Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal was a Canadian sci-fi/drama television series which was filmed in and around Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and aired 88 episodes from 1996 to 2000. The presense of Dan Aykroyd opening and closing every episode and emphasizing the legitimacy of the organization it was inspired by, led many viewers to take it as a documentary, but it was in fact a scripted drama.

1 Plot summary
2 Main cast
3 Credits
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Plot summary

The series is hosted by Dan Aykroyd who presents dramatic stories inspired by the paranormal investigations of the "Office of Scientific Investigation and Research" (O.S.I.R.).

While beginning as a vignette show, it eventually developed into more of a serial, along the lines of X-Files. Season I consists of two half hour unlinked stories which were mostly shot handheld and featured a large rotating cast of OSIR Investigators. Seasons II and III are more of a classically structured one hour drama (albeit without a big budget), and they introduced Matt Frewer as the new Case Manager and Michael Moriarty as a decidedly paranoid, rogue agent. Frewer, Moriarity, much of the cast and the Executive Producer/showrunner James Nadler left the series shortly after the conclusion of Season III. The fourth and final season introduces the character of Mia Stone and often plays as a parody of Season I.

A 'tween series, The Zack Files, more gently spoofed the series. It featured the work of Psi Factor writers and directors and cameos by Colin Fox.

[edit] Main cast

Paul Miller .... Professor Connor Doyle (1996-97)
Nancy Anne Sakovich .... Lindsay Donner
Joanne Vannicola .... Mia Stone (1999-2000)
Matt Frewer .... Matt Praeger (1997-1999)
Barclay Hope .... Peter Axon
Colin Fox .... Anton Hendricks
Nigel Bennett .... Frank Elsinger
Soo Garay .... Dr. Claire Davison
Peter McNeil .... Ray Donahue
Peter Balis .... L.Q. Cooper
Dan Aykroyd .... Host

[edit] Credits

The series was produced by Alliance Atlantis Communications (then called Atlantis Films Limited), distributed in Canada by CanWest Global Communications and by Eyemark Entertainment in the United States.

C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures produced the special effects.

The series was created by Christopher Chacon, Peter Aykroyd and Peter Ventrella

Executive Producers: James Nadler, Seaton McLean, Christopher Chacon and Peter Aykroyd.

Principal writers: Will Dixon, Damien Kindler, Rob Cooper (Season I), James Nadler, Tracey Forbes, Sarah Dodd and Ricky Drew.

Principal directors: Craig Pryce, Clay Borris, Giles Walker, Ron Oliver, Steven Williams.