CFC And Bell Media Announce Participants For New Showrunner Bootcamp

- Trio of experienced television professionals to gain valuable showrunning insight and experience -

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TORONTO, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - CFC (Canadian Film Centre) and Bell Media are pleased to welcome the three participants of the inaugural Bell Media Showrunner Bootcamp, a new initiative designed to furnish experienced TV writers with the knowledge and management skills necessary to become successful showrunners.

Selected in partnership by the CFC and Bell Media, those participating in the Bell Media Showrunner Bootcamp are:

• Shelley Eriksen, a creator, writer and showrunner with experience in prime-time drama, comedy, mini-series and movies-of-the-week. Having staffed over 200 episodes of television, Eriksen's career spans from the acclaimed TRADERS, through showrunning SHOW ME YOURS, and most recently has written on BOMB GIRLS, FLASHPOINT and 18 TO LIFE.  She is currently in development on the one-hour drama BEAUTY MARK for CTV/Bell Media, and movie-of-the-week THE JACK LAYTON STORY for CBC.
  
  
• Daegan Fryklind, an award-winning Vancouver-based writer/producer whose most recent credits include co-producer and writer on THE LISTENER for CTV/Fox International and head writer on YUKONIC. Previous credits include the series: BEING ERICA, JPOD, ROBSON ARMS, COLD SQUAD, FALCON BEACH, and THE GUARD, as well as the animated feature film EDISON & LEO. Presently, Fryklind is in development on the one-hour dramatic series BITTEN with SPACE/Bell Media/No Equal Entertainment, and TIME OUT with CBC/Lark Entertainment.
  
  
• Dennis Heaton, an award-winning writer and producer, is currently the co-executive producer and head writer on CALL ME FITZ (HBO Canada/Audience Network). His writing credits include THE LISTENER (CTV/NBC), JPOD (CBC), BLOOD TIES (LIFETIME) and the feature film FIDO (LIONSGATE). Heaton currently has four projects in active development: MAJESTIC (CTV, Bell Media, Paperny Entertainment), THE UNDERTAKER (Shaw/Lark Productions), PRIMAL (EBTV), and OUT OF TOUCH (Paperny Entertainment).

"Investing in talent is one of our top priorities, and the Bell Media Showrunner Bootcamp is the perfect opportunity for us to support the next generation of great Canadian showrunners," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. "By collaborating with the CFC in selecting Eriksen, Fryklind and Heaton for the program, we are supporting an incredibly talented group of creative voices. We have no doubt we will see their successes on our TV screens in the very near future."

The program begins in Toronto on February 6, 2012 and will run for two weeks. A week of sessions in Los Angeles (beginning February 20) will follow. The lineup of participating mentors and guests will be announced shortly.

The Bell Media Showrunner Bootcamp is an individually tailored program that focuses with precision on the special talents, abilities and challenges of each participant. The program will build on leadership skills, provide practical exposure to the producing side of the equation, and empower participants to confidently take on all of the challenges and responsibilities of showrunning. The participants will engage with top showrunners, key network executives, producers and other top-notch talent to expand their professional networks and take their showrunning skills to the next level.

About CFC
CFC is Canada's leading institution for advanced training in film, television and new media. A charitable not-for-profit organization, CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada's diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities for top creative content leaders from coast to coast. CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country's most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world. For more information please visit: cfccreates.com

About Bell Media
Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media entertains, informs and inspires Canadians. Bell Media owns 28 conventional stations, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network and lead broadcaster of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and owns and operates 30 specialty channels, including TSN, Canada's #1 specialty channel and RDS, Canada's #1 French-language specialty channel. Bell Media also owns 33 radio stations, dozens of websites including the Sympatico.ca portal, and Dome Productions Inc. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Tamara MacKeigan, Acting Director, Marketing & Communications, CFC, 416.445.1446 x304
[email protected] 

For program inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Weller, Manager, TV Programs, CFC, 416.445.1446 x 303
[email protected]

For information on Bell Media, please contact:
Laura Heath Potter, Director, Communications, Bell Media, 416.384.4633
[e-mail]