Duopoly

Etan Vlessing – playbackonline.ca

ABC2 in Australia has acquired the Showcase mockumentary Pure Pwnage from Ron Mann’s Sphinx Productions.

The Aussie broadcaster will air eight episodes of the Canadian half hour comedy about obsessive gamers that originated online, and already has a strong following among Australians on the Internet.

The TV series was written by Jarett Cale, Geoff Lapaire and Mark Steinberg, with Derek Harvie show-running.

Executive producers of Pure Pwnage are Catherine Tait of Duopoly and Ron Mann from Sphinx, with Davin Lengyel as co-producer.

Read more: http://playbackonline.ca/2010/09/30/abc2-acquires-pure-pwnage/

London / New York / Toronto – Independent web and mobile video content platform Babelgum and iThentic, the online and mobile video producer and distributor, today announced a partnership to co-present high-quality, independently produced content in two channels available for free streaming. The partnership brings an iThentic-curated selection of shorts (Best Of iThentic) and original Web series/mobisodes (iThentic Originals) to a global audience via Babelgum’s integrated online and mobile platforms.

The titles to be featured in the new channels include an eclectic collection of short films and multi-episode original series such as Office Pranks, Green Minutes, Today on Earth, and World of Bruce McCall.

“iThentic prides itself on finding and aggregating the very best digital content on the Web and has long admired the creative efforts Babelgum has made in promoting the work of independent filmmakers,” said Catherine Tait, Chair and Co-founder of iThentic . “iThentic’s branded channels on Babelgum will allow our most talented producers to find a new international audience, while highlighting our ongoing commitment to helping consumers find what’s worth watching amid the web’s often undifferentiated video clutter. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Babelgum team on this exciting initiative — it’s a perfect fit.”

Karol Martesko-Fenster, SVP & General Manager of Babelgum’s Film Division, stated, “We are thrilled to be launching and co-presenting these new channels on our platforms. I’ve been consistently impressed by the curatorial efforts of our good friends at iThentic, who’ve become a tastemaker destination for film-curious online and mobile audiences. Helping video consumers around the world find genuinely original short films and professionally produced Web series is a mission that we share in common.”

About iThentic (www.ithentic.com)
iThentic aggregates, produces and distributes original, high-quality, independently produced video content on the web and to mobile devices. iThentic is a tastemaker destination for the best independently produced video content for digital and wireless platforms – and is a growing production engine for innovative content for the Internet. iThentic is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and operated by Smiley Guy Studios. Its shareholders include E1 Entertainment, Smiley Guy Studios and iThentic LLC founded by independent film veterans Catherine Tait, Al Cattabiani, and Liz Manne.

About Babelgum (www.babelgum.com)
Babelgum is an integrated web and mobile video content platform free for users and supported by advertising available on-demand to a global audience. Babelgum Mobile is an original application currently available in the United States, UK, Italy, Germany, France and Spain which brings regionally tailored programming to smart phones – at present iPhone 3G, iPod Touch, Google Android G-Phones 1 and 2, Nokia (N96, N95 and 6210) – via 3G and WiFi (www.babelgum.com/mobile).

Positioned between user generated video hubs and network TV-oriented destinations, Babelgum focuses on the third part of the ecosystem: innovative, editorially curated and professionally produced content on very specific passions – music, comedy, film, urban culture, nature and the environment. Babelgum’s programming is comprised of exclusive original productions as well as independent and mainstream titles. Babelgum’s content partners include, among others, EMI, Sony Music, the New York Times, PBS, BBC, VBS, Lonely Planet, Coolhunting, National Geographic, Off the Fence, Funny or Die, T5M, Shine Limited, Cinetic Rights Management, Content Republic, Gong Anime, FilmBuff, WorkBook Project, Cinelan, Reverse Shot, Shooting People, Film Independent, Power to the Pixel, and the Spirit Awards as well as the Encounters, Los Angeles, and Hamptons film festivals.

The company has also set up a series of online contests to nurture independent film, music and art talent: the Babelgum Online Film Festival, the Babelgum Music Video Awards and the Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize chaired respectively by Spike Lee (BOFF1 & 2), Michel Gondry and Isabella Rossellini.

Babelgum is an independent and privately held company with offices in the UK, United States and Italy.

BRINGING A CULT FAVORITE BACK TO AIR GUITARISTS AND AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE

NEW YORK/TORONTO — Farmhouse Productions announced today the launch of a dedicated online site for the DVD and direct download distribution of its critically acclaimed documentary film AIR GUITAR IN OULU at www.AIRGUITARONLINE.com. The film, originally broadcast in Canada on BRAVO!, IFC and in the US on Sundance Channel, charts the journey of one charming and hapless air guitarist as he makes his way to the world championship air guitar festival at Oulu, Finland. Described by television critic John Doyle of the Globe & Mail as ‘hilarious’ and a ‘marvelous story,’ AIR GUITAR IN OULU is a timeless tribute to the popular art form.

“The demand for copies of AIR GUITAR IN OULU just never stops,” commented filmmaker Kent Sobey. “So, it made sense to re-issue the film on the Internet while giving fans the chance to also upload their other favorite air guitar videos.” The website, marketing online, and fulfillment of orders are provided by NicheCo.

www.AIRGUITARONLINE.com is a dynamic website where fans can not only purchase a hard copy DVD or a download of the film but also find out more about the film’s back story as well as news about current air guitar contests and popular air guitar video clips – no strings attached!

About Farmhouse Productions
Farmhouse Productions is the film and television production company owned by Kent Sobey, an accomplished Director and Producer. Beginning with his short film Last Chance, produced while at the Vancouver Film School, Kent went on to form Farmhouse Productions in Halifax, Nova Scotia and to write and direct two more short films Roaring Bull and Fox Brook Road.  Kent has produced and directed many concert films for clients including EMI Records and most recently produced Rubarbicon, in association with Hit Media and IFC, a comedic feature mocumentary. Kent spent two years as a producer and creator developing a new animated comedy series entitled Sutherland High for The Comedy Network.  In 2008, Kent produced Doppelganger for the Rogers Wireless Network.

Doppelganger is a pilot episode for a short form mobile and web series and can be viewed at www.iThentic.com.  Kent’s films have screened at various Canadian film festivals and with Canadian and international broadcasters.  Kent is currently producing a pilot episode for a new one-hour drama series entitled The Time Traveler for APTN.

About NicheCo
NicheCo is a distribution company which provides independent producers of film and television properties with a turnkey solution for self-distribution, primarily online. Founded by Catherine Tait and Al Cattabiani in 2009, NicheCo launched its first title www.KINKONDVD.com from Paperny Films in January of this year. Catherine Tait is the President of Duopoly Inc., an independent film and television company which operates in New York and Toronto and Al Cattabiani is the President of 1409 Entertainment Inc., a company that provides production, marketing and distribution services to media clients of all sizes. Both are veterans of the independent film world and created NicheCo to help independent producers gain access to online distribution without giving up the rights to their titles.

For further information:
Mary Powers, MPowers Communications
416 767-8692 mpowers@mpowers.ca

New Channel Partnership with FilmCatcher

TORONTO / NEW YORK, November 17, 2008— iThentic shareholders, Barna-Alper Productions and iThentic LLC, today announced a strategic partnership and restructuring of the online and mobile video company (www.ithentic.com) which transfers the management of its operations to the award-winning web and animation company, Smiley Guy Studios. The announcement was made today by Catherine Tait, co-founder and CEO of iThentic and Laszlo Barna, co-founder of Barna-Alper and President of Entertainment One Ltd’s recently formed Television Group.

The business will continue to operate from Toronto, but will move to Smiley Guy Studios’ offices. In exchange for its operating role, Smiley Guy will become an owner in the business and operate it as a subsidiary of Smiley Guy Studios. Catherine Tait becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jonas Diamond will assume the role of CEO, and Smiley Guys Jeremy Diamond and Denny Silverthorne will assume the roles of Creative Directors. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed by the Company.

“Smiley Guy Studios is a genuinely innovative producer with a track record of success with multiplatform properties like ODD JOB JACK. We are excited to welcome their contribution to the ongoing development of iThentic, Canada’s only dedicated online and mobile content producer-distributor,” commented Mr. Barna. “In concluding this deal, Barna-Alper will continue to focus on our core television production activities as part of the Entertainment One group of rights ownership and distribution companies, while maintaining a strategic relationship with iThentic.”

iThentic is a production and distribution service dedicated to bringing the best independently produced content to the online and mobile video arena. Founded in 2006, iThentic moved its headquarters to Toronto in 2007 after Barna Alper invested in the company. “Since our move to Canada, iThentic shifted its focus from a pure distribution model to a content incubation model,” commented Ms. Tait. “Our data points unequivocally point to iThentic’s original content as driving the most user traffic and interest.” Over the last year, iThentic has partnered with the NFB, IFC, Bell New Media Fund and Telus Innovation Fund in the creation of MOBILE STORIES: OBSESSIONS; with ITVS (San Francisco-based Independent Television Video Service) in GLOBAL MOBILE: FOOD and with a number of independent creators such as comedian Dave Hill in the creation of content specifically designed for online and mobile consumption. iThentic also manages a white label content management platform for the Canadian Film Centre-presented and Telus-sponsored online short film festival Shortsnonstop, www.shortsnonstop.com.

“Smiley Guy Studios made its start with ODD JOB JACK on the web and after 5 seasons on The Comedy Network and multiple awards, we are convinced that the Internet provides an efficient model, from a cost and creative perspective, for developing new content for all platforms. We produced Bruce McCall’s ASCENT OF MAN for iThentic and are now developing a 100-episode mobile series based on the success of this online short,” commented Mr. Diamond. “This transaction will allow us to more fully immerse our company in the business of online and mobile production and distribution.”

iThentic also announced today the launch of a new channel on its website, www.ithentic.com, delivered from FilmCatcher.com. FilmCatcher produces dynamic, original video content, including one-on-one conversations with cutting-edge filmmakers, actors, industry executives, festival programmers, and key journalists. “This partnership with FilmCatcher, a leading website for the independent film lovers, underlines iThentic’s commitment and interest in new voices in independent filmmaking and is a great source of original content on the subject,” said Ms. Tait.

About Barna-Alper Productions
Barna-Alper Productions is one of Canada’s leading independent production companies. Renowned for its excellent dramatic and documentary production, the company has garnered numerous national and international awards over the years. The team is led by Laszlo Barna, a passionate advocate for the Canadian film and television industry. The company’s reputation for quality in both dramatic and documentary programming continuously attracts internationally recognized creative talent and strong business partners. Most recently, Barna-Alper Productions entered into a major milestone agreement with the international owner and distributor of entertainment and music content in all media, Entertainment One Ltd. (E1).

About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment company with operations in the United States, the UK, Canada, Holland and Belgium. The company’s strategy is to become the world’s largest owner and distributor of independent film, television and music content through acquisitions and organic growth.

Entertainment One’s rapidly expanding content library currently includes more than 3,700 feature films and 4,000 half-hours of televisioncontent.* In addition, the company owns Koch Entertainment, the largest independent record label in North America.

On September 29, 2008, Entertainment One concluded a reverse takeover transaction with DHX Media Ltd. (AIM & TSX: DHX), an international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content. Following the closing of this transaction, the combined company will have a primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on AIM. (*E1 Television content figures include DHX program catalogue)

About Smiley Guy Studios
Smiley Guy Studios (SGS) is an award-winning full-service production company with expertise in animation, design, writing, sound, music, and multi-media. Founded in 1998 by graduates of the Canadian Film Centre, SGS has been busy producing its convergent series, “Odd Job Jack,” which recently received a Gemini, CFTPA Indie and Banff Rockie Award for Best Cross Platform Project and has been nominated as Best Comedy Series at the Gemini Awards for 2 consecutive years. SGS has also been collaborating on a variety of animated TV, film and new media projects, including “Sons of Butcher,” “Turbo Dogs,” and “The Dating Guy”. Clients include CTV, NASCAR, Teletoon, Molson Coors, Leo Burnett, Vivendi Universal, Bravo, Microsoft, NFB, Warner Bros and the Dallas Cowboys.

About iThentic
iThentic is an online and mobile video content production and distribution company. iThentic was founded in June of 2006 by film and television industry vets Catherine Tait, partner in Duopoly, former President and COO of Salter Street Films, and former Executive Director of the Independent Feature Project; Al Cattabiani, Founder and former CEO of Wellspring Media; and Liz Manne, partner in Duopoly, former EVP, Programming and Marketing, Sundance Channel, and former EVP of Fine Line Features.