Servicing the Motion Picture Industry for over 30 Years.

Stuntman   Joe   Dodds   was   working   on   a   film   near   Champion,   Alberta,   when   the   director happened   to   mention   he   had   a   decent   western   script   tucked   away.   Dodds   suggested   he speak   with   his   friend,   John   Scott,   who   could   likely   help   him   with   the   picture.   Nearly   a   decade later,    the    panoramic    pleasure    Legends    of    the    Fall    premiered,    bringing    the    jawdropping majesty   of   the   Alberta   wilderness   and   ranchlands   to   the   big   screen.   Starring   Brad   Pit   and Anthony   Hopkins,   the   film   is   but   one   of   four   Academy   winning   films   Longview,   Alberta, rancher and head wrangler, John Scott has helped bring to fruition. Utilizing   his   experience   in   roles   such   as   stunt   co-ordinator   and   performer,   head   wrangler, animal   wrangler,   location   scout,   and   transportation   coordinator,   Scott,   head   of   John   Scott Motion   Picture Animal   Productions,   has   enjoyed   a   36-year-span   of   steady   work   in   the   film   industry.   During   that   time   he   has   been   involved   in   the   creation   of well over 130 projects, both film and television. Of    those    four    Oscar    winning    films    Scott    points    out,    “Alberta    is    the    only province   that   has   three   Academy   Award   winning   films   made   here   -   Days   of Heaven,   Legends   of   the   Fall   and   Unforgiven.”   (The   fourths,   Lord   of   the Rings,    was    filmed    in    New    Zealand    with    Scott    acting    as    horse    stunt coordinator   and   fellow   Canuck   cowboy,   Lyle   Edge   working   as   a   wrangler coordinator). Listening   to   Scott   speak,   it   becomes   clear   the   ranch   enviroment   he   surrounds himself   with   plays   a   dominant   role   in   his   life,   and   he   has   brought   to   the   high- powered   studios   of   California,   and   concurrently,   a   reality,   he   can   retreat   to   for some space of his own. Standing   in   one   of   the   spacious   corrals   at   John   Scott’s   ranch,   you   would   almost   believe you’ve   stepped   back   into   time   and   the   old   West.   Established   by   Scott’s   grandfather,   William Bews,   in   1904,   and   located   in   the   picturesque   ranching   foothills   of   the   Canadian   Rockies,   the ranch   itself   exudes   authenticity.   Scott’s   ranching   blood   runs   three   generations   deep,   and   his pride   of   that   heritage   is   evident   in   the   careful   preservation   of   this   100-year-old   working   ranch. Ranch   manager,   Cathy   Sutherland,   adeptly   serves   at   the   helm   of   the   ranch,   overseeing   the cow/calf operaton, the horses and a small herd of bison. Home   to   Scott,   Sutherland,   and   a   handful   of   wranglers   and   ranch   help,   the   quarters   and   land have   also   been   used   for   filming   many   a   Western   film,   and   come   complete   with   the   own   built- in frontier town - a former film set used in the movie Monty Walsh, starring Tom Selleck. THE FILMMAN      “Within   100   miles,   you   can   make   it   look   like   five   different   states.”      So   said   Clint   Eastwood when      describing Alberta’s   multitude   of   filming   locales.         Indeed,   capitalizing   on   the   diversity   of the      landscape   of   Alberta,   has   led   John   Scott   Motion      Picture   Animal   Productions,   through   a lifetime      journey   of   adventure   in   the   movie   industry.   Scott’s   first   experience   wrangling   began in   1970   while   he   was   on   the   rodeo   circuit,   and   was   asked   to   supply   horses   and   do   some   stunt work   in   the      producton   of   Little   Big   Man,   starring   Dustin      Hoffman.                     “Yes,   it   was   quite   a   fun deal,”   remembers   Scott.      “We   didn’t   realize   after   that   picture   that   we   would      actually   have   an industry   here   in   Alberta,   and   it      didn’t   really   happen   until   1975,   when   five   pictures      (including Buffalo   Bill   &   the   Indians,   with   Paul      Newman)   were   filmed   here,   and   it   looked   like   the     business   was   starting   to   come.      That   was   a   turning   point.”               Scott   went   to   Hollywood   and worked   with   the      wrangleres   and   stuntmen   there,      gettting   onto   sets      and   seeing   how   the industry   ticked   -   and   invaluable   experience   when   it   came   time   for   producers   to      come   to Alberta. THE PROMOTER With   all   its   rich   culture   and   landscape,   Alberta   is,   unfortunately,   the   only   province   which doesn’t   offer      a   tax   credit   for   American   film   producers,   affecting      the   amount   spent   in   the province.      “We   are   not   on   a   level   playing   field   with   the   rest   of   the   provinces.      It’s   been   a   very had   sell   for   the   last   10   years,”   Scott      states,   comparing   the   industry   dollars   to   B.C.      which,   for instance,   enjoys   over   a   billion   dollar   film      industry   revenue   a   year,   while   in   Alberta,   “we   are     trying   to   consistently   do   around   two   hundred   million   dollars.”                  Scott   says   te   industry   has tried   different   models   and   a   current   “film   fund”   now   in   place,   which      provides   partial   funding for hiring Albertans on films  is helping. THE HOST AND PRODUCER One   of   the   many   projects   Scott   has   been      involved   with,   was   one   of   his   own   making. Recovering   from   a   broken   hip   incurred   in   a   car      accident,   gave   Scott   the   time   to   vision   out   the plan      of   his   own   television   series,   eventually   called   John      Scott’s   World   of   Horses   which   he not   only   hosted,      but   produced   as   well.      The   White   Iron   production,      was   syndicated   and proved   to   me   an   informative      and   well   documented   set   showcasing   the   many      disciplines   and uses   of   horses   also   gave   Scott   the      opportunity   to   honor   the   animal   wranglers   he   had      come to   know   over   the   years.   “I   had   gotten   to   know   chuckwagon   drivers,      rodeo   cowboys   and   many Canadian   champions.         There   were   many   stories   to   be   told   and   this   was   a      chance   to   expose those individual stories.”  THE COWBOY WITHIN Scott   is   the      founder   of   the   Alberta   Chapter   of      Stunts   Canada,   an   association   of   professional   stunt      co-ordinators   and   performers,   formed in    1974        Vancouver.    Nanton    rancher    and    veteran    Stunts    Canada      member    Brent    Woolsey    is    considered    to    be    one    of        the    busiest stuntmen   in   the   business   today   and      attributes   his   film   career   to   Scott who   gave   him   his      first   job   working   in   the   movie   industry.   “I   have learned   what   to   do   and   what   not   to   do   by      watching   him.      The   movie business   is   really      competitive   these   days   and   if   you   snooze,   you   lose. Maybe    that’s    why    John    does    not    sleep    much.    From    left:        Scott organizing    a    day    of    filming;    buffalo    wranglers    and    John    near Drumheller;   on   the   set   of   Into   the   West.   “John   is   and   always   will   be   a     cornerstone    in    the    Alberta    movie        business.        He    has    given    an      opportunity   to   an   awful   lot   of   people.   -   Brent   Woolsey   Still,   keeping   his     animal   actors   and   the      Alberta   movie   industry      working   is   a   great     incentive   for   Scott,      who   frequently   flies      between   Los   Angeles   and Vancouver   securing   the   next   picture   deal   for      the   province.   “If   I   can promote   a   Western   up   here,   it   is   to   my      advantage.”      he   explains.      “It gets     these     horses     and     animals     working     -     it’s     to     everybody’s advantage.”   Scott’s   experience   with   the   film   industry   over   the   years has   taught   him   that   if   a   director   is   doing   a      contemporary   film   here,   the next    picutre    he    makes        may    be    a    Western    once    he    experiences Alberta.      “If   he   come   here   and   sees   the   country   and   what   kind      of potential we offer, it’s good for everyone in the  business.” THE HOST AND PRODUCER One   of   the   many   projects   Scott   has   been      involved   with,   was   one   of   his   own   making. Recovering   from   a   broken   hip   incurred   in   a   car      accident,   gave   Scott   the   time   to   vision   out   the plan   of   his   own   television   series,   eventually   called   John      Scott’s   World   of   Horses   which   he   not only   hosted,      but   produced   as   well.      The   White   Iron   production,      was   syndicated   and   proved to   me   an   informative      and   well   documented   set   showcasing   the   many      disciplines   and   uses   of horses   also   gave   Scott   the      opportunity   to   honor   the   animal   wranglers   he   had      come   to   know over   the   years.   “I   had   gotten   to   know   chuckwagon   drivers,      rodeo   cowboys   and   many Canadian   champions.   There   were   many   stories   to   be   told   and   this   was   a      chance   to   expose those individual stories.”  THE COWBOY WITHIN Scott   is   the      founder   of   the Alberta   Chapter   of      Stunts   Canada,   an   association   of   professional stunt      co-ordinators   and   performers,   formed   in   1974      Vancouver.   Nanton   rancher   and   veteran Stunts   Canada      member   Brent   Woolsey   is   considered   to   be   one   of   the   busiest   stuntmen   in the   business   today   and      attributes   his   film   career   to   Scott   who   gave   him   his      first   job   working in   the   movie   industry.   “I   have   learned   what   to   do   and   what   not   to   do   by      watching   him.      The movie   business   is   really      competitive   these   days   and   if   you   snooze,   you   lose.   Maybe   that’s why John does not sleep much. Former   World   Champion   chuckwagon   driver,      Tom   Glass,   also   a   Stunts   Canada   member agrees   with   Woolsey.      “John   has   done   more      than   anyone   for   the   industry,   he’s   a   good wrangler,   stunt   co-ordinator,   he’s   always   promoting   Alberta   and   he’s   a   good   friend.”   Glass’ first   taste   of   working   in   films   began   in   1972   wrangling   with   Scott   in   the   movie      Pioneer Woman.   He   then   went   on   to   try   his      hand   at   stunt   doubling   for   Kirk   Douglas   in Draw!      Since   then,   Glass   and   his   brother   Reg      have   both   been   active   in   the film industry. THE HORSES   As     a     horseman,     Scott and   his   wranglers      have learned   to   be   as   adept   at handling        horses,    upt    ot 800   at   a   time   -   as   they   were     asked   to   do   in   the   filming   of   Heaven   and Earth.   Safety   for   the   actors   and   horses are      a   top   priority   for   Scott   while   filming these      large   action   scenes.   He   considers one   of   the   more      exceptional   horse   acts he   has   worked   with      to   be   horse   trainer and   stuntman   Claude      Chausse   and   his 10-year-old   black   Quarter      Horse   gelding, Mustang.            When      Chausse            isn’t delighting    audiences    on    the    pro    rodeo      circuit,    he    occasionally    finds    work    in movies        such    as    the    western    comedy Shanghai      Noon,   starring   Jackie   Chan.                    The   ranch   is   home   to   often   upwards   of     100    horses,    most    used    in    the    movies. Though    at    one    time    breeding    his    own stock,      Scott   now   purchases   his   horses privately,        from    sales    and    occasionally PMU Farms. STOCK SUPPLIER Scott   will   be   in   the   saddle   and   acting   as      client   co-ordinator   for   the   Calgary Stampede      2005   Trail   Drive,   in   honor   of   Alberta’s   100th      Anniversay.      The 2005   Trail   Drive   donated   a      seat   on   the   ride   to   STARS   benefit   auction   which     brough   $26,000.         He   also   rode   with   the   2000      Millennium   Trail   Drive   in which   Stampede   ranch      hands   and   guest   wranglers   drove   the   renowned     Calgary   Stampede   bucking   horses   136   miles      from   the   ranch   near   Hanna   to the   Calgary      Stampede   grounds.   Scott   is   always   impressed   with   the   CS     committee’s   ability   to   pull   off   such   an   event   as      the   trail   drive.   “Who   else   but the   Calgary   Stampede   could      put   on   a   trail   drive   like   this!      The   organization,     the   camp   fires,   the   meals   -   it   is   first   class   allt   he   way.”      he   says.   Calgary Stampede   Ranch   Manager   and      Arena   Director,   Robin   Burwash,   holds   high     praise    for    Scott    over    the    years    he    has    known    him,    calling        him    an “ambassador   for   the   rodeo   cowboy.”   He   considers   Scott’s   role   in   these   trail drives      crucial.      As   the   co-ordinator   for   the   guest      wranglers,   Scott   must supply   the      the   horses      that   have   to   drive   the   200   head   CS   bucking      string along   the   trails.      As   Burwash   says,      driving   hroses   is   much   different   than driving      cattle.   “With   horses   you   have   to   lead   them   more   or      less,   you   have to   be   able   to   set   the   pace   and      hold   them   back.      They   may   never   break   out of      an   extended   trot   after   the   first   day   out,”   he      explains.The   18   guest wranglers   of   this   years   six-day      trail   drive,   will   be   paying   $15,000   each   for   the     privilege   of   participating   on   the   historical   ride,      with   the   proceeds   going   to   the Calgary      Stampede   Foundation,   which   has   a   focus   of      Youth   Programs.      Sadly,   the   2005   trail drive      could   possibly   be   the   last   of   its   kind   as   the      growth   of   the   city   has   made   it   increasingly     difficult   to   navigate   traffic   enroute   to   the      grounds.     The   horses   and   wranglers   will   arrive      in   the city   on   a   Sunday   to   avoid   some   of   that      traffic.   As   commerically   engaged   as   John   Scott     Motion   Picture   Animals   is,   Scott   says   the      Calgary   Stampede   Parade,   with   its   350,000 enroute   attendance   and   some   35   milion      television   viewers,   is   still   one   of   the   busiest      days   of the   year   for   him.   He   and   his   wranglers   will   supply   over   100   head   of   the   700   or   so      horses stepping    down    this    year’s    parade    route.    Hal    Wetherup,        Calgary    Stampede    Parade      Committee   Chairman   gives   much   credit   to      Scott   for   the   safety   of   the   show.   “John   has   been the   Stampede   Parade’s      principal   stock   supplier   as   long   as   I   can      remember.      Without   a suitable   supply   of      parade-broke   horses,   accomplishing   such   a      feat,   while   maintaining   our incredible    record    for        the    safety    of    our    spectators    and    participants,        would    be    virtually impossible,”   he   says,   further      explaining   that   organization   and   matching      horses   to   riders become   super-critical   skills   at      such   a   venue.      “A      properly   broke   horse,   in   the   traditional     sense,   is   sometimes   insufficient   for   use   in   such   a      large   urban   parade.      With   the   thousands   of     cheering   people   along   the   route,   the   marching      bands,   strange   sights   and   sounds,   walking   on     asphalt   between   towering   skyscrapers   -   all   that      can   be   a   challenging   situation      for   may horses.      The   training   expertise   of   John   and   his   staff   shows   itself   how   well   prepared   his     mounts   are   for   such      environments.   Many   of   our   Parade      Marshalls,   as   well   as      international riding      groups   hire   his      mounts   for   their   use   in      the   Parade.     The   vast      majority   of   these   -      both experienced   and      novice   riders   -      meet      up   with   their   mounts   only   the   morning   before      the parade   begins.      It   is   vital   each   horse   arrives      healthy,   well prepared    for    the    parade    route    and        suitably    saddled    in reliable   tack.      John’s      company   does   that   very   well   indeed,” continues      Wetherup.      A   steadfast   pride   of   his   western   roots may      be   much   of   what   drives   John   Scott,   particularly,      when it   comes   time   to   selling   the   cinematic      potential   of   Alberta’s landscape   to   film      producers.      His   love   of   the   traditional lifestyle   of   the   cowboy   on   the   range,   may   also   be   why   the     words   to   this   ol-time-poem,   hit   the   right   buttons      for   this cowboy.

  From left:  Scott organizing a day of filming; buffalo wranglers and John near Drumheller; on the set of Into the West.

Gathering cattle in the fall

From left: branding at the Scott ranch and filming Little House on the Prairie, also at the ranch

From left: Jimmy Dodds, Darcy Sawley, Scott and Guy Poirer

Hoppy, Gene & Me,  We taught you how to shoot straight,  And a cowboy never cries,  That’s how it had to be,  Just stories from the Silver Screen, Now most of them forgotten  Double feature Saturdays  With Hoppy, Gene and Me.  -  Roy Rogers    Silver Screen Cowboys

 JOHN SCOTT PRODUCTIONS    |   P.O. Box 33. Longview, Alberta, T0L 1H0 CANADA    |    403-816-0001    |    info@johnscottproductions.com

This is a partial Resume. If you would like a complete resume dating back to 1970 please send request to: info@johnscottproductions.com

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