In this masterclass, veteran Alberta set decorator Chris Smith takes audiences behind the scenes to explore the creative and practical art of dressing a set for film and television. Smith built his career working on some of Alberta’s most celebrated productions, including BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD, before bringing his expertise to the long-running HEARTLAND. 

He’ll explore everything from researching and sourcing the perfect pieces to collaborating with production designers, directors and other departments, while balancing story, budget, schedule and the realities of production. Discover how the smallest details can make a world feel authentic—and how great set decoration can give characters a voice before they ever say a word.

[PANELIST] Chris Smith has 30 years of experience working in the craft of Set Decoration in Alberta’s film industry. Graduating from the SAIT Film and Video program in 1995. Chris apprenticed with IATSE 212 in the Set Dec department, working his way up on numerous motion picture and television productions. Including, Open Range, Brokeback Mountain, The Assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford and Passchendaele. Over the last decade Chris has been the Key Set Decorator on television productions for Paramount Plus, Netflix and the CBC family drama, Heartland. Chris’s career is based in Calgary. As a long standing member of IATSE 212, he enjoys working beside fellow craftsperson’s and technicians in the collaborative and challenging environment of film production. Showcasing the best of the Alberta film industry.

[MODERATOR] Alex Free graduated from the Film and Video Production program at SAIT in 2005, and he has been a member in the lighting/electrics department of IATSE local 212 since 2008. He has been the Motion Picture Business Agent for IATSE 212 since 2024 and previously served as the Motion Picture Vice President on the executive board. Alex has worked on many motion picture and television productions over his career, including Hell On Wheels, Hold The Dark, Black Summer, Jumanji: The Next Level, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Fraggle Rock, The Order, and Prey.