NSI Totally Television offers market-driven, rigourous and individualized training that spans 10 months. The program is designed to mentor and guide television writer-producer teams through the development of their television series concept. Participants are connected with a team of experts who help them partner with an executive producer/mentor, prepare a pitch-of-a-lifetime for broadcasters, and attend the Banff World Television Festival.

"The success of our talented graduates speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the training provided through the NSI Totally Television program," said Kit Redmond, NSI Totally Television Program Manager. "What sets this program apart is its ability to bring the decision makers face to face with the writers and producers. This contact is invaluable for our participants' development."

Kit is the executive producer on From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis (airing this spring on Global) and executive producer on Maxed Out airing on the W network.

Recent NSI Totally Television graduate successes include:

• This Space For Rent, a pilot by producer Jason James and writer Nick Citton aired on CBC in January 2006.

• Todd and the Book of Pure Evil by producer Anthony Leo and writer Craig D. Wallace and Less Than Kind by producer Chris Sheasgreen and writer Marvin Kaye are both in development with CHUM.

• Kink in My Hair by producer Damion Nurse and writer Trey Anthony is in development with Global Television.

• rebound by producer Nicole Hamilton and writer Karen McClellan is in development with CTV.

• The Big Switch by producer Laura James and writer Nicole Demerse is in development with YTV.

• Producer Anand Ramayya and writer Dennis Jackson celebrated the broadcast of Wapos Bay: There's No 'I' in Hockey on APTN in May 2005.

• Producer Jay Dahl (Strange Adventures) used his experience from NSI Totally Television to develop another pilot, Cheap Draft, Bad Language, Fast Cars, Women and a Video Camera, which was broadcast on CBC in January 2006.

The National Screen Institute – Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada’s oldest nationally recognized film and television training school. NSI helps emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life and to audiences at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for NSI graduates by giving them a competitive edge — according to the 2005 NSI Graduate Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry. 2006 marks the National Screen Institute's 20th anniversary year. Visit www.nsi-canada.ca for more information about NSI.

The National Screen Institute – Canada operates with ongoing funding from Telefilm Canada through Canadian Heritage, and Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Additional support provided by Patrons: CTV, CBC Television and The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Partner: Warner Bros. Entertainment Canada Inc., and financial assistance provided by the Winnipeg Arts Council.

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For more information:

Liz Hover
Publicist, National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI)
P: 204-956-7800 ext. 212
E: liz.hover@nsi-canada.ca