General Purpose Pictures marks its 5th anniversary year as a successful production company with significant expansion and an array of awards and nominations. The company recently appointed industry veteran, Tiina Soomet as Vice President of Operations and has promoted producer Josie Crimi to Head of Production.
“As the company positions itself for growth, we’re thrilled to be able to benefit from Ms. Soomet’s 30+ years experience in broadcast television here at GPP. Tiina will play an integral role in ushering GPP into our next stage of award-winning TV production,” states General Purpose Picture’s founder and executive producer, Scott Clark McNeil.
Tiina Soomet trained as an editor at the National Film Board of Canada and has well over 1,000 credits on major networks worldwide. In 1978 she established her own company, working with clients such as CBC, NFB, TVOntario, as well as with numerous independent production companies. She later branched out as an independent post production supervisor, producer, and supervising producer. As a producer, she worked closely with CHUM Television in a variety of senior management positions for over 10 years.
General Purpose Pictures is also proud to announce that producer Josie Crimi now assumes the senior role of Head of Production. McNeil adds, “With an aim of encouraging and promoting our core talent at General Purpose Pictures, we also congratulate Josie Crimi on her promotion. Josie will oversee all production aspects of our projects, while maintaining her on-going duties producing The Fix and The Heat.”
Josie Crimi began her career in commercial production with such companies as Revolver and Rave films. She then moved to the Factual Department at Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting to explore the world of documentary production. During this time she worked on several coproductions with producers and broadcasters worldwide. Next she moved into independent production, working on both domestic and international co-productions with several Toronto based production companies.
In July of 2005, Josie joined the team at General Purpose Pictures and has been feeding her passion for food and design ever since. She has produced numerous programs for GPP including the hit series for W – SAVE US FROM OUR HOUSE! and the Gemini nominated THE HEAT WITH MARK MCEWAN on the Food Network. She’s currently producing the new groundbreaking home reno show, THE FIX for HGTV.
In addition to the recent appointments at General Purpose Pictures, the company is also pleased to announce that one of its innovative television series THE HEAT WITH MARK MCEWAN (Food Network / Fine Living) won a Platinum Remi for Episode #1005 (INNISKILLIN) in the Lifestyle Category at the 2008 Worldfest Houston International Film & Video Festival. SAVE US FROM OUR HOUSE, also produced by General Purpose Pictures (WNetwork / American Life Network) won a Silver Remi Award in the Reality-Based Programs category for Episode #2015 (IT’S RAINING MEN) at the Festival. Worldfest is one of the oldest and largest film & video competitions in the world, with more than 4,500 category entries received from 37 countries.
General Purpose Pictures is presently in development of several new lifestyle and fun comedy series, and on groundbreaking commercial campaigns. In an industry that is changing every day, GPP remains in step with the future. General Purpose Pictures produces SAVE US FROM OUR HOUSE (W Network, American Life Network) currently in production for season three as well as THE HEAT WITH MARK MCEWAN (Food Network Canada, Fine Living) is in preproduction for its third season. General Purpose Pictures latest venture for HGTV, THE FIX premieres July 3rd, 2008.