"PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal" (1996) TV series 1996-2000

Creators:

Peter Aykroyd
Christopher Chacon
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

10 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A team of scientific researchers belonging to a scientific group that investigates reports of paranormal phenomena...

Plot Keywords:

Paranormal Phenomena | Paranormal Investigation | Babe Scientist | Acronym In Title | Scientific Investigation

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Dan Aykroyd	...	Himself (88 episodes, 1996-2000)
Nancy Anne Sakovich	...	Lindsay Donner (87 episodes, 1996-2000)
Barclay Hope	...	Peter Axon (85 episodes, 1996-2000)
Colin Fox	...	Professor Anton Hendricks (70 episodes, 1996-2000)
Matt Frewer	...	Matt Prager (49 episodes, 1997-1999)
Soo Garay	...	Dr. Claire Davison / ... (38 episodes, 1996-2000)

Series Directed by
John Bell		(18 episodes, 1996-2000)
Ron Oliver		(12 episodes, 1998-2000)
Clay Borris		(9 episodes, 1997-1999)
Giles Walker		(8 episodes, 1996-1999)
Milan Cheylov		(6 episodes, 1996-1997)
Stephen Williams		(6 episodes, 1997-1999)
Allan Kroeker		(5 episodes, 1996)
Craig Pryce		(5 episodes, 1997-1998)
Luc Chalifour		(4 episodes, 1998-2000)
Marc F. Voizard		(3 episodes, 1996-1997)
Ross Clyde		(3 episodes, 1997-1999)
Ken Girotti		(3 episodes, 1997)
Will Dixon		(2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Bruce Pittman		(2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Randy Bradshaw		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Aaron Shuster		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Writing credits
Peter Aykroyd		(88 episodes, 1996-2000)
Christopher Chacon		(88 episodes, 1996-2000)
Damian Kindler		(17 episodes, 1996-2000)
Will Dixon		(16 episodes, 1996-2000)
James Nadler		(10 episodes, 1996-1999)
Larry Raskin		(9 episodes, 1996-2000)
Rick Drew		(8 episodes, 1997-2000)
Sherman Snukal		(5 episodes, 1996-1997)
Andrea Moodie		(5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Robert C. Cooper		(4 episodes, 1996-1997)
Ian Weir		(3 episodes, 1996-1997)
John Dolin		(3 episodes, 1997-1999)
Tracey Forbes		(3 episodes, 1997-1998)
Sarah Dodd		(3 episodes, 1998-2000)
Richard Oleksiak		(2 episodes, 1996-1997)
Alex Pugsley		(2 episodes, 1997-1998)
C.D. Frewer		(2 episodes, 1998-1999)
F.J. Kennedy		(2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Paula J. Smith		(2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Gerald Wexler		(1 episode, 1996)
Tom Horn		(unknown episodes)
Michael Moriarty		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Peter Aykroyd	....	executive producer (88 episodes, 1996-2000)
Christopher Chacon	....	executive producer / producer (88 episodes, 1996-2000)
Larry Raskin	....	creative producer (unknown episodes, 1999)
Bradley Anderson	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Mack Anderson	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
John Calvert	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Will Dixon	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Rick Drew	....	consulting producer (unknown episodes)
Matt Frewer	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Damian Kindler	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Jan Peter Meyboom	....	producer (unknown episodes)
James Nadler	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
David N. Rosen	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Robert Duncan		(unknown episodes)
Louis Natale		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Adam Swica		(25 episodes, 1997-1998)
John Holosko		(unknown episodes)
Michael McMurray		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Rob MacKinnon		(14 episodes, 1998-2000)
Brett Sullivan		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Paul Weber		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Gordon Barnes		(unknown episodes)
Jacques M. Bradette		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
David Hirschfield		(22 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Set Decoration by
Justin Craig		(22 episodes, 1996-1997)

Series Makeup Department
Allan Cooke	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)
Susan Exton-Stranks	....	personal hair stylist: Dan Aykroyd (unknown episodes)
Rose-Mary Gubala	....	key makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Frederick London	....	assistant hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Sean Sansom	....	special makeup effects artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Paul Ackerley	....	post-production supervisor (44 episodes, 1997-1999)
David Cooke	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes, 1999-2000)
Sherri Saito	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Greg Edmunds	....	trainee assistant director (16 episodes, 1999-2000)
Genevieve Anthony	....	trainee assistant director (4 episodes, 1997)
Michael J. Bowman	....	first assistant director: second unit (unknown episodes)
Luc Chalifour	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Ross Clyde	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Derby Crewe	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Trevor Fischer	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)
Lorraine M. Kearsey	....	trainee assistant director (unknown episodes)
Erin Walker	....	third assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Jim Lambie	....	sets buyer (66 episodes, 1997-2000)
Tamara Andrews	....	scenic painter (15 episodes, 1998-1999)
Malcolm Byard	....	lead dresser (12 episodes, 1997-1998)
Rick Gilbert	....	lead dresser (unknown episodes)
Greg Lev	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
Stephen Levitt	....	property master (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Mark McNeilly	....	boom operator (26 episodes, 1998-1999)
Steve Kostick	....	first assistant dialogue editor (21 episodes, 1999-2000)
Eric Apps	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Rob Bertola	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
Steph Carrier	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Christian T. Cooke	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Dan Daniels	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Jack Heeren	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Sean Kelly	....	adr editor / dialogue editor (unknown episodes)
Martin Lee	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Angie Pajek	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Dale Sheldrake	....	adr editor / dialogue editor (unknown episodes)
John Douglas Smith	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
Matthew Stark	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Paul Virostek	....	assistant sound editor (unknown episodes)
Randy Wilson	....	adr mixer / foley recordist (unknown episodes)
David Yonson	....	adr recordist / foley recordist (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Tim Good	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)
Darren Marsman	....	special effects assistant (unknown episodes)
Laird McMurray	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)
Jeff Skochko	....	special effects foreman (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Brian A. Smeets	....	digital artist (44 episodes, 1996-1998)
Kelvin Kanagaraj	....	visual effects and animation (22 episodes, 1998-1999)
Bret Culp	....	visual effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Nick Hsieh	....	digital compositor (unknown episodes)
Michael Kowalski	....	3D animator (unknown episodes)
Ray McMillan	....	visual effects (unknown episodes)
Michael Wile	....	3D animator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Regan Moore	....	stunt performer (44 episodes, 1997-2000)
Billy Oliver	....	stunt double (6 episodes, 1996-1997)
Robert C. Shannon	....	dive supervisor (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
Herb Reischl Jr.	....	stunt double (1 episode, 1997)
Brittney Banks	....	stunt actor (unknown episodes)
Leigh Bianco	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Matt Birman	....	stunt performer (unknown episodes)
Tommy Chang	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Shelley Cook	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
Joe Lalogga	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Steve Lucescu	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Darren Marsman	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Layton Morrison	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Edward A. Queffelec	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Robert Racki	....	stunt actor (unknown episodes)
Peter Szkoda	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Drake Thorens	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Colin Hoult	....	camera operator (42 episodes, 1997-1999)
Sara Pickett	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera (22 episodes, 1996-1997)
Brad Vos	....	first assistant camera: 'a' camera (22 episodes, 1996-1997)
Martin Julian	....	cinematographer: show opening (22 episodes, 1997-1998)
Cudah Andarawewa	....	first assistant camera (21 episodes, 1996-2000)
François Balcaen	....	best boy grip (20 episodes, 1996-2000)
Paul Michel	....	best boy lighting (12 episodes, 1996-1997)
William Engel	....	grip (11 episodes, 1996-2000)
Tim Sauder	....	key grip (unknown episodes, 1996)
Gottfried Pflugbeil	....	clapper loader (unknown episodes, 1998)
Rocky Brown	....	crane grip (unknown episodes)
Rob Goldstein	....	camera trainee (unknown episodes)
Rick Kearney	....	Steadicam operator / camera operator (unknown episodes)
John Medland	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)
Brooke Palmer	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Donna Dupere	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
April Poppe	....	costume buyer (unknown episodes, 1998)
Catherine Ashton	....	assistant costume designer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Rob MacKinnon	....	assistant editor (41 episodes, 1997-1999)
Lex Batten	....	colorist: dailies (2 episodes, 1996)
Chris Mayo	....	video conform editor (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Ron Annabelle	....	head driver (unknown episodes, 1996)
Ron Coles	....	driver captain (unknown episodes, 1996)
Al Paldino	....	transportation coordinator (unknown episodes, 1996)
Tim Fagan	....	driver: cast (unknown episodes, 1999)
Darrell Gibson	....	transportation coordinator (unknown episodes, 1999)
Dave Marwick	....	production driver (unknown episodes, 1999)

Series Other crew
Matti Huhta	....	script supervisor (22 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jennifer Horvath	....	assistant to producer (20 episodes, 1997-1998)
Philip Spurvey	....	location scout (16 episodes, 1999-2000)
Tommy Golden	....	production staff (10 episodes, 1996-1997)
Colin Aguiar	....	assistant: Lou Natale (unknown episodes)
Anne Marie Cormier	....	key production accountant (unknown episodes)
Patricia Hanley Cumming	....	co-supervisor (unknown episodes)
Avi Federgreen	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Sabine Graham	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Pamela Hackwell	....	contact lens technician (unknown episodes)
Winnifred Jong	....	script (unknown episodes)
Daniela Saioni	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)
Dave Tommasini	....	helicopter pilot (unknown episodes)
Michael Waeghe	....	consultant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Alliance Atlantis Communications
• Atlantis Films
• First Television
• Paranormal Productions

Distributors

• CanWest Global Communications
• Concorde Home Entertainment (2005-2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Eyemark Entertainment
• King World Productions (2000-)
• SBS6 (????) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Tele München Fernseh Produktionsgesellschaft (TMG) (1996-) (Germany) (all media) (rights)

Special Effects

• C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures

Other Companies

• Arpix Media  music supervision
• Casablanca Sound and Picture  post-production services
• Film Finances Canada  completion guarantor
• Toronto Film Studios  movie studio

Also Known As:

Runtime:

60 min (88 episodes) | Israel:45 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Stouffville, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Trivia:

Veteran Producer/Writer, Philip DeGuere was originally considered by show creators as a possible Show Runner for the series and is one of the only executives in the entertainment industry to have ever visited the O.S.I.R. headquarters.

Quotes:

Matt Praeger:Between doing her hair in ponytails and swooning over the Backstreet Boys, it seems my daughter's been dabbling in witchcraft. But apparently it's okay, see, because it's the good kind.

Badly focused, but still somehow very entertaining

Much like Dan Akroyd's career, this TV show is all over the place. And yet it remained an enjoyable TV show mostly to the efforts of the core actors.

It purports to tell the case files of the OSIR, a paranormal investigation group, In reality, even lower budget than Ghost Hunters (before they got a show). In the show, a modern, high budget world class organization with top class personnel and gadgets.

In Season 1, it was played fairly straight, with the OSIR team investigating two paranormal cases or events per show. It was perhaps a bit dry, but each case was interesting in its own right.

In Season 2, apparently to boost ratings, they brought in Matt Frewer (of Max Headroom fame) to replace Paul Miller. They also changed it to one investigation per hour. And the tone shifted from overall paranormal, to more something like the X-files - conspiracies and such (more corporate than government). In came Michael Moriarity, playing a conspiracy expert.

Season 3 scaled back the conspiracy stuff somewhat(and Moriarty's character) but still kept the same sort of focus in terms of what was being investigated. But the focus was also a lot on characterization. But in the season finale, they wrapped up the conspiracy stuff and brought back Michael Moriarty briefly.

In the last season, Season 4, Matt Frewer left the show after a few episodes and the focus changed back to more investigating stuff, not conspiracies. They also brought in a new investigator, a woman that is mostly forgettable. Dan Akroyd also pretty much stopped introducing each episode, instead using a generic one for every one.

So in a way, the show was sort of a trainwreck. Yet at the same time, it was worth watching thanks to the efforts of the core group of actors - Barclay Hope, Nancy Anne Sakovich, Colin Fox, plus the very lovely Soo Garay as a medical examiner and Peter Blais as a cryptozoologist in recurring roles.