VisionTV's Mahalia


Toronto, August 28, 2008
R&B artist Keshia Chanté to star in VisionTV’s first original hour-long drama series Principal photography begins in Halifax on Sept. 2 VisionTV is set to begin shooting its first original hour-long drama series in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Keshia Chanté in the starring role. The series, which has the working title *Mahalia, tells the story of a young singer torn between different worlds. Principal photography commences on Sept. 2. The six-part program is being produced for VisionTV by Halifax Film. Said Joan Jenkinson, VisionTV’s Director of Independent Production and Executive Producer on the project: “We have assembled a first-rate creative team to bring Mahalia* to life, and are thrilled to have an artist of Keshia Chanté’s stature in the lead. We are confident that this series will break new ground, showcasing some extraordinary Canadian musical and filmmaking talent, and telling a story of tremendous emotional resonance.” Mahalia is the first small-screen starring role for Ottawa native Keshia Chanté, who won a Juno Award in 2005 for R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year. As Mahalia Brown, a gifted gospel singer from Toronto, she plays a young woman on the verge of leaving behind the safety of church and family for the fast track to pop stardom. But at what price? Can she stay spiritual in a material world? Mahalia’s story unfolds against a backdrop of violent conflict within her troubled urban neighbourhood – a dangerous world of drugs and guns into which her brother Malcolm is unwillingly drawn. The series will feature a gospel choir made up of singers recruited from the Halifax area, and led by renowned spoken-world performer, journalist and musician Shauntay Grant. The creation of the choir will be the subject of an hour-long documentary for VisionTV. The Executive Producers of Mahalia are Floyd Kane (North/South), Peter Lauterman (North of 60), Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine) and Charles Bishop (The Guard). Andy Marshall is Creative Producer, and Margaret Harrison (Shake Hands with the Devil) is Line Producer. The series writers are Andy Marshall, Peter Lauterman and Floyd Kane. The directors include Stefan Scaini (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Steve DiMarco (The Chris Isaak Show). Mark Prasuhn, Chief Content Officer for VisionTV’s parent company S-VOX, said the launch of production on Mahalia represents a landmark for the multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster. “Throughout its history, VisionTV has been a leading supporter of original Canadian production. It is fitting that, as the network celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are taking this bold new step and creating opportunities for diverse Canadian talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Noted Mr. Prasuhn: “VisionTV has long supported production talent from the Maritime provinces, and we are delighted to continue this tradition with the Halifax Film team that will produce Mahalia.” The six-part program has emerged from the DiverseTV initiative launched by VisionTV in partnership with the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), and is the first DiverseTV project to go before the cameras. DiverseTV was designed to offer visible minority and Aboriginal writers the chance to create a television drama for national broadcast. For more information on VisionTV programming, please visit www.visiontv.ca. VisionTV, an S-VOX company, is Canada’s multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster, dedicated to entertaining and insightful programming that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures. VisionTV celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2008-2009. Visit VisionTV on the Web at: www.visiontv.ca.

Toronto, August 28, 2008

R&B artist Keshia Chanté to star in VisionTV’s first original hour-long drama series

Principal photography begins in Halifax on Sept. 2

VisionTV is set to begin shooting its first original hour-long drama series in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Keshia Chanté in the starring role.

The series, which has the working title Mahalia, tells the story of a young singer torn between different worlds. Principal photography commences on Sept. 2.

The six-part program is being produced for VisionTV by Halifax Film.

Said Joan Jenkinson, VisionTV’s Director of Independent Production and Executive Producer on the project: “We have assembled a first-rate creative team to bring Mahalia to life, and are thrilled to have an artist of Keshia Chanté’s stature in the lead. We are confident that this series will break new ground, showcasing some extraordinary Canadian musical and filmmaking talent, and telling a story of tremendous emotional resonance.”

Mahalia is the first small-screen starring role for Ottawa native Keshia Chanté, who won a Juno Award in 2005 for R&B/Soul Recording Of The Year.

As Mahalia Brown, a gifted gospel singer from Toronto, she plays a young woman on the verge of leaving behind the safety of church and family for the fast track to pop stardom. But at what price? Can she stay spiritual in a material world? Mahalia’s story unfolds against a backdrop of violent conflict within her troubled urban neighbourhood – a dangerous world of drugs and guns into which her brother Malcolm is unwillingly drawn.

The series will feature a gospel choir made up of singers recruited from the Halifax area, and led by renowned spoken-world performer, journalist and musician Shauntay Grant. The creation of the choir will be the subject of an hour-long documentary for VisionTV.

The Executive Producers of Mahalia are Floyd Kane (North/South), Peter Lauterman (North of 60), Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine) and Charles Bishop (The Guard). Andy Marshall is Creative Producer, and Margaret Harrison (Shake Hands with the Devil) is Line Producer.

The series writers are Andy Marshall, Peter Lauterman and Floyd Kane. The directors include Stefan Scaini (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Steve DiMarco (The Chris Isaak Show).

Mark Prasuhn, Chief Content Officer for VisionTV’s parent company S-VOX, said the launch of production on Mahalia represents a landmark for the multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster. “Throughout its history, VisionTV has been a leading supporter of original Canadian production. It is fitting that, as the network celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are taking this bold new step and creating opportunities for diverse Canadian talent both in front of and behind the camera.”

Noted Mr. Prasuhn: “VisionTV has long supported production talent from the Maritime provinces, and we are delighted to continue this tradition with the Halifax Film team that will produce Mahalia.”

The six-part program has emerged from the DiverseTV initiative launched by VisionTV in partnership with the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI), and is the first DiverseTV project to go before the cameras.

DiverseTV was designed to offer visible minority and Aboriginal writers the chance to create a television drama for national broadcast.

For more information on VisionTV programming, please visit www.visiontv.ca.

VisionTV, an S-VOX company, is Canada’s multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster, dedicated to entertaining and insightful programming that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures. VisionTV celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2008-2009. Visit VisionTV on the Web at: www.visiontv.ca.