Shaw Rocket Fund
The Shaw Rocket Fund is a non-profit organization that funds both English and French Canadian children's television and digital programs. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, it is the largest private funder for Canadian kids' media for independent producers,[1] and is one of Shaw Communications' key programs.
History
The Shaw Rocket Fund was created in 1998 (known then as the Shaw Television Broadcast Fund) by Shaw Communications as a private funder of Canadian kids' TV production. In 2004, Agnes Augustin became President & CEO of the Fund. Agnes was previously a Manager and Vice President of Business Affairs for production and distribution companies, Head of Production for CMT, and an independent producer.[2]
Shaw Communications continues to contribute to the Shaw Rocket Fund (over $145 million as of 2014), and the Shaw Rocket Fund has invested over $127 million into 529 programs (7,456 half hours) of Canadian kids' programming.[3]
The Shaw Rocket Fund is listed as a Certified Independent Production Fund by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and as a private funder with the Canadian Media Production Association.[4]
Board
The Shaw Rocket Fund Board consists of three industry professionals.
- Chair: Annabel Slaight, founder of Owl Magazines, Books, and Television[5]
- Vice-Chair: Gigi Boyd, Vice President of Industrial Relations, CMPA – BC Branch and a Gemini and Leo award winning Producer (“Elijah”)[6]
- Director: Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President of Content for Shaw Media[7]
Shaw Rocket Prize
The Shaw Rocket Fund created the Shaw Rocket Prize in 2004 as a way to award high-quality Canadian children's programs.
The Shaw Rocket Prize is an annual award, funded by the Shaw Rocket Fund, that is presented to one or more Canadian television programs. It started out as one $50,000 prize, awarded to the winning program, but in 2013 it expanded to three $25,000 prizes,[8] awarded to a winner in each of three categories (Preschool, Children ages 6–12 and Youth ages 13–17 & Family).[9] Production companies apply for the Prize by submitting their programs online. Eligible entries are reviewed by an International Jury,[10] made up of four to five industry professionals. Once the jury has selected the finalists, another jury, made up of Canadian children, votes online for the winner. Global TV did a segment on the winners in 2014.[11]
International Jury
Year | Jury Members |
---|---|
2005 | Deirdre Brennan, Frank Dietz, Michelle Henderson, Bob Higgins, Theresa Plummer-Andrews |
2006 | Deirdre Brennan, Jennifer Canham, Dea Connick Perez, Frank Dietz, Theresa Plummer-Andrews |
2007 | Donna Andrews, Malcolm Bird, Dea Connick Perez, Estelle Hughes |
2008 | Finn Arnesen, Marc Buhaj, Michael Carrington, Frank Dietz, Adina Pitt |
2009 | Deirdre Brennan, Geoffrey Goodwin, Bob Higgins, Adina Pitt |
2010 | Jules Borkent, Deirdre Brennan, Rick Clodfelter, Sander Schwartz, David Levine |
2011 | Tim Brooke-Hunt, Michael Carrington, Joe Godwin, Nicole Keeb, Adina Pitt |
2012 | Andrew Beecham, Julien Borde, Jules Borkent, Layla Lewis, Larry Schwarz |
2013 | Evan Baily, Sarah Muller, Adina Pitt, Karen Vermeulen, Brian Wright |
2014 | Jules Borkent, Stephen Green, David Levine, Cecilia Persson, Alison Stewart |
Kids' Jury
The Shaw Rocket Prize Kids' Jury is made up of children from across Canada. Over the years it has evolved, originally beginning with a few select schools, and expanding to include children from all of Canada in the 0-17 age group. Preschoolers 5 and under screen and vote for one of three programs suitable for their age group, as do children aged 6–12 and youth aged 13–17.[12]
Nominees
Winners in bold
Winners
Program Title | Production Company | Producers |
---|---|---|
Degrassi: The Next Generation | Epitome Pictures Inc. | |
Being Ian | Studio B (Being Ian) Productions Inc. | Blair Peters |
Make Some Noise | Omni Film Productions Ltd | Brian Hamilton and Heather Hawthorn-Doyle |
Life with Derek S3 | Shaftesbury Films | Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Daphne Ballon, Laurie McLarty, Jeff Biederman, Suzanne French |
Sticks and Stones | Cirrus Communications, Dream Street Pictures Inc. | Josée Vallée, André Béraud, Richard Speer, Timothy M. Hogan, Rick LeGuerrier |
Dino Dan | Sinking Ship Entertainment | J.J. Johnson, Blair Powers, Matt Bishop |
Wingin' It S2 | Temple Street Productions | Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Frank van Keeken |
My Babysitter's a Vampire S1 | Fresh TV Inc. | Brian Irving |
Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood | 9 Story Entertainment | Vince Commisso, Steven Jarosz, Samantha Freeman Alpert, Kevin Morrison, Angela C. Santomero, Tanya Green, Wendy Harris, Julie Soebekti, Sarah Wallendjack |
The Next Step | Temple Street Productions | Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, Frank van Keeken, Laura Harbin, Andrea Boyd, Laurie McLarty, Chloe van Keeken, Rachael Schaefer, Amy Wright, Jay Prychidny |
The Phantoms | Dream Street Pictures Inc. | Timothy Hogan, Rick LeGuerrier |
Justin Time | Guru Studio | Amy Robson, Mary Bredin, Frank Falcone |
Rocket Monkeys | Breakthrough Entertainment | Ira Levy, Joan Lambur, Mark Evestaff |
If I Had Wings | Really Real Films | Cynde Harmon |
International Emmy Kids Awards
The International Emmy Kids Awards is an annual event in February that recognizes the best in kids' programming around the world. The Shaw Rocket Fund became a presenting partner in 2013.
CRTC Filings
External links
- Shaw Rocket Fund Official Website
- Shaw Rocket Prize Official Website
- Shaw Communications Community Involvement
- International Emmy Kids Awards
- CRTC Official Website
- Shaw Rocket Fund Facebook Page
- Shaw Rocket Fund Twitter Page
References
- ↑ "About the Shaw Rocket Fund". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Banff World Media Festival - Agnes Augustin". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Shaw Rocket Fund History". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Canadian Media Production Association Private Funders". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Board - Annabel Slaight". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Board - Gigi Boyd". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Board - Christine Shipton". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Shaw Rocket Fund". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Shaw Rocket Prize Winners & Finalists". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "International Jury". Shaw Rocket Fund. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Global TV". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ↑ "Shaw Rocket Prize Kids Jury". Retrieved 1 June 2015.