VA February Update!

Hello Moonies! This flu is still biting at me with it's last few withered splinters, but I am finally well enough to catch up with Sailor Moon news! I've also been busy with a new job in web site creation, so that has also kept me from doing things for Moon Chase. But now things are a bit easier with reading week ahead of me! I want to take this time to thank The Me again for getting the new commercials channel set up on imeem and for uploading several weeks worth of commercials for you all!

Stephanie Morgenstern’s Pilot Picked Up By Major US Network!

As of last week, the Writers Guild of America’s strike had ended. However, before that, networks were faced with a problem, should the strike have carried on for longer. What were they to do about the upcoming television season? Many turned to Canada, where the writers were not on strike, and signed deals with many Canadian television productions. One such production was one that we have been following since last fall, Flashpoint (A.K.A. Sniper and Critical Incident). Stephanie Morgenstern (Sailor Venus #1) and her husband, Mark Ellis, created the show and are also writers for it! We are incredibly happy that finally, fans across the border can also catch this sighting, as CBS is the lucky network who has picked up the first season’s 13 episodes! Most times, a former VA will appear on a Canadian television show and their fans in the United States are unable to catch them - unless a pilgrimage is made to Canada! Flashpoint is the first series since Due South to be sold to a US network! The show has been in development since 2005 and got the greenlight for a pilot last summer. CTV greenlighted the drama last December. CTV has put a video preview of the show on their site, however the link appears to be broken as it takes you to a video of Canada AM. We will as always, keep you informed on future developments of this show! According to a press release, Flashpoint is about "an emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the SRU (inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force). They're unique cops that can do what ordinary cops can't: rescue hostages, bust gangs, defuse bombs, climb the sides of buildings and talk down suicidal teens. Members of a highly-skilled tactical team, they're also trained in negotiating, profiling and getting inside the suspect's head at the very emotional breaking point (the "flashpoint") that triggered the crisis. They'll do whatever it takes to diffuse the situation to try to save lives - all in a day's work." Congratulations again to Stephanie and Mark!

Emilie-Claire Barlow Nominated for a Juno!

A few days ago, Emilie-Claire Barlow (Sailors Mars and Venus #2) celebrated on her blog by announcing that she had been nominated for a Juno Award - Canada's equivalent of the Grammy! Last summer's The Very Thought Of You is currently nominated for Vocal Jazz Album Of The Year. The awards will be handed out on April 6th in Calgary, and will be televised on CTV. We wish Emilie-Claire the best of luck! Emilie-Claire has also been nominated for a National Jazz Award (for Female Vocalist of the Year)! Fans can have their say in these awards by voting for their favorite. Reg Schwager, a jazz guitarist who has also played with her, has also been nominated for three awards, Guitarist of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Instrumentalist of the Year! Click here to vote! And for those of you who still haven't heard Emilie-Claire's music here, here are links to iTunes, Snocap, and Fusion III. Emilie-Claire just returned from a trip to Japan and fans can read all about it at her blog!


Charlie Bartlett Finally to be Released!

Nearly a year ago, we reported of a new movie featuring David Fraser (Grandpa Hino), In just five days, this comedy will finally be released in theaters! We are happy that finally a release date has been announced and we really look forward to seeing this comedy about a teenager who becomes a kind of psychiatrist to his school mates. Fans can check out a trailer here at Apple, or the movie's official site.

Go North American VAs! This is truly your biggest year YET!!