Program Overview

Taking it Off hits the road again as we follow our characters on a roller coaster ride of craving - crashes,plateaus,binges,bulges,and triumphant success in their weight loss journeys! Six contenders from very different backgrounds with a wide range of weight loss goals step into the ring for another season of high stakes drama. A young man who's desperate to reclaim his dreams of playing pro football takes on the biggest challenge in terms of sheer numbers, but our "smallest participant" a 40ish single mother on the verge of bankruptcy, may have the most to lose if she reverts to her old compulsion of bulimia. A beautiful and wealthy plus-size model may seem to have it all, but needs to prove to herself and her family that she can take off the weight once and for all. A young paramedic is inspired by family history too - he knows he's battling a family disposition toward diabetes. Finally, the two participants who seem bound for controversy: a wildly opinionated party girl who claims she wants to learn moderation, and a late-blooming stand-up comedian who wants to lose weight so he can meet the right girl.

Taking if Off won a Gemini Award for Best Lifestyle/General Interest series in its second season (2003) and has received thousands of heartfelt e-mails over the last two years from viewers responding to our stories, the desire to create a new self strikes a chord in all of us. Taking It Off's website offers viewers an opportunity to track the participants' progress, pick up weight loss tips and connect with others who are fighting the good fight. Visit us at www.takingitoffonline.com and join the journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

"Thanks to you and all of the participants for letting us share in your struggles. Most viewers live all of the difficulties that we see you going through, so we feel very connected to you. We tune in for a little inspiration in our own weight loss treks and are overwhelmed when you touch our hearts too."
an email to Elise (TIO Season II) from Mo in Ottawa, ON (4/26/2003)


Taking It Off Development Team

Margaret Mardirossian - Producer As President of Anaïd Productions, Margaret has produced 52 episodes of the award-winning Family Channel entertainment series, Mentors, screened in 105 countries. She also produced 39 episodes of the comedy travel series, The Tourist, which aired on Outdoor Life Network, the Travel Channel in the US and UK and in numerous other countries around the world.

Margaret produced and directed the documentary, Ronnie Burkett: A Line of Balance, winner of the Canadian Conference for the Art's Rogers Communications national award for most innovative documentary. She has also directed episodes of Mentors.

Margaret volunteers her time and experience by sitting on a number of industry related boards, such as the Alberta Economic Development Authority (Finance and Taxation committee) from 1997- 2000 and the Canadian Independent Film and Television Fund from 1996 - 2001. Currently, she is on the Board of Governors of The Banff Centre and is a member of the Board of the Alberta Film Commission. She served as president of the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association (AMPIA) from 1996-1998 and is presently VP North.

In 2000, Margaret was recognized for her accomplishments and was honoured as a "Woman of Vision" on Global Television.

Neil Grahn - Creative Producer & Director
Neil Grahn has directed more than forty episodes of nationally broadcast television. His credits range from straight-up comedy (Comics! for CBC) to hard hitting documentaries (X-Change for CBC Newsworld's Rough Cuts). He has also written and directed for international broadcasters such as National Geographic, Life Network, CBC, Travel Channel USA, and TLC. Neil's writing/directing credits this past year include the series $100 Taxi Ride and the CBC special, Western Alienation Comedy Hour.

Connie Edwards - Director
As a producer/director, Connie Edwards counts the documentaries Cut To Pieces, Listening to Soul Pain and The Lullaby Lady among her credits. She is producer/writer of the documentary Who Is Watching the Children? and co-producer of the 26 part series RIP Great Cemeteries of the World. A passionate champion of the film and television industry, Connie is the president of the Alberta Motion Pictures Industry Association and has served as a juror for numerous provincial and national awards programs. She has also mentored many up-and-coming filmmakers.

Lisa Cawte-Baker - Supervising Producer
Lisa Cawte-Baker has recently come from "across the pond" to "Big Sky" country and brings with her a British Higher National Diploma in Media and more than 17 years experience in the television industry. Her credits include Production Manager on such projects as the documentary One in Three for the World Health Organization and sports specials such as Kurt Browning's Gotta Skate. Lisa is no stranger to new media and technologies, having worked as a Production Manager on cutting edge projects such as NOW.com for PCC/TWI.

Mike Ouellette - Director of Photography/Camera
Mike has been a freelance cameraman since 1988, when he worked for the Calgary Winter Olympics/ABC Sports. Since then, he has worked as a director of photography for commercials, including Edmonton Transit, General Motors, the Edmonton Oilers, Epcor, the University of Alberta and Capital City Savings.

His other credits include award-winning music videos, and documentary and television projects such as Barcelona กฏ92, The Tourist, and Music For A New World. Mike has also shot many corporate, promotional and motivational programs over the last 10 years.

Jamie Kidd - Sound
Jamie has traveled the world as a location sound recordist for such television projects as Going Home to Jamaica, Tickling the Dragon's Tail, The Millionaire's Club, The End of Evolution, The Tourist, Spy Tek and In My Own Time. He operated boom on the series North of 60 and Jake and the Kid and was ADR recording engineer on the films Road to Saddle River and Angel Square.

In addition to his film and television work, Jamie has over 30 years professional experience as a musician, recording with such artists as kd lang, Cindy Church, "Big" Miller and Jerusalem Ridge. He is also a record producer, winning the Alberta Recording Industries Association "Producer of the Year" in 1993. Jamie is the producer for the syndicated radio program, the Alberta Music Project and the technical producer for CKUA Radio.

Sophie Mardirossian - Editor
Sophie is an editor and producer with numerous writing, directing and producing credits in television commercials and programs. Her work on the EASY-FM commercial was nominated for an ACE (Advertising Club of Edmonton) Award. Sophie produced the 2000 Annual Alberta Film & Television Awards and has assisted in numerous music videos, industrials, training videos and edited short dramatic videos.

Paul Plakas - Trainer
With 12 years of personal training behind him, Paul strives to make every workout a memorable experience. He takes every opportunity to educate the public, and has appeared on a number of local news and morning shows to share his knowledge and experience. His regular appearance on ITV, CFRN, Global and Access networks have made him one of Alberta 's best known personal trainers. His program strives to create healthy lifestyles by balancing and integrating nutrition, resistance training, cardiovascular health, proper movement mechanics and participation in sports.

Jeff Woods - Trainer
A former track and field athlete, Jeff Woods has 12 years of experience as a personal trainer. Jeff is involved is promoting fitness, sitting on the Advisory Board of Alberta's fitness magazine, Impact , and acting as a Fitness Lifestyle Commentator for the Canadian Learning Channel. Jeff has also made appearances on other nationally televised programs such as CBC's Rough Cuts with Colin MacLean. In his spare time, Jeff can be found on the golf course or pursuing his hobbies of wine, art and photography.

Taking It Off is produced by Anaid Productions in association with Life Network Inc. and with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund, the CTF: Licence Fee Program, Telefilm Canada: Equity Investment Program, the Alberta Film Development Program of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Government of Canada Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program and the CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund.

Credits

Alliances

	Anaïd Productions	www.anaid.com
	Life Network	www.lifenetwork.com
	Discovery UK	www.discoverychannel.co.uk

Taking It Off is produced with the financial participation of

Canadian Television Fund created by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cable industry CTF: License Fee Program

The Alberta Film Development Program of The Alberta Foundation For The Arts

Government of Canada - Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program

CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund