W Network brings Margaret Atwood's fearless storytelling to the small screen with the launch of The Atwood Stories
January 13, 2003
TORONTO, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - The Atwood Stories, a dramatic anthology series of six half-hour episodes, premieres on W Network with the first adaptation, Polarities on Thursday, February 20th, 10 p.m. Based on short stories by Margaret Atwood, the series pairs award-winning writers and directors in the exploration of the themes contained in Atwood's work.
When is a stranger no longer a stranger? The Atwood Stories explore the moment when a chance meeting becomes something more. Although each story is unique and unrelated in character and setting, a stream of random encounters occurs throughout the anthology, involving people who dare to reach out. In addition to Polarities, the stories include Betty, Man From Mars, Death by Landscape, Isis and The Sunrise.
"W network is committed to Canadian drama and The Atwood Stories allows us to entertain our audience in a truly Canadian voice," says Christine Shipton, Senior Director of Programming and Development, W Network. "We are thrilled to be working with two of Canada's top production companies on this series and our audiences can look forward to seeing the short stories of Margaret Atwood brought to life on the W Network."
The first collaboration between Shaftesbury Films of Toronto and Original Pictures of Winnipeg and one of the first Canadian dramas commissioned by W, the series was shot in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba. Production took place in the fall of 2002."These stories and characters have come to the screen with all their edges intact. Atwood cuts through the layers of her characters, right to the bone," says producer/executive producer Kim Todd of Original Pictures."To adapt six of Margaret Atwood's short stories with some of the best screenwriting and directing talent in the country is a wonderful opportunity," adds Christina Jennings of Shaftesbury Films. "W Network's commitment to the series provides the project with a strong platform."
Highlights of The Atwood Stories' acting, writing and directing talent include actors David Sutcliffe (Gilmore Girls) and Michéle-Barbara Pelletier (Afterglow, The Lotus Eaters), starring in Polarities, directed and adapted by Lori Spring (Personal Effects, Inside/Out) and premiering February 20th, 10 p.m. Sharon Bajer (Children of My Heart) and Jonathan Scarfe (The Sheldon Kennedy Story, The Morrison Murders) are directed by Marni Banack (Sheer Bliss, So Weird) in Betty, adapted for television by Lori Spring and premiering on February 27th, 10 p.m. The Man From Mars premieres March 6th, 10 p.m., and stars Sonja Smits (11th Hour, Traders) directed by Lynne Stopkewich (Suspicious River, Kissed, Bliss, Lillith on Top) who also co-wrote the adaptation, in conjunction with Doug Taylor (The Carpenter, The Nurses). Actors Roberta Maxwell (Dead Man Walking, Psycho III) and Gabrielle Rose (Milgaard, The Sweet Hereafter) are directed by Stacey Stewart Curtis (Dreamstorm: A North of 60 Mystery, Doc) in the Death By Landscape adaptation by screenwriter Jason Sherman (Hoop Life) premiering on March 13th, 10 p.m. Isis in Darkness stars Christian Campbell (The Piano Man's Daughter, Degrassi High) and Brigitte Bako (New York Stories, The Mind of the Married Man), directed by Norma Bailey, (The Sheldon Kennedy Story, Nights Below Station Street) in the adaptation by screenwriter David Young (Swann, My Life as a Dog) premiering March 20th, 10 p.m. The anthology concludes on March 27, 10 p.m. with The Sunrise, starring Rebecca Jenkins (Marion Bridge, Black Harbour), directed by Francine Zuckerman (Passengers, Punch Me in the Stomach), who also co-wrote the final adaptation, along with screenwriter Chris Philpott (Fairytales and Pornograph, The Happy Couple). Laura Harbin is producer and Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie are executive producers for Shaftesbury Films. Kim Todd is producer and executive producer for Original Pictures. Lori Spring and Francine Zuckerman are also producers.
The Atwood Stories is produced with the participation of The Canadian Television Fund License Fee Program, Telefilm Canada, Manitoba Film and Sound, Rogers Cable Fund, CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund and in association with the W Network. The project was developed in association with Bravo! Canada. W Network is the No. 1 women's specialty service in Canada. Since September 2002, W Network has seen a 35% audience increase from a year ago. W Network is a Corus Entertainment Company. Corus Entertainment is a Canadian- based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. Corus' assets include 52 radio stations, four of Canada's leading specialty television networks, Canada's western pay-TV business and five digital channels. Corus also owns Nelvana Limited, one of the world's largest international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' Web site can be found at corusentertainment.com.
Back to articles
January 13, 2003
TORONTO, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - The Atwood Stories, a dramatic anthology series of six half-hour episodes, premieres on W Network with the first adaptation, Polarities on Thursday, February 20th, 10 p.m. Based on short stories by Margaret Atwood, the series pairs award-winning writers and directors in the exploration of the themes contained in Atwood's work.
When is a stranger no longer a stranger? The Atwood Stories explore the moment when a chance meeting becomes something more. Although each story is unique and unrelated in character and setting, a stream of random encounters occurs throughout the anthology, involving people who dare to reach out. In addition to Polarities, the stories include Betty, Man From Mars, Death by Landscape, Isis and The Sunrise.
"W network is committed to Canadian drama and The Atwood Stories allows us to entertain our audience in a truly Canadian voice," says Christine Shipton, Senior Director of Programming and Development, W Network. "We are thrilled to be working with two of Canada's top production companies on this series and our audiences can look forward to seeing the short stories of Margaret Atwood brought to life on the W Network."
The first collaboration between Shaftesbury Films of Toronto and Original Pictures of Winnipeg and one of the first Canadian dramas commissioned by W, the series was shot in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba. Production took place in the fall of 2002."These stories and characters have come to the screen with all their edges intact. Atwood cuts through the layers of her characters, right to the bone," says producer/executive producer Kim Todd of Original Pictures."To adapt six of Margaret Atwood's short stories with some of the best screenwriting and directing talent in the country is a wonderful opportunity," adds Christina Jennings of Shaftesbury Films. "W Network's commitment to the series provides the project with a strong platform."
Highlights of The Atwood Stories' acting, writing and directing talent include actors David Sutcliffe (Gilmore Girls) and Michéle-Barbara Pelletier (Afterglow, The Lotus Eaters), starring in Polarities, directed and adapted by Lori Spring (Personal Effects, Inside/Out) and premiering February 20th, 10 p.m. Sharon Bajer (Children of My Heart) and Jonathan Scarfe (The Sheldon Kennedy Story, The Morrison Murders) are directed by Marni Banack (Sheer Bliss, So Weird) in Betty, adapted for television by Lori Spring and premiering on February 27th, 10 p.m. The Man From Mars premieres March 6th, 10 p.m., and stars Sonja Smits (11th Hour, Traders) directed by Lynne Stopkewich (Suspicious River, Kissed, Bliss, Lillith on Top) who also co-wrote the adaptation, in conjunction with Doug Taylor (The Carpenter, The Nurses). Actors Roberta Maxwell (Dead Man Walking, Psycho III) and Gabrielle Rose (Milgaard, The Sweet Hereafter) are directed by Stacey Stewart Curtis (Dreamstorm: A North of 60 Mystery, Doc) in the Death By Landscape adaptation by screenwriter Jason Sherman (Hoop Life) premiering on March 13th, 10 p.m. Isis in Darkness stars Christian Campbell (The Piano Man's Daughter, Degrassi High) and Brigitte Bako (New York Stories, The Mind of the Married Man), directed by Norma Bailey, (The Sheldon Kennedy Story, Nights Below Station Street) in the adaptation by screenwriter David Young (Swann, My Life as a Dog) premiering March 20th, 10 p.m. The anthology concludes on March 27, 10 p.m. with The Sunrise, starring Rebecca Jenkins (Marion Bridge, Black Harbour), directed by Francine Zuckerman (Passengers, Punch Me in the Stomach), who also co-wrote the final adaptation, along with screenwriter Chris Philpott (Fairytales and Pornograph, The Happy Couple). Laura Harbin is producer and Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie are executive producers for Shaftesbury Films. Kim Todd is producer and executive producer for Original Pictures. Lori Spring and Francine Zuckerman are also producers.
The Atwood Stories is produced with the participation of The Canadian Television Fund License Fee Program, Telefilm Canada, Manitoba Film and Sound, Rogers Cable Fund, CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund and in association with the W Network. The project was developed in association with Bravo! Canada. W Network is the No. 1 women's specialty service in Canada. Since September 2002, W Network has seen a 35% audience increase from a year ago. W Network is a Corus Entertainment Company. Corus Entertainment is a Canadian- based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. Corus' assets include 52 radio stations, four of Canada's leading specialty television networks, Canada's western pay-TV business and five digital channels. Corus also owns Nelvana Limited, one of the world's largest international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' Web site can be found at corusentertainment.com.
Back to articles