Filming of HBO series The Last of Us, the largest-ever production in Canada, underway in Calgary
Filming of the HBO television series The Last of Us — the largest-ever production in Canada — has begun in the Calgary area, which is one of 50 productions attracted here by the Film and Television Tax Credit, Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday.
Crews are still building a large set for the HBO series near Stampede Park. A small street lined with faux-brick buildings is being created to shoot part of The Last of Us, which is an adaptation of a popular post-apocalyptic video game.
Dozens of TV and movie productions are set to start shooting or have wrapped up in Alberta since January 2020, leading to in $955 million in spending that created 9,000 jobs, the premier added.
"This is a true Alberta success story, a billion-dollar industry springing up around us right in front of our eyes," he said.
"These productions are filling hotel rooms all over Alberta with workers who are patronizing restaurants and other services, they're hiring carpenters and caterers, they're creating jobs for lighting and tech crews, they're driving both economic diversification and growth at a time when we desperately need it."
The City of Calgary has announced its intention to sell the Calgary Film Centre. (file)
The Last of Us production is estimated to bring in upwards of $200 million in revenue to Alberta and is being called the largest TV production in Canadian history.
"Not only does this bring one of the largest shows to our region, it also shows the rest of the world the quality of work that can be done in Alberta," said Luke Azevedo with Calgary Economic Development.
He points out that other productions have recently chosen Alberta for a backdrop, including Fraggle Rock, Under the Banner of Heaven and Wynnona Earp.
"What really brings Hollywood to us, beyond our crew base and quality of crew and talent, is the quality of our vistas and backdrops."
"So they're going to all these smaller regions -- the prairies, the mountains, the badlands -- and they're investing big dollars there," Azevedo said.
Though The Last of Us is the largest TV production in Canada, other large movies are being developed here.
The trailer for the newest Ghostbusters film was released last week, which was filmed in southern Alberta, and in June, work began on MGM's new series, Billy The Kid.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.