What to stream: Bit Playas, Gary And His Demons and Jan Caruana

Second City alums Siddiqi and Nigel Downer play roommates Ahmed and Leon. Leon is a former child actor who now takes his craft seriously; Ahmed decides to take up acting, and finds it incredibly easy. But because of their ethnicity – Leon is Black, Ahmed is half-Pakistani – they find themselves relegated to being… bit playas, […]

Feature: Bit Playas

Kris Siddiqi and Nigel Downer are two friends and comedy performers living in Toronto and the creators of new CBC Gem comedy series Bit Playas

What to stream in March: Sharply personal Netflix series from Canadian comic

While it’s familiar territory for buddy comedies, the eight-episode series manages the tricky balance of zany humour and sharp satire by putting its leads, played by Siddiqi and fellow “Baroness” actor Nigel Downer, on the receiving end of white privilege and casual racism.

Why Is Canadian Television So White?

CBC is the network with the most scripted shows featuring leads of colour, like new sketch comedy series called Tall Boyz and sitcom Bit Playas, about two actors of colour (played by Kris Siddiq and Nigel Downer) struggling to deal with the “soft racism” in the entertainment world.

In brief: Production moves at LaRue Entertainment

LaRue Entertainment has hired Ariella Naymark (pictured) as the Toronto prodco continues to build out its production team… LaRue, led by principals Matt King and Andrew Ferguson, has also promoted Tyler Metcalf to head of production

“Bit Playas”: transcending stereotypes

That does not necessarily mean that it is easier for interpreters from diverse backgrounds to carve out a place for themselves. The comedic web series Bit Playas , written and interpreted by Kris Siddiqi and Nigel Downer, two Toronto comedians from visible minorities, lets glimpse in an exploded and often caricatured form the pitfalls that can confront artists […]

LaRue heads to Prince Edward County for more Amazing Gayl Pile

LaRue Entertainment is headed to Prince Edward County as production begins on the fifth season of its CBC Gem original, The Amazing Gayl Pile. New episodes of the comedy series, created by Morgan Waters and Brooks Gray, are slated to launch in spring 2020.  

The Sixth Annual NYC Web Fest Nominations Have Been Revealed

Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Marianna Khoury, Best Comedy: True Dating Stories – Andy King, Matt King, Tyler Metcalf, Andrew Ferguson, Best Director – Andy King, Best Web Series:  True Dating Stories – Andy King, Matt King, Tyler Metcalf, Andrew Ferguson

Creative diversity triumphs at the 2019 Just For Laughs ComedyPRO pitch showcases

The 2019 winners are: “Beyond the Box: Playing it Short” presented by Tubefilter. James Madge and Jana Peck for Madge & Peck, a blistering sketch comedy series about grown-up life.

LaRue grows T.O. team as cross-border strategy comes into focus

LaRue Entertainment is pursuing growth on both sides of the border as it builds out its production capacity from Toronto while simultaneously growing the U.S. outpost it established last year. The past 12 months has seen an ongoing division of responsibilities between company co-founders Matt King and Andrew Ferguson, with the latter focusing on production […]

Mystery’s Door

For Blackout (CAN) creators Kyle Power and Tanya Hoshi, the series was inspired by two ideas. “We’d like to create a story that could transition from a documentary to a found-footage film without being found-footage the entire time, and that memory loss made for a realistic reason to have the found-footage content in the first place,” says […]

EXPLORING MEMORY: INTERVIEW WITH ANNA MAGUIRE AND CHARLIE TYRELL

In keeping with Christie Pits Film Festival tradition, on Sunday, July 14th, look forward to one evening’s programme featuring the best in veteran and emerging Canadian filmmaking… My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes is about filmmaker Charlie Tyrell’s recollections of his relationship with his father told through phone calls and found objects…

25 Essential Canadian Sitcoms to Stream in Honor of Canada Day

A truly surreal and at times disturbing treasure, this is a comedy about one man’s descent into madness, as he is haunted by his family legacy and bullied by his co-workers. That’s the plight of Gayl Pile (Morgan Waters), who must keep afloat the low-rent home-shopping channel started by his deceased, beloved, and driven mother.

Canadian Reflections: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes

MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES is as provocative an examination of life as it sounds. Prompted by his father’s death, director Charlie Tyrell pursues a deeper understanding of his emotionally-distant father in this documentary short by starting with what he left behind: a rather kitsch collection of pornography on VHS videotapes. Narrated by director David Wain (dir. WET HOT AMERICAN […]

Everyone’s A Winner At The Webby Awards

Documentary: Shortform: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes

A Dip Into the Wide (Apple TV +) and The Narrow (CBC’s Gem) of Streaming Services

I began with True Dating Stories. Accompanied by tongue-in-cheek recreations, comely young people describe their worst encounters. Phelisha relates how her first date with a seemingly nice bartender nosedived when he got her name tattooed on his inner lip. Glenn, a personal trainer, disses a ‘roid rager who kicked him out of his car. Cory […]

Canadian Screen Awards 2019 Celebrates Country’s Diversity With A Dose Of Good Humour

Charlie Tyrell won best documentary short for “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” and Genevieve Dulude-De Celles took the John Dunning best first feature film award for the coming-of-age drama “A Colony.”

CSAs ‘19: The Great Darkened Days leads film winners in Cinematic Arts gala

Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes was awarded Best Short Documentary.

Meet the stars of ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’

The Amazing Gayl Pile is one of Canada’s all time weirdest and most successful digital series. What seems to start as a fairly conventional comedic series satirizing home shopping channels quickly morphs into a surreal show set on a farm called Rootopia where Kangaroos are being harvested for their pouch mucus and nuclear war seems imminent.

LaRue Goes Hollywood! Filth City Premieres on Hollywood Suite.

Crime comedy Filth City premieres on Hollywood Suite on March 27th, 2019 at 9 PM ET on Hollywood Suite’s 00s Movies “An appropriately frantic satire that perfectly captures the headspace of Toronto in 2012 and 2013, when the city seemed just seconds away from exploding into total mayhem.” NOW Magazine “It nails the dark absurdity […]

‘True Dating Stories’ spills the tea on real-life dating nightmares

Created by brothers Andy and Matt King, True Dating Stories is like This American Life as imagined by the Drunk History crew. In every seven to 10 minute segment, real life storytellers recall their most embarrassing dates, which are then recreated by comedic actors.

CMF invests in new seasons of Chateau Laurier, Gayl Pile

The CMF has invested a total of $10 million across 49 digital media projects, including new seasons of web series like Chateau Laurier and The Amazing Gayl Pile. All told, the funder distributed $3.9 million across 18 projects through the Web Series Pilot Program, with season two of Geneva Film Co.’s Chateau Laurier (pictured) and season five of LaRue Entertainment’s Gayl Pile […]

Canadian Screen Awards 2019 Noms Announced Across Film, TV, And New Media

There is also Charlie Tyrell’s mixed-media My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, nominated for Best Short Documentary, which combines stop-motion, archival footage, and 2d animation. Tyrell’s short was also shortlisted for the Academy Award for documentary short subject, but didn’t make into the final five nominees.

Season 2 of Acclaimed CBC Digital Original Comedy Series True Dating Stories, Produced by LaRue Entertainment, Is Now Streaming on CBC Gem

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, production company LaRue Entertainment and CBC have announced the highly anticipated return of digital original comedy series True Dating Stories, with eight new episodes available now on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

CSAs ’19: Just a Breath Away, The Great Darkened Days top film noms

Charlie Tyrell, who was recently short-listed for this year’s Academy Awards for his project My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, is competing in the CSA’s best short documentary prize.

10TH ANNUAL INDIE SERIES AWARDS NOMINATIONS REVEALED

12  nominations for: The Amazing Gayl Pile: Apocalypse Soonish

‘First Person’ sees Globe and Mail essays translated to screen

Meanwhile, Wong, whose directing credits include Wexford Plaza and True Dating Stories, adapted Masculinity starring Chris Robinson and My Toronto Home, which stars actors Louise Pitre and Joe Matheso

A portrait of a Lost Parent

You wouldn’t expect a short film called “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” to delve into the effects of intergenerational trauma and abuse. But the provocative title of the 14-minute documentary belies the profoundly personal story that Ancaster-born Charlie Tyrell shares in his film.

Final Oscar Nomination Predictions: ‘Roma,’ ‘A Star Is Born’ Poised to Lead.

Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Below are In Contention’s final predictions in all 24 categories. Documentary (Short Subject): “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” – Charlie Tyrell & Julie Baldassi

The CAFTCAD Awards Announces Nominees for First Ever Canada-Wide Costume Arts and Design Awards

Best Costume Design in a Web Series:  The Amazing Gayl Pile: Apocalypse Soonish Costume Designer: Vanessa Fischer Assistant Wardrobe: Victoria Lus & Sarah Friedlander

How Our Oscar Contender From Op-Docs Came to Be

It began as a son’s impulse to connect with a father he never really got a chance to know — by digging through the relics of his late dad’s life — and ultimately became a poignant example of overcoming generational family trauma through art.

‘Hale County This Morning, This Evening’ Tops 2019 Cinema Eye Honors

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” Charlie Tyrell

Taboo Subjects Abound In Short Documentaries Contending For Oscars

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, from director Charlie Tyrell, boasts the most provocative title of any of this year’s shortlisted short docs. The innovative film uses stop motion techniques to explore Tyrell’s relationship with his late father, a man who lacked the kind of emotional accessibility his son would have liked.

Short of The Week: 2018 Year In Review

My favorite thing as a programmer and fan is when a film says all the things I’ve been meaning to articulate, only better. “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” is a deeply personal viewing experience?

Short docs, big Oscar hopes: “A Night at the Garden,” “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” and “Los Comandos”

If Charlie Tyrell’s short film win this year’s Academy Award, the presenter will get to announce, “and the Oscar goes to ‘My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes.’” It’s kind of irresistible, but despite the provocative title, the film is not really about a parent’s pornography collection…In September, I realized I had to enjoy these festivals. It’s […]

“My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” Takes on Generational Dysfunction

When you hear a title like “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes”, you’re probably not immediately thinking of a story of generations of dysfunction, tempers, and even abuse — but this short film tackles those big issues with grace and humor. Director Charlie Tyrell’s relationship with his father, Greg, is put under the microscope as he […]

Our very personal picks for the best movies, music, theatre and art of 2018

As a filmmaker with a dead dad, this is a film I wish I had made. Kudos to director Charlie Tyrell for this honest and non-glorified portrayal of his late father — and for making me tear up, as the film hit far too close to home.

Canadian Film Snubbed on One Oscar List

Other Canadians fared better on the nine short lists on the academy announced on Monday. Toronto filmmaker Charlie Tyrell is a finalist for Best Documentary Short with My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes.

Canadian shorts named to 2019 Oscars shortlist

Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes is one of a number of domestic projects in contention for prizes at the 91st Academy Awards.

Oscars 2019: 10 Documentary Shorts Round Out Shortlist

This year’s batch includes a motley crew of contenders, including Marshall Curry’s unsettling “A Night at the Garden,” the intriguingly titled Sundance debut “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes…”

91ST OSCARS SHORTLISTS IN NINE AWARD CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced shortlists in consideration for the 91st Oscars® in nine categories:Documentary Short Subject – MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES.

Academy Unveils 2019 Oscar Shortlists

Ten films will advance in the Documentary Short Subject category for the 91st Academy Awards. One hundred four films had originally qualified in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes”

TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten Includes ‘Anthropocene’ and ‘What Walaa Wants’

On the shorts front, Charlie Tyrell’s festival hit My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes and Sofia Bohdanowicz’s playful hybrid Veslemøy’s Song spotlight non-fiction … My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes won several grand jury prizes at festivals including SXSW…

SHORT FILMS IN FOCUS: MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES

This month, we look at Charlie Tyrell’s “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” a filmmaker’s journey through his deceased father’s belongings as he tries to piece together a narrative that would explain his father’s behavior toward his family. Tyrell uses several objects (including porno tapes) to cleverly animate a profile of a man whose struggle to […]

Sleepwalking is Creepy Enough Without the Supernatural

Earlier this week, the horror-adjacent webseries Blackout went live. While faux documentary film has become fairly common in the horror genre, Blackout is taking a slightly more professional angle to the space, allowing their investigative team to have higher production values as they begin their investigation into an online community of sleepwalkers. If you watch the first few episodes, […]

Dark & Enigmatic “Blackout” Series Hits YouTube This Month

Blackout will hit Youtube on November 27th–free of charge…Blackout is a documentary web series focusing on sleeping disorders such as sleep paralysis, insomnia, and sleepwalking.

Hulu’s ‘Minding the Gap’ Ties Cinema Eye Honors All-Time Nominations Record

Outstanding Achievement in ​Nonfiction Short Filmmaking – My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes (Nomination)

The 5th Annual NYC Web Fest Nominations Have Been Revealed

The nominees have been announced for the NYC Web Fest 2018.  Best Supporting Actress: Inessa Frantowski – The Amazing Gayl Pile. Best Supporting Actor: Andy King – The Amazing Gayl Pile. Best Comedy: The Amazing Gayl Pile – Brooks Gray, Morgan Waters, Andrew Ferguson, Matt King, Tyler Metcalf. Best Actor: Morgan Waters – The Amazing Gayl Pile

‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,’ ‘Three Identical Strangers’ Selected for IDA Shortlist

Up to 10 nominees in each of the feature and short documentary categories will be selected from the shortlist. My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes (New York Times Op-Docs. Director: Charlie Tyrell. Producer: Julie Baldassi)

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes

Lurid title aside, Charlie Tyrell’s short documentary My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes achieves a remarkable balance between lightness and sincerity, in which the hook of his late-father’s old VHS porno tapes serves as an opportunity to dive into a larger and more meaningful examination of his father’s passing and family history.

‘My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes’ is One of the Best Documentary Shorts of the Year

Director Charlie Tyrell dug deeper than many of us ever would. We first caught wind of director Charlie Tyrell earlier this year at SXSW, where he participated in a roundtable discussion for the No Film School Podcast on making documentary short films. His film, which features a title that will stick out to just about any festivalgoer, later went […]

Philadelphia Film Festival announces 2018 line-up

Animated and Live Action Shorts: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, Director Charlie Tyrell. 2018, Canada.

OIAF Wraps with Awards

The Canadian film, My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes by Charlie Tyrell took two awards including Best Canadian Animation and the Vimeo Award. The film was written by Josef Beeby and Charlie Tyrell. The awards were presented on September 29.

‘Solar Walk,’ ‘This Magnificent Cake!’ Take Top Prizes At Ottawa 2018

BEST CANADIAN ANIMATION
 + VIMEO AWARD Winner: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes by Charlie Tyrell Jury Comment: Honest, funny, nostalgic and incredibly inventive, it tells the story of a young man sifting through his late father’s belongings in an attempt to uncover the intimate details of his life. A perfectly arranged menagerie of old film footage, audio recordings […]

What Paul Scheer Can’t Travel Without

The actor and comedian Paul Scheer’s engaging, gaptoothed grin has popped up on shows from “30 Rock” and “Veep” to, currently, “The Amazing Gayl Pile,” for which he also serves as executive producer.

TIFF 2018: MORE ‘SHORT CUTS’ HIGHLIGHTS

Sometimes a film works best when it leaves the audience to do all the heavy lifting. Such is the case with Zachary Russell’s short film 7A. Very little is explained, we never even learn the characters names, however, that does not make it any less captivating. What we do know is that a woman (Kayla Lorette) […]

TIFF 2018: 7A Hints At What The Future Of Sci-Fi Might Look Like

7A will screen alongside six other shorts with a bend towards the creepy and unsettling. It’s also a great film to catch if you’re an ultra-modern minimalist that needs help decorating a new loft. 7A’s art direction is on point, right down to the ‘millennial pink’ surprise.

TIFF 2018 Short Takes: Zack Russell on 7A

Filmmaker, writer, and stage veteran Zack Russell didn’t exactly know that he was creating a dystopian film when he set out to make his latest short, 7A, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. It began as a specific idea about the sometimes bad or difficult choices that human beings make every day […]

7A – Short Film Review TIFF ’18

Lorette and Rooney do an amazing job playing two characters that just happen to pass through each other’s lives, but in each sequence of events there seems to be some hidden undertone in their acting that something is going on or going to happen between the two that the viewers will never really grasp. 

10 Canadian short films to watch at TIFF 2018

7A – Actor Kayla Lorette and director Zack Russell – who collaborated on the sexy-creepy 2015 short She Stoops To Conquer – return with this very different but no less effective tale of a woman who lets a maintenance worker (Tom Rooney) into her apartment for a service call. You may think you know happens […]

Artist Explores Father’s Legacy Through the Porn Stash He Left Behind

Charlie thought that maybe the things that his father, Greg, left behind would reveal more about what his dad was like when he was alive.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’: Jon Hamm and Ed Harris join cast

Hamm is best known for his role in the “Mad Men” TV series. Some of his more recent projects include shows like “Legion,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” and “The Amazing Gayl Pile.”

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes

When his father died, Charlie Tyrell realized he knew next to nothing about him. Tyrell and his reticent father hadn’t been close; as a young adult, Tyrell had been waiting for “the strange distance he felt between them to close,” as he describes it in his short documentary, My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes. Now, he wouldn’t […]

True Dating Stories gets a second date

Production is underway in Toronto on season two of LaRue Entertainment’s True Dating Stories… Season two of True Dating Stories will stream on the CBC TV app and on the pubcaster’s website on Valentine’s Day 2019.

Award-Winning Shorts ‘Agua Viva’ And ‘Weekends’ Are Online For Shortlist Film Festival

Other notables are Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes (best documentary short, SXSW)

ShortList 2018: How ‘My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes’ Explores Family Secrets

Yes, Charlie Tyrell’s dad is dead. And yes, Charlie Tyrell’s dad had a stash of porno tapes. But you should know that there’s a lot more to “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes” than that…

Ottawa Festival Unveils Shorts Competition Lists

The 2018 Edition of the Ottawa Intl. Animation Festival has announced the list of projects selected for the competition. My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes | Charlie Tyrell | Canada

Bell Fund Distributes $4.1M Across 23 Digital Projects

Other English projects to receive financing included first seasons of LaRue Productions’ Bit Playas

IPF backs 17 scripted digital projects

She Said Films’ Running With Violet, LoCo Motion Pictures’ How to Buy a Baby and LaRue Entertainment’s The Amazing Gayl Pile were among the recipients.

Snake Alley Festival of Film runs this weekend at Capitol Theater.

Other compelling titles include “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes”

CDN Films at Hot Docs Today

The only Canadian short in this program is My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes. It runs 14 minutes and its from Charlie Tyrell. Enough said.

12 CANADIAN SERIES WIN BIG AT VANCOUVER WEB FEST

Best Cinematography – Filth City

Jon Hamm says criticism of ‘Beirut’ film is part of online ‘outrage machine’

Hamm’s other latest projects include a guest role in the Canadian digital comedy series “The Amazing Gayl Pile,” which airs on NBCUniversal’s Seeso and CBC Comedy.”I read it and I was like, ‘Well, this is about as weird as it gets and I like it,’” said Hamm, who’s become as much a star in the comedy world as he has in […]

How to Buy a Baby wins best comedy at the Indie Series Awards

Filth City and Out With Dad also nabbed prizes at the event, which celebrates independent web series from around the world.

The 49th Annual Nashville Film Festival Announces The 2018 Shorts In Competition Selections

The 49th Annual NASHVILLE Film Festival continues its rollout of film announcements with the short films in competition. Episodic Competition: Filth City (Southeast US Premiere) – Director: Andy King (Canada). Documentary Competition: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes (Tennessee Premiere) – Director: Charlie Tyrell (Canada)

9th Annual INDIE SERIES AWARD Winners Announced

Best Costume Design – Vanessa Fischer, Filth City Best Supporting Actor – Comedy – Andy King, Filth City

Aspen Shortsfest brings four film programs to Carbondale

With “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” and its provocative title, you might think the film is about the “tackiest video pornography the ’80s had to offer.” But really, the film is about all the weird stuff in a single family history, generations back. It tells an engaging story about family dysfunction, abuse and forgiveness using […]

INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION FUND (IPF) WEB DRAMA SERIES 2018 PHASE 1 RESULTS

The Independent Production Fund and its 40-member Pre-Selection Committee have selected 30 projects which are now eligible to advance to Phase 2 of the application process.  The Amazing Gayl Pile is eligible to apply for season 5 financing and Bit Playas, which is currently in development, has moved into the second phase.

Bell Fund selects 33 projects to spilt $2M

The Bell Fund has selected 33 English- and French-language projects to split $2 million in funding…24 projects will receive funding through the Slate Development Pilot Program…The English-language projects selected hail from Toronto-based prodcos … LaRue Entertainment…

INTERVIEW: THE AMAZING GAYL PILE’S MORGAN WATERS

The new season of the International Emmy nominated web series The Amazing Gayl Pile starts streaming on CBC Comedy on March 29th. Off-beat and unapologetic, Gayl Pile follows one man’s misguided quest to conquer the world of home shopping. The LaRue series has been nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards and has even won a few. The creator/ director/writer and star Morgan Waters is also […]

‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’ is everything Canada Needs After a Hard fought bout with Sanity

If ever a show was a cry for help, it’s “The Amazing Gayl Pile,” which premieres its fourth full season Thursday March 29 on cbc.ca. The International Emmy Award nominated series stars Morgan Waters, Andy King, Inessa Frantowski and Brooks Gray and revolves around the seedy underworld of home shopping television.

“Bobby Kennedy,” “The Trayvon Martin Story” to debut at Tribeca ’18

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, directed by Charlie Tyrell (Canada). “Was my father’s leftover stuff the key to who he really was?”

JAY-Z’s Trayvon Martin series, more TV shows to debut at Tribeca Film Festival

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, directed by Charlie Tyrell (Canada). Was my father’s leftover stuff the key to who he really was?

In Brief: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes and New Romantic win at SXSW

‘Thunder Road,’ ‘People’s Republic of Desire’ Triumph at SXSW

Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes prevailed in Documentary Shorts.

2018 Kamloops Film Festival: Dim The Fluorescents

Dim the Fluorescents will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you laughing for a good majority of the runtime.

‘Thunder Road,’ People’s Republic of Desire’ Take Top Honors at SXSW Awards

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS Winner: “My Dead Dads Porno Tapes.”

SXSW Awards: ‘Thunder Road,’ ‘People’s Republic of Desire’ Win Top Prizes

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS. Winner: “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes”

2018 SXSW Film Festival Announces Jury and Special Awards

Documentary Shorts. Jury Award Winner: My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes

Patrika Darbo to host 9th Annual Indie Series Awards

Filth City leads all comedies with 12 nominations.

CMF invests $3.5M across 16 web series

LaRue Entertainment’s True Dating Stories among the digital projects to receive funding in the latest round. The CMF has invested $3.5 million across 16 returning web series, including projects from Nelvana, LoCo Motion Pictures and LaRue Entertainment. The latest round of funding is for Canadian web series going into their second season or beyond. The […]

More Canadian features, shorts selected for SXSW

Three Canadian doc shorts and a midnight short were also selected, including Charie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, which follows the filmmaker as he seeks to better understand his emotionally distant late father.

Filth City leads all comedies with 12 nominations at Indie Series Awards

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 9th ANNUAL INDIE SERIES AWARDS 30 Categories Honor Social Relevance, Artistic Merit, Excellence in Craft NEW YORK, NY, January 31, 2018 – The nominations for the 9th Annual Indie Series Awards were revealed on Wednesday, January 31. The ISAs celebrate the best in independently produced entertainment created for the Web. Nominees were […]

Filth City nabs 4 nominations at Vancouver Web Fest

Filth City has been nominated for four awards including Best Comedy, Best Actor – Pat Thornton, Best Original Score – Poor Paul, and Best Cinematography – Ian MacMillan. The Vancouver Web Fest is Canada’s Premiere International Web Fest taking place on April 19-21, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Canadians at Sundance 2018: Nine Films to Watch at This Year’s Festival

That moment when your parent dies and you discover their porn collection while cleaning out their place – that’s the premise of Toronto director Charlie Tyrell’s short documentary.

Op-Docs at Sundance 2018

Was my father’s leftover stuff the key to who he really was? By Charlie Tyrell The hidden compartments of household ephemera are seldom discussed among family members. Parents hide the material relics of their individuality, in secret alcoves. And kids know exactly where to find these objects. Collections vary: It can be a hidden stash […]

Corporate Training Meets High Art In The off beat Dim the Fluorescents

Audrey (Claire Armstrong) and Lillian (Naomi Skwarna), the protagonists of David Warth’s offbeat Canadian indie Dim The Fluorescents, are frustrated theater artists whose sole creative outlet comes in corporate training seminars—stark, tear-stained, hilariously misdirected mini-dramas on themes of customer service and workplace safety that they stage for the faint applause of white-collar workers.

At Sundance, Canada’s eye on the planet-and also on the dogs

My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes by Charlie Tyrell, about a son’s trawl through his late father’s porn stash.

Review: ‘Dim The Fluorescents’ Unites Roommates on Art and Commerce

Not long after this scene, Daniel Warth’s “Dim the Fluorescents” evolves from a screwball roommate comedy to a melodrama about artistic frustration.

Dim The Fluorescents is a high-wattage feature debut

I saw Daniel Warth’s Dim The Fluorescents nearly a full year ago, before it went to the Slamdance Film Festival in January. I’ve been itching to talk about it ever since, and to tell people to go and see it.

Sundance unveils 2018 short docs lineup; Spurlock, Heineman to debut “The Trade”

Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes are among the projects selected as part of Sundance’s short films program.

Seven Canadian shorts added to Sundance lineup

Charlie Tyrell’s My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes and Michelle Latimer’s Nuuca made the cut, as well as a trio of NFB projects. Seven Canadian short films have been added to the lineup for Sundance Film Festival, including Charlie Tyrell’s My​ ​Dead​ ​Dad’s​ ​Porno​ ​Tapes​ and Diane Obomsawin’s I Like Girls. My​ ​Dead​ ​Dad’s​ ​Porno​ ​Tapes, […]

CANADIAN SHORT MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES TO DEBUT AT THE 2018 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

CANADIAN SHORT MY DEAD DAD’S PORNO TAPES TO DEBUT AT THE 2018 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL From Rising Toronto Director Charlie Tyrell Narrated by Wet Hot American Summer’s David Wain TORONTO (December 4, 2017) – It was today announced that My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes, a short documentary directed by rising Toronto filmmaker Charlie Tyrell, has […]

Click, click, click: Three hot Canadian web series that require your attention

Watched online Filth City is clearly anchored in the arena of Fubar and Trailer Park Boys humour – on the surface dumb as a plank but alive with real mischief under that surface.

Emmy-nominated Rye grads created a film about a crack-smoking mayor

Becoming award-winning and Emmy-nominated producers wasn’t part of their childhood dream. Matt King and Andrew Ferguson both went into different paths after graduating high school—King took human resources at University of Western Ontario, and Ferguson went to University of Guelph for theatre. But there was one thing that sparked an interest in both of them–television […]

Ryerson grads’ production company to premiere show about a crack-smoking mayor

LaRue Entertainment, a production company founded by two Ryerson alumni, will debut their new digital series on YouTube called Filth City on Nov. 5. The date also marks the four-year anniversary of Rob Ford’s admitting to smoking crack.

In Brief: Tangent, LaRue, Reel One

LaRue Entertainment sets Canadian release date for Filth City LaRue Entertainment’s 12-part digital project Filth City (pictured) is set to premiere on YouTube in Canada on Nov. 5. The first five episodes will launch all at once, with remaining seven episodes rolling out daily. Written and directed by Andy King, the comedy/crime drama was recently […]

Weaves Get Sporty and Surreal in new “Slicked” Video

The Toronto band have unveiled a brand new video for album cut “Slicked.”

Kenneth Branagh, Anna Friel Receive International Emmy Nominations

Short-Form Series : “The Amazing Gayl Pile”, LaRue Entertainment, Canada

Banger, LaRue, Aetios, DCTV nab Int’l Emmy noms

DCTV, Banger Films, LaRue Entertainment and Aetios Productions are among 44 nominees for this year’s International Emmy Awards.

Cameras rolling on more Gayl Pile

Production is underway on season four (10 x 10 minutes) of LaRue Entertainment’s The Amazing Gayl Pile.

Weaves Definitely Started the Fire in “Walkaway” Video

Sometimes you have to burn everything to really start over. And that’s fine! Figurative “burning” works well enough but Toronto’s garage rock band Weaves take that sentiment very literally in their new video for “Walkaway.”

Studio+ acquires LaRue Entertainment’s Filth City

The deal sees the dark crime thriller heading to eight territories across Europe and South America, including France, Brazil and Italy.

Studio+ moves to Filth City

Vivendi Group’s SVoD app Studio+ has acquired a dark political/crime comedy inspired by true events from Toronto-based LaRue Entertainment.

Amazon acquires three seasons of Gayl Pile

Match made in heaven? The e-commerce giant picked up the series about a home shopping channel host for its U.K., German and Japanese Prime Video service. In a fitting pairing, home-shopping giant Amazon has acquired the streaming rights to LaRue Entertainment’s The Amazing Gayl Pile for its Prime Video platform in the U.K., Japan and […]

Amazon adds The Amazing Gayl Pile

Amazon in the UK, Germany and Japan has picked up a digital series from Toronto-based LaRue Entertainment. The Amazing Gayl Pile follows a man who attempts to conquer the world of home shopping and was co-created by Brooks Gray and Morgan Waters. The show is available in Canada on CBC and in the US via […]

Amazon buys The Amazing Gayl Pile

LaRue Entertainment’s The Amazing Gayl Pile is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, Germany and Japan. The Amazing Gayl Pile, which began life as a web series on Sarah Silverman’s online channel Jash, is billed as “one man’s misguided quest to conquer the world of home shopping”. Pile (Morgan Waters) ekes […]

Western alumnus Matt King gets honest about life post-grad

Want an honest take on what chasing your dream job after university is like? Listen to what Matt King, president and producer of LaRue Entertainment, has to say. The Western University grad is based out of Toronto and has produced music videos alongside Feist and Kevin Drew as well as award-winning comedy series including The […]

Less sweetness, more savagery in film version of Rob Ford story

Actor Pat Thornton does what the Toronto police could never do. He nails Rob Ford, providing a chaotic and quite perfect impersonation of the late mayor of Toronto.

So-Called ‘Rob Ford Movie’ Not a documentary

That’s Filth City, the so-called “Rob Ford movie” that closes the Canadian Film Fest Saturday at the Scotiabank Theatre. A first feature by director Andy King, it’s an over-the-top grindhouse crime-comedy that, between scenes, even copies the “scratched film” gimmick of the Tarantino/Rodriguez co-feature Grindhouse.

Ford Nation Blasts Filth City star

“This weekend was full of interesting death threats on Twitter,” says the comic actor who plays fictional crack-smoking mayor Tom Hogg in Filth City, the crime comedy that closes out the Canadian Film Fest at the Scotia Saturday.

How true to life is Filth City, the Rob Ford–inspired film? We found out

Filth City, a controversial crime comedy premiering this Saturday at the Canadian Film Festival, chronicles the misadventures of Mayor Tom Hogg (Pat Thornton), the corrupt, drug-addled boss of the fictional city of York.

The Amazing Gayl Pile wins the SVOD pitch game

How LaRue Entertainment built an audience for its oddball comedy before bringing NBCUniversal and CBC into the mix.

Filth City takes inspiration from Rob Ford to tell a story about power

“Everyone’s congratulating me on getting threatened,” Andy King says, with a laugh. The reason behind King and comedian Pat Thornton’s onslaught of online threats is because of their latest film, Filth City.

Previewing the 2017 Canadian Film Fest

Things will close on Saturday night with the premiere of the already hyped “Rob Ford movie” Filth City, which sold out right away.

The Canadian Film Festival levels up and embraces Filth

You’ve likely heard a little about Filth City (Saturday, 8 pm) already; as soon as it was announced as part of the festival lineup, Doug Ford started whining on local television about how Andy King’s satire – conceived and produced as a 12-part web series but repackaged as a two-hour feature – mocks his late […]

We’re screening the Rob Ford movie Filth City – for free

Hot on the heels of a sold-out screening at Canadian Film Fest, we’re showing the controversial film at The Royal

LaRue, Felix & Paul win gold at CSAs

LaRue Entertainment’s The Amazing Gayl Pile was the big winner at the Academy of Canadian Television and Cinema’s digital and immersive storytelling gala, picking up prizes for Best Original Series produced for Digital Media – Fiction and the Best Direction in a Series Produced for Digital Media.

CBC web series score wins as Canadian Screen Awards celebrate all things digital

Morgan Waters, its star, called the double-win “kinda cool.” “I feel like all the time spent in the editing room and smoking pot and laughing at our own stuff now results in this,” he said. “We were already having fun and now this is kind of, it’s a nice bonus.”

We Talked to the Director Whose New Movie Has Left Rob Ford’s Family Furious

‘Filth City’ filmmaker Andy King talks about Toronto’s strange times, being called a “scumbag” by Doug Ford, and the everlasting legacy of the late mayor.

Rob Ford inspired film ‘Filth City’ features crack-smoking mayor: Co-writer Danny Polishchuk talks with BIG Mornings

Comedian, Actor and co-Writer Danny Polishchuk joined BIG Mornings with Kris & guest co-host Pete Smith to talk about his film ‘Filth City’ which is loosely based on the Rob Ford crack-video scandal.  It’s created headlines recently after Doug Ford on CP24 said the ‘makers of Filth City shouldn’t cross the street when he is driving […]

‘Filth City’ movie inspired by ex-Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s crack scandal

A movie titled Filth City, closing out this year’s Canadian Film Fest, looks to be inspired by the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his crack scandal. The movie poster for the film shows a Rob Ford lookalike named Mayor Hogg, played by Kingston, Ont.-born actor Pat Thornton, smoking a pipe under a banner which reads “The crime rate […]

Ford says maker of ‘Filth City’ shouldn’t cross the street when he is driving down road

Former city councillor Doug Ford made a veiled threat at the makers of a new film that’s loosely based on the late Rob Ford’s crack video scandal on Wednesday, suggesting that they shouldn’t cross the street when he is driving down the road.

Doug Ford slams ‘scumbags’ behind movie inspired by Rob Ford’s crack scandal

The Canadian-made film Filth City is supposed to be a dramatic re-telling of the former mayor’s highly-publicized crack cocaine scandal and the media circus that surrounded it. The movie is set to be released on March 25, three days after the one year anniversary of Rob Ford’s death, and not everyone seems ready to take a walk down memory lane with […]

“Scumbags:” Doug Ford calls movie based on Rob Ford scandals ‘hurtful’

Former city councillor Doug Ford said the movie loosely based on the life of his late brother Rob Ford is “hurtful” and called the people behind the film “scumbags.” Speaking to Newstalk 1010’s Rush with Ryan Doyle and Jay Michaels program Tuesday, Ford called the film Filth City “a joke.” “It’s not even accurate, even […]

‘Filth City’ Is Inspired By The Late Rob Ford’s Crack Video Controversy

The trailer for a new movie called “Filth City” was released March 1st and its generated quite the conversation in the GTA.

‘Filth City’ movie inspired by ex-Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s crack scandal

A movie titled Filth City, closing out this year’s Canadian Film Fest, looks to be inspired by the late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his crack scandal.

Filth City: The Rob Ford Movie

A new movie based on the Rob Ford crack scandal is set to premier on March 25. But is the film in bad taste?

Movie inspired by Rob Ford crack video

Rob Ford probably would have laughed his head off. But not everybody is laughing. The movie poster for the movie, Filth City, shows a Rob Ford look-a-like, named Mayor Hogg, smoking a pipe under a banner which says: “The crime rate is high, so is the mayor.”

Movie ‘Filth City’ inspired by Rob Ford crack video

Rob Ford probably would have laughed his head off. But not everybody is laughing. Inspired by the former mayor’s crack scandal, it’s a new Canadian-produced movie, which will premier March 25 at the Scotiabank Theatre. The movie trailer boasts it was “inspired by true” events and has a classic line: “There’s a video of the mayor […]

Doug Ford calls movie based on Rob Ford scandals ‘hurtful’

The trailer for “Filth City” a movie about “Tom Hogg,” the drug-addicted mayor of the fictional city of York, is out now. The film is set to premiere in Toronto later this month.

Movie based on Rob Ford’s crack scandal made by ‘scumbags’ says Doug Ford

Doug Ford is the calling the makers of an outlandish dark comedy about his late brother’s crack video scandal “scumbags.”

WATCH: DOUG FORD CALLS DARK COMEDY BASED ON HIS BROTHER, “DISGUSTING”

Doug Ford isn’t mincing words. He calls the makers of a movie, loosely based on his late brother, “scumbags.” The dark comedy, Filth City, is set to debut on the closing night of Canadian Film Fest on March 25th.

New Movie Satirizes Late Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s Crack-Smoking Scandal

An out-of-control mayor will stop at nothing to extricate himself from scandal when when video surfaces that shows him smoking crack. Not only was that the real-life story that played out with former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, it’s also the plot of an upcoming movie called “Filth City”.

Movie based on Rob Ford’s crack scandal made by ‘scumbags’ says Doug Ford

Doug Ford is the calling the makers of an outlandish dark comedy about his late brother’s crack video scandal “scumbags.” In an interview with CityNews on Tuesday night, Ford also called the timing of the film’s release — just days after the first anniversary of Rob Ford’s death — “tasteless.”

Someone made a movie based on the Rob Ford crack scandal

The putatively dark comedy directed by Andy King shows a power hungry mayor wrapped in controversy who will stop at nothing to make sure the video of him smoking crack doesn’t get into the wrong hands. Based on the trailer, the movie looks entirely outlandish, but we’ll reserve judgment until it’s actually been screened.

There’s now a major motion picture inspired by the Rob Ford crack scandal

While we may never know the whole story, this soon to be released dark comedy crime story from filmmaker Andy King will certainly resonate with residents in The 6ix.

Movie inspired by Rob Ford crack video

Rob Ford probably would have laughed his head off. But not everybody is laughing.

Film Festival Roundup: Hot Docs Announces Special Presentations, AFI FEST Dates 2017 Festival and More

The festival will close with Andy King’s dark comedy crime story “Filth City,” which stars Melinda Shankar, Melanie Nicholls-King, and Siobhan Murphy.

Canadian Film Fest Announces The 2017 Line Up

The Canadian Film Fest (CFF) today announced the line up for the 2017 festival along with news that it is expanding from four days to five…The festival will close with Andy King’s dark comedy crime story FILTH CITY that stars Melinda Shankar, Melanie Nicholls-King, and Siobhan Murphy. This year’s CFF will showcase a total of […]

Slamdance Grand Jury Winner DIM THE FLUORESCENTS to Be Released in Canada

Dim The Fluorescents, the feature film debut of director Daniel Warth and producer Josh Clavir, and winner of the 2017 Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize will be released in Canada by Films We Like.  The film will have a cross-Canada fall theatrical release, followed by a wide digital release targeting SVOD, streaming and airline […]

Dim the Fluorescents | Slamdance 2017

Sharp yet ultimately poignant, Dim the Fluorescents won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the recent Slamdance Film Festival.

How these Canadian filmmakers found hope and community in the mountains of Utah

This year, four Canadian filmmakers — Daniel Warth (Dim The Fluorescents, which won Slamdance’s top prize), Joyce Wong (Wexford Plaza), Adrian Murray (Withdrawn) and Jordan Canning (Suck It Up) — followed in the footsteps of the likes of Christopher Nolan, Lynn Shelton and Benh Zeitlin by having their early work screen at the fest.

‘The Bay,’ ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’ Lead Nominees At 8th Indie Series Awards

Each year, the Indie Series Awards honor exemplary digital content creators who have succeeded despite working with limited budgets and committing to independent productions. The nominees for the 8th annual Indie Series Awards have been announced, with soap opera The Bay and oddball comedy The Amazing Gayl Pile leading the way. The Amazing Gayl Pile, which began […]

8th Annual Indie Series Awards Nominees Revealed

The Amazing Gayl Pile led all comedies with 13 nominations. The series is joined in the Best Web Series – Comedy field by #Adulting, Break: The Musical, Fame Dogs, Grip and Electric, High Road, Keith Broke His Leg and The Pioneers. The Bay and The Amazing Gayl Pile each broke the previous record of 13 […]

Nominations Announced for 8th Annual Indie Series Awards

The Amazing Gayl Pile led all comedies with 13 nominations. The series is joined in the Best Web Series – Comedy field by #Adulting, Break: The Musical, Fame Dogs, Grip and Electric, High Road, Keith Broke His Leg and The Pioneers. The Bay and The Amazing Gayl Pile each broke the previous record of 13 […]

Dim the Fluorescents Slamdance 2017 Review

Winner of Slamdance’s Grand Jury Prize, Dim the Fluorescents is the kind of dynamic, entertaining debut feature that hopefully puts its cast and crew on the map. Taking place in the city of Toronto – which is currently going through its own indie cinema renaissance – director Daniel Warth and co-writer Miles Barstead have put together […]

‘Dim the Fluorescents’: The Corporate Training Seminar That Became a Slamdance Grand Jury Prizewinner

A struggling actress and an aspiring playwright reach for the sublime while performing workplace scenarios in this Slamdance 2017 Dramatic Grand Jury Prizewinner.

Slamdance 2017 Winners

The Sparky Prize for Best Narrative Feature went to DIM THE FLUORESCENTS; directed by Daniel Warth, and written by Warth and Miles Barstead. “It’s empathetic, weird and insanely funny.” said Slamdance jurors. “This film delivers its crazy script with guts & panache. It’s a delight–beautifully executed and smart as a whip.”

Canadians win at Slamdance

Toronto-based Daniel Warth won the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature at the 2017 Slamdance Film Festival for his debut feature Dim the Fluorescents.

Crowdfunded Toronto film ‘Dim the Fluorescents’ wins prize at Slamdance film fest

Toronto director Daniel Warth’s crowdfunded comedy “Dim the Fluorescents” has won a top Sparky Award at the Slamdance Film Festival.

Crowdfunded Toronto film ‘Dim the Fluorescents’ wins prize at Slamdance film fest

Toronto director Daniel Warth’s crowdfunded comedy “Dim the Fluorescents” has won a top Sparky Award at the Slamdance Film Festival. Warth’s debut feature film, which made its world premiere at the fest, took the grand jury prize for narrative feature.

Slamdance 2017 Review: DIM THE FLUORESCENTS, Work is Theater

In the tradition of films that pull back the curtain on the inner workings of showbiz, writer/director Daniel Warth’s Dim The Fluorescents shows us the ins and outs of… corporate training seminars. It’s not the most exciting place to be, surely, but thankfully this movie has a bit more to say.

‘Dim the Fluorescents’ Exclusive Clip: Slamdance Comedy Offers a Wacky Lesson in Workplace Safety

Turns out, the entertainment industry is a tough one to break into — sorry for blowing your mind right now — but Canadian filmmaker Daniel Warth takes that tired old chestnut and turns it into something very fresh and funny with his Slamdance premiere “Dim the Fluorescents.”

‘Dim the Fluorescents,’ ‘Strad Style’ Win Slamdance Awards (EXCLUSIVE)

Daniel Warth’s “Dim the Fluorescents” and Stefan Avalos’ documentary “Strad Style” have won the Sparky Awards for grand jury prizes at the 23rd Slamdance Film Festival.

Orphan Black, Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience up for Canadian Screen Awards

The National Film Board of Canada, Vice Media, content studio Secret Location and digital production company LaRue Entertainment are among the leading creators in the digital categories.

Slamdance Film Festival chooses 3 Canadian movies for feature competition

The Slamdance Film Festival has chosen three Canadian features to compete for prizes and honours at its 23rd edition Jan. 20-26 in Park City, Utah.

Newbie distributor Limonero snags Seeso series

Newly-created distributor Limonero Films has come back from its first MIPCOM with a deal for UK rights to The Amazing Gayl Pile.

Deals: CBC, eOne, LaRue, Portfolio, Quebecor

Toronto’s LaRue Entertainment has secured a raft of deals for its short documentary I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!! … Company toppers Matt King and Andrew Ferguson will also be shopping the rights to the feature film and digital series Filth City at MIPCOM, alongside the first three seasons of The Amazing Gayl […]

Cancon consultations roll through T.O.

Matt King, producer at LaRue Entertainment, also told Playback Daily one of the major talking points in his group was the need to invest more dollars, both domestically and internationally, in marketing Cancon.

Deals: marblemedia, Seville, Quebecor, Blue Ant

With MIPCOM less than a month away, Blue Ant Media’s distribution arm, Blue Ant International, has announced the acquisition of 90 hours of unscripted content, including Canadian-produced series from Muse Entertainment, LaRue Entertainment and CMJ Productions II.

Blue Ant acquires 90 hours of unscripted content

Blue Ant International, has announced the acquisition of 90 hours of unscripted content, including Canadian-produced series from Muse Entertainment, LaRue Entertainment and CMJ Productions II

Witness the Majesty of Home Shopping in the Full Episode of Seeso Original ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’

Dreams. Everyone has them. And that everyone includes Gayl Pile, host of the little-watched Ladies’ Power Hour on Home Shopping TV. Sure, right now he’s a depressed and underpaid pitchman for horrible beauty products. But like we said, he has dreams. Big dreams. He’s going to become the greatest television personality of all time.

This Week’s Top 5 TV Picks

There are scores of TV shows out there, with dozens of new episodes each week, not to mention everything you can find on Hulu Plus, Netflix streaming, and HBO Go. How’s a viewer to keep up?

Top TV picks for July 27: ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’,…

Home shopper At some point, one of the comics being showcased on NBC’s streaming service Seeso is going to break big. Could it be Morgan Waters? The Canadian comedian gives it a shot with “The Amazing Gayl Pile,” playing a man driven to become TV’s No. 1 pitchman.

NBC’s Seeso Brings Back Oddball Comedy ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’ (Exclusive Clip)

Since its launch at the beginning of 2016, NBCUniversal’s Seeso has put together a compelling lineup of original programming.

Seeso Reveals Premiere Dates for Shows from Wyatt Cenac, Dan Harmon, and More

Seeso just announced a round of summer premiere dates for new shows, including…“The Amazing Gayl Pile” (10 episodes each) – Season 2 & 3 Premieres July 28

Ten big stories in a small package

In She Stoops to Conquer by Zack Russell, a struggling actress dons a mask for a talent show, and keeps it to go clubbing. There, she meets her doppelganger, and engages in a strange dance. Her identity begins meshing with the character she portrays, and the audience is left wondering who is really calling the […]

reys’ “Blown Out” Video Will Get You Thinking About Mental Health

Toronto punk band Greys have something to say. With guitar- and feedback-heavy arrangements and some shouting, Greys express their empathy through hard-hitting tunes like the ones on their upcoming record Outer Heaven, out April 22 on Carpark (in the U.S.) and Buzz Records (in CA).

Indie Producers Win Big at CSA

LaRue Entertainment’s She Stoops to Conquer won for best live action short.

Seeso Invents a ‘Ha-Liday’ Fights Winter Blahs with Free 24-Hour Streamathon

Seeso, NBCUniversal Digital Enterprise’s new ad-free streaming comedy channel, has declared today, February 21 the “Day of Ha” – During “Day Of Ha,” viewers also will have the opportunity to catch the entire [first two seasons of] “The Amazing Gayl Pile,” for free.

Canadian shorts added to SXSW lineup

Sol Friedman’s Sundance-winner Bacon & God’s Wrath and Zack Russell’s She Stoops To Conquer are among the Canadian titles added to South by South West Festival’s shorts programs.

2016 Canadian Screen Awards Nominees Announced

This year’s nominees for the Canadian Screen Awards have just been revealed, honouring the year’s best in Canadian film, TV and digital media. Best Live Action Short Drama – She Stoops To Conquer – Zack Russell

Bell Media names producer lab participants

LaRue Entertainment’s Matt King and Corvid Pictures’ Sarah Timmins are among the five participants in Bell Media’s third annual Executive Producer Accelerator Lab.

CBC – TRUE DATING STORIES

True Dating Stories: real people tell their funniest, wildest and most embarrassing dating stories that are recreated by local actors and comedians.

Hamilton is a favourite among filmmakers

The latest production to come to the Hammer is “Filth City”. Digital Canaries is the production company behind the film. The story is about a corrupt mayor who is swept up in a controversy than includes him smoking crack… Sound familiar? Writers Andy King and Danny Polishchuck say it’s a loose satire of the Rob […]

Film crew out thousands after city double books Gage Park

[Andrew] Ferguson’s production company is shooting the majority of a new movie called Filth City in Hamilton, which is a fictional account of a crack-smoking mayor in a major metropolitan city.

Short Cuts 2015: Canadian Content

Zack Russell’s remarkable She Stoops To Conquer, which stars co-writer Kayla Lorette as a disguised cabaret performer who meets her doppelganger (Julian Richings) in a club, and just sort of goes with it.

TIFF 2015 gay guide

This film takes its title from an Oliver Goldsmith play about an upper class woman who poses as a maid to win the affections of a wealthy young gentleman. But theatre director Zack Russell’s first film has seemingly nothing to do with the Anglo-Irish writer’s 18th century comedy. Inspired by Toronto comedian and star Kayla […]

Short Cuts: 26 Amazing Shorts Playing at TIFF 2015

Julian Richings is one of Canada’s bottomless resources in Canadian film, and a classic definition of a great character actor. So it’s nice to see his distinct look and memorable presence used so well in She Stoops to Conquer, Zack Russell’s strange and beguiling short.

22 CBC Shows Every Canadian Needs in Their Life

When it comes to dating, truth is stranger than fiction. [True Dating Stories] features real people who share their wildest and most embarrassing dating stories that will make you cringe and lol.

Filth City Descends on Hamilton

Production is underway in Hamilton on Filth City, a dark comedy/crime drama produced by LaRue Entertainment in association with Super Channel. A half-hour making-of documentary, titled Blood, Net & Tears will be produced simultaneously with Filth City.

I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!! – Debuting Today on Vimeo, Charlie Tyrell’s Short Doc Chronicles Reid Fleming’s Journey into Development Hell

There’s never been anything normal about Reid Fleming, the self-proclaimed world’s toughest milkman. From the time of his inception, David Boswell’s caustic, perpetually enraged working-class antihero has defied the odds, building a fierce cult following among fans and fellow creators.

Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Kimmel in Lineup For Palm Springs ShortFest

The Palm Springs International ShortFest & Short Film Market announced its lineup Thursday, screening June 16-22 at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.

If Louis C.K. can do it, why not local comedians?

Comedians Andy King … and Danny Polishchuk wrote and star in Filth City, a gritty, dark and funny short film they created on their own for about $500 … Polishchuk … and King … have created is a nicely acted, tightly scripted short film called Filth City: Drug Squad, which would not look out of place on any […]

Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Kimmel in lineup for Palm Springs Shortfest

The Palm Springs International ShortFest & Short Film Market announced its lineup Thursday, screening June 16-22 at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. Titles include Ed Asner, Jonathan Demme, Matt Groening and Kevin Pollak in the documentary short “I Thought I Told You To Shut Up!”

The World’s Toughest Milkman DESTROYS the cover of the Georgia Straight!

This issue is [the Georgia Straight’s] 2,471st and on the cover this week is the DOXA Documentary Film Festival: Reid Fleming, World’s Toughest Milkman, crashes Vancouver; plus, films on Greenpeace, drones, and a fake Elvis.

I Thought I Told You To Shut Up

I’ve just seen I Thought I Told You To Shut Up and it’s delightful, funny, sad, and packed full of cameos from a surprising number of extremely famous people who are all huge fans of David Boswell, many of whom attempted, in some capacity, to help a feature-length live-action Reid Fleming film make it to the big screen.

Palm Beach International Film Festival announces 2015 winners

Best Short Film: “I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!!,” directed by Charlie Tyrell. PBIFF says: “In the late ’70s David Boswell created Reid Fleming, the World’s Toughest Milkman, a comic book anti-hero and counter culture icon.

Bell Media Congratulates Six Documentaries Announced for Annual Hot Docs Festival

Bell Media is pleased to announce that … two short films funded by BravoFACT, have been confirmed as official selections for the 22nd annual Hot Docs Festival … Includes Charlie Tyrell’s I Thought I Told You to Shut Up!!

Five Shorts from SXSW 2015

David Boswell … achieved cult success with his indie comic “Reid Fleming, The World’s Toughest Milkman” in the 1970s, garnering influential A-list fans like SCTV’s Dave Thomas and “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening. Unfortunately, one Hollywood executive was not amused, blocking a big-screen adaptation of the project (while also retaining the rights to the property), leaving […]

Inside the CSA’s best web series category

[The Amazing Gayl Pile]: A dive into the “dark world” of home shopping via the life of home shopping salesman Gayl Pile. [Objective is to] create a cinematic and dark comedy series blending melodrama with “reality” elements

Deals: LaRue, HBO Canada CraveTV, DHX Media

The Amazing Gayl Pile, a 10 x 15-minute scripted series from LaRue Entertainment, has been picked up by NBCUniversal’s new comedy streaming service SeeSo.  The series, which stars and is executive produced by Morgan Waters and Brooks Gray, tells the story of a man’s journey to conquer the world of home shopping.

NBCUniversal to Launch Comedy Streaming Service Seeso

[The Amazing Gayl Pile]: A scripted series about one man’s misguided quest to conquer the world of home shopping. Starring and executive produced by Morgan Waters and Brooks Gray.

This Week in Web Videos: ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’

When creators need real, they usually mine the improv set. Few have the cojones to stake their project’s success on a bunch of randos solicited on Craigslist, but The Amazing Gayl Pile creators Morgan Waters (Gayl Pile) and Brooks Gray are cut from a different cloth.

Exclusive: Watch the Premiere of JASH’s Hilarious New Show The Amazing Gayl Pile

We couldn’t begin to spoil the show’s warped twists and turns, but Waters stars as the titular Gayl Pile, who shills hair extensions and leopard-print sleep masks as the effete host of Ladies Power Hour…In short, the show is a sort of Lynchian stew of the absolutely mundane and the totally horrific.

Jash Gets Weird(er) With ‘The Amazing Gayl Pile’

The Amazing Gayl Pile is produced by Toronto-based studio LaRue Entertainment. It centers on its titular character, who works as a salesman for a home shopping network.

JASH picks up The Amazing Gayl Pile

Canadian web series The Amazing Gayl Pile has secured distribution through U.S.-based YouTube channel JASH and will premiere this April.

Giving legendary face in She Stoops to Conquer

Julian Richings just has one of those faces. Maybe you recognize him as Hard Core Logo’s Bucky Haight or as the embodiment of death on Supernatural, but chances are you just know the veteran Canadian character actor as “that guy who’s in everything.”

TIFF 2015 Review: She Stoops to Conquer

A woman (Kayla Lorette) performs as a drag king, dressed like an older man, but her performance doesn’t quite connect with her audience. She heads out to a bar where she spots a man (Julian Richings) who looks exactly like her. The two head back to the man’s house for an evening together. When the […]

TIFF 2015: ‘She Stoops to Conquer’

TIFF’s short film programmes have always featured creative work made by gifted people. This year, Peterborough born filmmaker Zack Russell is one of those people.

TIFF 2015: A Few Reasons To Put Your Focus on Short Films

TIFF is back, and with it a bucket load of films. TIFF is known for its spectacular programming line-up, each film with its own unique storytelling ability. However, to me, short films have always been my primary interest. Not because they are short, but the various things that short films accomplish that major feature films simply […]

Kevin Drew and Feist Get Dance Lessons From Zach Galifianakis in Drew’s “You in Your Were” Video

Every music video could do with a bit of dancing, right? But as anyone who’s watched “Making the Band” knows, fancy footwork is tough business. So Broken Social Scene‘s Kevin Drew recruited an expert to assist in his video for the Feist-featuring Darlings cut “You in Your Were”.

Zach Galifianakis Choreographs Kevin Drew in ‘You in Your Were’

Zach Galifianakis knows there’s only one way to score a hit record these days: Make a music video with lots and lots of dancing.

Kevin Drew – “You In Your Were” Video

For a certain sort of indie-rock fan — specifically people who were in college when Broken Social Scene’s You Forgot It In People came out, people like me — the sight of Kevin Drew and Leslie Feist playfully singing together in an empty ballroom is enough to make your entire week.