Western Steele
2017 Web Series
Funded

Western Steele

Experience Canada's Wild West through the adventures of John George "Kootenai" Brown: lawman, miner and legend.

Length8 min. 20 sec.
DirectorRyan Mennie
GenreDrama

Video


Pitch video

Synopsis

John George “Kootenai” Brown is Canada's Seth Bullock. He was a lawman, miner, involved in gunfights, shot with arrows, mail man through hostile territory, one of the first to discover oil in BC, and creator and protector of what would later become Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park. This is the story of his adventures through Canada's untamed West and the other characters who have now become a part of our country's wild history. -A 5 part webisode series (each approx. 10 mins in length) -A dramatic series based on historical figures from the late 1800s in Southern Alberta and BC (modelled after the HBO series Deadwood) -Useful as a promotional tool for regional tourism offices (showcasing attractions like Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in AB and Fort Steele, BC)


The team

A diverse and experienced crew featuring several members of the Lethbridge Independent Film Society and WCMA nominee singer/songwriter and film/tv composer WiL, we're excited and ready to get to work on "Western Steele!"

Profile picture of Ryan Mennie
Ryan MennieDirector, Writer, Producer, Actor
Profile picture of Tiara Adams
Tiara AdamsProducer, Camera Operator
Profile picture of Danielle Wintrip
Danielle WintripProduction Design

Production

Production Design

Main street Fort Steele, to be used for exterior shots of town life in the 1880s (horse buggies and background actors creating the activity).  This is a maternity dress from the period (recent photo) made in Fort Steele's actual functioning seamstress shop!  Many costumes from that shop will be used in the series.  Fort Steele (near Cranbrook, BC) will be the main shooting location.
A Northwest Mounted Police uniform from the late 1800s.  Attire from the period (featured here at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek, AB) will be worn by lead, supporting and background actors.
The key location to our story is not a town, but a majestic National Park, created with the help of our story's protaganist, John George "Kootenai" Brown.  This view of Waterton Lake features in a key moment at the beginning of our story, showcasing the beauty of the region that had an impact on Kootenai Brown for life.
WE HAVE A TRAIN!  The railroad featured prominently in the lives of Western Canadians in the late 1800s and this working steam train at Fort Steele will most definitely be part of our series!
Fort Steele, BC:  One of our main shooting locations for the series, and a fantastic tourism destination to be promoted through the production and release of Western Steele!
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek, AB features almost 30 actual historic buildings featuring highly detailed interiors and exteriors.  They even moved and restored the 4 story former CIBC bank from dowtown!
This is the actual cabin of our main character, Kootenai Brown, from 1883.  It will be used for exterior shots, as well as interior, featuring actual furnishings owned by Kootenai Brown at the time (including kitchen and bedrooms).
An example of the detailed interiors to be used for the series.  This school house is located at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek, AB.