Jesse James Tour Coming To Edmonton

The Edmonton Sun reports that Fort Edmonton Park will begin offering wagon tours where key scenes from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford were filmed. The article states the tours will run from September 17 through September 22. No word if there will be more tours. From the article:

It will include “behind-the-scenes stories, little known facts and insider information about the film location,” Jan Archbold, a city spokesman, said today.

“We had people asking us, ‘So, where did they shoot and what did they do?’ They had all of these questions about the use of an Edmonton attraction in a movie,” Archbold told Sun Media, explaining where the idea for the tours came from.

The flick – premiering in select markets Sept. 21 – tells the story of how James died at the hands of Robert Ford, portrayed by Casey Affleck. Pitt stars as James. Filming began in southern Alberta in August 2005, before moving north to Fort Edmonton Park.

Archbold said tour highlights will include the train cars refurbished for the movie and McDougall’s General Store on 1885 Street where a robbery scene was filmed.

Visitors will also be shown where the shell of James’ home was constructed on 1885 Street. It was strictly a movie prop for outdoor scenes and has since been torn down.

“There were a number of shots of Brad Pitt on the veranda of this house, and you’ll be able to know where it would have been.”

The Kenneth McDonald house, also on 1885 Street, was used as the interior of James’ home.

You can read the full article at the link above.

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Jesse James To Open Calgary International Film Festival

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford will open the 2007 Calgary International Film Festival. From the press release:

The film will be presented at the American Express Opening Night Gala on the eve of the Festival September 20, 2007.

“CIFF will be the second Festival in Canada to see this film after the Toronto International Film Festival,” explained CIFF’s Executive Director Jacqueline Dupuis. “This is truly a coup for Calgary and a testament to the people of Alberta and the Alberta film industry.” Dupuis expressed her thrill that Warner Bros. is giving CIFF the opportunity to share this remarkable cinematic achievement with a Calgary audience, many of whom worked on the film while it was being shot in Alberta during the fall of 2005.

The press release briefly mentions some location information:

A drama filmed in the spectacular landscapes of Alberta, the film highlights the expansive prairies of the south and snowcapped peaks of Kananaskis, doubling for the American frontier circa 1881. Authentic period architecture at Fort Edmonton and Calgary’s Heritage Park, as well as the talents of the Alberta film industry, such as horse wrangler John Scott, are highlighted in this critically acclaimed film.

You can read the full press release at the link above.

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Days of Heaven Criterion DVD

On September 18, The Criterion Collection will be releasing Days of Heaven, the visually stunning 1978 Terrence Malick film shot in Alberta starring Richard Gere, Sam Shepard, and Brooke Adams. Days of Heaven uses Alberta's southern prairie scenery as a dreamlike backdrop for the tale of 2 Chicago residents who pursue wheat harvesting in Texas after fleeing a crime.

More information can be found at the official website of The Criterion Collection.

I am a big fan of Malick's work and highly recommend his films. His use of great actors, incredible scenery, and outstanding music qualifies him as one of America's modern day cinema masters. Opponents will argue his films look like nature documentaries. I disagree. His shots of nature signifies the sometimes-forgotten relationships humanity has between our surroundings, the planet, and ourselves.

The Days of Heaven trailer:



You can support this blog by ordering the film at the links below.

Aint It Cool News Reviews Jesse James

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford gets some reviews from the folks over at Aint It Cool News.

Harry Knowles writes:

Brad’s Jesse James is a squirrelly character. He observes the room he’s in, studying anyone in it and their every move. And everyone else reacts to him – as if he’s a rattlesnake. They become still and cautious. There’s respect and fear. Nobody wants to get bit, but they all know if they spend too long with him, it’ll be an inevitability.

However, as great as Brad is as Jesse James – the actor to watch and marvel at in this film is Casey Affleck.

I know – that sounds astonishing, but it is absolutely the god’s own truth. Casey Affleck delivers the single best performance that I’ve seen thus far this year.

You can read the rest of Harry's review at this link.

Edmonton International Film Festival Passes Discount

Just a reminder that until Midnight tonight, you can order Reel Deal Film Festival passes or 6-pack passes for the Edmonton International Film Festival at 30% off! From the industry mailout:

Before you blast away for the long weekend, be sure to purchase your all-access, Reel Deal Film Festival Pass or 6-Pack. Until midnight TONIGHT -- Friday, August 31st -- Reel Deal passes are just $70 (regularly $100) and 6-Packs are $45 (regularly $60).

Purchase at TIX on the Square, Princess/Garneau Theatres (during movie screening hours), Earth's General Store or by phone at EIFF offices: 780-423-0844.

You can check out the full line-up of films and other events surrounding the festival at the official website.

New Jesse James Trailer

Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the info about the new trailer for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The film stars Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, and Sam Rockwell.



Trailer courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and AOL Moviefone.

Alberta Group Looks To Boost TV Production

Playback features a story on the Alberta Film Advisory Council and the new mandate of developing long-term strategies for film, television, and interactive media in Alberta:

The 16-member AFAC, formerly called the Film Commission Advisory Council, is tasked with guiding Alberta's $165-million film and television industry by developing long-term strategies and advising the provincial government on ways to strengthen the industry.

Damian Petti, president of IATSE Local 212 in Calgary, was appointed new industry co-chair last week, serving alongside Conservative MLA Gary Mar (Calgary-Mackay) for a term of three years. One of their focuses will be to increase TV series production in the province.

"TV series generate more training opportunities and year-round employment. The government sees value in growing the industry through expanding production activity, which seems to be limited to warmer summer months," Petti says, noting business has continued to pick up despite the high loonie.

You can read the rest of the article at the link above.

Congratulations also go out to my good friend Ken Bautista, who was appointed to the Council, and to Luke Azevedo, who I've worked with at The Banff Centre, as he becomes the new Calgary Film Commissioner.

New Poster for Jesse James

Here's the new movie poster for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Easily, one of the nicer photo-style movie posters to come out of Hollywood's ad agencies. The story of the film is conveyed clearly through the ominous clouds and placement of James and Ford.



Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Jesse James Ready For Theatres

Alexandra Burroughs reports that The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is ready for release in theatres beginning September 21:

The movie was recently selected for presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, a positive sign for many movie buffs. Furthermore, key critics who have seen early versions of the film are starting to get behind it.

“This is going to be one of the best films of all time or it’s just going to be something unique — to put it politely,” says filmjerk.com publisher Edward Havens, who went into a test screening of an unfinished version in June.

After seeing the movie, Havens led an online backlash against naysayers, claiming: “Yes, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is better than Unforgiven. Better than Silverado or Wyatt Earp or any other Western in the past 30 years.”

With a limited release date set for Sept. 21, audiences may yet see a film worth watching, say a growing number of online critics, who say performances by Pitt and co-star Casey Affleck are worthy of Oscars.

“Brad Pitt doesn’t use a lot of words in his performance, it’s all looks and internal turmoil, he is truly mesmerizing in this performance, showing a more mature actor then we have seen before,” said blogger Bronson on movie website Ain’t It Cool News.

Others say Roger Deakins’ cinematography is some of the best in decades, which will bode well for Alberta as the movie’s host. Although Havens says the setting “isn’t a love letter to the landscape like Brokeback Mountain,” it is so striking other moviemakers may start looking to Alberta for future films.

Head over to Canada.com to read the full article.

Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Wolverine Finds a Director

According to Variety and Superhero Hype, the upcoming Wolverine film has found a director:

20th Century Fox has set Gavin Hood to direct Hugh Jackman in Wolverine, the "X-Men" spinoff that was written by David Benioff.

The film, which begins production in November for a 2008 release, will be produced by Lauren Shuler-Donner, Jackman and his Seed Productions partner John Palermo.

Hood is the South African director whose 2005 film Tsotsi won the foreign film Oscar. His next film, the thriller Rendition with Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal, opens on October 12.

Using several resources that include the Marvel Comics lore, along with the more recent Weapon X graphic novels by Frank Miller, Wolverine mixes action with an origin story about how Logan emerged from a barbaric experiment as an indestructible mutant with retractable razor-sharp claws.

After three "X-Men" films grossed over $1 billion worldwide, the studio has made Wolverine a top priority.

"I have long been a fan of Gavin's work and know he will make a masterful film with the character intensity and action beats the fans expect," said Jackman.

As some of you were aware, key parts of the X2: X-Men United story were filmed in the Kananaskis area of Alberta. Because the character has roots in our province, it was great to see parts of the movie filmed in the place in which the story is set. Let's hope the production decides to film more of Logan's history in Alberta.



Photo: 20th Century Fox.

LIONSGATE To Film TV Series In Edmonton

Various news agencies are reporting that Lions Gate Entertainment will be opening up a production office in Edmonton to work on a television series.

According to AMPIA:

With financial incentives from the provincial government and the City of Edmonton, Lionsgate, one of the world's leading independent producers and international distributors, has been lured to produce one of their drama series in the capital city of Alberta.

The new deal will see 13 episodes per season for a minimum 2 seasons produced both in-studio and in various locations throughout the city, beginning this Fall.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

As part of a financial incentive package, the province of Alberta will invest CAN$5.4 million in the TV series, and the city of Edmonton will provide another CAN$3.5 million. In return, the city of Edmonton will receive a 15% equity stake in the TV series.

Lionsgate will decide by the end of July which of its series will relocate to Edmonton. But it is thought that either "The Dresden Files," a detective fantasy series starring Paul Blackthorne airing on the Sci Fi Channel, or Showtime's "Masters of Horror," will make the move.

Tucker said Lionsgate cold-called Edmonton last year, looking for financial incentives in oil-rich Alberta to help shift a TV series to a new locale.

Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel subsequently met in Washington with Lionsgate executive vp Mark Manuel to discuss terms for a possible relocation. "He (Manuel) wasn't just looking for tax credits. He was looking for a business deal," Tucker said.

And from the Edmonton Journal:

It's expected that the Film Alberta studios near Calgary Trail South -- formerly Allarcom Studios -- will be home to the production. Streets and communities around Edmonton will also get in on the action.

In fact, Edmonton was attractive to Lionsgate because it is considered fresh and welcoming. Not so with cities like Montreal and Vancouver, where the citizenry is burned out on TV and movie productions. Some Vancouver neighbourhoods even prohibit filming on their streets.

Lionsgate's body of work is extensive, eclectic and involves both TV and film, including the Oscar-winning movie Crash. In television, it's known for such series as The Dead Zone and Missing.

While some naysayers will not be happy at provincial and civic governments getting (back) into helping the film industry, I would like to remind them that it is an industry which employs many cast and crew who are possibly family and friends of theirs. As mentioned in the articles, there is also a chance that graduates of audio visual programs will gain experience by working on the series and help to increase the local talent base.

Great news indeed, and as both an Albertan and Edmonton-born industry supporter, it's about time things started looking up for film and television production again. I also get the feeling that this is just the beginning for many more productions that will call Alberta home over the coming years. Our cities, towns, talent, and crew deserve it.

This is an example where many partners work together to make things happen. Cross-provincial, cross-governmental, and cross-creative. Kudos to all involved in making this deal a reality.

Lions Gate Entertaimment also produced Good Luck Chuck starring Jessica Alba. Segments from the upcoming film were shot in Edmonton.

nextMEDIA 2007 and Banff World Television Festival

Just a note to all of you folks that will be attending nextMEDIA 2007 and Banff World Television Festival to say 'howdy' if you see me around. I'd love to meet some of the blog readers in person and am always eager to hear any feedback.

The Banff New Media Institute and Digital Media Association of Alberta are co-producing presentations at nextMEDIA so I've been pretty busy. On Saturday, June 9, we're facilitating a New Media Business Exploration Study brief, and on Sunday we're showcasing a panel on Interactive Games & Social Networks.

I'll also be around during the Banff World Television Festival representing The Banff Centre at our booth and events.

A big thanks to all of you who came out to support the Digital Alberta Mixer in the Mountains at The Banff Centre on Friday evening!

Don't forget to check out all the other events at both festivals involving the many companies and organizations from Alberta's film, television, mobile, and digital media production industries.

And to those of you pitching projects in Banff: I wish you all the best of success.

Cheers!