Michael McNamara (filmmaker)

Last updated

Michael McNamara (born December 6, 1953) is a Canadian film and television director and producer from Windsor, Ontario, [1] who was cofounder with Judy Holm of the Markham Street Films studio. [2]

Contents

The son of poet Eugene McNamara, [3] McNamara directed episodes of children's television series such as The Elephant Show , Eric's World and Polka Dot Shorts , as well as music videos and television specials for Holly Cole Trio, Jane Siberry and Prairie Oyster, [4] in his early career, before releasing his debut feature film The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati , an adaptation of theatrical plays by Alan Williams, in 1996. [5] In 1998 he directed In Thru the Out Door , a television special billed as "network television's first-ever all-queer, all-star sketch comedy show". [6]

With his wife, Judy Holm, he launched Markham Street Films in the early 2000s. [7] With that firm, he has directed documentary films rather than narrative features, although he has been a producer of narrative features by other filmmakers. [8]

His credits as a documentary director have included Radio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of the Big 8 (2004), [9] 100 Films and a Funeral (2007), [10] Acquainted with the Night (2010), [11] and episodes of the television documentary series The Nature of Things [12] and CBC Docs POV . [13]

His credits as a producer have included Victoria Day and Big News from Grand Rock .

Awards

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryWorkResultRef(s)
Gemini Awards 1988 Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or SeriesJane Siberry: I Muse AloudWon [14]
1994 Best Direction in a Variety or Performing Arts Program or SeriesThe Holly Cole Trio: My Foolish HeartNominated [3]
Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or SeriesNominated
1999 Best Direction in a Variety, or Performing Arts Program or Series In Thru the Out Door Nominated [15]
2001 Best Direction in a Documentary ProgramWrinkleNominated [16]
2004 Best History Documentary ProgramRadio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of the Big 8Won [17]
Best Writing in a Documentary Program or SeriesNominated [18]
2006 Best Direction in a Documentary SeriesShrines and Homemade Holy Places: "Highways to Heaven"Nominated [19]
2008 Best History Documentary Program 100 Films and a Funeral Nominated [20]
2009 Best Direction in a Documentary SeriesDriven by Vision: "Of Castles, Kings and Jesters"Won [21]
2011 Best Science, Technology, Nature, Environment or Adventure Documentary Program Acquainted with the Night Nominated [22]
Best Direction in a Documentary ProgramWon [23]
Canadian Screen Awards 2014 Rob Stewart Award The Nature of Things : "Lights Out!"Nominated
Best Documentary ProgramIce, Sweat and TearsNominated
2016 Rob Stewart Award The Nature of Things : "The Cholesterol Question"Nominated
2021 The Nature of Things : "Pass the Salt"Nominated [24]
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2014 Don Haig Award Won [25]
Writers Guild of Canada 2015 WGC Screenwriting Awards: DocumentaryThe Nature of Things: "The Cholesterol Question"Won [26]
2019 CBC Docs POV : "Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit"Won [27]
2020 CBC Docs POV : "Pugly: A Pug's Life"Nominated [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Ciccoritti</span> Canadian director

Jerry Ciccoritti is a Canadian film, television and theatre director. His ability to work in a number of genres and for many mediums has made him a successful director.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Motion Picture to the best Canadian film of the year.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role to the best performance by a lead actor in a Canadian film. The award was first presented in 1968 by the Canadian Film Awards, and was presented annually until 1978 with the exception of 1969, when no eligible feature films were submitted for award consideration, and 1974 due to the cancellation of the awards that year.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television presents an annual award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role to the best performance by a lead actress in a Canadian film. The award was first presented in 1968 by the Canadian Film Awards, and was presented annually until 1978 with the exception of 1969, when no eligible feature films were submitted for award consideration, and 1974 due to the cancellation of the awards that year.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role to the best performance by a supporting actor in a Canadian film. The award was first presented in 1970 by the Canadian Film Awards, and was presented annually until 1978 with the exception of 1974 due to the cancellation of the awards that year.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role to the best performance by a supporting actress in a Canadian film. The award was first presented in 1970 by the Canadian Film Awards, and was presented annually until 1978 with the exception of 1974 due to the cancellation of the awards that year.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian film art direction/production design.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Dramatic Series. Formerly presented as part of the Gemini Awards program, since 2013 the award has been presented as part of the expanded Canadian Screen Awards.

Gary Harvey is a Canadian television director, writer and producer.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television presents an annual award for Best Comedy Series.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best leading performance by an actor in a Canadian television series. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television to the best leading performance by an actress in a Canadian television series. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonny Harris</span> Canadian actor and comedian

Jonathan Harris is a Canadian actor and comedian from Newfoundland and Labrador. Harris is best known for his roles in the television series Murdoch Mysteries, Still Standing and Hatching, Matching and Dispatching, as well as the films Young Triffie, Moving Day, and Grown Up Movie Star.

The Donald Brittain Award is a Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to honour the year's best television documentary on a social or political topic. Formerly presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards. The award may be presented to either a standalone broadcast of a documentary film, or to an individual full-length episode of a news or documentary series; documentary films which originally premiered theatrically, but were not already submitted for consideration in a CSA film category before being broadcast on television, are also considered television films for the purposes of the award.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in Comedy Series is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best leading performance by an actor in a Canadian television comedy series.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in Comedy Series is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best leading performance by an actress in a Canadian television comedy series.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Reality/Competition Series is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian reality television series. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series or Program is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best supporting performance by an actor in a Canadian dramatic television series or television film. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

The Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series or Program is an annual Canadian television award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best supporting performance by an actress in a Canadian dramatic television series or television film. Previously presented as part of the Gemini Awards, since 2013 it has been presented as part of the Canadian Screen Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Tattersall</span> Canadian sound editor

Jane Tattersall is a Canadian sound editor, most noted as a six-time Genie Award and Canadian Screen Award winner for Best Sound Editing.

References

  1. ↑ Gail Robertson, "Artcetera: Director that ate traditional film-making". Windsor Star , April 24, 1997.
  2. ↑ Gayle McDonald, "A movie only a Canadian could make". The Globe and Mail , October 1, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Owen Jones, "Playbill". Windsor Star , January 29, 1994.
  4. ↑ Ted Shaw, "Portrait brings out best in Cole". Windsor Star , January 5, 1993.
  5. ↑ "Review: ‘The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati’". Variety , October 14, 1996.
  6. ↑ Nelson Wyatt, "CBC gay special is comedy pure and simple". Canadian Press, June 18, 1998.
  7. ↑ Noelle Elia, "At Home With Markham Street Films". Point of View , April 1, 2004.
  8. ↑ Ted Shaw, "Little film house that could; Markham Street Productions celebrates 10 years of on-the-job training, patience, and a cockroach that ate a city". Windsor Star , February 4, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Documentary film recalls heyday of border-blaster radio". North Bay Nugget , April 1, 2004.
  10. ↑ Ted Shaw, "WIFF opener details demise of Polygram". Windsor Star , November 6, 2007.
  11. ↑ Ted Shaw, "Documentary seeks answers after dark". Windsor Star , September 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ Paul Cluff, "Stratford connections abound in 'The Nature of Things' premier tonight on CBC". Stratford Today , January 4, 2024.
  13. ↑ Maggie Parkhill, "Pugs Can Be 'Busy Little Lunatics'". Calgary Herald , January 7, 2019.
  14. ↑ John Haslett Cuff, "CBC offerings dominate first half of Gemini awards". The Globe and Mail , November 30, 1988.
  15. ↑ "Major Gemini Awards nominations". Toronto Star , September 22, 1999.
  16. ↑ Craig Pearson, "Documentaries have more hope, Gemini nominee says". Windsor Star , September 21, 2001.
  17. ↑ "Big 8 documentary wins Gemini for best history". Windsor Star , December 15, 2004.
  18. ↑ "The 2004 Gemini nominees". Playback , November 8, 2004.
  19. ↑ "The '06 nominees: Who will march up to the podium?". Playback , October 2, 2006.
  20. ↑ "The Gemini nominees are . . .". Playback , September 29, 2008.
  21. ↑ Ted Shaw, "McNamara gets Gemini nod". Windsor Star , October 22, 2009.
  22. ↑ Ted Shaw, "Local connection to Gemini nominations". Windsor Star , August 4, 2011.
  23. ↑ "26th Annual Gemini Awards". Tribute , September 7, 2011.
  24. ↑ Brent Furdyk, "Television Nominees Announced For 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Leads The Pack With 21 Nominations". ET Canada , March 30, 2021.
  25. ↑ Liam Lacey, "Belgian-Romanian, Canadian films take top prizes at Hot Docs". The Globe and Mail , May 2, 2024.
  26. ↑ Filipe Dos Santos, "Tony Elliot, Jason Leaver among WGC Award winners". Playback , April 28, 2015.
  27. ↑ Connie Thiessen, "Writers behind Schitt’s Creek, Cardinal, among winners at WGC Screenwriting Awards". Broadcast Dialogue, April 30, 2019.
  28. ↑ Kelly Townsend, "JANN, Coroner, Schitt’s Creek top WGC Award’s drama, comedy noms". Playback , March 6, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.