Allan Novak – Biography

Allan Novak, the creative force behind Toronto-based Indivisual Productions Inc., has spent over 15 years working as a director, producer, writer and editor for television and film. Among his notable achievements is a Gemini award for editing the memorable television series The Newsroom, created by Ken Finkleman. A native of north-end Winnipeg, Novak has a particular passion for comedy (and food) that shines through in Loving Spoonfuls, his new docu-comedy about grandmothers and food. Novak, who created the concept to pay tribute to amazing and outrageous grandmothers from different cultural backgrounds, is producing this innovative and entertaining series for W Network. He is also directing and editing many of the episodes.
Novak’s directing credits include:

Puppets Who Kill
CODCO
Comics!
Inside the Newsroom (documentary about Ken Finkleman)
It’s Only Rock and Roll (Mike Myers in his first "Wayne" and "Dieter" sketches)
Life and Times ("The Roots Boys")
Show opening and comedy segments for Canada's Gemini Awards.

His other directing credits include 15 episodes of Heart of Courage (Global/Discovery) and in-theatre comedy videos for the Second City Mainstage from 1985-1987.

A respected editor, Novak has received three Gemini Award nominations and honored with one. His editing credits include five ground-breaking comedy and drama series created by writer/director/actor Ken Finkleman:

Foreign Objects (2000)
Foolish Heart (1999)
More Tears (1998)
The Newsroom (1996-97 (Gemini Award)
Married Life (1995 Cable ACE nominee for best editing)
Novak was nominated for Gemini editing awards for: In Fashion (CBC 1986) and It’s Only Rock and Roll (CBC/Insight Productions 1987). Other notable editing credits include Squawk Box (YTV); Flash Forward (Disney); One Minute to Air (Universal Television); and the premiere season of Kids in the Hall (CBC/Broadway Video).

Novak has directed numerous series episodes for children and youth including The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (TVO/PBS); The Elephant Show; and Vid Kids (CBC); OWL TV (CTV); and two comedy/educational series – Dealing with Drugs and Mission Reading (TV). He has also directed several documentary series including Arts and Youth (TVO) and LIFE: The Program (CBC).

As a writer, Novak has contributed to many of the above-mentioned shows including Life and Times; Flash Forward; It’s Only Rock and Roll; OWL-TV; Vid Kids; and The 1988 Genie Awards (for which he received a Gemini Award nomination in writing.)

Going forward, Novak and Indivisual Productions, remain devoted to creating television and digital entertainment with humor and edge .