A handful of Cochrane locations were recently the backdrop for several sketches for a new comedy co-created by Cochranite Christopher Markowsky and Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi.
The Cochrane RancheHouse, Cochrane Health and Fitness and a ball pit at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre were used as location shoots in town.
As Markowsky lives in Cochrane, he wanted to keep some scenes local by shooting in town, describing filming as more of a novelty for people in Cochrane, whereas in Los Angeles, it is more of an inconvenience.
“People here (Cochrane) will bend over backwards to help you, and in the film world that goes a long way,” said Markowsky.
Markowsky originally sprouted the new comedy with Eshraghi-Yazdi from inspiration that came from other sketch comedies of a similar nature, such as Portlandia and Canadian sketch comedy Kids in the Hall.
Markowsky had always wanted to create something that he could direct and edit himself, which he described as an “above the line” job in the film industry.
“More recently when Portlandia made it big, I thought it would be fun to shoot something called Cowtown – it just seemed like a good name for a show,” said Markowsky, who also takes on some directorial and editing duties.
Using Eshraghi-Yazdi’s contacts at Telus Optik TV, the two we’re able to lock down a six-episode season, after Eshraghi-Yazdi wrote and directed a pilot episode, which is currently available on Telus Optik TV’s on-demand service. The series is produced by Eshraghi-Yazdi, under his own production company, Nur Films.
“Cowtown is a sketch comedy TV show focusing on some of the diverse and unique idiosyncrasies found in Calgary and the area,” said Markowsky. “We showcase local talent both onscreen and behind the camera. It’s truly a local and diverse program.”
After receiving their tight budget, the two searched for local talent, of which they hired several individuals from Calgary improv group Loose Moose Theatre.
Andrew Phung, Renee Amber, Covy Holland, Evan Wilson and Christopher Clare joined Eshraghi-Yazdi for writing duties, while often everyone on set is on camera as extras, due to their budget constraints.
“We wanted to use local talent, because we want to promote how awesome our talent is,” said Markowsky. “They happen to be writers, they do improv and they do sketch, so when we approached them they thought it (Cowtown) sounded awesome.”
“There’s a hierarchy that exists, but we’re all in this together,” said Markowsky. “I move gear and I’m still loading my car up at the end of the day and cleaning up garbage off set at the end of the day. Because that’s what you have to do when you’re low budget.”
While the first season’s episodes are currently being filmed, Markowsky is thinking about a second season, but knows that it can’t be done under a similar budget.
“Our goal is to make a good show that could maybe go another season with some real money,” said Markowsky. “We can’t do another season the way we’re doing it now. It’s just too hard for what we’re making.”
Currently, Cowtown’s YouTube channel features several two-three minute sketches from the series, which will be in the full episodes once they are released, expected in early September on Telus Optik TV’s on-demand service.
