Stephen Stohn
Encyclopedia
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born entertainment lawyer and television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
. He is the president of Epitome Pictures Inc., and is executive producer of the teen drama
Teen drama
A teen drama is a dramatic television series with a major focus on teenage characters. The genre was relatively non-existent for the first 45 years of television; it came into prominence in the early 1990s...
series Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
and Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
(starring Alexz Johnson
Alexz Johnson
Alexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
), and most recently the television movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a 2009 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. The movie premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009. It was directed by veteran Degrassi...
.
For nearly 20 years, until 2009, he was executive producer of the telecast of Canada's music awards show, The Juno Awards
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
, and during that period was a director and then Chair of Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is the organization responsible for conducting the Juno Awards, Canada's primary national musical honours...
, the organization responsible for The Juno Awards. He was also Chair of MusiCounts, a charity associated with the Juno Awards, which among other things distributes musical instruments to schools in need.
Stohn's most recent project is a television series with the working title "Highland Gardens", about young Canadians dreaming of fame and fortune while struggling to survive in an apartment-style hotel in Los Angeles.
Biography
Stohn's work in the entertainment industry commenced with part-time appearances as a performing artist, continuing with active work as a songwriter (including two songs that reached the Canadian Top-10, Maybe Your Heart and Once In A Long Time, co-written with Christopher WardChristopher Ward (songwriter)
Christopher William Ward is a Canadian songwriter and broadcaster, known as a former long-standing on-air personality at MuchMusic, Canada's music video network, where he and J.D. Roberts were among the first video jockeys in 1984...
), and a primary career as an entertainment and copyright lawyer since he was called to the Ontario Bar in 1979.
Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
(in Peterborough
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) had barely been built when Stohn first attended there. He helped found Trent's student newspaper, and gave it the unusual name Arthur
Arthur (newspaper)
Arthur is a Canadian student newspaper with a circulation of 3000 in Peterborough, Ontario. It is the official paper of the Trent University student body. Arthur is funded through a non-refundable levy from every full-time student at the university...
, which it is still called to this day. The name arose from the Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night
A Hard Day's Night (film)
A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. It was written by Alun Owen and originally released by United Artists...
when George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
is asked what his hairstyle is called, George replied simply "Arthur". When a friend asked what the student paper would be called, Stohn quipped "Arthur" and the name has carried on to this day.
Stohn helped found the radio station at Trent, now CFFF-FM
CFFF-FM
CFFF-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts at 92.7 FM in Peterborough, Ontario. Using the on-air name Trent Radio, its aims and objectives include producer-oriented programming and broad community participation for the production of creative local radio.-History:The station was founded...
, along with Peter Northrop and Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward (songwriter)
Christopher William Ward is a Canadian songwriter and broadcaster, known as a former long-standing on-air personality at MuchMusic, Canada's music video network, where he and J.D. Roberts were among the first video jockeys in 1984...
. In the early 1990s, he helped found the Songwriters Association of Canada
Songwriters Association of Canada
The Songwriters Association of Canada is a Canadian organization dedicated exclusively to Canadian composers, lyricists and songwriters. Their mission is to develop and protect the creative and business environments for songwriters in Canada and around the world.- Proposal to Monetize File Sharing...
along with Donna Murphy, Terry McManus and internationally acclaimed songwriter Eddie Schwartz
Eddie Schwartz
Eddie Schwartz is a Canadian musician and Juno Award winner who had moderate success as a recording artist in the early 1980s, before becoming a successful songwriter, and record producer in the late 1980s and the 1990s....
. Stohn has executive-produced two feature films, Me? and The Clown Murders
The Clown Murders
The Clown Murders is a 1976 horror film directed by Martyn Burke. It was one of the earliest films in which John Candy appears. The Executive Producer was Stephen Stohn, who now produces the Degrassi: The Next Generation TV series.-Plot:...
. He was also executive producer of Riverdale
Riverdale (TV series)
Riverdale is a Canadian prime time soap opera which ran for three seasons .The series was set in the Toronto community of Riverdale, which had the reputation of being home to many CBC employees at the time. It focused on a variety of characters and their interactions in everyday life...
, English Canada's first prime-time soap opera, and of the lifestyle TV series Savoir Faire (hosted by Nik Manojlovich) and Room Service
Room Service
Room service is an accommodation available at many hotels, whose employees bring food or other items to guests in their rooms.Room service may also refer to:- Music :...
(hosted by Sarah Richardson
Sarah Richardson
Sarah Richardson is a Canadian interior decorator and television personality who started out her career as a prop stylist in 1994. Since then, Richardson has hosted the design series' Room Service, Design Inc., Sarah's House and Sarah's Cottage for HGTV in Canada.-Personal life:Richardson was born...
).
In early 2000, Linda Schuyler
Linda Schuyler
Linda Schuyler, CM is a Canadian television producer involved in the creation of the Degrassi series and Instant Star series of teen programs...
and Yan Moore
Yan Moore
Yan Moore is best known as a writer for Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High and Degrassi:The Next Generation. He was also the creator and producer of Riverdale. He was nominated for a Gemini award in 1995 for Best Writer in a Dramatic Series in recognition of Road to Avonlea.-External links:...
were developing a new teen TV series with the working title Ready, Willing and Wired. One day Yan came up with the brainstorm that baby Emma, who was born to the then 8th-grade student Spike Nelson in Degrassi Junior High
Degrassi Junior High
Degrassi Junior High is a Canadian CBC Television teen drama series that was produced from 1987-1989 as part of the Degrassi series. The show followed the lives of a group of students attending the titular fictional school...
, would be the right age now to be attending high school, and why not make her a main character in Ready, Willing and Wired thus turning the new series into a sequel to the original Degrassi. Inspired by his love for the original Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
sci-fi TV series, which had spun into Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
, Stohn suggested Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
as the title for the new sequel series. By autumn 2001 the title remained, and Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
made its first appearance on air.
Stohn co-wrote the opening theme music for Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
with Jim McGrath and Jody Colero. He is also the executive producer of Alexz Johnson
Alexz Johnson
Alexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
's debut solo album Voodoo
Voodoo (Alexz Johnson album)
Voodoo is the debut studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alexz Johnson. The album was released on March 9, 2010 through Orange Lounge Recordings and inDiscover Recordings.-Writing and development:...
, and the executive producer of such soundtrack albums as Songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation
Songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation
This is a list of Degrassi soundtracks.-The N Soundtrack:Released following the fifth season, in 2006, The N Soundtrack contains songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation, including the first recording by Degrassi actor turned rapper Drake, and other shows airing on The N and CTV.-Music from...
, Songs from Instant Star
Songs from Instant Star
Songs from Instant Star is the soundtrack for the first season of the television series Instant Star. The entire album is sung by Alexz Johnson, who portrays the show's protagonist Jude Harrison....
, Songs from Instant Star Two, Songs from Instant Star Three and Songs from Instant Star Four. In the early stages of development of Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
, the first audition tape Stohn received was of Alexz Johnson
Alexz Johnson
Alexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
--he was convinced she was perfect for the lead role and no auditions or searches were necessary. But the company went forward auditioning hundreds of other potential actors and singers over a three-month period, only to return in the end to the first audition tape they had received: that of Alexz Johnson
Alexz Johnson
Alexzandra Spencer "Alexz" Johnson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Her debut album Voodoo was independently released on March 30, 2010....
.
Awards
- Stohn has been nominated 22 times in Canada's national television awards ceremony, the Gemini AwardGemini AwardThe Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
s, and has won 9 times.
- In August 2005, Stohn received a commendation from the Government of OntarioGovernment of OntarioThe Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
reading in part: "You are no stranger to Canadian show business, having worked, and excelled, in nearly all facets of the industry. You seem to have worn every possible hat—from performing artist to accomplished entertainment lawyer—and, in doing so, have amassed an incomparable wealth of knowledge and experience. Your skills and expertise have stood you in good stead, propelling you from success to success. Whether producing the internationally acclaimed television series Degrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
or playing a key role in the development of Epitome Pictures, you take on challenges in a manner appropriately echoed by the words of the legendary Samuel GoldwynSamuel GoldwynSamuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
: All opportunities in the world are waiting to grasped by people who are in love with what they are doing.'
- On March 10, 2011 he was inducted into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame.
Affiliations
Stohn is currently a Director of Orange Lounge Recordings / inDiscover Recordings, ISAN Canada, the Canadian Retransmission Collective, and Producers Audiovisual Collective of Canada. And for nine years he was a Director and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of Ontario Media Development Corporation as it moved from a strictly film-based mandate, to now assisting six different silos of the entertainment industry including music and digital.He has appeared on several occasions as an expert witness before the Copyright Board of Canada
Copyright Board of Canada
The Copyright Board of Canada is an economic regulatory body empowered to establish, either mandatorily or at the request of an interested party, the royalties to be paid for the use of copyrighted works, when the administration of such copyright is entrusted to a collective-administration society...
, and is a member and Past Chair of the Copyright and International Policy Committee of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association.
Legal background
Stohn's industry experience includes being a partner for 10 years in Canada's largest law firm, McCarthy TétraultMcCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is a law firm with offices in Canada’s major commercial centres and in London, UK. It provides business law, litigation, tax, real estate, and labour and employment law services....
. He graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law
University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Established in 1887, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law is one of the oldest professional faculties at the University of Toronto. The Faculty of Law is particularly renowned in the areas of corporate law, international law, law and economics, and legal theory.The law school has been...
(J.D. 1977) and Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
(B.A. 1969). He is a founding partner in the Canadian entertainment law firm Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP, where he provides strategic legal advice to performers, advertising agencies, merchandisers, recording artists, songwriters, multimedia/internet creators, broadcasters and film and television producers. He is one of seven entertainment lawyers named in the 2011 Lexpert American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.