Julia Benson

Photo of myself, Aubrey and Peter after we pitched City TV! Toronto 2009

It has been a while since I posted and I am setting a new years resolution to post once a week....good to have goals, right! I have many for 2010 and to have an amazing second season of SGU is at the top of the list!!

The other goal is related to the series that I have in development. We just set up our production office and are in full blown pre-production. We will be shooting a pilot presentation in March and are very excited as this has been a four year goal. I created this series with my husband Peter Benson and our partner Aubrey Arnason. People have asked about our journey, so in a nutshell, here it is!

Four years ago the three of us came to the conclusion that we needed to create our own work! We had done many short films together and realized that we always had the most fun when we were very involved in the process and when we got to have a creative voice, so what better way to do that then to write your own show! After working on a pilot script in between acting gigs we felt ready to pitch production companies. It was in this process that we were told about the National Screen Institute Totally Television Program. (For all you Canadians with a series or film idea, I can not recommend this program enough, I can say without hesitation that we wouldn't be where we are right now had we not been accepted to this program...so if you are creating...check them out!)

I believe they had over 200 applicants and we were one of six teams accepted across the country. The program lasted over 8 months and involved a series of bootcamps in Toronto. Through the program, we were introduced to many of our countries top Showrunners and Executive Producers. After working with a story editor and Producing mentor, we were flown out to Toronto to pitch the networks. Two weeks later City TV called and offered us a development deal!

We have been developing the show with them since May. It has been so great to work with people that are so passionate about creating great work. To wake up everyday and work on something that you believe in, makes it play not work and that has been a goal of mine my whole life. I'll keep you posted as things move along in pre-production! Have a wonderful new years!

Here is the link to the National Screen Institute:
http://www.nsi-canada.ca/