CineGroupe launches live-action arm

Canadian production outfit CineGroupe has launched a new live-action division that will concentrate on creating programming for kids, teens, and families.

Robin Spry, former helmsman at now defunct Quebec production outfit Telescene, will head up the effort.

The new division will be called CineGroupe Images and will operate with a mandate to develop, pre-sell, finance, and produce live-action drama series, TV movies and feature films targeted at kids, family and teen markets.

Capitalising on CineGroupe's foundation in animation, the division will work to develop projects combining live-action with cgi and 3D special effects.

The first project for CineGroupe Images will be the third season of Big Wolf on Campus, a property originally produced by Telescene.

Cameras are already rolling in Montreal on the series, with production scheduled to wrap in December. The show follows the exploits of a high school football star that is transformed into a crime-fighting werewolf.

Big Wolf is being shot in hi-definition to air on YTV in Canada, and Fox Family in the US, as well as on various other international broadcasters.

Spry is exec producing the project along with CineGroupe's Jaques Pettigrew, Marie-Claude Beauchamp, Peter Knight, and Lance Robbins. Christian Gagne is producing and John Dyer is DoP.