all or nothing

Short Demo (3:30)

Long Demo (7:00)

PROJECT SUMMARY

Download project plan (PDF)
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“In Saskatoon and Montreal you’re doing things that no one has ever seen before, but you’re coming to New York City, where we have seen everything.” – NYC booking agent
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LOGLINE

Leave the comfort zone of home as Canadian visual and performing artists fight for a place in New York City.

SYNOPSIS

All or Nothing is an interactive observational documentary series following Canadian artists from different disciplines attempting to breakthrough in NYC. Revealing their motivations, influences and sacrifices, we witness how they navigate their way through the density of opportunities and threats in New York City.

Who knows themselves well enough to make it in New York City? At what cost comes success in “the Grid”? For dancers, actors, musicians, comedians, models, designers and other artists in the creative industries, New York City is the glittering icon that offers the chance to gain world fame, and the beast that can take it back. But in this digital age where bands are breaking through from their basements, does it still stand that if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere? What has changed over the last few decades? Has New York as the gateway to international fame been replaced?

Fighting through the congestion of possibilities, removing the ideals and knowing the risks, only some are confident and daring enough to put it on the line far from the comfort zone of home. Some win, some lose. We will be there when they get evicted or addicted, and we will be there when they break through.

PILOT

A Montreal electro-pop band, the Pinup Saints, barely clears customs in their “Peruvian ghetto van,” their pockets stuffed with cash borrowed from a loan shark in East Montreal. On the interstate they learn that their gig in a Brooklyn dive bar is canceled. Refusing to take no for an answer, Mabel, the alluring but determined manager, struts to Hanks Saloon to speak with the booking agent to get their gig back. With a steel backbone and trembling hands, she debates with a sharp-tongued New Yorker and wins back the gig. Admiring the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Promenade, Mabel feels her confidence shaken in a way she never has in Montreal. “I will not stay in my comfort zone,” she whispers to herself.

With two Daytime Emmy’s under his belt, Kevin Mambo from Saskatoon gets the lead role in Fela!, the most acclaimed Broadway musical since Rent. It has been no easy road for the humble but driven Mambo. His role as Fela is making him famous, but he is relentless, knowing that complacency steals destinies. “I’m making it”, he says, “but I’ll never say I’ve made it.” After three back-to-back sold out performances and no end in sight, Mambo, compulsively needing more, hits the pavement to audition for Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Will Kevin book his dream job and have to break his contract with Fela! for another opportunity of a lifetime?

FORMAT

Half hour television series, interactive property (including webisodes, social media applications, online casting call, user generated content, NYC handbook), and live events.

MARKET

Primary: 25 – 39 year old male and female trendy urbanites
Secondary: 18 – 24 year old female interested in reality and talent-based content (The Hills, SYTYCD, Glee, American Idol)
Tertiary: 40 – 49 year old creative industry professionals

STATUS

In development with Karma Film with support from SaskFilm and CTV Saskatchewan. We have a 7-minute pilot webisode and 3-minute demo featuring Saskatoon actor Kevin Mambo and Montreal band the Pinup Saints filmed in New York, December 2009, and video assets to build phase one of the website.

The demo and one sheet will be used in marketing the project to targeted broadcasters and distributors at South by Southwest, Yorkton Film Festival, Hot Docs and Banff World Television Festival for stage two development and/or pre-licensing the television series. Canada Media Fund, Quebecor, and Bell New Media Fund are targeted for stage two development support and investment in the interactive property.

STILLS

CONTACT

Karma Film
616 10th St. E.
Saskatoon, SK
S7H 0G9
www.karmafilm.ca