Canadian TV Production Community and Fans Pay Tribute to FLASHPOINT as CTV Prepares for Final Send-Off, December 13

- Producers from SAVING HOPE, ROOKIE BLUE, BOMB GIRLS, and others comment on series' contribution to the Canadian television industry in advance of FLASHPOINT's series finale this Thursday -

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TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - As CTV says thanks to FLASHPOINT for an incredible thrill ride, the Canadian television production community pays tribute to the trailblazing series. In addition, fans across the country are preparing their final farewell before Team One signs off one last time during FLASHPOINT's series finale this Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

From the Canadian TV production community:

Tassie Cameron, Executive Producer, ROOKIE BLUE
"FLASHPOINT opened the door for a new era of Canadian television: smart, polished, emotional storytelling that not only attracted Canadian viewers, but crossed borders. It looked great, it sounded great - and it raised the bar for everyone working in Canadian television today. "

Janis Lundman and Adrienne Mitchell, Back Alley Film Production Ltd., BOMB GIRLS
"FLASHPOINT has become the definition of high-adrenaline episodic television that proudly shows its Canadian roots and is proof positive that Canadian viewers will strongly embrace home grown hits."

Tom Cox, Managing Partner, SEVEN24 Films, HEARTLAND
"FLASHPOINT was not just a critical and ratings success, it was a game changer for Canadian dramatic series, opening a crucial door to the U.S. for other Canadian series. That door remains open, more widely now than ever before. The Canadian television industry owes FLASHPOINT a huge debt of gratitude."

David Wellington, Executive Producer, SAVING HOPE and ROOKIE BLUE
"FLASHPOINT raised the bar for the entire country. The production community realized that, despite our more modest budgets, a Canadian show could thrive on both sides of the border. Every single domestic show that's had success internationally owes FLASHPOINT a debt. And they went out a winner. Way to go, FLASHPOINT."

Ilana Frank, Executive Producer, SAVING HOPE and ROOKIE BLUE
"FLASHPOINT set a new standard for Canadian television. It proved that we can and do compete with network shows in any country. FLASHPOINT gave every production the challenge of achieving world class standards and as a result elevated the overall quality of Canadian television."

Louise Clark, Executive Producer, MOTIVE
"Stephanie, Mark and ultimately FLASHPOINT emerged after much simmering in CTV's talent driven writers program. The wonderful success of the series continued to attract, expose, and break Canadian talent on every possible front and we will all reap those benefits for years to come." 

Tecca Crosby, SVP Creative Affairs, eOne
"FLASHPOINT is nothing short of a miracle. It's a powerful story conceived and executed by untried writers that attracted the best Canadian talent to transform those pages into a letter perfect piece of television. FLASHPOINT continued that way throughout its 75 episodes, muscling its way to make a place for Canadian television makers on the world stage. Maybe it's not so much a miracle as a miraculous testament to the fierceness and tenacity of creative will."

Michael MacLennan, Executive Producer, BOMB GIRLS
FLASHPOINT was a revelation to this country. It showed audiences that Canadian television could handily produce the best show in its timeslot, if not the whole schedule — and it showed Canadian television makers that if we aim high and spend boldly, we can craft a series that captures the world's attention. Thanks to FLASHPOINT, audiences have come to expect more from their country's television shows... and producers have found the audacity to think big."

Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, Co-Presidents, Temple Street Productions / Executive Producers, BEING ERICA
"FLASHPOINT has been transformative for the Canadian television industry. The series validated a new co-funding model between Canadian and U.S. networks that continues to gain traction and has helped make Canadian-made series more relevant in the U.S. (the most important English language market in the world). It has also reminded international markets that Canadian producers can make first-class dramas that can be sold around the world alongside the best series coming out of the United States and the U.K. But perhaps most importantly, FLASHPOINT's success has helped reinvigorate Canadian broadcasters and producers, starting a period of renewed growth and domestic and international relevance for Canadian-produced television. Congratulations to Bill Mustos, Anne Marie La Traverse, Mark Ellis, Stephanie Morgenstern, all the cast and crew, and everyone at CTV from all of us here at Temple Street Productions on five incredible seasons."

Michael Souther, Executive Producer, Amaze, CALL ME FITZ
"The success of FLASHPOINT in the U.S. and international markets helped re-ignite a confidence in Canadian programming that has benefitted the whole industry."

Julia Keatley, President, Keatley Entertainment, COLD SQUAD
"The astonishing success of all the talented people behind FLASHPOINT in the nurturing of creative talent, winning countless awards, and killer ratings is a milestone that the entire Canadian production community celebrates. Bravo!"

Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
"After five years of compelling stories filled with emotion and action, an immense success with millions of Canadian and international audiences alike, more than 51 Gemini nominations and 11 Gemini awards, it is clear that FLASHPOINT, and the talent behind the show, has contributed immensely to positioning Canada as a creative television force. Entertaining audiences for five years is no easy task. You have done the country proud and the Canada Media Fund was delighted to play a role in your success."

From FLASHPOINT fans:
Last month, CTV.ca invited viewers to share their reflections on what the series has meant to them. Since then, hundreds of messages have poured in from across Canada, the United States, and around the world, including the following:

Teresa Kim Nguyen, Ottawa, Ontario
"This show makes me so proud to be Canadian and I'm going to miss it dearly."

Sarah Moore, Ajax, Ontario
"You'll be truly missed and it hurts to see such an amazing journey come to an end, but please know that the feeling of loss only symbolizes how you've touched our minds and hearts each week. Thank you."

Allison Mo, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thank you for leaving me and the fans with a better understanding of the men and women who serve us and put so much of themselves on the line for us, physically and emotionally."

Danielle Palmer, Colorado Springs, Colorado
"FLASHPOINT really demonstrates many different aspects of life scenarios when we are faced with difficult situations. The bottom line is that life happens and when situations arise we need to face those no matter what. FLASHPOINT has demonstrated how we can deal with these situations and learn to balance life."

Anita McAllister, Queensland, Australia
"As a military member, we live in a life similar to Team One. We have to be ready in a moment's notice and make a sacrifice to leave our families behind because duty calls… Thank you for making a show that not only shows how hard and emotional it is to be on the force but that they are also humans with families and loved ones. The show is brilliant and I will miss watching it every week. Enormous pats on the back to everyone involved and good luck with all your future works."

CTV says farewell to FLASHPOINT:
On Thursday, the entire cast of FLASHPOINT will be in Toronto to say goodbye to adoring fans that have welcomed them into their homes for the past five seasons. Here is what CTV has in store for this Thursday, Dec. 13:

CANADA AM - 8:30 a.m. ET
Hugh Dillon, Enrico Colantoni, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, and Sergio Di Zio visit CANADA AM to look back at five spectacular seasons of the ground-breaking series and preview the final episode in a special 30-minute segment in front of a live studio audience.

THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW - 10 a.m. ET
Hugh Dillon, Enrico Colantoni and Sergio Di Zio join Marilyn to chat about the gripping and emotional series finale.

FLASHPOINT: THE FINAL SALUTE - 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV
ETALK's Ben Mulroney sits down with the series' stars Hugh Dillon, Enrico Colantoni, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, and Sergio Di Zio on their last day on set together as a group. Shot on set at "SRU Headquarters", the cast reflect on the past five seasons, their most memorable moments, what FLASHPOINT means to them, and more in the poignant 30-minute CTV special.

FLASHPOINT Series Finale Screening - 7 p.m. ET at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto
CTV hosts the ultimate FLASHPOINT series finale screening experience at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. Fans selected earlier this week by random draw will watch the final two episodes hours before the live broadcast, followed by a special Q & A session with the cast and the producers. The screening will be preceded by red carpet cast arrival at 5:30 p.m. ET.

FLASHPOINT - 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV
In the sensational, not-to-be-missed series finale, "Keep the Peace," it's all hands on deck as Team One joins forces with firefighters, paramedics, and the military to contain a threat that's gone amiss. As Jules (Amy Jo Johnson) and Parker (Enrico Colantoni) learn the true dark origins of the bomber, they realize this is not a man that can be talked down. In the Team's final showdown, tragedy and triumph collide as peace is kept at a painful cost.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@FlashpointTeam1
@Flashpoint_TV (co-creator's Mark Ellis and Stephanie Morgenstern's popular feed)

Facebook:
facebook.com/CTV.Flashpoint
facebook.com/FPTOne

About CTV
CTV is Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada's most-watched television network. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at ctv.ca.

SOURCE: CTV

For further information:

Tonia Addison, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.2194 or [e-mail]

Jim Quan, CTV and CTV Two, 416.384.5311 or [e-mail]