Vancouver - Insight Film Studios of Vancouver and Kaleidoscope Entertainment of Toronto are heading into production on the new CHUM sci-fi series Blood Ties. The $22-million season will shoot under the single-purpose banner of Bitten Productions, beginning Aug. 28 in Vancouver.

The 22 x 60 show - which received CTF funding this year after being rejected in 2005 - is about a private investigator played by Christina Cox (Max Havoc: Ring of Fire) who finds herself in a love triangle with a cop, played by Dylan Neal (Dawson's Creek), and a 450-year-old vampire, portrayed by Kyle Schmid (A History of Violence), as they battle an assortment of ghouls. It was developed for TV by Peter Mohan (Mutant X) - also an executive producer and showrunner - based on the book series by Tanya Huff, who has been supportive of the show, even though a few creative liberties have been taken with her material, says Mohan.

"She is actually writing an episode and has been a great help to speak with throughout the process," says Mohan.

Insight head Kirk Shaw is exec producing with Kaleidoscope bosses Randy Zalken (His and Her Christmas) and Marshall Keston (Air Master). Shaw is also credited as a producer with Paul McConvey (Look-A-Like) and Adam J. Shully (Charlie Jade).

According to Mohan, Blood Ties is slated to premiere on CHUM's Citytv stations in fall 2007. He hopes to have some materials prepared for NATPE in January.

Meanwhile, Insight is ready to go into production on the Sci-Fi Channel action series Painkiller Jane, based on the comic book series by Kickstart Comics. Shaw will executive produce the 22 x 60 series, about a young medical researcher who acquires enhanced self-healing powers, but with a severe downside. No cast has been announced as yet, but the series is slated for principal photography in the fall. It follows an MOW/pilot that shot in B.C. last year.