SUNDRE – Specific details about a new production by an Alberta-based company that is shooting some scenes in Sundre remain tightly guarded.
However, Numera Films dropped some hints last week.
“While the team is under some strict non-disclosure agreements, they can share that the project fuses the horror and western genres,” reads part of a statement issued by the company.
And the Sundre & District Museum’s historic pioneer village provided a perfect backdrop for the group of filmmakers who are working on a story that blends elements of hair-raising horror with action-packed western movies.
Without getting into specifics, the story’s summary is described as the tale of three Old West traders who unwittingly get wrapped up in occult and supernatural dealings.
Although not yet technically official, the project’s working title is Project: Six-Shooter.
Griffin Cork and Morgan Ermter are co-producing with Andrea Materia, owner of Greater Fool – the largest global YouTube network for legal streaming of movie content – and Materia’s new company, Greater Fool Films LLC. The collection of companies also confirmed the project will eventually have a world-wide release.
“This is one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever had the pleasure of undertaking,” Ermter was quoted as saying in the press release. “We’re really looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on.”
Sundre was among many stops along a busy summer shooting schedule that took the cast and crew all over the province with filming locations including Drumheller, Bassano, Lethbridge, East Coulee, and Calgary.
“We owe a lot to the strength of the independent industry in Alberta; we’ve felt a lot of love in terms of hometown support,” Cork said through the press statement.
“But the work that the community has been doing to bolster the film scene here is absolutely integral. It’s fantastic to return to Sundre after spending some time filming Pipe Nation around here.”
Cork told the Albertan during an on-set interview at the museum that he had played the role of an oil worker in Pipe Nation called Cody, whose leg gets crushed by a tracked cat in a worksite accident. Through his connection with Pipe Nation’s Edmonton-based director Raoul Bhatt, Cork was put in contact with Jon Allan, the municipality’s economic development officer, who offered a personalized tour of locations including the museum and Timber River Station.
Shortly after scouting out the area, the production team was sold and the locations were settled.
“Sundre is the location that we’re in for the longest period of time,” Cork said.
Asked if that might mean Sundre will feature fairly prominently in the movie, he said, “Yes. I mean, more than any of the other locations, certainly.”
The museum was essentially a perfect match, he said, adding that while the production team brought along some props, the historic homestead building they shot a scene in mostly fit the bill.
“I think it’s part of the reason Jon showed us this spot, is because a lot of it comes pre-dressed,” he said.
“This tiny museum is kind of exactly what we were looking for in terms of the style of shoot but also the time period,” almost like a time capsule that offers a direct portal to the past without having to build a set from scratch, which can be a costly endeavour for film productions, he said.
Metaphorically rolling out the red carpet, Sundre mayor Richard Warnock welcomed the film crew with open arms.
“Small independent productions are fun to work with,” Warnock said in the presser. “We’re proud that Project Six-Shooter will allow Sundre to reach an international audience, as it is being produced for markets around the world.”
The mayor added the municipality, which is a partner with the Mountain View Regional Film Office, is always enthusiastic about the prospect of working with productions of any size.
The shoot in Sundre was scheduled to start July 12 and wrap up on July 20.