Press Releases

December 2009

Force Four Entertainment launches all-new celebrity insider TV series 'Six Degrees of TV', premiering on TVtropolis - Friday, January 8th at 7:00pm ET/PT

'Six Degrees of TV': Your backstage pass to Tinseltown

For Immediate Release - VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver based production company Force Four Entertainment launches an all-new celebrity insider TV series, 'Six Degrees of TV', premiering on TVtropolis Friday, January 8th, 2010, at 7:00pm ET/PT. This weekly primetime series takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of Tinseltown to reveal the shocking connections, insider stories and revealing relationships that link Hollywood's hottest stars and high profile personalities by six degrees.

How is it that '80s star Tony Danza is connected to British funny man Ricky Gervais? Or, material girl Madonna connects to '40 Year Old Virgin' star Steve Carell? Combining fascinating stories and little known facts, 'Six Degrees of TV' offers viewers a unique insight into the lives of their favourite stars. Each half-hour episode matches seemingly unrelated stars and reveals their personal connection through 'Six Degrees of TV'.

"Celebrities are fascinating to us and so are their relationships," says Series Producer David Freeman "and this series exposes the strangest connections that will surprise even the most ardent fans."

Find out which comedian turned down another's job offer, which celebrity introduced himself by writing a letter to another star who was in jail, and which musician received death threats after appearing in a director's film - only on 'Six Degrees of TV.' Expect to learn even more about your favorite celebrity A-listers this year, including the connections between Jim Carey and George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Gordon Ramsey, Barbra Streisand and Tina Fey, John Travolta and Justin Timberlake, and even Geena Davis and Barack Obama, to name just a few.

Featuring interviews with some of North America's most well respected industry insiders, celebrities and television experts, including Jen Garcia of People Magazine, Erin Cebula, Michael Eckford, Katherine Monk, and Hollywood Blogger Laura Saltman, 'Six Degrees of TV' is definitely your backstage pass to the world of entertainment.

Please check your local listings or visit tvtropolis.com for upcoming episodes of 'Six Degrees of TV'. ** Episodes will air every Friday from January 8th to May 28th with re-runs to follow.

March 12, 2009

A Mother’s Love Isn’t Black and White: CTV Original Movie PLAYING FOR KEEPS

Premieres April 5

– Inspired by a high-profile Canadian custody battle set in Vancouver,
CTV Original movie stars Jennifer Finnigan (CLOSE TO HOME)
alongside Doug Savant (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) and Roger Cross (24) –

Toronto, ON (March 12, 2009) – When a young, white sports groupie falls in love with a married, pro black basketball star, their child becomes the focus of a ground-breaking and racially-charged Canadian custody battle. CTV announced today the premiere of the CTV Original Movie PLAYING FOR KEEPS, a gripping dramatization of a mother’s fight with her son’s pro-athlete father for sole custody of their son, premiering Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV. Confronting issues of class, fame, and above all, race, the two-hour, Canadian production stars Montreal-native and Daytime Emmy® Award-winning actress Jennifer Finnigan (CLOSE TO HOME, CROSSING JORDAN), Doug Savant (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, MELROSE PLACE), and Roger Cross (24, NCIS). PLAYING FOR KEEPS will also be available on demand on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca following its broadcast premiere.

Following its January 2009 premiere on the Lifetime Movie Network, PLAYING FOR KEEPS was the third highest-rated original movie in Lifetime Movie Network history.

**Media Note** - Download press kit and photos from PLAYING FOR KEEPS at www.ctvmedia.ca.

Inspired by a high-profile Canadian legal battle, PLAYING FOR KEEPS is the story of Vancouver sports groupie Nicole Alpern (Finnigan), who falls in love with married, pro basketball player Ty Rivers (Cross) and becomes pregnant with his child. When Ty decides he wants to be a full-time parent to his son, the two begin an emotional custody battle over Noah. At the heart of the custody fight is the notion of whether or not Noah should be raised by the African-American family he resembles or his single, Canadian Caucasian mother. Teaming up with ambitious lawyer Peter Marcheson (Savant), Nicole must plead her precedent-setting case to the ultimate authority – the Supreme Court of Canada.

“PLAYING FOR KEEPS is a compelling dramatization of an emotional and psychological journey inspired by a case which led to a historic decision by the Supreme Court of Canada,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “Jennifer Finnigan delivers a poignant portrayal of one woman’s perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.”

“I was really taken by the story of a woman who had everything against her. She had money against her, she had fame against her, she had class against her, race and public image against her,” said producer Marsha Newbery.

“Here was a young mother with almost no resources who just fought as much as she possibly could to keep her child,” added executive producer John Ritchie.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS is directed by Gary Harvey (ROBSON ARMS, WHISTLER) and was filmed on location in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was developed and produced by Force Four Entertainment, in association with CTV and Lifetime Television. PLAYING FOR KEEPSis produced with the assistance of the Cogeco Program Development Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC and developed with the participation of British Columbia Film and Telefilm Canada.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS is written by Shelley Eriksen (Shania: A Life In Eight Albums, Cold Squad), developed and executive produced by Force Four Entertainment’s John Ritchie, Rob Bromley and Gillian Lowrey (Human Cargo, The Love Crimes of Gillian Guess). Howard Dancyger (Dragon Boys, The Burial Society) and Marsha Newbery (The Rock and Roll Kid, Tailor Made) are producers.  CTV’s production executives are Robert Hardy and Samantha Mastai. Brett Burlock is Director, Program Development for CTV. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels for CTV Inc.  Production executive for Lifetime is Elizabeth Wise. Tanya Lopez is Senior Vice President of Movie Programming at Lifetime Television.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS is the eleventh original movie from CTV’s “Heroes, Champions and Villains” production strand that focuses on remarkable Canadian personalities, characters and stories. The strand is responsible for 2007’s IN GOD’S COUNTRY, starring Kelly Rowan, which delivered a record 1.6 million** viewers and was the most-watched movie (U.S. or Canadian) to air on any Canadian network in 2006-2007. Previous “Heroes, Champions and Villains” titles that have enjoyed critical and ratings success on CTV include ELIJAH, the two-part miniseries LIVES OF THE SAINTS, TERRY, THE MAN WHO LOST HIMSELF, EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE, SHADES OF BLACKand OF MURDER AND MEMORY.

About CTV Original Programming
CTV produces the most-watched original programming in Canada. CTV’s success and commitment to original production has cemented the network as the industry-leader dedicated to telling fresh Canadian stories and building home-grown talent. The network's ongoing commitment to develop, produce and promote industry-leading television that engages viewers is evident across a wide range of programming genres.
Seen around the world, the network’s robust slate of critically acclaimed, award-winning original productions includes: Canada’s #1 comedy series, CORNER GAS; the most-watched Canadian drama series, FLASHPOINT; Canada’s #1 new program, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA; the award-winning and internationally acclaimed series DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION; the upcoming drama series THE LISTENER and THE BRIDGE; Elvis Costello’s new variety/talk series SPECTACLE; and promoting it all, Canada’s #1 source for everything entertainment, ETALK. CTV is also responsible for Canada’s most-watched awards broadcasts, including THE JUNO AWARDS and THE GILLER PRIZE. CTV is a proud supporter of its original movie slate including Gemini Award winners for Best TV Movie: MAYERTHORPE (2008), DOOMSTOWN (2007), HUNT FOR JUSTICE: THE LOUISE ARBOUR STORY (2006), and TRIPPING THE WIRE: A STEPHEN TREE MYSTERY (2005) along with ratings champions EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE and IN GOD’S COUNTRY.

About Force Four Entertainment
Based in Vancouver, BC, Force Four Entertainment began operations in 1983, and has grown into one of Canada’s most successful and respected television producers. The company has produced more than 300 hours of primetime broadcast programming, earning accolades on the national and international stage.  Awards include the prestigious Peabody Award, 10 Gemini Awards and over 25 Gemini nominations.  Force Four Entertainment programming includes drama, lifestyle and documentary projects for Canadian and American networks such as CBC, Global, CTV, City, Discovery, Slice, W Network, Lifetime, TVtropolis, Fox Reality, Oxygen, Discovery Health, Fine Living and Sundance Channel and its programs are distributed and viewed worldwide.  Force Four Entertainment is owned by President Rob Bromley, Executive Producer John Ritchie and Director of Business Affairs Gillian Lowrey.

About CTV
CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast,
CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LLOYD ROBERTSON, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

- CTV-

For more information:
Sónia Brum, CTV Inc., 416.384.5374 or sonia.brum@ctv.ca
Jim Quan, CTV Inc., 416.384.5311 or jim.quan@ctv.ca

February 13, 2009

DOCUMENTARY FOCUSES ON FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER

VICTORIA – A new documentary profiling the lives and experiences of four B.C. families raising children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will air Monday, Feb. 16 on the Knowledge Network.

FASD is the most common form of preventable brain damage to infants in the western world. Health Canada estimates that for every 1,000 births, nine infants will be affected in some way by the disorder. It is not isolated to any specific demographic – it touches all social classes and ethnic groups and exists in communities both large and small throughout British Columbia, Canada and the entire world.

Created with the support of grant funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to PLEA Community Services, the documentary – titled FASD: Finding Hope – was directed by Susan Smitten and produced by the award-winning production company Force Four Entertainment of Vancouver. The film features interviews with doctors, psychologists, teachers and caregivers who are working toward a better understanding of FASD and how to best support children and youth with the disability. It also highlights a range of support services, including ministry and other programs that are providing hope for those living with the disorder.

In 2003, B.C. became the first province in Canada to create a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at addressing FASD. In March 2008, the Ministry of Children and Family Development collaborated with eight other ministries to develop a new 10-year Provincial Plan – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Building on Strengths. The ministry’s budget for FASD support services has doubled from to $2.7 million in 2005/06 to $5.4 million in 2008/09.

FASD: Finding Hope airs on the Knowledge Network at 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, and will be available to view online Feb. 17, 2009, at www.knowledge.ca/findinghope. More information about FASD can be found on the ministry website at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/fasd.

BROADCAST MAGAZINE - February 2, 2009

CTV/Lifetime Television Movie Scores High in the U.S.

CTV, the Lifetime Movie Network and Force Four Productions have teamed up on a precedent-setting made-for-TV movie.

In its debut Sunday, January 18, ‘What Color is Love?” aired on the Lifetime Movie Network to audience acclaim. The production drew a 1.1 rating among women 18-49 (451,393 viewers) and a 1.2 rating among women 25-42 (462,669 viewers), making it the third-highest-rated original movie in network history.

Due to air later this year on CTV with the title ‘Playing for Keeps,’ the $4.7 million movie is inspired by a true story about an interracial love affair that turns into a controversial custody battle. The film is directed by Gary Harvey (Robson Arms, Whistler) and stars Jennifer Finnigan (Close to Home, Crossing Jordan), Doug Savant (Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place) and Roger Cross ( 24, NCIS).

The movie is developed and produced by Vancouver-based Force Four Entertainment, in association with CTV and Lifetime Television. It is the eleventh original movie from CTV's "Heroes, Champions and Villains" production strand that focuses on remarkable Canadian personalities, characters and stories.

The original teleplay is written by Shelley Eriksen (Shania: A Life In Eight Albums, Cold Squad), developed and Executive Produced by Force Four Entertainment's John Ritchie, Rob Bromley and Gillian Lowrey (Human Cargo, The Love Crimes of Gillian Guess). Producers are Howard Dancyger (Dragon Boys, The Burial Society) and Marsha Newbery. CTV's production executives are Robert Hardy and Samantha Morris Mastai. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels. Production executive for Lifetime is Elizabeth Wise. Tanya Lopez is Senior VP of Movie Programming at Lifetime Television.

The behind-the-scenes team was led by director of photography Kamal Derkaoui (Robson Arms, Judicial Indiscretion), production designer Grant Pearse (Robson Arms, Cold Squad), costume designer Heather Lee Douglas (Whistler, Robson Arms) and editor Franco Pante (Elijah, Robson Arms).

‘Playing For Keeps’ is produced with the assistance of the Cogeco Program Development Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC. It is developed with the participation of British Columbia Film and Telefilm Canada.

Based in Vancouver, BC, Force Four Entertainment began operations in 1983, and has grown into one of Canada’s most successful and respected Television companies. The company has produced more than 300 hours of primetime broadcast programming, earning the company accolades on the national and international stage. Awards include the prestigious Peabody Award, 10 Gemini Awards and over 25 Gemini nominations. Force Four Entertainment programming includes drama, lifestyle, factual and documentary programs and series for networks such as CBC, Global, CTV, City, Discovery, Slice, W Network, Lifetime, Fox Reality, Oxygen, Discovery Health, Fine Living and Sundance Channel.

June 5, 2008

Force Four Entertainment in production on "Playing for Keeps" (Working Title) for CTV and Lifetime

Vancouver's Force Four Entertainment announced that principal photography began today in Vancouver for its television movie Playing For Keeps, in production for CTV and Lifetime and slated for a Winter 08 release. Inspired by a true story, the film is directed by Gary Harvey (Robson Arms, Whistler) and stars Jennifer Finnigan (Close to Home, Crossing Jordan), Doug Savant (Desperate Housewives) and Roger Cross (24, NCIS).

The original teleplay is written by Shelley Eriksen (Shania: A Life In Eight Albums, Cold Squad), developed and Executive Produced by Force Four Entertainment's John Ritchie, Rob Bromley and Gillian Lowrey (Human Cargo, The Love Crimes of Gillian Guess). Producers are Howard Dancyger (Dragon Boys, The Burial Society) and Marsha Newbery. CTV's production executives are Robert Hardy and Louise Clark, Vice President of Program Development. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels. Production executive for Lifetime is Elizabeth Wise. Tanya Lopez is Senior VP of Movie Programming at Lifetime Television.

The behind-the-scenes team is led by director of photography Kamal Derkaoui (Robson Arms, Judicial Indiscretion), production designer Grant Pearse (Robson Arms, Cold Squad), costume designer Heather Lee Douglas (Whistler, Robson Arms) and editor Franco Pante (Elijah, Robson Arms).

Playing For Keeps is developed and produced by Force Four Entertainment, in association with CTV and Lifetime Television. It is the eleventh original movie from CTV's "Heroes, Champions and Villains" production strand that focuses on remarkable Canadian personalities, characters and stories. Playing For Keeps is produced with the assistance of the Cogeco Program Development Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, The Province of British Columbia Film Incentive BC. Developed with the participation of British Columbia Film and Telefilm Canada.

Force Four Entertainment is an award-winning television production company based in Vancouver, B.C. The company has produced over three hundred hours of prime time television for networks in all genres, and has a busy scripted and factual production and development slate.

June 5, 2008

Force Four Entertainment Hires New Director of Development for Factual Programming

Vancouver-based production company Force Four Entertainment announced today that it has hired highly respected documentary and lifestyle producer Sean DeVries as its Director of Development. DeVries honed his journalism skills as a Senior Writer and Reporter for CBC Television in Vancouver and Edmonton. He later moved to London, England to work for BBC World Television.

DeVries will be in charge of developing Force Four's busy slate of factual programming, and will work closely with Development Coordinator Nicole Lawson and Writer/Researcher Greg Laikin. Force Four is currently in production on the second season of Tube Tales for Canwest's TVtropolis, as well as documentaries for CBC Newsworld's The Lens, Global Currents and Knowledge Network, and a lifestyle pilot which is preparing to shoot for W Network. The company's busy development slate includes drama, documentary and lifestyle projects for a wide range of broadcasters.

May 1, 2008

Canwest has announced renewal of the popular TVtropolis series Tube Tales: TV's Real Stories produced by Force Four Entertainment Inc. of Vancouver. The show features the real-life people, places and events that inspired writers and producers of hit TV Series. Global's renewal will bring the total number of episosdes in the series to 52.

April 8, 2008

Force Four Inks Deals with Australian Distributor

Force Four Entertainment has entered into an agreement with one of the world's leading independent distributors, Beyond International of Sydney, Australia, to distribute its new series Tube Tales: TV's Real Stories. Force Four is a leading producer of factual entertainment, and works with top distributors around the world. Beyond International also distributes two other series for the company, Making It Big (13 x 30 Minute Lifestyle Series) and Manhattan Matchmaker (13 x 30 Minute Lifestyle Series). Beyond will launch sales of Tube Tales at MIPCOM, 2008.

February 14, 2008

Force Four Entertainment announced today it has been given the green light by CTV and Lifetime Network to move into production on the television movie Playing for Keeps. The movie is set to shoot in June of 2008.