487 Adelaide Street W, Ste 201 • Toronto, Ontario, Canada • M5V 1T4 tel: 416.536.1390 • fax:416.536.7986 • i n f o @ m a r k h a m s t r e e t . c o m
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS 1.
S CRIPTED C ONTENT In Development…………………………………………4 Completed……………………………………………….8
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D OCUMENTARY C ONTENT In Development…………………………………………10 Completed……………………………………………….12
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S CRIPTED C ONTENT
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F EATURE C OMEDIES IN D EVELOPMENT
When Peggy Bradbury, former top model, returns from Mexico to the scene of her former glory for the funeral of one of her modeling contemporaries, she blithely volunteers to save the career of the designer who made her famous. Will she succeed? Or will she come spectacularly undone? Genre: Comedy Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer: Judy Holm, based on a story by Judy Holm and Michael McNamara Status: Final Draft Funding: The Corus Made with Pay Fund, Telefilm Rights Available: World, ex Canada Markham Street Films Inc. 4 of 21
F EATURE C OMEDIES IN D EVELOPMENT
F IT
TO
P RINT
Fit to Print is a laugh-out loud comedy about Leonard Kravitz, a small-town journalist who starts making up stories to save his job but gets in trouble when one of his fabricated news pieces turns out to be true. Genre: Comedy Cast: Jessica Paré Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer: Daniel Perlmutter Status: Final Draft Rights Available: World, ex Canada Winner of 2009 Telefilm Pitch This! contest at TIFF, juried by Ivan Reitman and others. Participant: Telefilm/CFC Comedy Bootcamp 2011 Participant: Telefilm/CFC Comedy Lab 2011-2012
H EAVEN
IS
S MALL
Life at Heaven Publishing is dull, until Gordon Small discovers two things. One, he is dead and two, he can write his own story and send it out into the unsuspecting world of the living hidden inside one of the romance novels that Heaven publishes. He wreaks havoc in heaven but he saves his soul. Genre: Comedy Original Material: based on the Trillium-nominated novel by Emily Schultz. Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer: Michael McNamara Director: Michael McNamara Status: Treatment Funding: OMDC Page to Screen Rights Available: World, ex Canada Shortlisted for the 2010 Trilium Award Praise for Emily Schultz’s book “Don't let the presence of the grim reaper scare you: Heaven is Small is a fantastical comedy." - National Post Markham Street Films Inc. 5 of 21
F EATURES ABOUT WOMEN BASED ON AWARD - WINNING NOVELS
T HE B ALLAD M ACKENZIE
OF
M AURA
A feature film directed by Molly Parker
The story of an extraordinary woman who risks everything for the chance to be a mother again to the daughters she thought lost to her forever. Genre: Inspirational Fable Original Material: based on the award-winning novel An Audience of Chairs by Joan Clark. Producers: Judy Holm, Michael McNamara & Rosemary House Ontario/Newfoundland Co-Production Writer: Rosemary House Status: Final Draft Funding: Telefilm, Nfld and Labrador Film Commission Rights Available: World, ex Canada Distributor: KinoSmith (Canada) Winner of the Bennington Gate Fiction Award, The Globe and Mail Books of the Year pick, Nominated for the Evergreen Award, Nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Shortlisted for The Winterset Award “Here’s betting that Parker will navigate the shift from acting to directing with a splash…” – Fashion Magazine
T HE E DIBLE W OMAN In 1963 Toronto, girls just wanted to get married. And so does Miriam, until the force of her impending wedding combined with a chance encounter with an intriguing stranger send her veering out of control and into a new, modern life. Genre: Coming of Age Original Material: based on the novel by Margaret Atwood. Producers: Judy Holm, Michael McNamara & Francine Zuckerman Writer: Francine Zuckerman Status: Final Draft Funding: The Harold Greenberg Fund, The Corus Made with Pay Fund, Telefilm Rights Available: World, ex Canada Praise for Margaret Atwood’s book “Funny, sharp, witty, clever.” –The Times (U.K.) “Articulate and sophisticated.…Extraordinarily witty, and full of ironic observation.…A tour de force.…” –Toronto Star “Reflections on marriage, guilt and the relationship between the sexes – classic Atwood territory.” –The Guardian (U.K.) Markham Street Films Inc. 6 of 21
F EATURES ABOUT WOMEN BASED ON AWARD - WINNING NOVELS
S AILOR G IRL In the summer of 1981, 19-year-old art student rebel Kate McLeod signs on to a Great Lakes freighter and sails off into an unexpected world of stormy, sexy and dangerous adventures. Genre: Coming of Age Original Material: based on the award-winning novel by Sheree-Lee Olson. Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer: Johanna Schneller Status: Final Draft Funding: The Harold Greenberg Fund, Corus Made with Pay Fund, Telefilm Rights Available: World, ex Canada Winner of Independent Publisher Book Awards: Literary Fiction Bronze Award 2009, Shortlisted for ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award: Fiction - Literary 2008. Praise for Sheree-Lee Olson’s book “Olson has a deft poetic style that imprints characters and situations with casual grace and potency.” - Ibi Kaslik The Globe and Mail “Olson understands the appeal of tough sex and wide open water… a book about a girl rebel… that cuts to the quick.” - Katherine Govier, author of Three Views of Crystal Water
T HE M ISTRESS
OF
N OTHING
Based on the real Lady Duff Gordon's journey to Egypt with her maid in the mid-19th century. Maid Sally Naldrett travels to the Middle East with her lady and falls in love with their interpreter and guide, Omar. The blithe domestic scene takes a turn for the worse when Sally becomes pregnant, much to Lady Duff Gordon's disappointment. Against the backdrop of civil unrest and stunned by Lady Duff Gordon’s betrayal, Sally desperately flees to try to make a life for herself and her child in Cairo, a city roiling with change at a turning point in its history. Genre: Historical Romance Original Material: based on the award-winning novel by Kate Pullinger. Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer: Elke Town Status: Treatment Funding: OMDC From Page to Screen, Corus Made with Pay Fund Rights Available: World, ex Canada Winner of the Governor General's Award for Fiction in 2009 Praise for Kate Pullinger’s book "gritty, moving, and utterly believable" - The Globe and Mail “’A hot dusty complicity between Lady, maid and manservant’ — this is the tantalizing dynamic Kate Pullinger places at the center of her novel The Mistress of Nothing.” - Lisa Fugard, The New York Times Markham Street Films Inc. 7 of 21
C OMPLETED F EATURE F ILMS
V ICTORIA D AY It is May 1988 in Toronto. The school year is coming to a close. The Victoria Day long weekend heralds the beginning of summer. In Boston, Wayne Gretzky’s dynastic Edmonton Oilers are playing in the Stanley Cup Finals. Best of all, Bob Dylan is coming to town. Ben Spektor, 16, attends the concert with his two closest friends, Sammy and Noah. Outside the concert, Ben sees what looks like a routine exchange: two teenagers buying drugs. In a way he could never have predicted, the consequences of this drug deal will alter the course of his summer and, quite possibly, the rest of his life. Genre: Coming of Age Producers: Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Writer/Director: David Bezmozgis Staring: Mark Rendall Distributor: eOne
T HE C OCKROACH T HAT A TE C INCINNATI An adaptation of The Cockroach Trilogy, Alan William’s hilarious and acerbic rant about modern man and pop culture in the ‘60’s. Genre: Comedy Producer/Director: Michael McNamara Writer: Alan Williams Staring: Alan Williams Broadcaster: BRAVO Rights Available: World Awards: Best Actor Genie nomination, Alan Williams.
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D OCUMENTARIES
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D OCUMENTARIES IN DEVELOPMENT
L IGHTS O UT 1
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52 MINUTES HD
A new documentary for the CBC's Nature of Things with David Suzuki exploring the connections between Circadian Rhythms, Light at Night and Human Health. Rights Available: All Media (World, ex Canada) Languages: English Genre: Science & Knowledge, Medicine, Technology Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Markham Street Films. In production with CBC’s The Nature of Things.
T HE B ORDERLESS S KY FEATURE LENGTH HD A team of photographers traverse treacherous international landscapes to capture awe-inspiring nighttime images and present a vision of our shared humanity. Rights Available: All Media, World Languages: English Genre: History & Civilization, Natural History Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Markham Street Films. Development funding: Shaw Media-Hot Docs Fund.
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R EASONABLE D OUBT FEATURE LENGTH HD When troubled teen Ray Klonsky began writing letters to prison inmate David McCallum, both of their lives changed forever. Hundreds of letters later, Ray graduated from university determined to set his friend free. Rights Available: All Media, World Languages: English Genre: Society, Law, Human Interest Written and Directed by Ray Klonsky and Marc Lamy, Produced by Markham Street Films. Development funding: Shaw Media-Hot Docs Fund.
I CE , S WEAT & TEARS 1
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52
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A look inside the colourful and highly competitive sport of Figure Skating. What does it take for these athletes to become World Champions? Rights Available: All Media, (World, ex Canada) Languages: English Genre: Sports, Human Interest Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Markham Street Films. In production with CBC’s DocZone.
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COMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
F ANBOY C ONFESSIONAL 6 X 30 MINUTE SERIES HD “Fanboy”, “Geek” and “Nerd” were once terms of ridicule and derision, but now these folks wear the badges proudly. Because everyone knows – Nerds Rule! And today there are literally millions of self-professed nerds around the world. Fanboy Confessional is a new television series celebrating this revolution. Fandom – it’s no longer just about collecting things – it’s about collecting experiences. Fanboy Confessional gets inside these experiences and reveals unique insights into heretofore-secret worlds and celebrates the real superheroes of fandom Rights Available: All Media (World, ex Canada, the Carribbean and Latin America) Languages: English Genre: Pop Culture, Human Interest, Lifestyle & Entertainment Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Markham Street Films for SPACE. 2012 Canadian Cinema Editors Awards Nomination – Best Editing in Lifestyle/Reality Markham Street Films Inc. 12 of 21
COMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES "Never been cooler to be a geek." - Ted Shaw, Post Media “Watching Fanboy Confessional is like getting a free ticket to… Comic-Con, without the crowds and hassle. It's a spry, cheerful ride through a funhouse of cultural mirrors, where it's OK to dress up like a squirrel and pretend, if only for a moment, that one has the power to change the world.” - Alex Strachan, Montreal Gazette “…nerds really have inherited the earth...” - Adrian Mac,The Georgia Straight “For the uninitiated, it offers an illuminating and human look at things like cosplay (costume play), steampunk and LARPing (live action role playing).” - Raju Mudhar, The Toronto Star “When I heard about this… I went over to the U.S. SyFy Channel’s schedule… WTF, SyFy… Get going already!” - Gia Manry, www.fanboy.com “As a comic book collector for 16 years and an attendee of every comic convention in my city, I thought I had the fandom thing nailed down. Then I watched Fanboy Confessional and realized I still had a lot to learn.” - Aaron Broverman, AOLTV “Aaron Ashmore… who is no stranger to genre fare himself (Smallville, The Shrine and Warehouse 13), narrates the series and his voice pops with bubblegum enthusiasm, perfect for the energy of the series.” - Andrew Mack, Twitchfilm.com
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COMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
A CQUAINTED W ITH THE N IGHT : E XCURSIO N S T HRO UG H
THE
W O RLD A FTER D ARK
FEATURE AND 52 MINUTES HD Acquainted With the Night is a documentary journey through the world after dark, from sunset to sunrise, illuminating nighttime phenomena, customs and rituals around the globe. The film is a tapestry of international character-driven stories that celebrate and explore how much we need the night – revealing the dark truths, beauty and dangerous consequences of a world that never sleeps. Rights Available: All media (World, ex Canada, France, Germany, Finland, Spain, Israel) Languages: English, French, German Genre: Environment, Science, Ethnology & Sociology, Natural History, Culture Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for documentary, ARTE France, TFO, YLE Finland.
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COMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
2011 Gemini Awards WINNER: Best Direction in a Documentary Program – Michael McNamara NOMINEE: Best Science, Technology, Nature, Environment or Adventure Documentary Program - Judy Holm & Michael McNamara NOMINEE: Best Picture Editing in a Documentary Program or Series – Roderick Deogrades & Roland Schlimme 2012 Sedona Film Festival International Spirit Award “…a wonderful, artistic and moving documentary” – Greg David, TVguide.ca “Acquainted With the Night is a dreamscape of colour and sound that celebrates the dark and its effect on human nature.” – Ted Shaw, The Windsor Star
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C OMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
1
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42 MINUTES HD
fem·i·nism Does the word have any meaning? Did it achieve its goals? What unfinished business is there? To mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Germaine Greer, Susan Faludi, Naomi Wolf and friends and foes of Feminism consider what it means today. Rights Available: All media (World, ex Canada, Sweden, Brazil) Languages: English Genre: Society, Culture, Current Affairs Directed by Michael McNamara, Written and Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for CBC’s Doc Zone “…F Word is a snappy documentary reminding us that there’s still a lot of work to do.” – Amanda Farrell-Low, Monday Magazine “A more than worthy way to spend an hour of your time.” – Christopher Bird, Torontoist “The F-Word: Who Wants To Be a Feminist?… is an excellent doc that asks the question, ‘Feminism: Does the word have any meaning in 2011?’” – John Doyle, Globe and Mail
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C OMPLETED DOCUMENTARIES
100 F ILMS & A F UNERAL FEATURE LENGTH HD 100 Films & A Funeral follows the spectacular rise and untimely demise of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, the company that brought you Four Weddings and a Funeral and some of the most influential films of the past 20 years.: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Trainspotting, Dead Man Walking, The Usual Suspects, Elizabeth, Bean and Notting Hill. Interviews include: Jodie Foster, Sir Alan Parker, Michael Kuhn, Tim Bevan and many more. Rights Available: Educational PPR, Home Entertainment (World) Languages: English Genre: Pop Culture, Biography, Arts, Lifestyle & Entertainment Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for CBC’s documentary, Sundance Channel, AVRO 2008 Gemini Awards Winner: Best Picture Editing in a Documentary Program or Series – Roderick Deogrades Nominee: Best History Documentary Program – Judy Holm & Michael McNamara "Big, fat, naughty, juicy and fun! Michael McNamara takes a handful of visionaries, adds a true Hollywood story and delivers surreal laughs, tears, and gasps..." - Anne Brodie, MSN Sympatico "A wild romp... it's a great story about an iconoclastic international businessman who almost bested Hollywood at its own game." - Richard Crouse, Reel to Reel & Canada AM Markham Street Films Inc. 17 of 21
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D RIVEN BY V ISION 16 X 30 MINUTE SERIES HD Driven By Vision explores of the remarkable shrines and structures that have sprung from the imaginations of visionaries throughout North America. From the 160-foot towers and turrets of Bishop's Castle in Colorado to the incredible Cathedral of Junk in Texas, Driven by Vision delves into the human stories about how these places came into existence. What inspired their creation? What obstacles were overcome in the making? And how do some of these sites continue to live and breathe through the dedication of their creators and devotees, while others decay or fall victim to the wrecking ball? Rights Available: Educational PPR & Home Entertainment (World) Languages: English Genre: Art & Culture, Ethnology & Sociology, Religion Awards: 2009 Gemini Award for Best Direction in a Documentary Series: Michael McNamara, 2006 Gemini Award Nominee for Best Direction in a Documentary Series: Michael McNamara Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for Vision TV. “This is exactly what we should be seeing on television…a message of hope through beauty in the subject matter and in the filmmaking.” – Albert Maysles Markham Street Films Inc. 18 of 21
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R ADIO R EVOLUTION : T HE R ISE & F ALL OF THE B IG 8 FEATURE LENGTH SD Radio Revolution investigates the international social, political and musical impact of radio station CKLW during the 1960s and 70s. CKLW was the sonic mirror of Windsor’s sister city, separated by a half a mile of dirty Detroit River water – reflecting excitement, soul, creativity – and bloody murder. Rights Available: All Media (World) Languages: English Genre: Pop Culture, History, Media Awards: 2004 Gemini Awards Winner: Best History Documentary Program or Series – Judy Holm & Michael McNamara Produced by Judy Holm, Written, Directed and Narrated by Michael McNamara for History Television.
“If you thought the gang at WKRP in Cincinnati was wild wait until you meet the characters who ruled Ontarion radio station (CKLW) in the late 60’s and early 70’s.” Canada.com/TV Times Markham Street Films Inc. 19 of 21
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T HE B ODY P ART T RILOGY 3
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52 MINUTES SD
F LATLY S TACKED Flatly Stacked is a humorous yet poignant documentary that asks the question: How can a flat-chested woman find happiness in a world obsessed with big breasts? With personal stories, archives and hilarious animation, Flatly Stacked lifts and enhances this marginalized and fastdisappearing female silhouette. Directed by Michael McNamara, Written and Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for TVOntario, The Documentary Channel
S TACKED L IKE M E : W ALK
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M ILE
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M Y D O UBLE -D' S
Can a woman have intelligence, happiness AND big boobs? Stacked Like Me reveals the world of women whose breast size defines their lives. This cheeky lighthearted documentary explores the important issues, challenges and even delights faced by women of all ages with double-letter chest sizes. Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Judy Holm for Life Network, Discovery Health Channel, Canal Vie, SBS Australia.
P ENIS D EMENTIA : T HE S EARCH
FO R THE
P ERFECT P EN IS
The penis. Why is this wonderful wiggly appendage such a source of tension, confusion and anxiety? Can a search for penis perfection provide the answer? Is there such a thing as a perfect penis? Penis Dementia is an amusing, irreverent and insightful hunt for seminal answers to penetrating questions with help from doctors, sex experts, and actual penis users. Written and Directed by Michael McNamara, Produced by Michael McNamara & Judy Holm for Life Network, Discovery Health Channel, Canal Vie, SBS Australia Rights Available: All media (World) Languages: English, French Genre: Human Interest, Lifestyle & Entertainment, Culture, Society, Health
“…very funny, and occasionally moving, offering fresh insight into the way our bodies and various appendages help shape our self-image.” -Toronto Star Markham Street Films Inc. 20 of 21
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G ENUINE A RTICLE : T HE F IRST T RIAL FEATURE LENGTH SD For three days in November the fiercest competition in the Canadian legal profession rages not in the courtrooms, but in the towers of Canada’s financial heart on Bay Street. The prize is not winning a case, but winning law student interns. And, for both the firms and students, the stakes are as high as they get. For the first time ever, viewers will get a behind-thescenes look at the legal profession’s unique and dramatic recruitment system. This is Genuine Artical: The First Trial. Rights Available: World (ex Educational PPR, Home Video) Languages: English Genre: Society, Law, Coming of Age, Education Written & Directed by David Bezmozgis, Produced by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara for The Documentary Channel, W Network.
“Excellent…” – The Globe and Mail
M EET 1
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THE
S UMDEES
52 MINUTES SD
West truly meets east and cultures collide when a Christian family and a Muslim family are brought together by the marriage of their children. Meet the Sumdees is a video diary of the coming together of two cultures as the WASP Canadian parents meet the Islamic in-laws in Toronto and in Pakistan as the newlyweds and the new Sumdees (Urdu for “in-laws) embark on a tour to get acquainted. Rights Available: World (ex Educational PPR, Home Video) Languages: English Genre: Culture, Ethnology & Sociology, Religion Produced and Written by Judy Holm & Michael McNamara, Directed by Michael McNamara for Vision TV.
“…a hopeful documentary… it’s more about the similarities than the differences, particularly when it comes to parents and their hopes and dreams for their children.” – Toronto Star Markham Street Films Inc. 21 of 21