THE CHRONICLE - Friday March 11, 2005

Reality TV show comes to Dominica
Canadian series “Prenup Challenge” set to shoot from March 10

Efforts to develop the film industry on the island has again borne fruit, as it was announced officially on Monday that the Canadian reality television series “Prenup Challenge” will be shot on location in Dominica.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the offices of Link International Productions, the local television production and PR firm slated to provide services in production and location management for the filming of the TV series. Scheduled to begin shooting from March 10 to 19 of this year, the film will take the form of six half-hour episodes, to run over six consecutive weeks from July 11 on Vision TV in Canada.

In explaining the concept behind the series, Executive Producer and Director of “Prenup Challenge,” James Musselman, said, “We take three engaged couples and run them through a tense, pre-marriage preparation, engagement compatibility. With the help of three relationship therapists (i.e. relationship experts) we hope to enlighten our couples in order to help them avoid the pitfalls that they may encounter during their life together.” Therapy exercises and “extreme challenges” will form part of the series of trials the couples will be put through. The producers hope to play a part in changing the “culture of divorce” through the enlightenment expected to come out of the show. The choice to shoot the show in Dominica is generating much excitement among the TV series’ producers and local officials. Link International representative Jessica Canham said, “It’s a really exciting opportunity for local production personnel to work alongside a Canadian team.” Twenty locals will work directly as part of the film’s production team, in a variety of areas ranging from camerawork to make-up artists. Savarin went on to comment, “We believe that the concessions that we’re giving will be more than balanced by what we expect will be the promotional benefits that will be derived.” Joan Jenkinson, director of programming at Vision TV and “Prenup Challenge” Executive Director in charge of production, emphasized her company’s focus on spirituality and not ratings in producing the series, which she believes will distinguish it. “Our number one objective is not to exploit people. It really is to enhance the relationships of the couples who are involved, and talk to the audience of the sanctity of marriage...” The production will be shot in several areas across the island, with the film crews and participants based at Jungle Bay Resort and La Maison on the east coast. The Vision TV network reaches 7.5 million viewers across Canada.