BAKER’S DOZEN – a televised play

Baker’s Dozen is a solo comedy stage show I directed:  one actor transformed one puppet into 12 members of a jury.  We worked hard on finessing on the actor’s ability to switch instantly between 12 different comedic characters using changes of voice and physicality as a source of comedy.  The transitions were fully visible, and care was taken to make them both lyrical and funny.

Critical praise for the play included:

“Director Nicole Stamp handles the scene transitions skilfully.” – NOW.

“Wonderful voice acting!” – Mooney on Theatre.

“A tour-de-force performance!” – Crew Magazine.

“Hilarious… the audience was thrilled!” – Xtra.

“Unexpectedly subversive… Best of the Fringe!” – Torontoist.

“Top Pick of the Fringe!” – CBC.

The play was then picked up and filmed for TV broadcast, by Bell Media.

The play also recieved two Broadway World Award nominations: “Best Breakout Performance” and “Best Fringe Play”.

Role:  Theatre director, Voice director.

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The Bad Mother – Feature Film

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Feature film: Just how the hell is a mother supposed to keep her kids and her career alive?  A comedy by Pollinator Films.

Roles: Production Manager & First Assistant Director for the final three blocks of shooting.

My job: to cast and direct 160+ background actors, in 10+ locations, including a nightclub scene with 50+ partygoers, and a rally scene involving 80+ parents & their very excitable kids.

Also took on some responsibilities in the areas of logistics, transport, food, wardrobe, propmaking, and art direction.  Indie film is fun that way!

TVO KIDS – TVOntario

TVO Kids is a live-to-air interstitial TV show. It’s broadcast live, with no air delay.

I was a director there for 6 years, and in total have directed over 450 segments, each about 1-2 minutes long.

Multi-camera control room (4 cameras), with 2 hosts, multiple guests, live callers.

The playful format involves many extra elements, including roll-ins, video effects, sound effects, chromakey, chyron, wipes, splitscreen, etc.  A typical segment used a special effect every 5-10 seconds.

This show is 30% scripted and 70% improvised, then shot live-to-air, with a segment going live every 5-30 minutes, all afternoon.  In between these live segments, we also pre-taped and packaged other projects.  It’s a delicate ballet- or a bit chaotic.  Fun!

Role:  Director / Producer (PD2)

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ENVIROGIRL – TVOntario

EnviroGirl is a comedic superhero who teaches kids about the importance of conservation. Season 4 was a 10-episode live-action miniseries, with a 7-character storyline, interwoven with comic book panels and voice-over, and each episode included a funny interview with a school-age environmental expert.

nicole stamp david suzukiEnviroGirl was highly praised by prominent Canadian environmental activist and broadcaster David Suzuki, who guest-starred with EnviroGirl in a previous season. Suzuki was the Environmental Yoda to EnivroGirl’s Recycling Jedi, and he even wore a golden cape.

Role, all seasons:  Series lead – EnviroGirl, Character concept.

Role, Season 4 (10 eps):  Writer, Researcher, Post-production Supervisor, Voice Director. enviro