<<

Table of Contents

3 ABOUT : THE MOVIE

4 SHORT SYNOPSIS

5 CORNER GAS: THE LEGACY

8 Q&A: ON-SET WITH THE CAST AND PRODUCERS

14 CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE: FUN FACTS

18 CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

20 CAST BIOGRAPHIES

35 CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

41 ABOUT THE FUNDERS CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 3

ABOUT CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE

Just as it did when it began more than 10 years ago, the smash hit Canadian television franchise CORNER GAS continues to blaze new trails. Corner Gas: The Movie, a 90-minute feature film, is being distributed on multiple screens across this holiday season. Beginning with an exclusive Cineplex Front Row Centre Events theatrical debut for five days only, the film is in select Cineplex and independent theatres across the country from Dec. 3 to 7, 2014. Tickets are on sale now at cornergasthemovie. com, or check local theatre listings.

Following its theatrical release, Corner Gas: The Movie makes its super- simulcast network premiere on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV Two, and CTV GO. The movie debuts Monday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m.ET/PT on The Comedy Network and a special sneak peek airs on The Movie Network Monday, Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. ET in advance of its CTV premiere. Corner Gas: The Movie will also be the first Canadian program to receive a first-look screening on ’s CraveTV when the premium subscription TV streaming service launches Thursday, Dec. 11.

Headlined by creator and comedian , Corner Gas: The Movie stars the original award-winning ensemble cast including , , , , , Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Nancy Robertson. Written by Brent Butt, Andrew Carr, and Andrew Wreggitt, and directed by David Storey, who served as key director on the series, the movie was shot in from June 22 to July 22, 2014.

MOVIE SYNOPSIS LOGLINE: Dog River has always been flat. But now it’s flat broke. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 4

SHORT SYNOPSIS:

It’s been five years and there’s still not a lot going on 40 kilometers from nowhere. But that’s all about to change as the fine folks of Dog River, Saskatchewan face their biggest crisis ever. Brent and the gang discover that the town’s been badly mismanaged, leaving residents with little choice but to pack up and leave. As residents make one last rally to save Dog River as they know it, they discover a devious plan by a corporate giant that would change life for Dog Riverites forever. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 5

CORNER GAS: THE LEGACY

When Writer/Executive Producer Brent Butt first scrawled his idea for a TV show on a piece of paper, he had no idea he was about to change the landscape of Canadian television. That series was CTV’s original comedy CORNER GAS, which for six seasons – and 107 episodes – would become a national treasure and perhaps, the most influential Canadian television series ever.

Before CORNER GAS, the popular opinion was that Canadians don’t watch homegrown television. CORNER GAS helped change that mindset. Indeed, Canadians will watch Canadian TV, so long as it’s the right Canadian TV. For six years, and even in repeats to this day, Dog River was - and remains - a favourite Canadian television destination. Set in a fictional town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, CORNER GAS premiered January 22, 2004 on CTV with 1.15 million viewers and was a runaway hit. During its entire six-season run, CORNER GAS was the #1 Canadian comedy, maintaining an impressive average audience of 1.4 million viewers over its 107-episode run. The series finale made television history when a record-breaking 3.02 million viewers tuned in on April 13, 2009. It was a new audience high for CORNER GAS and is still the largest audience on record for a Canadian scripted television series. Many also credit CORNER GAS for paving the way for other shows. “Brent Butt’s vision continues to have a lasting legacy on the Canadian television productions that followed,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, reflecting on the series’ 10th anniversary of the series premiere in January, 2014. “The series has created an increased confidence in the Canadian television industry, leaving behind a long list of great talent in front of and behind the camera, who honed their craft on CORNER GAS and went on to work on many other Canadian productions.” Originally developed by Brent Butt, Mark Farrell, David Storey, and Virginia Thompson for CTV and The Comedy Network, CORNER GAS also boasts some of the most beloved characters in Canadian television history – Oscar Leroy (Eric Peterson), Emma Leroy (Janet Wright), Lacey Burrows (Gabrielle Miller), Hank Yarbo (Fred Ewanuick), Davis Quinton (Lorne Cardinal), Karen Pelly (Tara Spencer-Nairn), Wanda Dollard (Nancy Robertson) – who continue to resonate with fans today. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 6

During its six season run, CORNER GAS received over 80 nominations for numerous awards, including an International Emmy nomination. It won seven including Best Comedy and Best Comedy Ensemble, as well as nine , four Writers Guild of Canada Awards, three Directors Guild of Canada Awards and 12 Leos.

It aired in over two dozen countries worldwide and became a Canadian cultural phenomenon, spawning two chart-topping books, sold-out comedy tours, a successful line of clothing and merchandise, a top-selling series of DVDs, a Christmas special and song, dozens of notable guest stars, including two Prime Ministers, a thriving tourist industry in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, where CORNER GAS was filmed on location, and now a holiday feature film and television broadcast event.

More than 10 years later, CORNER GAS is coming to the big screen with Corner Gas: The Movie, a 90-minute feature film to be distributed on multiple screens across Canada this month. Continuing to blaze new trails, the landmark film opened with an exclusive Cineplex Front Row Centre Events theatrical debut, followed by premieres on The Movie Network, CTV, The Comedy Network, and “Project Latte”, while also complemented by a special collector’s edition DVD to be available for purchase before the holidays. Headlined by creator and co- median Brent Butt, Corner Gas: The Movie stars the entire original ensemble cast.

In May, 2014 the producers of Corner Gas: The Movie launched a 30-day Kickstarter campaign with a refreshed cornergasthemovie.com website to raise funds for fans to experience once- in-a-lifetime rewards and experiences. Fan response was overwhelming, as 2,500 backers contributed nearly three times the target goal. The campaign reached 100% of its initial goal in just one day. The top reward went to philanthropist Bart Hunter - an opportunity to host a private screening with Brent Butt, bringing the world-debut of Corner Gas: The Movie to Saskatoon and turning it into a charity event. Demonstrating the universal appeal of the series and its characters, support came from fans around the world, including Canada, the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, and as far afield as Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, China, Japan, and Kyrgyzstan. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 7

Kicking off the theatrical release were three red carpet galas attended by the cast, director, and executive producers of Corner Gas: The Movie. Festivities began with a private world-debut screening and fundraiser at Scotiabank Theatre Saskatoon on November 24, hosted by top Kickstarter award winner and philanthropist Bart Hunter. A public world premiere followed at the Canada Saskatchewan Production Studios in Regina on November 25. Capping off the festivities was a red carpet gala for dignitaries at the National Museum of History in Ottawa on December 1. Earlier in the day, the cast and producers were recognized in person by the Speaker of the House of Commons inside Parliament Hill.

With the entire gang back, Corner Gas: The Movie is a thank you to the fans for all their loyalty and affection over the past decade.

More than 10 years later, the legacy of CORNER GAS lives on. Its characters continue to make people laugh, and a new generation will discover the show (and now the movie) in repeat broadcasts, online, and on DVD. It continues to reinforce a belief in Canadian TV, and inspire new filmmakers. To many, CORNER GAS now represents a magical moment in time as a Canadian television trailblazer.

Corner Gas: The Movie is an inter-provincial co-production produced by Corner Gas The Movie (ON) Inc. and Corner Gas The Movie (SK) Inc. in association with Cineplex Entertainment, Bell Media, Telefilm Canada, Tourism Saskatchewan, Creative Saskatchewan, the Canada Media Fund, the Bell Fund, Cogeco, and Pairie Pants Distribution. CORNER GAS is distributed worldwide by Prairie Pants Distribution. The Collectors DVD will be distributed across Canada by Video Services Corp. (VSC).

Executive producers are Virginia Thompson, Brent Butt, and David Storey. Saskatchewan producer is Jack Tunnicliffe. Janice Dawe is consulting producer. Victoria Woods is line producer. Kara Haflidson is production executive for Bell Media. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President - CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. Corner Gas: The Movie is distributed worldwide by Prairie Pants Distribution. The Collectors DVD will be distributed across Canada by Video Services Corp. (VSC). CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 8

Q&A : ON-SET WITH THE CAST AND PRODUCERS

How did the movie come about?

Brent Butt: David, Virginia and I all liked the idea of doing a movie at some point down the road. It was just a matter of finding the time and really trying to be smart and objective about it. David Storey: One day we were sitting around and Brent said ‘You know it’s time to do the CORNER GAS movie’. I went away and thought about it for a couple of weeks, then I phoned Virginia and said Brent wants to do the movie. Virginia said ‘Yes. Let’s go!’ Virginia Thompson: 2014 was the goal. We literally wrote it down…2014 we would shoot. And here we are. It’s 2014, we shot, we released, and it all came together.

Why do a movie?

Brent Butt: I felt that doing the movie was something that we owed to the fans and owed to the project itself. People find this show special. It’s a part of their lives. I want them to be satisfied with the movie.

What is the movie about?

Brent Butt: It’s really about the town. The town of Dog River is in a situation that a lot of rural communities find themselves in when they are right on the cusp of having to decide whether to try and find a way to rally and save their town or just let it go, and let it become a ghost town, so everybody moves on and goes their separate ways.

What was the challenge of taking it from a TV series to a feature film? David Storey: The challenge of taking it from the TV series to the feature film was coming up with a script that was going to be a feature film script and not just another episode of CORNER GAS, only 90 minutes long. Virginia Thompson: A movie needs to have stakes. It needs to have more emotional clout. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 9

CORNER GAS is known to be a breezy, light comedy, a town where “nothing is going on”. There was a lot of effort put into getting the movie right. Brent Butt: We did raise the stakes. We found something that was realistic. It’s not about a meteor hurtling towards the earth or an alien invasion.

How did working on the movie differ from working on the TV series?

Brent Butt: The pace was a little slower. We were doing fewer pages per day. For me, personally, it was a much slacker pace because I only had one job to do in the movie and that was to act in the movie. A lot of my duties are done ahead of time, another batch of my duties won’t be done until after. I got to sit down and go on and Instagram, and kind of kick around. Gabrielle Miller: The film is very true to CORNER GAS. It’s true to the characters. It doesn’t stray from the world that we created and lived in all of those years. But it does have some differences in that there is more insight into the personalities of the characters and more insight into the feelings of the characters.

Why does the team work?

David Storey: Virginia, Brent and I have got a great relationship. You can see it seep down through everything. We all have our skills and we all play to our strengths. Virginia Thompson: Everybody trusts each other. Everybody knows their space and place within it. And it just works beautifully. David Storey: It’s just an unusual combination of people who play to their strengths and I think that’s one of the things that makes CORNER GAS so successful. David Storey: Brent is great at being the front man, being humorous and funny at interviews and public events. He’s also a great writer and performer. David Storey: Virginia has a great skill set as a producer and is great at the big picture, overall look of where the feature is going, fan engagement and publicity and getting the movie out there. She’s got a fantastic skill set. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 10

On Werewolves, Robots and Explosions

Brent Butt: You think there wouldn’t be any werewolves, robots and explosions but when you ramp it up and make a movie you want to give people a little something-something. Virginia Thompson: There are bionic men. There are laser beams. Hank’s dream sequence is my favourite scene of the movie because it’s completely outrageous. We start the movie, and it feels like you’re in CORNER GAS. Then in scene 2, wham…what the heck is going on! Brent Butt: One of the things we did in the series that was great was we created these fantasy scenarios that you could pop in and out of so you could justify almost anything you can find funny. You could pop out of reality, do the gag and then pop back in. We take full effect of that in the movie. Virginia Thompson: It’s been great fun doing things with special effects and doing bolder, bigger moves that will surprise the audience. Virginia Thompson: It says hello everyone, you thought you were just seeing CORNER GAS but you got the movie!

On the Return to Dog River

Fred Ewanuick: It feels great to be back. It’s a bit surreal. It actually feels like I haven’t left. As soon as we got back on set, I was trying to remember what we shot last week. It was nothing! Tara Spencer-Nairn: I was so excited. I always hoped that this would happen. And when we finally got that call, I was so excited. I really miss the people. I miss the crew. I miss the cast. Lorne Cardinal: Pretty fantastic. It was so great to see everyone again. I’m glad everyone signed up and is back. It was surprising how quickly we found our stride. Brent Butt: It actually kind of creeped us out how quickly and easily we slipped back into things. It seemed like we had been gone three weeks. Nancy Robertson: It feels great. It’s so comfortable and familiar. It’s a real blessing to be able to come back and do this. We’ve been very fortunate. Janet Wright: It’s very nostalgic. It’s been very busy. We sort of fell into it again just like we were before. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 11

Eric Peterson: It was strange because everything was the same. You feel…I’m back here again. It’s sort of like a dream. Gabrielle Miller: I was nervous because I haven’t played that character in so long. And it did feel odd. And it felt odd because it felt very natural. It felt like we had been together a few days prior. I was very pleased that it felt that way and it’s a really weird feeling. Tara Spencer-Nairn: It also feels different because we are all five years older and our lives have all changed drastically. I’m here with my kid and I’m pregnant. So it can’t help but feel different in that sense because I think I’m approaching the work and the character from a completely different place in my life.

The Cast on their Characters

Brent Butt: Emotionally within a certain parameter I can make it seem real. The smart move here is to make this character as close to me as possible because then I’ll know how to react and when I react to something, it’s more likely to be real. I didn’t want to kneecap my own show by trying to do something that was outside of the scope of my ability, so I thought, make him like me. Fred Ewanuick: Nothing has changed about Hank. He’s an idiot. Just like the series, from the first episode to the last episode, everything is the same. Gabrielle Miller: If Lacey has grown or changed it’s probably a few more lines. I’m six years older. Naturally some organic changes have happened. I was really pleased when I read the script because it feels very true to the original series and the way those characters were drawn. Brent has done a beautiful job of it. It felt like home. Tara Spencer-Nairn: They tell the cranky, hungry pregnant lady she can’t have candy while they are waltzing around with a candy tray on set. That’s been the hardest part of the shoot! Nancy Robertson: I wish I could be as blunt as Wanda is. I don’t think I could hurt people the way she potentially has. She’s so comfortable with everybody that she’s safe in being so blunt and taking chances. She’s locked in her head. She thinks she’s great at everything. And I don’t think like that. Eric Peterson: As I’ve gone on to do the character I realize that there are certain elements in myself that I can identify in Oscar. That is, as you get older the world is changing and you CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 12

don’t always think it’s changing for the best. For men, you’re always in some decline, which can sometimes make you cranky. Janet Wright: Women of a certain age who feel that they have a husband like Oscar - it’s really good to be playing the role for other women. The kids seem to like her too. She’s basically a happy person and a hopeful person, so playing someone with that amount of strength is good. Janet Wright: Brent Butt has created a broad spectrum of characters. The characters are quintessential Canadian people but they are also universal in the sense they can also be from the Midwest. Tara Spencer-Nairn: Karen and Davis’s character got flipped. Originally, Karen was the dizzier, dumb one and Davis was the straight character. Lorne Cardinal: We went over lines a few times, and somehow we managed to flip it where Karen was the down-to-earth, grounded rookie and I was the flighty sergeant. The producers seemed to like it. Tara Spencer-Nairn: It’s also my personality. I’m very anal and a bit of a perfectionist. Although I’m an extremely goofy, silly person, those characteristics were hard to hide and I think they just decided to flip them. I think it’s great not to play the stereotype. I do feel women in film still to this day get stuck playing the ditzy dumb characters and it was great to see this character be the strong, assertive smart character that she is and Davis be the moron.

On the Last Day of Filming

Eric Peterson: The last day of the shoot brings you back to ending the series. But this time it isn’t so sad. I remember when we were shooting the last time. The last day as the series ended and we knew it was the last time – maybe the last time we’d ever do it. I’m very thankful to be back here and I’m more conscious now – “beware the ending beyond the ending”. Gabrielle Miller: It’s breaking my heart because it’s coming to a close. I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It makes me sad because I didn’t realize how much I missed everybody. It is really special. I’ve never experienced what I’ve experienced on this show. This little world was created that didn’t go away. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 13

Tara Spencer-Nairn: When I look back and watch past episodes I can see myself growing up and maturing. I got married. Now to come back and have my son here and be pregnant, it’s just a really special experience. Janet Wright: I won’t think about it until after it’s closed. It’s kind of sad. I’m not going to say goodbye. I’ll think about it after. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 14

CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE: FUN FACTS

The main characters have last names borrowed from towns in Saskatchewan.

• Brent, Oscar and Emma Leroy: Leroy is just over two hours north of Regina.

• Lacy Burrows: Burrows is two hours east of Regina.

• Hank Yarbo: Yarbo is three hours east of Regina, close to the Manitoba border.

• Davis Quinton: Quinton is nearly two hours north of Regina.

• Karen Pelly: Pelly is four hours east of Saskatoon, close to the Manitoba border.

• Wanda Dollard: Dollard is in southwest Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border.

Since the show went off the air in 2009, the CORNER GAS sign has been residing outside a boardroom at CTV’s Queen St. head offices in . It was specially packaged and travelled 5,346 km (round trip) to be seen again in the movie.

The font used in the CORNER GAS sign is actually Brent Butt’s own handwriting.

The CORNER GAS set, which includes The Ruby, the store and the gas station (still standing in Rouleau, SK) were actually built on swamp land and have been sinking a few inches each year. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 15

During the taping of the TV series, The Ruby was used for exterior shots only. The building was an empty shell and didn’t have an interior; scenes inside The Ruby where actually shot on a Regina soundstage. For the movie, an interior set was built in The Ruby and all interior scenes were shot in The Ruby.

During the TV series, all interior bar scenes were filmed on location in Rouleau, SK, but due to a change in ownership and recent renovations, the original bar was no longer available. The interior of the bar was recreated for the film - using all the original furniture - inside a Regina soundstage.

The interior of the Foo Mart is never revealed in the TV series. In the movie, we finally get a glimpse inside the Foo Mart and meet the owner for the first time.

The words “Dog River” were painted on the side of the in Rouleau, SK, years ago during shooting of the TV show and they remain there to this day. The grain elevator can be seen in the background of scenes shot at the gas station in both the movie and the series.

If you make a special request, the Post Office in Rouleau, SK, will stamp your postcard with a Dog River cancellation stamp.

In a scene from Corner Gas: The Movie, Wanda’s T-shirt cannon (an air cannon that launches T-shirts) hits a boy. Coincidentally, the boy’s real name is Cannon.

Many of the background players in Corner Gas: The Movie are actually avid fans of the TV series. They got the opportunity to be in the movie thanks to the CORNER GAS Kickstarter campaign. You can see the full list of Kickstarter Backers in the special end credits in movie theatres, Dec. 3 to 7. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 16

“Jackass” Count: 1. Same old Oscar that fans know and love.

Quips and Quotes:

Karen (Tara Spencer-Nairn; shoots a sponge arrow at Davis): “Okay, three, two fire!” Davis (Lorne Cardinal): “You were too low. You didn’t allow for droppage”. Karen: “Droppage?” Davis: “Droppage. Gravity. Whatever.” Karen: “Yeah, I think gravity was the one that caught on.”

Brent and Lacy at a town hall meeting:

Brent: “Okay, let’s just all pipe down alright. Don’t draw attention. No questions, no comments, everyone just zip up and lay low so this thing can wrap up A-SAP.” Lacey: “A-SAP? What, are you from the 80s?” Brent: “My formative years, yes.” CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 17

The guest stars that appear in the film are:

(The Green Mile, Dances with Wolves) • Don Lake (LIFE WITH BONNIE, Waiting for Guffman) • (Host of AMAZING RACE CANADA, Olympic gold champion) • Reagan Pasternak (BEING ERICA, Welcome to Mooseport) • (MADtv, Best in Show) • Darren “Dutchy” Dutchyshen (TSN SPORTSCENTRE) • () • Dan O’Toole (FOX SPORTS LIVE) CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 18

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

BRENT LEROY – Played by Brent Butt Brent Herbert Leroy is the comic book-reading, sarcastic proprietor of Corner Gas. He is almost always good-natured, but has a tendency to fixate on minor details. His favourite food is chili cheese dogs, to the point where he can identify the individual ingredients by taste. He and Hank have been best friends since childhood, and Brent often makes fun of him and names multiple instances of Hank’s stupidity.

LACEY BURROWS – Played by Gabrielle Miller Lacey Burrows took over the coffee shop in Dog River 10 years ago after the death of her aunt and renamed it The Ruby in her honour. Originally from Toronto, she now calls Dog River home. She perpetually tries to fit into small-town life, with mixed, and sometimes disastrous results.

RICHARD HENRY “HANK” YARBO – Played by Fred Ewanuick Hank Yarbo is Brent’s perpetually unemployed best friend and most likely candidate for Dog River’s village idiot. He has worked a range of jobs but has never been able to hold down or stay focused in one for long. He often hangs out at Corner Gas talking to Brent about whatever is on his mind. Despite his village idiot routine, Hank actually has experience in many physical and maintenance activities, including auto mechanics, gardening, knitting, woodworking, and plumbing, making him something of a jack-of-all-trades. His poetic side emerges when he goes fishing.

EMMA LEROY – Played by Janet Wright Emma Leroy is the long-suffering wife of Oscar and mother to Brent. She is the glue that holds this family together. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 19

OSCAR LEROY – Played by Eric Peterson Oscar Leroy is Brent’s angry, stubborn, and occasionally senile father and the retired former owner of Corner Gas. His all-purpose word is “jackass”; during the course of the series, he said it over 1,000 times. (It is also the series’ final spoken word.) He rivals Hank in his brain capacity and ability to make mistakes and the two are often scheming together. Oscar likes to show his handiwork around the house, but usually makes things worse when he tries to fix something..

SERGEANT DAVIS QUINTON – Played by Lorne Cardinal Sergeant Davis Quinton is the overly-sensitive senior police officer in Dog River, who has a habit of misspending the police budget, taking naps on the job, and making up the law as he goes along (he’s never actually read the police manual).

CONSTABLE KAREN PELLY – Played by Tara Spencer-Nairn Constable Karen Pelly is the ambitious and sometimes neurotic junior police officer in Dog River. She tends to take her police position very seriously, unlike her partner Davis, and treats even the most minor problem officially. Despite their differences, Karen and Davis get along well.

WANDA DOLLARD – Played by Nancy Robertson Wanda Dollard is a quirky cashier at Corner Gas, and the self-professed smartest person in town. She has a sardonic and caustic personality, and often enjoys lording her knowledge over others. Accused of being a know-it-all, Wanda is one of very few residents of Dog River who has gone to university; she holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and a degree in linguis- tics, with a minor in comparative religion. Despite her extensive education, she considers her job at Corner Gas a privilege. Like Brent and Hank, Wanda grew up in Dog River. She is also a single mother. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 20

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

BRENT BUTT, “Brent Leroy”/ Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Lead Brent Butt was born and raised in the small farming community of Tisdale, Saskatchewan (population 3000). He discovered early that being funny was a good way to get attention. When he was 12 he watched a stand-up comic on television and immediately told his mother that he was going to become a comedian. She replied, “Fine, just do it outside.”

Butt honed his comedy in school and at the age of 20 moved to Saskatoon to pursue a career in stand-up. Within months of his first amateur night appearance, he was offered a tour on the road. After a year he was headlining top clubs in Toronto, and within four years he began touring internationally and was showcased in his own gala performance at the world’s largest international comedy festival – Montreal’s Just For Laughs – where he became a regular.

Butt appeared on numerous national and interna- tional television programs. Aside from his own national special BEDTIME WITH BRENT BUTT, he has been seen on CTV, Global, A&E, and HBO. His one-hour TV special entitled COMEDY NOW-FUNNY- PANTS earned him a Gemini nomination in the category “Best Comedy Performance.”

He was named Best Male Stand-Up in Canada at the 2001 Canadian Comedy Awards and was subsequently selected to represent his country on the World Comedy Tour in Australia. He followed that by hosting the Just For Laughs Asian Tour in Singapore. His invitation to appear on the CBC 50th Anniversary Special entitled ALL-STAR COMEDY HOME-COMING secured his CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 21

reputation as one of the funniest people in the country, as he performed alongside the most noted comedic minds from the past five decades of Canadian entertainment.

Over the years, Butt, who claims he never really went after an acting career, landed bit parts in various productions such as Duets, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, the Bob Saget directed TV movie BECOMING DICK, and episodes of , THE X-FILES, and MILLENIUM.

He began cooking up his own series, CORNER GAS, set in the tiny town of Dog River with an odd bunch of archetypal characters. Butt not only starred in the series but also wore several hats as creator, writer, showrunner, executive producer, and directed several episodes. The series premiered January 22, 2004, on CTV and became a Canadian icon with unprecedented ratings and numerous accolades. It went on to become Canada’s #1 comedy, broadcast in over 26 countries including the US, and aired for six seasons.

CORNER GAS was nominated for a 2004 International Emmy® Award surviving three rounds of preliminary judging from over 500 judges in 38 countries. The series was nominated and won numerous Gemini Awards over the years, Canadian Comedy Awards, Director’s Guild of Canada Awards, Writers Guild of Canada Awards, and was voted Funniest Show on TV by TV Guide readers.

In 2007, Butt, along with his CORNER GAS co-stars, took home the Gemini for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series. In 2008, Butt was honoured to join the ranks of Bob Newhart, , , and others when he received The Comedy Network Sir Peter Ustinov Award at The World Television Festival in Banff.

In 2010, Butt created another for CTV called HICCUPS CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 22

that starred himself and Nancy Robertson. They made 26 episodes over two seasons winning multiple Leo Awards along the way.

In 2013, Butt made the transition to feature films and wrote and starred in his first feature No Clue winning one Leo.

This summer Butt completed production on Corner Gas: The Movie. Written by Butt, Andrew Carr, and Andrew Wreggitt, and directed by David Storey, the 90-minute feature film was shot in Regina and Rouleau, Saskatchewan, and stars the entire original cast including Butt, Gabrielle Miller, Eric Peterson, Fred Ewanuick, Janet Wright, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Nancy Robertson. Butt has made his home in for the last 20 years, and continues to tour the country with his unique brand of stand-up comedy, performing in theatres, and as a much sought after corporate entertainer. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 23

GABRIELLE MILLER as Lacey Burrows Gemini award-winning actress Gabrielle Miller has appeared in over 75 productions in the past two decades. She is perhaps best known for her roles on three Canadian television series: the runaway hit CORNER GAS, the critically acclaimed dramedy ROBSON ARMS, and the dark comedy .

Miller has been acting since she was 17 and has shared the screen with an impressive list of talented actors. Following a wealth of roles in top Canadian and American shows, she landed a lead role as Lacey Burrows in CTV’s CORNER GAS – the #1 Canadian comedy – making her a household name.

Over six seasons, Miller garnered a Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in 2007, and two Gemini nominations in 2004 and 2005. She won the Leo Award two years consecutively, 2005 and 2006, for Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series: Best Performance or Host(s), and three Leo nominations in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

In ROBSON ARMS she played the lead role of Bobbi Briggs, a newlywed and newcomer to Vancouver for three seasons. The half-hour dramedy was a series of voyeuristic snap- shots into the private lives of the various residents living in an apartment block in downtown Vancouver. She won a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series in 2009, and a Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series in 2007. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 24

In CALL ME FITZ she played cutthroat vixen and ambitious journalist Melody Gray who set her sights on taking down Fitz.

Miller stars in a number of Canadian films, including the multiple award-winning Down River with , written and directed by Ben Ratner, which recently premiered at the Vancouver International Film Festival; Moving Day with Will Sasso, Victor Garber, and Gabriel Hogan, earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role; and the critically acclaimed Sisters and Brothers with Ben Ratner and Jay Brazeau, directed by Carl Bessai, earning a Leo nomination for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Feature Length Drama.

She also lent her voice to Eva Longoria’s animated series MOTHER UP!

More recently Miller made the foray into directing. Her short Claudette starring CORNER GAS castmate Tara Spencer-Nairn is currently in post-production.

Miller has five siblings and grew up in Vancouver. She now divides her time between Toronto and New York with her partner and young son. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 25

FRED EWANUICK as Hank Yarbo Fred Ewanuick is known to television audiences for his lead roles in two television series: CORNER GAS and DAN FOR MAYOR.

For six seasons, Ewanuick played Hank Yarbo on the CTV hit series CORNER GAS. The show won nine Canadian Comedy Awards, seven Gemini Awards (including Best Ensemble Performance in 2007) and 12 Leo Awards, and was nominated for an International Emmy® Award. Ewanuick garnered a Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in 2007 and received two more Gemini nominations, two Leo nominations, and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination.

Ewanuick starred as Dan Phillips in the Gemini-nominated CTV original series, DAN FOR MAYOR for two seasons. He received a Canadian Comedy Award nomination and a Leo nomination for his portrayal of a slacker in his early ‘30s who finds himself running for mayor in a small town.

Ewanuick’s other series credits include the CTV dramedy series ROBSON ARMS for three seasons, earning a Gemini nomination, and guest starring roles in INTELLIGENCE, BLOOD TIES, DEAD LIKE ME, DA VINCI’S INQUEST, TWIGHLIGHT ZONE, DARK ANGEL, , and CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 26

THE CHRIS ISAAK SHOW. He made his television debut as “a spinning gnome” in THE ADDAMS FAMILY series.

Ewanuick’s feature work includes lead roles in Patterson’s Wager (currently in post-production), Love and Other Dilemmas, Young Triffie’s Been Made Away With for Writer/Director Mary Walsh, and Black Eyed Dog for Quebec filmmaker Pierre Gang, who Ewanuick worked with on the CTV movie SELLING INNOCENCE. He played supporting roles in French Immersion, New Line Cinema’s Just Friends with Ryan Reynolds, and the Miramax family film, Chestnut: Hero of Central Park. He was the lead in the indie feature, The Delicate Art of Parking, which won him a Best Actor Award at Spain’s Peniscola Film Festival after premiering at the Montreal World Film Festival, where it won Best Canadian Feature. Other indie credits include a supporting role in Crossing, for which he earned a Leo nomination, and Absolute Zero. Ewanuick made his film debut in MGM/UA’s A Guy Thing, followed by a role in The Santa Clause 2.

Raised in Port Moody, , Ewanuick was bitten by the theatre bug during a stint at Douglas College, New Westminster where he decided to pursue an acting career. He is an avid golfer and enjoys playing at a variety of courses. Ewanuick now calls Vancouver home. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 27

Eric Peterson as Oscar Leroy Eric Peterson has been an actor in Canada for the last forty-five years, and is one of Canada’s most accomplished talents.

His work in Canadian film and television include credits such as Jerry Ciccoritti’s Trudeau, Deepa Mehta’s Earth, guest star appearances on series including SLINGS AND ARROWS, DAVINCI’S INQUEST, MURDOCK MYSTERIES, DAN FOR MAYOR, THE REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, and CRACKED, and series regular roles as Oscar Leroy on the long running hit comedy series CORNER GAS, Judge Malone in THIS IS WONDERLAND, and Leon Robinovitch in STREET LEGAL.

Noted for co-creating and originating Goes To War on stage, as well as for television and feature film, his stage career includes hundreds of plays on most major stages across Canada, as well as Broadway, London’s West End, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Melbourne International Theatre Festival. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 28

Peterson was the recipient of the Earle Grey Award, a lifetime achievement award for his film and television endeavors, and the Award of Excellence in 2009 for his theatre work. He earned three Best Actor Gemini Awards for his portrayal of Leon Robinovitch in STREET LEGAL and a Gemini for the Best Ensemble Cast in 2007 for CORNER GAS. His 20th Anniversary tour of Billy Bishop won the 1999 Dora Awards for Best Play, Best Direction, and Best Performance.

He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Saskatchewan, is a recipient of the Governor General’s Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award (Theatre), and a member of the Order of Canada.

Peterson was born and raised in Saskatche- wan, and now lives in Toronto. In an odd bit of casting trivia, he and Janet Wright have known each other for over 35 years, first working together on a production that started in Saskatoon, which eventually travelled throughout the province. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 29

JANET WRIGHT as Emma Leroy Veteran actor Janet Wright was born in England in 1945, and moved to Saskatoon a year later. She and her three siblings Susan, John, and Anne all became successful actors. She has performed for virtually every major theatre company in Canada, and has been affiliated with the Vancouver Arts Club Theatre since the early 1970s, performing and directing in over 40 productions for that company alone.

Although acting has formed the basis of her career, Wright enjoys the behind-the -scenes and technical end of production as much as she does performing. She has directed major theatrical productions throughout Canada, including Canadian Stage and the Stratford Festival; recent credits include August Osage County and Clybourne Park, both for the Arts Club.

Her film work includes The Perfect Storm starring George Clooney and Mark Wahl- berg, and Bordertown Café for which she won a Genie Award for Best Actress. Her television credits include appearances on series such as DARK ANGEL and LEXX, as well as the Canadian classics THE KING OF KENSINGTON and . CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 30

In 2003, Wright was honoured with a Gemini for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series for her performance in the feature length television drama BETRAYED, as well as the 2007 Gemini for Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series for CORNER GAS. She is a recipient of the UBCP/ACTRA Sam Payne Lifetime Achievement Award, and has been inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame Star Walk. Other honours include a Leo Award for best supporting actress in a feature film, and the Cana- dian Comedy Award for for Pretty Funny Perfor- mance – Female.

In August 2014, Wright returned to Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, which she co-found- ed in 1974, to direct Hedda Gabler for their 40th anniversary season. In 2011, she returned to Stratford to play Ma in the stage adaptation of the classic American novel, The Grapes of Wrath.

In an unusual bit of casting, Wright and Eric Peterson, who play Brent Butt’s parents, have been friends for 35 years, first appearing together on stage in the early 1970s. All three are proud Saskatchewan natives. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 31

TARA SPENCER-NAIRN as Karen Pelly Tara Spencer-Nairn returns as the deadpan police officer Karen Pelly in Corner Gas: The Movie, a role she played in the Gemini-winning, #1 rated CTV sitcom CORNER GAS, earning a Gemini Award for Best Ensemble Performance in 2007 and two Gemini nominations in 2004 and 2006.

A graduate of the Vancouver Film School, her big breakthrough came in 1999 when she was cast in the highly acclaimed New Waterford Girl. The film screened at the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival® and received seven Genie Award nominations including Best Picture. She garnered rave reviews for her portrayal of the disaffected Lou – a Bronx-raised teenager who moves to a small Nova Scotia town and quickly turns it on its ear.

She subsequently starred alongside Don McKellar in the independent film Rub and Tug. The 2002 offering was Spencer-Nairn’s first foray into comedy and resulted in a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for her portrayal of the street-smart Betty.

For the past five years, Spencer-Nairn appeared in the recurring role of Sandy in CTV’s hit drama THE LISTENER. She has appeared in numerous other television productions including THE OUTER LIMITS, THE STRAIN, , WAKING UP WALLY (THE WALTER GRETZKY STORY), FLASHPOINT, and DEGRASSI.

Spencer-Nairn was born in Montreal, raised in Vancouver and now calls Toronto home. The youngest of three siblings, the actor spent 12 years as a competitive gymnast. She is married and the mother of two young sons, a toddler, and a newborn. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 32

Lorne Cardinal as Davis Quinton Lorne Cardinal is an actor and director.

He is well known for his role as Sergeant Davis Quinton, which he played for six seasons, on the award-winning hit series CORNER GAS.

Following the series, Cardinal has been busy working. He starred in the feature films Rust with Corbin Bernsen, Disney’s Flicka 2, Path Of Souls, The Shape Of Rex, If I Had Wings, Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes, and the short, Pilgrims. He also appeared on made for TV movies FAR FROM HOME, SNOWMAGEDDON (aired as SNOWGLOBE CHRISTMAS on Movie Central), LEVEL UP, and WOLF CANYON. He played Jacob in WAPOS BAY: THE SERIES. and guest starred in the dramas FARGO, PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD. and ARCTIC AIR.

Other television credits include NORTH OF 60, RENEGADEPRESS. COM BLACKFLY, LONESOME DOVE, JAKE AND THE KID, and the voice on two animated series – Wumpa on WUMPA’S WORLD and Jacob on the Gemini Award-winning animated series WAPOS BAY. Made for TV movies include : REDEMPTION, FALLEN ANGEL with Gary Sinise, ICEBOUND with Susan Sarandon, TECUMSEH: THE LAST WARRIOR, CRAZY HORSE, and ELIJAH. Feature film credits include Insomnia with Al Pacino and In the Blue Ground: A North of 60 Mystery.

Cardinal is also a director. He has directed episodes for the TV series RENEGADEPRESS.COM, and RABBIT FALL. He also directed the documentary THE MAKING OF .

On the stage, Cardinal has acted in the touring productions of Where the Blood Mixes and Thunderstick. He took on the role of narrator in Michel Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, voted audience favourite at the Magnetic North Festival. He has also directed many theatre productions including Tomson Highways’ Ernestine Shushwap Gets Her Trout and Three Little CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 33

Birds. He also did double-duty playing the role of the Duke of Albany and assistant directing an all-star native cast including , in Shakespeare’s King Lear on at the National Art Centre in Ottawa.

Cardinal recently made the leap into producing with the documentary THE MAKING OF KING LEAR.

A comedy favourite, Cardinal was invited to take part in AIR FARCE NOT THE NEW YEAR’S special, and is a recurring host for award shows like the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, National Aboriginal Day, The Dream- catcher Gala, Winnipeg Com- edy Festival, CBC’s comedy special TURTLE ISLAND TOO, and hosted the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for eight consecutive years.

He is the recipient of a honourary PhD from Thompson Rivers University. He has received numerous nominations for his work, winning two Gemini Awards – one for WAPOS BAY: THE SERIES (2008) and one for CORNER GAS (2007).

Cardinal lives with producer, writer, and comedian Monique Hurteau on the west coast of British Columbia. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 34

NANCY ROBERTSON as Wanda Dollard

Nancy Robertson’s six season run as one of the leads in Canada’s #1 comedy CORNER GAS, garnered her and her cast mates the Gemini Award for Best Comedy Ensemble and two Gemini nominations. She has also received various awards and nominations for her individual work.

After CORNER GAS’ historic run, Robertson went on to produce and star in another comedy series, HICCUPS, for two seasons. Playback magazine listed the series as the second highest-rated Canadian comedy on The Comedy Network. During the show’s run, Robertson received Leo Awards for her work both as actor and producer.

She subsequently had the pleasure of playing Doormouse in Nick Willing’s mini-series ALICE IN WONDERLAND for SyFy, as well as the uptight Principle Moreno in the Disney movie RADIO REBEL. She had a cameo role in Brent Butt’s feature film No Clue and recently completed Corner Gas: The Movie, which sees the whole gang reunited for one more adventure.

More magazine called Robertson one of Canada’s “most compelling women.” CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 35

CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Brent Butt Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Lead (See Cast Biographies)

David Storey Executive Producer, Director

David Storey is an award-winning executive producer, director and show developer and President of Aslan Entertainment.

He has had a varied career in the 70’s and 80’s that included stints as a teen actor, musician, and assistant director. In the early 90’s he set his sights on becoming a music video director. Right out of the gate he directed Tom Cochrane’s “Life Is A Highway” which garnered him major international attention, a JUNO nomination, plus a number of Canadian Music Video Awards. Included among the 60-plus videos Storey directed are Stompin’ Tom’s Canadian classic “Margo’s Got the Cargo” and Charlie Major’s Nashville hit “Drive You Out Of My Mind,” both of which won Canadian Music Video Awards. Soon his unique visual style had him directing commercials for clients as varied as McDonald’s and General Motors, as well as hour-long music specials for major Canadian networks where he collaborated with artists such as Corey Hart, Anne Murray, Shania Twain, Buffy St. Marie, The Rankin Family, and Amanda Marshal.

These endeavors brought him to the attention of the executive producers of a new television series COMICS, where he was invited to direct some of Canada’s best and brightest funny men, including Brent Butt, Ron James, and Mark Farrell. These relationships helped Storey pitch and create many successful shows for a number of networks. With Ron James he CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 36

created and directed the pilot for BLACKFLY, a single camera, film-style comedy series. He went on to direct the multi-camera laugh-track driven SEAN CULLEN SHOW. Most celebrated of them all was the family-friendly, hit comedy CORNER GAS that he developed with Brent Butt, Mark Farrell, and Virginia Thompson. He co-executive-produced all six seasons and served as key director on the series.

He went on to co-executive produce the TV mini-series KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KID: THE DON CHERRY STORY and co-executive produced and directed Brent Butt’s follow-up series HICCUPS for two seasons.

Virginia Thompson Executive Producer

Virginia Thompson is an award-winning executive producer, show creator, and President of Vérité Films.

Thompson was the executive producer and co-creator of INSECURITY, the 23-episode scripted comedy, which wrapped in 2012.

She is perhaps best known for her work as the executive producer and key producer of the 107-episode smash hit narrative comedy CORNER GAS, which she developed with Brent Butt, David Storey, and Mark Farrell. CORNER GAS was Canada’s #1 rated scripted series from 2004 to 2009. The series was nominated for an International Emmy®, won seven Gemini’s, nine Canadian Comedy Awards, four Writers Guild Awards, and three Directors Guild Awards, as well as a Gemini for Best Interactive for www.cornergas.com.

Prior to CORNER GAS, she was executive producer, producer, and co-creator of the 52-part youth dramatic series RENEGADEPRESS.COM and the 65-part children’s dramatic series INCREDIBLE STORY STUDIO. A hit with critics and viewers, RENEGADE PRESS and INCREDIBLE STORY STUDIO won numerous Geminis and were nominated for The Prix CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 37

Jeunesse, the most prestigious international award in children’s television. RENEGADE- PRESS.COM received special recognition in 2007 as one of the Bell Fund’s “Top 10 New Media Groundbreakers” for productions that have had a significant impact and contributed to the advancement of the Canadian cross-platform new media industry over the previous decade.

Thompson got her start in TV by working on some of Canada’s most celebrated television programs. A graduate of Ryerson University, her first job was as a researcher on THE JOURNAL. From there, she worked under her mentor Linda Schuyler on the original DEGRASSI series for five seasons. Virginia also worked as a freelance writer/producer for W5, CANADA AM, CTV NEWS and TV .

Thompson served on the board of directors of the CFPTA for four years and regularly runs workshops for producers, writers, and aspiring TV show creators at the Canadian Screen Training Centre, The Canadian Film Centre, and Women in Film and Television (WIFT). In 2008, she won the WIFT Award for Creative Excellence in screen-based media.

Andrew Carr Writer

Andrew Carr has been a part of CORNER GAS since the beginning, working as a writer and story editor for all six seasons of the CTV hit series. He and Brent Butt started their careers in comedy together in Saskatoon, and have been good friends ever since.

Carr began as a stand-up comedian nearly 30 years ago. He spent years performing in clubs across Canada and the U.S. before making numerous appearances on television and events such as the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and the Vancouver Comedy Festival.

In 2003, Carr had the opportunity to become a writer for the comedy series CORNER GAS and continued to write until the show wrapped in 2008. He went on to become the executive CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 38

story editor for LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE (2010-2011). He was also supervising producer and writer for two seasons of HICCUPS (2010-2011) and the second season of INSECURITY (2011).

He garnered numerous writing awards and nominations over the years. He won two Canadian Comedy Awards (2007, 2004) and a Canadian Comedy Award nomination (2005) as part of the writing team on CORNER GAS. He received a Leo Award (2005) and Leo nomination (2007) for CORNER GAS, both shared with Brent Butt. He also received a Leo nomination for HICCUPS (2011).

Originally from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Carr is now based in the Greater Vancouver area with his wife and two children.

Andrew Wreggitt Writer

Andrew Wreggitt is an award-winning screenwriter with more than 90 hours of produced network television to his credit.

In addition to writing Corner Gas: The Movie, Wreggitt wrote the television movie JACK, about former NDP Leader Jack Layton, and co-wrote and executive produced BOREALIS (SURVIVAL CODE) in 2013, the latter winning two – one for Best Writing and one for Best Dramatic Mini-Series or TV Movie. In 2012, he wrote the television movie THE PHANTOMS, about a high school basketball team in New Brunswick triumph- ing after a terrible tragedy, which won an International Emmy® Award for Best Children’s TV Movie/Mini Series and a Writers Guild of Canada Award. He also wrote the mini-series WRATH OF GRAPES: THE DON CHERRY STORY PART II (2012) and contributed episodes for both FLASHPOINT and HEARTLAND.

In 2009 Wreggitt wrote and co-executive produced a one-hour comedic drama pilot THE CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 39

DEALERSHIP starring Tricia Helfer, William Devane, and Patrick Adams. In 2008, his television movie MAYERTHORPE, starring Henry Czerny, Brian Markinson, and Dianne Ladd, won the Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Movie or Mini-series and a Writers Guild of Canada Award. Also in 2008, Wreggitt wrote STICKS AND STONES starring David Sutcliffe, which was nominated Best TV Movie at the 2008 Gemini Awards. In 2007, Wreggitt wrote SHADES OF BLACK starring Lara Flynn Boyle and Albert Schultz, which earned a Writers Guild of Canada nomination. In 2006, Wreggitt won the Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Movie or Mini-series for ONE DEAD INDIAN starring Gary Farmer and Gabrielle Miller. Other TV movies include three in the Joanne Kilbourn mystery series starring Victor Garber and Wendy Crewson, and four in the NORTH OF 60 movie series, which earned him three more Gemini nominations.

Wreggitt is a veteran writer/producer of one-hour dramas such as NORTH OF 60, BLACK HARBOUR, and TOM STONE, for which he was also creator, showrunner, and co-executive producer.

He is a five-time winner of the Motion Picture Industries Award for Best Dramatic Writing. The Wild Guys, a stage play co-written with his wife Rebecca Shaw, has had over 75 productions worldwide and was made into a feature film in 2005 starring Kenneth Welsh and Jackson Davies.

Raised in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Wreggitt now lives in with his wife and daughter.

Kathy McCoy Production Designer

Award-winning production designer Kathy McCoy’s credits include the mini-series’ THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY and PRAIRIE GIANT: THE STORY. Additional television credits include INSECURITY, the award winning youth dramatic series RENEGADEPRESS. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 40

COM and INCREDIBLE STORY STUDIO. Her feature film credits include STRANDED, WITHOUT MALICE, FACES IN THE CROWD, and others.

She won two Directors Guild of Canada Team Awards for THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY (2008) and RENEGADEPRESS.COM (2007), and received two Gemini nominations for THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY (2008) and PRAIRIE GIANT: THE TOMMY DOUGLAS STORY (2006).

Anton Ken Krawczyk, CSC Director of Photography

Anton Ken Krawczyk, is one of Canada’s pre-eminent cinematographers. His TV credits include the smash hit TV series CORNER GAS, SATISFACTION, HICCUPS, and the award- winning youth dramatic series RENEGADEPRESS.COM.

Krawczyk has received a Canadian Screen Award-nomination (2013) for INSECURITY, and three Gemini nominations for INSECURITY (2011), HICCUPS (2010), and CORNER GAS (2008). CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 41

ABOUT THE FUNDERS

Cineplex Front Row Centre Events Brought to you by Cineplex Entertainment, Front Row Centre Events bring world-class entertainment to local Cineplex Entertainment theatres and other participating locations. Presented in high-definition with digital surround sound, guests can experience the best in original one-night only and series-based programming. With the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series, Broadway productions, live broadcasts direct from the stage of London’s National Theatre, dance performances, classic films, concerts, live sporting events and documentaries, Front Row Centre Events put guests in the centre of the action on the big screen. Front Row Centre events also serves as a Canadian distributor for select genre titles. Visit cineplex.com/Events/ for more information.

Bell Media With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada’s #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada’s most-watched specialty channels in English and French; and four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran. Bell Media is also Canada’s largest radio broadcaster, with 106 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative out- of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites; delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO, and TSN GO; holds an equity stake in digital startup Hubub; is partners in Cirque du Soleil Media, a joint venture with Cirque du Soleil; and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 42

Telefilm Canada Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada or on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

Tourism Saskatchewan Tourism Saskatchewan is a Treasury Board Crown Corporation responsible for developing and promoting . Our mandate includes marketing, visitor services, education and training, and product and industry development.

Creative Saskatchewan

About the Canada Media Fund The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. Please visit cmf-fmc.ca.

About the Bell Fund The Bell Fund provides grants to Canadian independent producers who develop and produce television content complemented and enhanced by excellent digital content designed for various platforms. These digital media projects reflect state-of-the-art technology and are helping traditional television producers and broadcasters to discover the value added benefits of digital extensions. Since 1997, the Bell Fund has invested over $150M in over 1,500 Canadian digital media projects, television programs, development grants and support for research and professional development. CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 43

The Bell Fund receives annual contributions of approximately $14.5 M from Bell TV as part of its broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the industry. In addition, the Development Program is supported by the interest generated by a $10M endowment resulting from BCE-CTV benefits, and contributions from Aliant. The Bell Fund is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, governed by an independent Board of Directors representing various sectors of the television and digital media industry. The Fund is administered by the Independent Production Fund.

About COGECO Cogeco (www.cogeco.ca) is a diversified holding corporation. Through its Cogeco Cable Inc. subsidiary, Cogeco provides to its residential and business customers analogue and digital television, high speed Internet and telephony services with its two-way broadband fibre networks. Cogeco Cable Inc. operates in Canada under the Cogeco Cable Canada name in Québec and Ontario, and in the United States under the Atlantic Broadband name in Western Pennsylvania, Southern Florida, Maryland/Delaware and South Carolina. Through its subsidiaries, Cogeco Data Services and Peer 1 Hosting, Cogeco Cable Inc. provides to its commercial customers a suite of information technology services (colocation, managed and dedicated Hosting, managed IT, cloud and connectivity services) with 20 data centres, extensive fibre networks in Montréal and Toronto as well as points-of-presence in North America and Europe. Through its subsidiary, Cogeco Diffusion, Cogeco owns and operates 13 radio stations across most of Québec with complementary radio formats serving a wide range of audiences as well as Cogeco News, its news agency. Cogeco also operates Cogeco Métromédia, an out-of-home advertising company specialized in the public transit sector. Cogeco’s subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CGO). The subordinate voting shares of Cogeco Cable Inc. are also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CCA).

About Prairie Pants Distribution Prairie Pants Distribution Inc. is the world-wide distributor of Corner Gas: The Movie. The company is owned by CORNER GAS Executive Producers Brent Butt (Sparrow Media), David Storey (Aslan Entertainment) and Virginia Thompson (Vérité Films). CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 44

About Sparrow Media Sparrow Media Co. is comprised of hard-working, no-nonsense, rough-and-tumble go-getters with a knack for hyphenated phrasing. Brent Butt, the creator, head writer, showrunner, executive producer, and sometime director of the top-rated sitcom in Canadian television history, CORNER GAS, is President and Executive Producer of Sparrow Media. Laura Lightbrown of DA VINCI’S INQUEST and INTELLIGENCE is VP, Business Affairs and Executive Producer. Together they co-executive produced with David Storey, the television comedy series HICCUPS; Butt was also creator, writer, and show runner for the series. They co-executive produced the feature film NO CLUE, a comedy noir detective tale written by and starring Brent Butt. Carl Bessai was recently awarded Best Director for NO CLUE at the LAComedy- Fest. More information is available at sparrowmedia.com.

About Aslan Entertainment David Storey, an award-winning executive producer, director and show developer, is President of Aslan Entertainment Inc., an independent production company creating quality digital, television and feature entertainment. Best known for co-executive producing and directing the runaway hit television series CORNER GAS, he also co-executive produced and directed Brent Butt’s follow-up series HICCUPS. With Pier 21 he co-executive produced the two-part mini-series KEEP YOUR HEAD UP KID: THE DON CHERRY STORY and co-created and directed the Ron James’ series BLACKFLY. He also directed THE SEÁN CULLEN SHOW and the stand- up comedy series COMICS where he worked with some of Canada’s best and brightest funny men, including Brent Butt, Ron James and Mark Farrell. Storey is the recipient of six Leos, three Geminis, two Canadian Comedy and two Director’s Guild Awards. He is currently in development as Executive Producer on two features, one is a co-production with Vérité Films. More information is available at aslanentertainment.ca.

About Vérité Films Vérité Films Inc. is a boutique production company committed to incubating great ideas and championing creative talent. Founded in 1994 by Producer/Series Creator Virginia Thompson and Writer/Director/Series creator Robert de Lint, the company has established a reputation for producing quality prime-time dramas and comedies, as well as children’s, youth and family programming — with smash hit successes including: CORNER GAS, INSECURITY, CORNER GAS: THE MOVIE 45

RENEGADEPRESS.COM and INCREDIBLE STORY STUDIO. Vérité has created and produced over 250 episodes of critically acclaimed television that has sold worldwide. The company has won or been nominated for 114 national and international awards including an International Emmy®, several Gemini Awards and The Prix Jeunesse. Vérité is developing a dynamic slate of hour-long drama series, half-hour comedies and features for Canadian and world markets. Please visit veritefilms.ca.