{{Short description|Canadian production company}} {{Infobox company | name = Temple Street Productions | type = Division | key_people = David Fortier<br> Ivan Schneeberg | founded = 1996 | defunct = 2020 | fate = Folded into Boat Rocker Studios<ref>{{cite news |last1=Townsend |first1=Kelly |title=Boat Rocker folds Temple Street into scripted division |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2020/12/18/boat-rocker-folds-temple-street-into-scripted-division/ |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Playback |date=18 December 2020}}</ref> | founders = Patrick Whitley<br>Sheila Hockin | hq_location_city = Toronto, Ontario | hq_location_country = Canada | industry = Film and television | products = Television programs | owner = | parent = Boat Rocker Studios (2016–2020) | homepage = }}
'''Temple Street Productions''' was a Toronto-based Canadian television & digital media production studio. Formed in 1996 by Patrick Whitley and Sheila Hockin, it was sold to Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier—who had led the studio's drama unit since 2003—after Whitley's retirement from the industry. In 2015, a majority stake in the company was sold to Fairfax Financial; the following year, Temple Street was reorganized as Boat Rocker Media, with Temple Street becoming a unit of the new company. In 2020, Temple Street was closed and folded into Boat Rocker Studios' scripted division.
==History== Temple Street Productions was founded in 1996 by Patrick Whitley and Sheila Hockin.<ref name="sell">{{Cite magazine |date=July 10, 2006 |title=Founders sell Temple Street |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/news/founders-sell-temple-street-1200340287/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195718/https://variety.com/2006/film/news/founders-sell-temple-street-1200340287/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Whitley and Hockin era saw production of Showtime co-production ''Queer as Folk'' and children's comedy ''Darcy’s Wild Life'', as well as the first seasons of ''Canada’s Next Top Model'' and ''Billable Hours''. In 2003, entertainment lawyers Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier left Toronto law firm Goodmans LLP to enter the TV production business. Despite their lack of practical experience in television, they found employment with Temple Street, a former client of Goodmans, and used their legal expertise to produce the law office sitcom ''Billable Hours'', written by another former Goodmans lawyer, Adam Till.<ref name="veterans">{{Cite news |date=March 17, 2009 |title=Bay Street veterans play law life for laughs |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/bay-street-veterans-play-law-life-for-laughs/article740033/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=September 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195620/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/bay-street-veterans-play-law-life-for-laughs/article740033/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July 2006 three years after Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier joined Temple Street Productions as heads of its drama department, Temple Street Productions founders Patrick Whitley and Sheila Hockin sold their production outfit to its co-presidents & head of Temple Street Productions' scripted department arm Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier,<ref name="sell" /><ref name="downfall">{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2010 |title=Avoiding 'The Downfall' |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2010/11/12/avoiding-the-downfall/ |website=Playback}}</ref> as Patrick Whitley retired from production, while Shelia Hockin became a freelance producer and continued to work with Temple Street Productions in a limited capacity. In Whitley and Hockin's last year, the company generated $32 million from production, making it the 13th-most profitable independent Canadian production company.<ref name="turns">{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2006 |title=Temple turns over |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2006/07/24/quefunding-20060724/ |website=Playback |access-date=December 8, 2014 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922195622/https://playbackonline.ca/2006/07/24/quefunding-20060724/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Schneeberg and Fortier are joined by managing director John Young, who has been instrumental in the company's move to increase the output of digital media and branded content.<ref name="young">{{Cite web |title=John Young |url=http://www.templestreetproductions.com/index.php/aboutus/people/john_young |website=Temple Street Productions}}</ref>
In 2009 and 2010, Temple Street was a key partner in The Remix Project, a social program to offer film and television production training to aspiring young filmmakers.<ref name="downfall" /> The final result, a series of 10 short films, was screened at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in 2010 under the title ''City Life Film Project''.<ref name="citylife">[http://playbackonline.ca/2010/11/17/city-life-film-project-debuts-at-tiff-bell-lightbox/ "City Life Film Project debuts at TIFF Bell Lightbox"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126075611/http://playbackonline.ca/2010/11/17/city-life-film-project-debuts-at-tiff-bell-lightbox/|date=2011-11-26}}. ''Playback'', November 17, 2010.</ref>
In June 2008, BBC Worldwide announced that they had acquired a 25% minority stake in Temple Street Productions for an undisclosed sum; as part of the agreement, BBC Worldwide received a first-look deal for international distribution rights to Temple Street's productions, while Temple Street received a first-look deal for developing Canadian adaptations of formats owned by BBC Worldwide, or whose Canadian rights are held by BBC Worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2008 |title=BBCW takes a stake in Temple |url=https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/bbcw-takes-a-stake-in-temple-1117987141/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Variety |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917122024/https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/bbcw-takes-a-stake-in-temple-1117987141/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2011, Temple Street and BBC Worldwide America announced a development deal focused on factual television.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kelly |date=February 3, 2011 |title=Temple Street and BBC Worldwide America form development deal |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2011/02/03/temple-street-and-bbc-worldwide-america-form-development-deal-read-more-httprealscreen-com20110202temple-street-and-bbc-worldwide-america-form-development-deal/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Playback}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisman |first=Jon |date=February 2, 2011 |title=BBC Worldwide builds Canadian connection |url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/bbc-worldwide-builds-canadian-connection-1118031406/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref>
In June 2013, the company established a digital media division known as Temple Street Media Ventures,<ref>{{Cite web |last=See Quan |first=Danielle NG |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Temple Street ups Michel Pratte to lead digital content expansion |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2013/06/06/exclusive-temple-street-ups-michel-pratte-to-lead-digital-content-expansion/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Playback |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200206/https://playbackonline.ca/2013/06/06/exclusive-temple-street-ups-michel-pratte-to-lead-digital-content-expansion/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a digital content studio known as Boat Rocker Studios.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dickens |first=Andrew |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Temple Street opens digital studio |url=http://www.c21media.net/temple-street-opens-digital-studio/ |access-date=September 10, 2016 |work=C21 Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=See Quan |first=Danielle NG |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Temple Street Media Ventures launches Boat Rocker Studios |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2013/06/10/temple-street-media-ventures-launches-boat-rocker-studios/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Playback |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200212/https://playbackonline.ca/2013/06/10/temple-street-media-ventures-launches-boat-rocker-studios/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2013, the company announced that it would open a new production office in Los Angeles, led by VP of factual entertainment Gerry McKean, and Tayfun King as U.S. head of factual entertainment marking Temple Street's first American production office outside of their Toronto-based studio.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marechal |first=AJ |date=July 2, 2013 |title='Orphan Black' Production Company Opens L.A. Branch |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/orphan-black-production-company-opens-la-branch-1200503927/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Variety |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200242/https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/orphan-black-production-company-opens-la-branch-1200503927/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=July 2, 2013 |title=Canadian Indie Temple Street Productions Opens Los Angeles Office |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadian-indie-temple-street-productions-578583 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822220311/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/canadian-indie-temple-street-productions-578583 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2013 |title=Temple Street expands into U.S. |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2013/07/02/temple-street-expands-into-u-s/ |website=Playback |access-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200142/https://playbackonline.ca/2013/07/02/temple-street-expands-into-u-s/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July 2015, Fairfax Financial made an investment in Temple Street, taking a majority stake.<ref name="c21m">{{Cite news |last=Dickens |first=Andrew |date=February 3, 2016 |title=Temple Street restructures |url=http://www.c21media.net/temple-street-restructures/ |access-date=September 10, 2016 |work=C21 Media |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200143/https://www.c21media.net/news/temple-street-restructures/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later in August of that year, the company entered the distribution operation by launching its distribution division named Temple Street Distribution with veteran producer Jon Rutherford leading the company's new distribution division as president with the new division signed a deal with Netflix to broadcast Temple Street's series ''Lost & Found Music Studios'' outside of Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=August 27, 2015 |title='Orphan Black' Producer Temple Street Launches Distribution Arm |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/orphan-black-producer-temple-street-818199/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> In December 2015, Temple Street entered the animation production genre for the first time with the acquisition of a stake in Toronto-based animation studio Industrial Brothers, giving Temple Street their own animation studio whilst its distribution arm Temple Street Distribution will handle distribution to Industrial Brothers' projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cummins |first=Julianna |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Temple Street invests in Industrial Brothers |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2015/12/14/temple-street-invests-in-industrial-brothers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922200246/https://playbackonline.ca/2015/12/14/temple-street-invests-in-industrial-brothers/ |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=Playback}}</ref>
In February 2016, Temple Street announced a reorganization, forming a new parent company known as Boat Rocker Media. Temple Street would become a unit of Boat Rocker Studios. Fortier and Schneeberg remained as co-executive chairman, and Temple Street managing director John Young was promoted to CEO. Schneeberg stated that the reorganization was meant to "bring clarity to the brand" as Boat Rocker expands into multi-platform operations.<ref name="vty">{{Cite news |last=Punter |first=Jennie |date=February 2, 2016 |title='Orphan Black' Producer Temple Street Productions Expands as Boat Rocker Media |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/orphan-black-temple-street-productions-expands-boat-rocker-media-1201694721/ |access-date=September 10, 2016 |work=Variety}}</ref>
In December 2020, Temple Street was closed and folded into Boat Rocker Studios' Los Angeles-based scripted division.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Townsend |first1=Kelly |date=18 December 2020 |title=Boat Rocker folds Temple Street into scripted division |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2020/12/18/boat-rocker-folds-temple-street-into-scripted-division/ |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Playback}}</ref>
==Productions== Temple Street has developed a reputation for producing Canadian versions of American reality formats, such as ''Canada’s Next Top Model'', ''Say Yes to the Dress: Canada''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Star |first=Linda Barnard Special to the |date=2014-07-16 |title=Say Yes to the Dress Canada premieres in 2015 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/say-yes-to-the-dress-canada-premieres-in-2015/article_296afaf2-335c-5c79-af43-7a84112a3c5b.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref>
In 2013, Temple Street premiered ''Orphan Black'', a sci-fi drama co-commissioned by Space and BBC America; the series would go on to become one of Temple Street's most successful productions, with lead actor Tatiana Maslany winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Emmys 2016 winners: the full list |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/sep/18/emmys-2016-full-list-of-winners-as-they-happen |access-date=September 19, 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="67th emmys">{{cite magazine |last=Rosen |first=Christopher |date=July 16, 2015 |title=Tatiana Maslany finally received an Emmy nomination for ''Orphan Black'', and everyone is thrilled |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/16/tatiana-maslany-orphan-black-emmys3 |access-date=July 16, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref><ref name="vty" /> Schneeberg and Fortier credited the show with “legitimizing” their production model, and recuperating the image of Canadian television abroad, where it was formerly seen as cheap and lacking in trans-national appeal.<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/at-the-temple-in-the-black/article18067440/ "How Temple Street is changing the face of Canadian television"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306152938/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/at-the-temple-in-the-black/article18067440/ |date=2017-03-06 }} ''The Globe and Mail'', April 18, 2014.</ref>
Another notable production was its dance-themed teen drama ''The Next Step'' for Family Channel, which marked the highest-rated original series premiere in the network's history. The show would be sold to other international markets,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=January 8, 2014 |title=Hulu, CBBC Acquire Canadian Scripted Reality Show 'The Next Step' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hulu-cbbc-acquire-canadian-scripted-669157 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126011737/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hulu-cbbc-acquire-canadian-scripted-669157 |archive-date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=November 18, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2014 |title=BBC Worldwide takes the Next Step on global scale |url=https://kidscreen.com/2014/01/08/bbc-worldwide-takes-the-next-step-on-global-scale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714122837/https://kidscreen.com/2014/01/08/bbc-worldwide-takes-the-next-step-on-global-scale/ |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |website=Kidscreen}}</ref> and would spawn a live tour featuring its cast members.<ref>[https://archive.today/20141208015010/http://www.equities.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=newsdetail&id=137970 "Family Channel and Temple Street Productions add fifteen shows to The Next Step Live on Stage national tour"] ''Equities'', December 5, 2014.</ref>
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Title ! Years ! Network ! Notes |- | ''Queer as Folk'' || 2000–2001 || Showcase<br>Showtime (United States) || co-production with Warner Bros. Television, Cowlip Productions, Channel 4 and Tony Jones Productions |- | ''Canada's Next Top Model''<ref>{{cite web|title=CHUM puts Top Model on the catwalk|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/chum-puts-top-model-on-the-catwalk/|website=C21Media|date=November 22, 2005}}</ref> || 2006–2009 || Citytv/CTV || co-production with CBS Studios International and May Street Productions |- | ''How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?'' || 2008 || CBC || |- | ''Wingin' It'' || 2010–2012 || Family Channel || co-production with BBC Worldwide Sales & Distribution<br>Originally titled ''Angel on Campus''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2010/03/19/tonight-wingin-it-on-family-channel-season-premiere/ |title=New tonight: Wingin' It on Family Channel – season premiere |date=March 19, 2010 |website=tv-eh.com |access-date=May 18, 2010}}</ref> |- | ''Over the Rainbow Canada'' || 2012 || CBC || |- | ''Orphan Black''<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/space-orders-new-original-drama-series-orphan-black/|title=SPACE Orders New Original Drama Series ORPHAN BLACK|date=June 12, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2013|publisher=Bell Media|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215655/http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/space-orders-new-original-drama-series-orphan-black/|url-status=live}}</ref> || 2013–2017 || Space<br>BBC America<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/06/bbc-america-brings-sci-fi-orphan-black-to-u-s/|title=BBC America Orders Original Sci-Fi Adventure 'Orphan Black'|date=June 26, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2013|work=BBC America|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214050/http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/06/bbc-america-brings-sci-fi-orphan-black-to-u-s/|url-status=live}}</ref> (United States) || |- | ''Cook'd''<ref>{{cite web|title=Kid food critics get tough on new YTV series Cook'd|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2014/04/23/kid-food-critics-get-tough-on-new-ytv-series-cookd/|website=Playback|first=Jeremy|last=Dickson|date=April 23, 2014}}</ref> || 2014 || YTV || |- | ''Lost & Found Music Studios'' || 2015–2017 || Family Channel<br>Netflix<ref>{{cite web|title=Jon Rutherford to lead Temple Street's new distribution arm|url=https://playbackonline.ca/2015/08/27/jon-rutherford-to-lead-temple-streets-new-distribution-arm/|website=Playback|first=Julianna|last=Cummins|date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> (International) || co-production with Beachwood Canyon Productions |- | ''Cavendish''<ref>{{cite web|title=New TV series Cavendish shooting on P.E.I.|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-cavendish-cbc-tv-series-1.4833617|website=CBC|first=Shane|last=Ross|date=September 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title="'Cavendish' comedy series coming soon to CBC-TV"|url=https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/living/cavendish-comedy-series-coming-soon-to-cbc-tv-271651/|website=The Guardian|date=December 18, 2018}}</ref> || 2019 || CBC || co-production with Boat Rocker Rights, Holdfast Pictures, Bridge Burner Entertainment and Somebody Stop Productions |- |}
==Awards== {{Promotional|date=October 2024}} Since 2009, Temple Street projects have earned 12 Canadian Screen Awards, 10 Gemini Awards, 4 Shaw Rocket Prizes, 2 AToMiC Awards, 2 EWwy Awards, 1 Canadian Comedy Award, 1 DGC Award, 1 WGC Screenwriting Award, 1 C21/Frapa Format Award, 1 Leo Award, 1 Peabody Award, and 1 Mention Spéciale du Jury Européen at Le 15e Festival de la Fiction TV.<ref name="aboutus">[http://www.templestreetproductions.com/index.php/aboutus/profile "Temple Street Productions - About Us"]</ref>
In addition, executive producers David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg received the Lionsgate/Maple Pictures Innovative Producer Award at the 2010 Banff World Television Awards for Temple Street's "incredible achievement in television and digital media."<ref>[http://www.itnewslink.com/article.php?id_article=10614&var_recherche=how+to+change+from+xplornet.com+to+xplorn. "Banff World Television Festival Announces Three Special Achievement Award Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125216/http://www.itnewslink.com/article.php?id_article=10614&var_recherche=how%20to%20change%20from%20xplornet.com%20to%20xplorn. |date=2016-03-04 }} ''ITNewsLink'', June 8, 2010.</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|templestreetproductions.com}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Television production companies of Canada Category:Canadian companies established in 1996 Category:Mass media companies established in 1996 Category:Film production companies of Canada Category:1996 establishments in Ontario Category:Companies based in Toronto