Over $141M spent on production in Alberta, according to new data
TORONTO – New data commissioned by the Motion Picture Association – Canada (MPA-Canada), released Monday, reveals the economic impact of HBO’s The Last of Us in Alberta, with more than $141 million spent across the province — making it the largest series ever filmed in Canada, according to a press release.
An affiliate of the Motion Picture Association Inc., MPA-Canada advocates for the major international producers and distributors of movies, TV and streaming programming in Canada. HBO and its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery are among the companies represented by MPA-Canada.
The data analysis on The Last of Us production, done by Oxford Economics, found $71 million of production spending supported wages and salaries for 840 local cast, crew and production personnel. The remaining $70 million was spent on local goods and services, ranging from lumber and construction supplies to hotels to catering, which supported more than 1,000 Alberta businesses in communities across the province, according to the press release.
Overall, the series generated more than $182 million for Alberta’s GDP and stimulated a total of 1,490 jobs across the province, MPA-Canada says. Filming for the show took place in Canmore, Fort Macleod, Waterton and several other locations in Alberta.
“Supported by Alberta’s Film and Television Tax Credit, this monumental production not only showcased the breathtaking facets of our province but also emphasized why Alberta, with over 180 diverse filming locations, is a world-class destination for large-scale film and television productions,” Matt Jones, Alberta minister of jobs, economy and trade, said in the press release.
The Last of Us has been nominated for 24 Emmys, including for outstanding drama series. Some of the Canadian creatives who have received Emmy nominations in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the critically acclaimed show include: Paul Healy for outstanding production design; Chris Glimsdale and Penny Thompson for outstanding contemporary hairstyling; Connie Parker and Joanna Mireau for outstanding contemporary makeup (non-prosthetic); Cynthia Ann Summers, Kelsey Chobotar, Rebecca Toon and Michelle Carr for outstanding contemporary costumes; Michael Playfair for outstanding sound mixing in a comedy or drama; and Lamar Johnson for outstanding guest actor in a drama series.
HBO has renewed the show for a second season, with filming slated to take place in British Columbia.
“The Last of Us is a reminder that filming in Canada is not only a stunning place to film, but also the best place to find all the talent needed to help produce world-class content,” Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said in a statement. “We welcome investment in Canada as a growing leader in the global film and tv market.”
Infographic provided by MPA-Canada.
