All Native cast, ambitious project films in Alberta

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Casting calls from Rocky Mountain House south to Standoff have given 2,000 First Nations people a chance to work in the television industry.

Classic Casting, of Calgary is casting extras for the filming of Dreamkeeper, a Hallmark mini-series that's set in New Mexico in the 1800s, but is being filmed in Alberta.

"It's a wonderful story," said Alyson Lockwood, in charge of casting the extras.

The eight-hour, four-part mini-series tells the story of a grandfather and grandson making their way to a powwow.

"It's based on Native folklore and legends," said Lockwood.

Casting has taken place in four centres, with more than 2,000 First Nations people answering the call.

"Turnouts have been wonderful," she said.

Casting began in April with calls on the Stoney and Siksika First Nations and the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge. Shooting will also take place in these communities, with deals still being worked out for shooting on the Siksika, Blood, Stoney and Big Horn reserves.

Casting is taking place for eight different tribes, so a "specific look" is needed for each.

While Lockwood is in charge of casting the extras, main casting director Carmen Kotyk is looking for extras, who will have speaking roles.

"There's just a small percentage of bit parts that the extras will be involved in," said Lockwood.

While the plan is to keep the extras filming in the area they hail from, some travelling for the extras may be necessary.

"It will depend on their stature, their look if they travel and their transportation," said Lockwood.

Extras will be paid $8.50 an hour with time-and-a-half paid for a work day that goes over eight hours. Lockwood expects most shooting days to run 12 to 14 hours.

Starring in Dreamkeeper are some well known Native names. August Schellenberg, with Black Robe" among his credits, portrays the grandfather. Dakota House, Tee Vee of North of 60 fame, and Jimmy Herman, of Dances With Wolves, are among the other headliners.

"It's one of the largest Native casts in a show that's ever been done," said Lockwood.

While the location of the story is Arizona, Lockwood said Alberta's landscape, in particular the south, lends itself well to the story. There are the Rockies, the Foothills, and the prairies, which will double for desert.

Shooting will begin early May and is expected to wrap up mid-August. The Dreamkeeper is scheduled to air on ABC some time early next year.