Okotoks may become the new Hollywood for a couple days this summer. The movie Interstellar, with a working title of Flora’s Letter, will shoot a few scenes of downtown Okotoks at the end of August.
The movie has been described as a science-fiction story set in the near future where agriculture is waning due to climate and blight. There have been rumours circling that the movie is directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Mathew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, but nothing has been confirmed yet, said Bruce Brownstein, location scout for Oliver’s Arrow Films Inc., an Alberta company working with Warner Brothers to produce the film. He said he hasn’t even read the script yet.
“Only certain people can go into a room and read it,” Brownstein said. “They can’t take photos and they can’t leave with it because they want to remain flexible. They don’t want the story to get out before they are ready to release it.”
Brownstein said the production designer for the film saw photographs of Okotoks and thought the Olde Towne Plaza would work well for a scene where two men are going to be walking and talking. He said Warner Brothers hasn’t told him much more about what the scene will entail.
The Town of Okotoks met on June 24 and gave approval for the movie to film downtown, said Shane Olson, economic development team leader for the Town of Okotoks.
“It’s good for our economic impact, but it also showcases the area to other people in Hollywood that make films,” Olson said. “It can bring us more filming business in the future as well.”
Olson said the film will spend about $3.5 million in Okotoks, which will go towards local businesses, suppliers, accommodations and labour. The movie will bring in up to 150 people to the area. The Town has decided to charge Warner Brothers a flat fee of $5,000, which may be placed in a reserve fund to be used to power the McArthur Stage so more community events and performances may occur. Olson said the use of this reserve fund will be fully discussed in the 2014 capital budget discussions that take place this fall.
Warner Brothers expect to be in Okotoks from August 28 to Sept. 6. However, it is estimated they will only need two days total to film, the rest will simply be set-up and tear-down. They will be filming on North Railway Street between Clark Avenue and McRae Street. As a result, parking will not be allowed on McRae Street where it meets North Railway Street for about 100 feet east so unwanted cars don’t appear in the shots.
Downtown Okotoks will remain open during filming, but there will be a series of three-minute traffic delays in the area.
The Town has received 24 letters of support from surrounding downtown businesses. One of these businesses is Fabutan Sun Tan Studios. Manager Ashley Dupuis said that she doesn’t think the increased traffic will affect her business.
“It’s always busy to begin with,” Dupuis said. “If there is more traffic then it is not going to be unusual.”
Caroline Silver, owner of The Hair Studio, said that she also doesn’t think it will affect her business too much.
“It’s only a couple minutes in a movie,” she said.
Warner Brothers might allow the public to watch the film process, with the chance of taking students studying film production on set, Olson said. This possibility will be discussed closer to the date.
The film is also seeking approval to film on Tourmaline Field at the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club. Operations manager Angie Cox said that it would be an exciting opportunity for the Dawgs, but they are still waiting on the fine details such as dates, security deposits, rental fees and insurance.
“Tourmaline has a turf infield, which can be timely and costly to replace and repair,” Cox said. “Although we would love having them there, we have to have it left in a condition that is suitable. There has been so much money put into the field from private donors and individuals we just want to make sure the field is in good condition.”
If everything goes according to plan, Flora’s Letter, the working title of Interstellar, is set to hit theatres November 2014.
