Bill Macfarlane

Hometown:  A large city two time zones east

Been with CTV Calgary since: 2011

Career Highlights:

• Convincing a recently released dangerous offender to sit down for an exclusive interview. He had hurt a lot of people in his life, but he seemed to understand what made him act that way – and how to prevent it.
• Wading through a knee-deep mudslide to get an interview – halfway across it started moving again. I escaped unhurt, but learned not to get over focused.
• Winning a regional RTDNA award for best feature – two weeks after being laid off. Television is a funny business.

Favourite Career Experience:

• Flying on an aerial search for a missing plane with 442 Search and Rescue Squadron. Those professionals never get called out in good weather, they put their lives – and sometimes their lunch – on the line “So That Others May Live.”
• A ride in a CF-18 over Abbotsford –RIDICULOUS

Education: 

• BA St. Francis Xavier
• Post Bacc Journalism

Favourite Place in Calgary: 

• Nose Hill Park in summer

Interests/Activities:

• If it happens on a mountain, I’m there. A lot.
• I want to play guitar very badly. And I do.

Favourite Movies:

• The Weatherman
• Hunger
• Strange Brew

Favourite Music:

• Jack White
• Josh Ritter
• Jerry Garcia

Favourite TV Shows:

• The News
• The Hockey
• Mad Men

Why I am a broadcaster: There is no other profession that gives such an intimate look at the best and worst of the world. Through broadcasting I’ve been privileged with the chance to bring stories to life, to learn from my surroundings and occasionally to comfort the afflicted (and vice versa). On the very best days I get to laugh or cuss or cry as I write a script. I don’t think that happens anywhere else.

About Me:  I’ve lived chunks of my life in Toronto, Nova Scotia, the Columbia Icefield, Kamloops, Vancouver Island and a few other stops in between – but for as long as I can remember, Calgary has felt like home.

I’m a reader, a writer, mountain freak, amateur charcutier, musician and lover of great visual storytelling. Monday to Friday I love the chaos of city life, but by sunrise on Saturday I need mountain air in my lungs.