Winnipeg's Film Industry Tops $90M in 2005

The Winnipeg Free Press discusses recent productions have helped that province maintain a successful film industry:

While most of the movie [The Assassination of Jesse James] was produced in Alberta, the production's five-day shoot in Winnipeg in late October demonstrated the sheer transformative power a Hollywood movie studio (in this case, Warner Bros.) can wield over a city. Not the least of that impact is the estimated $2.5 million in economic spinoffs for the shoot, including 2,000 nights booked in Winnipeg hotels for out-of-town cast and crew.

Streets were shut down. Whole buildings were dressed in frontier finery and sidewalks covered with boards to accurately reflect urban life in Kansas and New York circa 1880. More than 70 permits were acquired from the city to facilitate the shoot, almost double the number required for the 60-day shooting period of Shall We Dance in 2003. While onlookers were relegated to the sidelines, they got to watch this dazzling display, which included glimpses of Pitt himself, nattily attired in a sharply tailored black suit, strolling down Princess Street.

Those interested in reading about one of Alberta's chief competitors (and collaborators) in the industry may want to check out the entire article.

Cardston Native Best Remembered in Kong's Clutches

The Great Falls Tribune features a story on Cardston, Alberta native Fay Wray. Wray co-starred along with one of the "biggest" actor's of all time, King Kong, as Anne Darrow in the 1933 film by Merian Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.

"As it turns out, the actress was born on the Wray Ranch outside Cardston, a town just north of the Canadian-Montana border in Alberta.

Wray was born in the area, but the family didn't stay in Alberta long, moving to Arizona when Fay was three years old and later California. It was in California that Wray, born Vina Fay Wray, began to get bit parts in the movies as a youngster.

Years later, King Kong emerged as a highly regarded horror film of its time, and Wray was at the top of her career — as well as at the top of the Empire State Building with the star-crossed King Kong."

It seems that Wray (who passed away in 2004) was asked to play a cameo role in the new Peter Jackson film, but declined the invitation. More information on Fay Wray at Wikipedia and Northern Stars.

The Christmas Blessing

CANOE JAM! Showbiz discusses the holiday special The Christmas Blessing:

Visits from Brad Pitt aside, not a lot of film production takes place in Edmonton, especially compared to the Hollywood North hotbeds of Toronto and Vancouver.

But if you're going to shoot a TV movie called The Christmas Blessing, what better place to do it than the winter wonderland that is Canada's northernmost major city?

There's just one catch: They filmed The Christmas Blessing in July. And it wasn't even a heavy mosquito summer in the Alberta capital -- otherwise the filmmakers could have painted the little bloodsuckers white and passed them off as snowflakes. "The networks never seem to order Christmas movies at the right time of year," explained producer Craig Anderson of the TV movie's odd production window.

He goes on to discuss a possible third film in the series:

Whether Gayheart makes it to the final credits of The Christmas Blessing or not, there are already plans afoot to do another sequel, based on author VanLiere's recently released third novel in the series, The Christmas Hope.

Producer Anderson said he may even return to Edmonton to shoot it -- but this time, "hopefully in winter!"

The Christmas Blessing also stars Neil Patrick Harris (Starship Troopers, Doogie Howser, M.D.) and Rob Lowe (The West Wing) and is a sequel to the 2002 holiday special The Christmas Shoes. The film airs tonight on CBS.
Photo from the official CBS website of The Christmas Blessing.

Golden Day for Alberta Film Industry

Brokeback Mountain © 2005 Focus Features.

Alexandra Burroughs with the Calgary Herald reports on how recent Golden Globe nominations are already a sign of a 'Golden' recognition for Alberta's film industry:

"We [Brokeback Mountain] have twice as many Golden Globes nominations as any other movie -- its exceeding everyone's expectations," says an elated Jordy Randall of Alberta Filmworks, which co-produced the film.

"To be associated with a project of this calibre is a fantastic thing for our company and for Alberta as a film community. This is really a celebration of the best Alberta has to offer."

Brokeback Mountain wasn't the only Alberta-filmed production nominated. Steven Spielberg's TNT mini-series Into the West is up for awards as well:

"I'm really proud of Into the West. Its an incredible project -- from the moment I read the script I loved it," says Voice Pictures' Wendy Hill-Tout, who may attend the Jan. 16 Golden Globes ceremony. "It's great for Alberta. This is a quality series that's certainly recognized throughout the world."

Into the West © 2005 Turner Network Television / DreamWorks Television.

Calgary Film Commissioner Beth Thompson commented on the nods:

"This gives Alberta even more credibility as a filming location," says Calgary Film Commissioner Beth Thompson. "You can't be nominated for best picture without amazing locations and the crew to pull it all together."

The last time Alberta was involved in such an award-inspiring film was 1992 with Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, which was nominated for four Globes and won the Oscar for best picture.

"It was right after Unforgiven that Calgary started to see a much bigger workload," says Thompson. "We'll see the same thing with Brokeback. The nomination will bring in bigger audiences than it may have otherwise attracted and its going to have more appeal to people than it may have otherwise. We'll definitely see a benefit from it."

Read the full article at this link. Congratulations to all of the cast and crew involved!

Brokeback Mountain Author Interview

Planet Jackson Hole features an interview with Annie Proulx, author of the book on which Ang Lee's film is based. She discusses the inspiration for the story, equality in Wyoming, and even the filming in Canada:

"I had hoped the film would be shot in Wyoming, and, in fact, Ang Lee and I looked at places in and around the Big Horns. But the decision was not mine to make. The film was shot in Canada because, I was told, Wyoming did not have an infrastructure (read big city Calgary with daily air service and hotels) that could support a film crew. The production designer, Judy Becker, toured Texas (where some of the story is set) and Wyoming, making notes so that the selection of landscape shots in Alberta would match what is on the ground in Texas and Wyoming. Except for a scene in which horses are moving through a forest with deep ground moss, the landscapes very much fit Wyoming. Of course I would like to see more film production brought to Wyoming. I think the state is missing a good opportunity to diversify economically. Some years ago New Mexico, then quite a poor state, decided that they would offer film companies interest-free loans if they would make their films in New Mexico. The offer was attractive and since then many films have been shot in New Mexico. The average film brings millions of dollars into a state, from housing, meals and lodging, extras, transportation, local consulting and so forth. Since then many other states have set up loan situations to attract filmmakers to their locales. It is good that we are seeing more realistic and representative backgrounds in film. I think there are great opportunities here for Wyoming, and not only with film, but with all the arts."

Click the link above for the lengthy, but informative interview.

Brokeback Mountain Links

In a recent ComingSoon.net article, Ang Lee discusses the filmed-in-Alberta feature:

"Documentaries helped a lot, still photography, visiting there, reading. But the least is fictional movies. I actually tried to avoid it. I consciously was not doing a Western movie genre, which is overlapped with what I do here, but it has a very cultural influence, which is also very true in our culture. That's more powerful than your knowledge about real people in the West."

Follow the link to read more about Lee's approach to the story. The review (9 out of 10) is available here.

According to Fox News, the film is also sparking a new ratings debate:

"We assumed it would be R; it was R. It was totally fair," Schamus [the film's producer] said at a press roundtable discussion about the film. "It's an adult, grown-up movie. It's a movie I think young people could see or should see in the context of their parents talking to them about it. That’s an R rating to me."

But some have blanched at the R as too strict for "Brokeback," since there are only two scenes where the main characters kiss and one short sex scene between them in which more is implied than shown.

"I don't believe it would be inappropriate [as PG-13]," [film critic] Jones said. "The ratings system continues to prove how flawed it is. It's flawed, and it's controlled by larger studios."

The New York Daily News has an article on actress Michelle Williams, who plays Alma, a housewife in the film:

"I felt the role in an in-my-bones kind of way," she [Williams] says. "This is the stock I come from."

"Michelle picked up on every beat in the story," says Diana Ossana, who co-wrote the screenplay with Larry McMurtry. "She's from Montana, she has that background; there are things she grasps intuitively. The phrase Still waters run deep completely applies to her."

xtra.ca, a gay and lesbian news site, features another interview with Ang:

When asked what made a straight, urbanite from Taiwan latch on to a story of gay cowboys, he laughs. "I think they deal with a lot of twisted elements -- there's no language for them -- very private and twisted. That was something very special for me and yet different from my own experience." But Lee feels the über-masculine genre of the Western has a homo side that's not been depicted, adding, playfully: "Just because you don't go to the other side of moon doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Air Canada to Offer Direct Edmonton-To-L.A. Flight

According to the Edmonton Journal, Air Canada will offer a direct Edmonton-to-Los Angeles flight, filling the void left by America West's route drop. The move is expected to help Edmonton and Northern Alberta's connection to the movie and telelevsion industry:

Edmonton Economic Development Corp. spokesman Kenn Bur said non-stop Los Angeles connections are important for the Edmonton market, especially our film industry.

"It makes our job a lot easier to sell Edmonton to film producers in Los Angeles if they can get a non-stop flight instead of having to take two flights, which makes us seem like a secondary market."

With this move, Alberta continues to provide excellent transportation facilitation for continued growth in the entertainment production sector.

Tong Taps Beat of DJ Culture

Yuri Wuensch with The Edmonton Sun discusses Michael Dowse's latest film, It's All Gone Pete Tong:

At its start, It's All Gone Pete Tong also seems consumed with its excesses, following the exploits of the fictional Frankie Wilde, the world's most popular DJ, played with feverish and hilarious panache by British actor Paul Kaye.

Wilde is the king of Ibiza, the Spanish resort island which attracts thousands of revellers to its many clubs every summer. In the film, most are there to see the binge-boozing and coke-snorting party animal that is Wilde. The trouble in paradise comes when Wilde starts going deaf - It's All Gone Pete Tong, named for the famed BBC Radio One host, is Brit slang for when things go wrong.

Ironically, Dowse's previous film is Fubar, a mockumentary giving an inside look at the lives of two Alberta headbangers intent on perfecting their mullets, shotgunning beers and "just givin' 'er." Fubar's heavy metal seems miles apart from Ibiza's beats, but Dowse's admitted ignorance of dance music is part of what makes his take on it so successful. His eye as the outsider sees things sometimes drug-addled dance fans might not, or simply may not want to admit to.

Like Fubar, Tong is a redemptive tale. Although Wilde starts the film off as a jerk, albeit a fairly likable one, confronting his deafness ultimately makes him recognize what's truly valuable in life. It's a poignant journey with a lot of heart and plenty of laughs.

It's All Gone Pete Tong is also a beautiful-looking film thanks to the striking cinematography of Balazs Bolygo, who captures the Mediterranean sun and eye-popping club sequences - probably the best ever filmed - with equal aplomb. Offbeat musical selections that aren't solely electronic-based also lend Tong more texture in what's probably the most definitive (perhaps unintentionally so) film about DJ culture released to date.

Full article at this link.

Brokeback Mountain Screened for Alberta Crew

Ang Lee flew back to Calgary recently to screen Brokeback Mountain with the crew he worked with in the province.

"I had my Calgary family back with me. I tried to watch the movie, but I kept having flashbacks to the incredible experience we all shared.

"The Brokeback Mountain that is up there on the screen would not have been possible without the talent and devotion of the Alberta crew and actors.

"It's their movie as much as mine."

Lee also said he'd like to return to Alberta to film again.

"It wouldn't be a western. I'd like to do a movie about hockey," says Lee, who became an avid Flames fan during his sojourn in Calgary.

"I keep toying with so many ideas.

"I know I'll be back."

Read the whole article at CANOE -- JAM! Movies.

Alberta Film and TV Strategic Business Plan Presented

AMPIA president Doug MacLeod recently collaborated with Damian Petti, president of IATSE 212 to present a long-term Strategic Business Plan for the Alberta film industry to the Standing Policy Committee of Alberta Economic Development and Finance.

Key points included in the presentation were:

strengths including unique locations, experienced talent and production personnel, proximity to Los Angeles, and cost

weaknesses including general lack of awareness locally, nationally, and internationally, oversubscription of funds, and inability to undertake larger projects

threats including fewer licenses issued to Alberta producers, declining value of the American dollar, and decline in licensing by Canadian broadcasters

outcome of fostering growth includes synergies with tourism and new media sectors, increased capital investment, and economic stability

provide sufficient funding for development and training, including HD initiatives and

the proposal of a performance-based funding model that would support and continue the growth of Alberta's film and television industry.

The PDF presentation (with e-mail address for feedback) is located at this link.

Event: Feature Film Fundraiser Halloween Party

Sorry for the late notice (I've been incredibly busy) but if you're in Calgary and want something fun to do tonight, head over to the Prizefighter Films Feature Film Fundraiser Halloween Party!

Prizes for costumes have been donated from Casablanca Video, Kaffa Coffee, Panda Flowers, Chicago Deep Dish Pizaa, Chicken on the Way, Tim Horton's and more!

Money raised will help these Alberta filmmakers and the event promises to be a great time!

LOCATION/TIME:
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Edinburgh House
12th Ave. and 12th St. SW
Calgary, Alberta
Doors open: 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00 in advance/at door

CONTACT:
Todd: (403) 451-6650
Jeremy: (403) 605-4295
E-mail: prizefighterfilms@gmail.com

Photos of Brad Pitt as Jesse James

For those of you following the production, Hollywood North Report has some new candid photos of Brad Pitt as Jesse James from the set in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

A large part of 'The Assassination of Jesse James' was shot in Calgary, Edmonton, and other parts of Alberta.

Update: Joblo.com has posted a different set of photos at this link and even more at this one as well. They also include photos of Casey Affleck as the Coward Robert Ford. The costuming really does look quite good.

Oliver Stone Production Scouts Alberta

The Calgary Sun reports that Award-winning director Oliver Stone may possibly film his next epic in southern Alberta in 2006.

'Son of the Morning Star' would feature the story of General George Armstrong Custer who fought against the Plains Indians in 1876. It's based on the book 'Son of the Morning Star: Custer and the Little Big Horn' by Evan Connell.

Producers have already scouted the province for locations and Alberta appears to be their first choice, probably due in large part to its panoramic vistas and diverse scenery.

Film Commission Asks for Pitt's Privacy

Alberta Film Commissioner Dan Chugg stressed the importance of respecting the privacy of stars like Brad Pitt when they are here filming in Alberta. He commented to CBC News:

"Whenever there is a situation that makes their stay less than what they experienced, or if they have any negative parts of that, obviously that affects relationships and it can affect long-term implications for our industry," Chugg said. "Actors have a very major impact on decisions on where projects are shot."

The article goes on to state that many local film people and extras are employed by these productions and that at least 150 technicians are working on 'The Assassination of Jesse James' which is expected to complete filming in early December.

You can read the full article at this link.

2005 Banff Mountain Film Festival Finalists

The Banff Centre announced the finalists for the 2005 Banff Mountain Film Festival.

The 56 films that will screen at the festival include 'Sur le fil des 4000' which tells a French moutaineer's story as a climber, his unique approach to the sport, his final challenge, and tragic end.

'Off Road to Athens' follows the individual stories of 8 professional mountain bikers and their hopes of making the 2004 Olympic team.

Canmore, Alberta filmmakers Pat and Baiba Morrow return to the festival with 'The Magic Mountain.' The film is an inspirational story of the "indefatigable educator and public health advocate" Cynthia Hunt as she endures difficult conditions in the northwest region of Ladakh.

'What Remains of Us' by Canadian filmmakers Francois Prevost and Hugo Latulippe features the fascinating story of a young Tibetan woman, Kalsang Dolma, and her smuggling of a videotaped message from the Dalai Lama into Tibet.

Other films include:

'Unconquerable Summit'

'March of the Penguins' and the documentary 'Of Penguins of Men'

'Grizzly Man'

'Flying Downhill: The Art of Bode'

The full list of finalists is available at The Banff Centre Mountain Culture Website.

The festival runs from October 27 to November 6 at The Banff Centre.

Cinematographer Douglas Munro Honoured

The Calgary Sun has a story on Alberta-based Cinematographer Douglas Munro including his honouring by the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association.

Currently his crew is working on 'The Assassination of Jesse James', starring Brad Pitt, Daughters of Joy with Robert Duvall and The Ron Clark Story, featuring Matthew Perry — to name just a few.

“This is the busiest month in the history of our business. There is a surge this month for sure — everybody in Alberta is busy. People are doing positions that they are hardly trained for,” he says.

To add to that, Munro’s new project Paydirt, a documentary on the Alberta oil sands, premiered in Calgary Sept. 29.

He is also being honoured today with the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association David Billington Award.

“It was really unexpected,” he says. “I mean, ‘Are you sure you got the right guy? I haven’t done that much.’ ”

Check out the link above for the full story.

Congratulations to Mr. Munro for his work and achievements!

Photo courtesy of Sun Media.

Calgary International Film Festival 2005

There's still time to see some of the screenings this weekend at the Calgary International Film Festival 2005.

The Closing Gala on October 2 features Beowulf & Grendel with Gerard Butler, Stellan Skarsgard, and Sarah Polley. The film, which focuses on one of the oldest extant works of English literature, had its premiere at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival. Tickets are $40.00

Edmonton International Film Festival 2005

Just a reminder that the Edmonton International Film Festival 2005 commences this Friday. There's still time to order your passes online until September 30th, after which you'll have to buy tickets at the venue of each screening.

Respecting Casts and Crews in Alberta

Edmonton Sun Columnist Kerry Diotte commented on photographer Dave Buston's criminal charges for trespassing on the set of The Assassination of Jesse James. I responded with the following letter:

Mr. Diotte,

I find it somewhat difficult to sympathize with photographer Dave Buston's situation regarding his criminal charges stemming from his incident on the set of The Assassination of Jesse James. I also believe it's unfair to label the film production as the bad guy, especially since Mr. Buston was apparently trying to get photographs to "pay for his kid's hockey camp." In attempting to get near a closed set, he knew he'd be potentially breaking laws and should have been aware of the results, yet he chose to ignore them.

While he may not have been "screaming gibberish and disrupting filming," he was likely there to take unauthorized photographs of the film production and its stars. Fort Edmonton Park does indeed have some of its areas closed off to the public, but this is certainly no different than film production that occurs in many cities around the world. Closing off of public areas is unfortunate, sometimes for a few hours or even several months, but it's done to protect the privacy and more importantly, professionalism of the cast and crew, letting them do their jobs without interference.

Most of us don't appreciate constant interruptions while doing our own work, so why should film cast and crew be subjected to the same? Bottom-line, the Hollywood film and television industry is a business. Each production is also usually established as a separate ‘business’ entity. Many businesses don't divulge corporate secrets and allow photography of production processes, so why would the film world be any different? While Mr. Buston is considered a respectable award-winning photographer, his statement and actions echoes those of the paparazzi, who chase media stars for profitable photographs. Again, I refer to "paying for his kid's hockey camp." Paparazzi style photography could be considered tantamount to corporate espionage, where a film's look and secrets could leak out and affect the financial aspects of the studio and film. All of these actions, no matter how small, could have an effect on jobs here in Alberta or elsewhere.

Though it isn't industry standard or obligatory, perhaps an Alberta press conference with the cast and crew would help to ease relations between them, local media, and the public. It would also generate more interest in the production and help showcase Alberta's film industry. However, if they did one for Alberta, then every province, state, or city would likely also want one; so one can see the complexities of doing so.

As an amateur photographer, I understand the excitement at getting that 'next great shot' and I do agree that people shouldn't be subjected to harsh treatment from non-local businesses, but in this case, I'd say the studio is justified in its actions.

Respectfully,

Chad Kerychuk

--
Mr. Diotte also replied to me commenting that I had made several good points. I thank him for his follow-up.

Stars have come to expect paparazzi snapping away wherever they go, however in Alberta, where we are trying to foster an enjoyable and respectable working environment for film and television productions, such actions become especially damaging to the entire provincial workforce. Granted Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be dubbed 'Hollywood's hottest couple' by the media and having them in Edmonton is exciting for the city, but I believe Albertans should reaffirm our respectful nature through how we treat them. Allowing the celebrities to enjoy local museums, shops, and restaruants without being mobbed or photographed at every chance, keeps our city in high regard in the eyes of Hollywood and stars in general.

Even when the general public tries to capitalize on the sightings by selling snapshots to tabloid magazines (as evidenced by this Edmonton Journal report), it reflects poorly on not only Edmonton but also Alberta's professional reputation. Thankfully it sounds as though these incidents have not been common during the filming and most fans have been respectful of the cast during production and their off-time.

Hopefully film studios such as Warner Brothers, the company behind The Assassination of Jesse James understands that these actions do not reflect the attitudes of most Albertans and that we all take it personally when a few individuals tarnish our reputation. Though I have no official connection to the film, I have every confidence it will complete production in Canada without major problems. I'm also positive Alberta will continue to be a first-rate choice for large-scale and independent productions.

I know a lot of the readers of this blog are people looking for work as extras or hoping to get into the film industry in Alberta as a professional. There's a chance some of you know people that may be considering selling photos of productions or stars to media outlets. As somebody with a stake in the media production industry in Alberta, I urge you to please ask them to consider the impact it could have on all of us.

Thanks.

Ang Lee Loves Calgary Area

Louis B. Hobson with The Calgary Sun talked to Director Ang Lee about his experience shooting Brokeback Mountain in the Calgary area last year.

Lee was recently at the Toronto Film Festival with stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal to promote the film. Brokeback Mountain has already received the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival for Best Picture, which is sure to be the first of many accolades.

“I had the best time of my life in Calgary. I have never been so happy in my career as when I was shooting in Calgary,” said Lee, pointing out he “has filmed nine movies all over the world and, without question, my Calgary crew was the best I’ve worked with.”

It was not Lee’s idea to shoot Brokeback in Alberta.

“I have always insisted on shooting my films where they are set and Brokeback Mountain is set in Wyoming and Texas so that’s where I wanted to shoot.”

It was Lee’s producer Jim Shamus and the film’s screenwriter Diana Ossana who asked Lee to look at Alberta.

Ossana, who writes with Larry McMurtry, had seen their Johnson County Wars filmed in Alberta.

“They told me I couldn’t find landscapes anywhere in the world better than Alberta offers, so I went to check it out for myself.”

It was love at first sight.

“Not only were the landscapes in Alberta more grand than I’d imagined but there were all these little western towns that looked straight out of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.”

The best was yet to come.

“People at the Alberta Film Commission went out of their way to accommodate us."

“We got tax breaks. They worked to get us every location we asked for and they gave us access to their best film crews even though ours was a small budget film.”

After working with the local film crew, Lee says “these were the best people for the movie I was making."

“They know everything about the western down to the smallest detail and they were eager to share their knowledge with me. They treated me like one of their own.”

Check out this link for the rest of Lee's comments on the film's story.

Photo from Calgary Sun article.

Brokeback Mountain Trailer

Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain. © Focus Features.

The website for Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain is now activated with QuickTime and Windows Media versions of the trailer.

The film, which won the Golden Lion for Best Film award at the 2005 Venice Film Festival, was shot in Alberta last year. The award was presented by legendary Japanese animation Director, Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle) at the closing awards ceremonies.

Brad a Boon to City Coffers: EDE

A story on the trickle-down effect created by the filming of The Assassination of Jesse James in Edmonton can be found at this link on EdmontonSun.com

Alberta's Digital Doubles

Andrew Hanon with Sun Media has a story on some Albertan men's unique acting contributions to the upcoming feature film The Assassination of Jesse James:

When Brad Pitt and an army of movie makers invaded the province to film The Assassination of Jesse James, they were determined to make the western epic as realistic as possible.

One critical problem: The legendary outlaw was missing half a finger. Pitt, who plays the titular character, has a perfect 10.

That’s where Louise Mackiewicz comes in. As the movie’s extras casting director, it was her job to find so-called “hand doubles,” people whose hands will be filmed in the place of Pitt’s whenever a close-up of them is necessary.

Calgary-based Mackiewicz had to find a man who was missing half of his left middle finger, and who would be ready on short notice to work for a day or two here and there as needed.

As it turns out, she tracked down five who fit the bill, two in Edmonton and three in Calgary.

“We were really hoping to find a local hand double,” Mackiewicz said yesterday, moments after signing the two Edmontonians at a casting call on a south side soundstage.

She wasn’t allowed to reveal their names.

Having hand doubles in both cities means producers don’t have to pay for travel and accommodation.

Historians can’t agree on how Jesse James lost half a finger. Most say he got careless and shot it off himself, while others say he lost it in a gunfight.

In a film about an outlaw gunfighter, I'd say their contributions are pretty important!

Sharing Our Space With a Superstar

Graham Hicks with the Edmonton Sun files this tidbit on filming at Fort Edmonton Park for The Assassination of Jesse James:

As reported in yesterday's Sun, Brad Pitt is in the city, isn't afraid of being seen in public, and is now filming his movie The Assassination of Jesse James in the closed-to-the-public Fort Edmonton Park.

The park has been a hive of activity all week long. Sets built at the Film Alberta studios were moved and erected to enhance locations in Fort Edmonton Park that will serve as three towns in the movie.

It was organized chaos in the wardrobe department during the week. Two giant tents were filled with period costumes as the 100 to 150 extras arrived for fittings.

The costumes, our contacts say, are an indication of how big-budget films spend money in the name of quality. They were all imported from England for the shoot, with no detail spared.

"You can sure tell the budget difference between this film and Snow Day," says one set worker (Snow Day being the most recent Hollywood feature film shot in the city).

A reason why few of Edmonton's large pool of professional stage actors were hired for speaking roles in Jesse James: "They were looking for small, scruffy and hairy," says actress Davina Stewart. "Not many of us met the criteria."

Mike Ross also has an amusing story on the 'Brad watching' that's going on. Thankfully security is pretty tight at the park and filming of the production isn't being disrupted too much.

The Edmonton Journal also reports on the 'capture' of one photographer found hiding in the set trying to snap photos of the cast.

Permittee Status

I'm now a Permittee with both The Director's Guild of Canada - Alberta District Council and I.A.T.S.E. Local 210.

I figure it's a good way to get even more experience in filmmaking, meet some great people, and help out Alberta's Film and Television Industry.

So if you know of any production requiring a Production Assistant (that's where Permittees need to start for the Director's Guild of Canada), please let me or the DGC know. It takes many hours to achieve Member status in both organizations, so I'm going to have to put my time in.

I know it's also a lot of hard work (which I'm used to in the Film, Video, and Multimedia production world) but I'm really looking forward to this next step in my career!

Calgary Film Fest Fever Heats Up

CANOE -- JAM! Movies has a story on the upcoming Calgary International Film Festival and the growth of the festival over the years:

"We had just over 40,000 people attend last year's festival and we're expecting that to grow considerably this year because we've added new venues," says Marrelli.

The Globe, Uptown, Telus World of Science Centre and Plaza theatres will be joined by Eau Claire Cinema #6 and the Jack Singer Concert Hall, which will host two of the festival's gala presentations. The opening night gala at the Globe on Sept. 23 is Deepa Mehta's Water, which opens the Toronto International Film Festival tonight.

Metha and the film's star Lisa Ray will be in attendance.

On Sept. 24, John Fawcett, who began his directing career in Calgary, will present his new psychological thriller The Dark at the Uptown.

It stars Maria Bello and Sean Bean.

You can read the whole article at this link.

The Festival runs from September 23 to October 2. You can find more information on the official website - CalgaryFilm.com but online ticket purchasing will not go live until a day or two.

Start Shootin'!

Steve Tilley with The Edmonton Sun provides more information on the Edmonton portion of The Assassination of Jesse James:

With today being a moving day for the production company, Pitt will be shooting for the first time in Edmonton tomorrow at Fort Edmonton Park, which is now closed to the public.

Three different Western towns will be represented by the park's array of historic streets and buildings, according to a Sun source close to the production.

Pitt's co-star Mary Louise Parker, who plays the outlaw's wife, is also expected to fly into Edmonton today to join the production and begin shooting her first scenes tomorrow.

From the sound of it, things in Edmonton have so far been going along smoothly:

"Everybody at Fort Edmonton Park has been wonderful, the city of Edmonton has been really good to us," a production spokesman said yesterday. "We're looking forward to enjoying some Edmontonian hospitality, and we hope the public understands why we have to have a closed set."

That's great news! Read more at the full article online.

Jesse James Comes to Edmonton

The Edmonton Sun reports on the commencement of the filming of the Edmonton portion of The Assassination of Jesse James:

This month [Fort Edmonton Park] stands in as the set of a Hollywood western starring Brad Pitt, and as you'd expect, the buzz has begun. Spokespersons for the park and movie want to temper that excitement, stressing the set is closed and there's no way fans will catch a glimpse of Pitt as the cast and crew work - let alone get an autograph.

and...

A spokeswoman for the movie, who wouldn't be identified to avoid phone calls from fans, said filming starts at Fort Edmonton Park on Thursday and continues until the end of September. About one-third of the movie will be shot there.

But of particular importance is this:

Filming will take place in several areas of the 56-hectare park, said Fort Edmonton's Darryl Lindenbach. The park is still hosting school tours of other areas, but the facility is closed to the public.

"Edmonton is a fantastic arts community, so the best thing we can do is to show them that when they come here they can make good art. We aren't going to hound them," Lindenbach said.

"If we want to encourage more film in the city, it would be to our best interest to let them do their job, and that's what we are facilitating within the park."

Read the full story at CANOE -- JAM! Showbiz.

--

As somebody with a future stake in continued film and television production in Alberta, I cannot agree more with Lindenbach, Mayor Mandel, and other production members who have commented on members of the public trying to track down celebrities. Please respect the privacy and professionalism of all cast and crew. While it may be your dream to meet a big star, play a role in a major motion picture, or obtain the latest tabloid snapshot of Brad Pitt, harassing production offices and locations or hounding celebrities puts not only their jobs at risk, but cast and crew member careers as well. We definitely don't need that kind of public relations for Alberta.

A sincere thanks from myself and the rest of the Alberta Film, Video, and TV production community!

Brad Pitt Saddles Up As Jesse James

Brad Pitt as legendary outlaw, Jesse James. Photo courtesy of Sun Media and Warner Bros.

Louis B. Hobson with The Calgary Sun (print and online editions) today reported on the filming of The Assassination of Jesse James:

Brad Pitt saddled up in earnest for the first time yesterday. Pitt is both the star and a co-producer of the $30-million western 'The Assassination of Jesse James' that has been filming in Calgary since Aug. 29.

According to a Sun source, yesterday was Pitt's first day in front of the cameras.

He was filming outdoor scenes with several cast members as well as Sam Shepard, who plays Jesse's older brother Frank James.

Pitt arrived in Calgary on Aug. 16 for meetings with fellow producers brothers Ridley and Tony Scott as well as David Valdes.

He also familiarized himself with the horse he is using in the film and was fitted for costumes and make-up.

The article also mentions that director Andrew Dominik filmed scenes near Millarville, Turner Valley and along the Bow River at McKinnon Flats while Pitt was away from the production. They also filmed for one day in Calgary's Heritage Park.

Read the full report at CANOE -- JAM! Showbiz.

Thanks to Mike for the scan!

Lights, camera, grants!

There could be more good news for Alberta's film industry.

The Alberta Government is considering doubling its annual contributions to the motion picture industry as reported by Darcy Henton in this article at the Edmonton Sun:

The Alberta Motion Picture Association made that pitch to the government behind closed doors yesterday.

Doug MacLeod, association president and co-chair of the province's handpicked 18-member film commission advisory council, says the current $13.5 million program will generate $200 million in economic spinoffs this year.

He hopes to double those returns in three years with "substantially more" provincial dollars.

Economic Development Minister Clint Dunford said the province hasn't made any decision yet, but he supports increasing the fund.

"I would like to see the fund grow because I think film is a clean industry," he said. "When they come, they spend money.

"There's no question about it."

He concedes that pulling back industry incentives in 1995 didn't work and the province suffered as a result.

It seems that the provincial Liberals and NDP parties also support the proposal. Read more at the full article.

Ang Lee Takes on the Western

Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival recently where the director and stars spoke about the Alberta-filmed movie:

He said setting the story in the 1960s in the conservative West "helped set up the obstacles, especially to gay love, affection."

More difficult than interpreting a love story between men - cowboys at that - was getting beyond cliched perceptions about the American west, he said

"My biggest enemy was the (western) movie genre which was invented," said the director, whose films include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hulk, The Ice Storm and Sense and Sensibility.

Read the full report, including comments from stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger at CANOE - JAM! Movies.

You can also read an older Calgary Sun article about the commencement of filming back in May 2004 at this link.

Two Sams Join The Assassination of Jesse James

The Edmonton sun reports that 2 outstanding actors have been cast in The Assassination of Jesse James feature film:

Warner Bros. studio is expected to confirm today that famed playwright Sam Shepard and Sam Rockwell, last seen in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, will star opposite Pitt, Casey Affleck and Mary Louise Parker in this $30 million-US duster about the murder of outlaw Jesse James by gang member Robert Ford.

Shepard, who's was also in Black Hawk Down and The Right Stuff has been to Alberta before to film Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven and Resurrection.

I think this is great news as both are outstanding actors who will certainly add even more talent to the big-budget film. The article also mentions Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel's words about respecting the cast and crew while they film in and around the area:

"As Edmonton continues to position itself as a major film location, it is important that the industry feels welcome and views Edmonton as a film-friendly, professional destination," Mandel said in a statement.

He added he is "confident the filming of The Assassination of Jesse James is a sign of great things to come in Alberta's growing film industry."

Read more at this link.

Fort Edmonton Park Key Location for Brad Pitt Western

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation released the following news release today regarding Fort Edmonton Park's use in The Assassination of Jesse James currently filming in Alberta:

EDMONTON, Aug. 30 /CNW/ - Fort Edmonton Park, Canada's largest historical park, will shine in the glare of the Hollywood spotlight as one of the primary locations for the western, The Assassination of Jesse James.

Brad Pitt, one of the film industry's global superstars, will play the lead in the major Warner Bros. movie that will use locations throughout Alberta beginning yesterday and continuing into the fall. The Edmonton Film Commission, operated by Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC), the Alberta Film Commission and Fort Edmonton Park partnered to bring one third of the production to Edmonton.

Other locations for this film include various rural areas in southern Alberta, Winnipeg and Calgary's Heritage Park. The set is closed to the public and media at all locations.

"Attracting a film of this magnitude to Edmonton and Alberta is a credit to the members of our film industry who have made a concerted effort to sell Edmonton as a production destination," says Mayor Stephen Mandel. "I'm confident the filming of this movie is a sign of great things to come in Alberta's growing film industry. With magnificent assets such as Fort Edmonton Park, the City of Edmonton is well poised for future opportunities."

Greater Edmonton hotels, restaurants, caterers, lumber yards, hardware stores, trades people, car rentals, transportation, personal services and other businesses all stand to benefit from the $30-million (US) production.

"This film will significantly boost global awareness of Edmonton as a major film location and travel destination," says Allan Scott, EEDC President and CEO. "The value of international media exposure garnered from this kind of production for our city and province is immeasurable."

Mayor Mandel urges all Edmontonians to warmly welcome our special guests to the city as we do with all visitors, but to please respect the cast and crew's privacy.

"As Edmonton continues to position itself as a major film location, it is important that the industry feels welcome and views Edmonton as a film-friendly, professional destination," says Mandel.

The Assassination of Jesse James is one of several major film productions in Edmonton this year, including CBS Television's The Christmas Blessing, Lifetime USA's For the Love of a Child, and CBC's Waking Walter. Other major films are considering using Edmonton's scenic settings and world-class film crews for their productions.

For more information about Greater Edmonton and its multi-million dollar film industry visit www.edmonton.com.

For further information:
Media contact(s): Jim Rudolph, Corporate Communications,
Edmonton Economic Development Corporation,
Phone: (780) 917-7894,
Toll-free: 1-800-661-6965,
Cell: (780) 722-3788,
E-mail: jrudolph@edmonton.com,
Web: www.edmonton.com/eedc

Oscar Winner at Home in the Foothills

Robert Duvall talks about filming Daughters of Joy in this article on the High River Times website:

“It’s cheap and it’s ranch country,” Duvall said of reasons for shooting in Southern Alberta.

The two-part mini-series Daughters of Joy, is set to air on the AMC network next year. The project was a perfect opportunity for Duvall to take a trip up north for the first time since working on 'Open Range', also shot in the area.

“I like the sight of the mountains,” he said.

Duvall goes on to talk about details in western films:

“You always see guys wearing double holsters on their horses in the movies, but that’s not what they did because it was too much weight,” he said.

“So now I wait until there’s a jeopardy situation to put it on.”

Duvall has enlisted area ranchers, The Bews family, to work as wranglers on the movie, and has learned a thing or two from them as well.

“When you play a cowboy you don’t slouch, you sit elegantly, but in a relaxed way,” he said.

He also pokes fun at his own words regarding Canadian talent:

As executive producer and star of Daughters of Joy, Duvall has sought out several Canadian actors for roles in the film - something he might have hesitated to do in the past.

“I made a statement before that there were no good actors up here. I eat my words,” he said.

Read more about the production at the link above!

Update: Daughters of Joy was the working title for what is now known as Broken Trail.

Photo credit: Chris Large - © 2003 Open Range Productions USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Courtesy of imdb.com.

Thousands Show Up for Jesse James Casting Call

While not Alberta film industry news, the article at Brandon Sun is related to the production of The Assassination of Jesse James currently filming in our province:

Although the doors didn’t open until 10 a.m., the lineup started well before 8 a.m. Those who endured the wait were ushered upstairs, where their photographs were taken, applications filled out and then they were measured for costumes, and then ushered back out again.

The producers were looking for natural-looking people — men with facial hair and women, of all ages, with long hair.

People with experience with horses could have an edge, as would bartenders. Most of the film is being shot in Alberta, with five days of shooting set here in late October, in the Exchange District.

Though more than 2,000 showed up yesterday, the movie needs just 250 extras.

Sounds like the citizens of Winnipeg are just as excited about the film production as Albertans!

Calgarian Designs Costumes For The Cave

Calgarian Wendy Partridge and her associates created costumes for the feature film 'The Cave' as mentioned in this article at CANOE -- JAM! Showbiz.

Mountain Meadows Movie Being Filmed

The Deseret News features a story on September Dawn, which is being filmed in the Calgary area with Jon Voight and Lolita Davidovich. The movie is being billed as "a love story set during a tense encounter between a wagon train of settlers that faces off against a renegade Mormon group." The article talks about the film and real story behind the film:

Long viewed by historians as the darkest chapter in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the massacre of 120 men, women and children by LDS militiamen and Paiute Indians on Sept. 11, 1857, involved Arkansas emigrants following the Old Spanish Trail when they were attacked in Mountain Meadows, north of St. George. Seventeen children survived the attack.

LDS Church officials, including President Gordon B. Hinckley, have worked with state and local authorities and historians in recent years to assuage lingering animosity and memorialize the victims. The church erected a monument overlooking the site of the massacre in 1999 and held a dedication ceremony to which descendants of those involved were invited. It also reburied bones of 29 victims unearthed during construction of the monument in a separate ceremony.

In addition to the article above, more information can be found can be found at The Salt Lake Tribune.

Photo credit: Robert Zuckerman - © Disney Enterprises, Inc./Jerry Bruckheimer, Inc. All rights reserved. Courtesy of imdb.com

Stand-In For Brad Pitt

As originally published on the edmontonsun.com website:

STAND-IN FOR BRAD PITT
Graham Hicks, The Edmonton Sun
Sunday, August 28, 2005

The celebrity industry may have created a God-like aura around actor Brad Pitt. But to Brent Woolsey, Brad is a warm, decent person who's very good at what he does.

Brent will spend much time with Pitt while The Assassination of Jesse James feature movie is filmed in Fort Edmonton Park. Setup begins after the Labour Day weekend, with actual shooting starting soon thereafter.

The Nanton-area rancher, a champion team roper in his spare time, is a professional film/TV stuntman and stunt co-ordinator.

As he was in Legends of the Fall in 1994, he'll be Pitt's stunt double for the "train, horse, killin' and fightin' stuff."

"Brad's a great guy. He's as polite and nice as they get. He's a guy you'd like to sit down and BS with for a night or two. But the whole media thing takes away so much of his freedom."

As Brent has done on some 35 films, he's also stunt co-ordinator for the Jesse James film. He scouted locations with the director from an action-sequence point of view. He works with the director in planning and executing the action scenes. As those scenes draw closer, he'll likely have more direct communication with the star than anyone on the set, besides the director.

Chances are he'll be Brad Pitt's action coach rather than his double. "I suspect Brad will end up doing most of the action scenes himself," says Brent. "He likes to do them if he can. He's a physical kind of guy. But his ego's not so big that he'd do something where he could hurt himself."

Brent's on-location job is to set up the action scene and be the double for rehearsals. He then sits down with the director and Pitt to decide if the star or the double should perform the actual stunt.

If Pitt is doing it himself, Brent prepares and coaches the actor through the scene.

Brent's life as a hockey player, chuckwagon racer, stuntman and team roper is the stuff of legends unto itself - "I've never really had a job," he says.

Those are Hicks on Six stories for another day.

"What I'm really looking forward to," he says, "is going to (former team-roping champ and Friends of Pro Rodeo co-chair) Lyle Kurtz's ranch on days off to do some team roping. I'm hoping I can get to Blacklands Ranch (north of Fort Saskatchewan) for the Alberta team roping championships."

The Gang's All Here

A 'weather report' of sorts is delivered on CANOE -- JAM! Movies in regards to The Assassination of Jesse James:

Brad Pitt is like a mailman. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow will keep him from delivering his lines.

Though Pitt and his fellow producers of The Assassination of Jesse James would prefer sunshine come Monday, no one is talking delays because of the weather.

"Come hell or high water we'll be filming on Monday. There are always ways to shoot around weather if you have committed actors and crew," said a spokesperson for Jesse Films.

The Assassination of Jesse James is only scheduled to shoot in the Calgary area for one week before moving to Edmonton for three weeks of shooting.

The production then returns to Calgary until Oct. 22 when it moves to Winnipeg for five days.

Then it's back to Calgary for the rest of the Alberta portion of the shoot.

Producers are hoping for snow in October or November as all four seasons are represented in the screenplay.

The article also has information on additional actors cast in the film.

Mary Louise Parker is Alberta-bound

Actress Mary Louise Parker is Alberta-bound to co-star along with Brad Pitt in 'The Assassination of Jesse James.'

According to Louis B. Hobson with the Edmonton Sun:

Brad Pitt has a leading lady for his Jesse James movie.

Mary Louise Parker has been cast as Zee James, the outlaw's wife in The Assassination of Jesse James.

Filming begins on the duster in the Calgary area on Monday, so Parker is expected to arrive in the city later this week. Production is tentatively set to move to Edmonton Sept. 5.

Parker joins Pitt and Casey Affleck, who plays Robert Ford, the man who shot James. Director Andrew Dominik is expected to announce the casting for the remainder of the Jesse James gang within the next couple of days.

Parker, 41, was nominated for a Tony Award in 1990 for her Broadway debut in Prelude to a Kiss. She won the Tony a decade later for her performance in Proof.

Parker earned an Emmy in 2004 for her performance in Angels in America, in the role she originated on Broadway.

Parker made her feature film debut in 1990's Longtime Companion. Other credits include Grand Canyon, Red Dragon and Fried Green Tomatoes.

You can find out more about Mary Louise Parker at her Internet Movie Database listing.

Pitt and Jolie Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum

T-Rex skeleton at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta. Photo credit: Chad Kerychuk.

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and kids toured the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum over the weekend as evidenced by this article:

"Brad phoned to ask about the accessibility of the museum and how easy it might be for him to visit unnoticed. They did not ask us to close the museum or for an after-hours visit or any special treatment," [museum spokesperson] Wendy Taylor said.

Pitt is in Calgary to shoot the film The Assassination of Jesse James, which gets under way in the western province on Aug. 29.

The crowds start dropping off after 6 p.m., so museum brass suggested the pair show up then.

"They arrived around 7 p.m. and stayed for an hour," Taylor said, adding Jolie's adopted son, four-year-old Maddox, was enthralled by the T-Rex exhibit. During their tour, the pair was accompanied by two bodyguards and a museum staffer. Aside from one couple requesting an autograph, things remained low-key.

"The other people in the museum at the time were very respectful -- no one approached them on their own," Taylor said.

More at the above link. Sounds like Albertans really are maintaining their composure around the famous couple. Thanks! It shows what great people we are!

As somebody who has visited the museum several times thanks to my association with Dr. Phil Currie and Dr. Michael Ryan, I can attest that it really is an incredible place to spend a day or two. One of the finest pieces of architecture within Alberta, reminiscent of a Frank Lloyd Wright building stuck in the Alberta Badlands, the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Drumheller has something to see for all ages.

Heath Ledger Remembers Calgary

Louis B. Hobson with the Calgary Sun interviews Heath Ledger and his stay in Calgary while filming Ang Lee's upcoming film Brokeback Mountain:

Ledger was in the Calgary area last summer filming Ang Lee's western Brokeback Mountain with Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway.

"Where we were filming near Calgary was very beautiful and very isolated. At times, you really felt you'd left the whole world behind you somewhere else."

This has hardly been the case for Pitt since he arrived in Calgary earlier this week. Security at the local production offices for Pitt's movie The Assassination of Jesse James have been beefed up to protect the superstar hunk from the prying eyes and cameras of fans and paparazzi.

Ledger recalls his stay in the Calgary area "was a very lonely experience, but it was supposed to be. My character was extremely lonely and I think I carried that feeling through the whole filming experience."

Read more at the full article.

Pitt spotted in Cowtown

Brad Pitt has arrived in Alberta according to this article. Pitt's co-star in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Angelina Jolie, supposedly arrived on Friday to join him. Her father, Jon Voight is also in town to film September Dawn.

NOTE: If by chance, you do happen to spot them, please remember to be respectful at all times. As Alberta's film and television community continues to blossom, we want to ensure that cast and crews feel comfortable working here. Paparazzi have scared both stars and filmmakers away from other areas of the world. We don't need the same to be said for Alberta.

An article on the Calgary extras casting for The Assassination of Jesse James can also be found here.

Film Productions Flocking to Alberta

A great article on recent film productions flocking to Alberta and the history of the industry is available online at the Canoe Jam! Showbiz website. From the story:

The province is like a massive backlot as the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton can easily stand in for any metropolis.

To the far north is rugged arctic terrain. The southern third of the province offers rolling hills and vast prairie expanses suited to westerns.

Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise boast some of the most spectacular mountain vistas, while the Drumheller Badlands can double for anything from alien planets to prehistoric wastelands.

Stars like Bing Crosby, Jimmy Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, Anthony Hopkins, Paul Newman, Kevin Costner, William Shatner, Richard Gere, Gene Wilder, John Candy, Jackie Chan, and numerous others have filmed within the diverse settings of Alberta. The article also mentions Brad Pitt's return with The Assassination of Jesse James.

Be sure to read the insightful article to learn more about Alberta's Film history, which I'll also be discussing in the book version of The Alberta Movie Guide.

The Man Who Taught Brad Pitt to Ride

Alexandra Burroughs with the Calgary Herald wrote an interesting story about John Scott, an Albertan animal wrangler, stunt co-ordinator, and movie enthusiast who could be considered "the godfather of Alberta showbiz."

"I've just always loved this business," says Scott, cowboy boots firmly planted on the damp soil of the southern Alberta ranch settled by his grandfather 101 years ago.

"I had grown up playing cowboys and Indians as a kid, so to be able to do the real thing and get paid for it was quite an event."

The fascinating story goes on...

Known as one of the best animal wranglers in the world, Scott has worked on more than 120 movies, including Oscar-winners Unforgiven, Days of Heaven and Legends of the Fall. His reputation is so deeply rooted in Hollywood that director Peter Jackson brought him to New Zealand in 2000 to work as the horse stunt co-ordinator on the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

About the animal stars he trains and works with:

"Some of these horses have been in more pictures than most actors," says Scott standing amongst his four-legged stars.

"These are professionals. They're trained to be around lights, smoke, gunfire -- they don't spook easy."

The article also mentions that Scott has the largest collection of wagons and buggies in North America. Definitely a worthwhile read!

Photo credit: Leah Hennel, the Calgary Herald

Event: Student Film Screening in Hinton

This courtesy of the Hinton Parklander:

Free Movie Night

Dan Santerre and Jayden Madsen, two young Hinton filmmakers, will show their recently completed documentary on the perils of underage drinking entitled Alcoholic Anomaly. The film is about 40 minutes long and has political overtones, but no harsh language. It is open to film buffs of all ages.

For an encore, the filmmakers will show their Yellowhead Rotary Arts Festival award-winning film, The Deviation of an Allergic Mind. This 30-minute film is a creative piece of fiction, very different than the documentary with a message being shown the same night.

Free Admission

LOCATION/TIME:
Monday, August 22, 2005
Drama Room
Harry Collinge High School
Hinton, Alberta
7:00 p.m.

Thomas Haden Church in Daughters of Joy

More information on Thomas Haden Church's (Sideways) involvement in the Robert Duvall mini-series, Daughters of Joy can be found at this link courtesy of CANOE JAM! Showbiz.

The article also talks about IATSE 212's need for skilled labour again. Some members have left for other provinces, so the union is trying to lure them back to Alberta.

Also mentioned is the fact that Paul Gross (Due South) is expected to film a World War I epic in the spring, and that a film about George Custer is in consideration after producers recently scouted the area.

Matthew Perry May Be Coming To Calgary

CANOE JAM! Showbiz has a report on Friends and The Whole Nine Yards star Matthew Perry and his visit to Calgary to film The Ron Clark Story.

The Ron Clark Story is based on the true story of a teacher's courage to abandon his small North Carolina town and head to one of the most challenging public schools in the country. Clark, who was voted Disney's 2000 Teacher of the Year, uses his enthusiasm, creativity and passion to get through to his most difficult students.

Also interesting, the article mentions that both Liam Neeson and Richard Gere won't be in Alberta to film Seraphim Falls after all. The production has decided to film in New Mexico, a chief rival to Alberta's film industry.

Gere was in Alberta previously with Sam Shepherd and Brooke Adams to film Terrence Malick's beautiful Days of Heaven.

Casting Call: Hollywood needs "extra" help in Calgary

CFCN (CTV) has a short story on other productions being filmed around Alberta and the casting needs of the shows.

The Ron Clark Story stars Matthew Perry, while September Dawn stars Jon Voight. Of course there is also The Assassination of Jesse James starring Brad Pitt and Daughters of Joy with Robert Duvall.

The Assasination of Jesse James
Staring Brad Pitt
Casting Call:
August 21 in Calgary
Time and place TBA

The Ron Clark Story
Staring Matthew Perry
Casting Call:
Saturday, August 13
Coast Plaza Hotel
1316 33 St. N.E.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Looking for children and adults of all ages, especially of African-Canadian, Latin, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Asian, and Middle Eastern descents.

Daughters of Joy
Starring Robert Duvall & Thomas Hayden Church
Send picture to:
Classic Casting
P.O. Box 345 Suite 30
8120 Beddington Blvd. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T3K 2A8
Need 200 men with moustaches, facial hair, and/or rugged western look.

Picture this!

The Edmonton Sun has a story on the papparazi expected to follow Brad Pitt to Alberta when he films The Assassination of Jesse James.

"With cameras scheduled to roll Aug. 29 in Calgary on the production, at least two dozen Los Angeles-based photographers are gearing up for a trek to Wild Rose Country. Although filming is set to start in Calgary, the production will pick up stakes and move to Edmonton for an undetermined time - the filmmakers liked the look of Fort Edmonton - and Winnipeg, where cast and crew are expected to shoot in a local opera house. The western will then return to Calgary."

So when you're passing by Fort Edmonton Park along the Whitemud Freeway over the next few weeks, keep your eyes glued to the road and not the park. There's already going to be enough photographers and we don't need a big traffic pileup! :-)

After bit parts, a big break

The Edmonton Journal features a story on Olivia Cheng leaving her role as a journalist and TV reporter to act in her first major role.

The 25 year-old will play an 1880's Chinese prostitute kidnapped from her asian homeland and brought to work in an American brothel. Daughters of Joy, a $15-million mini-series stars Robert Duvall (also serving as executive producer), Thomas Haden Church (Sideways), and Dwight Yoakam (Sling Blade). Cheng, who also had a bit part in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson's Shanghai Noon, isn't getting all starry-eyed yet, but shows ambition:

"I don't have any illusions that ... I'm going to become a star after this. But this is a life experience I couldn't turn down. When this movie is done, I'll come up with a new five-year plan."

Check out the link for the full article. Best wishes for continued success in your career Olivia!

Robert Duvall has been to Alberta before to film the western Open Range with Kevin Costner.

Update: Daughters of Joy was the working title for what is now known as Broken Trail.

Ben's Bro Joining Brad in Shoot

Originaly published online at www.edmontonsun.com - Showbiz, Tuesday, August 9, 2005:

By EDMONTON SUN STAFF

Brad Pitt won't be the only famous face coming to Edmonton in a few weeks to shoot the period Western The Assassination of Jesse James. Mr. Affleck is on his way, too.

Not the Ben-and-Jen-and-Jen-again Affleck, though. Casey Affleck, Ben's younger brother, has been signed to play the infamous Robert Ford opposite Pitt's outlaw Jesse James, according to Variety magazine.

Ford was the member of James's gang who grew to resent the famous outlaw and eventually fatally shot him in the back. The movie is based on Robert Hansen's novel, The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford, and will be directed by Andrew Dominik, best known for helming Eric Bana's breakout film, Chopper.

Affleck starred alongside Pitt in Ocean's Eleven and the recent Ocean's Twelve, and is currently shooting The Last Kiss, scripted by Canadian Oscar-nominee Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby) and directed by Tony Goldwyn.

The Assassination of Jesse James is slated to begin shooting later this month, and will visit locations in and around both Edmonton and Calgary. The production wraps in November.

Hollywood brings Christmas in July to Edmonton

Originally published in the Edmonton Journal, July 14, 2005
---
Pine trees with fake snow work just fine for CBS TV movie

BILL RANKIN
Journal Culture Writer
EDMONTON

It's going to look a lot like Christmas around Edmonton over the next three weeks.

On Wednesday, a sequel to the popular 2002 CBS television movie The Christmas Shoes began shooting north of downtown.

The film, tentatively entitled The Christmas Blessing, stars Rob Lowe, late of The West Wing; Neil Patrick Harris of Doogie Howser, M.D. fame, and scream queen Rebecca Gayheart. It wraps Aug. 8 after filming in various Edmonton locations including the General Hospital, two houses in Glenora, the McCauley school and throughout Old Strathcona.

Executive producer Beth Grossbard said The Christmas Blessing "is a small-town movie, and Edmonton has that small-town feel."

Grossbard also produced The Christmas Shoes, a tearjerker about a young boy trying to find the perfect shoes for his dying mother. It drew nearly 17 million American viewers and was the second-highest rated TV movie of 2003-04.

She said she found everything she needed for her sequel right here.

"We spent a couple of weeks scouting for the right locations, finding the right school that looked like a northeastern town building, a home that not only matched the Nova Scotia home (in the original film), but the neighbourhood in and around the home.

"The people at the General Hospital have been wonderful also. There's a wing that's empty there. It's perfect for shooting," she says. "You can't find that in a lot of towns where there's a totally shut-down wing of a hospital where you can go in, clean it up a little bit, put a little spit polish on it and you've got yourself a set."

Co-producer Craig Anderson chose Edmonton over Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. He was looking for a feel that would harken back to the first movie.

He says financial and professional incentives also made the project most viable in Edmonton.

"I was looking for a small-town feel that wasn't Calgary, that wasn't Vancouver or Toronto. I wanted a crew that knew each other, that had been together for quite a while so there's a nice camaraderie there. I scouted in four different places, but I ended up with Edmonton because of the feel that I had here.

"There's a great crew here and I get a percentage back by hiring local. Not only casting and crew, but department heads are all local. About 95 per cent of the entire crew is from the area, which is just great."

By filming in Alberta, the production can draw on an available $1.5 million in provincial film development funding, and 50 percent of Alberta-based labour costs also get rebated.

After shooting The Christmas Blessing, Anderson will take a week off and then begin doing a second film here for Lifetime Television. That shoot will end in mid-September.

Patti Tucker, head of the Edmonton Film Commission, says luring the two productions to the dty will build on the reputation Edmonton is gaining as a film-friendly location.

"When you're dealing with CBS and Lifetime, it certainly raises the credibility of the city."

She estimates local financial spinoffs from the two productions to be worth $4 million.

Grossbard found Tucker's helpfulness a major incentive for working here.

"I think in a town that doesn't have an excessive amount of film production, people are more open to it. If you go into Vancouver or Toronto, they don't want you in their neighbourhoods. They're tired of it," she says.

"We're doing one of our biggest scenes this coming weekend in and around Old Strathcona. We were able to get cooperation from the film commission, and permits and the traffic control and the police. I can't say a lot of places would allow you to do that." The stretch of 83rd Avenue between 104th Street and Gateway Boulevard will be made to look like a town square for the movie.

Anderson will have to resort to some Hollywood magic make midsummer Edmonton look like December in the eastern U.S.

"We always make Christmas movies in July and August for some reason. I've done it before, so we'll be laying down snow, making people wear jackets and gloves and mufflers in order to give us the atmosphere."

He'll have to keep the leafy poplars out of the picture. "We shoot in front of pine trees," he says.

Meanwhile, Grossbard says in the month she's been living in Edmonton preparing for filming, there's only one question she's getting tired of answering.

"The only problem is everybody keeps saying to us, 'Oh, you're with the Brad Pitt movie.' Everybody wants to see the Brad Pitt movie."

Warner Brothers begins shooting a film about the American outlaw Jesse James, starring Pitt, at the end of August in Calgary. There are unconfirmed reports that some of the scenes will also be shot at Fort Edmonton Park.

brankin@thejournal.canwest.com

Extras Casting Call: The Assassination of Jesse James

Originally published in the Edmonton Journal, July 19, 2005
NOTE: Extras casting location information at the bottom of the article.

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Old-school extras needed for Pitt's local scenes

RICK McCONNELL
Journal Culture Writer
EDMONTON

Wanted: Hundreds of men, women and children who dream of seeing themselves on the silver screen in a big-budget Hollywood film.

Reward: $9 an hour — and perhaps the chance to see Brad Pitt, up close and in person.

Be on the lookout for an open casting call being held Sunday in Edmonton to hire extras for a movie about the life and death of outlaw Jesse James. Shooting is scheduled to start Aug. 29 and wrap up by December, with scenes filmed in or around Edmonton and Calgary, and perhaps Winnipeg and Montreal.

Few details have been released about the movie, based on the Ron Hansen novel The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

What is certain is Brad Pitt will play Jesse James, and hundreds of extras will be needed to help recreate the town of St. Joseph, Mo., where the train and bankrobber was murdered in 1882, and Creede, Colo., the mining camp where Robert Ford was assassinated a decade later.

At least 600 men, women and children are needed for non-speaking roles, says Louise Mackiewicz of The Casting Line Canada Inc., who has done casting work on several films, including Open Range, Shanghai Noon and Mystery, Alaska.

Since the Jesse James movie is set in the 1880s and 1890s, men with "great character looks, especially facial hair," and women with long hair will be particularly prized, Mackiewicz says.

It's not known yet exactly when the Edmonton filming will be done, or even where.

"We will be in the Edmonton area for a three-week period," Mackiewicz says. "Some of our biggest scenes may require upwards of 350 people for one day."

It's thought some scenes will be shot at Fort Edmonton Park, where 1885 Street has buildings that would fit the time period.

The town of Creede, high in the mountains west of Denver, may be harder to recreate.

"They're looking at building a town on Fortress Mountain in K-Country," Mackiewicz says.

The movie is being directed by Andrew Dominik and produced by Pitt's company. Plan B Films, in conjunction with Scott Free Productions, owned by directors Ridley and Tony Scott.

There are more than a dozen speaking parts. Principal casting is being handled out of Calgary by Deb Green Casting. Green was in Vancouver this week looking for actors, including someone to play Robert Ford.

Edmonton's open casting call will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ramada Inn and Conference Centre at 11834 Kingsway Ave.

rmcconnell@theiournal.canwest.com

Paul Newman Visits Edmonton

The West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix debuted in Edmonton over the weekend and brought out one of Hollywood's biggest celebrities. Mr. Paul Newman found the race fans to be "just amazing" as evidenced in this story from the Edmonton Journal's Brock Harrison. Newman, who has starred in countless films, and is the owner of one of the race teams participating in the event, had nothing but positive things to say about the spectators:

"Look at these fans, they're just amazing," Paul Newman said Saturday from his team's Newman/Haas tent on pit row, overlooking the slick race track and packed grandstands dotted by yellow, blue and red ponchos.

"There's so many of them, with the weather this bad, and they're so enthusiastic. I've never seen anything like this."

Neil Patrick Harris (TV's Doogie Howser, M.D. and Starship Troopers) also attended the second day of the event [Saturday].

"The Edmonton people are so laid back, I must say," said Harris, who's in town shooting a Christmas-themed movie with Rob Lowe. "No fist fights so far, so that's pretty good, right?"

The rainy weather didn't dull the enthusiasm of the crowd either. An estimated 66,250 excited fans attended day 2.

Newman has been in Alberta at least once before to film Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson.

Photo credit: Shaughn Butts, the Edmonton Journal

More Pitt and Jolie Edmonton Rumors

As orginally published in the Edmonton Journal, July 16, 2005:

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Angelina, Brad hanging around the Pitts?
Speculation has Hollywood's hottest couple in town for racing

Welcome to Edmonton, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

The rumour mill kicked into high gear Friday to coincide with all those racing engines at the West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix [Edmonton].

Depending on who you talk to, and how willing you are to suspend belief, Pitt and his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star have dropped by to witness Edmonton's first go-round with a big auto race.

Bounce radio started the ball bouncing early Friday.

One of their DJs managed to engage Chad Murphy of the Century Grill in a little on-air speculation that Pitt and Jolie might be in Edmonton already and could be attending tonight's private party at the southside restaurant where Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and Wayne Gretzky are expected to be front and centre.

"I didn't confirm anything," Murphy protested later in the day. "It's a private party and we already have a fair amout of police cars and security lined up. No, the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt bit is speculation, as far as I'm concerned.

"... But if Brad Pitt shows up, hey, we're going to let him in."

Murphy did point out that Pitt is supposed to begin shooting at Fort Edmonton Park, sometime soon.

Indeed, there have been reports that Pitt plans to shoot a new Jesse James movie this summer at Fort Edmonton and locations outside Calgary.

So, who knows? But keep in mind that there was actual confirmed news out of Los Angeles Thursday, reporting that Pitt had been diagnosed with a mild case of viral meningitis and sent home from hospital with flu-like symptoms. Sounds like not the best circumstances for setting up a flight to Edmonton.

But if Hollywood's big power couple isn't actually here in Edmonton, take heart. There's a rumour Sylvester Stallone is on his way.

© The Edmonton Journal 2005

Former Calgarian Produces Horror Film

Here's a link to a Calgary Sun article about a former Calgarian named Blake Corbet who went from owning a landscaping and construction company to become a movie producer.

"In the construction industry, Corbet says, "People are clean and straight-shooters and honest ... The people who manage movie stars are incredible. I'm not saying that they're all liars and thieves, but the ethical boundaries are a lot more broad."

Corbet sold his landscaping and construction business after moving it to Vancouver in 1998. He has devoted the past eight years to learning filmmaking. About the shift in careers and future of his movie producing role:

"I'm middle aged. I've got a family. It's insanely risky (to go into moviemaking) ... My 15 year old said when (filming Fido) seemed at risk, he said, 'If you don't pull this off, I'm out of here. I'm going to turn myself over to the state. It's too much."

Whether Fido which stars Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Trilogy), Billy Connolly, Dylan Baker, Henry Czerny, and Tim Black Nelson, has been picked up by Lion's Gate, which will release the film in 2006.

The Assassination of Jesse James Casting Info

Thanks for all your support! The Alberta Movie Guide has been receiving a lot of hits and the numbers keep rising. Recently, a large portion of those hits are coming from people searching for casting information regarding the upcoming Scott Free Productions film The Assassination of Jesse James starring Brad Pitt. It's great to see interest in Alberta generated through the film production, even if it is partially because of the star and producers.

Please see the Production Credits section of the Alberta Film Commission website for casting inquiries.

2005 Dreamspeakers Film Festival

This weekend (June 22 to 25) is your chance to attend a unique film festival in Edmonton, Alberta. The Dreamspeakers Film Festival focuses on Aboriginal and Native documentaries, films, television shows, actors, directors, and producers. The event welcomes people of all cultures and will feature an incredible roster of talent from independent and high-budget Hollywood productions. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in outstanding workshops led by industry professionals with topics ranging from Screenwriting to Acting and Filmmaking.

As a good friend of the Festival President, I can honestly say he has put his heart and soul into ensuring the Festival offers something for everyone and provides an excellent venue for storytellers to gather.

From the Dreamspeakers Film Festival website:

When the first Dene filmmaker returned home to Canada’s Northwest Territories, his people had no words for his new art. They called it Dreamtalking. When you make films a Dene elder said, you are speaking your dreams.

Over the course four days, Edmonton, Alberta becomes the site of an international gathering of our own Dreamtalkers: filmmakers, performers and artists. First Nation people from around the globe gather to share their common bond, a linkage with of a natural world whose harmonies and rhythms are being forgotten by those that came later.

Dreamspeakers Film Festival provides a venue for Dreamtalkers and offers a unique exploration into aboriginal cultures from all parts of the globe.

The Dreamspeakers Society supports, promotes and markets aboriginal culture, art and heritage. It is a resource for aboriginal filmmakers, for directors, scriptwriters, cameramen, technicians, actors, musicians, storytellers, artists and craftspeople. The Society is also a resource bank — a way to get in touch with aboriginal filmmakers, performers and artists. And through Dreamspeakers, aboriginal people receive training in arts, culture and festival operations.

Don't miss out on this annual showcase! Call Laurel at (780) 378-9609 to register and purchase tickets.

More Stars to Film in Alberta in 2005

Originally published as a fact box in the Edmonton Journal, June 22, 2005:

MORE STARS

Brad Pitt isn't the only Hollywood star headed to Alberta. Liam Neeson, Richard Gere, Robin Williams and Robert Duvall are working on four separate projects. Williams is starring in the big-budget comedy R.V., which will film in Alberta for five weeks starting mid-July. Duvall, who was last in Alberta to star in 2003's film Open Range, is expected to film a miniseries here this summer. Neeson and Gere will star in Seraphim Falls, a psychological action film rumoured to begin filming here in late summer.

Brad Pitt Coming Back To Alberta?

Brad Pitt as Tristan Ludlow in Legends of the Fall. © 1994 TriStar Pictures, Inc.

There's been rumblings about Brad Pitt filming in Alberta again for quite a while now. When I was conducting research for the print version of The Alberta Movie Guide a few years ago, locals in southern Alberta towns mentioned hearing about his return for a feature film production. It's been rumored that he's already visited Alberta several times in addition to filming Legends of the Fall and that he has property in Bragg Creek near Calgary, though he denies it saying if he owned land in all the places people said he did, he'd be "quite the land baron." A month ago, I heard the rumor resurface and was told that Pitt had recently made a visit to Alberta to scout locations including Fort Edmonton Park. Calgary and Edmonton media outlets have been buzzing with the news, but no official announcements have been made.

The Assassination of Jesse James, one of many flicks about the infamous outlaw, is to be directed by Chopper's Andrew Dominik and produced by Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free Productions.

If you've never been to Fort Edmonton Park, it's worth visiting not only for it's historic atmosphere, great location, and cultural history, but to see it up close before it appears on film again. I've had the good fortune to visit it many times during school and family outings, celebrate special occassions and film weddings there. I've even traveled down the North Saskatchewan River by canoe to stay overnight at Fort Edmonton, just as Hudson's Bay Company Fur Traders used to do many years ago. Fort Edmonton Park remains one of my favorite locations in the city. I'll have more on Fort Edmonton Park's role in films at a later date.

Note: Please don't send requests asking where Brad and other stars will be staying or what time they'll be at a certain place as I won't be providing that specific kind of information. The film production needs to run smoothly and though there'll probably be some kind of media photo opportunity if they do film here, the cast and crew don't need delays in work or hassles during the off-production hours. Just like you or I, they have a job to do. Perhaps serving as an extra on the film might be your shot at getting a glimpse of Mr. Pitt?

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Originally published in the Edmonton Journal, June 22, 2005:

Details of Pitt visit as elusive as James gang
Hot actor coming to Edmonton for film about Wild West outlaw

Rick McConnell
The Edmonton Journal
June 22, 2005

EDMONTON - Wanted: Information leading to some arresting details about the new Brad Pitt western coming to a city very near you.

The blond, heart-throb leading man will soon be back in Alberta to film his new Jesse James movie, which will be shot at historic Fort Edmonton Park and in the wide-open spaces outside Calgary.

Beyond that, there are few eyewitness reports about the $30-million drama. Reporters seeking tips about the movie and its big-name star followed a cold trail Tuesday.

"This is the best news a film commissioner can get," said Edmonton Film Commissioner Patti Tucker, who, as it turned out, couldn't offer an accurate description about who will do what to whom, or when, or how.

"I'm as frustrated as you are," Tucker said when asked to confirm the whole Brad-Pitt-is-coming-to-town story.

"We need to get this good news out, but it's got to come from (Alberta Film Commissioner) Dan Chugg. I can't say one word to anybody, and I've been working on this for three months."

Chugg, who oversees the province's film industry and reports to Economic Development Minister Clint Dunford, was out of the office and unavailable for comment.

Requests for information were passed to the department's communications branch, but no one from that office called back to confirm one of the biggest film projects to hit the province in years.

Still, despite efforts to keep word from leaking out, those tracking the story were able to learn that Plan B Films, a company started by Pitt and his estranged wife, Jennifer Aniston, will co-produce the movie, along with Scott Free Productions, owned by brothers Tony and Ridley Scott.

Pitt will play Jesse James, who was living under the alias Tom Howard in St. Joseph, Mo., when he was gunned down in his living room on April 3, 1882, by his cousin, Bob Ford, a former member of his gang.

The movie, based on the 1983 Ron Hansen novel The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, will be good news to Alberta's film industry.

But to the people who will one day market the movie, good news is apparently no news at all.

At Warner Bros. Pictures offices in Los Angeles, one publicist after another said, more or less, "they went thataway," and finally suggested information might be forthcoming from the company's Canadian headquarters in Toronto.

There, however, a harassed publicist was dealing with a power outage and had no time to talk. Hours later, the Toronto publicist called back and passed the bouncing ball back to another Warner spokesperson in Hollywood, who confirmed that Pitt and the Scotts are indeed involved, but wouldn't say much more.

Is there anyone from Warner Bros., the spokesperson was asked, who can talk about this project?

"No," the spokesperson said.

Could you tell us why that is?

"No," the spokesperson said. "If we put out a press release in which we announce this, then the head of production would make the announcement. When we put out a formal announcement, then it will come from the head of the studio."

Over at the Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association offices, things seemed a little more certain.

"I understand there are quite a few locations around Alberta, not just Calgary and Edmonton," said executive director Alan Brooks. "It means a lot of work for a lot of people in this industry."

Brooks said he was told production officials involved with the project visited the Alberta capital months ago.

"They fell in love with Fort Edmonton Park," he said. "It was absolutely perfect for the movie."

"We have no information," said the person answering telephones at the park, who then suggested Patti Tucker might be the person to call.

With a posse of reporters still hot on the story's trail, by the end of the day the film's director had been identified as Andrew Dominik, who once wrote and directed a film called Chopper (2000), which starred an actor named Eric Bana, who later worked in a film called Troy, which starred a certain shy fellow named Pitt, who might remember Alberta from his work a decade ago on Legends of the Fall, which some people say was filmed here.

But that might be a rumour.

rmcconnell@thejournal.canwest.com

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The Calgary Sun also has a report on the 'Pitt-stop' at this link.