An establisher in Alberta’s film and television industry, ‘The Last of Us,” significantly held sway at the 10th annual Location Managers Guild International Awards in California, bagging the accolade for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary Television Series. It trounced other popular rivals including Succession and The Handmaid’s Tale, setting a precedent as the most extensive project in the annals of the Alberta industry.
In gratitude for the triumph, Jason Nolan, the show’s supervising location manager, acknowledged the collective efforts implicated in the creation of the series. He referred to the hundreds of businesses that willingly paused their operations for some week-long periods, and cities that acquiesced to have their central veins closed down.
Narrated against a post-apocalyptic backdrop, the film narrative came alive in roughly 180 varied sets scattered throughout Alberta, in Calgary, Edmonton and Waterton, and spanned not less than a year.
In recognition of the spectacular topographies that set the ‘The Last of Us’ apart, the Alberta Film Commission and Calgary Economic Development clinched the award for Outstanding Film Commission. According to Mark Ham, Alberta Film Commissioner, the award signified a feat never before accomplished in the history of the province, or Canada at large, underlining their exemplary partnership.
Luke Azevedo, vice-president of creative industries, operations, and film commissioner for Calgary Economic Development, seconded the sentiment, attributing the victory to the high standard of work Alberta consistently offers to the global film industry.
Sadly, as Alberta’s film industry is on the cusp of a boom, the continual strikes orchestrated by Hollywood’s actors and writers persist. This, they argue, is in defiance at the paltry pay when working on streaming services and the lack of job protection from artificial intelligence. However, independent and Canadian shows remain undeterred and continue to run. Mentioning ‘Heartland season 17’, Mark Ham expressed pride in these shows.
Despite speculation over the strike’s end, Ham and Azevedo are undeterred in their mission to continue promoting Alberta as a supreme film destination. Ham believes this award acts as a torchbearer, vouching for Alberta’s readiness to welcome global productions once the strikes conclude.
