By Hook or by Cook, hosted by Bruce Cook, has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Pamela Tomlinson

A film series hosted by Kelowna motocross legend Bruce Cook has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.

The series By Hook or by Cook is produced by Kelowna’s Render Digital Production House. In each of the series eight episodes, Cook helps make an individual’s dream come true using some creativity and innovation to make the world more inclusive.

Cook was the first motocross rider in the world to complete a backflip as a paraplegic. An accident in 2014 cost him the use of his legs while he attempted to be the first to land a double front flip on a motorbike. The accident hasn’t held him back.

He felt “shocked” when he heard the series had been nominated for the 2022 Canadian Screen Award in the Best Writing, Factual category. The show’s writers include Connie Edwards, Pamela Tomlinson and Brian Chambers.

“I knew right off the bat that we had really good writers so that didn’t come as big of a surprise, it was really cool,” Cook said.

Shooting for the series was a little more formal than Cook was used to on the motocross circuit. The toughest part was “slowing down” and trusting the writers, film crews and other professionals involved when he is accustomed to a faster process, he said.

“It was difficult to slow down and do things… but it was a really cool experience,” Cook said.

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The series worked out well with its timing as the pandemic caused a pause with the Nitro Circus touring. During that time, Cook got a cold call from the producer and he loved the concept of helping people get outdoors and be active again, so he was on board with the production.

Each episode had its own emotional moment for Cook but one that “really hit home” was one when a man was able to get back on his bike.

“There were many moments I was fighting back tears and emotions because it does resonate so closely with me,” he said.

They've already wrapped up filming for season two, featuring longer episodes. It will likely come out in the spring, Cook said. Episodes will air on AMI and the first season can also be watched online for free.

The award winners will be announced Monday, April 4.

“No expectations, it’s honestly cool enough to be considered amongst the nominations of these other big-name shows that have been around for a while, it’s kind of bizarre but I’m super excited no matter what the outcome,” Cook said.

“It’s incredible for a series positively portraying people with disabilities, an under-represented minority, to be considered among Canada’s top mainstream television programming,” said producer Pamela Tomlinson, in a press release.

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