Tony Scott Talks Jesse James

Kevin Williams (Calgary Sun) spoke with producer Tony Scott regarding the change in release scheduling (Feb. 2007) for the Brad Pitt film, The Assassination of Jesse James:

“It’s great. We have to be careful how we market it because it’s like a Terrence Malick film,” he says, referring to the legendary director of such visually sumptuous epics as The Thin Red Line and The New World.

“But it’s really good and Brad’s terrific in it — he just gets better with age.”

In addition to Pitt and Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James also stars Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker and Zooey Deschanel.

Scott, an avid rock climber, is no stranger to Calgary, frequently coming here to shoot commercials for the overseas markets — when he’s not scaling mountains.

“I love it there.”

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

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.