Colony Bay Press Releases

Publicity Stills   Courage Press Kit

August 5, 2013

COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE comes to Public Broadcasting through NETA

Original series set in pre-Revolutionary War New Hampshire begins airing in November, 2013

Colony Bay Productions and the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) have struck a deal to bring the independently produced period drama “Courage, New Hampshire” to public broadcasting affiliates in America.

The four part first season, depicting a period five years before the American Revolutionary War, features a quality cast of both British and American talent including Jim Tavaré (Harry Potter), Greg Martin (Mad Men), Joe Massingill (Trouble with the Curve) and veteran character actor Basil Hoffman (The Artist).

“We’re very happy to have a home in the public broadcasting system through NETA,” says James Riley, series creator and member of the cast (“Silas Rhodes”).   “Our show goes out of its way to depict human situations touching on the origins of the Bill of Rights, so there’s a strong educational component.”

While the drama is based on fictional characters and places in colonial New Hampshire, actual historical characters make their appearance as well, including New Hampshire governor John Wentworth, played masterfully by British Actor Napoleon Ryan.

“We’ve always felt quality period drama is the calling card of public broadcasting,” Riley says, “and we want to be part of that picture.”

NETA Contact Gayle Loeber (gayle@netaonline.org)
Colony Bay Contact:  Frances Mena (frances@colonybay.net)

March 18, 2013
(Link and Contacts)

Four-part Miniseries, COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE to Air Exclusively on INSP

Original series set in pre-revolutionary war era is scheduled to air on Memorial Day.

INSP has executed an exclusive agreement with Colony Bay Productions to air a four-episode miniseries entitled “COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.” The announcement was made today by Doug Butts, SVP of Programming for INSP in conjunction with James Riley, President of Colony Bay and creator of the series.

“We are very excited to make this announcement,” said Butts. “Original scripted dramas are going to play a significant role in INSP’s future programming strategy. COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE is an outstanding edition to our already strong programming line-up. With the overwhelming success of period shows like Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, North & South, etc., audiences will find COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE equally compelling. The series tells the story of pre-revolutionary war America that is both entertaining and historically accurate. And, it fits perfectly with the INSP brand.”

COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE is a dramatic series set in a small rural town on the western border of New Hampshire in the late 1700s. The production is the result of a passionate vision. The series’ director and executive producer, James Riley, is no stranger to the era. His Southern California farm, property belonging to his family for generations, is the site of weekly Revolutionary War reenactments.

“I was born in the wrong century,” laughs Riley. “Love of America has become a lifestyle for me and my family. We are passionate about our country’s past, beginning with the people and places that stood for freedom and the events that led to our independence. When I decided to write and produce a series, it just seemed natural. We already owned the period-authentic wardrobes and buildings (no plumbing or electricity) right here on the property. So we set about finding a cast, and it was gratifying to see so many talented actors anxious to be included. The rest is, well, history.”

The agreement has been in development for more than a year. When Butts met Riley, they began to discuss the possibility of airing COURAGE on INSP. They both felt that it was a natural fit, and, over the past couple of months, negotiations intensified.

Butts continued, “INSP is the perfect network for Jim’s production. Our viewers are fiercely loyal and deeply committed to our country and to the traditional family. COURAGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE embraces these same values. The series was written using stories painstakingly derived from historical documents and personal letters. The dedication and attention to detail by Jim, his cast and crew have resulted in one of the highest quality productions on this topic I’ve ever seen.”

For Jim, there was no question that this story needed to be told.

“The bald truth of the matter is that we don’t get enough of it,” said Riley. “A handful of feature films have been made about the American Revolution and very few about the formative years from Jamestown to Bunker Hill. America, even today, is still very much about those five generations who braved the New World in the fearful decades between Roanoke and Lexington. They were a sturdy lot of men and women who struggled to create and sustain a republic dedicated to the rare notion of individual freedom and ‘unalienable rights,’ a message still relevant today.”

The series will debut on INSP in its entirety on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th beginning at 7PM ET. An encore presentation is scheduled to air as a four-part miniseries on Tuesday – Friday, May 28-31, 2013 at 8PM ET and will feature one episode each night.

INSP is available in more than 73 million households across the U.S. via cable and DBS. Viewers can check their local program guides for channel information or visit http://www.insp.com.

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About The Inspiration Networks
The Inspiration Networks is a family of cable and satellite-delivered networks available to more than 155 million households worldwide. The flagship network, INSP, reaches more than 73 million U.S. households with a classic line-up of family entertainment and ranks among the fastest-growing basic cable networks in America. To learn more, visit http://www.insp.com.

About Colony Bay Productions
Colony Bay Productions is dedicated to telling the adventurous, heroic and exceptional story of America in a way that both challenges and inspires the audience. A small group of professional filmmakers, writers, actors and editors- the crew is committed to bringing high production standards and compelling stories to the public.

December 4, 2012

The American Revolution comes to PBS on KVCR this Christmas

Pasadena, CA— Colony Bay Productions announced today the television broadcast debut of its groundbreaking new mini-series, Courage, New Hampshire – The Road to Revolution.  Kicking off the Christmas holiday, the 4-night Revolutionary War saga is scheduled to premiere December 18^th at 8pm on PBS affiliate KVCR in Southern California.

Depicting the tumultuous years leading to American Independence, the independently-produced drama features an impressive cast of both British and American talent including Jim Tavaré (Harry Potter), Joe Massingill (Trouble with the Curve) and veteran character actor Basil Hoffman (The Artist).

Filmed entirely on location at Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen, California, the upstart serial has already attracted an online following of nearly 10,000 fans from around the country.

Executive Producer Jonathan Wilson notes, “PBS is known as the place to go for quality period drama, but it’s usually imported from Britain.  We think it’s time for a little ‘independence’ from Britain in this arena.  We’re looking to bring Downton Abbey quality to American programming.  It’s exciting to introduce this series on such a respected PBS affiliate.”

After the show’s Southern California debut, KVCR and Colony Bay will then offer the series to all PBS affiliates for re-broadcast and syndication in 2013.

About Colony Bay Productions

Based in Pasadena, California, Colony Bay is a producer and distributor of period programming with an emphasis on the American experience.   Drawing on the backlot production facilities of Riley’s Farm in Oak Glen, Colony Bay brings a distinctively expensive look to the independent production world.  Colony Bay fans can watch all of their productions on line at colonybay.net.

About KVCR

Celebrating its 50th year of independent broadcast in Southern California, and the official PBS affiliate in this area, KVCR is happy to bring quality independent historic drama to the screen.   With a broadcast signal covering Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties,  KVCR reaches millions of Southern Californians and is also carried on Dish Network and DirectTV.  It also has the distinction of being the first public  television station in Southern California.

Contact

For more information about this television broadcast debut, please contact

Monique Lewis

Marketing Coordinator

119 E Union Street Pasadena, Ca. 91103

monique@colonybay.net

626-792-1762

May 1, 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: IndieMarketing 323.428.9075
tracy@indiemarketing.com

 Digital television series “Courage, New Hampshire” launches Episode 3
on May 7, 2012 via digital streaming from the official website.

First independently produced digital television series self-financed
by an online fan base.

April 30, 2012 (Pasadena, CA) – Digital television series, Courage, New Hampshire, Season 1 Episode 3, “A Snake in the Garden” launches Monday, May 7, 2012 with digital streaming available solely from the official website www.couragenewhampshire.com.

Courage New Hampshire is a successful fan supported, and financed, digital television series with an online following of thousands of fans that eagerly anticipate the release of each new episode.  “Our global digital fan base is organically growing week after week, by positive reviews in the blogosphere and word of mouth to groups of individuals in search of quality programming, who are willing to look outside of traditional television distribution channels for content.  We are thrilled to discover that our self-distribution model is a success and believe it is the next wave of television content delivery,” comments producer Jonathan Wilson.

Synopsis: Tavern keeper and justice of the peace Silas Rhodes (James Riley), alongside British deserter Bob Wheedle (Nathan Kershaw) lead a band of rebel underground soldiers known as “The Sons of Liberty,” in acts of mid-night justice against royal officials attempting to enforce unpopular law, in the pre-revolutionary New England township, Courage, New Hampshire.  Tales depicting daily life in this 18^th century early American township mixed with the turmoil of pre-revolutionary war in accurate detail, provide a storyline filled with intrigue, politics, family-life and romance in this colonial period drama series. Episode 3 stars Isabelle Gardo, Max Horner, Nathan Kershaw, Greg Martin, Alex Oliver, Lorraine Pope, Jonathan Salisbury, and Donal Thoms-Capello.

Season 1 of Courage, New Hampshire will conclude with three additional episodes by the end of the year.  The season (Episodes 1-6, approx. 60 minutes each) will then be distributed via traditional methods as a boxed DVD set to reach the segment of the audience beyond the digital realm that have not yet converted.

A private screening of Courage, New Hampshire, Episode 3, “A Snake in the Grass,” will be held on Sunday, May 6, 6:00 pm for cast, crew and special guests, at Krikorian Theater in Monrovia.  We invite you and your associates to attend, see the film in front of a live audience (of fans) and meet the cast and crew.  Interviews are welcome and can be pre-arranged. If you would like to screen and review Episodes 1 or 2 please contact our publicist for a digital key to unlock the stream from the website.

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Contact: Tracy Balsz/Publicist

323.428.9075  tracy@indiemarketing.com

February 17, 2012 — Crowd Funding the Road to Revolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frances Mena, 626.792.1762

PASADENA, CA – February 17, 2012 — Colony Bay Entertainment announced today that principal photography on the third installment of their dramatic series “Courage, New Hampshire: The Road to Revolution” will start on Monday, February 20th at Riley’s American Heritage Farm in Oak Glen, CA.

“Courage” made headlines last June when it was touted as being the “tea party TV series”, but according to writer/creator James Riley, the show is finding an audience across the political spectrum.  “People just want intelligent entertainment,” Riley said, “without the sound of a politically correct axe being ground all the time.”  Executive Producer Jonathan Wilson is quick to point out, “Politics has a tendency to divide, but good story can bring people together in a powerful way… and contrary to popular belief, we aren’t getting any checks from the Koch brothers.”

Riley believes there’s a reason people love period drama.  “Our lives are pretty clean and painless and insulated today,” he says.  “Eighteenth century America was relentlessly idealistic.  Bravery had to be demonstrated, honor kept unsullied and loved ones protected, sometimes at the end of a gun barrel. You want drama?  Put a rope around a man’s neck for counterfeiting.  That’s drama.”

The upstart production company is turning to a revolutionary source of funding for Episode 3 – the audience.  Through a ‘crowd-funding’ page on IndieGoGo.com, grassroots supporters can make contributions in return for ‘perks’ which range from DVDs and premiere tickets to walk-on roles in future episodes.  “We’re really excited about the possibilities of crowd-funding,” said Wilson, “Entertainment dollars are hard to come by these days, and it makes better sense to go straight to the public.”

“Courage, New Hampshire” is the tale of a shire town on the western border of New Hampshire in the years prior to the Revolutionary War.  The ensemble cast features an array of talented up-and-comers and veterans such as Basil Hoffman who appears in this year’s Academy Award favorite, “The Artist”.

To request an interview and/or set visit, please contact Frances Mena at (626) 792-1762 or info@colonybay.net.

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