Have a great idea for a TV show? Learn how to get it to air with NSI Totally TV

Online, March 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Winnipeg, MB - NSI Totally Television, run by the National Screen Institute - Canada, gives you the tools you need to develop your TV show and pitch it to broadcasters with the ultimate goal of getting it made. Over ten months you'll receive relevant market-driven training including the opportunity to work with story editors, showrunners, mentors and executive producers to develop and shape your project. Up to six teams will be accepted for the initial phase of training; only the top teams with the best market-driven projects will go on to Phase 2 and attend the Banff World Television Festival in 2011.

Apply for the program by Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
Guidelines and an application form are available on the NSI website. http://www.nsi-canada.ca/nsi_totally_television_registration.aspx

"NSI Totally Television is all about training and connections. We give you the tools you need to successfully develop and pitch your project, and connect you with the people who'll help you get it made," said Brandice Vivier, Manager, Programs and Development, NSI. "Our participants' series have aired on Global, Citytv, APTN, HBO Canada, Showcase and CBC demonstrating the strength of projects and teams that have come through the program."

This program gets results. 50% of Phase 2 projects have gone into development with a broadcaster and 50% of these have gone into production. Recent shows developed through NSI Totally Television include "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil" (shooting in Winnipeg this month), "Less Than Kind" (season 2 is airing now on HBO Canada), "'da Kink in my Hair" (season 1 available on DVD), and "Wapos Bay" (season 4 airs on APTN; series also airs in Australia).

The NSI Totally Television program can be done while you keep your day job. It features a week-long boot camp in Toronto in the fall for all participants and a shorter training session in Spring 2011 for Phase 2 teams. Project and professional development plans are created with maximum flexibility to allow you to keep working.

Brandice Vivier, Manager, Programs and Development, National Screen Institute - Canada
Brandice Vivier has worked in the film and television industry for over 15 years. As Manager, Programs and Development at NSI, Brandice develops and delivers many of our training programs. In addition to managing NSI Totally Television, she is currently working with the NSI Online Film Festival and Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program. Brandice has also managed NSI Drama Prize, NSI Storytellers, NSI Pitch to Win!, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug, and DiverseTV.

Samantha Linton - Program Advisor, NSI Totally Television
Sam Linton is an award winning producer, director and executive producer. She has worked as Head of Factual Programming at Cineflix, Head of Development for RTR Media where she helped create "Maxed Out" and "From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis." She also worked as Head of Original Production for Discovery Channel Canada where she oversaw and executive produced hundreds of hours of programming.

NSI Totally Television is made possible by Presenting Sponsor CTV and the CTV/CHUM Benefits; Program Partner Telefilm Canada; Strategic Sponsors Rogers and Women in Media Foundation (WIMF); and Provincial Sponsor MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.

About the National Screen Institute (NSI)

NSI is widely known for its prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and producers working in film, television and digital media. Most programs are part-time so students keep their day jobs while they train. Participants do not have to relocate - intensive training happens in one place and participants return home to work with a mentor for the rest of their program. All training is delivered by senior industry experts.

The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) operates with ongoing funding from Core Funders: Manitoba Culture, Heritage, and Tourism, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council; Benefactor: Canwest; Patron: CTV and the CTV/CHUM Benefits; Builders: Rogers, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation; Contributors: Telefilm Canada, APTN, NBC Universal, Women in Media Foundation.

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