A new Chilliwack TV series, In the Hot Seat with DW, will get up close and personal with local and international talent from actors, artists, comedians and others in the entertainment industry.
“We want to highlight who they are, not what they do. That’s the slant that this show is focussing on,” says host and co-producer Debbie Walker.
“When I moved here nine years ago, I felt that the community needed to do something for itself — create its own little ambience onscreen.”
So, two years ago she approached Jonathan Horst at Shaw TV and inquired about creating a new show. It took about a year for it to come to fruition.
Horst, who’s also the other producer, and Walker filmed the first episode last spring. It took a while to get all of their ducks in a row, relying on the community for support with editing, a filming location, music, and more. They’re also hoping to get a local sponsor for the show.
“These are all things in part of the process you go through. Because I’ve been a producer before, that’s beneficial because I do know what you have to do,” says Walker. “I do know how hard of work it is. I do know what it’s like lining up clients. I’ve represented clients that have gotten on Breakfast Television, Entertainment Tonight, and done all of that, so I know what I need to have as guests for myself.”
In the Hot Seat With DW is filmed at Bozzini’s Upstairs Lounge. Her first interviewee was comedian David C. Jones. He was the entertainment manager for the Olympics in Whistler. He’s based out of Vancouver, but performs internationally.
Walker also interviewed Uwe Boll, a filmmaker, producer, director, and Vancouver restaurateur. And most recently, she sat down with Chilliwack’s Jim Kolisnyk, a hobby farmer and ghost buster.
The 15-minute show will feature clips and elements of the guest’s performances and work as an introduction to them. Then they take to the chairs where Walker investigates what makes them tick, how they got to where they are, and where they’re going now.
It’s not about ‘coming to a theatre near you’, it’s about the person, their lives, their aspirations. It’s about showcasing the individual and not their job, says Walker.
“There’s always little back stories,” she adds. “I want to be Ellen of Chilliwack. Ultimately, I would love to do a live show here with an audience. That’s my goal.”
Walker has been in the film industry for more than 30 years. She is currently president of Translucent Publicity, located here in Chilliwack.
“I’ve been in the industry for a long time and because of that I know so many people. I usually keep in touch with them, so that why I’ve been able to maintain those friendships over the course of the years,” she says.
The catchy, techno-pop theme song for In the Hot Seat With DW was collaborated with Juno nominee Peter Foldy and award-winning composer Imre Czomba.
“When I moved here, I was determined to work in the community. I’m happy to do this to keep the work in the community, and let everybody know they can tune in and turn on.”
In the Hot Seat with DW airs this Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. on Shaw TV. The show will be aired throughout the week several times a day. After that, you can catch it on YouTube.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the show can contact: president@dwhotseat.com, or 604-392-7897. For more, go to www.dwhotseat.com.
