After almost secretly collecting stamps in my passport for the past year for www.skysthelimittv.com the hosts have officially gone public with the travel series.
Last January a crew of 6 traveled to Australia to film a show we had a loose concept for. By the time we headed back to Canada we had decided what the world may enjoy is a series for Business Travelers, filmed in a documentary style, profiling cities that are Arts and Business centres, and looking at the people who live in them that are accomplishing things in their various fields.
Our vessel for this story was the only known component heading into this curious scenario. Our two hosts are talented young professionals who so often find themselves traveling the globe for various aspects of their careers. It became a perfect fit.
Levi is a composed character and a tactful businessman. He has found himself President of one of the only profitable pulp mills in BC due to its unique employee-owned model. We realize people don't get especially excited about pulp itself, but the concept of employee ownership is pretty exciting when we see how well its working. Through Levi's meetings around the world, the audience learns about business etiquette and other customs of the various countries.
Suzanne is probably pretty close to polar opposite from Levi, yet she seems to compliment him perfectly. Since she's traveling as a professional photographer, we see a less formal view of these cities and get further into the local lifestyle/ arts & culture side of things. She is the reason Levi doesn't travel like most lone business travelers: airport to hotel room. Suzanne brings him to see the must-see sights that tell us even more about the city, and any business traveler can fit into a limited schedule.
Suzanne also gets a chance to interview incredibly fascinating personalities as she shoots portraits of them for various purposes. Chefs, fashion designers, film producers, musicians all talk about the city they work in and their professional philosophy.
Monday's article was the cover page of the Nanaimo Daily News, was reprinted in the Times Colonist, the Province and several other blogs and publications. The only tragedy? The slugline: "Vancouver Island businessman and Maxim hottie in TV series"
I can't help but feel this is offensively sexist. Modeling is a part of this charming and talented young woman's CV but it's unfair to profile her in a way that sees that as all she is. She is so much more than beautiful, yet the headlines would rather craft another Pamela Anderson because it makes for better user generated comments online.
The other slugline they chose was: "Reality series based on young professionals."
At least they're both more accurately seen as young professionals, but it is not a reality series, nor is it solely based on them. According to the readers response comments, this also makes for good fodder as one person after another wonders why the world needs another reality show. I have to say that I strongly feel that the world does not need another reality show.
This is a very exciting stage as we build our online community of people around the world who are reaching for their dreams. Our trailer is now online and a longer demo will be released in early January. Our next episode we're filming will be in Toronto and Montreal in February, so please connect with us on our Facebook/Twitter/Linkedin on the website for live updates and opportunities.
