Turning Paige - Biographies
NICHOLAS CAMPBELL
“Ross Fleming”
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Nicholas Campbell went to Kingston's Queens University to study pre-Law but , quickly switched to English and Drama. He moved to England to continue his studies, spending five years there, first at the London Drama Studio, then at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He joined the York Theatre Royal Repertory Company, where he spent 40 weeks touring the country working in small provincial theatres to gain his acting credentials. He landed his debut film in “The Omen” and appeared In "The Eagle has Landed,‘ before going on to work with Sir Richard Attenborough in ‘A Bridge Too Far’ and opposite Sir Laurence Olivier and Joanne Woodward in the television production of “Come Back Little Sheba.”
He currently stars in the lead role as Dominic DaVinci in the hit series “DaVinci’s” Inquest.‘ Past series leads include “Diamonds” and “The Insiders” and s recurring role on “Street Legal.‘ His television credits also include his role as Bobby Kennedy in “Hoover Vs. The Kennedys" (Gemini Nomination for Best Actor in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries), “Going Home” (Nominated for BAFTA Award - Britain), and “The Valour and the Horror.” Recent film and MoW credits include “Saint Jude,” “New Waterford Girl,” Showtime's “Happy Face Murders,” 20"‘ Century Fox's “A Cool Dry Place,” CBC’s “Major Crime” (Gemini Award for Best Actor), Anne Wheelers “The Sleep Room,” “Diana Kilmury: Teamster‘ (Gemini nomination for Best Actor) and Sturla Gunnarsson’s “The Diary of Evelyn Lau.” David Cronenberg has cast him in four of his _ features, “Naked Lunch,‘ “The Dead Zone,” “Fast Company" and the “The Brood.”
KATHARINE ISABELLE
“Paige Fleming”
Katharine Isabelle, who stars in the title role of Paige Fleming, has been very busy over the past few years, amassing an impressive resume. Recently, she portrayed the title character in director John Fawcett's feature, “Ginger Snaps.” She also recently completed her role in Christopher Nolan's feature “Insomnia,” opposite Al Pacino. Other feature film credits include “Josie and the Pussycats,” “Disturbing Behavior,” “Salt Water Moose” and “Snow Day‘.
A Vancouver native, Katharine has extensive credits in various television series, including guest-starring roles in “The X- Files,‘ “First Wave,” and “DaVinci’s Inquest‘ - (with Nicholas Campbell), to name a few. Other television credits include the miniseries, "Titanic" and the Lindsay Wagner/Martin Sheen MoW "Voyage of Terror.”
TORRI HIGGINSON
“Ms. Newlands"
Torri Higginson was born in Burlington, Ontario. At age eighteen she moved to England where she studied acting at Guildhall in London. She has been very active in film and television projects in Canada. In 2000 she won a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role for her performance as Katharine Strachan in “The City.” On television she also had lead roles in “Stephen King's Storm of the Century,” Balls Up,” “Hidden Room” and “Family of Cops ill". In addition she has had guest lead roles on “Canada: A People's History,” “Twice in a Lifetime,” “The Outer Limits,” “PSI Factor,” and “E.N.G."
Her feature work includes lead performances in Julian Grants “Airbome” and Mark Lester’s “Double Take,” as well as "Synapse," “Jungle Ground” and “Vitacane.” She is also remembered in the role of Mary in Anthony Minghella’s multiple Academy Award winning “The English Patient.‘
BRENDAN FLETCHER
“Jeff Simm”
From his debut performance in “Little Criminals,” . which earned him a Gemini nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program, Brendan Fletcher has been impressing audiences and critics alike. Born in Courtenay on Vancouver Island, he now calls the city of Vancouver home. Known for his emotionally explosive characters, Brendan's other films include John Greyson’s “The Law of Enclosures,” opposite Sarah Polley, Jeremy Podeswa’s “T he Five Senses,” “My Father's Angel,” with Tony Nardi and Scott Smith’s “Rollercoaster” as the short-fused character Stick. . .
Other notable performances include the title role in the independent feature “Jimmy Zip,” and as one of the teen killers in the CBC Mow “Scorn.” Amongst his television credits is a recurring role on “Caitlin’s Way,” and guest leads on “Dead Man's Gun,” The Crow,” “DaVinci’s Inquest‘ and "Millennium."
PHILIP DeWILDE
‘Trevor Fleming“
Philip Devlfilde was born in Toronto, and is a graduate of the George Brown Theatre ’ School. He has been acting for over ten years, holding numerous credits in commercial voice-overs, including ones for Pizza-Hut, Coca-Cola, Bell Communications and Labatt's beer. Currently he appears in the recurring role of Ricky the Lawyer in John Callahan's hit animation series, "Quads!" Recent television performances include Fox's "The Colony,” "Prince Charming" and "Sins of the Father." Past television credits include "RoboCop: Prime Directives," CBC's "Peacekeepers" and Mario Puzo's "The Last Don ll." Philip also appeared in the 20th Century Fox’ feature "Don't Say A Word" with Michael Douglas, Famke Janssen and Oliver Platt.
NIKKI BARNETT
“Danielle Whitaker”
Nikki Barnett was bom and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; At age 13 she won a free modelling and acting course with City Models and after completing her courses was asked to remain with the Agency where Nikki did runway shows, television » commercials and modelling work.
Nikki caught the acting bug, and she has done some impressive roles, including Ellen in the CBC series “Black Harbour.” She also appeared in “Lexx - The Dark Zone.” Currently she can be seen as a regular performer on CBC’s multiple award winning “Street Cents.” The show recently earned her and her co-hosts a Gemini nomination in the category Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series. She has followed up her performance as Danielle with a role in Tricia Fish's “Dragonfly.”
ROBERT CUFFLEY
Director, co-writer
A native of Calgary, Robert Cuffley is a graduate of the National Screen Institute's Director's Studio. He has directed over thirty-five music videos for artists as diverse as Huevos Rancheros, Tariq and Veda Hille. His accolades include winner of the Best Independent Video at the 1996 MuchMusic Awards and Best Music Video at the 1998 Alberta Film & Television (AMPIA) Awards. The year 2000 was his third nominated year in a row for Best Music Video at the Alberta Film & Television Awards.
Robert's short films include the award winning "Eyes For You" (Local Heroes International Film Festival, 1996), “Game Seven," which he produced (1998_Toronto Short Film Festival and winner at the 1998 Chicago International Film Festival), and "Soother" (Local Heroes International Film Festival 2000). In December 1999 the CBC aired Robert's one hour documentary “Barrage: A Musical invasion of Europe.”
“Turning Paige” is his first feature film.
CAROLYN McMASTER
Executive Producer/Producer
A native of Toronto, Carolyn has called Calgary home since 1983. Prior to running her own business she produced and directed documentaries around the world and in 1995 was senior editor with WETV for the Fourth International Women's Conference in Beijing. For a period she covered world-wide events for CTV, editing the National News. In 1994 she won an Emmy Award for her work on the Lillehammer Winter Olympics for CBS.
Carolyn was one of the founders of Post Place Ltd., Calgary's first fully digital post-production facility. In the mid 90's she focussed her attention on producing and has since overseen many different projects including “Ghost Whales of Lancaster Sound' for CTV, “Kuwait — The Aftermath” for PBS affiliates - “Manon Rheaume - Woman Behind the Mask" for WTN and "Vision Quest 2000 - the Ascent of Mount Logan”, the 1/2 hour documentary of blind mountain climber Ross Watson.
Prior to “Turning Paige,” Carolyn produced Robert Cuffley’s short film “Soother,” which played at the Local Heroes International Festival in Edmonton.
COLIN NEALE
Executive Producer
Colin Neale has worked in the film and television industry for over thirty-five years. Since 1998, he has operated his own production company, developing new feature film and television projects. Besides “Turning Paige,” he executive produced the 1-hour documentary, “Manon Rheaume: Woman Behind the Mask.” Prior to setting up his own company, Neale was associated with Les Productions Tele-Action inc. Recent credits include the 26-episode youth series “Radio Active,” “Big Bear,” "The Edge” and “Kayla.”
Neale was head of Studio “B” of the National Film Board of Canada from 1986 until 1993 and Executive Producer of some of their most acclaimed projects. Neale credits include the International award winning mini- series "T he Boys of Sf. Vincent,‘ Oscar- winner Cynthia Scott's “The Company of Strangers,” the NFB co-production “Princes in Exile," which was named Best Television Film at the Monte Carlo Television festival, and 1992 Oscar nominated short documentary "The Colors of my Father.” Neale was also Executive Producer on filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin's feature- length documentary “Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance” and “Momentum,” the first IMAX film ever shot and projected at 48 frames-per-second - twice the normal film speed.
Neale is presently developing a MoW tentatively called “Fatal Cure‘, a feature film starring Dan Aykroyd entitled “The Great Goose Caper,” and another feature film with writer Gerry Wexler based on the Mavis Gallant short story “Chosen Husband.” In addition, several documentary projects are also in development as well as a television series for young teenagers.
MICHELLE MARCIL
Co - Producer
Michelle Marcil, President and CEO of Dorénavant Productions lnc., has more than 23 years experience in the film and television industry. Michelle began her career at Radio-Canada and went on to TVOntario, in 1980. Freelance, her wide range of experience spans various types of productions from Feature Films to Television Series as well as overseas projects filmed in France, Genriany, Africa and China. She served as production manager on numerous projects, including “The Sue Rodriguez Story,” “Cruising Bar,” “Daring and Grace” and “Just For Laughs.” Michelle returned to her roots -in New Brunswick several years ago, where she now lives and works.
JASON LONG
Co-writer
Jason graduated from The National Theatre School Of Canada's Playwriting Program in 1999, and also spent, in his own words, “two forgettable years in the early 90's ditching his film/screenwriting classes at York University in favour of matinees at Cumberland, Carleton, and many other of Toronto's fine cinema facilities.” Jason is an award-winning playwright whose plays include “Grrl Trubble,” “Caffeinated,” and “I Want Ice Cream Everyday.” He and Robert Cuffley are currently writing their second screenplay together, a dark comedy entitled "Yearbook." Jason is also currently developing a television pilot entitled “Wayside,” a feature length screenplay entitled “Baby Men,” and "The True Colour Blue,” a drama for the stage about sexual abuse, hockey, and grizzly bears. Jason currently lives in Calgary.
MARK DOBRESCU
Director of Photography
Mark Dobrescu originally hails from Regina. He moved-to Calgary, where he graduated from the Southem Alberta Institute of Technology in 1989. Returning to his hometown, he became the staff director of photography for C1'V in Regina until 1994. During this time he was the director of photography and camera operator on numerous commercials, documentaries, program features and music videos.
In 1995 Dobrescu resigned his CTV position and began a solo career, starting with corporate commercials, and recently moving into features, which he has shot almost exclusively over the last six years. After working as the B-camera operator on MoWs and series for Hallmark, Global and CTV, Dobrescu was employed as the A- camera and served as 2"‘ Unit Director of Photography on a handful of features and independent MoWs. Besides “Turning Paige,” his DP/operator feature credits include "American Beer,” “Dead Even,‘ and “Shot in the Face,” which he is currently shooting.
PARYSE NORMANDEAU
Production Designer
Paryse Nomrandeau studied Set Design at the Conservatoire d‘art dramatique du Québec and was subsequently chosen for an apprenticeship in Lighting Design with the National Film Board of Canada. She then began her career as Set Decorator and subsequently as Art Director. “Turning Paige’ is her first credit as Production Designer. Paryse also has extensive credits in theatre. She lives in New Brunswick and has established and built a working farm where she is learning the art of equestrian riding.
KEN BERRY
Editor
Ken Berry is an award winning and internationally distributed filmmaker born and raised in Alberta. He pursued film production studies in London, Chicago and Los Angeles and was awarded the NSI Canada Fellowship in Directing at the University of Alberta's Department of Drama. Ken's short films include "l Never Get Home“ (1990), “Simon Sezz“ (1992) and the Canadian underground favourite "Café Utopia" (1994). Picture editing credits include the feature film "Two Brothers, A Girl and a Gun" by William Hornecker, "Parade" by Brad Fraser and Daniel MacIvor as well as episodes of the television series "Traders,“ for Alliance Atlantis and Canwest Global. -
MIKE SHIELDS
Composer
Mike Shields is a composer / singer / songwriter from Calgary, Alberta. He has been an active musician since starting classical piano at age 5. In 1995, Mike released “Grace Motel," his debut CD. Two singles did well on the national charts and his award winning videos aired on CMT and MuchMusic, as well as the Country Beat on CBC. His new album "Stranger than Fiction“ was released across the country in August of 1999 and a television documentary was ' released late in 2000.
In addition to his performing career, Mike is an accomplished composer for film and television projects. He has also composed and arranged music for live theatre productions, children's programs, and special events such as the World Petroleum Congress.
Other features he has scored besides “Turning Paige” include John Fawcett's “Ginger Snaps,” "Two Brothers, A Girl & A Gun", and Grant Harvey's “American Beer.“ He has also scored numerous short films including "Half Nelson” an award winning film by for the Canadian Film Centre, Allan BeIeyea’s “Injustice” and “B.A.T.U.S.” - a film for the British Army. Upcoming features are "The Iceman,‘ and a pair of films from Nomadic Pictures, “Snowbound," with Jann Arden and “Cover Story,” starring Jason Priestly.
Mike's television work includes "From The Hip," CTV’s documentary,
‘Running on Empty,’ “David Suzuki's World," and music
for CBC's news programs in Alberta.