Hollywood to Calgary

Page 14

Actor and recording artist Tom Jackson has just returned from Hollywood. He wasn't adding another film to his long list of accomplishments. He was actually trying to rope in several production ideas all at once for his own movie studio.

Jackson went to 11 major film studios in California trying to find support for his own soon-to-be-constructed studio in Calgary.

"It's definitely happening," said Jackson. "The only thing left before we put the spades in the ground is to dot the 'i's' and cross the 't's.'"

Jackson said his trip to California was a successful mission for possible film leads coming to his new Calgary studio.

"There is a growing necessity for them in Canada," he said.

More and more, American movie and series creators are looking to Canada for production areas. Exchange rates and tax breaks are a good lure, and the growing experience and maturity of Canada's film industry is an incentive to many south of the border producers.

Jackson said Calgary is a perfect spot to open up his studio. There are film stages in British Columbia, but next to Edmonton's Allarcom Studios, there's nothing across the prairies.

Without giving an exact cost, Jackson said the multi-million dollar, 75,000 sq. ft. facility will feature sound stages as big as 25,000 sq. ft.

"That's as large as a facility in any part of the country," he said.

Production work at the new studio will vary, he said, explaining that full length films, television series or small filming projects will be handled at the location.

Jackson is also expecting the new studio to maintain and increase the pool of talented film industry people in the province.

Even at minimal returns, Jackson said the studio could bring money "equated in the millions" to the Calgary area.

Jackson is planning on building the new facility in a southwest Calgary industrial area owned by the neighboring Tsuu T'ina First Nation.

Born on the One Arrow Indian First Nation in Saskatchewan, Jackson never forgets his Native roots.

He made sure to note that Aboriginal workers would be getting the lion's share of business during the building of the new studio.

Early May or June of 1998 is when the lights are to go on, the cameras to start rolling and the action to begin at Jackson's studio.