In Freezer Burn, Martians want to transform Earth into a time-share and construct crop circles to up the temperature and turn the planet into a tropical hot spot -- much to the detriment of humanity.Apparently the crop circles created for the film are creating quite a commotion outside of the city! Should be a fun film to see.
Director and cowriter Grant Harvey -- who directed Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning, is bullish on the new film's prospects. "I think what will set this film apart [from other Canadian sci-fi comedies] is our real star power, as opposed to just putting someone in with marquee value to a distributor or a funder, but who doesn't hold the attention of an independent audience," he says.
The acting muscle comes from Green (Freddy Got Fingered), who steps out of his long-established clown shoes into a dimwitted, straight-man role. The villain is played by cult favorite Crispin Glover (Willard).
Head over to the Edmonton Journal article to read the rest of the insightful interview.Murphy, a longtime colleague of Mars Rising supervising producer Michael Jorgensen, signed on to the project knowing very little about space exploration. The idea of going to another planet fascinated the veteran filmmaker, who has been making documentaries for Discovery Channel, CBC and National Geographic for 25 years. "It's like ... back in 1492, and we wanted to do a documentary about this crazy guy who was going to jump into a boat and go to a new world -- it's just so out there."
But science has never been very sexy, and Murphy had a lot of facts and figures to cram into the two hour-long episodes he'd been assigned to. His goal was to show the beauty and the creativity behind all the equations, measurements, and numbers by focussing on the personalities involved.
"You really get a sense of it in Mars Rising that these people just live and breathe it. It took NASA that kind of energy to get to the moon -- just people that are so dedicated to it, and the creative thinking that goes into it," said Murphy. "You found that they were these really incredible scientists with incredible visions. They were like artists."
He's now convinced that a trip to the Red Planet will succeed, and he's looking forward to it. "It'd be nice if I'm in my walker one day and I go by my TV set and I find out that they landed on Mars," said Murphy. "Definitely they will -- I can't say when, though."
The horror series is the first production in a two-year deal worth almost $9 million, according to reports, that LG inked with the province in July. Although the company's publicists would not confirm the value of the deal, Playback Daily reported at the time that the city would kick in $3.5 million, with the province throwing in an additional $5.4 million.You can read the full article at this link.
The show has been picked up stateside by NBC for a 13-episode run, with preproduction slated to begin in December. The idea is to get celebrated horror filmmakers to each do an original 60-minute episode, which will air in summer 2008.
It is similar to Masters of Horror, which Fear producers Keith Addis, Andrew Deane and Mick Garris made for Showtime in 2005. That series, also shot in Canada, featured episodes directed by such genre giants as Dario Argento, John Carpenter and Takashi Miike.
"Yeah, I'd say he's just a wonderful guy for that part," says John Scott, the production's head wrangler, who first worked with Pitt about 12 years earlier on the set of Legends of the Fall. "He's just a wonderful man, period."and...
Pitt barely had any experience at all with horses before Legends, recalls Scott, who was head wrangler on that film too -- also shot in Alberta. "But he was so utterly determined that he was riding extremely well by the time he went to camera," says the veteran Canadian horseman.
Reuniting with the actor several years later to prep him for another saddle-bound shoot on Jesse James, Scott notes that it was like deja vu--sort of. "He was the same easygoing, charitable, well-mannered guy with the same work ethic. And he hadn't done much riding since Legends, so it was like another crash course. But I think he was facing at least 10 times more pressure and stress during the filming of Jesse James than when we last worked together and he was still just kind of starting up."The magazine also discusses the real Jesse James including some of the actual locations he left his impressions upon. Some of these include St. Joseph, Missouri where the house that James was allegdly shot in still stands, the James Farm in Kearney, Missouri, and Northfield, Minnesota, where the James-Younger gang met its demise.
It will include “behind-the-scenes stories, little known facts and insider information about the film location,” Jan Archbold, a city spokesman, said today.You can read the full article at the link above.
“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.
The film will be presented at the American Express Opening Night Gala on the eve of the Festival September 20, 2007.The press release briefly mentions some location information:
“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.
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.
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.You can read the rest of Harry's review at this link.
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.
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).You can check out the full line-up of films and other events surrounding the festival at the official website.
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.
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.You can read the rest of the article at the link above.
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.
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.Head over to Canada.com to read the full article.
“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.
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.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.
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.From The Hollywood Reporter:
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.
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.And from the Edmonton Journal:
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.
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.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.
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.
I'm very disappointed," says festival board member Tamrin Hildebrant, 33.Though I missed posting about this last month, it's still important to note the effects that government funding cutbacks have on smaller organizations.
"Herland is the only film festival in Calgary that really focuses on films by women. We focus on topics that aren't covered in other film festivals."
For 17 years, Herland has provided a home to films that covered a range feminist-related topics not typically seen in the mainstream. From films about queer culture to movies by and for aboriginal women, women of colour and women with disabilities, the festival has hosted hundreds of independent movies throughout the years.
It began in 1989 when the Calgary Status of Women Action Committee, a feminist collective, joined with the Women of Colour Collective to host a film-focused fundraiser. Building up its audience throughout the years, the festival peaked in 2003-04 with an audience of about 1,700. The next year, however, the audience fell to 1,000."
“I was in a terrible car accident when I was two years old...I shouldn't have been driving in the first place,” joked series front man Nathan Fillion. The Canadian-born actor admitted that Los Angeles driving terrified him at first but has now learned to leave early and go slow.Be sure to check out the full article at the link above. You can also find more information on the show at the official FOX website.
Drive is not the first project that Minear and Fillion have collaborated on. Firefly fans will recognize Fillion as Captain ‘Mal’ Reynolds from the short-lived sci-fi series, a cult favourite, and later the feature film, Serenity.
The participants on Drive begin the race at the southernmost point in the United States, but no one knows where it ends. With no idea who their competition is or who is behind the game, contestants embark on a labyrinth of intrigue, danger, mystery and twists and turns, and that’s not just the terrain.
“Part of the game is, if you get pulled over […] you can't explain what you were doing. If you start to tell the police what you're doing, then you're disqualified,” explained Minear. “It's also structured in such a way that if you were to go to the police and try to rat this thing out, they would laugh at you.”
Thousands of people spent hours lining up for the chance to be extras in Christmas in Wonderland, a feature film starring Ray Liotta and Leslie Nielsen that is scheduled to start filming here on April 23. Never mind that extras will only appear in the film's background and that many will not even be paid for their time; those attending the casting call still seemed to think the experience would be worth it.I've also heard reports that the holiday decorations are still up at West Edmonton Mall for the filming. You can read the full article at the link above.
"I came because I like to act and I wanted to be in the movie, so that I can start my big career!" said 10-year-old Kira Mann, who was accompanied by her mother.
Mann was surrounded by a diverse crowd that included teenagers, seniors and children. Some people brought folding chairs to make the wait more comfortable, while others brought books or iPods for entertainment. Some arrived in their street clothes, while others appeared carefully primped for the event.
Once, not long ago, Alberta was a leader in film and television. The province had momentum, a formula for success. Under Peter Lougheed and Don Getty, Alberta had a well-funded, well-regarded and well-watched provincial television station in ACCESS. From 1981 to 1996, the Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation (AMPDC) built a thriving film and television industry here. Crews, producers, writers, editors and directors lived in Edmonton and Calgary. They told Alberta stories for locals as well as for national and international audiences.Be sure to read the full article at this link.
Then, in 1996, just as the Canadian film industry was expanding, Premier Ralph Klein shut down the AMPDC. The government sold ACCESS for $1 to some Ontarians, who relaunched it as one of the cheapest, most measly television stations in the developed world.
For the most part, the crews, producers, writers and directors left Alberta. Hewing of wood ensued. Of course, this was hardly an election issue. For Klein and the province, it was a financial and social error. But all in all, it was probably a good political move. A few thousand fewer Liberals, give or take, can only refine the Alberta advantage.
Good move or bad, Klein is remembered as the man who destroyed film in Alberta. Many of those who didn't leave are only now, post-Klein, rebuilding their careers here. Again, this is not controversial material. No one is crying for the movie producers. A lot of publicly funded institutions were smashed by the Klein government in the 1990s, so the public at large could enjoy the various pleasures of debt freedom today.
"At the time, when the AMPDC was cut, some people had no choice but to leave the province," says Alan Brooks, executive director of AMPIA. "But we understand it was necessary at the time, to get the province out of debt. And remember, Ralph Klein also brought in the Alberta Film Development Fund."
"It's been a monster to put together," he adds, "because we've never really attempted to do anything like this in our domestic cinema history. We've done some co-productions that have been large, but as a purely Canadian domestic production, it's well outside the normal model.For more information, check out the full article at this link.
"The ceiling on a pure Canadian film is about $7 (million) or $8 million. And we're aiming for somewhere closer to $20 million.
"I hope we're going to go to camera probably Aug. 1," Gross adds. "Shooting for, I don't know, 50 days I think. Plus weekends, so somewhere into the fall."
Passchendaele tells the story of a large battalion of Alberta soldiers who participated in the third Battle of Ypres, in Belgium, during the First World War. The film got a $5.5-million kickstart during Alberta's 2005 centennial celebrations, when Gross pitched the project to then premier Ralph Klein.
"There is a combination of things that made me decide," Thompson tells Playback Daily. "There is certainly a frustration that the industry hasn't changed a great deal since I started, and I think we need to take a stronger position."You can read the full article at the above link. The Alberta Movie Guide wishes Beth the best of luck in her future endeavours.
She says changing the limits on the Alberta Film Development Fund -- currently at $14 million per year and $1.5 million per project -- would be a good start, as would tax incentives like those offered in other provinces.
Projects that shot in her city had a combined budget of $110 million to $130 million she says. "The numbers here haven't changed in six or seven years. We can see in other provinces there is considerable growth. We're in a market that should be doing really well.... but for some reason we're not."
Hill, 36, earned her Master of Fine Arts in experimental animation from CalArts in 1995. Her animated shorts screened at numerous festivals, and in 2004 she received a fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation's Program for Media Artists for THE FLORESTINE COLLECTION, a film "reflecting on handcrafted work and race in New Orleans through the story of a collection of hand-sewn dresses and the woman who made them." In addition to her filmmaking, Hill taught filmmaking and animation to youth and adults, and served as visiting artist at the California State Summer School for the Arts and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.Be sure to head over there to read the other tributes to Helen.
