Originally published in the Edmonton Journal, July 14, 2005
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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
Friday, July 29, 2005
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
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
NOTE: Extras casting location information at the bottom of the article.
---
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
Monday, July 18, 2005
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
Saturday, July 16, 2005
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
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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
Thursday, July 14, 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.
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:
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.
"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.
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