SINKING SHIP ENTERTAINMENT

SINKING SHIP ENTERTAINMENT Sinking Ship Entertainment and the Ontario Parks Association present THE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR

Sinking Ship Entertainment’s new hit show Giver, currently airing on TVO Kids is looking for Ontario municipalities, or any other site that needs a place to play to take part in Season 3 of our playground renovation/building show. Production begins on 10 new episodes this coming summer (May-September, 2014). If you know of a playground in need, a place where kids are advocating to play, or a space where kids should be playing but aren’t – we want to know about it. We’re searching for playgrounds with great stories, great kids, and unique ideas to build as part of our show! About Giver: Giver does what no other show does – it engages children in Ontario to give back and get active with their communities! Our 23 previous Giver episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 showcase the design and building process of unique playgrounds across Ontario. From a build at City Housing Hamilton serving children whose nearest playground was a half hour walk away, a First Nations playground on the reserve of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, a playground built by and for the kids at the Rumball Camp of the Deaf, a playground for York Region Children’s Aid, and even a playground built by a whole school of 375 energetic students in Port Hope. Giver realizes that every playground has a story that reflects the community that surrounds it. Working with approximately 50 volunteers at each playground site to bring the children’s design plans to life, Giver discovers stories in each and every playground, helping children realize that they have the power to change the places they live. Watch a sample episode here: http://www.tvokids.com/shows/giver From preliminary consultations to paperwork, communications to construction, every aspect was well handled… and fun. I know our team at Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the community we serve, were delighted with the outcome and greatly enjoyed working with all your staff. We recommend the Giver experience to any community group, and hope we'll also have the pleasure of working with you again. Your contributions to the City are much appreciated. Rob Richardson - City of Toronto The park is amazing! It went from a place where only bad people hung out to a spot where everyone from ages 5-25 come and practice their skateboarding skills. It's almost impossible to come here and see no one else. This park has made such a big difference to our town by making it a more inviting environment. Giver not only helped renovate our skate park, but helped make our town a more positive place to be in! Kemptville loves the park! -Amber, Giver participant – Age 13

Check out the trailer for Season III, here: http://vimeo.com/86158462 To Apply:

Please send an email application to [email protected] by March 1st, 2014 with the following information:

SINKING SHIP ENTERTAINMENT 1179 King Street W, Suite 302 • Toronto ON • M6K 3C5 p 416-533-8172 • f 416-533-3878 • www.sinkingship.ca

SINKING SHIP ENTERTAINMENT 1. Detailed pictures/video of the playground in need, OR a space where kids should be playing. 2. The story behind the playground/space. Why does this playground need help? What is the neighbourhood like? Are there local kids pushing for change? One of our playgrounds (Niagara Falls) in Season 1 featured a girl who wrote to the mayor asking for a better playground – stories like these are especially great. This can also be submitted via video. (Here’s a video our friends in Waubaushene submitted: http://youtu.be/uey7GVxjiTw ). 3. Resources your group/community may be able to contribute. Sinking Ship Entertainment has a base amount to contribute to the playgrounds, and depending on the scope of the project, may require resources from your community (value: $2500 - $5000). We’d like to know if local lumber, hardware, rental company or food sponsors would be on board to assist. We are open to working with you to source unique partnerships and please note that financial limitations are not a deal breaker in the application process. 4. Potential crew for the build. It takes a village to build a playground! Giver builds are only successful when the community takes ownership. To that end, we will require: a. Approx. 20 volunteers available for each of the build days. b. 3 skilled carpenters available for 2 to 3 days c. Volunteer coordinator (to recruit and oversee volunteers leading up to and during the build) d. Suggestions of volunteer community associations and/or construction companies that could donate labour (e.g. local unions, municipal/school board staff, Lions/Kinsmen/Kiwanis and other service clubs). 5. Municipality based coordinator(s) that would work in collaboration with the producers at Sinking Ship Entertainment. We’ll need assistance with municipality-based tasks and PR.

The top 15 finalists will be sent welcome packages and enter the second round of consideration which will include a location visit and meeting with all local partners on the project. The second round will take place from March 3rd to the 15th, 2014.

Contact: Kristen McGregor Producer – Giver – Season III O: 416-533-8172 x 2237 [email protected]

SINKING SHIP ENTERTAINMENT 1179 King Street W, Suite 302 • Toronto ON • M6K 3C5 p 416-533-8172 • f 416-533-3878 • www.sinkingship.ca