The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) and SUPER CHANNEL are pleased to present Nova Scotia writer Danny Weeks as the winner of their SCRIPTEASE screenwriting competition.

As part of the SCRIPTEASE prize, Weeks script, entitled “To Be Frank”, will receive the services of a professional story editor for up to six months. Professional actors will then read his script in front of an audience of producers and industry insiders. Born in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Weeks has held a strong interest in film and theatre since a young age and has been writing, in different formats for many years. He turned to screenwriting less than three years ago.

The SCRIPTEASE program, which is produced with the support of Telefilm Canada, was born out of an identified need to foster screenwriters in the region. “We felt that the art of screenwriting in Atlantic Canada needed a boost,” says Geoff Le Boutillier SUPER CHANNEL’s Creative Development Representative for Nova Scotia and Nunavut. “While numerous programs exist for print, prose, and playwriting, there was a palpable need for a concentrated and coordinated program for motion picture writers. In all, we had 14 feature screenplay submissions from a number of very talented local writers.”

Plans are in the works to expand the SCRIPTEASE program to other provinces with the participation of other organizations.

About SUPER CHANNEL:
Super Channel is Canada’s national pay television network, consisting of two new HD channels, four new SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand. Super Channel’s vision is to expand the Canadian premium TV experience by offering a broad range of fresh, entertaining movies, series and live events. Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment Inc., an Edmonton-based media company. Super Channel is currently available on Bell TV, Star Choice, Rogers PersonalTV, Shaw Cable, Cogeco Cable, Access Communications, Mountain Cablevision, Source Cable, SaskTel, MTS, Novus, EastLink and other regional providers.

The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative’s (AFCOOP) Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Greg Morris-Poultney, who has been appointed to the position of Executive Director. He assumes his responsibilities immediately. Former AFCOOP Executive Director Walter Forsyth has left the position after 10 years to devote more time to his independent film projects.

“We’re fortunate to have found a candidate that has such a well-rounded and extensive background, experience and knowledge in the film community and industry,” said Jeff Wheaton, Chair of AFCOOP’s Board of Directors. “It was a difficult search to fill Walter’s shoes but we’re confident that we’ve found someone that can help AFCOOP grow and take the organization to the next level in terms of membership, programs and funding.”

Greg Morris-Poultney spent a number of years as a producer and development executive in the local film and television industry developing new projects for national television broadcasters including CBC Television, History Television, Vision Television and Global Television.

“I’ve always held a great amount of respect for the work AFCOOP does,” said Morris-Poultney, new Executive Director of AFCOOP. “I’m excited by the challenge and looking forward to the opportunity of strengthening AFCOOP’s already solid slate of programs while reinforcing and expanding relationships with both members and partners.”

Over the past 20 years, Morris-Poultney has worked with a number of not-for-profit organizations in various capacities. He has also worked extensively in post-production and publicity. His key strengths lay in marketing, fundraising and project management. He lives in Halifax with his husband and their son.

A screenwriters’ program for Atlantic Canada 

Deadline: August 21st, 5pm.

ScriptTease is a pilot program and a collaboration between the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) and Super Channel with the support of Telefilm Canada.
 
The art of screenwriting in the Atlantic Region needs a boost.  While numerous programs exist for print, prose, and playwriting, there is a palpable need for a concentrated and coordinated program for motion picture writers. AFCOOP and Super Channel, in an attempt to kickstart just such an initiative, are pleased to announce that, with support from Telefilm, they are launching a pilot program for unproduced screenwriters of dramatic feature film scripts.  

The rules are simple.
1.)  The program is open to any AFCOOP member with no dramatic feature screenwriting credit.  (Non-members must join AFCOOP for their application to be accepted – $40. See http://www.afcoop.ca/membership )
2.) Only complete feature-length scripts will be accepted; no outlines or treatments.  
3.) Submissions must be received in pdf format by 5PM AST August 21st , 2009 via the following:
http://www.superchannel.ca/producers/submission/region/ns/.
(Please include the words “Script Tease” in the project title.)
 
A jury consisting of members of Super Channel’s Creative Development Department, AFCOOP, and Telefilm will select the one winning script.  The winner will be announced at AFCOOP’s annual Atlantic Film Festival party.

 The prize will have two parts:
1.) The services of a Super Channel story editor for four to six months.   
2.) A table read by professional actors of the script in front of a hand-picked audience of producers and industry resources.  A detailed critique will follow. 

That’s it – simple but hopefully rewarding for all concerned.   A final report on the pilot program will be prepared with input from everyone involved.  It will include recommendations for future iterations. The intent is to expand the program throughout the region through partnerships between the broadcaster and the other provincial film coops.