A short personal reflection on working Studio vs. Physical Production

 From Studio East, to Physical Production West

“If the world ran the way a crew runs a set, we’d have a better, more progressive world.” – Spielberg

This is a long-winded anecdote I’d like to share about my experience working in a studio environment out East in Film/Television and then journeying West to join the land of the sleepless, hardworking Production crew.

It’s 2011, I’m floating through the hallways of my new gig at a Toronto studio surrounded by posters of grandiose International Co-Productions and Micro-budget Canadian triumphs. I can’t help but get shivers knowing that I made it this far.  I stand there looking at my reflection in the glass, an unknown journey awaits…

“It’s a hard road, and you may never get there.”  “How are you going to support yourself?” “When are you going back to school to get an education?” “I think Tim Horton’s is hiring.”

This is a common discourse for filmmakers, a conversation that ends in a nod, a wave or changing the subject before quickly excusing yourself.  Yes, you may have to tend bar, sell your blood or other bodily fluids but once you work in the industry, you understand the desire to continue to pursue its inconsistent deliciousness.

I should start at the beginning. Actually, I’ll start at the point I felt in love with Television.

I started my adventure at Entertainment One in Toronto, learning my way through television from a corporate level, it was fascinating to watch how money was spent, how business deals were made, analyzing profit vs. content appreciation and the exchange of power through the art of the Shmoooze. A world I didn’t expect, but a necessary world to explore as a young eager entertainment squire.

Working in media has always appealed to me, at a young age I would imagine myself on David Letterman, practicing my Oscar’s speech; remembering to thank my family for always supporting me. Which, funny enough, was not always the case.  One of my punishments as a child happened when I started a fire in my folks basement (SPFX might be my calling) they told me “NO TV FOR A WHOLE WEEK” and as a girl who treated her TV-time like Church, it was a big deal. I NEEDED to watch Friends, Buffy, X-Files and Seinfeld as part of my after school ritual. Worst. Punishment. Ever. Seriously, I had first world problems.  I often thank my mom for making my desire to watch TV an addiction because now that it pays my bills, it doesn’t feel like a waste of a punishment.

Like every 20 something, I struggled to sort out my life’s path. Where I belonged seemed to be in constant state of flux. I worked in recruitment, I worked in the ski industry, I worked in non-profit. Nothing really fit. I felt unskilled, unprepared and hopeless. Until, I met my mentor, a Production Manager/Producer in Calgary who asked me “where would you like to be in 5 years?” and I answered the over-asked question begrudgingly but honestly “I have no idea, I’m a master of many trades, skilled at nothing and everything.” The words she spoke next I’ll never forget “Well, good. People with your skills are celebrated in this industry.” She told me that film and television crews are comprised of the most varied skilled artists/people you’ll ever know. No matter what the job is, you can find someone who can do three of them. Need a guy to work the generator? Do Truck Costuming? And Payroll? You’ll find the girl/guy for the job! The more skilled you are at all things the more you’ll succeed. For the first time in my life I felt this was it! This industry was my calling.

I moved from Toronto to Calgary, for personal reasons as well as professional. I was born and raised in this city. Even though I told myself I wouldn’t come back (as everyone who leaves says) I did, and I was ready to open a new chapter.

The last 3.5 years have been a wild ride. I’ve worked on numerous television productions; Hell on Wheels, all seasons of Fargo, Wynonna Earp, Tin Star, Lewis & Clark, Solutrean – independent films, commercials and photoshoots.

Not all film/television that is shot in Alberta makes the news, it certainly does if Leo DiCaprio is here flaunting that glorious man bun and Go Green initiatives. Then there are films like Diablo, who broke the traditional methods of making a movie by using “film tourism” as an incentive for Alberta, investors to become shareholders in the film, contributors to the post-production process or even be a part of the talent in front of and behind the scenes. Alberta is making some amazing strides and pushing the limits of traditional filmmaking.  CMPA is investing in location scouting, touring International productions who are considering filming in Alberta and helping promote the film industry here, not only because of the amazing beauty but also because of the crew.

Alberta film slogan should be –

Welcome to Alberta, take a look around.. drops mic.

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes and Calgary, once a place I never thought I’d return to, has become brighter, fascinating and supportive of the Arts. There will be more and more opportunities to get involved with film and with our new Studio being constructed here, we’ll have a space that belongs to us, the hardworking, sleepless crew.

Alberta is like Ontario’s younger sibling, eager to learn and to be accepted but also asking questions, exploring curiosities and pointing out inconsistencies. We see no shortage of interest in bringing projects here, or of teaching skills through IATSE’s training programs, DGC’s affiliation with online training platforms and CSIF who are constantly providing new local filmmakers with the tools to tell stories.

I’m glad to call myself an Alberta Filmmaker, I’m excited to collaborate, tell stories, push the boundaries of what is possible and help create a space where anything is possible.