We’re introducing you to some of our favourite places and people as we count down the days to ShowCanada…
Photo: Mark Ham and Bella Ramsey on the top of Fortress Mountain on the set of ‘The Last of Us Season 2’
Mark Ham serves as Alberta’s Film Commissioner, and leads the province’s efforts to grow Alberta’s film and television sectors by attracting productions, supporting industry development, and promoting Alberta as a premier filming destination. Mark brings over two decades of experience in senior roles across the Government of Alberta, with a focus on economic development and cultural industries.
How long have you lived in Alberta, and what brought you to the area?
I’ve been in Alberta my whole life! The people, the landscapes, and the opportunity are what have kept me here – Alberta is a great place to work, play and raise a family, as long as you don’t mind the winter!
What do you like best about your role with the Film Commission?
The variety and the people. Everyday is different, with an amazing number of opportunities and challenges that come with the role. The people in the film sector are so passionate and dedicated to their craft, it’s infectious to be around. It is something special to see a piece of Alberta on-screen or to know that an Alberta story is being shared.
What surprises people most about filming in Alberta?
A couple of things: The first would be the history we have with film in the province. We have been making films in Alberta for over a century, and we have made so many major films and TV shows over the last 30 years…I often hear, “I love that movie, I had no idea it was made in Alberta!” With this experience comes the second thing that surprises some of our international productions on their first visit: The depth and quality of our crews, talent and infrastructure, which are award-winning and truly world-class.
What’s a production moment in Alberta that made you think “This is why we film here?”
The picture above is me with one of the stars of HBO’s The Last of Us, shooting a scene from season 2 at one of Alberta’s iconic locations, Fortress Mountain. Any time I am up at Fortress watching our Alberta crews deal with the unpredictability of high alpine shooting in this breathtaking setting, I am reminded why the world loves making content in Alberta.
Alberta has doubled for so many places around the world. What’s the most unexpected “stand-in” you’ve seen?
Some may not be aware that Alberta has also doubled for Fraggle Rock. The reboot of the 1980’s series was filmed in Fortress Studio using some of Alberta’s best puppeteer talent. While not a true stand-in for a location shoot, it is a really fun way to show what Alberta can do. Some other great examples include: Alberta standing-in for a foreign planet in an episode for Lost in Space (Netflix), a Mexican village in Brokeback Mountain, and even the mythical world of Jumanji in The Next Level.
Which celebrity do you think would fit best in Banff, and why?
We have had tons of celebrities visit Banff in the past either when shooting in Alberta or attending the annual Banff World Media Festival – including Brad Pitt, Pedro Pascal, Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, and Jennifer Lawrence (to name a few). The universal reaction has been ‘this may be the most stunning place on earth’, which says something coming from some of the most well-traveled people on Earth. The best thing about Banff and Alberta in general is that anybody can find their perfect fit here.
What’s your all-time favourite movie, and why?
Unforgiven, one of my favourite films of all time just happens to be made in Alberta – from the historic Bar U Ranch to the badlands, Alberta truly plays a starring role in the film and supports the story in an unbelievable way.
Looking back over the past 40 years, how has Alberta’s film landscape evolved – and what excites you most about where it’s headed?
Alberta’s film sector is very resilient and continues to grow and evolve in the face of an ever-changing global landscape for film and TV. We have had great success over the last 40 years, but we are not resting on that success, and continue to evolve and innovate to meet industry needs in this ever-changing environment. This innovation goes hand-in-hand with the things that will always make Alberta standout, which are the diversity and beauty of our landscapes and friendly, hard working Albertans.
The countdown to ShowCanada’s 40th anniversary is on!